Step-by-Step Online Business

AI bots (and Virginia Stockwell, Business Coach & Kajabi Expert)

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Tired of podcasts that just TALK about business? The podcast "Step-by-Step Online Business" is different. Here, it’s all about action. Each episode gives you straightforward, actionable steps to build, launch, and grow your online business. If you’re ready to stop dreaming and start doing, press play!

09/16/2025

The Real Reason You’re Not Getting Clients

When someone asks what you do, and you say something like: “I empower women to build confidence,” or “I help people align with their purpose,” you may feel like you’ve explained what you do, but ... From your perspective, it makes perfect sense, but the person listening still doesn't know what they would receive from working with you. They are wondering: What do you do, exactly? Is this something that could help me? What would I even be getting if I said yes? Phrasing like "I empower..." describes a mission, not a service. It puts the burden on them to figure out what you do, and they’ll usually decide it is not something they need. You're describing a feeling. They're looking for a result. That disconnect makes it easy for them to move on without taking action. 👉People Respond to Outcomes They Can Picture When people ask what you do, or read your profile on LinkedIn, they're not there to interpret a mission statement. They're simply looking for a straightforward description of the work you do and who it's for. A better approach is to describe the kind of result your work helps someone achieve. For example, instead, “I help people step into their power”, you might say, “I help new managers lead their first team with confidence”. Instead of, “I guide clients toward transformation”, try, “I work with business owners to streamline their operations so they can focus on growth”. These versions are still professional, but also show what result or transformation your work leads to. That makes it easier for someone to understand if your services are relevant to them or to someone they know. Most importantly, it shows a before and after. It gives people something they can visualize, even if they don't need it right now. Outcome-based language also makes your message easier to repeat. Someone can tell a friend, “She helps people manage their time better so they’re not working nights and weekends.” That kind of phrasing is shareable. What to Avoid Mission-driven phrasing that doesn't reference a result. Abstract language that could apply to almost any field. Descriptions that focus entirely on feelings or internal transformation. Statements that sound inspirational but offer no practical takeaway. My favorite is "descriptions that focus entirely on feelings or internal transformation". This applies to statements like “I help people feel more empowered,” “I support personal breakthroughs,” or “I guide clients toward self-trust”. Each of the statements above describe a journey, but not what that journey involves. While emotional growth or personal development may be part of the work, a description that stops there creates too much distance between the reader and the result. The person on the other end doesn't know what to expect, how it applies to them, or what would change in their life. Emotional language without context makes it difficult for someone to connect the dots between your work and their needs. What to Aim For Phrases that show who the work is for and descriptions that help someone picture (physically picture) what they might gain. ✨✨If someone could take a photo of the result, what would be in that frame? Would it show someone leading a team meeting with confidence? Wrapping up their workday before dinner? Launching a new service? Sending out their first client proposal? If your current description reads like a vision statement, consider adjusting it to show what your work makes possible. The goal isn't to reduce the meaning of your work. It is to make it easier for someone else to understand. Free Resource: Idea to Offer Formula

8 min
09/09/2025

Employee to Consultant: A 7-Step Transition Guide

Making the shift from corporate to consultant can create more flexibility, ownership, and alignment with the kind of work you want to do. But it also requires a thoughtful transition. If you’ve built experience inside an organization and are now ready to offer that expertise independently, here are seven practical steps to help you move forward. Step 1: Identify What You’re Already Known For Before updating your LinkedIn headline or designing a logo, take a closer look at what people already come to you for. What questions do coworkers ask you? What projects have you led or cleaned up? These are clues that point to your consulting foundation. Your early consulting offers do not need to cover everything you’ve ever done. Focus on the areas where your knowledge already delivers results. Step 2: Define a Specific Problem You Solve Businesses hire consultants to solve problems. Instead of saying you offer strategy or support, define a specific outcome. For example: “Help marketing teams launch email campaigns faster” or “Streamline onboarding processes for remote teams.” The more clearly you define your value, the easier it becomes for potential clients to see how you can help. Step 3: Choose Your Consulting Model Consulting can take many forms. You might work on a retainer, offer a project-based service, provide one-on-one advisory calls, or lead workshops. Choose a format that matches both the type of support you enjoy offering and the kind of result your clients want. You can start with one simple offer, then build from there as your business grows. Step 4: Set Up a Simple Client Process You do not need a full website or fancy funnel to begin. At the start, what you need is clarity. Define how someone can work with you, how they contact you, how you price your offer, and how you deliver the work. This can be a short service menu, a payment link, and a scheduling tool. Keep it easy for both you and your clients. Step 5: Let People Know You’re Available Start by telling people you trust—former colleagues, mentors, or people in your professional network. Share what you’re offering and who it’s for. Focus on being specific and helpful, not promotional. Many early consulting clients come through referrals, especially when people know exactly how to describe what you do. Step 6: Work With Your First Few Clients and Gather Feedback In the beginning, your priority is experience and clarity. Every client helps you refine your process, language, pricing, and positioning. Ask what worked, what felt unclear, and where they found the most value. This feedback is the foundation for strengthening your offer and growing with intention. Step 7: Treat Your Consulting Like a Business As you gain momentum, begin building the infrastructure that supports consistency. This might include tracking inquiries, building a repeatable onboarding system, creating a simple website, and defining your core services. You’re not just offering support—you’re building a business around your expertise. Becoming a consultant is not about having all the answers from day one. It’s about offering real value based on what you already know and creating a structure that lets you deliver it. Start with what you have, grow through real work, and keep refining along the way. The shift from employee to consultant is not a leap. It’s a series of steps you can start taking right now. Free Resource: Idea to Offer Formula

