Work Less, Earn More

In today's episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my half-million dollar online business. I'm excited to give you a detailed look at what's happening behind the curtain. One key factor for our success is my amazing team.Our journey to this achievement is a team effort, and my team is at the core of it all. Their dedication, skills, and different strengths are what make our success possible. We've got everything from creative thinkers to detailed planners, and each member brings something special to the table.Throughout this episode, I'll introduce you to each team member and explain what they do. You'll see how all these different roles come together to help us succeed. We'll talk about how we plan things out, come up with new ideas, get things done efficiently, and keep improving.By the end of this episode, you'll get a clear picture of how we work as a team to make our business thrive. Whether you're dreaming of starting your own business or just interested in how teams work, you'll see how important teamwork is.So, join me in celebrating my team's hard work and in learning about the strategies that have helped us succeed. Together, we'll uncover the exciting and rewarding story behind my half-million dollar online business!Listen to the full episode to hear:The 5 core teams powering my business's successHow each team shapes our strategies for growthMeet the amazing team members like never before!Learn about each person's specific role and contributionFREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan Work with Gillian Perkins:Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsLearn more about team GP:Cortni Loveridge - http://cortniloveridge.com/Gabe Cox - https://redhotmindset.comTiffany Pichardo - https://www.youtube.com/@TheHappyHomeschooler Samantha Harris - Thesamanthaharris.comJenna Moser - jworksvirtualsolutions.comEmily Banks - https://www.emilybankscreative.com

