Episode 39: Why Your MVP Is Your MVP

What if the most valuable player on your business team isn’t the perfectly prepared, beautifully built, online course, product or group programme? What if its quicker, dirtier, scrappier cousin was the secret to a successful launch?!

In this ep I talk about MVP - Minimum Viable Product - and why this adopting this model in your business can save you oodles of time, money and heartache. I cover the importance of truly listening to your customers, letting go of perfection and being scrappy in your business, to ensure you only ever create products, services or products that your audience actually want. I share some of the biggest mistakes I have made in my own business and what I wish I’d known then, that I know now. I share this with you because I’ve been through the mill, so you don’t have to!

If you’re thinking about creating or launching something new in 2023, listen to this ep now and make sure none of your time, effort or money is wasted!

Enjoyed this ep? Please leave us a rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts, and drop me an email to let me know: siobhan@revealmarketinguk.com

Episode 38: Why One Size Doesn't Fit All (& What You Can Do Instead)

In this episode I’m joined by Lynn Howard, Entrepreneurial Development Strategist & Co-Author of The Pursuit of Badasserie. Lynn shares her tough, traumatic, but hugely inspiring journey as a human, and how that has influenced her unconventional approach to growing multiple hugely successful businesses.

Lynn shares some of the secrets behind her unstoppable and laser-focused work ethic, including just how she gets so much done in a surprisingly short amount of time. We discuss why one size really doesn’t fit all, including the importance of not comparing ourselves to others, defining our own success measures and how to ensure we have the right people around us to meet our needs. As Lynn says, to go fast, go alone, but to go far, you need to go together.

To connect with Lynn on LInkedIn you can find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnahoward/

To nab a copy of her incredible book, head to Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pursuit-Badasserie-Create-Business-Abundance-ebook/dp/B0B5NFZQ3R

Episode 37: Need More Time In Your Day? You need T.O.A.S.T.

Who is in control of your time - you or your diary!? As business owners we always have lots to do - we fulfil many different roles, we're super passionate about what we do and we're forever coming up with new ideas. One of the benefits of running your own business is that you can always make more money - but what does that truly give you if you don't have the TIME to enjoy it? Is it really possible to create more time in your day/week/life!?

In this ep I share a simple framework I often use with my clients, to help you understand how to win back some of your oh-so-precious time. I'll give you an overview of the five key areas to explore within your business to understand how you could be making the best use of your time, including clever approaches to streamlining your client experience and even social media. I also share some tips on what to do if you're not sure where your time is going right now, so you can implement some of the steps from TOAST in our business and actually see the difference for yourself.

If you've enjoyed this episode drop me a message - I'd love to hear from you and what you "toasted" in your business.

Episode 36: Why The Destination Is The Journey

What if the mistakes we make aren't really mistakes? What if we're focusing on the wrong things?

In this episode I'm joined by Jack Hall - a creative copywriter who wants you to sell the sizzle, not the sausage! Jack and I discuss the state of modern copywriting on social media and his refreshing approach to crafting copy for his clients: connecting with the reader and rewarding them for their time. Jack also shares some of the big realisations around his move from in-house to freelancing and some of the surprises that came up along the way.

We also dive into the importance of the process - experimenting with how you use your time and how you boost your creativity, how you balance working on vs in your business and, of course, the all-too-necessary spectre of mistakes. We discuss why we need to normalise making them, share them and crucially, learn from them. Ultimately, embracing the journey will help you realise that THAT is the greatest destination of all.

Find out more about Jack and his work here (oh and enjoy the memes!): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-hall-5a67a81b1/

Episode 35: The Way Of The Fist - Win More Clients In Less Time

We all want to create amazing marketing content and campaigns that get results, but how? Is it really possible to win more of your favourite clients in less time?

Join me, my mic and my duvet for another snappy dose of unconventional marketing insight, as we look at how to create a marketing message that cuts through the noise and helps you stand out. This is key to saving time by pre-qualifying prospects before they reach you, and motivating them to move towards you.

In this ep I talk you through the way of the FIST! FIST is my new framework to help you refine your marketing message and get really freakin' specific about who you're for and why they should care. Crucially, we're not talking about niching down your business, but niching down your message, so that you can attract those lovely exciting clients you're on the hunt for.

I also share some examples of how this framework looks in practice, so that you can go away and put the way of the FIST into action for your business right away.

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a rating or review, or drop me a message at siobhan@revealmarketinguk.com to let me know!

