Episode 4: 5 Unconventional Ways To Improve Your Marketing

Better Business Podcast by Jenny Pace. Image reads: Successful marketing is 80% energy and 20% action. Episode 4.

Struggling with your marketing mojo? Try these tips!

These days, marketing is about content and connection: sharing ideas and inspiration with people who feel the same way and like what you’re about, plus – of course – sharing those for-sale creations you’ve made. Today I want to share five unconventional marketing tips that you might not have considered before to step things up a level.

These days, marketing is about content and connection: sharing ideas and inspiration with people who feel the same way and like what you’re about, plus – of course – sharing those for-sale creations you’ve made.

So there’s a whole load of content to create, photographs to take, videos to play with, captions to write. There can be a lot to learn about making a content plan, figuring out your key messages, and figuring out hashtags and scheduling apps.

What would you say if I told you that successful marketing is about 80% mindset and energy?

Even before you start creating and taking all that action, having your head and heart lined up and your energy in a good place can make alllllll the difference.

So today I’m not sharing tips for creating killer content or hacks for hastags or Reels.

Instead, my unconventional wisdom is to upgrade your marketing energy.

How do we do that? Well, we need to tap into the power of your chakra system and combine the physical, emotional, and psychological energy you’re bringing to the table.

To transform your marketing energy, I recommend focusing on your throat chakra – that’s the area near your vocal chords, but also links to your shoulders, jaw, nose and ears.

This chakra represents (in Western modern and Jungian interpretations) our ability to express ourselves and our ability to receive (it’s where we swallow and absorb nutrients) – which are deeply related to marketing our businesses.

You throat chakra might be out of alignment, overworked or underworked. If that’s the case, you might find yourself with a lump in your throat when you think about your business or a specific project, or you might be prone to sore throats, colds and coughs. You might find that you hold a lot of tension in your jaw or your shoulders – holding things in, or tensing up against potential threats. You might even find you have more dental issues!

These are all ways your subconscious mind manifests your mental blocks in your body, and vice versa.

When you’re not blocked, you’ll find you’re able to express yourself easily, through words, actions and creativity. You’ll find yourself wanting to share your ideas and inspiration! You’ll also find it easier to receive good things, whether that’s sales, money, compliments, good feedback, good news, and good ideas.

So how can we realign your throat chakra, clear those unhelpful thoughts, and improve your marketing energy?

Here are my favourite unconventional marketing tips:

1. Pay attention to your throat chakra

Notice, right now, how you’re feeling in that area of your body. Does it feel tight, over-stretched, blocked? Or are you feeling fairly comfortable and able to receive?

You might find that certain activities have you tensing your jaw more than others – spot where you might need more support.

2. Drink hot lemon (and honey)

This home remedy for sore throats is also a great first step in caring for your throat chakra. Grab some lemons and start each day with a healing and opening drink of hot lemon juice in hot water. (I use half a lemon for an average mug.)

If you’re in need of soothing, or are struggling to receive, add a little honey. It’ll heal any raspy voices and ease those good vibes.

3. Play some chakra-healing music

Yogic traditions typically have chants to instill specific qualities in the different chakras. There are also powerful practices in using healing bowl music to do the same. When I’m feeling stuck or tense in my throat, I use healing music designed specifically for the throat chakra on the Insight Timer app. It’s easy to put on in the background while I’m working, or while I’m relaxing or falling asleep.

4. Use chakra-opening essential oils

Spearmint, chamomile, and even eucalyptus are great essential oils to use when you’re feeling stuck in your marketing. You can pop them in a diffuser with water or a base oil, use them in a spray, or use a roll-on like this one by Eve & Keel on your pulse points. I like to put it on my wrists and behind my ears. Don’t forget to breathe deeply!

5. Choose a mantra or affirmation, and say it aloud

Having a positive mantra or affirmation can help to re-program your subconscious thoughts and beliefs, and instills a new belief instead. I recommend choosing one and using it daily for a week or two. Pop it somewhere you can see it, and, crucially, say it out loud. Ultimately, you shift your throat chakra energy when you speak truth, so actually saying your affirmation to yourself will help you to practice sharing positive things and receiving positivity in return.

Try: Marketing my business is creative, fun, and offers endless opportunities for success.

You could also sing, dance, shake off your blocks, double down on your flossing habit, practice yoga, and meditate to help realign your chakras and shift your energy.

