Business Tao with George Kao

How to keep your business growing when sales are slow, and to do it authentically? Connect more internally: with your deep source of security, compassion, creativity... Connect more externally: with friends, colleagues, acquaintances who have some interest in your work. The tougher the times, the more we need to connect. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Dear soulpreneurs — you don’t need a “marketing funnel” to succeed in your business…May this video inspire you to align your marketing strategy with your heart and find authentic success :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

The accumulation of attention in the hands of a few will erode the diversity of creativity, true livelihood, and authentic business… Where is your attention going? :)Attention, like time, is limited. We ought to be more mindful of where it goes.I encourage us all to start giving 10% or more of our attention each day to small creators: bloggers, video makers, podcasts, websites, or social media pages that get few comments on their content.Good karma will come back around 💛 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

I see a lot of aspiring business owners doing this:You’re waiting until you’re “ready” before you take the leap.A dear client asked me about the “thin line between readiness and procrastination.”After coaching hundreds of business owners, I can tell you this: ​Chances are, you are being fooled by your own brilliant mind. Feeling of “lack of readiness” is usually procrastination.**Here’s the truth:I rarely feel “ready”.When I started writing this article, I felt maybe I wouldn’t have enough to say… maybe I should do more research or journaling or give it a few more days (or weeks) before I’m ready to start writing this.When making a video — at the moment I press “record” I feel like I could’ve spent another hour thinking about the topic.When I launch a course, I know I could spend several more months (or years!) researching the topic… but I remind myself that whatever I already know will be helpful to the students. We are usually much harsher on ourselves than our students / clients are.The founder of Linkedin, Reid Hoffman, famously said this:If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.**I feel embarrassed often… because I create often.Every book that I publish, I feel slightly embarrassed by… but the reality is that if I waited until a book was “ready” I might never publish. Thankfully I do publish, because book after book, each one is getting better. I can always re-publish and re-launch a 2nd edition later… and I am already planning for it!Every course that I teach, I’m embarrassed by, but I also get feedback that makes the course better, year after year.I’m doing this for the long term journey of growth, not just short-term experiences of posting, publishing, launching.The creative process, the reality of building an authentic business, requires this continual practice:Transform fear into Love.I feel that we are being called by Spirit to recognize when we are feeling afraid in the creative process, and instead, reinterpret that emotion. Turn “fear” or “lack of readiness” into one or more of these…ExcitementPassionServiceCurious self-explorationAdventure**Transform hesitation into Action.If I am creating something, and I feel hesitation, I now interpret it as a signal to take action, to just do it. To take the next step. To write the next sentence. To click “record” on the video. To press “publish”.It is a daily creative practice: transmuting fearful hesitation into loving action. Bit by bit, piece by piece, we become more courageous. We get wiser through action and experience.A little-known fact is that the creative person’s doubt and “lack of readiness” never goes away. We simply get better at recognizing it, and transmuting it into creative action.So there’s only one thing to do:Start today.Bias yourself toward action, doing what you are afraid of, knowing that it can be interpreted as excitement, passion, service. Go ahead and write, speak, publish, launch, etc… do the thing that puts your work into the marketplace. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

An audience member wrote the following to me, and maybe some of you can relate…“I long for the ability to create without any thoughts of money…to create because I love it… to take real time off when I need it… to try new things and build in more hobby time into my life. Everything I create is because I love it, but I tend to always have that background question: ‘Will it make me money?’ I want to get to a place where I feel I can try things and fail and be totally fine with it…”This video is my response. I hope you find it helpful as well. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

A few years ago, I stopped marketing to the reptilian brain. My conscience could no longer tolerate it… By “lizard brain” I mean the parts within people that are governed by fear, greed, and impatience. To see a real example analyzed, see here: To get more sales, market to the “lizard brain”…? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

