最佳Independent Business播客 (2024)

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163. A Tool for Higher Converting Consulting Networking Calls 31:43

6d ago31:43

31:43

Are you a consultant who frequently hears “I’ll keep you in mind” at the end of a networking call? Networking is an effective strategy for building a consulting pipeline. But, many consultants struggle to convert networking calls into potential opportunities. In this episode, Melisa shares an actionable tool consultants can leverage to achieve conc…

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53: Creating a client forward system to generate revenue in your business with Amber McCue of the Modern CEO 41:31

7d ago41:31

41:31

One in five independent business owners has lost money due to the lack of organization in their business. Creating systems that are strategic and efficient can be exactly what you need to propel your business forward. In today’s episode, we sit down with Amber McCue, the creator of the Modern CEO to discuss generating revenue with a focus on the cl…

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162. Transform Your Solo Consultancy into a Center of Excellence (COE) 34:28

13d ago34:28

34:28

When you start thinking about your independent consulting business as a center of excellence, the level of impact, fulfillment, and growth provided to your clients can dramatically shift. You’re an expert and thought leader in your field. By thinking of your consulting business as a Center of Excellence, you can set yourself up to generate more inb…

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52: From setbacks to success: entrepreneurial lessons with Jasmine Star, CEO of Social Curator 45:54

14d ago45:54

45:54

Entrepreneurship is full of ups and downs. The phrase, “that’s not fair” is all too familiar to far too many of us, yet we have the power to take back control of our journey and move forward. In today’s conversation, Jasmine Star gets extremely candid and vulnerable about her entrepreneurial journey. If you’re ready to continue moving forward in yo…

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161. How to Overcome Discouragement as a Consulting Business Owner 34:29

20d ago34:29

34:29

Every consulting business experiences peaks and valleys. One minute, you feel confident and successful; the next, you are ghosted by a new lead or lose a client and feel discouraged. The volatile nature of owning a consulting business might have you wondering if all the obstacles are worth it. In today's episode, Melisa shares her five-step formula…

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51: The difference between the businesses that succeed and the ones that fail 30:20

21d ago30:20

30:20

The Independent Business Podcast launched one year ago this week, so what better way to celebrate than with a roundup of our favorite episodes? At the end of every interview, we ask our guests what they think is the biggest differentiator between the businesses that succeed and the ones that fail. In this episode, we’ve gathered some amazing answer…

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160. Using Diagnostics to Uncover Consulting Leads More Effectively 33:56

27d ago33:56

33:56

Streamlining the lead generation process helps independent consultants build their consulting pipeline quicker and more effectively. In episode 159: Shorten the Consulting Sales Cycle by Offering a Diagnostic, consultants learned how offering a diagnostic will improve conversation rates by shortening the sales cycle. Today's episode continues the c…

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CollabCast: The Angie McPherson Show ft. Angie McPherson with Akua Konadu 49:52

28d ago49:52

49:52

Welcome to CollabCast, an innovative bonus series where we're diving into the world of podcast crossovers. In today's bonus episode, we're highlighting The Angie McPherson Show. In this conversation, Angie brings in our host, Akua Konadu to discuss how you can elevate your content strategy through storytelling. Listen in as they explore different s…

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159. Shorten the Consulting Sales Cycle by Offering a Diagnostic 39:59

1M ago39:59

39:59

Are you an independent consultant looking to optimize your client acquisition process and drive business growth? Whether you have a gap in your consulting pipeline or are struggling to meet revenue goals, shortening the sales process will expedite business growth. Offering diagnostics as one of your consulting service offerings is an effective way …

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50: Leaning into leadership as an independent business owner with Laylee Emadi 34:20

1M ago34:20

34:20

What does leadership look like to you as an independent business owner? Whether that looks like speaking on a stage, running a mentorship program, or supporting your clients, you are a leader. Today on the podcast, we sat down with Laylee Emadi, coach for speakers and creative educators, to talk about leadership in business. Laylee shares her journ…

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158. Leveraging Channels to Fill Your Consulting Pipeline 31:45

1M ago31:45

31:45

Independent consultants need easy ways to fill and improve the quality of their consulting pipelines. How can you build channel relationships so that other people refer ideal clients to you? In this episode, Melisa explains how to leverage channels to fill your consulting pipeline. Intentionally building relationships with third parties to generate…

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49: Unhinged marketing: Here to stay or on its way out? Learnings from HoneyBook & Planoly’s social media managers 46:32

