Building A Storybrand With Donald Miller | Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen

Are you tired of superficial connections and quick fixes in a world that seems to prioritize them? Many of us crave deeper meaning and genuine interactions, but often find ourselves detached from our own stories and the profound impact they can have on shaping who we are and how we relate to others. Can reconnecting with your own story change how you see yourself and improve your relationships with others?   In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller is joined by Allison Fallon, author of Write Your Story: A Simple Framework to Understand Yourself, Your Story, and Your Purpose in the World. Fallon shares how writing and sharing your personal story can improve your emotional, mental, and even physical health. Her insights, drawn from her book and supported by research, show how personal stories can promote personal growth and build stronger relationships. Tune in and learn how to leverage the power of storytelling to redefine your life and deepen your connections.   For more on Allison and to buy her book, vis

Often, the hardest part of any sales process isn't starting—it's closing. Many businesses struggle to seal the deal, especially during high-stakes, competitive shopping periods like Memorial Day. You've made the offer, you've attracted the attention—now, how do you convert that interest into actual sales? The secret lies in effective closing techniques that resonate with your audience and inspire them to take action. As Memorial Day draws nearer, the pressure’s on to make sure that your holiday promotions don't just generate buzz, but bring in big profits. So what’s the best way to usher folks through the checkout line?   In this episode, we wrap up our 3-part series on crafting the perfect Memorial Day promotion. Returning to the podcast are producer Bobby Richards, Business Made Simple Certified Coach Jessica Miller, and StoryBrand Certified Guide Wes Gay. They are joined by special guest Dr. J.J. Peterson, Head of StoryBrand and host of the Marketing Made Simple Podcast. Together, they delve into the criti

The marketplace can feel hectic during big promotional holidays like Memorial Day. So if you want to make it a record-breaking sales opportunity for your small business, there’s only one solution. Create an offer that's simply irresistible. That means you’ve got to understand what resonates for your audience and come up with a value proposition they can't say no to. With the shopping frenzy upon us, how do you ensure your offer not only stands out but calls out to the customers, compelling them to act immediately?    This week, we’re diving into Part 2 of our 3-part series on creating stellar Memorial Day promotions. Podcast producer Bobby Richards, along with Business Made Simple Certified Coach Jessica Miller and StoryBrand Certified Guide Wes Gay, unpack the process of taking those initial offer strategies discussed in Part 1 and locking them in. You'll learn a simple 3-part framework for building and refining your promotion so that it commands attention and drives sales. They’ll also show you what to add

We’re all well aware of the shopping frenzy on Black Friday, but we tend to forget that other holidays like Memorial Day can be just as profitable. Many businesses miss out because they don't realize how ready their customers are to spend money during these holidays. With Memorial Day approaching—a peak time for consumer activity—not having a strong offer can mean squandering a massive chance to boost sales. So what steps can you take to ensure you have an irresistible offer prepared when customers are primed with cash and ready to buy?   In today’s episode, host Donald Miller and podcast producer Bobby Richards are joined by Business Made Simple Certified Coach Jessica Miller and StoryBrand Certified Guide Wes Gay. Together, they dive into how you can craft what Jessica has coined a "Hell Yes" offer for this Memorial Day weekend. They’re dishing out the top strategies for businesses to seize this prime shopping period to drive sales and visibility. You’ll learn the mechanics of creating a compelling offer th

Most entrepreneurs are great at making money, but they aren’t always great at managing that money. Let’s be honest: you didn’t start a business because you were passionate about bookkeeping. But you know that managing your cash flow well is the fuel that keeps your business growing. Between monthly reconciliations, quarterly reports, tax prep, and payroll—your business finances can get complicated fast. And doing it yourself—or even hiring the help you need—can be difficult and time-consuming. So what’s the best way to outsource your bookkeeping so you can save time and simplify your finances?   In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller talks with Lisa Zeeveld, the CFO of BELAY, a company that pairs business owners with the accounting help they need. Lisa discusses common financial dilemmas many business owners face and offers practical advice on how to overcome them. You’ll learn the importance of good bookkeeping and how outsourcing this task can make a huge difference in your operations. Tune in and get v

Needing to clarify your message so more customers engage? Register for our upcoming StoryBrand Marketing Workshop May 7-8, 2024 at StoryBrand.com/Workshop. In this virtual workshop you will learn directly from Donald Miller and Dr. J.J. Peterson how to create a clear message and walk away with a 5-part marketing plan to help boost revenue and grow your business. Register now at StoryBrand.com/Workshop.   --   Every savvy business owner knows that marketing is the key to survival, and your online presence is one of the most important parts of your marketing plan. It can turn casual browsers into buyers, and buyers into long-time customers. But you won’t build that loyal fanbase if your message is unclear or inconsistent. On top of that, you could end up wasting a lot of time and money on marketing that doesn’t work. So how clear is your current message, and how can you make it better?    In this episode of Business Made Simple, guest host Dr. JJ Peterson (host of Marketing Made Simple) and podcast producer B

