Learn my tried and true process for shooting like a pro each and every time

You’ve laid out your course modules and lessons. You’ve written your scripts. You’ve listened to your pump-up song on full blast, and you’re ready to record your course videos. There’s only one minor problem -- you have absolutely no idea where to start, and what to do.

Good news, my sweet friend. I’m going to tell you exactly what I do to create high-quality videos that look professional and don’t break the bank. 

My process for recording my course videos runs like a well-oiled machine. I don’t say that to brag, friend – believe me, it’s taken a lot of trial and error over the years to nail it down. And thanks to the many learning lessons I’ve had along the way, I now have a tried and true process for hitting the record button like a pro.

I am so excited to share this process with you because I know it is going to save you a ton of time, and also a ton of money. Tune in to hear my tricks of the trade, including: 

• The system I use to plan and organize my time and assets
• How to select your outfits and shoot location
• Where to find an inexpensive videographer and editor 
• The tools I swear by to record my course videos

After you listen to this episode, you’ll be shooting your course videos like a pro -- and I for one, can’t wait to see them.

Here’s a glance at this episode...

• [02:54] I recently recorded all of the training videos for my List Builders Society course and realized I would have paid for a high-quality video creation process when I was first getting started. 
• [05:55] You must first organize your schedule and assets. Give yourself plenty of time to plan everything out. 
• [07:14] You can write out your script and use a teleprompter or use bullet points to guide you. Create a filming schedule once you know your modules.
• [07:48] I have my outfits for each video planned along with the video, link to the script, and filming notes listed out in three columns in a Google doc. 
• [11:02] Call in support and tell your family and loved ones that you need quiet time without any distractions. 
• [12:15] Plan your outfits for direct-to-camera shots so you don’t scramble to find one at the last minute. Select one outfit per module to mix it up. 
• [14:50] Shoot at your house if it's an option. Recording at home makes things easier, allows you to be relaxed, and saves money. 
• [17:59] Early on, it's probably best to forgo a videographer, but it is helpful to hire someone knowledgeable to set up your studio.
• [23:05] Lighting is important for direct-to-camera videos, so plan for it in advance. You might be able to find a student to help you, or an inexpensive lighting kit. 
• [25:48] Account for editing time. You can record all scenes by yourself, but it saves valuable time and energy to hire someone to edit your videos.
• [29:44] I use bullet points for live videos, and a script and teleprompter for recorded videos. I like PromptSmart, BIGVU, and Ecamm.
• [34:18] Action item: Use this guide to plan your next video shoot.

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If you’re ready to grow personally and professionally, try this simple practice

If you’ve been with me a while, you know that I am a huge fan of journaling. Without a doubt, this super simple practice has helped me calm my busy mind, foster my creativity, and stay organized. It has brought so much to my personal and professional life that I can’t even imagine what things would be like if I didn’t do it every day. 

But here’s the thing -- journaling, just like anything, is a practice. You’ve got to commit to it, and you also need to understand that it can take a bit of time to get into a good groove. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat down with every intention of getting all of my thoughts out, only to stare at a blank page for what feels like hours. 

Thanks to the help of some of my mentors and coaches, I’ve got this whole journaling thing down. In this episode, I share exactly what I do to set myself up for success, tame any negative thoughts that come up while I’m writing, and make sure I get the most out of this powerful practice.

Tune in to hear: 

• How I set up my daily journaling routine, and why I set it up this way
• Questions and prompts to ask yourself when you’re not sure what to write about
• How to normalize judgemental thoughts you might have when writing 
• Ways to neutralize your language when you’re letting it all out
• What to do if you find negative thoughts spiraling out of control while journaling

By the time you’re done listening to this episode, you’ll have a whole new approach to journaling -- one that helps you be more productive, positive, and kinder to yourself.

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"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

If you’re looking to scale your business, memberships may be right for you

If you have a business that you’re looking to scale, are looking for a way to further support your students, or if you’ve ever thought about adding a membership, this episode is for you. 

Stu McLaren joins me for a chat about all-things memberships -- how to determine if it’s the right model for your business, why they’re exploding in popularity, and how they've changed over the past couple of years.