“I’m hoping that I can find a way to weave things together in a way that makes sense, resonates with buyers, feels enjoyable, and generates income.” — a client said. “That’s a lot of pressure on yourself,” I thought. Who says you need to weave all your interests together in a way that makes sense to anyone else, except for yourself? (You can have the most complicated vision of your work, as long as it makes sense to you.) What if being financially successful — and happy in your work — doesn’t require the integration of your various interests? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Trying to attract with visuals tends towards a shallower engagement with one's audience… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

When you create something and people don't get it, you shouldn't quit. You simply need to test more ideas. This is why I believe in the importance of the 3 stages of content creation: 1. casual, prolific, exploratory. 2. improve on what's liked.3. integrate and productize. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

I don't believe your email list is your most important business asset... It's really about having a genuine connection with your audience and treating them with respect. That's why I don't use deceptive tactics like "lead magnets"... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

There's too much mercenary marketing advice out there. Even if it might get us a few more clients in the short-term, we don’t want to put more negativity into the world. Instead of selling to a client's "pain points", there is a better way. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

You don't need to prove yourself as #1 in your field, or best selling author or any kind of puffery. All those tactics will feed your "fixed mindset". Instead, demonstrate your real expertise by showing up consistently to talk about about what's working for you now, and what you're learning. When people see that you are consistently in the practice of improving in your field, you naturally gain trust. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Years ago, I championed the idea that all knowledge should be freely available online, aiming to accelerate humanity's progress. When I actually tried it, I learned two valuable lessons -- (1) free courses resulted in lower engagement and commitment from participants, and (2) my motivation waned without the reciprocal energy of paid exchanges. This experience, coupled with the disappointing experiment in using Patreon, gradually shifted my perspective. I now seek a middle way. I hope to integrate generosity and sustainability. I now advocate for (fair) pricing of courses. It's important for boundaries, self-worth, and the support of small creators. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

My gentle launches are simple: Early bird for 1 week, then regular price for 1 week before the course begins :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Watch/listen to this episode first… Follow-up question I received: "So let's say we have an offer like with your example, 3 're-works' over 6 weeks... once you've got the most response from whichever one... when would you actually then launch what you'd been talking about? Would that be your next offering? Or would it be a few months out? What do you typically do? " My response: I would go ahead and launch (as the very next thing) the offer test that did the best. Basically, sell it while it's hot 😄 because it could be something in the culture or timing that's making your audience more interested in that one right now compared to the others, so... don't wait, assuming it'll be hot later (or that you'll be interested later!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

This principle has been essential to my success. How do I make great content? By making more content, and observing what spreads. How do I improve my skills? By working with more clients, and noticing who grows the most. True learning comes from action — we build muscles by doing things, not just reading about them. It takes *quantity* of action to develop quality of results. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

how to feel ready to put your work out there? begin, explore, publish, repeat. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Even if you haven't been actively posting on social media or creating content, don't let it stop you from gently launching new offers and services to your audience. I appreciate hearing from people I've hired, even if it's just a few times a year to let me know about their new programs or specials. In this video I also discuss how often to post content vs. how often to sell something on your social media. I assure you that even a small announcement -- after a long time of not posting -- is usually appreciated. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

In this video, I discuss a different perspective on pricing -- charging based on "enoughness" and compassion -- rather than the common advice to charge what you're worth or what the market will bear. It's important to consider our own lifestyle needs and determining what is "enough" for us. By minimizing our lifestyle costs, we can charge less, serve more people, and do so with less financial pressure. I also discuss the idea of charging with compassion for our clients and customers, while still ensuring that we have a bit more than enough to invest in our future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Get all the info here:https://www.georgekao.com/instagram If you have any questions about the course, ask it here.Wishing you a good day and weekend! 🌞 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Of all the things that I do in my business, the most important thing—and I hope to inspire you to consider this for yourself as well—is to stay in a consistent rhythm of creating, both free content like this video, and paid offers as well. Just as our bodies rely on consistent rhythms to stay alive and thrive, our businesses need a steady flow of creativity to flourish. I've made nearly 2,000 videos on YouTube, published over 300 blog posts, and launched more than 30 courses. I wish I had developed a sense of urgency for generating free content earlier in my career... In this episode, I discuss common limiting beliefs that hinder content creation, the importance of gaining experience and clarity through the creative process, and the need to embrace imperfection and let algorithms and audience engagement guide your content improvement... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

