How I Built It

Michelle Frechette knows a thing or two about building a community. Not only does she do it for multiple WordPress businesses, but she's cultivated quite the community on Twitter! As someone who's trying to grow my own community, I had lots of questions for Michelle and she generously answered them all. Learn all about what it takes to grow a community today. Plus in Build Something More, how to help those underrepresented in your community.Show NotesMichelle FrechetteMichelle on InstagramWorks by MichelleGiveWPMatt Medeiros Episode with MichelleBig Orange HeartUnderrepresented in TechCreator CrewSponsored by: Linode | TextExpander | The Events Calendar ★ Support this podcast ★

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In January, I rolled out the Creator Crew, a membership that allows people to support the show directly in exchange for more, ad-free content. 6 months in, how do I think it’s going? Find out about this behind-the-scenes episode. And in Build Something More, we’ll talk about exact numbers, metrics, and what I’m measuring. Show Notes:Failed Patreon ExperimentCreator CoursesBuild Someting ClubSponsored by: Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander | The Events Calendar ★ Support this podcast ★

You've heard multiple guests on this show talk about the importance of building your email list...but what do you do with that list once you have it? Well, copywriter Matt DeFeo tells us: we need to tell stories. Matt gives lots of actionable advice for how we can improve our email copy and start selling more without annoying our subscribers. Plus, in Build Something More, he tells us how he went from law enforcement to copywriting and the story is incredible.Show Notes:Matthew DefeoMatthew on FacebookMatthew on TwitterSPF and DKIM TutorialHoney CopyMiddle Finger ProjectLemlistApp SumoCopyHackersNeverSpamWritesonicContent RowImpact PlusSEO PressorSwipe-WorthyMilloJustin GoffMarketing ExamplesCreator CrewSponsored by: Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander | The Events Calendar ★ Support this podcast ★

Continuing a series on finances this year, today we tackle how to handle debt and invest in yourself and your business. Travis Hornsby took himself from being deep in debt to be able to support him and his family through his own business - and he gives us the framework so that we can do the same thing. Plus in Build Something More, we talk all about investing.Show Notes:Travis HornsbyTravis on TwitterTotal Money MakeoverStudent Loan Planner PodcastCreator CrewSponsored by: Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander | The Events Calendar ★ Support this podcast ★

Podcasting can be like your own personal stage. If you're a speaker,  you have the opportunity to create your own portfolio of work, allowing potential event organizers and audience members to see what you know and you speak. This can lead to more paid speaking gigs and a following. But that's not the only reason speakers should start a podcast.Show Notes:Should You Start A PodcastCreator CrewPodcast LiftoffSponsored by: Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander | The Events Calendar ★ Support this podcast ★

The feast and the famine are two staples in running your business, right? It's doesn't have to be! That's the message from Kelsey Kerslake, who went from $200 to $16,000 in her bank account in 3 months! Kelsey shares her story, tips, and what you need to do to grow your business and avoid that feast and famine stress.Show NotesKelsey KerslakeKelsey on InstagramKelsey on FacebookCreator CrewSponsored by: Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander | The Events Calendar ★ Support this podcast ★

A few months ago we heard from Amber Hinds about the importance of accessibility and how her WordPress plugin can help you create more accessible content. She also said that you need a human being to catch most accessibility issues - that's where Bet Hannon comes in. Bet tells us all about what to look for when auditing your website, and how to execute a sampling audit. We also talk about a TON of tools. In Build Something More, listeners get a pre-and post-show. The pre-show is all about beer. The post-show is about database queries.Show Notes: Bet HannonBet Hannon on TwitterBet Hannon on LinkedinBet Hannon BlogWordPress.tvLinkedin LearningDequeWave.WebAimAxe LighthouseMaking Your Website Accessible with Amber HindsCreator CrewSponsored by: Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander | The Events Calendar ★ Support this podcast ★

Big news in the WordPress space today: GiveWP, makers of the extremely popular WordPress donation plugin has been acquired by Liquid Web. I got to interview the founders and co-authors, Matt Cromwell and Devin Walker. We cover questions like how the acquisition came about, what this means for current customers and nonprofits, plans for the future, and even some sage advice regarding the acquisition process.GiveWPGive's AnnouncementEpisode 54: The GiveWP TeamBetter Audience Engagement for Your Content with Taylor Waldon ★ Support this podcast ★

If you've ever worked for a bigger company, you know that it's easy to get bogged down by software and other restrictions in the name of security. Heck, I was once told I couldn't work off-site because of it, and we had a VPN! Well, Jason Meller was sick of that and he suspected others were too, so he started Kolide. We talk all about what inspired him to take the leap and start a company, how he and his team built the software and the honest security manifesto! In Build Something More, we talk about cybersecurity and fear-mongering.Show Notes:Jason MellerJason Meller on TwitterKolide on TwitterHonest SecurityCompany of OneHerokuBaby Clothes BlogCreator CrewSponsored by: Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander | The Events Calendar ★ Support this podcast ★

Promoting your book can be a tough road - I know because I'm currently on it. On top of establishing trust, you need to demonstrate that you're worth investing in. Plus, unlike online courses, it can be tough to build and keep an audience if people are just buying your book off Amazon. Luckily, a podcast can help. We'll get into all of that in this episode. Plus, in Build Something More I'll tell you all about my experience with both self-publishing and going through an actual publisher.Show NotesShould You Start a Podcast?Why Course Creators Should Start a PodcastHTML and CSS: Visual QuickStart GuideSponsored by: Mindsize | Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander ★ Support this podcast ★