And believe me – there is, quite literally, no better person to advise you when it comes to this sort of thing. For the past 12 years, Stu has worked intimately with tens of thousands of authors, speakers, coaches, consultants and business owners to transform what they know and love into recurring revenue through membership sites.

Tune in to learn: 

• How to determine what kind of membership is best for your business
• The recent changes memberships have faced and what that means for you
• Why memberships are more important now than ever before
• What types of businesses work best with the membership model

Happy listening!

Here’s a glance at this episode...

• [05:26] Stu created a membership in 2008, because he wanted to grow his business it allowed him to scale his business without demanding a ton of time or energy. 
• [09:08] There are four different types of memberships including product-based, service-based, knowledge-based, and community-based memberships. 
• [25:57] Creating a positive experience in the first 30 days can triple the lifetime membership time. Take a close look at your onboarding methods.
• [30:29] It's important to understand the lifeline of a membership and change marketing strategies as it grows. 
• [32:35] Teaching people your passion is a great use of a membership site. Don't overlook the gifts you have. You could create a business around your skill sets. 
• [35:48] If starting out, look at a knowledge-based membership. You can design your business however you want.
• [39:42] Stu is hosting a Live Workshop that will assess if your market is a good fit for a membership site and more! It's live and free.

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"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

If you’re overwhelmed in your business – you’re not alone, these exercises can help.

I absolutely love being an entrepreneur. I love the variety, the challenge of it, the people I get to learn from, and most importantly, the people I have the honor of teaching. I’m also incredibly grateful for the fact that I get to wake up every morning and do something that lights me up.

Being an entrepreneur is a lot at times -- and I’m sure you can relate. I won’t lie -- I’m going through a time where I feel like the weight of the world (and my business) is on my shoulders. I have a hundred plates spinning in the air, and at any given moment, one could drop.

Luckily, I have a few grounding tools and exercises in my arsenal to help redirect my overwhelm, and come back to planet Earth when I start to lose my footing. Over the years, I’ve found that these little tricks have helped me get through even the toughest of times -- and I’m sharing them in this episode. You’ll learn:

• What I tell myself to quiet my mind when things are stressful
• The strategy I use to pull myself out of busy business overwhelm
• The two things I’ve incorporated into my daily routine to keep me grounded
• Why being with yourself, and others, is the key to overcoming difficult times

So if you’re feeling the stress of doing a million different things and wearing a million different hats, tune in and take notes!

Here’s a glance at this episode...

• [04:34] When things get tough, I remind myself that I'm in a season and this too shall pass. It helps me rein in negative thoughts and have a much better mindset.
• [06:05] You’ve got to be grateful for both the good and the bad. There's ebbs, and there's flows with everything in life.
• [07:01] I have to strategically think about how to get through the tough times when things are overwhelming. One thing I do is call on friends and leaders in the industry and ask questions.
• [08:27] I meditate for 10 minutes a day using the Calm app. I've made it a goal to be consistent on Monday through Friday. I also do breathing exercises. 
• [12:07] When I have too many plates spinning in the air, I have to be honest with myself. I can't be afraid to ask for support from my team and delegate when I need to. It also helps having a VA.
• [14:00] There's no shame in putting off a few items on your calendar. Time moves quickly, and it will be here like that. Give yourself room to breathe.

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"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Why your income potential has everything to do with your mindset

Question for you, friend. When you first started your business, what made you most excited? Let me guess -- building something incredible, having the opportunity to help others and give back, and being your own boss topped the list.

And while I’m sure making a ton of money was also on that list, I’d hedge a bet that creating budgets was not. 

I can’t say I know too many online marketing entrepreneurs that get excited about the money management aspect of creating wealth -- because let’s be real, it can be intimidating and very tricky, especially when you have no idea where to start. 

But here’s the thing. It’s incredibly important, and proper management of your money can make or break your business. 

That’s why I’m so excited for you to listen to this episode, where I chat with Anthony O’Neal -- a number one national bestselling author, speaker, financial expert, and host of the popular YouTube series and The Table Podcast with Anthony O’Neal.