1. Don’t beat yourself up :) because at least you have a vision! Many people don’t. And we’re all in the journey of learning how to properly motivate ourselves. 2. Got human accountability? Simplest is to use Focusmate. Join my focusmate group here: https://www.focusmate.com/signup/georgekaocommunity 3. Got a clear workflow process? Write it down. “Hat manual”. 4. Unsure what the workflow process should be? Come to a Q&A call and let’s talk :) or talk with a friend, colleague, or coach to help you sort it out. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Here, I talk about the faith that I have in the potential of my content to make an impact -- and hope to inspire *you* to take on that kind of belief for your content creation efforts as well... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Here's what I would tell my younger entrepreneurial self -- ditch the quest for a huge audience and social media fame. I made that mistake. Within two years of starting my business I hustled and grew my email list to thousands of subscribers... but then realized that most of them didn't really care about my content or journey. I ended up deleting over 90% of them. I now realize you can only authentically serve and commit to a small group of people you truly know. So start there. Get to know your first 30 or 50 followers deeply. Apply your skills to help them specifically. Marketers don't teach this counterintuitive relationship-first approach, but I've learned caring for a few is far more fulfilling than chasing clout. And as you grow your audience you'll be able to create content & offerings that are much more aligned to what they care about. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

1) more focused hours, 2) way more breaks than most people take, 3) constant reparenting of myself... In the video I also mentioned that I'd share the format of my work retreats. Here it is -- http://smpl.ro/CoWorkRetreat This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

I have a strong stance on how “attractive” one needs to be in their brand, website, and social media presence, in order to attract ideal clients… I’ve worked for a decade to slowly and steadily build what I would call a "loyal" and "true fan" audience for my business… an audience that feels connected to me not through flashy marketing or clever persuasion, but through shared values and an appreciation for my authentic presence. So what I share with you in this video comes from years in the trenches developing my approach. May you find something here to be valuable for you as well. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Authentic marketing means that we practice en-joying the experience of showing up for our marketing. How? By bringing our energy/focus to expressing our values & heart in our marketing actions, and holding loosely to our attachment to the results. By doing so, we learn to deeply en-joy the experience, which then encourages us to show up consistently, which then brings better results naturally... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

For years I tried narrowing my business to a niche, but having interests for multiple areas, I struggled. Now after 14 years of successfully providing myriad services, I want people to know - do not limit yourself. Have diverse offers. Customers will hone in on whichever resonates. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

See my newsletter examples: https://www.GeorgeKao.com/monthly This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

0:00 Authentic marketing avoids showy tactics and aligns with a deeper purpose and higher mission. 00:41 Authentic Marketing is the process of a business finding its calling. 01:09 Avoiding empty steps and focusing directly on soul's work eliminates the waste of time and life in the marketing process. 02:14 Every business action should be deserving of the soul's attention and contribute to a greater connection to the divine. 02:44 Marketing essentially boils down to content and offers, both of which should align with one's soul's work. 03:09 Content creation should be an exploration of the soul in service to humanity, targeting the intersection of what resonates with both you and your audience. 03:47 Offers should also be an extension of your soul's work, framed in a way that meets your audience where they are at. 04:17 Market research becomes meaningful when it's about understanding soul-to-soul connections, focusing on what your audience cares about. 04:53 Aligning what you care about with what your audience cares about creates a meaningful, soul-fulfilling offer. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

In this video I explain that your "energy signature" includes everything about you that resonates with your ideal audience - your visual branding, communication style, content, and more. I believe that before birth, you planned with your "soul group" to find each other in this life by recognizing each other's energy signatures. I recommend using authentic marketing to consistently "ping" your soul group so they can recognize you, and advise being patient as it may take them multiple tries to connect deeply. I note that your soul group will be more patient than the average website visitor. Therefore, you should persistently ping your authentic energy so your soul group members have opportunities to find and connect with you... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