1M ago46:32

46:32

Over the past few years brands that we know and love have become more edgy and even unhinged in their marketing strategies—but what is unhinged marketing? Unhinged marketing leans into bolder, unconventional strategies to connect with your audience, from trending memes to funny brand voices, this type of strategy goes against the grain when it come…

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157. Your Monthly Consulting Plan: Don’t Overlook this Vital Component 33:33

2M ago33:33

33:33

An effective monthly plan will dramatically improve results and generate higher revenue for your consulting business. With that said, it’s important to note a key component that’s commonly missing from consultants' monthly plans. In this episode, Melisa emphasizes the importance of revisiting and refining goals for the year, tracking progress, and …

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48: Your 2024 tax strategy plan with CPA Brittney Suttle 39:15

2M ago39:15

39:15

Tax season is upon us, and there is no doubt that filing your taxes can be a stressful time as an independent business owner. In fact, 62% of business owners reported that they had to learn how to do their taxes on their own. Today on the show, we are sitting down with Brittany Suttle, who is a CPA and founder of Knies and Co., a virtual CPA firm. …

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156. The 3 Lead Generation Modes for a Consulting Business Pipeline 31:48

2M ago31:48

31:48

A robust and well-maintained pipeline is crucial for a consulting business's growth and success. However, many independent consultants go into default lead generation mode based on their immediate business situation. Lead generation should be consistent and follow a purposeful strategy to fill a consulting pipeline. In this episode, Melisa explores…

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47: The power of strategic brand partnerships with Ted Raad of Trend Management 38:01

2M ago38:01

38:01

When done strategically, brand partnerships are a great way to increase visibility and revenue for your business. In fact, 71% of consumers say they enjoy co-branding partnerships. In today’s episode, we sit down with Ted Raad, the founder of Trend, one of the fastest growing influencer management and marketing companies in the US. Listen in as we …

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155. Choosing the Best Strategy for Your Stage of Business Growth 40:07

2M ago40:07

40:07

Selecting a business strategy that aligns with the maturity of your consulting business will accelerate growth and help you achieve success more efficiently. But how do you know if the plan you are implementing is too advanced or too simple for the stage of your business you are in? In this episode, Melisa underscores the necessity of aligning your…

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46: Creating an empathy-forward sales strategy with messaging & positioning strategist Danait Berhe 45:44

2M ago45:44

45:44

We know as independent business owners, understanding your target audience and communicating effectively is a critical step when it comes to selling our products and services. In order for our audience to buy from us, we need to understand their buying decisions. Messaging and positioning strategist Danait Berhe joins us on the show to share how bu…

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154. Lessons Learned from Writing a Book 41:09

2M ago41:09

41:09

Writing a book is a challenging undertaking. As an independent consultant, there are several reasons to become a published leader in your industry. From growing your prospective client list to building a reputation as a go-to expert, the benefits of writing and publishing a book are endless. In this episode, Melisa offers an in-depth review of less…

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45: Grow a seven-figure business with only one product with CEO of Bossbabe Natalie Ellis 32:44

2M ago32:44

32:44

Business success does not have to be complicated. In fact, if you want to see genuine growth, the answer might be much simpler than you think. In this episode, we’re talking about how to become a master of one thing instead of doing everything. Natalie Ellis is the founder and CEO of Boss Babe, a community of over 4 million ambitious women and fema…

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153. The 14 Systems To Grow a Thriving Consulting Business (part 3) 36:25

3M ago36:25

36:25

Are you ready to unlock your full potential as an independent consultant and create a thriving consulting business? In the final episode of the podcast series, 14 Systems to Create a Thriving Consulting Business, Melisa highlights discernible patterns that differentiate prosperous consultants from those facing challenges. First, Melisa explores the…

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44: The secret to working less so you can make more with Shay Cochrane 48:54

3M ago48:54

48:54

As independent business owners, we sometimes feel like there are not enough hours in the day to get stuff done. What if you only had 16 hours a week to create a thriving and impactful business? What would you focus on? How exactly would you spend your time? Shay Cochran, a commercial photographer, product stylist, and the CEO of Élevae Visuals, joi…

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152. The 14 Systems To Grow A Thriving Consulting Business (part 2) 24:14

3M ago24:14

24:14

What makes one consultant succeed more efficiently than another? There are 14 systems to grow a thriving consulting business. Each is pivotal in the success and development of an independent consultant. In today's episode, Melisa continues the conversation from Episode 151 by sharing the next five systems to grow a thriving consulting business. Thi…

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43: Do these things before your next launch with video marketing coach Natasha Pierre 37:54

