I wrote an article about Market Discovery here:

Are you stuck in “Path 1”? Many soulpreneurs spend months (or years) trying to define their ideal client profile, building an audience from scratch, and creating offers for a “persona” that might not actually exist in the real market.

In this video, I share why you don’t actually need to understand your ideal audience in the beginning. In fact, trying to “perfect” your niche before you have clients is often just an exercise in illusion.

What you’ll learn in this video:

Path 1 vs. Path 2: Why the traditional way of building an audience is the “hard path” and how to take the easier, more authentic route.

The “Dance with the Market”: How to shift from a hobbyist mindset to a true partnership with the people you can already reach.

The Power of Your Current Network: Why your “Facebook friends,” old colleagues, and email contacts are a goldmine for market discovery.

Heart-Centered Pivot: How to “shape-shift” your offerings based on true empathy and what people are actually spending money on.

The 10-Client Rule: Why you can only truly define your “Ideal Client” after you’ve worked with a handful of real people.

If you’ve been feeling isolated in your “garage” working with AI to find the perfect words, this is your wake-up call to return to the heart of service. Real business happens in conversation, not in contemplation.

If I waited to feel motivated, I’d never get anything done.

Here’s my raw, real-talk advice for anyone who struggles with procrastination and perfectionism.

I break down the illusion of "perfect action" and why you can't trust your own judgment before you begin…

In this video I walk you through the weekly ritual that builds that muscle: schedule it, track it, honor it, then release attachment to perfection.

If procrastination and overwhelm keep derailing your dream schedule, this video might just offer you the practical, soul-aligned structure you’ve been missing.

If you’re a heart-based business owner or intuitive worker, maybe you can relate — feeling the resistance to doing certain important things, and letting hour after hour, day after day, pass.

I used to be devastated when I realized that I was the one standing in my own way. I had all these dreams and visions, but my lack of discipline made them feel impossible. I thought I was unchangeable.

Thankfully, I was wrong about that...

You’d make time, wouldn’t you?

You’d text them something meaningful, record a quick voice message, or even film a short video while waiting for your flight to board. You’d find a way.

Because you made a commitment, and because you care.

Now, what if you treated your audience exactly this way?

Your ideal audience is that friend.

Where are the kindred spirits, the allies who will understand and uplift your efforts?You’re not alone in this feeling.

Trust that there is definitely a path forward — a way to uncover the connections and resources waiting for you.

All of us are somewhere along the spectrum of uncertainty about what we should offer in our business. Do not amplify that feeling.

Instead, create content in order to get clarity.

Your calling is where your interests meet the world’s interests. You’ll only discover that by testing the market with your content.

It starts with creating authentically, from a place of service and gratitude, not expectation.

Then, it’s about getting that content seen and genuinely connecting with the audience you’re blessed enough to attract.

By talking with them and understanding what they really need support with, you can then offer services or products they’ve essentially already told you they want, making the whole process feel natural and truly helpful.

To build self-trust, simply plan self-appointments and show up for what you planned for -- and work lightly!

See all of Hans Wilhelm’s 100+ videos here: LifeExplained YouTube

Also mentioned was the Law of Projection video:

This video offers some prompts for you to reflect on. Let me know if it helps!

You have to do stuff you don't naturally love… until you have enough money to do only what you love.

Building a business as a solopreneur involves a huge variety of tasks and projects, most of which you wouldn’t naturally have thought – “This was what I was looking forward to doing, day to day, with an authentic business!”

The stronger your passion and vision for what should be your ideal work, the stronger you’ll feel the gap. The destination seems so far from where you are now.

The sane solution? You'll have to practice loving what you “have to” do now, to make money, so you can – one day in future – make money doing only what you love.

I mean, why did we even come to this Earth game with all its limitations, like needing to pay rent and all that? Back in the soulful realm, it's all abundance and freedom.

So, maybe these constraints are actually part of the game, a way for our souls to practice expressing themselves powerfully within a specific context...

That's why I'm so passionate about finding a *healthier* way to build an audience.

I don't want to be a "guru" telling people what to do. I want to empower them to find their own answers.

It's about encouraging self-reflection, speaking to their deep desires, and helping them relieve themselves of unnecessary burdens.

Don't try to be the best at everything... it's exhausting.

Other people are just naturally stronger at some things. Let them be.

Instead, find YOUR combo, and become the ONLY one in your field with your unique strengths.

See the full list at www.GeorgeKao.com/blog/listofstrengths

But here's the truth: successful businesses require the same dedication as professional artists or athletes.

You need to create your own structure, follow your schedule religiously, and understand that skill development takes time.

Just like you can't expect to run a marathon after one day of training, you can't expect immediate business success. It's about consistent practice and accepting that lag time between starting and seeing results.

If you’re interested in working with a group, I run a membership community of joyfully productive business "athletes" :) called JoyPro: https://www.georgekao.com/joypro

Let's continually practice creating with a light touch……detaching from expectations of outcome.

Just like the vital rhythms of the body and nature, our business needs our reliable rhythms of creation...

Your audience will grow far beyond the people you currently know.

Your network right now is tiny, compared to your eventual (big) audience. Your current people might not even be a good representation of your true fans!

So don’t make your content in fear of the judgment of your existing colleagues, friends, fans, or family. They are not your true audience.

Create only for your future true fans.

Because your ideal clients benefit the most from how you are now, before you get too far ahead of them...

It's common to feel a painful gap between where you are and that dream of abundance, especially as a soulpreneur seeking an authentic business. The practical steps can often feel like a drag…

I encourage you to make this shift in perspective -- to see things like marketing, content creation, and even selling, not as chores, but as opportunities to practice love.

Love for yourself, for nurturing your creativity, and love for your (future) audience, by truly serving them.

It's a journey of finding joy in the process, even when it's hard, and remembering that every step can be a step closer to alignment with your heart.

Read the post: https://www.threads.net/@geokao/post/C9STUNYucf8

I view it as an opportunity to be as authentic as possible -- much like you would with a trusted friend.

I don't worry about keeping up appearances. Instead, I focus on being myself, knowing that the right audience will appreciate me for who I am, flaws and all.

This approach has allowed me to consistently engage on social media since 2009.

While it may not attract everyone, it helps the algorithm find those who truly resonate with my energy, leading to more meaningful connections over time.

See the resource links I mentioned here:

https://georgekao.substack.com/p/my-top-advice-for-creating-consistently

One of my students wrote:

“Consistency of communication is my goal. To hold myself more accountable to this and get over the problem I have with feeling that I am bothering people by sending them content via email or other means, even if they have signed up for my list!!”

Maybe you can relate. I appreciate your sensitivity! It means you’re being thoughtful and courteous about other people’s time and attention.

And yet, it’s important to understand that you have any kind of audience (even if it’s just a few Facebook friends) because they actually want to hear from you...

I thought this was a very thoughtful question, and wonder why more content creators don’t talk about this. I appreciate the questioner’s sensitivity!

It can help you stay motivated and committed to showing up consistently if you focus on the opportunity of authentic expression and service to your audience, knowing that your content acts as a form of ministry to those who resonate with your message.

we try to mix our selling with our moments of content-sharing generosity. ..

This creates inner conflict.

Instead, if we aim with purity of heart for each activity, we can then sustain those actions for a very long time, and that's what creates the skillfulness that leads to the best results...

This is the path of the typical influencer.

They’re trying to build a “cult” following that does whatever they tell them to do… including to buy whenever they tell them to. The influencer might use charm, persuasion, and clever copywriting to get it done.

None of these methods sit right with me. I don’t want to be your guru.

I would rather help my audience regain their sovereignty… to do whatever small thing I can to help them wake up – to their own power.

Although slower, this still can build a true social media following, but in a healthier, more sustainable way...

"The vast majority of your content isn't going to make an impact."

I know that sounds negative, but the corollary is:

"Therefore you are liberated to experiment!

And you'll eventually come across the few gems that will make your career..."

This idea had a deep impact on me, and has helped me create consistently for 9+ years now.

And it's true:

Most of my videos make almost no impact... but a few? Those rare gems have contributed significantly to my business success today.

I hope you will similarly feel liberated to create, to experiment and publish -- consistently -- so that you give yourself the greatest chance of stumbling upon those occasional treasures that will set you up for life.

It is how I get smarter in my field.

It’s how I develop the writings and videos that sometimes get shared, thereby allowing new fans and clients to find me.

More than anything else I do, creating content is how I give back.

It’s my ministry and mission…

​Your wisdom, life lessons, skills, knowledge can help to transform so many people's lives! If you’re not being consistent in creating content, what's holding you back?

When friends or family are interested in your services, do you instinctually offer them free sessions or access to your programs?

Authentic marketing is simply following the Golden Rule: (not) doing unto others what you (don’t) want done unto you.

Some complain that they want exact detailed steps so that they don't have to be uncertain. With technical training, that may be true (although there's a joy in finding your own way there as well.)

With strategy, formulas are questionable.

If I teach you step by step, please feel free to rebel, and find your own way.

That is the only way to authentic fulfillment in your business.

What I haven’t emphasized as much is the importance of having an offer rhythm, and that’s what this post is about. I encourage every client of mine — and you, if you are a small business and wish for consistent income — to have a consistent rhythm of offerings.

Even if you have no audience yet, you can and should begin testing offerings, as soon as possible, starting with your friends.

Here’s what I mean by a rhythm of offerings:

To have a consistent schedule of sharing (testing) your offers with your audience or network.

What are your offerings? Any products, services, or programs that you create and sell, or alternatively, that you curate and earn a commission from selling.

(You don’t have to always create products, you can find things that your audience or network might love to buy, and earn an affiliate commission by promoting it to them. However, in the long term, creating offers is usually the more authentic and meaningful path.)

Connect more internally: with your deep source of security, compassion, creativity...

Connect more externally: with friends, colleagues, acquaintances who have some interest in your work.

The tougher the times, the more we need to connect.

May this video inspire you to align your marketing strategy with your heart and find authentic success :)

Where is your attention going? :)

Attention, like time, is limited. We ought to be more mindful of where it goes.

I encourage us all to start giving 10% or more of our attention each day to small creators: bloggers, video makers, podcasts, websites, or social media pages that get few comments on their content.

Good karma will come back around 💛

You’re waiting until you’re “ready” before you take the leap.

A dear client asked me about the “thin line between readiness and procrastination.”

After coaching hundreds of business owners, I can tell you this: ​

Chances are, you are being fooled by your own brilliant mind. Feeling of “lack of readiness” is usually procrastination.

**

Here’s the truth:

I rarely feel “ready”.

When I started writing this article, I felt maybe I wouldn’t have enough to say… maybe I should do more research or journaling or give it a few more days (or weeks) before I’m ready to start writing this.

When making a video — at the moment I press “record” I feel like I could’ve spent another hour thinking about the topic.

When I launch a course, I know I could spend several more months (or years!) researching the topic… but I remind myself that whatever I already know will be helpful to the students. We are usually much harsher on ourselves than our students / clients are.

The founder of Linkedin, Reid Hoffman, famously said this:

If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.

**

I feel embarrassed often… because I create often.

Every book that I publish, I feel slightly embarrassed by… but the reality is that if I waited until a book was “ready” I might never publish. Thankfully I do publish, because book after book, each one is getting better. I can always re-publish and re-launch a 2nd edition later… and I am already planning for it!

Every course that I teach, I’m embarrassed by, but I also get feedback that makes the course better, year after year.

I’m doing this for the long term journey of growth, not just short-term experiences of posting, publishing, launching.

The creative process, the reality of building an authentic business, requires this continual practice:

Transform fear into Love.

I feel that we are being called by Spirit to recognize when we are feeling afraid in the creative process, and instead, reinterpret that emotion. Turn “fear” or “lack of readiness” into one or more of these…

Excitement

Passion

Service

Curious self-exploration

Adventure

**

Transform hesitation into Action.

If I am creating something, and I feel hesitation, I now interpret it as a signal to take action, to just do it. To take the next step. To write the next sentence. To click “record” on the video. To press “publish”.

It is a daily creative practice: transmuting fearful hesitation into loving action. Bit by bit, piece by piece, we become more courageous. We get wiser through action and experience.

A little-known fact is that the creative person’s doubt and “lack of readiness” never goes away. We simply get better at recognizing it, and transmuting it into creative action.

So there’s only one thing to do:

Start today.

Bias yourself toward action, doing what you are afraid of, knowing that it can be interpreted as excitement, passion, service. Go ahead and write, speak, publish, launch, etc… do the thing that puts your work into the marketplace.

“I long for the ability to create without any thoughts of money…to create because I love it… to take real time off when I need it… to try new things and build in more hobby time into my life. Everything I create is because I love it, but I tend to always have that background question: ‘Will it make me money?’ I want to get to a place where I feel I can try things and fail and be totally fine with it…”

This video is my response. I hope you find it helpful as well.

By “lizard brain” I mean the parts within people that are governed by fear, greed, and impatience.

To see a real example analyzed, see here: To get more sales, market to the “lizard brain”…?

“That’s a lot of pressure on yourself,” I thought.

Who says you need to weave all your interests together in a way that makes sense to anyone else, except for yourself? (You can have the most complicated vision of your work, as long as it makes sense to you.)

What if being financially successful — and happy in your work — doesn’t require the integration of your various interests?

You simply need to test more ideas.

This is why I believe in the importance of the 3 stages of content creation:

1. casual, prolific, exploratory.

