Nothing is more exciting than a client who's ready to jump from her full-time job into her booming business. She's done everything to set herself up for success. She's built a solid reputation, created a steady stream of new clients, and nearly matched her business income to her job's paycheck. She's ready to leave the job behind and work for herself full-time. Continue reading...
Systems
Steal This! A Step-by-Step Guide to Make Your Big Ideas Actually Happen so You Can Grow Your Business Faster
I’m going to guess you’re something of an idea machine. Am I right? Fabulous! Now tell me: What happens after you’ve been inspired to do something great? If you’re like most business owners, you have a notebook full of ideas you haven’t had the time or energy to implement. Maybe your excitement fizzles out before you have the chance bring your idea to life. Or you Continue reading...
Too Much to Do? My 5 Simple Rules for Getting More Done by Working Less, So You Can Avoid Stress and Burnout
What entrepreneur doesn’t have too much to do? It’s okay. You’re among friends here with your long hours and frazzled look. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Let me cut right to it. There’s one thing about the way I run my business that always surprises people: Some days I hardly work. Other days I don’t work at all. Even on weekdays. (Gasp!) Honestly, the Continue reading...
My Business’s Essential Tools: The Programs, Apps, and Software I Use to Run My Business
This post was first published in 2013. It was last updated in 2016. Tools change frequently and fast. Back in 2013, I wrote about my can’t-live-without programs, apps, tools, and software—and the behind-the-scenes post quickly became a reader favorite. A lot has changed since 2013, but one thing hasn’t: You’re still curious about what to use to start, grow, and Continue reading...
Email Management Secrets: 3 Ways I Use Boomerang to Manage My Clients, Daily Tasks and Outside Commitments
You’re spending an evening powering through some catch-up work, when you get a new email - a question from a colleague. You scan it quickly. It’s not life or death. “I’ll come back to this later,” you decide, and get back to what you were doing. Then you wrap up, and wake up the next morning with every intention of responding... but your inbox is bursting with new Continue reading...
Steal This! My Step-by-Step Guide to Telling Your Clients You’re Raising Your Rates (Without Scaring Them Away)
Once a client is ready to raise their rates, there's a panicky moment I brace for, the one where they're freaking out, saying things like: How do I tell my clients?! They'll all leave me! Maybe I'll wait a few more months to do it! So if after the last few articles on pricing (here and here) you realize it's time to increase you prices, I've got you covered in the next Continue reading...
Is Life Getting in the Way of Your Business? How to Find the Balance You Crave While Still Meeting Your Goals
All my internal STOP signals were flashing. The message was clear: Don’t take another step! Wait! Not now! Stop, Jenny, stop I just didn’t want to hear it. Why? Well, for one thing, I’m stubborn. I also just didn’t think stepping back was an option for me. Whatever was going on that my body wanted to STOP, I thought it had to take a backseat. I’d sort it Continue reading...
Finally! An Editorial Calendar That Works for Me: How One Piece of Paper Saved Me from 3 Months of Stress
As you likely know by now, I’m all about organization, systems, and planning ahead. But strangely enough, there was one piece of the efficiency puzzle that I kept dodging. Like, hands-over-my-ears-shouting-NO level avoidance. The offending party? Editorial calendars. In case you’re not sure what an editorial calendar is, I’ll tell you! It’s a plan of what you’ll publish Continue reading...
Too Long Since Your Last Vacation? 4 Surprising Benefits of Ignoring Your Business That Will Inspire a Getaway
I'm back in the groove of business, slowly putting my post-vacation inspiration into action. First up is today's surprising post, which found itself in my head one day while I was sitting on the beach. I grabbed a rock and etched it into a coconut so I wouldn't forget what I wanted to tell you. Here goes... Taking a vacation is great for several reasons. Obviously, Continue reading...
Steal This! My Work-Free, Stress-Free Vacation Checklist That Will Keep Your Online Business Running Without You
When was the last time you felt comfortable enough to take a vacation? A real one, that is. By “real,” I mean work-free. Not being stuck on your laptop in a hotel room. Not checking emails on your phone between Thanksgiving dinner and dessert. Not worrying about the ever-mounting workload that’s awaiting you when you return. Most business owners are anxious about Continue reading...