3M ago37:54

37:54

As business owners, launching a new product or service can be an exciting time, but it’s also a ton of work. Natasha Pierre is a video marketing coach for small business owners and host of the Shine Online podcast. In today’s episode, Natasha walks us through how we can create a sustainable launch to see success. Natasha shares fun and innovative w…

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151. The 14 Systems To Grow A Thriving Consulting Business (part 1) 36:20

3M ago36:20

36:20

Every independent consultant has the talent and prerequisites to be successful. So what makes it easier for one consultant to grow a robust pipeline while another struggles to build their business? This episode marks the beginning of a series focused on 14 systems to grow and maintain a thriving consulting business. Listen to learn about the first …

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42: The ROI of intentional branding with Bernel Westbrook 38:30

3M ago38:30

38:30

Business owners know that first impressions are everything. Having a strong brand can play a key role in your business success. In fact, research shows that having a brand that is consistent increased revenue by up to 20%. Bernel Westbrook, owner of Branded by Bernel, joins us to talk about the ROI of intentional branding. Having a good brand goes …

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150. Pivot Or Persevere: How Long To Stick With A Strategy That’s Not Working 31:55

3M ago31:55

31:55

As your independent consultant business evolves, implementing and testing new strategies is essential. But sticking to a new approach is challenging when you don't get immediate results. Should you pivot or persevere? In this episode, Melisa addresses a crucial topic for business owners: when to stick with a new strategy or make a pivot. By referen…

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41: Leveraging instagram to cultivate a collaborative community with content specialist Jade Beason 45:18

3M ago45:18

45:18

It's time that we start to shift our mindset about Instagram. Now hear me out—what would it look like instead of constantly finding ways to gain new followers and growth, that we focus on the followers that we currently do have? Our followers already love what we have to offer and support our business, so why don't we pour into them and build an en…

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149. Pitching Your Consulting Services 28:37

3M ago28:37

28:37

Is the fear of pitching your consultant services holding you back from acquiring new clients? Selling services is challenging for many independent consultants. They want to necessitate their value but feel uncomfortable addressing prospective leads. So, consultants default to pitching as a selling tactic, causing unnecessary pressure on themselves …

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40: How to Succeed in Affiliate Marketing with HoneyBook’s Top Affiliate Earner Candice Coppola 46:07

3M ago46:07

46:07

During our recent Partner Summit, we hosted some of HoneyBook’s top pros and educators in San Francisco, where they learned more about succeeding in affiliate marketing. At the summit, we recorded our first live podcast interview with business coach, author, and podcaster Candice Coppola. As HoneyBook’s top affiliate earner, she has earned half a m…

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148. Overcoming A Thought Leadership Block 36:11

4M ago36:11

36:11

By sharing valuable expertise, independent consultants can create lasting impressions on potential clients and ultimately attract inbound leads. Despite its importance, many consultants struggle to maintain a consistent thought leadership strategy. It’s common to question your expertise and hit a block. The Basics of Thought Leadership: Get clear o…

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39: Side hustle success: A roadmap to $500K in revenue with Christiana Yebra 44:38

4M ago44:38

44:38

Did you know that one in five independent business owners have lost money due to the lack of organization in their business? It's so important for us to have systems in place to not only support our business but also give our clients the best experience possible. Christiana Yebra is the owner of Currently Events, a popular photo booth company, and …

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147. When to Fire a Consulting Client 37:31

4M ago37:31

37:31

In this episode, Melisa tackles a common challenge faced by many consultants—deciding when and if to part ways with a client. The dilemma of firing a client is a complex one that every consultant faces at some point. On one hand, there's the desire to make the client relationship work, not wanting to be seen as a quitter, and the revenue that the c…

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38: The goal setting framework you need in your business with Tara McMullin 51:05

4M ago51:05

51:05

There's no doubt that planning and setting goals is key when it comes to business success. But sometimes how we intend to attain these goals can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and just overall frustration if we don't hit them. We need to learn how to create goals in a way that prioritizes our well-being, along with finding a more fulfilling way to wo…

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146. Productize Your Consulting Services 32:37

4M ago32:37

32:37

Many independent consultants overlook the opportunity to productize their services because they think their work varies too much based on each client’s unique circumstances and requirements. While it’s true each of your clients is unique, that doesn’t mean you can’t turn your client delivery approach into a repeatable, productized solution. Product…

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CollabCast: So, Here's the Thing Spotlight ft. Laylee Emadi with Cameron & Tia 32:23

4M ago32:23

32:23

Welcome to CollabCast, an innovative bonus series where we're diving into the world of podcast crossovers. In today's bonus episode, we're highlighting So, Here's the Thing with Laylee Emadi. In this conversation, Laylee discusses the cycles of launching educational offerings with photography duo Cameron and Tia. Listen in as they discuss lessons i…

