How to Launch Anything

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A few weeks ago a Starship captain asked for ideas and resources for launching a new product line and I wrote a long and thorough answer, and wanted to share that with you today. This can apply to how you launch a new business (if you already have an audience), how you launch a new product or how you launch a book.

We'll cover:

How to come up with launch content
How to fit it in your calendar
How to continuously improve

Links mentioned

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.

Launch YOUR next product more easily – make a plan and stick to it! Sign up below to learn more.

Social Media for Introverts {PODCAST}

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Social media might seem like the perfect way for an introvert to connect (you can do it alone! in your pjs!), but I've found it's easily a distraction from your real work. In today's episode we'll talk about:

The distraction of social media
Three steps to combat the distraction and stay focused
What overwhelms people and how to avoid it.

Links mentioned

Customer Path podcast episode
Define (and fix) your Customer Path in Marketing for Crafters
Follow me on Twitter
And Instagram

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.

How to use Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest in your creative business

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I get asked about this all the time, so it's time I answer your questions about how to use Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest in your creative business. You'll learn about the pros and cons of each and how each one can help you reach your specific business goal.

In this episode:

The three things you need to before you start using a tool.
The strengths and weaknesses of the platforms I get asked about most,
The most effective ways to use these tools

Couldn't scribble notes fast enough? Get a transcript of this podcast episode when you sign up here.

Links mentioned:

Social Media Primer
Delight your customers
Get clear on your people and your message with Market Yourself
Create an entire marketing plan based on your message with Marketing for Crafters

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!).

Craft Shows for Introverts {Podcast}

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Last week we talked about marketing for introverts and this week, since I just did a show last weekend, I want to talk more about how you can best prepare for a craft show, as an introvert. If you find it hard to speak extemporaneously or you feel depleted after you spend time with a lot of a people, I'll help you feel your best at your next in-person event.

In this episode

3 practices to be as ready and refreshed as possible for your show
How to prepare, so you know just what to say
Introvert Recovery (what I do + what my students do)

Links

Craft Shows Changed my Life

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.

Marketing for Introverts {Podcast}

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Talking about your work is hard for any artist or maker, but when you're also an introvert, the idea of “sharing your work” can feel totally overwhelming. In today's episode I'm going to share my tips on marketing for introverts.

In this episode:

What it means to be an introvert (it's different than feeling shy)!
How to get comfortable with the idea of connecting with your Right People, when you prefer to be alone.
How to build a marketing plan that respects your needs.

Links:

My CreativeLive class is rebroadcasting this week. Catch Session 3 on 10/10, starting at 9 am and playing all day. (Or buy it and get access any time!)
Market Yourself
My interview with Introvertology
Traveling for Introverts episode
Quiet, by Susan Cain, is my favorite book on the subject of introversion (and it's only $2.99 on the Kindle!)

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'd like some help crafting a marketing plan that is custom-suited to your introvert preferences, sign up for Craft Your Marketing and we'll work through it together!

What works (and what doesn’t): Lessons from 4 years aboard the Starship

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In four years of leading the Starship, I have had an inside look at dozens of creative businesses. I've seen what works (and what keeps them stuck). I've watched captains grow their business until they could quit their day job, captains start their business from scratch, and captains totally change directions. I've noticed some things are true of all the captains who have met their goals, and I'd like to share them with you today.

In today's episode I'll share:

What the most successful captains have in common
What stops businesses (and people) from growing
What it really takes to be a successful knitwear designer (Since the Starship is about 30% knitwear designers, I've learned a lot by watching what works for them.)

The Starship is an online community for makers, artists and writers with a library full of classes, a forum to ask and answer questions, and a weekly live chat with me, where everyone checks in on what's going well, what they're working on, and how we can help. It is open this week (it closes on Oct 1); join 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.

Want to beam aboard the Starship or sign up to learn when it's open? Click here!

Assume the Best {Podcast}

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When I hired my Number One (ie, my editor, my assistant, my Vulcan), I told her in our first email, “The motto of my company (my life!) is: Assume the Best. Of each other, of our customers, and of every interaction.” When I mentioned this in the episode on Personal Responsibility, I got a lot of feedback from you that you've found this both hard and necessary to running an online business. So let's dig deeper!

In today's episode, we'll talk about:

How this is completely different from just “hoping for the best” and giving up your agency.
How to have a friendlier and more FUN business by assuming the best.
How to assume the best, of even the worst people.

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.

Delight your people, fulfill their needs {PODCAST}

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Now that you've identified your buyer's needs, you can use this information to make ALL of your business decisions easier! In today's episode, we talk about knowing the needs of your buyers and how to use this knowledge to make your business better and your marketing more effective

Once you identify the needs of your buyer, you can:

Identify who, exactly, has this need.
Create marketing material that is as useful and valuable as your product.
Adapt your product to better fills those needs.

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.

Just Say No: How to say it {PODCAST}

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Tired of saying “yes” when you want to say no?

In today's episode you'll learn:

How to get comfortable saying no.
4 ways to say say no
My exact scripts for getting more time, avoiding aggressive askers, and saying no.

This is the second part of a three-part (free!) mini-class on Saying No (for fun + profit). Part 1 is here, Part 2 is today's podcast, and Part 3 is a worksheet (to apply this to your own business), only available if you sign up below.

Links I mention:

The FREE worksheet is available if you sign up below!

The Starship opened today! Read more and join 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.

The Adventures

Every day is an adventure. I share the view, the gratitude and the news on Fridays – you’re invited to join in. You can find all my adventures here, or follow along via email here.

The view

I am so grateful for…

A lovely weekend with my family, exploring Nashville
The Moves app, it's totally changing my days
Clarity of purpose. Is there anything better than knowing that you're doing what you should be doing?
The patience of Jay, Mom, and my friends while I freak out over what I'll wear (and how I'll do my hair) for my CreativeLIVE class. It's so obviously the least important aspect, and yet the one I talk about the most often.

The Finds:

I’m reading:

Diane's inside-look at what it's like to write (and edit!) a craft book with a traditional publisher.
How Elise uses Instagram in her business. Her podcast on social media is great too!
Randomly Happy's amazingly easy How to Sew a Dress series. I think I'm going to try it!!

I’m eating:
(I share my favorite meals as they happen, on Instagram. Since there's always at least one person who wants the recipe…here they are!)

An amazing burrito: Ancho Lentils + rice (made with El Pato) + fresh greens, salsa, and Tofutti sour cream.
Basil pesto over gnocchi with (vegan) Italian sausage. YAY BASIL.
Everyday Pad Thai.
While in Nashville, we had coffee at the so-hipster Barista Parlor and lunch at the (all vegan) Wild Cow.

In case you missed it:

I had a great conversation with Mei, of Tiny Hands, about how she got her work on a popular TV show (and in many magazines and blogs!)
Next week I'm sharing a much-requested (free!) mini-course on How to Say No. Get the whole thing in a handy PDF (with worksheets!) here.

What adventures have you had?

PS. The beautiful embroidery of birds, above, was made by my great-grandma. You can see the whole thing in the header of my mom's shop here. (Did you know you can get wool from her sheep?)