Pricing is one of the biggest issues that freelancers and small business owners face. The worry that pricing too high will lose sales tends to outweigh the fact that pricing too low is actually worse for your business. Well, Stephen King is here to tell us why the latter will sink you - not the former. And in Build Something More, we'll talk about how to be prepared for an economic recession - whether it's this one or the next.Show Notes:Stephen KingStephen King on TwitterStephen King on FacebookStephen King on LinkedinWhy Your Business NEEDS Financial Planning to Succeed with Kathy SvetinaProfit First BookValue Pricing by Ron BakerCreator CrewSponsored by: Mindsize | Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander ★ Support this podcast ★

Apple has officially announced Apple Podcast Subscriptions, a way for podcasters to offer paid podcasts directly through the Podcasts app. We’ll cover all the fine details (how it works, pricing, and some of the finer details) and they I’ll give my thoughts, and we’ll do some price comparisons. Show NotesThe YouTube VideoApple Press ReleaseMacstories CoverageThe Fine Print, Six ColorsThe Future of Apple Podcasts, Nathan GathrightMemberful PricingCastosApple Podcast Directory IssuesCreator Crew ★ Support this podcast ★

When just starting your business, it feels like the only financial question you're asking is, "How can I make enough money to stay afloat?" And while that is a SUPER important question, it's not the only question. In fact, today's guest, Kathy Svetina, gives us several questions we should ask ourselves to better answer the question, "How can I make enough money?" Her financial security framework is one every business owner, from freelancer to agency should think about. Plus, in Build Something More, we dive into tax planning, charts, and financial planning!Show Notes:Kathy SvetinaKathy Svetina on LinkedinJennifer Bourne EpisodeRian Kinney and TrademarksSpotlight ReportingFathomCreator CrewSponsored by: Mindsize | Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander ★ Support this podcast ★

One of the most important things a course creator needs to do to sell courses is establish trust. Indeed you've probably heard that a customer needs to know, like, and trust you. Well, there's no better way to get someone to do all three of those than by starting a podcast. We'll discuss that and other benefits to starting a podcast, whether you've already launched, or are planning to launch, a course. Plus in Build Something More, I tell you about how this podcast started, and why I pivoted. Show NotesShould You Start a Podcast?Podcast LiftoffJoin the Creator CrewSponsored by: Mindsize | Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander ★ Support this podcast ★

When you run a company focused on software for live events, you have no choice but to pivot when live events cease basically overnight. Hazel and Zach tell their fantastic story of how they were able to pivot a team of 50 people to focus their live events software on virtual events (spoiler alert: it's not easy). In Build Something More, we talk all about Liquid Web's acquisition of The Events Calendar in late 2020.Show NotesThe Events CalendarThe Events Calendar on TwitterThe Events Calendar on LinkedinThe Events Calendar on FacebookOtter.aiMucow ListCreator CrewSponsored by: Mindsize | Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander ★ Support this podcast ★

I LOVE automation, so when Mang-Git Ng reached out and wanted to talk about what he learned by launching a start-up fully focused on digitizing paper processes, I was hooked. If you've bought a house, done taxes, or any other document-heavy task, you know what a pain it can be. Mang-Git's company aims to solve that problem, and he tells us everything he's learned. In Build Something More, we answer the question, "Are big cities like San Francisco and NYC dead?"Show NotesMang-git NgMang-git on LinkedinCreator CrewSponsored by: Mindsize | Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander ★ Support this podcast ★

One thing the global pandemic taught us is we need to have a great online presence. This is especially true if you need to sell online - and let's face it, we all do now. Well Patrick Garman of Mindsize has the knowledge and experience to help anyone launch and improve their eCommerce store. And he gives us some of his best stuff in today's episode. Plus, Mindsize went through a bit of a rebrand, and we talk all about it in Build Something More.Show NotesPatrick GarmanPatrick on TwitterMindsize on TwitterLindsey Miller and Partnership ProgramsPost StatusLaravel ValetQuery MonitorCreator CrewSponsored by: Mindsize | Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander ★ Support this podcast ★

Have you ever wondered why your product or service didn't get much traction on social media even though you post all the time? According to Michelle Knight, it's all about your personal brand (or lack thereof). Maybe you've heard the term before, but what does "personal brand" really mean? Luckily, Michelle has us covered! She'll tell us all about why you need a personal brand and how to craft one. In Build Something More, we talk Star Wars in the pre-show and social media dos/don'ts, traveling, and schooling in the post-show. This has been one of my favorite conversations so far this year!Show NotesMichelle KnightMichelle on InstagramMichelle on FacebookConvertKitVidIQAnswer The PublicKeywords EverywhereGear blog PostCreator CrewSponsored by: Mindsize | Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander ★ Support this podcast ★

Starting an eCommerce just a few years ago was a hard task. You needed to set up a website, figure out how to accept payments, manage inventory, figure out shipping and fulfillment, and so much more. Thanks to Amazon and other tools, things have gotten a lot easier. Michael Begg tells us all about how using Fulfillment By Amazon and grow your business. Be sure to check out Build Something More this week - we talk negative review, review scams, and more! Show NotesMichael BeggMichael on LinkedinCreator CrewSponsored by: Mindsize | Restrict Content Pro | TextExpander ★ Support this podcast ★