The Blogger Genius Podcast Jillian Leslie

Today I'm diving deep into one of my favorite strategies for growing your email list: leveraging the power of freebies. But before we get into that, I want to touch on a crucial aspect of your business strategy—diversifying your income streams. If you’re still relying solely on traditional methods like ads and affiliate links, you might be putting your business at risk. This is where MiloTreeCart shines, allowing you to sell unlimited memberships, digital downloads, workshops, coaching, and mini-courses swiftly and seamlessly. We’ve even upgraded to AI-driven sales pages to make the process faster than ever!

Why Email Lists are More Crucial Than Ever
In the current online landscape, where social media algorithms are a moving target, owning your blog and email list provides a stable, reliable platform for business growth. I can't stress this enough: your email list is where the money is. The larger your list, the more potential customers you have for your digital products.

Show Notes:
MiloTreeLeads Beta MiloTreeCart Book a FREE 20-minute call with me MiloTree Pop-Up App Personality Quiz: What Digital Product Should I Create? Join My Blogger Genius Email List Become a Blogger Genius Facebook Group All Blogger Genius Podcast Episodes
Subscribe to the Blogger Genius Podcast:
iTunes YouTube Spotify
The Power of Freebies
What’s the fastest way to grow this valuable list? Offer something of value for free in exchange for an email address. But it’s not enough to just offer anything; your freebie needs to be like a Hershey's Kiss—small, desirable, and immediately satisfying.

Imagine you're at a manicure salon, and right by the cash register, there's a bowl of Hershey's Kisses. You're likely to grab one and enjoy it right there, rather than saving it for later—because you can’t just put a Hershey's Kiss in your pocket; it will melt! This is the essence of a great freebie. It should be something your audience can consume instantly and leave them wanting more. It’s about immediate gratification.

The Ideal Freebie
Your freebie should be:

Immediately consumable: It should be something that can be accessed and used as soon as it’s downloaded, viewed right on the phone or computer.   Satisfying yet simple: Not a ten-page ebook, but something that provides a quick "sugar rush" of value—solve a problem, answer a question, or satiate a curiosity.   Engaging and desirable: It should make the new subscriber crave more interaction and content from you.
Types of Effective Freebies
Through numerous discussions with you, my audience, we’ve seen that the most engaging freebies aren’t necessarily the most complex. They are:

Guides and cheat sheets: Short, sweet, and to the point.   Interactive content like quizzes: Especially those that offer personal insights or fun revelations.   Done-for-you resources: Templates or printables, like those we offer on Catch My Party, provide immediate utility.
Using AI to Generate Ideas
One tool I find incredibly useful in generating freebie ideas is ChatGPT. You can prompt it to brainstorm freebie ideas that fit within specific categories, like saving time, making money, or raising social status. These are triggers that motivate people to opt into your list.

Chat GPT Prompt: "Generate a list of freebie ideas for [insert niche] that fits into one of these categories: Make somebody money. Save somebody money. Save someone time. Move someone toward happiness. Move someone away from pain. Raises their social status."

Introducing MiloTreeLeads
And speaking of making things easier, I’m thrilled to introduce MiloTreeLeads, a new addition to our product suite. This tool allows you to effortlessly create and distribute unlimited freebies. It integrates with major email service providers, simplifying how you collect and manage your leads. It’s designed to help you set up a freebie in less than five

Before I discuss the podcast, I’m thrilled to share some updates on MiloTreeCart. We’re transitioning MiloTreeCart to a more traditional subscription model. Therefore our lifetime deal of $349 is being phased out. If you are interested in paying once and owning MiloTreeCart forever and getting a bonus one-hour coaching call with me, Jillian ($300 value), don't wait! Plus, we offer a 30-day guarantee, so there's no risk.

If you want to jump on a free 20-minute exploratory call to see if MiloTreeCart is right for you, just sign up here.

