Staying Solo
Maggie Patterson, BS-Free Business
Growing a solo service business is tough. It's even harder when you're bombarded with BS advice that steers you away from your values and why you started your business in the first place.
This is the podcast for solo creatives and consultants who want to remain as a team of one and have zero interest in the hustle and grind of typical business teachings.
Most podcasts for solopreneurs and freelancers, hosted by out-of-touch celebrity entrepreneurs who haven't offered one-to-one services in years, miss the mark on today's market realities.
Maggie Patterson, a service business owner for 20 years, understands that to stay solo, you need to know what matters to you, what works for you, and what you should completely ignore.
In each episode, she examines one piece of conventional business advice to discover how it may hurt your business or be completely wrong for you as a solo business owner.
Join Maggie for real talk to help you avoid burnout or the desire to entirely burn down your business to open a flower shop, book store, or cat cafe. (Because those cats won't pay the bills.)
(Formerly the BS-Free Service Business Show)
This is the podcast for solo creatives and consultants who want to remain as a team of one and have zero interest in the hustle and grind of typical business teachings.
Most podcasts for solopreneurs and freelancers, hosted by out-of-touch celebrity entrepreneurs who haven't offered one-to-one services in years, miss the mark on today's market realities.
Maggie Patterson, a service business owner for 20 years, understands that to stay solo, you need to know what matters to you, what works for you, and what you should completely ignore.
In each episode, she examines one piece of conventional business advice to discover how it may hurt your business or be completely wrong for you as a solo business owner.
Join Maggie for real talk to help you avoid burnout or the desire to entirely burn down your business to open a flower shop, book store, or cat cafe. (Because those cats won't pay the bills.)
(Formerly the BS-Free Service Business Show)
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 15, 2021 • 22min
Creating a Client Experience Based on Trust (Things Your Clients Wish You Really Knew)
You've got a strategy for marketing and sales — but do you have a strategy for what happens after someone actually becomes your client? Let's face it: Clients are the lifeblood of your business. So ensuring their experience is outstanding is one of the best ways to create loyal, repeat customers who'll help bring more clients to your door. In this episode we're looking at how to create a client experience based on trust, and all the things your clients wish you really knew. Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/client-experience
Mar 8, 2021 • 22min
A Fresh Take on Selling Your Services Without Being Sleazy
When you hear the word "selling" what's your gut reaction?Unsure? Scared? Like you suck? Or that you could be doing much better? The reality is that for many of us, the entire concept selling has a lot of baggage attached to it. But we can't get away from the fact that if we want a sustainable business, selling is part of the deal.How do we move past the nasty and negative style of sales in done in online business and do it in a way that doesn't feel sleazy or predatory? In this episode we're breaking down how to sell your services without being sleazy, and digging into everything that's made you doubt or question your approach to sales. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/sell-your-services
Mar 1, 2021 • 26min
How to De-Bro Your Marketing: Going Back to Basics
Picture it: Somewhere in the world, March 2021. You've gotten yet ANOTHER sleazy email from some bro marketer trying to sell you their newest product or service, and the email is hitting you hard in all your weak spots. And in all the thoughts running through your head, at some point you think, "well at least I don't do anything like that with my marketing". However, if you work online, you've very likely had bro marketing baked into what you're doing — even if that was never your intention. So how do you know for sure? In this episode, I'm talking about how to de-bro your marketing, and you may be surprised at how simple this can really be. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/marketing-basics/
Feb 22, 2021 • 26min
The Antidote to Fear-Based Marketing & Sales: Introducing TrustDNA
Have you ever bought a product or service for your business that you didn't actually really want or need? You started out browsing because something caught your attention and the next thing you know you're looking around wondering exactly what happened.I know because I've been there, and many times it was because I got played. I was motivated by fear and didn't even know what was happening. In this episode we're exploring why that happens to us, along with why fear is a terrible strategy and, more importantly, what to do instead. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/fear-based-marketing/
Feb 15, 2021 • 33min
The 2021 Online Business Investment Survey: What You Need to Know Before You Buy Anything
Hands up if you've ever heard this common refrain in the online business world: "You gotta spend money to make money!!"This "invest at all costs" message is designed to override logical thinking by urging you to take action and purchase, no matter what. These fear-based tactics are exactly why I decided to conduct a survey regarding the good, the bad, and the ugly of business investments. In this episode, I'm sharing the results of the survey and digging into what was really happening with people making these investments. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/investing-in-your-business
Feb 8, 2021 • 35min
What You Need to Know About Coach Abuse with Nicole Lewis-Keeber
Have you ever worked with a coach and felt like something was off? While coaching for business can be a great thing, with the wrong person it can be downright detrimental. And like any close relationship, there's the possibility that abuse can occur. What are the red flags you need to look for when choosing to work with a coach? And what should be considered if you're in one of these toxic relationships and your gut is screaming it's time to be done?On this episode, my guest business therapist Nicole Lewis-Keeber joins me for a discussion about coach abuse. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/coach-abuse/
Feb 1, 2021 • 27min
It's Time to Elevate the Service Business
What is it about service business ownership that makes people want to chuck it all in and give up? For some reason, service businesses are often treated as "less than" in the online business world. They're treated as though our businesses are just a stop along the way until we can do something "better". How do we turn the tide and make sure service businesses start getting the respect they're due? In this episode we're unpacking why people want to quit services, what to do about it, and why it's time to elevate the service business. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/service-business/
Jan 25, 2021 • 23min
7 Toxic Myths About Service Businesses That Need to Go
Ever wondered why service businesses get such a bad rap? Probably because we have our very own anthology of urban legends and myths that have been repeated so many times they're now accepted as fact. A lot of these myths and stories are designed simply to sell you something, and in the process, they challenge what we think we know about our service businesses. They mess with our heads. They shake our confidence. And that's why it's time we say NO MORE. In this episode, I'm exploring seven service business myths, and digging into the REAL truth so we can forget about these once and for all. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/service-business-myths/
Jan 18, 2021 • 27min
Are Online Businesses the New MLMs?
Q: What do the online business industry and MLMs have in common?A: Way more than they should, unfortunately. Yet for some reason, the online biz world seems to direct a whole lot of vitriol towards MLMs (and really, lots of other business models). So where's the disconnect? How do people not see — or maybe not care — that the very thing they judge can be uncannily similar to the things they do? In this essay and podcast, I'm exploring the crossover between what's going on in the online business world and the way MLMs are run, and discuss why it's time for us to recognize how many of the unethical business and marketing practices are foundational to online business. Get the inside scoop right here: http://smallbusinessboss.co/online-businesses-and-MLMs
Jan 11, 2021 • 13min
Handling Payments for Your Service Business
Ever had to chase a client to get paid? The fact is, when it comes to payments terms for your business, there are a ton of variables, so having everything nailed will make collecting your money as easy as possible. In today's episode, we're talking about all things payments including payment terms, options for receiving payments, payment plans and so much more. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/handling-payments/
