Working Smarter

I’ve been in business for three years, and I’ve f*cked up A LOT.

I’ve wasted a lot of time, money, and energy testing out different products, signing up for subscriptions just to discontinue them, or deploying new marketing tactics to move the needle that ends up falling short.

There’s a ton of trial and error that’s required in business, and unfortunately, it can’t be avoided or shortcutted.

You’ll never stop experimenting, but you will often experience what they call “trimming the fat” in business.

This means reducing inefficiencies and cutting costly expenses.

I didn’t leave corporate - WE didn’t leave corporate - only to return to a form of work that forces you to jump through hurdles or do things that don’t make sense “because it’s always been done this way.”

So, like the metaphorical phrase of cutting away excess fat from meat, I want to leave the lean and valuable portions only.

…And part of this is using automation to make it easier for me to connect with my audience and get them the information they need as quickly and effortlessly as possible ⏬

The Phrase “Link In Bio” Is Dead

Having a link in your bio isn't dead… but the phrase has run its course.

As our attention span dwindles and the fight for attention continues to skyrocket, as a business owner I want to make it easier for my interested customers to get the information they’re seeking.

Your customers not following through with going to your bio doesn’t mean they’re lazy or unmotivated, and it doesn't mean they aren’t interested either.

We’re all just busy as hell and our brains are at capacity.

And also, sometimes people just want to scroll. I do this all the time.

Sometimes I’m in full bed-rot mode where I just aimlessly scroll and consume information for fun and I save things for later when I’m in business mode…

But then I forget.

It’s not that I didn’t want to buy the product or download the guide, it just wasn't the right moment for me to pull the trigger.

So how do we get the information to our *actually* interested audience and target customers to up the conversion rate?

Enter ManyChat.

If you’re a heavy scroller on Instagram, you’ve probably seen Reels or posts where people tell you to ‘comment’ and instantly a DM is sent, and maybe thought to yourself “how the hell do they do that?!” (see an example from my friend Kahlil below)

This is the power of ManyChat.

In basic terms - it helps automate messages so you can send what a customer wants directly to them versus them having to hunt it down in your link in bio (if they can even find it).

I’ve known about ManyChat for a while, and I tried to set it up a year ago but then got sidetracked and forgot about it (this is being a business owner at its finest).

It’s actually not hard to set up, so let’s get into HOW to set it up to make you more money in less than 10 minutes ⏬

Finesse Your Funnel

Right now, ManyChat only has functionality within Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, and Telegram.

Other competitors like Make.com and GPT Trainer are making it possible to work with Apps like TikTok and LinkedIn, but they’re still figuring out those capabilities.

In ManyChat, once you connect your desired account, you can start setting up automation which is triggered by how your customers respond.

For example, I’m setting up an automation where if someone comments “Listen” on a Reel or post, or replies to stories, it will trigger a DM that gives them options on where to listen (Apple, Spotify, or YouTube).

The great thing about ManyChat is that there’s no coding or crazy learning curve required.

It’s also FREE for the basic plan (we love being on a budget!!)

As you can see below, it’s intuitive and can be set up very quickly since most of it is just changing text and pasting links.

For me, the hardest thing is determining WHAT I even want to use it for and managing the overwhelm that comes with it.

Here’s a list of future ideas I have for my business:

• Brand deals (easier sign-ups and conversions)

• Affiliate marketing (Amazon product link)

• Newsletter sign up

• Subscribing to YouTube (or other platforms)

• Podcast listenership

• Event & Masterclass sign-ups

• Digital product, program & coaching inquiries/purchases

Now that you know how to set it up and what to use it for, let’s get into why people STILL aren’t buying ⏬

Why People STILL Aren’t Buying

As a new business owner, freelancer, creator, or influencer, it can be disheartening when your products or services aren’t flying off the shelves.

Especially if you make it super easy for people to work with you, like setting up an automation through ManyChat.

Understanding the reasons behind this can help you make necessary adjustments and boost your sales.

Here are some key areas to focus on:

1️⃣ MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO BUY FROM YOU

Simplify the buying process by making your website easier to use and reducing the number of clicks it takes for a customer to complete a purchase can change the game.

If the process is too complicated or time-consuming, potential buyers might abandon their carts.

2️⃣ SIMPLIFY YOUR OFFERS

Sometimes, less is more. If your offerings are too complex it can overwhelm potential customers.

Streamline your products or services to highlight the most valuable options and clearly communicate the benefits and value of each offer to make it easier for customers to decide.

3️⃣ MAKE IT EASY TO PAY

Ensure that the payment process is seamless (think of why it’s SO easy for you to make a purchase on Amazon - little to no thought is required in the checkout process).

The easier it is for customers to pay, the more likely they are to complete their purchase. Offer multiple payment options to cater to different preferences like credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.

4️⃣ USE CHATGPT FOR OFFER IDEAS

When you’re stuck and unsure of what offers to create, ChatGPT can be a valuable tool.

Use it to brainstorm new product ideas, promotional strategies, or even compelling marketing copy.

By inputting specific details about your audience, their goals, and your expertise, ChatGPT can generate a variety of tailored suggestions to inspire you and keep your offerings fresh and appealing.

If you’re still feeling stuck or overwhelmed, I’m offering a limited-time Business Strategy & Offerings Audit.

This includes an in-depth business model and strategy review, personalized offering recommendations, decision-making frameworks, visibility and marketing strategy tips, and a 30-minute follow-up call within 30 days.

We can work together as early as next week.

Sign up using the link below or reply to this email with questions.

⏩ Business Strategy & Offering Audit ⏪

Battling The In-Between

Quitting your job will lead to MANY in-between moments - it’s natural and expected - but sometimes they can be a real b*tch to handle (especially since you’re likely to be going through an identity crisis at the same time).

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Dr. Hava Rose last week, and we talked about a variety of things, like how corporate companies can embrace a more horizontal leadership structure to create a better work environment, as well as the ins and outs of how to lead a retreat.

We also spent a fair amount of time discussing what to do when you’re in a place of transition - “no longer but not yet.”

Though the episode in whole is great, jump ahead to 42 minutes to hear our discussion on battling the in-betweens.

Episode 149: How To Lead A Retreat with Dr. Hava Rose