In marketing, we typically learn about the importance of getting people’s attention.To try to stand out, to be more charming, to be more persuasive.​But that’s not what I’m trying to do...If anything, I’m trying to blend in. I know that my ideal audience will spot me, even in a sea of social media posts.**Watch the video here:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=812065499569280**Being flashy tends to get unwanted attention. Irrelevant comments. More spam. It may seem like more followers, yet strangely, still poor sales in one’s business.Your audience may grow in the wrong direction, which increases your marketing costs over time, as it costs more to reach more people. Yet you’ll have to wade through the many fake followers to find and connect with your true fans.When we try to get attention, it is unsustainable. People may find out how we are “normally” and become disillusioned… so we have to keep up a pretense to keep their attention.A client of mine, with experience using visual interruption techniques to grow her audience, wrote:“People who reply to the ‘pattern interrupt’ are maybe 80% the worst possible leads I’ve ever dealt with… if you have a hide like a rhinoceros and are willing to deal with lots of ugly, so you can finally hit the few good leads… it can eventually work. But is it worth it??”Your authenticity is greatly valuableDoing anything deliberate to try to get attention will take you out of your authentic energy.What I try is to be less motivated by the thought of your praise or purchases, and instead, to explore how I can resonate with you from a more authentic space.If you practice simply being more deeply yourself, you will naturally be unique.And you’ll automatically be more attractive to your true fans.We need to remember that how we truly are is of incalculable value to the people we’re most meant to serve.We simply need to show up daily with our authenticity.Beware of typical marketing advicePay attention to the marketing teachings you’re learning from. Notice how many marketers are in the energy of cynical attention-grabbing. Baiting their audience into watching or reading. Creating a presence that feels artificial and inflated.These are normal behaviors in the online marketing world. They want us to believe that humans are constantly distracted and therefore require flashy and baiting tactics to finally pay attention… to “get them” to buy from us.It’s true that all humans are distractible. But the more you assume they need flashiness to pay attention, the more you’ll turn away your true fans. And the ones who are left? They’ll need you to be constantly impressive.You’ll end up behaving in ways outside your groundedness and personal truth.Your ideal audience is seeking youThe truth is that your ideal audience is already looking for someone like you. They don’t know what you look like, but they feel a resonance when they encounter you.As an example, I often make text-only posts (it’s mostly what I do on my FB page, see here: George Kao’s Facebook Posts). Even though text-only posts might seem “boring” on Facebook, my ideal audience immediately has a feeling of recognition: “there’s something deeply true about this message… let me keep reading.”I post videos that aren’t... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

