Money stresses us out. Whether you're a small business owner or just trying to manage personal finances, it can feel like you’re always juggling competing priorities. Should you be saving more? Investing in your business? Can you even afford to? Add in the weight of societal pressures, and it’s easy to see why 73% of Americans rank finances as their top stressor. But what if getting clear on your money values (not just the numbers) could help relieve the stress and guide your financial...

We all strive for success, but at what cost? Climbing the ladder often comes with unexpected challenges. As you work toward your goals, it’s easy to focus on the next milestone, only to realize that collecting more accolades leaves you feeling empty instead of fulfilled. Many high achievers find themselves grappling with stress, isolation, and a loss of purpose despite their accomplishments. Is it possible to chase your dreams without losing sight of what truly brings you joy and...

Marketing for nonprofits can feel like a balancing act. You're juggling two distinct audiences—the people you serve and the donors who make it all possible. The challenge lies in crafting a message that speaks to both audiences without diluting your core mission. But when your messaging feels off, it’s easy to get stuck, unsure about what will make the maximum impact. So how do you find that sweet spot where your message resonates with everyone who matters?   In this final part of the...

Is your brand’s message failing to pack the punch you know it should? It’s easy to get stuck when you want to make a bold statement in your marketing but fear the potential backlash. Many business owners feel like they're holding back, worried that being too outspoken might turn people off. But this can water down your messaging, leaving you with a yawn-inducing brand voice and ineffective marketing. So how can you showcase your brand’s personality without the risk of alienating potential...

You're sitting on a goldmine of knowledge—and you know you could package it up into an online course and help people. But every time you think about actually doing it, you hit a wall. You don't have an audience. You have no idea how to find people who'd actually pay for your course. It all feels too overwhelming, and you're starting to think it's just not worth it. But what if you could launch your course without having a huge following?    In this episode of the Getting Unstuck series,...

Is your business feast or famine? Are you struggling to maintain consistent sales, even when you know there's demand? This is a common small business challenge—going from "everyone wants it" to crickets. So how do you keep the momentum going and turn those crickets into a steady hum of excited buyers?   As part of our Getting Unstuck series, today’s episode tackles a question from listener Tina Cusker, owner of La Cuisine, a boutique kitchen store with culinary classes. Tina's classes used...

Your reputation is everything. It's the lifeblood of your business. But what happens when nasty rumors start to circulate? It can feel like an unfair fight. The fear, the uncertainty, the damage to your brand... it's a nightmare! And when your integrity gets called into question, it’s a gut punch and you may not be sure how to fight back. So what should you do?   In this week’s episode of our Getting Unstuck series, J.J. and April help caller Holly with this very issue. Holly is a business...

Being a scrappy entrepreneur is all about making the most of what you have. But when it comes to funding your business, it's easy to feel like you've hitting a brick wall. Financial realities can make your dream of starting a business seem unlikely, or worse: completely impossible. Have hope, heromaker! If you're bootstrapping your startup, you just need to know the right steps to launch without breaking the bank.    In this episode of our Getting Unstuck series, hosts J.J. Peterson and...

If you're targeting a niche market, reaching the right audience can feel tricky. Common marketing advice may work for some (or even most) companies, but it just doesn't seem to resonate with your unique customer base. For marketers and business owners in specialized industries, like tourism or art, success depends on connecting with a specific group of people—aka your "tribe"—who share distinct interests and needs. So how do you hone in your marketing efforts to really speak to your niche? ...

Is your marketing falling flat, even when you’re putting in the work and following all the best advice? You've read the books, listened to the podcasts, and implemented the strategies, but you're still not seeing the results you want. It can be a frustrating puzzle, especially for those who’ve invested time and energy learning solid marketing frameworks like StoryBrand. So where might you be going wrong?   In today’s episode of our Getting Unstuck series, hosts Dr. JJ Peterson and April...

You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you build it, they will come.” But that's simply not true when it comes to business. It actually takes a great deal of strategy and effort to get customers. And the stress of not having enough leads can crush anyone’s spirit, especially when you know your product is top-notch. Rest assured, the problem isn’t your product—it’s your approach to finding buyers. So what’s the secret to breaking through and filling your pipeline?   As we continue our Getting...

You've spent hours perfecting your pitch, confident that this time, you'll convert your audience into enthusiastic customers. But once again, the response is lukewarm, and nobody buys. What gives? If this scenario sounds familiar, then this episode is for you! We’ve heard from many marketers and business owners who found themselves frustrated after their well-prepared presentations flopped. So how do you deliver a sales pitch that’s powerful and persuasive enough to inspire action from your...