Coach Builder is available now! Order it at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.   --   What are the characteristics of a great coach? Knowing your field inside out is crucial, but there's something else just as important: soft skills. These are the skills that help you connect on a personal level, earn trust, and provide real value to your clients. Unfortunately, a lot of coaches overlook this area, focusing only on their technical expertise. They miss out on truly connecting with their clients and making a lasting impact. But if you want to succeed as a coach, soft skills aren’t an option—they’re a necessity.   In the 9th and final episode of the Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller joined by producer Bobby Richards, tackle the often-underestimated world of soft skills for coaches. Don explores the qualities that endear us to coaches and cause us to respect them. He offe

What if the secret to doing really well in business isn't about the newest tech or the flashiest ads, but about how happy and motivated your team is? A great work culture is key to growing your business. It's what makes people want to work for you, fuels innovation, and keeps things running smoothly even when times get tough. But cultivating such a culture isn't easy, especially with the ever-evolving changes in the modern workforce and inevitable challenges in the market. So if your workplace isn’t performing at its peak, don't worry—changing things for the better is possible and well worth it.   In this week’s April Fools' episode, host Amy Porterfield takes over for Donald Miller. Amy is an online marketing expert, author of Two Weeks Notice, and owner of a thriving $100M business. And no joke, she'll show you how to make bold moves to improve your team's workplace culture. With the help of podcast producer Bobby Richards, she answers burning questions from our listeners, giving actionable advice on hot is

Coach Builder is available now! Order it at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.   --   Working for yourself as a coach is a double-edged sword. It gives you space to innovate and plan, but it can also lack the vibrant exchange of ideas that fuels growth. Dealing with the loneliness that comes with the job is a challenge because it means there’s no one to share ideas with, no different viewpoints, and no feeling of team spirit. If you’re not careful, it can stop you from growing. So how can a coach avoid the downsides of working in a silo?   In the 8th episode of our Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller joined by producer Bobby Richards, explore why being part of a community is pivotal for coaches. Don will show you how a supportive network becomes a cornerstone for any coach who wants to succeed. A good community gives you motivation, offers tips and best practices, and h

Feedback is critical to making a team work well, but it can be full of traps for leaders who aren't careful. Often, feedback meetings become dreaded encounters, either avoided altogether or handled so carefully that they hardly lead to any good changes. Providing constructive feedback as a leader can feel like a tightrope walk, because your words carry a lot of weight and you don’t want to demotivate your team members. So how do you give feedback that’s kind but also helps your team members recognize where they’re falling short so they can grow?   In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller discusses the art of providing effective feedback to team members. He’s joined by special guests Emily Pastina, Senior Director of Operations at Business Made Simple and Tyler Ginn, the President of Business Made Simple. After thousands of feedback sessions, Emily and Tyler share their insights on creating a culture of open communication and continuous improvement. You’ll learn practical tips and strategies for effective fe

Coach Builder is available now! Order it at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.   --   Are you a coach wondering where your next paycheck will come from? Many consultants and coaches are concerned about earning enough and growing their business. They’re anxious about maintaining a steady income, debating whether to quit their job for full-time coaching, and questioning if they can keep their business afloat during tough times. Simply hoping isn't enough to achieve financial stability and build a strong business. You need a solid plan for setting and achieving realistic goals.   In the 7th episode of our Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller, joined by producer Bobby Richards, shares strategies for setting effective goals to advance your coaching business. He’ll show you how to set realistic financial targets, decide how many products to sell, and understand the best ways t

When we ignore conflicts in the workplace, it can actually make things worse. It can make people less interested in their jobs, cause good employees to leave, and ultimately impact the bottom line of your business. Sweeping conflicts under the rug doesn’t make them disappear. It makes them grow and fester which can lead to a toxic work environment and higher turnover rates. So what’s the best way to approach difficult conversations at work so that it fosters a culture of open communication and mutual respect?   In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller and producer Bobby RIchards are joined by Michael Bungay Stanier, bestselling author of The Coaching Habit and How to Work with Almost Anybody. A leading expert in workplace relationships, Michael shares his tips on improving emotional intelligence, managing conflict, and using psychological tools to navigate workplace dynamics more effectively. You’ll walk away knowing how to deal with common problems that cause strain at work and how to better handle those c

Coach Builder is available now! Order it at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.   --   Do new coaching clients seem hard to come by, and existing ones hard to keep? Despite delivering top-notch coaching, you might find yourself in a constant hunt for new clients, unable to scale your business. This usually happens when you lack a clear marketing and product ladder. Without a structured plan to show potential clients how they can progress with your coaching, it's tough to build lasting relationships. So how do you create a roadmap that makes your clients want to stick around longer?   In the 6th episode of our Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller breaks down how to set up a marketing and product ladder for your coaching business. Starting with basics like sending an effective email, he’ll guide you on ways to nurture deeper client relationships. Listen in and learn how to