Okay, I told you this was going to be unconventional…

I hope you’ve found these unconventional marketing tips helpful!

Nothing removes the need for content creation and putting in some work to marketing your business (and you might like my 30 Email Subject Lines cheat sheet to get going with email marketing). But clearing out unconscious energy and old beliefs can really get things moving!

What do you think? Is there anything you think you might try?

Episode 2: How To Thrive In Business In 2021

I hope no-one listens to this podcast…

So you might have heard me say I hope no-one listens to this episode of the podcast. Obviously not really, please keep listening! But it’s because I hope you ARE thriving in 2021, and I hope that lockdown is ending and opening up opportunities for you.

I’m recorded this episode in early March, when we’re on the cusp of lockdown rules relaxing here in the UK. Schools are opening again, which is BIG for a lot of my clients, and non-essential shops are opening, too. Also helpful.

But – spoiler alert – I don’t have a crystal ball. So I don’t know how it’s going when you’re listening to this. By the time it goes out, things might have shifted so much that you’re just flying. In which case, I’m totally happy to have had this conversation with myself and my microphone!

That said, my intention is to share some of the ways of thinking about your business in these uncertain times so that you can survive but also go beyond that and thrive.

It’s relevant to 2021, but also business is uncertain, even when there isn’t a global pandemic, so these ideas will stay with you.

Before we do the HOW, let’s remind ourselves of the WHY

As a business coach for female founders, makers, and solopreneurs, it’s absolutely vital that I tell you: YOU DESERVE TO THRIVE.

Even in a pandemic.

Even when other people are struggling.

Even when there’s a redistribution going on.

It is NOT selfish to have a business that is running well, that is easy, that is profitable and abundant.

By working towards those things, you are putting yourself in a position where you can support others. Your financial security, your mental and physical health – they are essential to your ability to support your family and local community. They do NOT take away from anyone else’s happiness or security.

Even as things “return to normal” it’s important to remember that you’re allowed to thrive. Yes, more people have been shopping online, and that has been great for some of my clients. But that’s not guaranteed to stop. You’ve got your customers through this time, and research shows that people are loyal about things like that.

PLUS: WE NEED YOUR LIGHT

We need your creativity, your passion, your energy. There’s a reason people buy from you, and want your creations in their life. They give us joy, hope, entertainment, solutions, thoughtful gifts.

So this isn’t the time to shy away from thriving. No hustle required.

So how do we thrive?

Clarity #1: What’s your capacity?

First step, let’s be really clear on the time and energy you have available. This might be something you need to reassess weekly, for example with kids at home and when they’re back at school.

If you have school hours available, you can only plan for that. Do not expect yourself to function as if you had 60 hours a week available.

Consider how much time you need for orders and fulfilment, and allocate the rest of your time to marketing and business development. 

Your capacity may fluctuate.

Make a list of if this, then that:

  • If someone gets sick, then… I’ll turn off orders or extend lead times
  • If schools have to shut again, then… 
  • If the shop’s open, then… 
  • If weddings get the green light, then… I’ll kick into high gear for wedding marketing

So step one, be clear with yourself on your capacity.

Clarity #2: How do you light up people’s lives?

Customers love clarity. Be really clear on the value you offer and the light you bring. What do you REALLY help people with? Bit of colour? Positive messages? Entertainment? Sassy messages to send to loved ones who are still far away? Delicious treats to sneak past the kids?

DO NOT HIDE YOUR LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL. Humility has its place, but you are doing good work in the world, and we need to know about it.

Have a think about how you’d finish these sentences:

  • I help people by… 
  • My products / creations are helpful because… 
  • I love it when my business… gives people a boost
  • I made this product because… 

And start pointing this out, sharing these messages in your marketing content.

Clarity #3: What’s on offer? How do customers get it?

Customers love clarity! Sharing a product on Instagram? Where can I buy it? Is it really easy to find? Is there a link? Please can I buy it from my phone while I’m juggling my entire life?

Do you send things direct?

Can I click and collect?

Do you do gift wrap?

How long will it take?

Do not be afraid to share these HELPFUL and CLEAR pieces of information over and over again. Use clear calls to action and help people bring more joy into their lives.

Next step: Planning ahead

The world is uncertain. I love options.