Episode 34: The Importance Of Knowing Your Truth

How often do you ask yourself "What is the real truth?” In this episode i’m joined by Antje Swart, Consciousness Elevator, who shows people how to merge their spiritual being with their peak performer, to create their desired success. We talk about the power of asking yourself the right question, in order to understand how much more you could be capable of.

Antje shares how she likes to tear up the rule book and ask questions that get to the heart of the truth, to help people uncover the solutions to their problems. We talk about the importance of surrounding yourself with folks who will ask you those direct questions, in the bad times and the good times. Antje also talks openly about her big dreams for her life and business - a moment for us all to step back, uncover our truth and realise we can dream bigger!

If you would like to find out more about Antje and her work, connect with her here:

Website: https://consciousnesselevator.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antje-swart/

Episode 33: But Do I Really Need A Niche In My Marketing?

As a Marketing Strategy Consultant who works with unconventional Small Business Owners, I get this question a lot! Honestly? It's a very valid one. There's a lot of crappy advice out there about niching down, and lots of people I meet have had some dodgy previous experiences of giving it a go. So, in this episode I tackle the two big reasons behind that:

-Why you actually need a niche

-How your niche can look different from how you think or how you've been taught

I also share some surprise benefits of niching and some honest insights from my own experience of niching down (complete with bumps along the road!). I also share some simple tips to better understand how to create a niche that works FOR you, rather than against you.

If you'd like to go deeper on the exercise I talk about towards the end of the episode, please head over to Season 1, Episode 2: To Niche Or Not To Niche. You'll love it!

And don't forget - if you'd like some help to untie the knots around your niche, drop me an email - I'd love to hear from you: siobhan@revealmarketinguk.com

Episode 32: Live The Story Of Your Success

In this ep, I'm joined by the wonderful Shehnaaz Latif, a personal and professional wellness facilitator who is here to serve those who serve, with her blend of ancient wisdom and modern science.

Shehnaaz shares her experience of being "a rule breaker from the beginning” and she has come to a place in her life that makes sense for her. We talk about letting go of expectations and how Shehnaaz has crafted not one, but two businesses (!) that create space for her to serve those who serve.

We explore why time isn’t quite what we think it is, why ‘make hay while the sun shines’ is such unhelpful business advice, and how success isn’t a place we ‘reach’, but an experience we can cultivate as business owners every single day we show up.

If you would like to find out more about Shehnaaz and her work, you can connect with her here:

https://www.instagram.com/mywellnesszone_shehnaaz/

https://tootservices.co.uk/

Episode 31: Does your social bio sizzle, or fizzle... out?!

Blimey we wear lots of hats as business owners, don’t we? Let’s be real: we don’t always have a lot of time to dedicate to updating our social media bios, much less all the other places we have a presence online. Don’t even get me started on the character limits for your Instagram bio!

In this episode I’ll talk you through the 3 key elements you need to include in your social media bios to make sure they sizzle, rather than fizzle out. We’ll talk about who you’re trying to attract, what you need to say to grab their attention and why it’s so important to tell them what to do or where to go next.

If you’ve enjoyed this ep please do leave us a rating or review, or drop me an email at siobhan@revealmarketinguk.com to ask any questions about making your online presence pop. I’m here for it!

Episode 30 - Be Bold, Be Weird, Be You!

How bold are you in your business? Bold enough to drop the c-bomb (spoiler: you'll hear it in this episode!) I’m joined by Daniel Moore for this fun, sweary and insightful instalment of the podcast - a Brand Strategist & Graphic Designer who helps fierce businesses uncover their core and show their true value. We discuss the importance of embracing and truly being yourself in your business, weirdness an' all, so that you can provoke a strong reaction with your brand, enabling you to act like a beacon for your ideal clients.

Daniel also shares with us why ‘fitting in’ is problematic business advice, and why learning to set boundaries and say no is key to creating a profitable business. We hear all about his ‘Just’ tax and how it works in practice to be bold in business.

If you would like to find out more about Daniel and his work, or take his brand archetype quiz, head to:

http://www.irondragondesign.com/

Or connect with him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieljmooredesignmercenary/

Episode 29 - Emotional Marketing

Even when we think we're being logical and rational, we're human beings, we make decisions emotionally. Where this gets really interesting is when we look at how we make business decisions. In this episode we’re getting emotional!

I’m introducing you to some fantastic insights from Harvard Business Review on emotional motivators in marketing and why this could be your secret weapon when it comes to attracting and converting the clients you really want. Hundreds of “emotional motivators” drive consumer behaviour, but I’ll cover the main 3 or 4 I would suggest considering, along with giving you examples of how to tap into these emotions in your marketing.