Additionally, we’re introducing in the next two weeks, a new feature to help you offer unlimited freebies and collect email addresses effortlessly! Be on the lookout for my announcement.

And now onto today's, episode...


Content Strategy Will Help You Grow Online
In this episode of The Blogger Genius Podcast, I'm interviewing Amanda Natividad, the VP of Marketing at SparkToro who is also a chef. We talk about current content marketing trends and strategies to get yourself noticed in the crowded online space.

Amanda stresses the importance of creating original and valuable content, going beyond SEO-driven strategies to offer unique insights and expertise to build trust and credibility.

Amanda recommends incorporating personal elements in your content, which is why she adds her own recipes into her marketing newsletter, showcasing her unique perspective and engaging her audience on a deeper level.

Show Notes:
MiloTreeCart Book a FREE 20-minute call with me Amanda Natividad Sparktoro MiloTree Pop-Up App Personality Quiz: What Digital Product Should I Create? Join My Blogger Genius Email List Become a Blogger Genius Facebook Group All Blogger Genius Podcast Episodes
Subscribe to the Blogger Genius Podcast:
iTunes YouTube Spotify
The Shift in Content Marketing: Originality and Personality
The landscape of content marketing is evolving, with a growing emphasis on having a distinct point of view and injecting personality into content.

In a crowded digital landscape, having a unique perspective can help your content stand out, sharing your own experiences, insights, and expertise. Personal stories and anecdotes can make your content more relatable and engaging.

This also signals to Google and to your audience that there is a real person behind what you create.

Zero-Click Content: Providing Standalone Value
One of the key trends Amanda discusses is the concept of zero-click content. This involves creating content that provides standalone value on social media platforms, without necessarily driving traffic to external websites.

Focusing on creating content that offers value on its own can help you build a stronger presence on social media and engage your audience more effectively. It also makes it easier for potential fans to consume your content without having to leave platforms like Instagram or Twitter.

Amanda also highlights the trend of brands focusing on being people-led, showcasing the people behind the brand and building a more authentic and relatable image.

Dealing with Content Theft and Maintaining a Positive Mindset
Content theft is a common challenge for many marketers and bloggers. Amanda and I discuss the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on creating new and valuable content instead of dwelling on how bad it feels.

This can help you stay motivated and continue to provide value to your audience. Embracing an abundance mindset by sharing your knowledge and expertise freely can help you build a stronger connection with your audience and establish yourself as a thought leader.

Conclusion: Embracing Originality and Expertise
The conversation between Amanda and me underscores the importance of originality, personalization, and expertise in content marketing. By understanding your audience, injecting personality into your content, and embracing new trends, you can n

Today's guest on The Blogger Genius Podcast is Danielle Turner from Salt Sanity, a chef and food blogger, who has carved a niche for herself in the world of low sodium cooking.

In this episode, Danielle talks about how she wrote and sold her first successful ebook using MiloTreeCart and how she focused it on all the things she wished she knew after her husband's heart attack.

For the content of her ebook, she used past blog posts. For the marketing and sales, she used MiloTreeCart. She used the AI created sales pages, the launch calendar with daily marketing tasks, and the MiloTreeCart sales email templates to sell with ease.

As a natural over-thinker this strategy worked great for her and she was amazed at the results!

Show Notes:
MiloTreeCart Book a FREE 20-minute call with me Salt Sanity MiloTree Pop-Up App Personality Quiz: What Digital Product Should I Create? Join My Blogger Genius Email List Become a Blogger Genius Facebook Group All Blogger Genius Podcast Episodes
Subscribe to the Blogger Genius Podcast:
iTunes YouTube Spotify
Writing the Ebook You'd Like to Read
Adapting to a low sodium diet (after her husband's heart attack) was a challenge. Recognizing this gap of what she didn't know when she was researching low sodium diets, Danielle was inspired to create a digital guide to help those struggling with similar dietary changes.