Too many businesses, whether large or small, established or new, make the mistake of leading with their own story. In other words, they’re trying to tell their audience all about what makes their business so great — and then they’re confused when their audience reacts with a shrug and says, “I don’t care.” How can businesses reach new customers when “I don’t care” is the prevailing mindset?   StoryBrand and Marketing Made Simple help you answer that question. On the podcast today, hosts Dr....

It’s hard to do creative work when you feel burned out and spread thin. But for many talented people, this is exactly what happens. You’re good at what you do, so more and more people seek you out. Your workload grows, and before you know it, you can easily lose touch with the passion and purpose you once had. Burnout sets in, and if you’re not careful, it can become a weighty fog you can’t see your way out of.   In today’s episode, J.J. and April have a heart-to-heart conversation with...

If you’ve done any kind of sales or marketing, you know that handling customer objections is a huge part of the job. Unfortunately, most companies have a hard time overcoming objections and helping customers see the value they have to offer. The result? They become sales-ey and lose sight of the goal: serving their customers.   In today’s episode, J.J. and April sit down with StoryBrand Certified Guide, Angie Schultz, as she shares her experience using the StoryBrand framework in her own...

Is your business hitting roadblocks with international marketing? Cultural differences, language barriers, and varying consumer behaviors can pose big challenges for any brand. Marketers often find themselves at a loss, struggling to adapt their messaging and strategies to resonate with diverse audiences. This usually leads to underperforming campaigns and missed opportunities to connect with broader audiences. In these cases, a brand needs a universal and flexible framework that accommodates...

Why does talking about your business sometimes feel like explaining rocket science to a 5-year-old? If your message is drowning in technical terms or marketing speak, you might just be alienating your audience instead of drawing them in. Countless businesses find themselves tangled in jargon that might impress a fellow expert but leaves potential customers scratching their heads. Cutting through this complexity and speaking directly to your audience’s needs can be the game-changer your...

Most people wouldn't accept a marriage proposal on the first date. They want to get to know the person before making a commitment. In the same way, customers don't like it when a business quickly tries to sell something right after meeting them. And when customers recoil from a hasty sales pitch, the business loses an opportunity they may never get back. So when is the right time to make a sales pitch so that your customers feel comfortable and keep coming back?   In today’s episode, J.J....

Building your own marketing business can be hard and lonely — but it doesn’t have to be. When you become a StoryBrand Certified Guide, you’ll join a like-minded community of marketers from all over the world. Apply before Friday, May 24th for our upcoming training in July at StoryBrand.com/ApplyNow.   --   In most businesses, there’s a major disconnect between the sales and marketing teams—and this is a problem. Why? Because the sales team is out on the front lines every day, hearing...

Everyone procrastinates. It’s a thing. These days, people have more and more tasks to accomplish, while the days seem to get shorter and shorter—so putting things off is a natural end result. But delayed action often leads to inaction. And when your customers keep delaying the decision to purchase your product—sometimes indefinitely—it costs you money. So what can we do to light a fire under the leads who are dragging their feet?   In this episode of Marketing Made Simple, J.J. and April...

Can one viral moment make your business an overnight sensation? Many business owners are on a chase. They're looking for that single big marketing hit that'll make their brand instantly famous. They throw everything into one campaign, hoping it'll go viral and bring in loads of customers. But more often than not, this just ends up in disappointment. They're missing out on a key business truth: real, lasting success comes from regular effort and really connecting with people over time, not...

CLARIFY YOUR ALL OF YOUR MARKETING AND MESSAGING IN ONLY TWO DAYS! REGISTER FOR THE UPCOMING STORYBRAND MARKETING WORKSHOP HAPPENING MAY 7 & 8, 2024:  StoryBrand.com/Workshop   --   In marketing, there’s always a story to tell. But many business owners forget that it's not their story they should be telling. It's the story of their customer. And when they forget that, it can cause a revenue-draining disconnect and a lack of trust. Instead, it’s critical to address the needs and...

Feeling stuck with your marketing efforts? Maybe your emails aren't hitting the mark or crafting marketing materials is leaving you overwhelmed and frustrated. Well, we've got your back! Call 615-649-0705 and let us your name, the name of your business, and what's got you stuck. If selected, your question could be featured in an upcoming episode where J.J. and April coach you through so you're finally unstuck. Just call 615-649-0705 and let us your name, the name of your business, and what's...

Feeling stuck with your marketing efforts? Maybe your emails aren't hitting the mark or crafting marketing materials is leaving you overwhelmed and frustrated. Well, we've got your back! Call 615-649-0705 and let us your name, the name of your business, and what's got you stuck. If selected, your question could be featured in an upcoming episode where J.J. and April coach you through so you're finally unstuck. Just call 615-649-0705 and let us your name, the name of your business, and what's...