2. improve on what's liked.

3. integrate and productize.

Follow-up question I received:

"So let's say we have an offer like with your example, 3 're-works' over 6 weeks... once you've got the most response from whichever one... when would you actually then launch what you'd been talking about? Would that be your next offering? Or would it be a few months out? What do you typically do? "

My response:

I would go ahead and launch (as the very next thing) the offer test that did the best. Basically, sell it while it's hot 😄 because it could be something in the culture or timing that's making your audience more interested in that one right now compared to the others, so... don't wait, assuming it'll be hot later (or that you'll be interested later!)

How do I make great content? By making more content, and observing what spreads.

How do I improve my skills? By working with more clients, and noticing who grows the most.

True learning comes from action — we build muscles by doing things, not just reading about them. It takes *quantity* of action to develop quality of results.

begin, explore, publish, repeat.

I appreciate hearing from people I've hired, even if it's just a few times a year to let me know about their new programs or specials.

In this video I also discuss how often to post content vs. how often to sell something on your social media. I assure you that even a small announcement -- after a long time of not posting -- is usually appreciated.

It's important to consider our own lifestyle needs and determining what is "enough" for us. By minimizing our lifestyle costs, we can charge less, serve more people, and do so with less financial pressure.

I also discuss the idea of charging with compassion for our clients and customers, while still ensuring that we have a bit more than enough to invest in our future.

https://www.georgekao.com/instagram

If you have any questions about the course, ask it here.

Wishing you a good day and weekend! 🌞

I've made nearly 2,000 videos on YouTube, published over 300 blog posts, and launched more than 30 courses. I wish I had developed a sense of urgency for generating free content earlier in my career...

In this episode, I discuss common limiting beliefs that hinder content creation, the importance of gaining experience and clarity through the creative process, and the need to embrace imperfection and let algorithms and audience engagement guide your content improvement...

2. Got human accountability? Simplest is to use Focusmate. Join my focusmate group here: https://www.focusmate.com/signup/georgekaocommunity

3. Got a clear workflow process? Write it down. “Hat manual”.

4. Unsure what the workflow process should be? Come to a Q&A call and let’s talk :) or talk with a friend, colleague, or coach to help you sort it out.

I believe that before birth, you planned with your "soul group" to find each other in this life by recognizing each other's energy signatures. I recommend using authentic marketing to consistently "ping" your soul group so they can recognize you, and advise being patient as it may take them multiple tries to connect deeply. I note that your soul group will be more patient than the average website visitor.

Therefore, you should persistently ping your authentic energy so your soul group members have opportunities to find and connect with you...

To try to stand out, to be more charming, to be more persuasive.

​But that’s not what I’m trying to do...

If anything, I’m trying to blend in. I know that my ideal audience will spot me, even in a sea of social media posts.

**

Watch the video here:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=812065499569280

**

Being flashy tends to get unwanted attention. Irrelevant comments. More spam. It may seem like more followers, yet strangely, still poor sales in one’s business.

Your audience may grow in the wrong direction, which increases your marketing costs over time, as it costs more to reach more people. Yet you’ll have to wade through the many fake followers to find and connect with your true fans.

When we try to get attention, it is unsustainable. People may find out how we are “normally” and become disillusioned… so we have to keep up a pretense to keep their attention.

A client of mine, with experience using visual interruption techniques to grow her audience, wrote:

“People who reply to the ‘pattern interrupt’ are maybe 80% the worst possible leads I’ve ever dealt with… if you have a hide like a rhinoceros and are willing to deal with lots of ugly, so you can finally hit the few good leads… it can eventually work. But is it worth it??”

Your authenticity is greatly valuable

Doing anything deliberate to try to get attention will take you out of your authentic energy.

What I try is to be less motivated by the thought of your praise or purchases, and instead, to explore how I can resonate with you from a more authentic space.

If you practice simply being more deeply yourself, you will naturally be unique.

And you’ll automatically be more attractive to your true fans.

We need to remember that how we truly are is of incalculable value to the people we’re most meant to serve.

We simply need to show up daily with our authenticity.

Beware of typical marketing advice

Pay attention to the marketing teachings you’re learning from. Notice how many marketers are in the energy of cynical attention-grabbing. Baiting their audience into watching or reading. Creating a presence that feels artificial and inflated.

These are normal behaviors in the online marketing world. They want us to believe that humans are constantly distracted and therefore require flashy and baiting tactics to finally pay attention… to “get them” to buy from us.

It’s true that all humans are distractible. But the more you assume they need flashiness to pay attention, the more you’ll turn away your true fans. And the ones who are left? They’ll need you to be constantly impressive.

You’ll end up behaving in ways outside your groundedness and personal truth.

Your ideal audience is seeking you

The truth is that your ideal audience is already looking for someone like you. They don’t know what you look like, but they feel a resonance when they encounter you.

As an example, I often make text-only posts (it’s mostly what I do on my FB page, see here: George Kao’s Facebook Posts). Even though text-only posts might seem “boring” on Facebook, my ideal audience immediately has a feeling of recognition: “there’s something deeply true about this message… let me keep reading.”

I post videos that aren’t...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com]]>https://georgekao.substack.com/p/dont-try-to-get-attention-be-yourselfb94bd643-174f-4898-8772-e2b45417838dMon, 18 Dec 2023 11:44:00 GMTGeorge KaoNo996This principle has been essential to my success.

How do I make great content? 

By making more content, and observing what spreads.

How do I improve my skills?

By working with more clients, and noticing who grows the most.

True learning comes from action — we build muscles by doing things, not just reading about them.

**

Watch the video here:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/qualitythroughquantity

**

It takes quantity of action to develop quality of results.

Yet, if you feel you’re not taking enough action, self-compassion is needed.

Remind yourself that action can be primarily about playful experimentation. Action is much easier when you don’t give yourself the pressure to perform, but rather, the permission to play with a skill or a project.

How to balance quantity and quality?As an example, ​I think about content in stages.

Stage 1 is any content that is first posted or published.

Did I spend 5 months or 5 years on it before publishing? Or did I spend 50 minutes on it? Whichever it may be, if it’s the first time it’s touching the world, being put into the marketplace, I still consider it “Stage 1”.

Therefore, it’s more efficient to spend less time working on any piece of Stage 1 content.

Stage 2 is looking at my previous Stage 1 pieces, selecting what the audience liked the most, and spending more time editing those pieces. Then, I re-publish and re-distribute them.

In other words, I spend time improving the pieces that already demonstrated potential, based on my audience’s reactions. I let the audience tell me what “Quality” means… not my own self-judgments.

As an example, this very blog post was first written in 2017. Now I’m taking the effort to improve it and to re-share this new version.

Stage 3 is to integrate and monetize the Stage 2 pieces that fit within a particular topic.

For example, I do this with my books, each of which is an organized collection of my blog posts.

Think of it like a Buffet:

(Remember buffets, those restaurants that existed in the before-times? I used to love those…)

The owner of a buffet restaurant notices which of the items gets more interest, and which items are ignored. Over time, she’ll increase the types of items people love the most, and remove the ones that people don’t care for. Why cook stuff no one wants to eat?

By following this strategy, the restaurant becomes more well-loved over time.

You can do the same with your own content and products: try lots of things, and then notice what people find most helpful, and then offer more things like that.

“How does my audience have time to consume all the content that I’m putting out there?”

Back to the buffet analogy — the owner of the restaurant doesn’t expect any one visitor to eat every item!

Similarly, I’m not expecting you to consume all of my content. That’d be putting too much pressure on you!

It’s my job to simply put content out there, and it’s my audience’s job to pick and choose what they like to...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com]]>https://georgekao.substack.com/p/how-to-create-quality-focus-on-quantity0cb652b4-7bce-4f2f-9cde-8f6f371d8098Mon, 11 Dec 2023 11:42:00 GMTGeorge KaoNo1270Is it possible to be emotionally relaxed and joyful, yet highly productive?

Think of a master in martial arts … they aren’t fretting, tense, worried, or stressed out. They have a relaxed focus, a calm strength, a powerful composure.

Their face might appear emotionless, yet their body expresses a wide range of motion, able to accomplish a great deal with both precision and flexibility.

Inside, they are experiencing clarity, confidence, and a calm joy.

**

Watch the video here:

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/2913992282051668

**

​I’m not a martial arts master, but I have developed a sort of calm, joyful productivity within my own sphere of work: content creation, business coaching, and book writing.

While I was writing my first book, Authentic Content Marketing, a dear client asked me:

“As the grand finale [of your book’s completion] approaches, what are your feelings at this moment? Soon is the moment of ‘letting go’… any thoughts on that?”

My response:

I have never really “held on” to what the book’s results would be, so there is no “letting go.”

As for a “grand finale”… I don’t see it, I said to her, since I was already planning my second book, Joyful Productivity.

I now see each and every project as simply a mile marker on a lifelong journey of growing into greater service and deeper self-knowledge.

Joy occurs throughout the process… at the beginning, in the middle, and at the “end” of a project… and again onto the next project, with a calm and joyful heart.

There’s no anxiety about results, no gritting of teeth, no failure or success.

There’s only constant experimentation, the steady progress of learning, and consistent Self-exploration and service to the greater whole.

​

Recently I came across an Alan Watts lecture that summed this up beautifully:

​What do you do if I say to you, "Take a hard look at me. Take a real hard look." Now what are you doing? What's the difference between a “hard look” and a “soft look?”

Why, with your hard look, you are straining the muscles around your eyes, and you're starting to stare. 

​

If you stare at a distant image far away from you, you'll make it fuzzy. If you want to see it clearly you must close your eyes, imagine black for awhile, and then lazily and easily open them and you'll see the image. The light will come to you.

And what do you do if I say, "Now, listen carefully, listen very carefully to what I'm saying." You'll find you're beginning to strain yourself around the ears.

Supposing somebody says, "O.K. now, you've got to use your will, you've got to exercise strong will." That's the ego, isn't it?

What do you do when you exercise your will? You grit your teeth, you clench your fists. If you want to stop wayward emotions, you go uptight. You pull your stomach in, or hold your breath, or contract your rectal muscles. But all these activities have absolutely nothing to do with the efficient functioning of your nervous system. 

Just as staring at images makes them fuzzy, listening...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com]]>https://georgekao.substack.com/p/the-opposite-of-hustle-joyful-calmd52f13b6-fd3b-4e9d-b700-54fea4afb8abMon, 04 Dec 2023 12:41:00 GMTGeorge KaoNo891I see a lot of aspiring business owners doing this:

You’re waiting until you’re “ready” before you take the leap.

A dear client asked me about the “thin line between readiness and procrastination.”

​After coaching hundreds of business owners, I can tell you this: ​

Chances are, you are being fooled by your own brilliant mind. Feeling of “lack of readiness” is usually procrastination.

**

Watch the video version here:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/notready

**

Here’s the truth:

I rarely feel “ready”.

When I started writing this article, I felt maybe I wouldn’t have enough to say… maybe I should do more research or journaling or give it a few more days (or weeks) before I’m ready to start writing this.

When making a video — at the moment I press “record” I feel like I could’ve spent another hour thinking about the topic.

When I launch a course, I know I could spend several more months (or years!) researching the topic… but I remind myself that whatever I already know will be helpful to the students. We are usually much harsher on ourselves than our students / clients are.

The founder of Linkedin, Reid Hoffman, famously said this:

If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.

I feel embarrassed often… because I create often.

Every book that I publish, I feel slightly embarrassed by… but the reality is that if I waited until a book was “ready” I might never publish. Thankfully I do publish, because book after book, each one is getting better. I can always re-publish and re-launch a 2nd edition later… and I am already planning for it!

Every course that I teach, I’m embarrassed by, but I also get feedback that makes the course better, year after year.

I’m doing this for the long term journey of growth, not just short-term experiences of posting, publishing, launching.

The creative process, the reality of building an authentic business, requires this continual practice:

Transform fear into Love.

I feel that we are being called by Spirit to recognize when we are feeling afraid in the creative process, and instead, reinterpret that emotion. Turn “fear” or “lack of readiness” into one or more of these…

• Excitement
• Passion
• Service
• Curious self-exploration
• Adventure

Transform hesitation into Action.

If I am creating something, and I feel hesitation, I now interpret it as a signal to take action, to just do it. To take the next step. To write the next sentence. To click “record” on the video. To press “publish”.

Transform embarrassment into Surrender.

After putting your work out there, you may feel embarrassed by it and want to delete it. Don’t.

Practice surrendering to the process and you’ll grow a bit stronger, more confident, each time.

I recently had this kind of experience: being embarrassed by something I put out there, and after confessing my feelings about it (while not deleting the embarrassing thing) I found that people didn’t judge me the way I had judged myself.

It is a daily creative practice: transmuting fearful hesitation into loving action and surrendering to the process. Bit by bit, piece by piece, we become more courageous. We get wiser through action and experience.

A little-known fact is that the creative person’s doubt and “lack of readiness” never goes away. We simply get better at recognizing it, and transmuting it into creative action.

So there’s only one thing to

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com]]>https://georgekao.substack.com/p/i-never-feel-ready-when-i-begin9e579e20-b1c7-4393-9692-f4ec4fbcd5acMon, 27 Nov 2023 12:38:00 GMTGeorge KaoNo346A few thoughts on how to develop authentic confidence...

​Notice that money tends to flow to those who are most confident. 