Enter MiloTreeCart, the platform that became her ally in this endeavor. With MiloTreeCart, Danielle leveraged her existing blog content to craft her digital guide, simplifying the process with MiloTreeCart's pre-designed email prompts and AI generated sales pages.

Embracing Imperfection and Automation
During our conversation, Danielle admits to being an over-thinker, a trait many of us can relate to. MiloTreeCart provided her with a structured roadmap, encouraging her to take action and embrace the concept of "B-minus work." This mindset allowed her to progress and refine her work, automating tasks like email marketing to focus on what she does best—creating content that resonates with her audience.

The Food Lover's Guide to Low Sodium Living
Danielle's ebook, "The Food Lover's Guide to Low Sodium Living," is a testament to her mission to help people enjoy food while managing their health. The book, a concise yet comprehensive guide of about 58-60 pages, was crafted using a Canva template and initially promoted to her email list. Despite her hesitation to share personal stories, the positive feedback and pre-release interest were affirming.

Beyond the Book: Coaching and Diversification
As Danielle's mentor, I suggest she could expand her offerings by providing coaching calls and creating new ebooks to upsell to her customers. We also discuss the importance of diversifying income streams, especially in light of traffic fluctuations on her blog. By focusing on her engaged audience and exploring avenues like coaching and workshops, Danielle could further solidify her business.

The Takeaway: Overcoming Overthinking
Reflecting on our conversation, my biggest takeaway is the universal challenge of overthinking. Danielle's ability to move past this, to do B-minus work, and to confidently engage with her audience is a powerful transformation. It's a reminder that recognizing our value and exploring new income streams can lead to remarkable growth.

Join the MiloTree Community
If Danielle's story resonates with you and you're curious about how MiloTreeCart can help your business, I invite you to book a 20-minute call with me. Visit milotree.com, and let's discuss your business goals. Remember, we'll soon transition to a monthly subscription, so seize this opportunity!

For any questions, reach out to me at jillian@milotree.com. Share this story with a friend who might benefit, and if you could give us five stars on iTunes, it would mean the world. Join me again next week for more insights and stories from the B

Today I'm sharing a special episode that I recorded based on my conversations with you. I get on calls with bloggers and almost daily. I see where so many of you struggle.

In this episode, I'm sharing the five things I recommend you start putting into place now so that you can thrive in the ever-changing landscape of blogging and online business.

The Importance of Adaptation in Business
The business model for online entrepreneurship has undergone a significant transformation over the last six month. It's no longer just about putting content out there with the right keywords and hoping for the best when it comes to Google.

Biggest takeaway of the episode:

Today, it's about growing an engaged audience and effectively selling to them.

Show Notes:
MiloTreeCart Book a FREE 20-minute call with me Catch My Party MiloTree Pop-Up App Personality Quiz: What Digital Product Should I Create? Join My Blogger Genius Email List Become a Blogger Genius Facebook Group All Blogger Genius Podcast Episodes
Subscribe to the Blogger Genius Podcast:
iTunes YouTube Spotify
Five Key Tips for Online Business Success
With the headwinds bloggers are facing, such as the rise of AI, updates to Google's algorithm, and a decline in revenue from traditional sources like display ads and affiliate marketing things can feel daunting. But with the right approach, they can be overcome.

So here are the five things I recommend you start putting into place to find financial success as a blogger and online entrepreneur.

Define Your Niche
The first step to success is defining your niche. It's essential to narrow down your focus to communicate clearly the problem you solve. This specificity helps attract the right audience who are looking for exactly what you have to offer. Remember, when you try to appeal to everyone, you often connect with no one.

Develop a Strong Personal Brand
Your personal brand, or as I like to call it, your "vibe," is what sets you apart in a crowded market. It's about showing up as a human, connecting with your audience on a personal level, and expressing what makes you unique within your niche. Your authenticity is your greatest asset.