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145. An Unconventional Goal Setting Approach for a Consulting Business 34:19

4M ago34:19

34:19

As we approach the end of another year, it's that time to set goals for the upcoming year. Or, if you're catching this episode later, it could be time to establish or revisit your quarterly or monthly business objectives. If you’re implementing SMART goals or incremental-type goals in your business, you could be leaving opportunities on the table. …

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37: How referral marketing is the key to growing your business with Sara McCabe 41:20

4M ago41:20

41:20

Word of marketing is the best way to get the word out about your business, but most of us don’t spend much time investing into that area of business. We rely on social media to get our name out there, and while that is important, nothing beats knowing that there are people out there who know and love your business and are willing to share your work…

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144. Arguing For Your Limitations 37:29

5M ago37:29

37:29

An obstacle for independent consultants aiming to grow their business is the tendency to argue for limitations. What does this mean to argue for your limitations? Arguing for your limitations refers to situations where you justify and explain why something won’t work for you or your business. For example, you might justify your empty pipeline by th…

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36: Legislative advocacy: The policies behind getting independents paid with Rafael Espinal 27:22

5M ago27:22

27:22

Did you know that 84% of independent business owners think that there should be more government resources and financial assistance to support them? The current government infrastructure makes it difficult for us not only to build but also to protect our business. In this episode, Rafael Espinal, president of the Freelancers Union, joins us to share…

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143. The 1st Step To Plan For Next Year (Or Next Quarter) In Your Consulting Business 43:20

5M ago43:20

43:20

In this episode, Melisa shares a crucial first step for consultants aiming to exceed their business goals in the next year and next quarter. She explains how this often-overlooked step of an effective goal-setting process can lead to success, even if you're currently behind. Melisa guides listeners through a powerful three-step evaluation framework…

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35: Learnings from building a multi-six figure passive income strategy with Hope Taylor 49:52

5M ago49:52

49:52

When we think of passive income, we think about making money while you sleep. What does it really take to build out these streams of income and to see success? Hope Taylor pulls back the curtain and shows us how she was able to build multiple six figure passive income streams as a photographer, educator and business coach. This episode is packed wi…

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142. Building A Consultant’s Self-Identity: An Overlooked Success Factor For Consultants 42:08

5M ago42:08

42:08

In this episode, Melisa shares a key ingredient for independent consulting success: forging your professional self-identity as a consultant. By actively shaping your self-identity, you open the door to fresh opportunities for your consulting business. You'll draw in the right projects, partner with clients who appreciate your full scope of skills, …

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34: How to use AI to make data-driven decisions in your business with Shelly Palmer 51:22

5M ago51:22

51:22

It’s no secret that AI can have a positive impact on our business. In fact, 70% of independent business owners already feel that way. We know that AI can help improve our systems, our overall client experience and save us time, but what if we took it a step further? How can we use AI to make data-driven decisions to make money in our business? Shel…

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141. Leveraging AI In Consulting 46:20

5M ago46:20

46:20

In this episode, Melisa is excited to introduce Robert Reich. Robert is an entrepreneurial executive with 30+ years of experience creating and refining consumer and enterprise software solutions. He’s the managing partner of R2, a consulting firm that specializes in crafting AI solutions and strategically pinpointing areas for transformative change…

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33: The benefit of having a value-based business: The Ben & Jerry’s case study with Sean Greenwood 34:03

5M ago34:03

34:03

Did you know that 82% of consumers will shop from brands whose values align with their own? Now more than ever, people are looking to brands to do good—a brand that does this very well is Ben and Jerry's. In this episode, Sean Greenwood, Director of Public Relations and Communications at Ben and Jerry’s is joining us to discuss some of his favorite…

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140. Managing A Dip In Your Self-Confidence As An Independent Consultant 37:57

6M ago37:57

37:57

As an independent consultant, confidence is your secret weapon. Being willing to put yourself out there so potential clients know about you requires self-confidence. Selling yourself requires self-confidence. Building trust with clients requires self-confidence. But, the truth is, you won’t always feel confident as a consulting business owner or ev…

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32: What losing 14,000 followers in a month on Instagram taught Brock Johnson 39:56

6M ago39:56

39:56

What would you do if you lost 14,000 followers in one week? That is exactly what happened to Instagram growth coach Brock Johnson, and what he learned from that might surprise you. Brock is a seven-figure entrepreneur who has a passion for helping business owners grow their following and their businesses all on Instagram. In one year alone, Brock g…