What’s great about Anthony is that he’s able to explain things in a way that is super relatable and easy to understand for those of us (ahem, yours truly) that don’t particularly enjoy putting together budgets and spreadsheets. 

In this episode, we answer those questions that most business owners have when they’re getting started, like: 

• How do you budget when your monthly income varies?
• How do you set revenue goals that are in alignment with your business goals? 
• When should you start paying yourself, and how much?
• What happens when you don’t meet your revenue goals? 

Plus, Anthony shares how changing your mindset around money serves as the foundation for creating financial growth and freedom, plus simple tips on how to put it into practice.

Here’s a glance at this episode...

• [06:30] Anthony knew nothing about finances and racked up tons of college debt. He decided that he needed to change his decisions in order to change his future. Dave Ramsey helped him change his mindset around money, and learn how to have a debt-free true ownership life.
• [11:00] If you’re first starting out in business, create vision of where you're going with your money that’s based on your last quarter. Your budget should be based off of the bare minimum that you'll be bringing in.
• [13:40] It’s important to have a budget for your personal life and a budget for your business life. 
• [14:32] You always want to pay yourself something from your business. Have a CPA assess the proper payment. Usually, the minimum is 20 to 30% of what you're collecting.
• [21:10] You should not feel guilty for having money. It's a blessing to be blessed. 
• [27:03] If you want to meet your revenue goals, shift your money mindset. Go deeper into your ‘why.’ What are you actually trying to do? Does your ‘why’ make you cry (in a good way)?
• [36:51] Everyone eventually needs a financial advisor. As your income grows, your need for wisdom grows. Grow with someone who can properly advise you. 
• [40:05] The number one money mistake people make is not having a vision. The number two mistake is living above their means, and the number three mistake is not investing that money. Create a monthly margin to add to your investments and savings.
• [42:41] The best piece of money advice that Anthony has received is that for every dollar brought in, give God ten cents. This is about being generous and a good steward of money.

Click here to listen!

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"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Failure to launch is not the end of the world, it’s an opportunity to do better

Say this out loud: 

Failed launches happen, and it's ok when they do.

Say it again, and this time, actually believe it! 

It’s true, friend -- failed launches are simply a part of being a digital marketer, and you’ve just got to accept it. It doesn’t matter if you are the most successful course creator on this planet or just getting started -- they happen to everyone, including me. 

Over the years I’ve done dozens of launches, and one thing I’ve learned is that the bad launch fairy does not discriminate. She will literally take the launch that you spent the most time on -- the one that you were certain would be a smashing success -- and turn it into a complete flop with a poof of her wand, leaving you disheartened and totally confused. 

Well, that’s what it can seem like anyways -- and if you’ve ever had a launch that didn’t go as well as you expected, I’m sure you can relate! 

The question is, how do you move on from that failed launch and make sure that the next one blows it out of the park? #Spoileralert, it has everything to do with your mindset. And as hard as it can be to pull yourself up from your bootstraps and march onward, you’ve just got to do it.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The mindset I embrace to move on from disappointing launches 
• What I discuss in my team debrief meetings after a launch doesn’t go as planned
• Ways you can learn from your failed launch and go on to create something 10x better

Are you ready? Let’s get started.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Since 2020, we’ve seen the world change and shift multiple times. And as an entrepreneur, there’s nothing we can do but hold on and try to adjust to the changing times the best we can.

I think we can all agree that staying flexible and fluid isn’t always easy… especially when you’re trying to plan the future of your business.

We may not always get the answers we want or the direction we’re hoping for, but we can lean into other entrepreneurs and experts to help direct us and support us in making the best decisions we can with the information we have.

In this bonus episode, I brought on Phillip Stutts because he’s sharing an important message that affects us as entrepreneurs right now. I wanted to get this information into your hands as quickly as possible so you can pivot and adjust accordingly as we head into Q2 of 2022.

My guest, Phillip, comes from the cutthroat world of political marketing. He has over 2 decades of experience working on campaigns with billions of dollars in political ad spend, and contributed to over 1,433 election victories, including 3 U.S. Presidential victories.