This principle has been essential to my success.How do I make great content? By making more content, and observing what spreads.How do I improve my skills?By working with more clients, and noticing who grows the most.True learning comes from action — we build muscles by doing things, not just reading about them.**Watch the video here: https://www.georgekao.com/blog/qualitythroughquantity**It takes quantity of action to develop quality of results.Yet, if you feel you’re not taking enough action, self-compassion is needed.Remind yourself that action can be primarily about playful experimentation. Action is much easier when you don’t give yourself the pressure to perform, but rather, the permission to play with a skill or a project.How to balance quantity and quality?As an example, ​I think about content in stages.Stage 1 is any content that is first posted or published.Did I spend 5 months or 5 years on it before publishing? Or did I spend 50 minutes on it? Whichever it may be, if it’s the first time it’s touching the world, being put into the marketplace, I still consider it “Stage 1”.Therefore, it’s more efficient to spend less time working on any piece of Stage 1 content.Stage 2 is looking at my previous Stage 1 pieces, selecting what the audience liked the most, and spending more time editing those pieces. Then, I re-publish and re-distribute them.In other words, I spend time improving the pieces that already demonstrated potential, based on my audience’s reactions. I let the audience tell me what “Quality” means… not my own self-judgments.As an example, this very blog post was first written in 2017. Now I’m taking the effort to improve it and to re-share this new version.Stage 3 is to integrate and monetize the Stage 2 pieces that fit within a particular topic.For example, I do this with my books, each of which is an organized collection of my blog posts.Think of it like a Buffet:(Remember buffets, those restaurants that existed in the before-times? I used to love those…)The owner of a buffet restaurant notices which of the items gets more interest, and which items are ignored. Over time, she’ll increase the types of items people love the most, and remove the ones that people don’t care for. Why cook stuff no one wants to eat?By following this strategy, the restaurant becomes more well-loved over time.You can do the same with your own content and products: try lots of things, and then notice what people find most helpful, and then offer more things like that.“How does my audience have time to consume all the content that I’m putting out there?”Back to the buffet analogy — the owner of the restaurant doesn’t expect any one visitor to eat every item!Similarly, I’m not expecting you to consume all of my content. That’d be putting too much pressure on you!It’s my job to simply put content out there, and it’s my audience’s job to pick and choose what they like to... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Is it possible to be emotionally relaxed and joyful, yet highly productive?Think of a master in martial arts … they aren’t fretting, tense, worried, or stressed out. They have a relaxed focus, a calm strength, a powerful composure.Their face might appear emotionless, yet their body expresses a wide range of motion, able to accomplish a great deal with both precision and flexibility.Inside, they are experiencing clarity, confidence, and a calm joy.**Watch the video here:https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/2913992282051668**​I’m not a martial arts master, but I have developed a sort of calm, joyful productivity within my own sphere of work: content creation, business coaching, and book writing.While I was writing my first book, Authentic Content Marketing, a dear client asked me:“As the grand finale [of your book’s completion] approaches, what are your feelings at this moment? Soon is the moment of ‘letting go’… any thoughts on that?”My response:I have never really “held on” to what the book’s results would be, so there is no “letting go.”As for a “grand finale”… I don’t see it, I said to her, since I was already planning my second book, Joyful Productivity.I now see each and every project as simply a mile marker on a lifelong journey of growing into greater service and deeper self-knowledge.Joy occurs throughout the process… at the beginning, in the middle, and at the “end” of a project… and again onto the next project, with a calm and joyful heart.There’s no anxiety about results, no gritting of teeth, no failure or success.There’s only constant experimentation, the steady progress of learning, and consistent Self-exploration and service to the greater whole.​Recently I came across an Alan Watts lecture that summed this up beautifully:​What do you do if I say to you, "Take a hard look at me. Take a real hard look." Now what are you doing? What's the difference between a “hard look” and a “soft look?”Why, with your hard look, you are straining the muscles around your eyes, and you're starting to stare. ​If you stare at a distant image far away from you, you'll make it fuzzy. If you want to see it clearly you must close your eyes, imagine black for awhile, and then lazily and easily open them and you'll see the image. The light will come to you.And what do you do if I say, "Now, listen carefully, listen very carefully to what I'm saying." You'll find you're beginning to strain yourself around the ears.Supposing somebody says, "O.K. now, you've got to use your will, you've got to exercise strong will." That's the ego, isn't it?What do you do when you exercise your will? You grit your teeth, you clench your fists. If you want to stop wayward emotions, you go uptight. You pull your stomach in, or hold your breath, or contract your rectal muscles. But all these activities have absolutely nothing to do with the efficient functioning of your nervous system. Just as staring at images makes them fuzzy, listening... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