In this episode, we'll cover the basics of bookkeeping for small business owners. If you're a small business owner looking to handle your own bookkeeping but don't know where to start, this episode is perfect for you. I'll show you how to manage your books in just a few minutes each week using simple and free tools. Stay tuned to learn how you can stay on top of your business finances. I also created a free template to help you do just that!Listen to the full episode to hear:How being organized with your bookkeeping can help you save time and work lessWhy being hands-on with your bookkeeping will help you make smarter business decisions What the IRS requires when it comes to bookkeeping for your business FREE and easy bookkeeping template!FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:FREE Google Sheets Bookkeeping Template: https://gillianperkins.com/ssbs/Link to YouTube video: https://youtu.be/itpCtsopKTIGrab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan Work with Gillian Perkins:Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In today's episode, Becca and I are talking about how you can build your business without using social media. Becca Tracy is the founder of Uncaged Life, and she has been doing this online business thing for over 12 years now. She started her business before social media became as prominent as it is today.We'll cover what strategies are really working today? And here's a spoiler alert: They're the same strategies that have been working for a long time. They are the basics, but they are the strategies that keep yielding results. These are the strategies that enable you to build what I like to call an evergreen lead generation system, so you're not constantly hustling or creating content around the clock to keep up with the algorithm. You don't have to stay constantly plugged into social media. So keep on listening to learn these tried and true methods and how you can build a wildly successful business without having to rely on social media constantly.Listen to the full episode to hear:Becca’s journey with social media through 12 years of business How to not get caught up in the numbers of social media and focus on what really mattersHow she currently manages social media in her business and personal lifeHow to make organic and meaningful connections on InstagramLearn more about Becca:Instagram: @theuncagedlifeFree Facebook community, Uncaged Lifers: facebook.com/groups/UncagedLifersWebsite: theuncagedlife.comFREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan Work with Gillian Perkins:Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I'm being interviewed by Lisa Bass for her podcast, "Simple Farmhouse Life." We discuss the important topic of balancing business and parenting. Lisa asks me about how I determine my priorities and find time to manage my business.During our conversation, we share some honest advice on making things work and maintaining the right mindset to achieve that balance. We also touch upon the role of faith in shaping our priorities and decision-making process for both our business and personal lives.If you're interested in learning more about how to navigate the challenges of balancing business and motherhood, I encourage you to continue listening to gain insights from our discussion.Listen to the full episode to hear:Discover effective strategies for allocating time to your businessMy journey with balancing business and mom lifeWhy you don’t need a large audience when you’re starting outHow my faith affects decision making in my businessLearn more about Lisa:Instagram: @farmhouseonbooneWebsite: https://www.farmhouseonboone.com/welcome-pageYouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/farmhouseonbooneSimple Farmhouse Life Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simple-farmhouse-life/id1494284839FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan Work with Gillian Perkins:Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In today's episode, we're shaking things up a bit! I'm being interviewed by the amazing Jo Harris, also known as the Virtual Mama. Jo is a talented copywriter, and in this episode, she's digging into the 100K method. She wants to learn how to use it effectively in her own business and for her clients while writing sales copy.Jo asks some great questions that will help you understand how to implement this method in your own business. We'll explore how to create 100K funnels to generate passive income for your digital course.Stay tuned to gain some valuable insight. It's an episode you won't want to miss!Listen to the full episode to hear:My story of how I started my online business with 0 followersHow the 100K method can help you start and grow your businessMy tips and secrets for how to SUCCESSFULLY market your digital productA special Q&A at the end!Learn more about Jo Harris:Instagram: @thevirtualmamaPodcast: https://businessinhisimage.buzzsprout.com/Free Copywriting Class: https://thevirtualmama.com/freeclass/FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan Work with Gillian Perkins:Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In today's episode, we’re talking about digital products, like courses, workshops, membership sites, eBooks, and more. You can even create templates or PDFs and sell them on platforms like Etsy or your own website. The possibilities are endless!I'm excited to introduce you to the world of selling digital products. We'll explore what it entails, the overall strategy, and how you can get started in a practical way. I'll guide you through the step-by-step process of creating and launching your own digital products. Along the way, I'll also share plenty of helpful tips because, let's be honest, there are more effective and less effective approaches to this. I want to make sure you achieve great results and maximize your efforts. So, let's dive in and discover how you can achieve success with digital products!Listen to the full episode to hear:The step by step process I recommend for creating and selling digital productsEssential big picture strategy to understand before you start outPractical steps for getting startedTips and tricks that I still use to sell digital products in my business todayFREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan Work with Gillian Perkins:VALIDATE: https://gillianperkins.com/validate-closed-waitlist/Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Today's guest is Tom Woods, who has successfully built a digital brand with a massive following. One of the key factors contributing to his success is his fearless expression of opinions, even when they are divisive. People's reactions to him tend to fall into two extremes: they either adore him or strongly disagree with him.Tom Woods is widely known as the host of the immensely popular podcast, the Tom Woods Show. Additionally, he has achieved the distinction of being a New York Times bestselling author with 12 books under his belt. Notable works include the Politically Incorrect Guide to American History and Meltdown.Tom's educational background is equally impressive, having earned a bachelor's degree in history from Harvard University, followed by a PhD from Columbia University. These academic accomplishments further enhance his credibility and expertise in his field.But today, I’m talking to him about how he’s built such a raving fan base, the marketing strategies he’s used to monetize that platform, and his view on the role of the entrepreneur in the economy. Listen to the full episode to hear:Tom’s first entrepreneur venture (it’s not what you think!)His philosophy on content and email marketingHow he built his fan base starting from zeroHis definition and view on economic philosophyFREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-planLearn more about Tom Woods:Website: tomwoods.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/thomasewoodsThe Tom Woods Show: https://tomwoods.com/podcasts/Books: https://tomwoods.com/books/Five Paths to An Online Income: https://pathstoincome.com/?fbclid=IwAR0zgJTBCJGpktj54b5uEhilp1-17zssPk5HFYR8qC0yO03WPr980lkZw6YWork with Gillian Perkins:Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In today’s episode, I reveal the strategies behind creating a million-follower brand online, regardless of your starting point. Whether you're starting at absolute zero or craving a stronger online presence, this episode will help you discover the fundamental questions to ask when initiating your brand, learn how to establish brand recognition, master the art of obtaining compelling testimonials, and so much more!In an unpredictable world, now is the time to start your personal brand and grow your online presence. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started!Listen to the full episode to hear:6 secrets of a million-follower brandThe pros and cons of a personal vs impersonal brandFundamental questions to ask before starting your brandHow to define your brands UNIQUE personalityHow to QUICKLY establish your authority in your nicheFREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Write a Profit Plan for Your Business: http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan Work with Gillian Perkins:Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I’m covering the essential factors for crafting an authentic + PROFITABLE "About" page. Regardless of your business type, industry, or niche, your about page holds immense importance in landing sales on your website. When potential customers consider purchasing a product from your company, they want more than just information about features and benefits. They want to trust your company. That's where your about page comes into play. It acts as a platform for establishing trust and ensuring that your audience is on the same page as you. So, let’s get to work!Listen to the full episode to hear:5 factors you NEED to have on your about pageWhy your about page is your most important page on your websiteHow you can craft your about page to drive more salesA crucial non-writing tip that will make or break your about pageFREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan Work with Gillian Perkins:Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode I'm going to be sharing some of the most surprising lessons I learned from launching 100K Mastermind back in March. This two week promotion netted us over $160,000, making it our most successful launch yet. But, to be honest, the results of this launch exceeded my expectations. Listen to this episode to learn why I didn’t expect it to perform so well, and what we did that had a huge impact on our launch revenue.Join us for this episode as we unpack the surprising lessons from my $164,464.40 launch. Gain valuable insights on the power of raising your prices, earning more while promoting less, and leveraging your time, and learn how these lessons can transform your business and lead to unprecedented success.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why second launches tend to be the WORSTThe surprising effect of raising your pricesHow you can earn more even while promoting lessHow to leverage your time to maximize your earnings How to make your next launch your most profitable yetFREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:Grab our free course, Small Business 101: https://gillianperkins.com/free-training-small-business-101/ Write a Profit Plan for Your Business : http://gillianperkins.com/free-profit-plan Work with Gillian Perkins:Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I'm sharing five one-minute habits that have helped me save over 25 hours per week. These small yet effective habits have increased my productivity and helped me make the most out of each day. As a mom of five and a business owner, my life can be overwhelming at times. After the birth of my fifth baby, Ezra, seven months ago, I realized that I needed to find ways to optimize my time and eliminate unnecessary tasks to maintain a healthy work-life balance.These five habits have been life-changing for me, and I'm excited to share them with you.Listen to the full episode to hear:The five biggest time wasters I’ve faced (you might be surprised!)How I’ve overcome those time wastersDetailed explanation of each habit, including why it's effective and how to implement itWhy it’s important to optimize your time (in your business and in life!)Learn more about Gillian:Startup SocietySmall Business 101Get on the waitlist for VALIDATEGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsResources:Get my Online Business 101 course for FREE

In today's episode, I want to share with you how I run my online business in just 20 hours per week, including a breakdown of exactly what I spend my time on, what my schedule looks like, and some of the key things that I don't do in my business that allow me to save a lot of time.We often look at what we’re currently doing and think that this is the only way things can work. It’s hard to think outside the box and to have creative new ideas because we see how things are working together right now.But when I look at my past, I can see that even though I didn’t know it was possible then, there was so much more than I imagined was possible.And that’s why I’m sharing how I run my business in 2023, in 20 hours per week.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why there isn’t as much competition for your online business as you might thinkA breakdown of how I spend my time from least to most (my answers might surprise you!)What tasks are outsourced to free up my time for bigger-picture workWhy I batch tasks like recording the podcast and YouTube videosWhat I don’t do in my business that can save a ton of timeLearn more about Gillian:Startup SocietySmall Business 101Get on the waitlist for VALIDATEGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsResources:How to Write a PROFIT PLAN for Your BusinessFree Profit Plan WorksheetThe Eight Ways to Make Money Online EXPLAINED