However, fake confidence is too commonly taught in marketing. Fake it ‘till you make it. Appear to be bigger, or more polished, than you actually are. Use hype to get the sale. Offer huge guarantees to remove all their risk. 

**

Watch the video here:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1448007075365651

**

It does get some people to buy, but fake confidence is neither sustainable, nor does it produce a fulfilling business.

Thankfully, money also flows toward people with authentic confidence. How to develop this?

1. Ease up on self-blame.
2. Improve skills through practice.
3. Notice the value you’re genuinely adding.

Ease Up on Self-Blame

When I make a mistake:

1. I get curious: “Hmm… what can I learn from this?”
2. and after a brief reflection (and note-taking as needed),
3. I move on, knowing that I have the rest of my life to learn and get better!
4. And I’ve learned that most people are forgiving, as long as I keep improving. 

As soon as I sense self-blame coming on, I ignore it, knowing that it does more harm than good. It helps me to do my energy reboot practice. If it's hard for you to ignore self-criticism or blame, I encourage you to rebel against it: use anger productively and say a stern "NO" against self-blame.

When it comes to marketing mistakes (of which I have many!) I remind myself to let go of trying to make a good first impression, because the practice of gradually improving future impressions is more effective for genuine growth (personal and professional) instead of stressing out about the first impression. Joyful long-term growth requires an experimentation mindset, rather than trying to be perfect.

Improve Skills Through Practice

The more you hone your professional skills, the more authentically confident you are. 

To get better, you need to consistently practice. For example, creating content daily, and promoting your products/services weekly or monthly. These are excellent activities to practice in order to generate a stable and growing income.

The problem with most people is the inconsistency. If you can overcome that issue, you’ll be far ahead of most aspiring businesses. It’s often due to an inability to set and follow a schedule. Read more: Repair your relationship to your productivity tools. 

With consistency, you grow much more quickly than if you only did things occasionally, or if you only wait for inspiration to strike.

The more consistent, thoughtful practice you put in, the more skillful you become.

What skills should we practice to grow an authentic business? Read more: The 7 Disciplines of Authentic Business.

Notice the Value You’re Creating

This is another important element for authentic confidence -- observing how you’re actually adding value.

Value can be measured by one’s own standard: creating something you’re proud of.

Or,...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com]]>https://georgekao.substack.com/p/money-follows-confidenceee27f627-1b04-4826-864b-8f105da8e261Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:39:00 GMTGeorge KaoNo514If you think social media marketing / content / promotion isn't meant for you because of your personality or type of content you create, listen to this episode to get a reality check...

**

0:00 Introverted or intense individuals can feel alienated by social media, believing it's not their natural strength.

01:19 Social media is varied; it's not one-size-fits-all. Different types of content resonate with different social circles.

02:14 Being "everyone's cup of tea" is not the goal; in fact, it's a failure in marketing. You want to resonate deeply with a specific audience.

03:26 Even introverted or niche interests have their own significant following online, demonstrated by movements like ASMR or the introverted movement.

05:15 With billions of internet users, even a niche interest could have thousands or millions of passionate followers.

07:34 You could have at least 5,000 to 50,000 passionate fans out there based on conservative estimates.

08:02 Many haven't found their audience yet due to lack of effective and consistent marketing efforts.

09:23 It's crucial to show up consistently, using strategies like social media ads or SEO, to reach your true fans.

10:05 Not showing up means depriving potential fans of the unique value you can offer, making their life experiences less rich.

00:43 Aim for an energetic performance that resonates with your soul mate audience or Kindred Spirits.

01:09 Instead of just listing credentials, consider creating an experience for the audience by sharing your journey or emotional insights.

01:51 Concepts like "joyful productivity" and "authentic marketing" can be presented as a way of "transmitting our energy into the world."

02:33 Use opportunities like Q&A sessions to practice introductions that encapsulate your energy and essence.

02:48 It's fine if the introduction varies each time; the key is to make it an authentic expression of who you are.

**

0:00 A successful solopreneur requires a stable schedule for consistency and growth.

00:38 While spiritual guidance is beneficial, it often lacks understanding of practical life demands like paying rent or taxes.

01:18 Higher guidance is good for virtues like forgiveness and compassion but may not fully comprehend the pressures of human life.

02:25 Subtle and higher levels of guidance are usually the quietest because they respect our free will.

03:18 Higher guidance may encourage actions like spending time in nature, but may not understand the need for a stable work schedule.

04:23 Assess the life you've created to gauge the effectiveness of the guidance you've been following.

05:17 Wisdom can also come through interactions with other humans, not just inner or higher guidance.

06:12 Excellence in your craft and business requires a stable schedule for continuous practice and improvement.

06:56 Generating flow is a skill that helps you overcome resistance and creates a life you love.

07:37 Maintaining boundaries in your personal life is essential for crafting a stable schedule and fulfilling work life.

**

* 0:00 A seven-figure marketer's bankruptcy serves as a cautionary tale about relying solely on ads for business growth.

* 01:06 Ads should be part of your business strategy even if you're just starting out; you don't need to spend much initially.

* 01:33 The primary purpose of ads should be to nurture a warm audience, not just to promote services or products.

* 02:26 Serving your audience with valuable, non-selling content can be more fulfilling and leads to a more sustainable business.

* 03:08 The key to a successful and fulfilling business is building a true fan base that cares about not just what you offer but who you are.

* 04:02 Aggressive marketing strategies, such as bombarding your audience with offers, are not as effective as a more gentle, authentic approach.

* 05:28 Gentle announcements give your audience the free will to lean in, fostering trust and making marketing easier over time.

* 06:54 Balancing visibility and authenticity is important; it's okay if not everyone sees your launches.

* 07:09 Overall, think of marketing as a way to serve and bless people, making occasional gentle announcements about your offerings.

More followers/fans lead to more clients, more fulfillment, more freedom.

This is like saying more money equals more happiness.

These are seductive ideas. They contain a grain of truth, but they also come with an unexpected price...

Maybe we consider ourself to be a multipotentialite, integrating various modalities and fields into our work. Or we otherwise don’t like to limit our identity.

Here's my advice:

Don't niche yourself.

DO niche your offers.

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/VHIGW6Dhy2c

Yet, when it comes to the timeline of when those dreams are met -- hold to them loosely. Be unattached to the results of each day, each week, each month.

Instead, "attach" yourself (care much more) about the schedule you planned for today...

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/xsbHvIrK6no

https://www.georgekao.com/interview

I’ve been interviewed on more than 100 creator channels, podcasts, and summits.

I’ve also played the other role – I’ve interviewed more than 100 people on various webinars, videos, and podcast episodes.

If I can be honest here – rarely am I impressed with how my host did… or if I’m the host, how my guests did. It often feels like an opportunity wasted for both sides...

Yet – when it’s done well, it’s a simple and proven way to grow your audience – interview interesting people, and be interviewed by others… 

When you interview someone for your video channel, social media page, or podcast – and you do a good job as a host – your guest is naturally excited to share the recording, thereby growing your audience with people interested in your topic. This is a great way to connect with new potential clients. 

Vice versa – when you’re being interviewed, and you do a great job as a guest, your host naturally is excited to share your interview even further!

However:

• Hosts mostly don’t know how to prepare their guests, nor how to draw out the most interesting sharing from the guest. They also mostly fail at follow-up with the guests, to make the episode sharing easier, and to create ongoing collaboration as appropriate.

• Guests don’t know how to use the opportunity of an interview. They answer questions too literally. They explain themselves too much, rather than connect deeply with audience's yearnings and the hosts' curiosity. The guests then don’t follow-up with the host regarding additional opportunities to connect and collaborate.

These are all lost opportunities, and I’m on a mission to change that.

I would love to see you become both an excellent interviewer and interviewee. 

This will help you to:

• Explore and practice communicating your message with deeper impact.
• Enjoy your “marketing” efforts – because you are connecting from the heart with others whose message you’re genuinely curious about.
• Grow your audience (thanks to the added promotion of your host or guest) with new people who are more likely to be engaged and aligned with your work.
• Create friendships with new collaborators who can become client referral sources for you!

If this sounds great to you, join me for a 3-week experience:

• Learn how to be a great host, with a step-by-step plan for reaching out to interesting guests, helping them prepare, bringing out their best, and hosting an excellent interview that they’ll want to share for months to come.

• Learn how to be one of the best guests that hosts have had the pleasure to interview. You’ll get a method for reaching out to interesting channels & podcasts that are more likely to say Yes. You will also learn how to present well in your interviews so the host is genuinely excited to share your episode widely.

• Connect with a group of kindred spirits in our course community with whom you can practice as you develop the skills to become a great host or guest! There will be a step-by-step process to find and match up with like-minded practice partners in this course.

See course details and enroll here:

https://www.georgekao.com/interview

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/SLvx3z8h12Y

Are they trying to tempt you with big incomes and large followings? "Make 7 figures!” "Get one hundred thousand followers!”

By selling wealth and fame, they are leading some people towards anxiety and depression.

A business built on extrinsic (or external) motivations will eventually foster unhappiness.

On the other hand, an authentic business – based on intrinsic motivations – tends to create true success...

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/nVmR5qs2sl0

https://youtu.be/nWlgY3U_ZVM

Got human accountability?  Simplest is to use Focusmate.  Join my focusmate group here: https://www.focusmate.com/signup/georgekaocommunity

Got a clear workflow process? Write it down.  “Hat manual”.

This segment is a sample from the Authentic Business Course:

http://smpl.ro/BizInsights

I invested in lots of business programs that sold me on that dream.

Eventually I learned about the true purpose of work...

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/0TYAJFTaxa4

This segment is a sample from the Authentic Business Course:

http://smpl.ro/BizInsights

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/mU9FFtvV80c

http://smpl.ro/BizInsights

For us solopreneurs, it's about credibility anyway, not as much about niching...

Comment on this episode:

https://youtu.be/SLOr7M4GMTk

This segment is a sample from the Authentic Business Course:

http://smpl.ro/BizInsights

* Post without checking for engagement (until your regular data gathering)

* Show up and create as a discipline, not relying on inspiration only.

* You are practicing your internal locus of motivation, the source of your authentic power and voice.

Watch the video / add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/Rr_W44dqmqQ

…is the sort of marketing message we might receive from a conventional marketer.

It seems to me that they haven’t taken the care to consider how the audience feels. They're doing it because it "works" to get those few openings filled.

When they offer only 2 spots left, and yet the campaign is being sent to thousands of people, what are the rest of those people supposed to do?

They’re supposed to feel left out.

In this episode I discuss marketing with FOMO (fear-of-missing-out) and a healthier alternative...

Watch the video / add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/o83bKOhfwIE

Jeffrey Scott's website:

https://www.joyomancy.com

The Technomancy Workshop:

https://www.joyomancy.com/book-technomancy-workshop.html

Yet, when it comes to the timeline of when those dreams are met -- hold to them loosely. Be unattached to the results of each day, each week, each month.

Instead, attach yourself, care much more, about the schedule you planned for today...

Watch the video / add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/WJnZBuaUuDU

Watch the video / add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/sA2ez5B4-6I

“It might work to convert 10% of the audience… but does it build trust with the other 90%... or would it feel salesy to them?”

Watch the video / add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/d3sWWBxRrvk

In other words...

Do what you love?

Or...

Offer what they want?

Try to integrate these two...

Watch the video / add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/w1JmTkTz4-U

“What Do You Do?” –

Integrate Your Deep & Diverse Work

Into a Coherent Intro & About Page

(3-Week Transformational Experience For Soulful Service Providers)

Have you found it challenging to communicate the depth and complexity of your work to others?

Multi-passionate solopreneurs often struggle with conveying the essence of their offerings in a way that resonates with potential clients and collaborators.

Let’s do this important work – together in community – for each of our businesses.

This 3-week experience is tailored for solopreneurs who have diverse passions and tools. We will clarify, and then practice, how to describe our work.

Throughout this course, you will create (or update), with the support of a community of fellow service providers, the following assets:

1. A captivating Bio that can be used on your website and social media profiles, as well as a modified version for introducing yourself in a group.

2. A new (or improved) About Page about you and your work – one of the key pages for your website.

3. A clear and resonant Professional Title that you can proudly use in various places: LinkedIn Headline, your Zoom name, and many other places where you’re introduced.

4. An authentic and simple Homepage Video where you introduce your work for 1 minute and invite the visitor to explore your website.

5. A simple Media Kit webpage you can send to people interested in interviewing you on their podcast or video channel.

If it sounds exciting to you to create these things – with my facilitation – in a supportive community of kindred spirits, then I hope you’ll join us for this 3-week experience!

See the dates + the price at the enrollment page here: 

Details & Enrollment

Ask any questions here.

Well, here's my version of it... a venn diagram for Authentic Business.

Let me know if it helps! If so, add it to your toolbox 😊

Watch the video / add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/J27KPHFHrgU

It’s no wonder that so many people are blocked from their authentic creativity. I also believe this is why so many of us are not consistent in creating content, due to this deep philosophical limitation.

Years ago I encountered this quote, which had a life-shifting impact for me:

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Over the years, I’ve practiced not worrying about making a good first impression...

Watch the video / add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/rpcVO8Nszyw

They trust the marketers and ignore their own values and heart.

This kind of disconnection is not necessary (and actually harmful) if you want a successful, authentic business. In this video I discuss how genuinely caring for your people can be the core of your "marketing strategy".