I see a lot of aspiring business owners doing this:You’re waiting until you’re “ready” before you take the leap.A dear client asked me about the “thin line between readiness and procrastination.”​After coaching hundreds of business owners, I can tell you this: ​Chances are, you are being fooled by your own brilliant mind. Feeling of “lack of readiness” is usually procrastination.**Watch the video version here:https://www.georgekao.com/blog/notready**Here’s the truth:I rarely feel “ready”.When I started writing this article, I felt maybe I wouldn’t have enough to say… maybe I should do more research or journaling or give it a few more days (or weeks) before I’m ready to start writing this.When making a video — at the moment I press “record” I feel like I could’ve spent another hour thinking about the topic.When I launch a course, I know I could spend several more months (or years!) researching the topic… but I remind myself that whatever I already know will be helpful to the students. We are usually much harsher on ourselves than our students / clients are.The founder of Linkedin, Reid Hoffman, famously said this:If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.I feel embarrassed often… because I create often.Every book that I publish, I feel slightly embarrassed by… but the reality is that if I waited until a book was “ready” I might never publish. Thankfully I do publish, because book after book, each one is getting better. I can always re-publish and re-launch a 2nd edition later… and I am already planning for it!Every course that I teach, I’m embarrassed by, but I also get feedback that makes the course better, year after year.I’m doing this for the long term journey of growth, not just short-term experiences of posting, publishing, launching.The creative process, the reality of building an authentic business, requires this continual practice:Transform fear into Love.I feel that we are being called by Spirit to recognize when we are feeling afraid in the creative process, and instead, reinterpret that emotion. Turn “fear” or “lack of readiness” into one or more of these…ExcitementPassionServiceCurious self-explorationAdventureTransform hesitation into Action.If I am creating something, and I feel hesitation, I now interpret it as a signal to take action, to just do it. To take the next step. To write the next sentence. To click “record” on the video. To press “publish”.Transform embarrassment into Surrender.After putting your work out there, you may feel embarrassed by it and want to delete it. Don’t.Practice surrendering to the process and you’ll grow a bit stronger, more confident, each time.I recently had this kind of experience: being embarrassed by something I put out there, and after confessing my feelings about it (while not deleting the embarrassing thing) I found that people didn’t judge me the way I had judged myself.It is a daily creative practice: transmuting fearful hesitation into loving action and surrendering to the process. Bit by bit, piece by piece, we become more courageous. We get wiser through action and experience.A little-known fact is that the creative person’s doubt and “lack of readiness” never goes away. We simply get better at recognizing it, and transmuting it into creative action.So there’s only one thing to This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

A few thoughts on how to develop authentic confidence...​Notice that money tends to flow to those who are most confident. However, fake confidence is too commonly taught in marketing. Fake it ‘till you make it. Appear to be bigger, or more polished, than you actually are. Use hype to get the sale. Offer huge guarantees to remove all their risk. **Watch the video here:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1448007075365651**It does get some people to buy, but fake confidence is neither sustainable, nor does it produce a fulfilling business.Thankfully, money also flows toward people with authentic confidence. How to develop this?Ease up on self-blame.Improve skills through practice.Notice the value you’re genuinely adding. Ease Up on Self-BlameWhen I make a mistake:I get curious: “Hmm… what can I learn from this?”and after a brief reflection (and note-taking as needed),I move on, knowing that I have the rest of my life to learn and get better!And I’ve learned that most people are forgiving, as long as I keep improving. As soon as I sense self-blame coming on, I ignore it, knowing that it does more harm than good. It helps me to do my energy reboot practice. If it's hard for you to ignore self-criticism or blame, I encourage you to rebel against it: use anger productively and say a stern "NO" against self-blame. When it comes to marketing mistakes (of which I have many!) I remind myself to let go of trying to make a good first impression, because the practice of gradually improving future impressions is more effective for genuine growth (personal and professional) instead of stressing out about the first impression. Joyful long-term growth requires an experimentation mindset, rather than trying to be perfect. Improve Skills Through Practice The more you hone your professional skills, the more authentically confident you are. To get better, you need to consistently practice. For example, creating content daily, and promoting your products/services weekly or monthly. These are excellent activities to practice in order to generate a stable and growing income. The problem with most people is the inconsistency. If you can overcome that issue, you’ll be far ahead of most aspiring businesses. It’s often due to an inability to set and follow a schedule. Read more: Repair your relationship to your productivity tools. With consistency, you grow much more quickly than if you only did things occasionally, or if you only wait for inspiration to strike. The more consistent, thoughtful practice you put in, the more skillful you become. What skills should we practice to grow an authentic business? Read more: The 7 Disciplines of Authentic Business. Notice the Value You’re Creating This is another important element for authentic confidence -- observing how you’re actually adding value. Value can be measured by one’s own standard: creating something you’re proud of. Or,... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