It can be really difficult to stay focused on what you need to do to grow your business and profit when you’re constantly getting distracted by shiny new marketing tactics that people are trying to sell you.There’s always going to be a new marketing strategy you could try to grow your business. Some of them might be really useful. Often, these are distractions from the fundamentals you need to do to actually grow your business. Building an online business and generating a lot of profit doesn’t have to be that complicated.In fact, the basics can take you really far as long as you focus on executing those consistently.Today, I’m going to guide you step by step through creating a straightforward plan for building a highly profitable business while working 20 hours per week or less.This is a plan that will not only increase your profits but will also decrease your work hours. It’s a plan to work smarter, not harder. To work less, and profit more.Listen to the full episode to hear:How clarifying the value your business brings to your customers will help you generate more and bigger salesKey questions to help you define your ideal customer’s psychographics and how your product addresses themThe four things you need to generate salesHow to eliminate, systematize, automate, and outsource so you can focus on the activities that really move the needle in your businessLearn more about Gillian:Free Profit Plan WorksheetStartup Society3 Secrets to Reach 1000 SubscribersSmall Business 101Get on the waitlist for VALIDATEGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

If you’re thinking about starting a YouTube channel, you have to know how the algorithm works. And you have to stay on top of how it’s changing.If you don’t keep up with how the algorithm is evolving, you won’t be able to compete, you won’t be able to get your videos to rank or get them into viewers’ suggestions.Today, I’m going to walk you through how the YouTube algorithm is working in 2023 and how you can work with it to get the maximum number of views on your videos and grow you channel as quickly as possible.Listen to the full episode to hear:How the YouTube algorithm has evolved over the yearsThe three things you want viewers to do on your videosThe three algorithms you need to know about Learn more about Gillian:3 Secrets to Reach 1000 SubscribersSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

When I Google “best passive income ideas,” the first result is an article from Bankrate.com titled “23 Passive Income Ideas to Help You Make Money in 2023.”But if I keep scrolling through the search results, there are hundreds of similar articles from sites like SoFi, Nerd Wallet, Forbes and on and on and on.As an online business writer, I’ve contributed my fair share to those search results as well. But lately, I’ve been increasingly frustrated by the echo chamber the internet has become.When you make your living as a content creator, it doesn’t take long before you realize that the easiest way to make content that makes money is to repeat what has already been tested by others.And the fact is, most of the people who write these articles about the best ways to make passive income, haven’t actually tested any of them themselves. In short, they don’t know what they’re talking about.Which is why today, I’m recommitting to doing better, to thinking for myself, to saying what I actually think, and to telling the truth even when it might not be what you want to hear.Because the truth is, when it comes to passive income, I actually have tested out a lot of these ideas and a lot of them are just not what they’re cracked up to be.So with that commitment in mind, allow me to share with you what I actually think of those 23 passive income ideas to help you make money in 2023. Listen to the full episode to hear:The truth about two of the top passive income recommendationsThe good and the bad about investing in real estate“Passive” income streams that aren’t actually passive at allInvestment strategies worth considering, and some that probably aren’tWhat really matters when it comes to choosing a passive income strategyLearn more about Gillian:100K Method Podcast Series100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsResources:23 Passive Income Ideas To Help You Make Money In 2023, BankrateDeconstructing My $72,000 Sales Funnel

Listen to your audience!It's some of the most popular marketing advice out there. We're told it's the secret to creating content and products that our audience will eat up, and it sounds logical. Surely the easiest way to make people happy and get their attention in business is to give them what they want.So we survey our email lists, chat with our customers via dm, study our YouTube comments, etc. But there’s a dark side to listening to your audience. And that’s what I’m talking about today.Listen to the full episode to hear:The biggest mistake people make when they listen too closely to their audienceWhy you DO want to listen to your audience when it comes to validating your ideasHow to balance what the market wants and what you’re passionate about so you can make a living doing work you loveLearn more about Gillian:100K Method Podcast Series100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

The market for AI services is hot right now and wide open, but it's not going to stay that way forever.Just like back in the early 2000s when we all got our first cell phones, the world went mobile and millions of millionaires were created as a result,this is the start of a new age of Artificial Intelligence, and this is the time when you can get in on the ground floor and really make the most of this opportunity.ChatGPT is the world's smartest robot, and it is changing the game when it comes to making money online.With this revolutionary free software, you can earn $800 a day or even more with little skill and no startup capital required. All you need to do is take one of these genius ideas that I'm sharing with you today and put it into action, and you'll have yourself a profitable business.Listen to the full episode to hear:How ChatGPT can help you get a freelance writing business off the groundHow to use ChatGPT to break into self-publishingHow to monetize your content with Uscreen and ChatGPTHow to use ChatGPT to make money on YouTubeLearn more about Gillian:100K Method Podcast Series100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsResources:Book BoltUscreenI Found the EASIEST Way to Make Money with ChatGPT