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/WpzesUSlA3g

It’s an alternative to sales funnels (which often feel unethical to me).

This concentric circles model is meant for those who earn a living as solopreneurs (simpler business with less overhead) by sharing their life’s experiences via coaching, mentoring, facilitation, or healing.

See the diagram and written explanation here:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/businessmodel

“Go where you’re respected.”

— eco-entrepreneur Paul Hawken

These 4 words have guided my career.

It applies to marketing too — aim to sell only to prospective clients who are already eager to work with you. By doing so, there will be no feeling of “selling.” There’s only connecting from the heart, helping them genuinely, and answering their questions.

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/xU5dAQRLJII

By exploring and empowering your authentic expression, you'll strengthen your unique energy signature, which will naturally attract your true fans. These fans will not only support your products and services but will also share your message with like-minded individuals, helping your audience grow organically.

I hope this perspective shift inspires you to approach marketing with more heart and authenticity. By focusing on building genuine connections with your true fans, you'll create a more fulfilling and successful business.

Watch the video and comment here:

https://youtu.be/FlQf6bGLMZ4

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/Fvk-Z0sH6gw

For more, check out Alex's website -- https://www.alexkingharris.com

Alex King-Harris, known in the music world as Rara Avis (which is latin for Rare Bird), is a celebrated producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist with a 25-year career focused on music for yoga, embodiment, and the healing arts. He is a recognized pioneer in his field and has gained worldwide recognition for his musical offerings that blend live elements with eclectic, trance-inducing soundscapes. Alex's love for teaching vocal freedom and sound healing vocal journeys is evident through his workshops and ritual concert series. Additionally, he is the CEO and Co-Founder of YogiTunes, a worldwide streaming music platform for yoga and wellness.

Comment on this episode here:

https://youtu.be/YTIYVqmre-Y

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/tyDlhukEVjw

2. What about for you and me ... should we learn how to use AI?

No (we can't anyway)... and yes, it's urgent.

Related blog post here: https://www.georgekao.com/blog/pauseai

Discuss this episode here:

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/744206333746662

In this interview, we discuss…

* Why you don't need to chase the algorithm around to have a successful online business.

* Why you should lead with your most unpopular belief.

* How to write copy in an effortless way that connects deeply with the people who would most resonate with your work.

Rebecca is in the process of building her Content Cultivation Community where you can get ongoing access to her expertise as well as group accountability to have a consistent and effective online presence even if you hate social media or feel strapped for time. Join her email list to be the first to know when it drops at https://rebeccavandamm.com/email

In the meantime, if you'd like to get a taste of her work, you can join her every first Friday for her free monthly gathering, Content Strategy Cafe. Check it out at https://rebeccavandamm.com/offerings

https://youtu.be/t66lsIyrjhA

A typical funnel works like this:

1. You see an Ad (for example on Facebook or Instagram), or receive an email, and it’s about a wonderful “free” thing… free video series, email course, or an intriguing quiz.
2. You can only get that “free” thing by giving them your email address. This is known as “the opt-in.”
3. You’ll get a series of emails giving you “value” in the form of free advice or teachings, but what you don’t realize is that it’s all designed to “indoctrinate” you. They want you to buy a specific thing they’re going to sell you soon.
4. You then get an email that brings you to a sales webpage (usually quite long!) or sometimes you’re invited to a “free” webinar that tries to sell you on the thing they were intending for you to buy, from the very beginning. The original intention was hidden from you until now.
5. You then get cleverly-written email reminders until you buy. It might include scarcity tactics (“Buy in the next 2 hours to get this amazing bonus!”)

The idea of a “funnel” is to squeeze or manipulate people through a cleverly designed persuasion process.

There are many variations of this. You might see an innocent “5 day challenge” to change your life, which then puts you into a Facebook group that is designed to build excitement for you to buy their program.

Or it might be a long webinar that is cleverly-designed to hook you into buying. Sometimes the webinar appears to be just in time for you! What they don’t reveal is that the webinar is auto-playing (they should just call it a video!) and they only make it appear as if it is an event.

I purposely don't use sales funnels in my business. In this episode I discuss this, and also offer what I consider to be a better alternative...

Comment here:

https://youtube.com/live/k6RvWJZ3roo

Do you think it will benefit your authentic creating?

Choose one of the places below to add your comments...

on Youtube: https://youtu.be/p-V8nqxSL5s

on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/575820811178908

In celebration of his upcoming course:

https://georgekao--marketingforhippies.thrivecart.com/pov-marketing-lab/

Follow Tad's content:

https://www.youtube.com/@marketingforhippies

https://www.instagram.com/marketingforhippies/

To comment on this video:

https://youtu.be/g5hPU0rbRcA

How do I make great content?

By making more content, and observing what spreads.

How do I improve my skills?

By working with more clients, and noticing who grows the most.

True learning comes from action — we build muscles by doing things, not just reading about them.

It takes *quantity* of action to develop quality of results...

Comment here:

https://youtube.com/live/juTyVlL1plU

Website -- https://sonjathegrey.com

IG -- https://www.instagram.com/sonjathegrey/

FB -- https://www.facebook.com/sonjathegrey

Youtube -- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUBQb8E3JqTUBzPvdhQTOGQ

Sonja is part of my group coaching program: https://www.georgekao.com/group

Comment on this episode:

https://youtu.be/YoMLBsAVxbg

Be impressive instantly.

Be consistently authentic.

You can get clients through both methods, but only one method unleashes your full potential...

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/q7gTBV53XTE

https://www.wisdomheart.com

https://www.facebook.com/wisdomheart

https://www.instagram.com/wisdom.heart

https://www.youtube.com/@WisdomHeartTV

Eric is part of my group coaching program: https://www.georgekao.com/group

Comment on this episode:

https://youtu.be/IlBtz9rrzDM

I invested in lots of business programs that sold me on that dream.

Eventually I learned about the true purpose of work...

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/fBbmVDZ5ihQ

Document your own creation journey...

May this episode inspired you to go for it 🙌🏾

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/Ks5DO9dFuKQ

The best investment for most of us is – and has always been – in improving our own monetizable skills.

You will never have to worry about ups and downs. It’s always valuable.

It has always been the highest sustainable return on investment -- in money and in your personal growth. Win-win.

Discuss:

https://youtu.be/lRSwfPSpn6w

https://www.facebook.com/MiraRaoCoaching

https://www.instagram.com/miraraocoach/

https://www.youtube.com/@mirarao5864

Mira is part of my group coaching program: https://www.georgekao.com/group

Comment on this episode:

https://youtu.be/iSbET0We3I4

I’ve written and spoken for years about how beneficial it is to be creating content consistently.

Now, some of you are feeling guilty if you aren’t being consistent with it.

You might even be letting it stop you from doing gentle launches on a consistent basis...

Discuss here:

https://youtu.be/BeTVIPw7CpM

Links to Gregory's content:

Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/gregoryvahaniancoaching/

Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/gregoryvahanian/

Gregory is part of my group coaching program: https://www.georgekao.com/group

Comment on this episode:

https://youtu.be/6nwQBU71n8o

When you’re in the energy of trying to “get” someone to believe you and to buy your thing, it becomes too easy to say whatever you think the other person wants to hear. You lose your grounding and integrity.

Instead, what if you sell only to people who will quickly understand the value of what you’re selling?

Discuss:

https://youtu.be/9tQ3CusWAyE

https://www.georgekao.com/outreach

To ask any questions, comment here:

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/1604533226641719

“Well, I want a business beyond my wildest dreams. Doesn’t everyone?!”

In her voice, there’s a slight tinge of desperation. An unspoken, “I refuse to be happy until I arrive.”

When I started my business in 2009, I was like this, too. Easily influenced by my business mentors at the time, I became uber-focused on external success. Becoming a millionaire, building a guru online presence, etc.

Eventually, I burned out. I came to realize that prioritizing the externals often erodes the internals, and lends itself to stress, constant grasping, lack of fulfillment, etc. A breathless chasing after external validation.

Today, I wish to be average in external metrics, yet lead from the inner qualities.

In an industry of business coaches and marketing experts who all clamor for seven-figure incomes and million-follower fame, I focus on three different things now…

Discuss here:

https://youtu.be/EM5s20UUBGI

Discuss here:

https://youtu.be/xk7sAsmUE3I

I’m happy to share these values publicly, with the hope that it inspires growth for all business owners.

As you listen to each point, take a moment to reflect on how it aligns with your own values. I’d love any comments, questions, and even suggestions.

Related blog post: https://www.georgekao.com/blog/values

My first reactions to those experiences had been discouragement and slight depression. Many times I’ve been tempted to quit.

While I was in a state of discouragement, I asked myself:

“What would I say to a client who was experiencing this… and what therefore should I do to also recover?”

The word that came to me:

BREATHE

Intentional deep breathing is always a good reminder! However, I also got curious what else BREATHE could mean. In the next few days, what formed was a simple system bouncing back from setbacks.

​It’s important to have a recovery process quickly available to you when you start to get discouraged.

The next time you encounter a discouraging mistake or failure, try the BREATHE method as described in this episode.

Discuss here:

https://youtu.be/8tdMFKytknI

For us solopreneurs, it's about credibility anyway, not as much about niching...

Discuss here:

https://youtu.be/wwliMMN1FZA

Of course, it’s fine if you’re having a very worthwhile experience, and if you are gradually paying it. My concern is when you’re paying a large sum and the coach is new to you, yet promising you the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Many of us idealistic business owners are easily taken by big promises from authoritative-looking coaches. We can end up wasting thousands… or tens of thousands of dollars.

The money you spend for business coaching should really be going towards the five areas I discuss in this episode.

**

Add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/gNd4QCnzrzg

As a healer, I wonder if selling high price packages might actually help my clients stick with my healing programs instead of being distracted by the next thing they find online.

I remember you talked about self-worth and money… but I’m not sure about the relation between money we pay and the client’s commitment.”

--reader of my blog.

This is a great question, and as you study business, you will encounter this kind of advice: charge higher rates so that your clients take the work more seriously.

I’ll turn the question around so you can see how it feels – how would you like it if you knew that I was charging you more, so that you would take my work more seriously?

Discuss here:

https://youtu.be/SLMZBrdlhb4

It's my most important course and I require all my clients to take it, so that we can be on the same page re: effective & authentic business planning 👍🏽

What does the course cover?

* In-depth training about the 111 business formula -- a unique strategy that I've been applying for years to build a thriving business. You'll learn the strategy + get my newest tracking system for helping you apply it.

* In-depth training about the 8 practices of authentic business -- how I see the whole landscape of business -- the core elements needed for entrepreneurial success.

* Additional key pieces and templates for how I recommend planning a business for the coming year.

* Q&A with me to answer your questions about all of the above.

If you're seeing this in November, you can catch the live sessions -- see the dates & times here: https://www.GeorgeKao.com/BizPlan

Either way, I hope you have a method -- or will find/create one -- of planning your 2023 business that feels inspiring and effective for you 🌅

Yours in Grateful Service,

George Kao

They trust the marketers and ignore their own values.

Not necessary for a successful, authentic business. In this episode I discuss how genuinely care for your people can be the core of your "marketing strategy".

Discuss here:

https://youtu.be/DEZK4OTkcvw

For a writeup of this lesson, visit: https://www.georgekao.com/blog/ccc

…is the sort of marketing message we might receive from a conventional marketer.

It seems to me that they haven’t taken the care to consider how the audience feels. They're doing it because it "works" to get those few openings filled.

When they offer only 2 spots left, and yet the campaign is being sent to thousands of people, what are the rest of those people supposed to do?

They’re supposed to feel left out.

In this episode I discuss marketing with FOMO (fear-of-missing-out) and a healthier alternative...

Discuss here:

https://youtu.be/3uabo3wF-Ug

Sadly, much of the persuasion psychology being used (and taught) in marketing – the stoking of fear, uncertainty, doubt (FUD) – “works” on people who have experienced traumatic backgrounds…

I’m not an expert in trauma and its healing, but some of you are. I welcome your comments below – if you want to share your insights on how marketing is being used to take advantage of people’s trauma backgrounds, to make more sales, and how we can instead do marketing with more awareness and compassion.

In this episode I'll share a core shift of perspective to help you break free of manipulative business teachers...

To comment on the episode:

https://youtu.be/eiPPg471VSQ

The Soul Gym -- www.GeorgeKao.com/SoulGym

I'm launching a coaching program & community to help coaches/mentors/healers get (and stay) consistent in creating authentic content:

The Soul Gym -- www.GeorgeKao.com/SoulGym

Join the discussion for this episode:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=763920981598888

This is certainly an example of a limiting belief 😉 and it prevents many coaches from experiencing a greater potential that they could have as coaches. If you had a larger audience (created via content sharing), you have more choice – among your fans – of which clients you’d like to take on. You could raise your rates if you wished. You could also more easily create a group coaching program if you wanted to.

Yet, content is not just for growing a business.

Content is an important exercise of personal creativity and authentic expression. Nothing else has helped me find my authentic power more than my practice of creating consistently.

Content is also a service to humanity – your content will benefit many more people compared to those who are able to give anything back to you.

In this episode I'll offer some content ideas for coaches and facilitators.

Join the discussion here:

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/2259773334181042/

Over the years, I’ve become quite sensitized to this type of marketing manipulation. By listening to this episode, you’ll also become more conscious in your marketing, and also gain more control over your purchasing choices.