9 min
09/02/2025

What's the Secret Behind Magnetic Copy

Copywriting is often thought of as writing that sells, but what actually makes it persuasive has little to do with the writing itself and everything to do with the psychology behind it. When someone reads a website, an email, or a sales page, they're not making decisions based on facts alone. They're reacting to how something makes them feel, whether they trust the person behind the words, and whether they believe the offer will help them in the way they want to be helped. The role of psychology in copywriting is to guide people toward a decision by recognizing what they value, what they fear, and what tends to make them hesitate. One of the biggest influences in copywriting is the way we use social proof. When someone sees that others have already taken a certain action and benefitted from it, it reduces the sense of risk. This is especially helpful when what you are offering is unfamiliar or feels like a big commitment. Another example is the principle of loss aversion. People are often more motivated to avoid missing out than to gain something new. This is why phrases that hint at something going away or being limited in some way can create a feeling of urgency. Good copy anticipates questions before someone has to ask them. It addresses concerns without sounding defensive. It makes people feel seen and understood, rather than sold to. This happens through psychology. For example: When someone feels uncertain, they look for simple next steps. When something feels overwhelming, they will delay making a decision. When they feel like the writer understands their situation, they are more likely to keep reading and eventually take action. Coaches and consultants who are not in the business world often feel unsure about how to write about their services. They may worry that persuasive writing is manipulative or overly pushy, but when it's rooted in psychology, copywriting becomes a way to make the decision-making process easier for the reader. It respects their time and their intelligence by giving them what they need to make a decision they feel good about. Real-life examples: 1. Parenting Coach Before using copy psychology: Her homepage said she helps parents “find balance and connection at home.” Visitors skimmed it and bounced. She wasn’t sure why no one was booking consults. After using copy psychology: She rewrote her site to speak directly to stressed-out parents who “dread the 3 p.m. school pickup.” She used specific phrases parents say like “I feel like I yell all the time.” 2. Grief Counselor Before: Her email opt-in said “Join my newsletter for tools and inspiration.” No one signed up. She felt discouraged. After: She rewrote her opt-in to say “When you’re grieving, people don’t always know what to say. I do. I send one short email every week to help you feel less alone.” People replied to say thank you. 3. Voice Coach for Actors Before: Her offer was “One-on-one voice lessons for all levels.” It sounded professional but bland. Her site visitors didn’t really engage. After: She added copy that said, “If you avoid auditions with singing because you’re not confident in your voice, this is for you.” She included a short client story. Now actors DM her saying, “I felt like you were talking directly to me.” 4. Career Coach for Teachers Before: Her headline said “Helping you transition to a new role.” She thought it sounded professional. But teachers didn’t understand what it meant or how she could help. After: She changed it to “Want to leave teaching but don’t know what else you’re qualified for?” Teachers immediately clicked. Her calendar filled with consults. 5. Creativity Coach for Writers Before: She promoted her offer as “Weekly coaching to help you write more consistently.” Writers didn’t respond. After: She used emotional copy: “You’ve been stuck on the same first chapter for months. Let’s finish that draft together, without the pressure to be perfect.” Sign-ups increased and writers said, “This is exactly what I’ve been looking for.” 6. Body Image Coach for Teens Before: Her program was described as “Body positivity coaching for teen girls.” Parents didn’t understand what it meant. After: She reframed it as “Helping your teen change how she talks to herself, so she stops saying ‘I look disgusting’ every time she sees a photo.” Parents reached out with tears and relief. 7. Wellness Consultant for Nurses Before: She wrote social posts with tips like “Remember to hydrate and stretch during your shift.” Engagement was low. After: She posted stories like “I worked 12 hours without eating and came home crying in my car. That’s when I knew I needed a new routine.” Nurses commented, shared, and started following. Ready to use copy psychology in your own business? Step-by-step... Think of one person you’ve helped. Picture a real client, not a general audience. Write down what things looked like for them before they worked with you. What were they frustrated with? What had they already tried? What were they unsure about? Now write down what changed after they worked with you. What became easier? What started to work? What did they feel more confident doing? Keep it simple and specific. Use regular language. Don’t try to make it sound fancy. Use what you wrote to shape your copy. These before and after details can show up on your website, in your emails, and even in how you talk about your work. When someone sees their own situation in your "before" and their hope in your "after," they are much more likely to feel like your service is a fit for them. They'll read more of what you write. Once you start using psychology in your copy, people begin to respond in more meaningful ways. Instead of skimming and leaving, they stay longer and keep reading. You might notice more replies to your emails or hear someone say, "It felt like you were talking directly to me." Your words feel relevant because they speak to what someone is actually experiencing. Rather than focusing on what you offer, you begin focusing on what your clients are going through. Maybe they feel overwhelmed. Maybe they're unsure where to start or stuck in the middle of something they thought they could finish on their own. When your copy reflects those moments, it builds trust because the reader feels like you understand them. Using psychology helps you move from describing your services to showing someone what life could look like after working with you. Your message becomes a way of saying, "I understand where you are, and here's how I can help you overcome obstacles." You don't need a background in marketing to do this well. You just need to listen closely to what people say before they choose to work with you and notice what changes for them afterward. Good copy doesn't rely on clever phrases or complicated frameworks. It speaks to one person who wants support and wants to feel understood. Free Resource: Idea to Offer Formula