If you have a physical shop, run in-person events, or have anything that will be impacted by lockdown ending, create your marketing and messaging ahead of time.

If this, then that.

Think about the conditional things that will help you to create options for yourself.

Think: If my shop is opening on 12th April, my welcome back promotion will be… (not necessarily a discount). I’ll share this email, this IG post, this FB ad a week before. I’ll share these things the day before. I’ll share these things that first week. Done, pull them out when I need them.

And: If weddings get the go ahead, I’ll share this marketing content. I’ll put this on my homepage, I’ll run this competition, I’ll share these products. And if they don’t, I’ll do this instead to help my customers.

Perhaps this is you: If I book an in-person workshop, I’ll open it to my waitlist first. Actually, I can keep building my waitlist now, so I’ll share that once a week until I have a date. Then I’ll share with my waitlist via email – here’s that drafted. And then it’ll go to social media. Then I’ll reopen the waitlist for the next event.

Meet your customers where they are

As things open up more, keep in touch with what your customers need.

There may be a pull to go back to in-person markets and workshops. This will need reassurances and clarity.

Customers may need support with kids returning to school, perhaps anxieties will be high.

Maybe we’ll need some DIY help as budgets get leaner.

Weddings are going to happen, but perhaps still limited. Does that affect your customer? How can you help?

Holidays are going to be home. How does that help?

Could you help people throw end of lockdown parties? Make up for no birthdays.

Keep your eyes open for opportunities.

Keep in touch with what serves your customers, how you can make their lives easier and better. This is what helps YOU to do the work you love, to build the success that’s meaningful for you.

Keep your profit margins healthy

In order to thrive, you need to make money. 

We’re going to talk a lot about profitability on this podcast, so without opening up a can of worms, I’ll just say, check your prices, make sure you’re not discounting because you think you have to. You offer VALUE and BRILLIANCE. Keep the faith.

For families

For those homeschooling, I have zero parenting advice, other than to say that this pandemic has been a great welcome call to make sure what you’re spending your time on is worth it. Love it. Make money from it. Thrive.

So that’s it for today’s episode! Thanks for joining me. If you have a moment, it makes a huge difference if you can follow, subscribe, and review the podcast.

Introducing The Better Business Podcast


Welcome to the Better Business Podcast

Like many of us, 2020 turned my life and my business around – some of it was good, some of it… less so. One thing that DID happen: I became obsessed with podcasts.

With a baby (and then a toddler) at home full time, podcasts gave me a way to stay connected to my purpose, my business, and the creative business community. They were a lifeline.

Knowing my clients faced similar issues – wanting to feel empowered, to strengthen their business, and yet feeling like time is scarce – I knew I wanted to create a platform we could use to connect with each other AND the ideas that will strengthen our businesses, whilst juggling busy lives as humans in business.

A place for you

The Better Business Podcast is a place for makers, creatives, solopreneurs, and female founders to discover different ways to forge your own definition of meaningful success, by balancing head and heart. I’ll be sharing ways you can get to know yourself better – so that you can be a better business owner and leader – and savvy business strategy to empower you to create a future you’re proud of.

My background is in product-based businesses, so if you’re selling your physical creations, you’re going to find plenty of tips, ideas, and strategies to strengthen and grow your business. And a lot of my strategies can be applied to all kinds of creative businesses, too. So if you’re a photographer, artist, coach, VA, or designer, you can make yourself at home here.

The Better Business Book Club

I’m also a little bit book obsessed! So I’ll be sharing the books I recommend to my clients and community members over and over again, in episodes for The Better Business Book Club. Once a month, I’ll review a book I love, and I’ll invite you to read along and share your thoughts and feedback.

You can expect weekly episodes on finding your focus, effective marketing, and how to be courageous as you forge the success you REALLY want. There will be interviews with brilliant business women, and there’ll be times I share encouragement and inspiration talking directly with you.

If you find yourself a little lost in business, perhaps stuck in procrastination and overwhelm, the Better Business Podcast is the perfect place to find some clarity, discover what’s true for you, and feel empowered to take action in the right direction.

You can find out more about me right here, and you can subscribe to this podcast now, invite your friends, and get ready to take courageous steps into the future.

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Enter The Forge

Life's too damn short to chase someone else's definition of success. I'm here to give you the courage and tools to forge your own path.