Phillip is also the founder and CEO of Win BIG Media (a corporate marketing agency) and Founder/Executive Chairman of Go BIG Media (a political marketing ad firm).

In this interview, you’ll hear Phillip and I discuss:

• What’s happening to brand loyalty
• The three types of consumer personality types and why we should be paying attention to these
• Why you may want to reconsider where you’re spending your ad spend – including if Facebook advertising is best for your business

And so much more. I hope you’re fully present for this conversation and take what you learn and adjust your business, goals, and budgets as we continue into 2022.

Learn how to launch and grow your podcast from the best in the industry.

If you’ve been listening to Online Marketing Made Easy for a while, you know that one of the questions I always ask my guests is, “What would you do if you had to start your business all over again? What would you focus on first?”

And for me, answering that question is super easy. Without a shadow of a doubt, I would start a podcast from day one. Yes, friend, it’s true. Online Marketing Made Easy has brought so much more to my business than I ever thought possible, and it’s also been such a great creative outlet for me. 

Not only does a podcast help you develop a presence for your brand and directly connect with your target audience, but you can also make great money in the process. My team and I just recently had our first 1 million downloads month, and I could not be more proud. It’s taken a lot of hard work, changing directions, and trying out new things -- but it’s been well worth the effort. 

So in the spirit of all-things podcast, I thought I’d invite Jenna Kutcher, the host of the Goal Digger podcast, on to the show to share a few words of wisdom. Jenna is the crème de la crème of podcasters and content creators, so I know you’ll be just as excited as I was to hear what she has to say.

In this interview, you’ll hear Jenna and I discuss:

• How to set realistic production and metrics goals
• Tips on how to monetize your podcast and when to start
• When is “too late” to create and launch a podcast
• The pros and cons of being part of a podcast network

Do you have your listening ears on? Good -- because if you’ve ever considered starting a podcast, you definitely want to listen closely.

Here’s a glance at this episode...

• [08:05] The key to a successful podcast is to find a way to produce content sustainably. Have systems in place that allow you to show up and keep running.
• [10:45] Don't let things that don't matter hold you up. Find out what you are doing and why. A podcast can be a top of funnel, establish you as an expert, or become an interview opportunity. Get clear on your goal. 
• [12:41] Set a goal for your podcast. Could it be a list builder, a way to establish credibility, or a means to pivot your business? Your results will depend on what that goal is.
• [16:52] Monetize from day one. People will continue to go back to early episodes. You could use it as a list builder or an affiliate play. 
• [20:53] It's not too late to start a podcast. No one will approach it like you will. Listeners listen to multiple shows.
• [26:14] Subscriptions or paid models are becoming popular. Jenna likes the idea of creating value for free and giving away content. 
• [34:54] Jenna loves that people are inviting her voice into their lives. Podcasts are a reference library to so many different topics. If the host isn't an expert, they can bring an expert in.
• [38:29] Jenna has a free masterclass on how to podcast. It shares all the beginning information, so there's no second-guessing.

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"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Remember these when your thoughts get in the way of your success

There are four mantras that I keep coming back to time and time again. They are, quite literally, the words that guide my life, both at home and in my business.

How many times have you felt uncertain or anxious about something and that feeling starts to consume you? As high achievers we put SO.MUCH.PRESSURE on ourselves to succeed, that if we don’t manage our own thoughts, they have the potential to get out of control. 

Believe me, I am a serious offender when it comes to getting stuck in my own head, and that’s why whenever I find myself getting to that place, I take a deep breath and remember these four things.

These mantras have gotten me through many “firsts” — including my first course launch, my first big move across the country, and also my first book, which you’ll hear more about in this episode. 

Not only that, but they have helped me a ton when it comes to understanding -- and accepting -- that things don’t always happen on my timeline, no matter how much I want them to. 

So grab your beverage of choice and a journal or notepad, because you’re going to want to write these down so you can treat yourself to them whenever your thoughts start to get in the way of your own success. 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!