Feeling anxious about your business? You're not alone. Entrepreneurship and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. It's the uninvited guest that overstays its welcome, casting a dark cloud over our decision-making, creativity, and leadership. It's easy to think that this anxiety is a roadblock to your success. But what if we told you that your anxiety could be a secret weapon?    In this week’s episode, guest hosts James Sweeting, Director of Story at Business Made Simple, and podcast producer Bobby Richards step in for Donald Miller to explore an all-new approach to anxiety with Dr. David Rosmarin. Dr. Rosmarin is an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, founder of the Center for Anxiety, and author of Thriving with Anxiety: 9 Tools to Make Anxiety Work for You. He’s here to help change the narrative around anxiety. If you’re feeling the weight of your business on your shoulders, this episode is for you. Listen in and learn practical tools and strategies to not only manage anxiety, but use it as a catalyst

Pre-order Coach Builder, Donald Miller's new book, at CoachBuilder.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.   --   Most coaches are missing out on the *one* thing that could truly transform their business: a solid email strategy. While they chase the latest trends and pour resources into social media, the real game-changer lies in the humble art of sending great emails. Email is a powerful tool that—when used well—can grow any business, especially a coaching business. So how do you go about implementing an email strategy that allows you to continually connect with your customers?   In part five of our Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller shows you how to develop an entire email strategy that elevates your coaching business. He'll guide you through the process of crafting compelling emails, building a sequence that captivates your customers, and leveraging these efforts to achieve tangible grow

Are you mulling over the decision to leave your job, but worried about the potential fallout? Quitting a job is never a simple decision. It's fraught with concerns about the future, your career prospects, and your professional relationships. And the fear of leaving on bad terms can be paralyzing. How will your boss react? Will your colleagues view you differently? The possibility of leaving a job and inadvertently damaging your professional reputation or losing the respect of those you value can keep you stuck in a place you don’t belong. So what’s the best approach to quitting your job without burning any bridges?   In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller chats with podcast producer Bobby Richards to tackle this topic head-on. They’ll show you how to gracefully exit your current position, while keeping your professional network intact and maybe even boosting the respect others have for you in the process. Tune in and learn practical strategies for a seamless transition so you can feel confident taking the

Your coaching website is the first thing people see about you, so it needs to make a good impression fast. But more importantly, it needs to be all about the people you want to help. This means when they visit your site, they should feel like you’re talking right to them. It should clearly explain that you understand their problems and have the perfect way to help solve them. But most coaches are getting this wrong. So how do you create a website that makes it easy for potential clients to see why they should choose you as a coach?   In the 4th episode of our Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller and producer Bobby Richards, show you how to design a coaching website that helps you land more clients and increase your revenue. Don also teaches you the common pitfalls to avoid in your website design and messaging, as well as what needs to be included for your website to resonate with potential clients. Tune in and learn how to leverage your website as a powerful tool for building relationships and gro

Firing an employee is never easy and can make unwanted waves in your company. The emotional weight and potential fallout can affect your team's spirit and your company's culture, making it one of the tasks business owners hate the most. It's a situation that requires legal due diligence, as well as a good grasp of people's feelings and how an organization works. So how do leaders make sure they're doing it right and respectfully?   In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller explores the best practices for letting an employee go. He’ll show you how firing someone the right way can keep your team’s morale up and avoid creating a negative work environment. You’ll learn a step-by-step approach for identifying when it's time to let someone go, preparing for the conversation, and finding ways to support both the person and the team through the transition. Tune in and get practical tips on how to make these tough decisions and conversations easier!   --   STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR

Do you dream of launching a successful coaching business but find yourself paralyzed by the question: "Where will my clients come from?" Tackling this fear is a critical turning point that can either propel you forward or leave you questioning your goals, making what should be an exciting career shift seem overwhelming. Countless would-be coaches find themselves hesitating, torn between making the leap or staying put. So how can you make sure your client pipeline is always full?   In the 3rd episode of our Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller offers some much-needed guidance for those lost in the maze of client acquisition and management. Based on frameworks in his new book Coach Builder, Don shows you a simple yet effective system to create and manage a list of possible clients. You’ll get practical advice on how to organize a database of people who might be interested in your coaching services and turn them into paying customers. Listen in and get actionable strategies for finding and keeping cl

Public speaking is a top fear for a lot of people. Whether it's the panic that sets in at the thought of everyone looking at you, relentless rehearsing without ever feeling ready, or the hesitation to hit 'post' on a social media video after countless takes, the struggle with public speaking anxiety is real and it’s pervasive. Yet being able to give a good talk can be enormously valuable, especially in the world of business. So how do you overcome this fear and become a confident speaker?   In today’s episode, host Donald Miller and special guest Colin Boyd, creator of Sell from Stage Academy and host of the Expert Edge podcast, discuss the art of communicating well and the secrets to delivering compelling presentations. Colin is here to show that with the right guidance, anyone can excel at speaking, whether it’s for work, creating content on social media, or just everyday conversations. You’ll learn how to organize a speech, connect with your audience, and tell stories that grab people’s attention. Tune in