I hope we can become more "childlike" in our marketing philosophy -- to be persuasive not by trying, but because we are innocently trustworthy and naturally likeable :)

Join the discussion here:

https://youtu.be/vDf89855Kl0

This was a segment from my mentorship program: www.georgekao.com/group

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/sU3fPkzSfi8

It can make us start to do things that are inauthentic. For example, using “lead magnets” to grow an email list, or making popular posts on social media that aren’t true to our business or authenticity.

What if instead we focus on serving the just right “people”, instead of always getting more “traffic”? The shift seems subtle, but it’s important: a more relational language continually trains us to focus on real human beings.

Instead of “traffic”, what does an authentic business really need? I discuss that in this episode.

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/p90Uk6G-irE

It’s no wonder that so many people are blocked from their authentic creativity. I also believe this is why so many of us are not consistent in creating content, due to this deep philosophical limitation.

Years ago I encountered this quote, which had a life-shifting impact for me:

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Over the years, I’ve practiced not worrying about making a good first impression...

Comment on the episode here:

https://youtu.be/oGZFh_AtvTo

Topics I shared:

• how I came to bring spiritual awareness to the work I do as a business and marketing coach
• what prompted the start of "Soul Gym" and how it has evolved over time
• the Spiritual Alphabet - my tools and values for wellbeing
• the evolution of the Energy Reboot practice

To watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/13ks1gen0Mo

Leah Cooper's Podcast – The Wellbeing Room

When you’re in the energy of trying to “get” someone to believe you and to buy your thing, it becomes too easy to say whatever you think the other person wants to hear. You lose your grounding and integrity.

Instead, what if you sell only to people who will quickly understand the value of what you’re selling?

Comment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMrjEKwp7VY

I took a survey of my audience of non-corporate professionals...

Here is a summary of their responses:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/linkedinforcoaches

Comment on this episode here:

https://youtu.be/__EAw35qRH0

"But based on their profile they might be interested, so I should reach out to them."

Most of the time, this feel to the recipient like spam.

In this episode I'll share 3 "warm outreach" alternatives...

Comment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gbeGlyKOAo

Yet, none of us heart-based entrepreneurs like to focus on the manipulative actions that supposedly lead to "higher" conversion rates. And thankfully, we don’t need to worry about it.

Comment here -- https://youtu.be/Uvqh3_VTaOk

My in--depth program about joyful productivity: https://www.GeorgeKao.com/TLC

Comment here: https://youtu.be/TWryykCEync

This snippet is from MasterHeart Business Mentoring: https://www.GeorgeKao.com/Group

A lot of solopreneurs get indoctrinated by marketers into believing that they need a sales/marketing “funnel”.

I don't think it's necessary, and for many of us heart-based service providers, it's not the way we want to start the relationship with our potential clients.

Comment here -- https://youtu.be/esA0IH0zIgI

Let me know if you find this short episode helpful 🙏🏼

Comment here -- https://youtu.be/TTswoxJPqCE

Marketing doesn't have to feel fake... nor be a performance to try to "attract" people.

What you're really doing -- when you take on *authentic* marketing -- is dedicating yourself to the practice of Passion + Compassion...

Comment here -- https://youtu.be/hiotuAxyKvc

They don’t understand that their marketing itself is impacting many more people, compared to the smaller numbers who sign up to work with them. Their public presence (messaging and branding) is influencing many more minds and hearts than they realize.

In other words, your marketing itself is a core part of your ministry/client work.

Comment here -- https://youtu.be/Xc8ckPBr2eI

This is a aample from this course -- https://www.georgekao.com/tlc

Mentioned in this episode:

TLC Reboot July 2022

My favorite coaching program to run is restarting next week -- The Joyful Productivity Program. The skills are so foundational to business success and well-being that I recommend it as the FIRST program to take for all my clients. I myself review the skills every year and find benefit each time. Check out the details: https://georgekao.captivate.fm/tlc

TLC

https://www.GeorgeKao.com/SoulGym

The best of my videos: https://geni.us/GKBestVids

My instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geokao

Watch this video and comment here -- https://youtu.be/g8ULevnGUc0

The best investment for most of us is – and has always been – in improving our own monetizable skills.

You will never have to worry about ups and downs. It’s always valuable. It’s the highest sustainable return on investment in money and in your personal growth. Win-win.

The old post I mentioned re: why I don't like the movement to invest in crypto:

https://geni.us/WhyNoCrypto

Comment on this episode here: https://youtu.be/ubFEfCaJEFs

I suggest that you must take the next steps and look at your limiting *structures* so that you can create empowering environments for your action...

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/JGbFVBKjBf8

Comment here: https://youtu.be/AZchuttsra4

This is a segment from the TLC program.

“Go where you’re respected.”

— eco-entrepreneur Paul Hawken

These 4 words have guided my career.

It applies to marketing too — aim to sell only to prospective clients who are already eager to work with you. By doing so, there will be no feeling of “selling.” There’s only connecting from the heart, helping them genuinely, and answering their questions.

**

Watch the video or comment on this episode here:

https://youtu.be/cdMy7lBVLaM

Be impressive instantly.

Be consistently authentic.

You can get clients through both methods, but only one method unleashes your full potential.

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/SPQnw1ZHAW8

What if you could reframe the "work" (and sometimes, the "struggle") of building your business, so that you take the truly productive actions — yet find it deeply fun?

And what if that is part of life’s purpose: to sense into the deeper joy that is actually present in all productive and helpful activities, that at the surface level don’t seem “fun”?

Let's discuss in this episode.

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/uHNn2_tGGDI

But if you're doing that, won't you look like a novice? Will your audience trust you enough to hire you for your services? In this episode I discuss ways of "documenting" that still builds trust with your audience...

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/UHCzpG4RZBs

This is a segment from my Monthly Q&A call. You get access to 2 months of these live calls when you sign up for any of my courses: https://www.georgekao.com/workshops

Once I started practicing what I shared with you in today's episode, my days become much more joyful (and productive!)

This is a sample lesson from the TLC (Joyful Productivity) program... a 6-month group coaching program that is my favorite one to run. It starts again next week: https://www.GeorgeKao.com/TLC

To reach more people and make a deeper impact with your message, and ultimately grow your business, work on getting better at the 7 factors discussed in this episode.

Look at it as an audit of your content marketing process, and make time to gradually improve in each of these areas...

www.GeorgeKao.com/Blog/7Content

https://youtu.be/HdYNWvxYS2Q

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/GKgKAMSOkMQ

This is a segment from my Monthly Q&A call. You get access to 2 months of these live calls when you sign up for any of my courses: https://www.georgekao.com/workshops

I've been asked this question for years. People hear from business experts that building an email list is the most important thing to do in marketing.

It's a myopic focus. If you talk more deeply with marketing experts, I think they'll agree.

None of us need an "email list". What we actually want is an audience who cares about what we offer.

It is essential for authentic marketing to switch our mindset from "building an email list" to growing an engaged audience. Without this mindset shift, even the resulting email list will be ineffective.

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/k1K4EDuuIwo

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/aMJ6U5ymd20

In either case, remember this:

The purpose of authentic video (compared to writing) is to convey an authentic presence, to demonstrate your care for the topic and your audience.

If you want accuracy of information delivery, do it in writing instead.

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/atRLF0LJi_o

The ideas are borrowed in part from "Leadsology: The Science of Being in Demand" a book by Tom Poland.

This is probably going to be required viewing for my clients so we can work on improving their offers!

Check out Tad Hargrave's content and offers here:

https://marketingforhippies.com

Tad's youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/tadhargrave

Tad's social media:

https://www.instagram.com/marketingforhippies/

https://www.facebook.com/hippymarketer

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/ZzH4A3Ja-5Q

When we create something, we're hugely biased toward it.

We took a long journey to get there, to make that vision a reality.

Yet we’re surprised when the thing doesn't sell well. Others just “don’t get it!”, we think.

Here’s what happened – your experience of the "aha!" moments, during the long journey of creating, all happened within your own experience… nobody saw it. Therefore, you’re the only one who finds the end result, the “pay off”, super valuable.

If only you can find a way to bring your audience along on the journey of discovery and creation, then they might share moments of realization with you. The resulting creation will be deeply valuable to them, because they feel they also had some part to play.

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/agkKrQxIWr8

They're always getting ready to get out there...

One more training.

One more month of working on their website.

This is a dangerous pattern...

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/D97HVXGz_bA

For a lucky few, that *non-strategy* might work.

For the rest of us? We have to learn how to do good marketing…

In this episode I talk about how to post about your business on social media, and not sound salesy...

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/eKpzgyCLGY4

https://youtu.be/C1n3rbiWIa4

But it's often a terrible way to do it, because you’ll end up with an unresponsive list of subscribers, after spending incredible amounts of effort and time in creating the telesummit...

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/g2k2eyfb6OQ

You’re waiting until you’re “ready” before you take the next leap.

A dear client asked me about the “thin line between readiness and procrastination.”

Based on my experience personally coaching hundreds of business owners, I can almost certainly tell you this: ​

You are being fooled by your own brilliant mind. Your feeling of “lack of readiness” is actually procrastination.

I never feel “ready” --

When I started writing this article, I was scared that I wouldn’t have enough to say.

When making my videos, by the time I click “record” I feel like I could’ve spent another hour (at least) thinking about the topic.

When I launch a course, I never quite feel ready… but I remind myself that whatever I already know will be at least somewhat helpful to the students. We are usually much harsher on ourselves than our students / clients are.

The founder of Linkedin, Reid Hoffman, famously said this:

If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late.

This article explains his thoughts:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/arent-any-typos-essay-we-launched-too-late-reid-hoffman/

I feel embarrassed often... because I create often.

Every book that I publish, I feel at least slightly embarrassed by… but the reality is that if I waited until a book was “ready” I might never publish. Thankfully I do publish, because book after book, each one is getting better. I can always re-publish and re-launch a 2nd edition later… and I will!

Every course that I teach, I’m embarrassed by, but I also get feedback that year after year, each version gets better.

The creative process, the reality of building an authentic business, requires this continual practice:

Transforming Fear into Love.

We are being called to recognize when we are feeling afraid in the creative process, and instead, reinterpret that emotion. Turn “fear” or “lack of readiness” into one or more of these…

Excitement

Passion

Service

Curious self-exploration

Adventure

Transform Hesitation into Action.

If I am creating something, and I feel hesitation, I now interpret it as a signal to take action, to just do. To take the next step. To write the next sentence. To click “record” on the video. To press “publish”.

It is a daily creative practice: transmuting fearful hesitation into loving action. Bit by bit, piece by piece, we are becoming more courageous, and wiser through experience.

But the doubt, the “lack of readiness” never goes away. We simply get better at recognizing it, and transmuting it into creative action.

I encourage you to start today.

Bias yourself toward action, doing what you are “afraid” of, knowing that it is actually excitement, passion, service… and just write, speak, publish, launch, etc… do the thing that puts your work into the marketplace.

Even though our lack of “readiness” in a creative project is procrastination, there is a real conversation to be had about “readiness” is in regards to the marketplace:

It’s Not About Your Readiness, but Your Audience’s…

Building an authentic business happens in stages:

1. You build (and further nurture) your ideal audience through authentic, consistent content -- for example, through articles you write or videos that you make.

2. You then notice what topics your ideal audience most resonates with, and you make more content on those topics.

3. Based on one of the resonant topics, you then create -- lightly, with as little work as...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com]]>https://georgekao.substack.com/p/are-you-feeling-not-ready-or-are-90f106ac0b2-f4c7-4a2d-bef0-0cf5a8cb1e85Thu, 19 May 2022 13:00:00 GMTGeorge KaoNo1808Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/k469ALv_6gc

This is the kind of email we might receive from a conventional marketer.

They have not taken the care to consider how this makes the audience feel. They're doing this because it "works" to get those openings filled.

When they say there are 2 spots left, and yet the campaign is being sent to thousands of people, what are the rest of the people supposed to do?

"Feel left out" is the unfortunate answer.

This is the biggest problem in marketing today -- doing things that are expedient, that "work" to achieve a short-term result for profits, without caring how the audience feels (i.e. the majority who can’t buy at the moment), and therefore how this affects the marketer's own brand (i.e. reputation and relationship with audience) in the long-term.

Sometimes, this is even consciously done by the marketer. Maybe they want the audience to feel like they must do what the marketer says ASAP, or otherwise feel left out…

I, too, have to become more aware of how my own promotions might make you feel. If it ever feels less than good, please do let me know.

Conventional marketing works to exacerbate:

* Anxiety / scarcity / limitation

* Fear of missing out / being excluded

* Guru-ship (believe their authority more than your own inner authority)

When I have only a few spots left for something, I don't email my list. I don't post it on social media. I reach out specifically to a few people that I believe would be grateful to know about those few spots. (I will ask them to kindly respond by tomorrow if they are interested, because otherwise I need to share the opportunity with others.)

If you have something that is timely, e.g. a course or workshop, or the start of a program, then let people know the start date, and if they can't do it this time, when you might be doing it again. Respect people enough to make the choice. The ones who are excited about the offer will want to do it sooner rather than later. They won't want to wait.

Recently, I decided not to post a "Last Chance" type of ad on Facebook, because I felt my audience already saw it enough. I had sent 2 emails to my list, and had already done a Facebook ad. I noticed the sales was initially good, but had trickled to a halt.