I’ll also talk about why we have a responsibility when we choose to leverage emotions in our marketing, and why doing it well is absolutely not about manipulating people.

If you would like to find out more about the research I reference in this episode, check out: https://hbr.org/2015/11/the-new-science-of-customer-emotions

Episode 28: Be Vulnerable, Find Your People

If you run a business you’ll know how lonely it can be, but also how rewarding and fulfilling too. Regardless whether you’re flying or failing, there’s no doubt that finding your people is a must if you want to enjoy the hike AND the mountain! But how do you find the right people and connect with them?

In this episode your host, Siobhan Fox, is joined by the wonderful Sam Adams - the least life coach-y life coach you’ll ever meet! Sam shares talks about her particular flavour of ‘real-life’ coaching, why her work doesn’t fit neatly into a box and her amazing experience of connecting with a group of like-minded female business owners. She talks about the courage it can take to be vulnerable around new people, plus the pay off of that bravery in terms of the relationships you will make.

Siobhan and Sam also discuss why everyone has ‘luggage’, why swearing is a super-power, plus the importance of remembering to enjoy the hike, even when you’re aiming for the next mountain peak.

Have you found your people in business? If you enjoy listening to this episode please drop us a rating or review and hit us with your stories and opinions. We’re here for it.

Let’s keep the conversation going and let’s do business, differently.

For more information on our guest, Sam Adams, check out https://sam-adams.com/

Episode 27: Why It's High Time To Redefine ‘Professional’

This podcast episode comes straight to you from the brain of your host, Siobhan Fox. This is what she needs you to know...

- - - - - -

I don’t know about you but I reckon it’s high time we threw out that dusty, stereotype-filled rule book and redefined what professional looks like for the modern era. Are you up for starting a movement!?

In this episode I talk through three particularly spicy topics when it comes to the debate on professionalism: sharing shit about yourself on LinkedIn, swearing, how you look (tattoos, piercings etc) and last but not least: the long last art of humour.

I discuss where I think these debates originated, my strong opinions on each, and what action I think we need to be taking to throw out the old tropes and be less judgmental of stuff that isn’t any of our business. Because really, what IS our business is BUSINESS, not what the person doing that business looks or sounds like, ya hear me?

- - - - - - 

What do you think about the debate on what is and isn’t professional? If you enjoy listening to this episode please drop us a rating or review and hit us with your stories and opinions. We’re here for it.

Let’s keep the conversation going and let’s do business, differently.

For more information on your host, Siobhan Fox, and her work with unconventional business owners who want to win more ace clients in less time (and who also love to swear) check out www.revealmarketinguk.com/work-with-me

Episode 26 - What did we learn from Season 1 and what action are we taking?

Season 1 of the Unconventional Business Podcast has come to an end and we are taking a break for the rest of the summer. So what did we learn along the way? The answer: so freakin much! But most importantly, we learned that there are more of us unconventional types out there, tearing up the rule book, solving our clients’ problems in new and exciting ways and most importantly: doing it all OUR WAY! Three cheers for the unconventional - it’s fun, right!? In this episode you join me on a walk and talk, so the soundtrack to my reflections on Season 1 is provided by the streets of Winchester, buses, cars, people an’ all! I talk about some of the highlights of Season 1, some interesting things I’ve noticed about some of our guests and from the feedback I’ve received, along with giving you some guidance on how to actually take ACTION from what you’ve learned.

Thank you so much to all our amazing Season 1 guests and to you for listening and taking the time to message me with your feedback. I’d love to know how we’ve inspired you to think or do something differently. Don’t miss us too much - we’ll be back in September with some incredible new guests and some more rule-breaking, foundation-shaking, noise-making content.

For lots of unconventional products (physical and digital) to help you consistently kick ass in your business, check out:

https://revealmarketinguk.com/shop

Episode 25: Two ADHDers recorded a podcast…

What happens when two ADHDers record a podcast? You get way more value than you bargained for, obviously! In this episode I am joined by Carol May - The Disruptive Health Coach - to talk our relationship with ourselves and how we eat. There are some rabbit holes along the way - for instance why gender roles are so problematic for children, how connecting inwardly is so important for the success of your business, and why all government decisions seem to be based on treating symptoms rather than problems! We also cover what chaotic eating can look like for ADHDers and how healing that relationship is key to understanding how best to nourish your body and mind. Through noticing language around food, education about healthy eating and of course, a better understanding of ADHD itself, Carol shares some key insights to creating a balanced view of how (and why!) we eat the way we do.

