Weekly-ish notes on navigating big change

How to focus on your Right People, to make more sales and create more effective marketing (free worksheet included)

Get more buyers by focusing on the RIGHT people. This is the heart of effective marketing - speak directly to the person who is going to love (and want) what you sell. Remember, you’re not trying to convince anyone, you’re giving (compelling!) info to interested people. But how do you figure out who that person is? Are you limiting yourself by just focusing in on one set of Right People? And how do you find out where they are? In this episode we’ll discuss Why focusing on your Right People IS scary (and why you need to do it anyway) How to find the people + be where they are. 5 questions to get closer to your people Want to focus on YOUR Right People? Apply what you learned in today’s episode with a free worksheet (and today's transcript!) Get them both at TaraSwiger.com/podcast117/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Get more buyers by focusing on the RIGHT people.

This is the heart of effective marketing – speak directly to the person who is going to love (and want) what you sell. Remember, you’re not trying to convince anyone, you’re giving (compelling!) info to interested people.

But how do you figure out who that person is? Are you limiting yourself by just focusing in on one set of Right People? And how do you find out where they are?

In this episode we’ll discuss

  • Why focusing on your Right People IS scary (and why you need to do it anyway)
  • How to find the people + be where they are.
  • 5 questions to get closer to your people

Want to focus on YOUR Right People? Apply what you learned in today’s episode with a free worksheet (and today's transcript!).Grab it here.

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

Criticism: When you should ignore it and when you should change

Should you focus only on the people who love your work, and dismiss everyone else as "not your right people"? Or should you take criticism so you can improve and grow and serve your people better? The answer is: It depends. No, you shouldn't listen to ALL criticism. No, you shouldn't ignore ALL criticism. Instead, you should pay attention to what's useful and ignore what's not. How do you know which is which? In this episode we discuss the difference between focusing on your Right People and ignoring criticism. You'll also learn how to figure out what you should pay attention to, and what to DO with the criticism you get. Get the free worksheet at the bottom of the post to apply this to the next bit of criticism you get! Visit TaraSwiger.com/podcast116 for the episode, transcript, and FREE worksheet!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Should you focus only on the people who love your work, and dismiss everyone else as “not your right people”? Or should you take criticism so you can improve and grow and serve your people better?

The answer is: It depends.

No, you shouldn't listen to ALL criticism.
No, you shouldn't ignore ALL criticism.

Instead, you should pay attention to what's useful and ignore what's not.

How do you know which is which? 

 

In this episode we discuss the  difference between focusing on your Right People and ignoring criticism. You'll also learn how to figure out what you should pay attention to, and what to DO with the criticism you get.  Get the free worksheet to apply this to the next bit of criticism you get!

 

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

Reframe it: Turn obstacles into action

Overwhelmed? Stuck? Bummed? Learn the tool that therapists use and apply it to your creative business!

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Last week we talked about the difference between a Threat vs a Challenge. At the very end of the podcast I gave you a way to turn a threat into a Challenge. This is an example of reframing, or changing the way you think about a problem, in order to see more possible solutions. If you're an email subscriber, you got an email that walked you through the reframing of my own recent obstacle (Didn't get it? Subscribe here!)

I recorded a podcast about this 2 years ago, episode 3, but Starship Captains asked me to dive into it deeper this week. We'll discuss what reframing is, how to do it, and how to turn it into a habit.

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

What’s stopping you?

What's standing in your way? Let's face it - there are obstacles you'll face on your way to building your creative business. The question isn't how to avoid them, but how to overcome them. It comes down to how you approach them and think about them: Are these obstacles threats or challenges? In this episode we discuss the difference between a threat and a challenge reaction, and how to have a challenge mindset to the obstacles in your handmade business. This is inspired by one of the most popular lessons in the #monthofbizlove challenge: Threat vs Challenge Mindset. Listen to the episode at TaraSwiger.com/podcast114

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

What's standing in your way?

Let's face it – there are obstacles you'll face on your way to building your creative business. The question isn't how to avoid them, but how to overcome them. It comes down to how you approach them and think about them: Are these obstacles threats or challenges?

In this episode we discuss the difference between a threat and a challenge reaction, and how to have a challenge mindset toward the obstacles in your handmade business.

This episode is inspired by one of the most popular lessons in the #monthofbizlove challenge: Threat vs Challenge Mindset.

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

What I’m Reading: July 2016

I follow my enthusiasm by reading…a lot. And once a month, I share (some of) the books I read last month and the books I intend to read this month. You can join the informal book club by sharing your own list in the comments and find all the posts here.

 

What I'm reading this month, from Book-of-the-Month-Club to business education to comic books. See the full list at https://taraswiger.com/im-reading-july-2016/ and send me your recommendations for what to read next!