If you think social media marketing / content / promotion isn't meant for you because of your personality or type of content you create, listen to this episode to get a reality check...**0:00 Introverted or intense individuals can feel alienated by social media, believing it's not their natural strength. 01:19 Social media is varied; it's not one-size-fits-all. Different types of content resonate with different social circles. 02:14 Being "everyone's cup of tea" is not the goal; in fact, it's a failure in marketing. You want to resonate deeply with a specific audience. 03:26 Even introverted or niche interests have their own significant following online, demonstrated by movements like ASMR or the introverted movement. 05:15 With billions of internet users, even a niche interest could have thousands or millions of passionate followers. 07:34 You could have at least 5,000 to 50,000 passionate fans out there based on conservative estimates. 08:02 Many haven't found their audience yet due to lack of effective and consistent marketing efforts. 09:23 It's crucial to show up consistently, using strategies like social media ads or SEO, to reach your true fans. 10:05 Not showing up means depriving potential fans of the unique value you can offer, making their life experiences less rich. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

00:00 Introductions should serve as an "energy signature transmission," not just information transfer. 00:43 Aim for an energetic performance that resonates with your soul mate audience or Kindred Spirits. 01:09 Instead of just listing credentials, consider creating an experience for the audience by sharing your journey or emotional insights. 01:51 Concepts like "joyful productivity" and "authentic marketing" can be presented as a way of "transmitting our energy into the world." 02:33 Use opportunities like Q&A sessions to practice introductions that encapsulate your energy and essence. 02:48 It's fine if the introduction varies each time; the key is to make it an authentic expression of who you are. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

While spiritual guidance can provide some direction, it often doesn't understand the practical demands of building a stable business. You need to listen to wise guidance that recognizes the importance of commitment, boundaries, and persistent practice in creating a life you love.**0:00 A successful solopreneur requires a stable schedule for consistency and growth. 00:38 While spiritual guidance is beneficial, it often lacks understanding of practical life demands like paying rent or taxes. 01:18 Higher guidance is good for virtues like forgiveness and compassion but may not fully comprehend the pressures of human life. 02:25 Subtle and higher levels of guidance are usually the quietest because they respect our free will. 03:18 Higher guidance may encourage actions like spending time in nature, but may not understand the need for a stable work schedule. 04:23 Assess the life you've created to gauge the effectiveness of the guidance you've been following. 05:17 Wisdom can also come through interactions with other humans, not just inner or higher guidance. 06:12 Excellence in your craft and business requires a stable schedule for continuous practice and improvement. 06:56 Generating flow is a skill that helps you overcome resistance and creates a life you love. 07:37 Maintaining boundaries in your personal life is essential for crafting a stable schedule and fulfilling work life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

A seven figure marketer recently went bankrupt from running too many ads without nurturing a real audience. The lesson? Ads should serve your audience with value, not just promote. Build trust. Announce new offers gently, not aggressively. This creates real fans who organically lean in over time. Marketing this way gets easier as your people trust you more.*** 0:00 A seven-figure marketer's bankruptcy serves as a cautionary tale about relying solely on ads for business growth.* 01:06 Ads should be part of your business strategy even if you're just starting out; you don't need to spend much initially.* 01:33 The primary purpose of ads should be to nurture a warm audience, not just to promote services or products.* 02:26 Serving your audience with valuable, non-selling content can be more fulfilling and leads to a more sustainable business.* 03:08 The key to a successful and fulfilling business is building a true fan base that cares about not just what you offer but who you are.* 04:02 Aggressive marketing strategies, such as bombarding your audience with offers, are not as effective as a more gentle, authentic approach.* 05:28 Gentle announcements give your audience the free will to lean in, fostering trust and making marketing easier over time.* 06:54 Balancing visibility and authenticity is important; it's okay if not everyone sees your launches.* 07:09 Overall, think of marketing as a way to serve and bless people, making occasional gentle announcements about your offerings. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