I could "squeeze" out a few more sales by doing more promotions. Or, I could prioritize the feeling of connection and friendship with my audience.

When an offer is right for the audience, the sales come in strong at the beginning, and then, kind of like cooking popcorn, the sales slow down, and then, if most of the audience has seen it enough times, one or two more might sign up.

When cooking popcorn, you need to pay attention. It's not worth popping 2 more kernels, yet burning 20 of them. Stop promoting your offer to try to get 2 more sales, at the risk of burning 20 people. Don't annoy your list by sending too many promotional emails.

This is how so many email lists become useless over time… they were not conscious of how their messages made the audience feel.

I limit promotions to 2-3 emails about any one offer -- and this is only to my promotions email list (those who specifically want to hear about my promotions.)

For example, to promote an upcoming course, 1 email is sent announcing that it is now available for registration, and the 2nd email is sent one day before the course starts.

If it is a unique or new type of course that my audience isn’t used to seeing from me, I might send a 3rd email in between the 1st and 2nd, to give them more information about it. You can see my actual promotional emails here. (As always, I continue to learn, so feel free to give me your honest feedback and...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com]]>https://georgekao.substack.com/p/fomo-fear-of-missing-out-in-marketing-e6a819442d4-c856-4ed1-a019-3135b43ab56dThu, 12 May 2022 13:00:00 GMTGeorge KaoNo1525Organic food is better for your health and the well-being of the environment, but usually costs more money.

Similarly, organic marketing is better for your brand and the well-being of your audience, but usually costs more time and effort in the beginning...

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/U9eOa0VSbeA

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/6mryAd2AUjQ

My podcast hosting service: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=georgekao

In other words, conventional marketing is deeply self-centered, which stems from either insecurity, or ego.

“If I don’t strive to get my share of attention, I won’t be able to survive or shine!”

The result is the proliferation of questionable marketing strategies and pushy sales tactics, that aim to “grab” more audience attention and action.

The real problem is that it seems to work in the short term. ​The squeaky wheel at first gets the grease... but all that squeaking eventually gets it eliminated and replaced! ​

Eventually, short-term strategies always comes back to haunt the marketers.

It’s this selfish core of “I want you to do this for me" from marketers that makes consumers distrust and dislike so much of marketing. Whether it’s the emails that clutter our inbox, or the pushy calls to action, we feel we “have” to consume marketing, in order to get to the good stuff — the content we actually signed up for.

Additionally, so many ads and commercials are annoying because they don't really speak to our true wants or needs.

The bottom line: Most marketers don’t care enough — they’re just blasting their promotions to everyone, hoping to catch a few. They aren't caring enough to slow down and really understand and target their communications thoughtfully. It feels interruptive, a necessary evil — which is why Adblockers are so popular.

Instead of “how can we get more attention”, what if we think in terms of “how can we care more?”

I believe there is a deep calling in us authentic business owners to bring more love and wisdom into business. That is truly the core focus.

By bringing more (and wiser) caring to our audience, the result tends to be more loyal attention, deeply happy customers, and greater word of mouth.

Caring more for our current readers, existing subscribers, the clients we already have, means that we will want to grow a deeper understanding of who they are and what they're going through right now. We can then create content and offerings that are more relevant to them.

Everybody wins.

Care Enough to Seek Conversation.

What are they thinking about now? How do they feel about our industry and the offerings that are available in the market? What can we do to meet them where they are, to serve them better?

Willingness to care means willingness to talk to them. To converse 1–1 with as many of our audience as possible.

Reach out privately to those who engage with our content on social media. Individually contact some of our email subscribers to get to know them better. Not just sending out surveys, but caring enough to be in 1–1 conversation with them.

In our conversations, try to uncover what it is they are struggling with at this time: what can we create that will help them, especially through our content? Find out what related products/services they’ve bought. What did they love, and what weren't they satisfied with? This helps us create (or curate) better offerings for them.

Most of us business owners are so in our own heads (and hearts), absorbed with our own experiences, in love with our own modality, focused on promoting our own ideas, that we can easily lose touch with what the audience actually wants.

We need to care more about our audience than we care about our possible embarrassment by their silence or rejection. Let’s rise up out of our cocoon and get more audience-centered.

It's so important to keep returning to these questions:

How can I care more about my audience?

How can I...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com]]>https://georgekao.substack.com/p/to-get-attention-authentically-care-44612eb10d3-af4a-4574-9d32-0079c9688721Mon, 02 May 2022 13:00:00 GMTGeorge KaoNo1239A common creative block is worrying about the sequence in which you should be creating your content.

Having written a thousand blog posts, self-published four books, created a dozen online courses, I can tell you this:

Do not be concerned about the order of your content. Just start creating.

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/qbxXr2cObEo

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/PfawawU8S7o

“What is my niche?”

“Who is my ideal client?”

“What should my offering be?”

“What’s my marketing message?”

“What’s my Calling in life?!”

These questions carry a finality that can overwhelm. It’s like once you answer it, you lose your flexibility. “The decision would affect so many little things!” you say. No wonder we procrastinate before moving on such an important question. It can keep us stuck for years.

Many years ago, a wise mentor said to me that our Calling can only be understood looking backward.

As we observe the twists and turns of our life, we can then start to connect the dots… to see the pattern of our opportunities, the people we happened to meet, our successes and “failures” and what we learned from each major experience.

We start to understand our Calling.

Yet, Life is lived forward. And it’s easy to be afraid of future future, afraid of going in the “wrong” direction. We know that planning helps prevent mistakes, but when it comes to something as complex and continually evolving as our authentic business, there are too many factors we will never fully understand, for which we cannot plan.

“We plan, and God laughs…” --Yiddish proverb.

We don’t know how we will personally evolve, nor how society’s changes may affect us. This means the wisest way to build an authentic business, and to discover our calling, is to take the stance of experimentation.

“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson

From this playful perspective, let’s reframe those big intimidating questions…

“What’s my niche?”

…can be reframed as:

“What’s the next niche I’d like to explore, through experimentation?”

Instead of the false finality of defining my niche, I always am testing new ideas… while doubling-down on recent ideas that got traction.

For example, a few years ago, I noticed that I was often answering questions for my audience and clients about Facebook Ads. So I decided to test out that niche by teaching a single 2-hour workshop on that topic. People loved it. So I repeated it for another audience. They loved it too. And now, my Facebook Marketing Course is what many people know me for. In other words, for them, this is my “niche”. (I don’t care how people define me -- as long as they find benefit from my work.)

Another example: I was interested in the topic of “healthy money” (relating to money in a wiser way) so I tried writing some articles about it. Most of my articles on that topic have received lackluster response. Therefore, it’s not a niche that I’ll be putting much effort into. If it were a hobby, I might keep writing about it — I guess that’s why I kept it up so long without much response. However, for my business, I’d rather focus on other ideas that find a better market response.

“Who’s my ideal audience?”

…can be reframed as:

“Who has recently been responding to my authentic content?”

or…

“What group of people will I try advertising my content to next?”

This is why I preach the message of Authentic Content Marketing: in your content, be yourself (without having to pretend to be like anyone else). Talk about your passions, talk about what has really helped you and others, and then observe who responds to your authenticity.

You can also experiment by running Facebook Ads to different audiences and see if they like your content.

Then, as you start offering your products and services, observe who buys. That’s the beginning of your true ideal audience. Study who your buyers...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com]]>https://georgekao.substack.com/p/get-unstuck-by-asking-smaller-questions-d365dbadf7a-6616-4902-8c6a-6e4aae9718cdThu, 21 Apr 2022 13:00:00 GMTGeorge KaoNo1573Think about your favorite band -- you'd love for them to play your favorite song again. Same thing with your content and audience -- they want you to say the same thing (that made a difference for them) again and again :)

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/beVIDFzfgcQ

It’s when you don’t believe the transaction is truly a win-win.

If you really believe in your services, and know that the person you’re talking to would find it to be a great deal at the price you’re offering, then you’re no longer afraid to sell. It becomes a worthwhile cause to let them know.

Comment on this episode under the video:

https://youtu.be/RFeYMNoSp7g

Your State is Your Top Priority.

How are you being, as you go about your tasks and your work?

Are you harried, anxious, struggling, and “just want to get it done”?

The quality of your work tends to match the quality of your being.

Plus, you have no guarantees of your work results — you can only control whether you do the work, and how you do it. Therefore, why not do your work from joy… instead of frustration, anxiety, or boredom?

Your state of being is your top priority, because the only thing you can truly control is your inner life.

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/BNoetdX3uZ4

Although everything I create is because I love it, I tend to always have that background question: ‘Will it make me money?’

I want to get to a place where I feel I can try things and fail and be totally fine with it…”

–a reader sent this to me.

Indeed, it’s a life that many of us heart-based people long for. It’s a worthy vision, and it’s absolutely possible — step by step. We can even do some of it now, without having to wait.

**

Comment on this episode under the video:

https://youtu.be/txZAi7XZnx0

Therefore, when trying to communicate knowledge, we are basically making shit up all the time.

To comment on this episode, go here:

https://youtu.be/wuIoM8vCDfU

**

This is a segment from the Create Your Framework course: https://www.GeorgeKao.com/framework

In this conversation we discuss what they believe are the core 3 marketing skills:

The importance of "hooks"

The importance of telling your origin story

The importance of content blocks for copywriting and videos

Learn more about their work at these links:

Website -- https://www.consciousmarketer.com

FB Group -- https://www.facebook.com/groups/themarketerspath

Accelerator -- https://www.consciousmarketer.com/accelerator/

Should you be concerned that it might happen? Do you need to constantly monitor and hunt down the copycats? Some people do. For me, it would be too much stress.

Instead, I recommend preventive measures.

The more places you publish the idea, the easier it will be for people to find you as the source of that idea.

In this episode I also talk about uncopyrighting all my content...

Comment on this episode here:

https://youtu.be/36AhD6fAlqA

1. "Low hanging fruit" are the people you know who already trust your expertise. Contact them first. They don't remember what you provide, and they always need a reminder.

2. At the same time, work on growing an "orchard" by planting seeds and nurturing the soil -- via authentic content, consistently.

Comment on this episode here:

https://youtu.be/ZOBsCJMJx3Y

It can help to use Focusmate as a way to get into the habit.

If you'd like to join my Focusmate group, here's the link: https://www.focusmate.com/signup/georgekaocommunity

Comment on this episode:

https://youtu.be/2fkQbtLnt2Q

Or if you're an aspiring Course Creator, and consumed with self-doubt about selling information that “wants to be free”, this episode is for you too...

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/k-Xp4QFBbng

And yet, you might have noticed that I rarely post anything about it, nor about the many important societal or political issues in the past few years.

I wish to be an example of someone who does not post social/political stuff – for all of you out there who might sometimes feel guilty about not posting about such things.

Discuss this episode here:

https://youtu.be/QffSc9tFhWw

Comment on this episode here:

https://youtu.be/rAplzAiluzs

This snippet is from a MasterHeart Group conversation: https://www.GeorgeKao.com/Group

Comment on this episode here:

https://youtu.be/5tFGXg3HIJ4

Helen is a former BCC radio broadcaster and began her online business in 2017 and in a few short years has developed quite the following. Not surprising, since she is generous with her ideas and support!

Helen Perry's links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_helen_perry_/

Podcast: https://www.helen-perry.co.uk/the-just-bloody-post-it-podcast/

Website: https://www.helen-perry.co.uk

I don’t feel that sliding scale and pay-what-you-can is supportive for most businesses, and it puts too much burden on customers.

Even if there are a few people who are doing it effectively, I think they are exceptions. Most of us would have a more sustainable business if we have simpler pricing.

Here's the diagram I showed in the video: https://www.georgekao.com/blog/businessmodel

Comment on this episode here:

https://youtu.be/IA1CzU8lSoc

If you can understand the deeper purpose authentic marketing -- you might just start to really enjoy it.

Read the blog post here: https://www.georgekao.com/blog/marketingmetaphors

Comment on this episode here:

https://youtu.be/9enRMUF0G1o

Joyful Productivity for Solopreneurs, 2nd Edition:

Gentle Practices for Consistent Creativity, Wellbeing and Deep Meaning in Work

To buy the book:

Kindle e-book: https://amzn.to/3Hg4hrz

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3JJL3MF

...or go to Amazon for your country and search for the book's title (be sure to find the 2nd edition). Thank you for your support 🙏🏼

To comment on this "episode" go to the video: https://youtu.be/s8maJGm5TIE

If you're planning to write a review (thank you!) -- and you're able to buy the book first -- it will then make yours a "verified" review, which adds more weight to the Amazon algorithm for promoting this book. Thank you for your support, however you decide to write a review, or not 😄

Also, readers of this book are welcome to sign up for the Q&A calls about this book. See the dates/times here:

https://georgekao.as.me/?appointmentType=30067369

And… you need to fill your next course, program, or get some clients soon.

So how do we get clients without resorting to conventional strategies that don’t feel right?

Here are 5 ways to consider.

Watch video or comment on this episode here:

https://youtu.be/LNdGwcmfRD8

Often, they seek it because they are actually exhausted with work, and life. “If I could only solve this problem of money, then I can really have the freedom to live life on my terms.”

That mindset provides little defense against unscrupulous people who are selling some system that will supposedly earn quick and easy money.