Diversify Your Traffic Sources
Relying solely on Google for traffic is a risky strategy. Diversifying your traffic sources can protect you against algorithm changes and other uncertainties. Platforms like Pinterest and Instagram are not just for sharing content; they're powerful tools for driving traffic and building your personal brand.

Prioritize Your Email List
Your email list is a goldmine. It's the key to developing deep relationships with your true fans and driving sales. Unlike social media followers, you own your email list, and it allows you to communicate directly with your audience without the interference of algorithms.

Choose Easy Tech Tools
In the world of online business, technology can be both a blessing and a curse. While there are countless tools out there promising to make your life easier, it's important to choose simple and effective solutions. Avoid expensive and complicated platforms that can lead to frustration and wasted resources.

Updates on MiloTree and MiloTreeCart and MiloTreeFreebies
I'm thrilled to share some updates on MiloTree and MiloTree Cart. We're transitioning MiloTree Cart to a more traditional subscription model, which will provide even more value to our users. Additionally, we're introducing MiloTreeFreebies, a new product designed to help creators like you grow your email lists efficiently.

The Journey of Online Business
I want to remind you that online business is a journey, complete with its ups and downs. It's a path of continuous learning and adaptation. I'm here to support you every step of the way, and I invite you to reach out with your feedback and questions. Together, we can navigate the ever-changing digital landscape and achieve our entrepr

What happens when your blog takes a major traffic hit after years of blogging and steady growth?

I'm Jillian Leslie, host of The Blogger Genius Podcast. I sast down with Nell Foster from Joy Us Garden to talk about this. Nell is a blogger, YouTuber, author, and gardener with over 50 years of experience with plants.

In my interview with Nell, we cover everything from how she stumbled into blogging, grew her business, grew her YouTube subscribers, and now is pivoting her business after getting impacted by Google algorithm updates and after losing 90% of her traffic.

Show Notes:
MiloTreeCart: Digital Product Sales Software Book Your FREE 20-Minute Strategy Call Joy Us Garden Blog Post Checklist FREEBIE MiloTree Pop-Up App Become a Blogger Genius Facebook Group All Blogger Genius Podcast Episodes
Subscribe to the Blogger Genius Podcast:
iTunes YouTube Spotify
The Seed of an Idea: Nell's Journey Begins
Nell's career started with selling gardening accessories. As the digital world evolved, she expanded into blogging and creating YouTube content, amassing over 135,000 YouTube subscribers.

Overcoming Digital Challenges
Nell discusses a significant setback when a Google algorithm update drastically reduced her blog's traffic. Instead of giving up, she's diversified her income by selling digital products like ebooks (which you can now write easily with ChatGPT), demonstrating the importance of adaptability in the online world.

Diversifying Income Streams
Nell has developed multiple income streams, including ad revenue, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing. She also sells digital products and focuses on business growth, ensuring her business's sustainability.

Expanding Monetization Strategies
Nell talks about her book launch for beginner gardeners and her interest in new monetization methods, such as starting a membership site and converting workshop content into ebooks she's selling with MiloTreeCart. I encouraged her to use her online presence and expertise to boost sales through her email list, YouTube channel, and blog.

Building a Community and Engagement
Nell is dedicated to growing her email list which is currently over 14,000 subscribers and engaging with her audience through weekly newsletters and social media. She emphasizes community building and drives traffic to her blog and YouTube channel with strategic content. Her team, including virtual assistants and content contributors, is essential in developing her business with new workshops and book projects.

Conclusion:
Nell's story highlights the dynamic nature of online business and the importance of being flexible and resilient. Her journey offers inspiration for anyone looking to establish or grow their digital presence. Keep an eye out for more stories and tips from online entrepreneurs on The Blogger Genius Podcast.