There is a huge opportunity out there with AI right now, but it’s not going to last.More and more people are jumping on the AI bandwagon, and you might be afraid that you are going to be replaced, but that’s not the case, at least not right now.Right now, what will happen is that you’ll be replaced by another human using AI if you are not.So what should you do?ChatGPT is the world’s smartest robot. It is blowing people’s minds with its ability to break information down and make it easy to consume and understand even complex subjects. And it’s completely free.But the big question is, how can we translate the opportunity of ChatGPT’s AI into making money?I found the absolute easiest way to make money with ChatGPT that can make you over $800 a day and you don't even have to code anything.All you need to do is take this idea and put it into action. Listen to the full episode to hear:How ChatGPT can boost your revenue as a freelance marketing email writerHow to use ChatGPT to customize your pitches and onboard new clientsHow ChatGPT can even help you invoice your clientsLearn more about Gillian:100K Method Podcast Series100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Most small business owners have at least thought about hiring a virtual assistant but it may not always be possible financially. What if I told you there was a way you could have a virtual assistant for free?Someone who is fluent in English, is a good writer, can do research, and has a wide variety of skills. It sounds too good to be true, but it’s a reality with ChatGPT.You might have already heard about it, but ChatGPT is the latest in artificial intelligence and they went from zero to a million users in just five days after they launched back in November 2022. And more and more content creators, business owners, media agencies are using it to automate a lot of tasks.And it’s completely free.I’ve been using ChatGPT to help me run my own business and today, I’m sharing seven different ways you can use it as a free virtual assistant.Listen to the full episode to hear:What makes ChatGPT a useful tool for sales and marketing emailsHow ChatGPT takes the work out of content generation and even client workHow ChatGPT can help you harness AI for your own businessHow ChatGPT helps you level up your skillsLearn more about Gillian:100K Method Podcast Series100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Today, I’m talking with my friend Dustin Heiner.Both of us run online businesses where we earn income by selling digital products, but we also both invest in real estate.I earn the bulk of my income, both active and passive, through my online business, but Dustin earns the bulk of his income directly through his real estate investments. So we both had a lot to learn from each other!I wanted to bring Dustin on the show because we don’t always talk about what to do with your profits and passive income once you have it and investing in real estate is one way to passively multiply the income from your online business.I had a lot of questions I wanted to get Dustin’s opinion on about how to do this most successfully, how to get started, and especially how to do it in today’s economy.Dustin Heiner is a real estate investing expert and Founder of Master Passive IncomeBeing Successfully Unemployed at 37 years old by investing in real estate rental properties, he is now on a mission to help everyone to quit their job and never have a job again. He also helps his students build a successful real estate investing businesses all over the country.Through his work at Master Passive Income, Dustin Heiner has become one of the leading real estate rental property experts and has helped countless numbers of others to start investing in real estate rental properties.Listen to the full episode to hear:How Dustin turned getting laid off from what was supposed to be a stable job into being “successfully unemployed” through real estate investmentsWhy Dustin doesn’t buy property in hopes it will appreciate value, but for the income it can bring nowHow passive income scales as you purchase additional propertyThe first steps you have to take to get started investing in real estateWhy you might want to invest outside of your own home area Learn more about Dustin Heiner:Master Passive IncomeSuccessfully UnemployedInstagram: @thedustinheinerYouTube: MasterPassiveIncomeMaster Passive Income PodcastFREE Course Text RENTAL to 233777 or go to: https://masterpassiveincome.com/freecourseLearn more about Gillian:100K Method Podcast Series100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Welcome to the final episode of The 100K Method.I created this series because when I started my online business, I was broke, living paycheck-to-paycheck, and my biggest goal was to create a consistent stream of passive income, but I had a really hard time figuring out how.In this episode, you’ll learn about $100K Mastermind, our online business mentorship program, and how we can help you get a $100K Funnel of your own built and earning you passive income within the next three months.Listen to the full episode to hear:What makes the $100K Mastermind different from other funnel-building courses or programsWhat you get with the program and what it costsHow the application process worksThe five phases of the $100K MastermindLearn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, you’ll learn whether or not the $100K Method would work for you.Because the truth is, it doesn’t work for everybody. Some people and some types of businesses can earn hundreds of thousands of passive income with it, while others wouldn’t be able to use it to earn a dime.Implementing the $100K Method is an intensive process, so I want to make sure that you are completely clear about whether or not it will work for you before you invest your time into implementing it in your business.And for those of you who are interested in joining us for the $100K Mastermind, this episode will help you make sure that’s the right decision before you apply.Listen to the full episode to hear:Who the $100K Method doesn’t work for and whyWhy you really can’t build more than one $100K funnel at a timeWhat you have to let go of to succeed at building your funnelsThe tools we use in the $100K Mastermind to help you overcome challengesLearn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

When you use a graphic design software - Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, etc - you can change the size of an object by grabbing the little handles on the corner and dragging them, making the object smaller or larger. This is called scaling. To scale an object is to change its size.Businesses can be scaled as well.You might start out as a one person show, doing everything yourself with limited capacity, only able to serve a few clients per month. But by implementing various systems, using software, and building a team of people to help you, you can scale your business by expanding your capacity and increasing your income.Today, you’ll learn about a simple automated email sequence you can create in 8 hours or less that can double your income. This is Work Less, Earn More at its finest.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why webinars are a key piece of the $100K funnelWhy following up with the people who didn’t say yes right away can DOUBLE your salesThe seven emails we send in the 72 hours after the webinar that get people to say yes to your offerTwo email marketing providers that will save you money as your list growsLearn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsResources:ConvertKitMailerLite

Online courses have huge earning potential but they can also be massive wastes of time. A lot of people create online courses because they want the upside, but they create the wrong course, or they don’t create the course in the right way, and they end up not making any money.Trust me, I have been there.The first three or four courses that I made were complete flops. But over the past few years, I have created courses that have earned me over two million dollars. Yes, it's wild, and I never thought I would be this successful at creating online courses.Now with years of experience in creating successful courses, we’ve got it down to a science. We have a simple formula that creates predictable results, and today, I’m sharing it with you.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why happy customers aren’t the same as successful customers, and which ones you wantWhy you need to articulate a Primary Tangible Result for your customersWhy you shouldn’t rely on know, like, and trust to sell your courseSix principles for creating a successful, scalable online courseLearn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, I’m going to be sharing a bit of tough love and helping you honestly answer the question, “Is my course ready to scale to six figures?”Because, in my experience, a course simply not being ready is one of the most common reasons that people fail to reach their passive income goals with it.It’s not that they don’t have a good marketing strategy, understand how funnels work, or have a bad course, it’s just that they haven’t yet set their course up to profit.So today, I’m going to talk about how to set up your course for success before you put tons of time and effort into building a funnel.Listen to the full episode to hear:What you need to validate about your course and whyThe three phases of validationHow to use the validation process to prove demand for six aspects your course needs to be ready to scaleHow a price that’s too low can be as much of a deterrent as a price that’s too highLearn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