 

What I read

  • Sprint, at the suggestion of Joeli (You know we’re doing an event together, in Manchester, England, right? Join us here!)
  • Shrill, by Lindy West – I got this as part of Book of the Month Club and LOVED it. Lindy is funny, smart, and writes about body love, feminism, and internet outrage (and backlash) in a way that I found very encouraging and cheering.
  • Eligible, by Curtis Sittenfeld – Another book from Book of the Month Club*. This is a fun retelling of Pride & Prejudice, set in modern-day Cincinnati.
  • Millefiori Quilts, by Willyne Hammersetin – I became totally obsessed with the quilt on the cover, La Passacaglia, after finding this hashtag on Instagram.
  • Lumberjanes – I loooove this comic! I read a lot of comics this month, but this is the one I recommend the highest! (Just ask me on Twitter if you'd like a recommendation of other good reads!) 

*The Book of the Month Club is seriously the best investment I've made in my own entertainment. I've loved both of the books, and I appreciate that I can pick which book they send, or skip a month whenever I want. I love it so much I went ahead and signed up as an affiliate, so I get a tiny discount on my membership whenever you sign up through my link. (I chose Missing, Presumed as my choice for this month!)

What I’m reading

What I read last July.

And in July 2014

What are you reading?

I could use some recommendations! What are you reading and loving right now?

The Adventures: June 2016

adventures616

Here's a round-up of what I saw, did, and read this month!

The News:

I applied for my passport this month! Squeee! All in preparation for my UK events in November. If you want to take a business class and you're anywhere near Manchester, England, join Joeli and I for our two day-long workshops. (There are limited spots, so register now!)

The view

2016-06-03 14.39.37
2016-06-21 11.17.48 2016-06-19 20.05.05 2016-06-19 09.26.42 2016-06-19 07.06.41-1 2016-06-11 12.06.28
2016-05-31 12.02.37

2016-06-22 11.07.11

I am so grateful for…

  • My daily walk
  • New quilting obsession
  • Fantastic + smart Starship Captains

The Finds:

I’m reading:

I’m eating:

 

How about you? What went well in your month?

The Real Challenge: Consistency

The real challenge in your business is to show up consistently. But how? You need systems, support, and then... tenacity. It's a matter of sticking with it, day after day. To inspire you to become consistent, you may want to build your own challenge around whatever habit you'd like to develop. To learn more about how to start a habit with consistency, visit TaraSwiger.com/podcast113

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The real challenge in your business is to show up consistently.

But how? 

You need systems, support, and then… tenacity. It's a matter of sticking with it, day after day. To inspire you to become consistent, you may want to build your own challenge around whatever habit you'd like to develop.

Some examples I mention: 

 

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

If you want to get more consistent in YOUR biz, sign up below to get a FREE worksheet to go with this podcast episode!

The 4 foundations of your creative business (aka, where to spend your time)

What should you focus on to grow your business? What really matters? You can boil it all down to the four foundations of a crafty business. Work on these, and you'll see growth and expansion! If you want to work on these foundations in your business, join us in Lift Off (it closes tomorrow!). Over 6 months you will build each of the foundations, and get greater clarity about what to do in your business. Learn more at https://taraswiger.com/podcast112

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

What should you focus on to grow your business? What really matters?

You can boil it all down to the four foundations of a crafty business. Work on these, and you'll see growth and expansion!

If you want to work on these foundations in your business, join us in The Starship Program.

Over 3 months you will build each of the foundations, and get greater clarity about what to do in your business.

(In this episode I mention Lift Off, I program that I updated and improved based on feedback and success stories of students. It became the Starship Program.)

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

 

 

Interview with Fiber Farmer, Lisa Check

I'm delighted to be sharing a conversation with Starship Captain, fiber farmer, and yarn dyer Lisa Check, of Flying Goat Farm. In this conversation we discuss: How she balances her fiber flock with organizing Maryland Sheep + Wool How she plans out big projects (Holiday Sanity, which is only available in Lift Off) What she's struggled with in her business. Listen in at TaraSwiger.com/podcast111

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I'm delighted to be sharing a conversation with Starship Captain, fiber farmer, and yarn dyer Lisa Check, of Flying Goat Farm. To meet more Captains like Lisa, sign up here.

In this conversation we discuss:

  • How she balances her fiber flock with organizing Maryland Sheep + Wool
  • How she plans out big projects (Holiday Sanity, which is only available in Lift Off)
  • What she's struggled with in her business

 

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

The magical power of celebration and review

I just celebrated a birthday! As I do each year, I looked back on the last year and, well, my whole life. Today I share what that review looks like, all of the other ways I build review and celebration into my business, and how you can review your last month. Listen to the episode at TaraSwiger.com/podcast110/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I just celebrated a birthday! As I do each year, I looked back on the last year and, well, my whole life. Today I share what that review looks like, all of the other ways I build review and celebration into my business, and how you can review your last month.

 In this episode:

  • My Annual Birthday review
  • Weekly celebration
  • Why I start with the question “What's going well?” in the weekly Starship chat
  • Monthly review (a part of both Lift Off and Starship)


You can find the Monthly Review questions in Challenge 6 of the #monthofbizlove workbook! Get it here! 

My past birthday posts:

  • 33
  • 32
  • 31
  • 30
  • 29 (I opened the Starship!)
  • 28 (I launched this site!)
  • 27

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

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