However much engagement you're getting on your social media, however many clients you have right now, however much money you might be making right now, is somehow mysteriously just what you need at this time. Because if you had already grown the capacities and the skillfulness to get to the next level, you would be at the next level. But right now, is the level you're at, based on your past actions and everything else going on in your life, and that's okay. I wish you celebration of your past actions, peace in the current moment, and the joyful stretching, just a little bit every day, into your potential. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Much of the marketing that's taught by online influencers is aligned with the dark side: fixation on outcome and control of one's audience... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

I hope this episode answers the question once and for all :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

There's an unspoken assumption in marketing:More followers/fans lead to more clients, more fulfillment, more freedom.This is like saying more money equals more happiness.These are seductive ideas. They contain a grain of truth, but they also come with an unexpected price... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

A lot of us heart-based solopreneurs rebel against the advice that we have to find and commit to a niche. Maybe we consider ourself to be a multipotentialite, integrating various modalities and fields into our work. Or we otherwise don’t like to limit our identity. Here's my advice:Don't niche yourself. DO niche your offers.Comment here:https://youtu.be/VHIGW6Dhy2c This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

Your ambitions can be as grand as you want them to be. What inspires you? Dream it! Yet, when it comes to the timeline of when those dreams are met -- hold to them loosely. Be unattached to the results of each day, each week, each month.Instead, "attach" yourself (care much more) about the schedule you planned for today... Comment here:https://youtu.be/xsbHvIrK6no This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

See course details and enroll here:https://www.georgekao.com/interview I’ve been interviewed on more than 100 creator channels, podcasts, and summits.I’ve also played the other role – I’ve interviewed more than 100 people on various webinars, videos, and podcast episodes.If I can be honest here – rarely am I impressed with how my host did… or if I’m the host, how my guests did. It often feels like an opportunity wasted for both sides...Yet – when it’s done well, it’s a simple and proven way to grow your audience – interview interesting people, and be interviewed by others… When you interview someone for your video channel, social media page, or podcast – and you do a good job as a host – your guest is naturally excited to share the recording, thereby growing your audience with people interested in your topic. This is a great way to connect with new potential clients. Vice versa – when you’re being interviewed, and you do a great job as a guest, your host naturally is excited to share your interview even further!However:Hosts mostly don’t know how to prepare their guests, nor how to draw out the most interesting sharing from the guest. They also mostly fail at follow-up with the guests, to make the episode sharing easier, and to create ongoing collaboration as appropriate.Guests don’t know how to use the opportunity of an interview. They answer questions too literally. They explain themselves too much, rather than connect deeply with audience's yearnings and the hosts' curiosity. The guests then don’t follow-up with the host regarding additional opportunities to connect and collaborate.These are all lost opportunities, and I’m on a mission to change that.I would love to see you become both an excellent interviewer and interviewee. This will help you to:Explore and practice communicating your message with deeper impact.Enjoy your “marketing” efforts – because you are connecting from the heart with others whose message you’re genuinely curious about.Grow your audience (thanks to the added promotion of your host or guest) with new people who are more likely to be engaged and aligned with your work.Create friendships with new collaborators who can become client referral sources for you!If this sounds great to you, join me for a 3-week experience:Learn how to be a great host, with a step-by-step plan for reaching out to interesting guests, helping them prepare, bringing out their best, and hosting an excellent interview that they’ll want to share for months to come.Learn how to be one of the best guests that hosts have had the pleasure to interview. You’ll get a method for reaching out to interesting channels & podcasts that are more likely to say Yes. You will also learn how to present well in your interviews so the host is genuinely excited to share your episode widely.Connect with a group of kindred spirits in our course community with whom you can practice as you develop the skills to become a great host or guest! There will be a step-by-step process to find and match up with like-minded practice partners in this course.See course details and enroll here:https://www.georgekao.com/interview This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com

The force is strong within you... become aware of the potential within yourself of both -- light marketing and dark marketing...Comment here:https://youtu.be/SLvx3z8h12Y This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com