What would happen to your business if you suddenly were unavailable, if you couldn’t do the things that you typically do to run your business, generate traffic, and generate leads? What would happen if you suddenly had no capacity to show up on social media and share content?That’s exactly what happened to my longtime friend, Tara Wagner.You might think that she would've seen a huge drop off on the number of leads she was generating, the number of sales she was seeing, and even her monthly revenue. But Tara has figured out strategies for sustaining and building her business without social media.Today, Tara is going to share her experience and insights on these strategies.Tara Wagner is a mindset and business coach who helps other service-based business owners work half as much, without giving up revenue or growth. After burning out in her first business in 2008, she had to learn what it takes to build a healthy business in a healthy way. Today, she teaches other entrepreneurs across the globe the mistakes to avoid, the mindsets to master, and the areas to upgrade for more free time and fun in their small business with her program, Breakthrough Boss® Inner Circle. She lives in Las Vegas, NV with her husband and two pups, and spends her weekends catching up with her grown son's travels or geeking out with a new board game.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why you should take a hard look at the amount of time you spend on social media and the number of clients you can actually trace back to itHow Tara uses content, connections, and advertising in her businessWhy Tara recommends getting confident in selling one-to-one before you try to scale up with contentLearn more about Tara Wagner:WebsiteYouTubeReversing Small Business Burnout ChecklistLearn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, we’re going to cover three unfortunate mistakes most people make when trying to build passive income funnels. Mistakes that don’t just reduce the success of a funnel, they can completely cripple it and stop it from ever generating any revenue at all.Obviously you’ll want to avoid these mistakes but not just because they can cost you potential income. Building a flawed funnel is also a massive waste of time. And while we can always make more money, your time is a non-renewable resource. Time is the one thing you have a fixed amount of and can never get back once it’s spent. So avoiding wasting time needs to be one of our highest priorities with any business strategy decision.My goal for this episode is to bring these potential mistakes to your awareness, because that’s the first step to avoiding or solving any problem.If you haven’t started out yet, knowing what to look for and avoid will help you take a better route. Or, if you’ve already started, but gotten stuck, understanding these mistakes will enable you to diagnose why you aren’t getting the results you want. Specifically, why your funnel isn’t generating tens of thousands of dollars of passive income every month.Listen to the full episode to hear:Two big reasons why you need to validate your idea before you pour your time into building a funnelWhy you need an evergreen lead generation system for your evergreen funnelWhy your funnel needs to sell potential customers on a Primary Tangible ResultLearn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In this episode, we’re going to take a look at evergreen funnels and live launching. These are two different marketing strategies you can use to sell courses online. Both evergreen funnels and live launching can effectively be used to sell hundreds of thousands (even millions!) of dollars for an online course. And to this day, I continue to use both in my business.However, they’re much more effective–and much more profitable–when you use the right one for your situation. And that means choosing the right strategy both for your product and for your personal goals.Listen to the full episode to hear:How a live launching uses discounts or limited availability to incentivize buyersThe potential downsides of using limited-time offers on your productsHow to use evergreen funnels to combine live launching and steady sellingWhy I still use both strategies in my businessWhy evergreen funnels aren’t always effective at getting sales for new businessesLearn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Welcome to the second episode of The 100K Method, a limited podcast series about how to strategically scale your online course to six-figure success. I created this series because when I started my online business, I was broke, living paycheck-to-paycheck, and my biggest goal was to create a consistent stream of passive income, but I had a really hard time figuring out how.In this episode, we’re going to jump in a time machine and go way back to 2018, the year I took my business from 0 to $100,000.Listen to the full episode to hear:Where I was at the start of 2018 after two years in businessThe strategies I used to grow my YouTube audience and my email listWhy I hosted live workshops on a variety of topics for the first five months of the yearHow I used content I had already created to support the launch of Startup SocietyThe real numbers that brought me over the 100K markLearn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Welcome to the first episode of The 100K Method, a limited podcast series about how to strategically scale your online course to six-figure success.I created this series because when I started my online business, I was broke, living paycheck-to-paycheck, and my biggest goal was to create a consistent stream of passive income, but I had a really hard time figuring out how. Lots of people were talking about passive income, but what they shared was vague, theoretical, and frequently overhyped. What I wanted and needed was practical, hands-on advice from someone who had successfully done what I wanted to do.After a lot of research, I determined that digital courses and membership sites were going to be the best way to reach my passive income goals. There are certainly other options out there, but most either require a lot of money up front or simply don’t have a very high earning potential.Online courses and memberships, on the other hand, can be put together with only a small budget and marketed strategically to turn into six- or even seven-figure streams of passive income. And that was exactly what I was looking for!I’ll share the story of how I built my first $100K funnel in the next episode (and we’ll also look at the 100K method itself later in this series), but, in this episode, I’d like to start our conversation by examining the basic strategy of using evergreen sales funnels to passively sell online courses. We’ll also take a look at one of my 100K funnels in action, so you can see how this strategy works in the real world. Listen to the full episode to hear:A breakdown of the 100K funnel behind Creator Fast TrackHow the “show up” sequence boosts workshop attendanceHow the “win-win” webinar method works to convert leadsTwo email sequences to take customers from “not yet” to “yes”Learn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

If you are really multi-passionate, it's likely that researching your ideas, weighing the pros and cons and other methods of analysis will still leave you undecided about what niche to choose. Because the problem is that you love all your ideas and you can't stand the thought of scrapping any of them.Today, I’m sharing three strategies for overcoming your indecision, and finally picking a niche.Listen to the full episode to hear:How to use “practice mode” to figure out if you really want to build a business around an ideaWhy you should date your ideas before you commit to marrying one of themHow giving yourself total freedom can actually help you nail down your nicheLearn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsResources:Can't pick a niche? Do THIS instead.