Find out more about Carol and her work:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-may/?originalSubdomain=uk

https://www.instagram.com/thedisruptivehealthcoach/?hl=en

Episode 24: Give your future self some A.S.S.

What is the opposite of self-sabotage (where we set out future self up to fail!)? And how do we access the opposite of self-sabotage, so we can set our future self up for success? Why is connecting with our future self so hard? Instead of my solo rambles this week, I am joined by Nici Gorman - The Sweary Spiritual Coach - to answer some burning questions about self-sabotage.

We discuss the nature of self-sabotage - what it is, why we do it, how it manifests - and how we can overcome it by giving ourselves some A.S.S. (Antithesis of Self-Sabotage!). Nici introduces some of the science behind this phenomenon, we give some examples of how it can play out in real life, plus we give you lots of actionable strategies to connect with your future self and take small steps in the present that future you will be oh-so-grateful for! It’s time to pay it forward to YOU and give your future self some A.S.S. because you’re worth it.

Find out more about Nici and her work here:

https://www.nicigorman.com/

For lots of unconventional products (physical and digital) to help you run your biz your way, check out:

https://revealmarketinguk.com/shop

Episode 23: Tell stories to power up your content

As a small business owner, especially those of us on our own, one of our biggest drivers is finding the right number of the right clients to keep our business flourishing. So what’s the simplest way to find and connect with the clients you’re looking for?

In this episode I’m joined by the wonderful Rebecca Clark of Powered Up Content, quirky loving copywriter helping small businesses to build relationships with their leads through storytelling. We centre our conversation on the inherent value in sharing our human stories, to connect emotionally with our audience and attract the leads we’re looking for.

We talk about our shared love of words, the range of valuable relatable stories we can share and how storytelling is, in fact, a very natural approach in business. Rebecca shares some insight into her writing process and how discovering how to reconnect with herself has been pivotal for the growth of her business, plus some fantastic tips to put the fun back into your writing.

Ultimately, the way human beings interact with each other is through stories. Learn how to leverage yours to power up your content and you’ll reap the rewards!

Learn more about Rebecca and her work:

https://www.poweredupcontent.com

https://www.instagram.com/poweredupcontent/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-clark-copywriter/

Episode 22: The best way to own it on the channels you own

How do you make your marketing channels work for you? In this episode I break down what marketing channels you have in your arsenal as a small business owner - and crucially, which you actually ‘own’ vs which could be taken away from your in the blink of an eye (or a block of an account!)

This episode follows on from last week’s where I talked about the best way to promote your small business without spending a tonne of money. If you did your homework (yes, I actually set you homework!) then this week’s episode will help you take action on what you figured out. We’re going to take that magnetic message of yours and get it seen by the right eyeballs at the right time, so you get the right clients knocking at your door.

If you’re listening after the date of the Masterclass mentioned in this ep then don’t worry! More will be announced in 2023. In the meantime, for lots of unconventional products (physical and digital) to help you consistently create marketing content that you AND your audience enjoy, check out:

https://revealmarketinguk.com/shop

Episode 21: Why Your Network Is Your Net Worth

We are more than our businesses, and one of our strengths as small or independent business owners is that connecting on a personal level with our network is much easier than it is for larger companies. Finding common ground and a shared interest or life experience is a powerful way to be remembered and recommended through business circles as much as social ones.

In this episode, I am joined by Jamie Stewart, straight-talking Northerner and founder of Circle Networks.

We talk about the importance of putting relationships at the forefront of business networking so you can truly connect with the individual rather than the transaction. How this approach helps to not only connect in that initial conversation but how it can make you memorable and interesting in a way that builds a longer-lasting impression.

We talk about finding ‘our kind of people’, the joys and challenges of networking in 2022 and tips on how to go deep instead of wide to really stand out, grow and support your network.

Find out more about Jamie and his work here:

https://circlenetworks.co.uk/

Or connect with Jamie on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiecstewart/

Episode 20: The Best Way To Promote Your Small Business Without Spending Money

As small businesses, there is often a time when cash flow is not our friend. Whether it’s when we start out or when we get to the point where we need some extra support - it can be tricky to know when and how to invest back into the business and what we are happy to trade instead of cold, hard cash.

In this episode, I’ll be sharing some advice on how to make sure your investment - whether that’s time, money or trust - is well placed and beneficial for your business, and sharing some of my mistakes and successes for you to learn from along the way. I’ll also share some of the free options that are out there including resources and websites you can use to help your business thrive on a budget.

For lots of very reasonably priced unconventional products (physical and digital) to help you consistently create great marketing that gets results, check out:

https://revealmarketinguk.com/shop