Watch the video or comment on this episode here:

https://youtu.be/iVUFuJyQ6xM

Persuasion strategies do work… but only for the short-term.

Do you enjoy having to convince or persuade people to buy from you?

The idea of “persuasion” sets up an arms-folded, you vs. me dynamic.

Our conscience is saying, “There’s got to be a better way.”

Here’s an alternative that I enjoy much more:

Instead of trying to sell, let’s do our best to align with our potential clients.

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/NF4Iu7X1gOs

Other words for “framework” include model, system, methodology, blueprint, map, curriculum, signature program, theory of change, and client transformational journey.

If you'd like to create a framework with the support of my online course and community, check this out: https://www.georgekao.com/framework

https://youtu.be/E99LUyHZA5U

https://youtu.be/-XP6Z2weqjM

1. Time to watch the course.

2. Equal amount of time to implement what you watched.

For each 30 minutes you watch, schedule 30 minutes as soon as possible (ideally in the same day or two) to implement the most important things you learned from what you watched.

Otherwise, you might be wasting money just buying courses left and right!

Mentioned in the video -- my Focusmate "group" so that you can get paired up with me and others in my group more often: https://www.focusmate.com/signup/georgekaocommunity

This video was part of a Q&A for my TLC coaching program: https://www.georgekao.com/tlc

It's then assumed that you should come up with that clarity before you start "putting your brand out there".

This is like having a fixed mindset in marketing & branding.

Growth Mindset for Branding

A growth mindset looks more like this:

You don't "have" a clear message.

You're always working to further clarify.

You’re dedicated to the ongoing process of clarifying.

Comment here:

https://youtu.be/If93Yi_Ltj0

Check out Jen's coaching program for women writers of all levels and genres:

https://jenniferlouden.com/write-now/

Comment on the video here:

https://youtu.be/VYQwyvjlXt8

I often feel uninspired. But I am willing to try.

It’s how I start my work most of the time. This very video was recorded in an uninspired mood:

https://youtu.be/RTKSIu3N9wI

(Add your comments there if you'd like.)

Those teachers don’t understand that their marketing itself is impacting many more people, compared to the smaller numbers who sign up to work with them. Their public presence (messaging and branding) is influencing many more minds and hearts than they realize.

In other words, your marketing itself is a core part of your ministry/client work.

To comment on this episode:

https://youtu.be/4Y7voUC63OE

Many sales trainers teach this: “Every no means you are closer to a YES!”

If you’ve actually tried this, you know that it’s brutal...

To most of us heart-based people, trying to “sell” a lot feels intimidating. We feel that it’s an inauthentic way of connecting with others.

What if there was an alternative way to think about it, that felt more aligned with the heart… and perhaps more effective in the long-term?

​

Try what I teach in this video and let me know how it goes for you:

https://youtu.be/gTZfUluecZA

Main website: https://embodimentunlimited.com

Podcast: https://embodiedfacilitator.com/the-embodiment-podcast/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfgLCTiNzVpIeL_j7Icxh8w

**

To watch the video or comment on this episode:

https://youtu.be/2F6N2UQ8yZE

Movements/causes don't work out because individuals don't have their sh*t together:

1. Their productivity systems are unformed / all over the place.

2. Even once they have their productivity systems in place, they don't practice showing up everyday with joy for their work.... In my work, I sometimes get to do what I love. The rest of the time? I love what I do.

3. Leaders often become leaders without having adequately developed their inner wisdom and impulse control, to deal gracefully with human conflict, their base desires, and leading people well.

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/LNXZanU8B0w

For most of my life I’ve been interested in what “success” means. Perhaps similar to you, I’ve read many books and attended many webinars on the subject. The past 12 years of building a business – and teaching entrepreneurship to thousands of others – have shown me that real fulfillment is based on one’s own authentic pathway to success.

To experience success, we need to continually redefine what success means to us, and to confirm that our daily actions are aligned with what we understand to be our pathway towards success.

For example, what helps you feel like you’re on the right track, when it comes to your career, finances, and life purpose?

Join me – and dozens of kindred spirits who care about succeeding with their authentic self – for a webinar experience where we will work on our own definition and pathway of success. I will, of course, share mine with you. More importantly, I’ll suggest a framework for you to craft your own.

To see the date/time of this event and to sign up to attend for free -- www.GeorgeKao.com/Success

Will there be a recording?

1. If you are able to attend live, and fill out the feedback form, you will receive the recording of BOTH sessions for free.

2. If you cannot attend live, you can later buy the recordings of both sessions for approximately $75 USD.

3. Or you can join TLC 2022 – https://www.GeorgeKao.com/TLC – the recordings are included as a bonus.

This is opposite of what many people do...

Comment about this video here:

https://youtu.be/KHUDMH2wKRQ

Since 2016 it has been his mission to help online spiritual entrepreneurs, coaches, and healers create more reach, impact, and income in their business by integrating spirituality with profitable business strategies.

He is also the host of the ‘Awaken Your Business’ Podcast and believes that you can elevate the consciousness of the planet through spiritual business success.

We discuss:

- How to build an online community that is engaging

- The difference a community can make for your business.

Here's how you can join the serving circle and start collaborating with your soul tribe. Jump into the Serving Circle FB Group using this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theservingcircle

You will then be given the welcome pack and all the links to join the collaboration zoom calls.

To comment on this episode:

https://youtu.be/gCIRnK741No

However, what if the appointment passes, and you didn't work on that project like you planned to?

The most common reactions:

1. Ignoring the fact that you didn’t work on it.

2. Self-blame for having failed to work on it.

Neither of these are healthy responses. Let's talk about each. Then I'll share my recommendations.

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/-xY2Aig4gLA

2 -- Every step has the deeper, more valuable opportunity, to practice a bit more of your Higher Self.

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/YHuyRsp4aCM

Get all the details of the program (including the list of topics I mentioned in this episode) at this website: https://www.GeorgeKao.com/TLC

https://www.georgekao.com/joyfulpro

It's free to attend live, or you can buy the recording later. Perhaps I'll see you there.

~George Kao

Mira Rao is a Resilience and Embodiment Coach who has been practicing yoga for 25 years, and teaching yoga and body-based therapy for 10. She completed studies in Linguistics and Journalism, holds an MBA and is currently completing a Masters in Counseling at Notre Dame University.

People seek her out when they’re burnt out on getting stuck in their past in therapy or whitewashing their pain with toxic positivity in coaching.

They want to BOTH release old trauma and stress patterns, learn deep and steady self compassion AND make significant changes in their life to move forward with resilience and confidence.

Mira teaches them practical ways to develop routines and rituals for embodied resilience that help them work through unresolved traumas, deal better with challenges and stress and start moving towards what they truly want in their lives.

Mira Rao Website: https://www.mirarao.com.au

You'll find her Embodied Envisioning webinar/workshop there.

Mira's social media links:

https://www.instagram.com/miraraocoaching/

https://www.facebook.com/MiraRaoCoaching/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mira-rao-resilience-and-embodiment-coach-60085515/

Make your content for just 1 person at a time.

Don’t write for “the world”.

Don’t make videos for “your audience.”

​That kind of approach can easily cause performance anxiety, which blocks you from showing up consistently.​.. 

Instead, imagine that you are talking to just 1 person… someone you feel comfortable talking to, someone who loves your ideas.

Comment on this video here:

https://youtu.be/-Hkw0EyrBGM

Comment on this video:

https://youtu.be/a17rDzmbpjs

Authenticity is to practice having no agenda, other than these purposes:

1. Genuine expression of your best self

2. Enjoyment of the process

3. Heart-based service

4. Friendship… and thus playful collaboration!

Let’s explore each idea…

Watch the video or comment here:

https://youtu.be/C6S8dK9il6w

The more challenging the project, the more tense your face and body might get. This doesn’t help you to do better work. Yet it increases stress.

Years ago I started practicing what I call “calm joyful focus”, which is to practice noticing, throughout the day, my body expression as I work, especially my face.

Instead of furrowed eyebrows and pursed lips, I consciously relax my face, and hold a soft, gentle smile.

In this video, I demonstrate:

https://youtu.be/ZurThxVCeTc

Often, they seek it because they are actually exhausted with work, and life. “If I could only solve this problem of money, then I can really have the freedom to live life on my terms.”

That mindset provides little defense against unscrupulous people who are selling some system that will supposedly earn quick and easy money.

Watch the video or add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/-6AArQ4nG4A

To comment on this and/or to read the blog post:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-i-dont-like-marketing-funnels-george-kao

**

Business Planning Live Course coming up... info here:

https://www.georgekao.com/intro

2. Your motivational methods in the moment... what works for you?

This is a Q&A segment from the TLC program: https://georgekao.com/TLC

Watch the video or leave your comments here:

https://youtu.be/7xIXjp9ywpE

**

Business Planning Live Course coming up... info here:

https://www.georgekao.com/intro

Reframe that fact as an opportunity -- you are liberated to test your content in relative obscurity!

By having a daily practice of creating and sharing ideas, even if it's as brief as a tweet, you'll reach a new level of optimism and confidence in your business.

Watch the video or leave your comments here:

https://youtu.be/ezeAy0_hrzA

**

Business Planning Live Course coming up... info here:

https://www.georgekao.com/intro

Yes, a bit of cussing is involved. I'm passionate about this stuff ;-)

Add your comments below this video:

https://youtu.be/9IT3GV6n1Qo

**

Business Planning Live Course coming up... info here:

https://www.georgekao.com/intro

From Mira Rao:

They are also paying you attention in the beginning before they pay you money

From Jason Schneider

Read an interesting article on ‘the attention economy'

So you have your market = has paid you… next ring is your potential market = they follow you… and then a wider potential market = people who could be in your audience with similar interests?

I don’t have the actual article but its an entire field with books etc.. Here's the wikipedia.

This is a Q&A segment from the CORE program: https://georgekao.com/CORE

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/iduUlPm6kJ8

**

Business Planning Live Course coming up... info here:

https://www.georgekao.com/intro

Episode notes:

• the just launch or letting it go practice
• God / x deserves 30 seconds
• mindset: "I'm wondering if this will resonate with you"
• when it doesn't work: I didn't understand my audience
• wait an hour or 24 hours after putting it out there
• there's always a pattern so track the data (to relax about the just launch practice)
• just launch is: a dance, an inquiry, turning the corner, going to the park, asking "will this work out?", living from "it's gonna be ok" 

To learn more about Katie Raver and her work, visit: https://katieraver.com

Also see this video -- "the sham of "Free Masterclasses" that are actually sales pitches, and what to do instead..."

This snippet is from a MasterHeart Group conversation: www.georgekao.com/group

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/5MgCax0s1BA

This is how people become victims of life: doing the right things only when we feel good or when conditions are perfect…

Watch the video or add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/bmeEZxhskx8

This makes it harder to stay in touch, and far less likely for them to be top of mind for me. I’m also concerned for the viability of their business, if they lose the long-term marketing benefits of using social media effectively...

Read the blog post here:

https://georgekao.medium.com/good-people-please-dont-quit-facebook-social-media-c4544da44bf8

Watch the video or add a comment to this episode here:

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/370931781485692

1. Here's my category of blog posts about it:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/category/authentic-enrollment

2. Here's my course specifically about getting more clients:

https://www.georgekao.com/authenticenrollment

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/JSjwWe5l4rw

"The Widest Net: Unlock Untapped Markets and Discover New Customers Right in Front of You"

Get the book in Kindle, Audible, or Hardcover:

https://amzn.to/2X75S1Q

Pam Slim's website:

https://pamelaslim.com

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/8SNNKO3Aq14

You don't have enough experimentations to understand that valuable intersection between your interests and your market's wants.

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/DMd59POmPZ0

Here's what I think about it.

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/iVY0D0v5CvU

Before I... [take the next real step in my business]

…I need to first do [some preparatory action that takes a lot of time]

…so that I'll feel more ready/confident to move forward.

This is a dangerous train of thought because "preparation" always sounds logical... until you wake up to the fact that you have already been preparing for months (maybe years!)… and you can be in preparation mode for the rest of your life.

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/BvaImDmyUnw

I discuss my viewpoint on this.

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/QKAeovZkGHQ

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/po6CctztWAw

75% attendance! Usually free webinars get around 25% attendance from signups.

77% of attendees filled out the feedback form to receive the free recording.

6% conversion (from total signups) to the paid version of the webinar, though I didn't know what to expect / wasn't counting on the sales.

If you're interested in buying the webinar, it's available at: https://www.GeorgeKao.com/SocialMedia

This snippet is from a MasterHeart Group conversation: www.georgekao.com/group

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/WFcRRSbiWVA

...but in the reality of entrepreneurship, it mostly doesn't work like this. Market research makes it more likely that a product/service/program will do better when it launches. Why? Because you're partnering with the market to create something they really want.

This is a Q&A segment from my course on market research: www.georgekao.com/CORE

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/Quo0mIzhlM8

Read the blog post here:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/launchingcourses

As mentioned, my blog post about business model:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/businessmodel

What the deeper meaning is, will depend on your life philosophy. There are multiple good answers.

How would you respond to this question:

“What is the higher meaning of each moment, that is more important than what’s apparent on the surface?”

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/WOJZEulrpNQ

In this interview, we discuss…

* The importance of knowing you should not wait to be confident enough to start but confidence will grow as you do it. You DO NOT need to have all figured out, that is simply impossible.