When I had my first two kids in my early twenties, maternity leave was really rough. It kind of happened, it kind of didn't, and a lot of things went wrong.But when I was pregnant with my third baby, I completed a couple of projects that made a massive difference in my income and allowed me to take three full months of paid maternity leave.So today, I’m sharing that story and telling you what happened and what those projects were that enabled me to take paid maternity leave.And whether or not you’ll ever need maternity leave, these strategies are still relevant for any situation where you know you’ll need to be able to take a chunk of time off without sacrificing your income.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why I couldn’t take much time off with my first two babiesHow my third pregnancy pushed me to finally get moving on generating passive incomeWhy I batch plenty of content before going on maternity leaveLearn more about Gillian:100K MastermindSmall Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

In a lot of ways, the opportunity of today's creator economy reminds me of the California Gold Rush. While some early adopters were able to make a lot of money, most people were very skeptical of the idea that you could make money as a content creator.Fast forward a few years, and people have caught on that this is a real thing. But now they might be wondering if success is only for the lucky few who got in at the right time and all the big money has been made.They might be thinking that the market is saturated, that there’s so much content out there on YouTube, or Instagram, or on blogs that there’s no space for one more creator in the market. They’ve gone from not believing it’s a real thing, to believing they’ve missed out.But this is not the case at all. More and more people are getting started as content creators every month, building their audience, and creating a living as creators. And not only that, the journey from zero to earning $10,000 per month or more, is getting shorter and shorter.How is that possible?Today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned in my five years as a successful content creator about strategies that work, so you can shorten your journey from zero to earning a living from your content.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why you need to focus on just one platform when you’re starting outHow to layer monetization strategies to raise your income fasterPros and cons of affiliate marketing and sponsorshipsLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

If you’ve been listening to the show for a while, you’ll know that I’ve interviewed people about a variety of different business models, which may leave you wondering what the best one really is.The truth is, there is no such thing as the best business model because different things work for different people. It all depends on your goals and even your personality.For some people, rather than courses or group programs or memberships, it makes the most sense to continue to work directly with clients. Maybe they enjoy building relationships, the accountability of client deadlines, or the certainty of getting paid for their work.And just because you’re not going for a passive income model doesn’t mean you can’t work less and earn more.Perhaps the most obvious way to do that is to get higher-paying clients, but how do you land those clients?Today, I’m talking with Ruth-Joy Connell about how to pitch to and land corporate clients.Ruth-Joy Connell is the CEO and founder of RJC Consulting Global — a Corporate Consulting firm specializing in helping service-based entrepreneurs, price, pitch, and close corporate contracts. Her goal is to help entrepreneurs serve and earn at their highest level so that the work they do can have a generational impact. When she’s not collecting coins, you can find her shopping at Winners, watching re-runs of 90s TV shows, or traveling to new countries.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why taking your work to corporate clients doesn’t mean reinventing the wheelHow to clarify the client and consumer for your workThe best platform for marketing to corporate clientsFive steps to creating a list of prospects to reach out toLearn more about Ruth-Joy Connell:RJC Consulting GlobalLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsResources:The Ultimate Guide on How to Find your First or Next Corporate Client

In just a few weeks, I'm going to be turning 30 years old.This last decade has been such a crazy one filled with so many adventures, starting with getting married at 20, then having my first baby the following year, and buying our first house the year after that. And since then, we’ve gone on to buy a couple more houses.I had four more babies, started several businesses, and visited 12 countries. It’s been a really packed decade and God has taught me so much both through all of these different projects that I've done and also through all the challenges that I've faced, both personally and emotionally. There have also been external challenges like tackling growing a business or buying a house.So I thought that today would be such a good opportunity to reflect on some of these lessons that I've learned, both to remember them and to share them with you guys.Listen to the full episode to hear:The most important lessons my twenties taught me about earning money and building wealthThe physical and emotional factors that help me stay healthy and happyWhat my twenties taught me about supporting my mental healthWhat I’ve learned about trust, faith, and my relationship with GodHow my relationships in my twenties taught me about commitment, security, and reaching outLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsResources:The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to Take Charge of Your Emotions--Today, Julia Ross

Financial freedom is a common goal and an amazing thing to experience, but it often gets tied together with the idea of penny-pinching today so that you can save for the future, with the end goal being to amass as much money and stuff as possible.Regular people call this saving for retirement. Others take it to an extreme and call it F.I.R.E: Financial Independence, Retire Early.And some people don't save at all and just hope for the best. But a lot of us somewhat goal-oriented folks at least feel like we should be making sacrifices today so that we can eventually retire fabulously wealthy.Whether or not we successfully do that, of course, is up to our personal motivation, willpower, and ability to strategize.But is accumulating money and stuff even truly the highest ideal? Should it really be our priority? Do we really need to feel guilt over not making those sacrifices today?Listen to the full episode to hear:How feeling financially secure is a moving goalpost with diminishing returns on your happinessFive priorities that guide the way I save for the futureWhy you have more control over what you earn than what you can saveHow to make your spending intentional rather than emotionalHow I shifted my mindset to being a good steward of my financesLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

I have a new baby!Surprised? So was I!Meet Ezra Perkins. He’s almost three weeks old and he arrived three weeks early, so he truly was a surprise for us.Today I want to take a few minutes to share the story of Ezra’s birth because it’s kind of a funny story.Listen to the full episode to hear:How Ezra surprised us on our 10-year anniversary trip to the beachLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Have you ever had a moment of clarity when you suddenly realized that your life doesn’t have to be the way that it is?Maybe it’s when you see someone else’s life, or something on Instagram, and you see how beautiful it is and you wonder, why doesn’t my life look like that, or feel like that?Sometimes it’s the moment when we realize the only reason our life is the way it is–that we live where we live, have the friends we have, eat the food that we eat–is because we’re in the habit of doing them.The good news is that regardless of whatever led you here right now, you can start making different decisions and completely transform your life.And it doesn’t have to take years. In as little as six months, your life could look dramatically different.So today, I’m sharing the fundamentals that will take you from where you are now to where you really want to be and make dramatic changes in your life.Listen to the full episode to hear:Six ways to categorize and clarify the changes you want to makeHow to decide what area of your life to focus on firstThe major mindset shifts that will help you make big changesWhy setting quantifiable goals is essential to making plans and staying motivatedLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