Other Related Blogger Genius Podcast episodes You’ll Enjoy:
2024 SEO Shifts: Strategies for Success Today with Lily Ray Master Google Updates: Essential Survival Guide for Niche Bloggers! with Steve Wiideman Boost Your Blog Pageviews with Pinterest Now with Kayla Watkins
MiloTreeCart, the Best Tool for Non-Techies to Sell Digital Products
I also want to introduce you to the MiloTreeCart, a tool designed for non-techies to sell digital products easily. It comes with features like fill-in-the-blank sales pages, check-out pages, a sales dashboard, upsells, and customer support. Mil

Today I'm diving deep into the ever-evolving landscape of SEO and content creation. I'm thrilled to share with you a treasure trove of insights from my recent conversation with SEO expert and DJ, Lily Ray.

The Quest for Diverse Income Streams
Let's first talk about diversifying your income streams. Are you still tethered to traditional monetization methods like ads and affiliate links? It's time to chart a new course with MiloTreeCart. With MiloTreeCart, you can sell unlimited memberships, digital downloads, workshops, coaching, and mini-courses in a snap. Our AI sales pages are a game-changer, and I'm here to guide you through crafting your personalized digital product strategy. Book a free 20-minute Zoom call with me at milotree.com and prepare to be amazed.

Show Notes:
MiloTreeCart: Digital Product Sales Software Book Your FREE 20-Minute Strategy Call Lily Ray Blog Post Checklist FREEBIE MiloTree Pop-Up App Join My Blogger Genius Email List Become a Blogger Genius Facebook Group All Blogger Genius Podcast Episodes
Subscribe to the Blogger Genius Podcast:
iTunes YouTube Spotify
The SEO Landscape: Decoding Google's Algorithm Updates
In this episode, we delve into the recent Google algorithm updates that have sent shockwaves through the blogging community. Lily Ray, a seasoned SEO strategist, sheds light on what Google is seeking and how to adapt to these changes. We discuss the importance of expanding your digital footprint, embracing platforms like YouTube, and creating content that resonates with your audience and Google's algorithms.

Deciphering Google's Current Mindset
Google's recent updates, particularly the Helpful Content Update. (HCU), have targeted specific types of content, emphasizing expertise, authority, and trust. Lily emphasizes the importance of understanding that these cycles of updates are not new and that recovery from such hits can take time. She encourages publishers to look beyond SEO and consider building a brand that engages with audiences across various platforms.

The Plight of Niche Bloggers
The impact of Google's updates on niche bloggers can be devastating, as seen with a Trader Joe's enthusiast who lost significant traffic overnight. Lily advises affected bloggers to diversify their content and presence, such as starting a YouTube channel, lean into food blogging, or exploring other social media platforms like Pinterest for traffic. This approach can help break free from the patterns that led to being grouped with negatively impacted sites.

Embracing AI in Content Creation
The rise of AI in content creation presents both opportunities and challenges. Lily cautions against mass auto-generating content, which goes against Google's guidelines. Instead, she suggests using AI tools judiciously to enhance the content creation process while maintaining originality and value.

Final Thoughts and Resources
As we conclude our interview, I invite you to revisit the basics with my updated blog post checklist, designed to ensure your posts are thorough and engaging. Download it at milotree.com/blogpostchecklist and continue building the blog and business of your dreams.

Join me on this adventure as we navigate the tides of SEO, learn from the experts, and embrace new strategies to thrive in the digital world. Stay tuned for more insights and inspiration on the Blogger Genius podcast.

Other Related Blogger Genius Podcast episodes You’ll Enjoy:
Master Google Updates: Essential Survival Guide for Niche Bloggers! with Steve Wiideman How to Make Money Blogging in 2024 (New Trends) with Jillian Leslie Boost Your Blog Pageviews with Pinterest Now with Kayla Watkins
MiloTreeCart, the Best Tool for Non-Techies to Sell Digital Products
I also want to introduce you to the MiloTreeCart, a tool designed for non-techies to sell digital products easily. It comes with features like fill-in-the-blank sales pages, check-out page