* When you create something new you will run into a lot of things that you don't know how to do yet. Learn to comfort yourself by saying: I will cross that bridge when I get there.

* Don't go at it alone. Building a business can be a lonely endeavor. Find a group of trusted colleagues on a similar journey but that also inspire you to keep going and see your biggest self and gifts when you sometimes forget.

* If you do not know exactly who you want to help or serve you won't find the answer in your head. You can do a 100 niche exercises but the only way you'll find out is by getting out there, doing it and get clarity by the doing.

* If you are thinking of building your own community: do it. Do not underestimate the power and importance for people of being brought together with other people with whom they feel safe. People want to be connected and if you have the gift of being a connector: use it. I see it over and over again, in my own community but also with other coaches for instance when they do group coaching. Create a space that allows people to show up as their authentic selves. That's worth so much!

**

If you are a coach and you want to be part of a community of coaches in which you can not only learn together and from inspiring mentors but also be real and show up authentically, check out Manon's "Simply Start" Community:

https://www.simply-start.com

If you want some 1-on-1 support to get simply started you can connect with Manon:

https://www.instagram.com/simply_start_/

**

Watch video or add comment here:

https://youtu.be/GvA_DeF4drA

There are 3 stages for every authentic business:

1. Audience

2. Offers

3. Expansion

I explain in this episode.

Watch the video or add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/va91jWmuPZA

I’ve tried Buffer and Hootsuite, and have seen them used by some clients and colleagues. I use none of them now, and caution my clients away from such tools, especially when posting to Facebook.

This episode describes why.

Watch the video or add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/qllc_WwJbhw

https://youtu.be/uzuU-GYq0IY

https://youtu.be/05uuLvAceBE

https://youtu.be/urFN0J23d_Q

Watch the video or add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/cZGfIVZgXw0

Have a consistent rhythm of reposting your popular articles, videos, or podcast episodes. Feel free to repeat the same ideas you’ve said before, whether in the same way or in a different way.

This may give you some relief that you don’t have to constantly create new content forever (although, it is good for your creativity/mental fitness to do so!) You can sometimes simply work on improving and reposting your previous stuff.

Read the blog post here:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/yourbest100

And your business? It’s exactly where it’s supposed to be.

It’s not that you love all the results.

However, anything and everything occurring in your life has a system behind it. There’s cause and effect. You experience the effects… and you have more choice in the cause than you realize.

Read the blog post here:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/systems

Let’s take a step back and consider this first: what kind of person would you rather sell to -- someone who has doubts and needs to be persuaded, or someone who is eager to see what you’re offering?

Read the blog post here:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/objections

https://youtu.be/OyNnjvkhxdE

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/1069796693226612/

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/1655769081223294/

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/334504464081894/

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/190790339657675/

Watch video or add comment here:

Tad Hargrave Niche Coaching

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/553102082738329/

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/posts/10161054882829867

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/posts/10160904656124867

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/posts/10160925964604867

Watch video or add comment here:

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/2959732394042838

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/2708424609217375

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/1483027278727954/

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/videos/1382800175435296/

Here’s the secret:

It’s mostly a vanity exercise, unless you come up with a brilliant brand name, but that can take a lot of time. You can simply let it surface organically. If you keep waiting for that perfect name before you start your marketing, you might just go out of business.

You don’t need a perfect title or short description to start getting clients...

Read the blog post here:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/yourtitle

For us self-employed people, that word can create anxiety and resistance. Being “competitive” tends to make human beings less cooperative.

Instead, I recommend using the term “niche mates” — other worthy human beings who occupy the same industry niche as us.

The world is starving for genuine, win-win collaborations.

Read the blog post here:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/nichemates

1) Joyful Productivity

2) Healthy Money Habits

3) Authentic Content

4) Paid Content Distribution

5) Collaborations

6) Audience Research

7) Rhythm of Gentle Launches

8) Mastery of Your Craft

To read more about each of these, check out this blog post:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/8practices

This blog post offer some ways to learn this valuable meta-skill:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/deliberatepractice

https://youtu.be/ivA8UnoIFBU

If instead we imagine being with a dear friend, someone we feel comfortable with, and treat our audience like that, we will shine in our genuine expression and grow an audience of true fans.

Video:

https://youtu.be/MKNwBcfrs2k

Little known fact: I often feel that way too. Much of the content & products you see from me, comes from that initial feeling, which has been transformed.

If you're asking yourself whether you're "ready", you're already aware at some level that you ARE.

Let that awareness transform your fear into love... hesitation into action.

In this video I talk about my new 6-month Coaching Program to help you create a "thoughtful life calendar" that helps you get clear about your weekly and daily priorities, especially to help you grow your business strategically.

To read the blog post, go to:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/tlc

To sign up for the program, go to:

https://www.georgekao.com/tlc

Don't be afraid of losing people.

Read the blog post here: https://www.georgekao.com/blog/nofear

1) Joyful Productivity

2) Healthy Money Habits

3) Authentic Content

4) Paid Content Distribution

5) Collaborations

6) Audience Research

7) Rhythm of Gentle Launches

8) Mastery of Your Craft

Read the blog post:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/8practices

This was formerly "the 7 disciplines of authentic business"

Read the article here:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/systemsnotgoals

More followers = More clients, more fulfillment, more freedom.

Related assumption: More Money = More Happiness.

These ideas are seductive, because they contain some truth, and they appeal to our human ego. But they come with profound burdens and drawbacks that marketers rarely talk about.

​I’ll share with you my experience of getting "more followers", and why that might not be a wise direction to aim for…

In the first 3 years of my business, I grew my Facebook Page to 3,000 fans, and my email list to more than 10,000 subscribers.

I got a taste of having lots of followers. It is not the fantasy we're usually sold. In my experience, it did not produce real engagement with my content, nor did it lead to more or better clients. It did however result in more emails to respond to, more spam, and more unpaid requests on my time.

A few years later, I rebooted my business. I removed 90% of my email list.

I started over, perhaps in a humbler way, grounding my business in a spirit of service, as true as I could connect with, trusting God more, aiming to bring Love into more of what I do.

That deeper commitment to service evolved into creating authentic content as you experience it today.

A year after I started creating authentic content consistently, I started to notice that I no longer had to reach out to get new clients. They were all coming to me now! People started to message me privately and ask about my services, thanks seeing my content consistently. From a spirit of service, I also began to experience deeper fulfillment in my work with clients.

Fewer followers also meant fewer emails, and less unpaid requests on my time... which meant more freedom.

Today, I am grateful to say that I feel a daily sense of well-being, a lot of gratitude and fulfillment in my work, whether I am writing you this blog post, or working with a client, or preparing for my next workshop.

This state of inner fulfillment is what I’ve truly wanted all my life. It is a sweeter experience than any glimpse of fame that I ever had.

By no means am I famous today. I get but a few hundred views on each video, and a few dozen likes per Facebook post… which is laughable when compared with other marketing experts.

Yet, I have a full client roster. I have enough participants for every workshop. And my content gets regular meaningful engagement from loyal readers.

Through the experiences of the past decade, I’ve learned that I don’t want to be famous.

I don’t want to get “more subscribers.” In fact, I am trying to keep my email list under 3,000, which means I occasionally unsubscribe people who haven’t opened my emails in a long time. This keeps my open rates higher (which is better for email deliverability), and it helps keep their inbox a bit cleaner.

I’m not aiming to get tons of fans on social media.

Here’s what I aim my energy towards…

* Learning to serve more deeply

* Learning to bring Love into my efforts daily

* Learning what you (my audience) need, so I can be more helpful

My hope is that I can be a different type of example than the typical business or marketing expert or mentor that you might encounter. Many of them are spreading the message that more fame is always better.

Let us notice the seduction. Then, reconnect with ourselves and shift into a deeper way of being in business, one that fulfills heart and soul, rather than appease the ego.

Not Fame.

More Love.

Greater Truth.

Deeper Service.

Persist with a playful heart :)

Read the blog post here:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/nofailure

https://youtu.be/Zhz2bGFsXQ4

Dylan Newcomb is the founder & lead trainer of UZAZU Embodied Intelligence, a embodiment-based coach for helping professionals & cultural creatives, and is an avid embodiment researcher.

Dylan trained at the Juilliard School in both dance performance and music composition, danced in the Netherlands Dans theater for 8 years, and was a multi-award-winning choreographer & composer in the Netherlands for over a decade.

Since 18 years, he has been developing and leading UZAZU Embodied Intelligence, an embodiment-based personal growth modality that empowers people to identify and shift their internal state from deregulation and stress to balance and empowerment

As a coach, Dylan Newcomb works 1-1 online with helping professionals, supporting them to move through the remaining blocks holding them back from effectively getting their purpose-driven work into the world, and with conscious entrepreneurs & cultural creatives looking to grow their impact, while also growing as a whole person.

Dylan lives with his wife Kyung-sun Baek and their 10 year old daughter Kiana in Freeport Maine, USA.

LINKS:

https://www.uzazu.org

https://www.facebook.com/UZAZU/

The self-assessment mentioned in the video:

https://www.uzazu.org/sign-up-for-the-embodied-intelligence-free-self-assessment/

1. Text-only writings, without images or links.

2. Videos.

To read the blog post:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/noimages

Enjoy :)

Comment underneath the video:

https://youtu.be/zuo_wA7Xihc

Links to connect with Natasha:

https://www.instagram.com/connectedmarketingau

https://www.facebook.com/connectedmarketingau

https://www.youtube.com/c/ConnectedMarketing

https://connectedmarketing.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/georgeKaocommunity/posts/657146221477001

The video: https://youtu.be/Mh-ZXov9eNA

Akilah's links:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/fareofthefreechild/

Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fare-of-the-free-child/id1138611256

Courses:

https://www.rfpunschool.com

To enroll in the full course and access all the links:

https://www.georgekao.com/money

It is how I get smarter in my field.

It’s how I develop the writings and videos that sometimes get shared, thereby allowing new fans and clients to find me.

More than anything else I do, creating content is how I give back.

It’s my ministry and mission.

​Your wisdom, life lessons, skills, knowledge can help to transform so many people's lives! If you’re not being consistent in creating content, what's holding you back?

Whether you want to write blog posts, make videos, record podcasts, post images, or create courses, develop an urgency for getting into -- and maintaining -- a rhythm of consistent creation.

Not only can your content alleviate confusion and suffering in the world, and plant seeds that blossom into positive change, by creating, you’ll also be growing yourself professionally.

When it comes to content, you get to quality through quantity.

Each day that I work on my business, I am also reflecting on the next piece of content I’m going to create.

It’s the foundation of my business creativity.

“But I need to figure out my niche / ideal audience first…”

Maybe you are putting the cart before the horse.

I recommend you start with saying whatever you already know that might help others. Share whatever you have a passionate opinion about.

By doing so, clarity begins to form.

Be careful about defining your niche too early. Clarity about your Calling comes from your content... not the other way around.

“But I need to first get my website or social media ready…”

This is a frequent stumbling block — the belief that somehow, you can’t get started with content because something else isn’t ready: your website, your Facebook Cover image, your “About” section, etc.

What I’ve learned from 10 years of coaching entrepreneurs: There’s always something that isn’t quite ready!

“If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late…” — Reid Hoffman, founder of Linkedin, the largest professional platform in the world.

The same goes for your online profile or website. If you’re still waiting to get your ducks in a row, and you’re not creating content, you are delaying the true growth of your online presence.

The truth is that even if a lot of people see your content, very few of them will actually visit your website, Facebook Page, or whatever. If they like your content they will want to see more of your content, not judge your website!

Develop the urgency to get into the rhythm of your content creation first, and then after that’s in place, get started creating or improving your website, social media presence, or anything else.

You are perfect enough. You know enough. You are ready.

“But what if I lose potential clients from a bad first impression?”

The only situation where you should be concerned with making bad impressions is if you were forever stuck in a small village with no internet. Obviously, that's not true.

The reality is that you have almost unlimited number of people to reach online. As of 2020 there are at least 4 billion people online. Imagine a random group of 1,000 people who are online. Let's say that only 1 person out of 1,000 would resonate with your content… that is still more than 4 million internet users who could be your fans!

If you develop your skills of content creation, your message will be shared, such that even those who may have originally dismissed you, will eventually pay attention. I’ve seen this again and again.

In fact, I feel...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georgekao.substack.com]]>https://georgekao.substack.com/p/develop-an-urgency-to-create-content-8d1153bbd3e-92c5-4724-a960-6e6cce6274b1Thu, 22 Apr 2021 13:00:00 GMTGeorge KaoNo1071The most common financial goal for solopreneurs? To make “6 figures”.

(And if they achieve that, they now have to make “7 figures” because you can never make enough, right?)

How do you relate to such goals?

Do you set ones that are effective — and mentally healthy — for you?

Read the blog post or watch the video:

https://www.georgekao.com/blog/success

Check out Gregory's content here:

https://www.facebook.com/gregoryvahaniancoaching

https://www.gregoryvahanian.com

**

Watch the video or add your comments here:

https://youtu.be/sx9AvdZv_NU

I wish for you the greatest of success, truly.

However, I also wish for you the peace of having gratitude for whatever stage you are, right now, in your business.

**

Watch the video or add your comments here:

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity/posts/506705226646365   

Watch the video or comment here:

https://www.facebook.com/georgekaocommunity/posts/850537988925815

To enroll in the full course and access all the links:

https://www.georgekao.com/authenticenrollment