There are two big reasons I wanted to talk to Jereshia Hawk.First, a few years ago she overhauled her business to make it more streamlined, a move that has proved wildly successful. I wanted to know what that looked like from the inside, what simplifications she made that had such a big impact, and if there were other factors that contributed to the way her business took off like a rocket.Secondly, I wanted to nerd out about sales funnels and sales systems. I love getting into the nitty gritty details with people who have really successful sales systems. Jereshia has a system that is driving her multimillion dollar business, so obviously something is working, and I wanted to get the scoop on how her systems work, how she’s getting leads, and how she’s turning those leads into customers.Thankfully, she agreed to do a deep dive with me and I’m so excited to share it with you.Jereshia Hawk is a sought after business coach and sales expert who grew her business from $0-2 million in less than 4 years with organic marketing, a lean team, and high profit margins. She helps high-achieving experts launch and scale leveraged group coaching programs by packaging and positioning their intellectual property and strategically repurposing live videos to generate new leads. Jereshia’s mission is to help narrow the racial wealth gap by helping 100 women of color (and their allies) per year build and run million-dollar online coaching businesses that contribute to a ripple effect of positive impact and lasting legacy.Listen to the full episode to hear:How simplifying the business solidified how her audience perceived her, and why that translated into salesHow Jereshia made the call for which offers to drop, and where to put her focusHow she validated the demand for Leverage before committing to the programWhy Jereshia says a more personal, human approach to sales is necessary for higher price point programsThe three simple steps in Jereshia’s sales funnelLearn more about Jereshia Hawk:jereshiahawk.comInstagram: @jereshiahawkLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Is bigger, always better?The point of running a business is to make money. Making more money means your company is more successful. And a bigger business makes more money, right?Well, not always. Turns out the profit margins on big businesses can be razor thin, or even non-existent.It can be easy to get caught up in messages that you should grow your business to be as large and as successful as possible. But is that really your goal? Not if you’re like most people who want to run their own businesses. You probably started your business because you wanted freedom, a flexible schedule, to be your own boss, and to create a better lifestyle for your family.So how do you achieve those goals? By taking a minimalist approach.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why bigger business can mean higher costs, more effort, and less profitHow simplifying your revenue streams and offerings actually helps you earn more money, with less time and effortWhat minimalism means for your businessLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsResources:The Minimalists

I frequently get questions about affiliate marketing, and it’s something that I do myself.If you’re not familiar with affiliate marketing, the short version is that you promote someone else’s products in exchange for a commission whenever you make a successful sale.But there is a lot of confusion and false perceptions about what affiliate marketing is, who it’s a good option for, and how it could fit into your business strategy.So today, I’m going to give you a complete rundown of affiliate marketing so you can really understand whether or not it’s the right fit for you that will make the best use of your time, and will make you the most money.To help me, I’ve got Startup Society and 100K Mastermind member, Denise Wilbanks. She’s going to interview me with all of her questions about affiliate marketing, so you can learn along with her.Denise Wilbanks is the boss babe behind This Is My Everybody, where she is passionate about helping overwhelmed women to simplify their life, home and business so that they can start creating a life filled with what matters most to them.Denise believes in living a life you love, pursuing your biggest dreams, and surrounding yourself with what matters most to you. Living a simple life clears a path to get you there.Listen to the full episode to hear:The differences between affiliate marketing, referrals, sponsorships, and ad networksWhy successful affiliate marketing serves your business and your audienceWhere to start when you’re looking for affiliate programsQuestions to ask yourself when you’re thinking about adding affiliate marketing to your business strategyLearn more about Denise Wilbanks:This Is My EverybodyYouTube: This Is My EverybodyFacebook: @thisismyeverybodyInstagram: @thisismyeverybodyPinterest: @thisismyeverybodyLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Studies have shown that email marketing, when done right, earns about a dollar per subscriber, per month. So if you have a thousand subscribers, you could earn $1000 per month. And the more you grow your list, the more potential you have to earn money just from your email marketing.So are you hitting that mark?If not, the sequences I’m going to share with you will help you get more strategic with your email marketing and convert more of your subscribers into paying customers.And even if your list is still small, implementing these strategies now can help ensure that you don’t leave money on the table as your list continues to grow.Today, I’m going to walk you through four email sequences that will help you consistently make money without having to constantly hustle for clients or run live launches. Listen to the full episode to hear:Why you need a welcome sequence for new subscribersHow to set up an evergreen sales sequence so you have consistency in your revenueWhat your abandoned cart emails need to say to your customerHow a cold subscriber sequence improves your open rate and saves you moneyLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

If you’re running a business these days, it’s pretty much standard that you’ll do some kind of social media marketing.But the unfortunate truth is that most small business owners don’t have any real strategy for their social marketing. They’re just randomly posting content or trying to copy their competitors.The end result? They don’t see any impact on their bottom line and it becomes a massive waste of time.Today, I’m going to share the process that I use to develop our social media strategy every year, which has grown our audience to over one million followers. It’s also the strategy we teach inside Startup Society, that helps members develop social media strategies for their businesses.Listen to the full episode to hear:The two biggest mistakes people make when they’re creating a social media strategy for the first timeWhy you need to get as specific as possible with your goals for your social media presenceWhy you should review the actual data on your past and current posts’ performance rather than relying on your own impressionsWhy going to the platform where your customers are isn’t necessarily the best adviceThe two systems you need to stay consistent with your strategyLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

Everyone has had the experience of meeting someone who you think might be a good fit for your product or service, but you’re not sure how to shift the conversation from a casual chat to talking about what you do or what you offer, and getting their interest.So today, we’re talking with Nicole Cramer about how to start conversations that lead to sales. She is an Exactly What to Say Certified Guide, and she’s going to share that method for making sales while you’re making conversation.Nicole Cramer is a high-vibe sales coach for female health and wellness entrepreneurs and CEO of Healthy Steps with Nicole. She specializes in how to start conversations that lead to clients through her proven sales system and she is also one of only twelve Exactly What to Say Certified Guides, making her a specialist in sales language and conversion. Nicole’s focus is on high-touch, relationship based selling where making the customer is more important than making the sale.Listen to the full episode to hear:How planning for the critical conversations in your business can help you stay in the momentWhy you need to bring curiosity and empathy to your sales conversationsHow asking questions keeps you in control of the conversationThree rejection-free ways to open a conversationLearn more about Nicole Cramer:Healthy Steps with NicoleInstagram: @thenicolecramerLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsResources:Exactly What to Say: The Magic Words for Influence and Impact, Phil M Jones

If you’ve ever thought about launching a membership site, today’s episode is for you.I’m talking with Laura Watson, who participated in our Validate accelerator program earlier this year, about her experience beta launching her membership site, the Watercolour Garden.We’re going to chat about how she did it, what some of her biggest challenges were–and some of her biggest wins–and we’ll get into the nitty gritty details and numbers behind her beta launch, so you can see what’s possible for you, too.Laura Watson is a botanical artist based on the west coast of Canada. She is the founder of The Watercolour Garden, an online community that helps watercolor painters create botanical paintings using her 3 step painting method. Laura has a diploma with distinction from the London Art College in Botanical Painting, and her paintings are in private collections worldwide.Listen to the full episode to hear:How leaning on her peers and the structure of the Validate program helped Laura take the leap to launchHow she structured the webinar funnel and follow-ups that landed her a 50% conversion rateWhy Laura wanted to shift from selling courses on third-party platforms to hosting her own membershipThe two biggest mental hurdles she had to overcomeLearn more about Laura Watson:WebsiteInstagram: @laurawatsonartistYouTube: Laura Watson Art Learn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

While there are a lot of different ways you can make money online, creating and selling digital products has got to be one of the very best. And it's certainly one of my favorites.It gives you so many of the advantages of making money online–the flexibility, the huge potential for profit etc.–without a lot of the disadvantages that can come when you're selling physical products or services.Now of course selling physical products or services can be amazing businesses as well.But my personal favorite, and the one that I really think is the best in a lot of ways, is selling digital products.I also know that it can be intimidating to get started with, and I think that's one of the biggest things holding people back. They just don't really know what the process needs to look like. It feels like it's very complicated.But it doesn’t have to be. Which is why I’m sharing seven steps to creating and selling a digital product so you can see how simple it can really be.Listen to the full episode to hear:What the substance of a digital product really isWhy you should always start with the minimum viable productWhen you might need to hire an editorPros and cons of using a third party platform versus your own website to sell your productWhy you want to keep your price point low when you’re just starting outLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

I’m a huge fan of digital products.I talk about courses a lot of the time, because they’re what have allowed me to earn passive income online, enabling me the flexibility in my schedule so that I can work from home, homeschool my kids, and enjoy a really nice lifestyle.But while I love online courses and I think they’re an incredible opportunity, they do take a lot of time and effort to create and market.So today, I’m going to share with you eight digital product ideas that still have really good earning potential, but are a lot simpler to create and market.Listen to the full episode to hear:How you can use smaller scale, lower-priced workshops and products to earn moneyIdeas for passive income if you have an eye for art or designHow to use your software or platform skills to earn passive incomeLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

You’ve probably heard that when you’re starting your business it’s super important to pick a niche, the more specific the better.If you want to grow your business and your brand, it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond, right?But if you’ve tried to follow this advice and found yourself feeling frustrated and pigeon-holed, you’re not alone.A lot of people struggle with this when they’re first starting their online business. I know I did. And I regularly talk to people inside Startup Society and other programs we run who are going through it too.So what do you do?Today I’m going to share what the process of choosing a niche really looks like and help you take some of the stress and pressure out of it so you can build your business.Listen to the full episode to hear:How niche means different things to different peopleThe differences between industry, value, and nicheWhy you probably won’t really develop your niche until you’ve already worked with lots of customersThe two biggest mistakes people make when choosing a nicheLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins

If you want to start your own business, the very first, most important part of the process is just deciding what business you want to start.You can’t move forward, and you can’t begin to grow your business at all until you make that crucial decision.So in today’s episode, I’m going to share with you exactly how you can make that decision, whether you’re stuck because you have too many ideas and you just can’t choose, or if you’re stuck because you don’t have enough ideas.Listen to the full episode to hear:The three different kinds of businesses you could startThree lists to brainstorm business ideasThree ways to score your ideas and narrow down your listWhy you need to have an idea of what a day in the life of your business would be likeLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkinsResources:100 Digital Product Ideas – Free Download50 Service Business Ideas – Free Download

Last month, I was teaching a class about how to start a business. And even though most of the participants hadn’t yet started their businesses, all of them had worked on the branding for their business.So even though they hadn’t done almost any of the other steps of setting up their business to make it legal or to start making money, they’d designed their branding.Of course we get really excited by new ideas and want to start doing things that feel satisfying and that we can see right away.But when you’re starting a business, the things you can see aren’t necessarily the most important. And there are a lot of things behind the scenes that we have to do before we can actually start a business.Today, I’m covering six practical things you have to do before you can start your business.Listen to the full episode to hear:Two places you need to register your businessHow to start handling your business financesWhy you should create a separate email account just for your businessWhy you have to validate your business idea before you invest time, energy, and moneyThe simple marketing plan you need to start generating leadsLearn more about Gillian:Small Business 101Startup SocietyGet on the waitlist for VALIDATEProfit Planning ChallengeGet in touch!Instagram: @GillianZPerkins