14 min
08/26/2025

Feeling Stuck at Work? Here's Why Coaching Could Be Your Way Out... (check out the show notes)

From Career to Consulting: Turning Expertise into Opportunity Step 1: Job Most professionals begin their working life with a single goal in mind: get a job. In those early stages, the focus is on gaining experience, developing skills, and finding a reliable place to grow. A job provides structure and the opportunity to learn from others. It's the foundation on which everything else is built. Step 2: Career As time passes, that job often evolves into a career. You begin to make strategic decisions about where you want to go, what industry you want to shape, and how you define success. You become more confident in your abilities and start making contributions that have a visible impact. A career demands more than just skill. It requires initiative, resilience, and purpose. Step 3: Coach/Consultant Eventually, with enough time, reflection, and repetition, something deeper happens. You move from being capable to being trusted. You develop a reputation not just for doing the work, but for doing it well and doing it consistently. Others begin seeking your input. You're asked to mentor new employees, lead complex projects, and fix what others cannot. At this point, you're no longer just building a career. You've become an expert. This is when consulting becomes not only possible but practical. Why and When Consulting Makes Sense Consulting isn't simply a career change. It's a shift in ownership. When you consult, you're no longer offering your skills in service of someone else’s business. You're offering your perspective, your process, and your ability to solve problems as the product itself. This transition works best when you already have a strong foundation of knowledge, experience, and relationships. You're likely already helping others informally by answering questions, reviewing plans, or providing recommendations, all without thinking much of it. These moments are not just favors. They're signals. They suggest that your insights hold value. Consulting allows you to turn that value into something structured and sustainable. Indicators That You're Ready to Consult or Coach There is no single formula, but several signs suggest it may be time to consider this path: You're frequently asked for advice or guidance in your area of expertise. You see patterns and solutions more quickly than others do. You feel ready to work with more autonomy and choose the projects you take on. You're motivated to create something of your own, even if you remain passionate about your field. If these statements feel familiar, it's likely that you've already outgrown the role you were hired to do. Consulting offers a next step that respects your experience and gives you greater control over your time, income, and direction. How to Build a Business Around What You Know Becoming a consultant doesn't mean you need to figure it all out at once. It starts with identifying a problem you're uniquely qualified to solve and then packaging that solution in a way that others can access and benefit from. 👉This may take the form of one-on-one advisory work, project-based contracts, group training, or digital products. The format can evolve, but the value remains centered on your expertise. Consulting is starting from where you are and building something new with what you already know. Jobs give us a beginning. Careers help us grow. Expertise offers us a choice. If you've spent years becoming excellent at what you do, there may come a point when the most strategic move is not to keep climbing, but to pivot. Consulting is not the right path for everyone, but for those who are ready, it can be the most rewarding step in a professional journey. Now may be the time to ask not where your next job will take you, but where your knowledge can take others. Free Resource: Idea to Offer Formula

9 min
08/19/2025

And You may find yourself...in a beautiful house (check out the show notes)

"Well, how did I get here?" Those lyrics from Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads refers to the surreal feeling of waking up one day and questioning how your life got to where it is. 👉Take a poll of how many people are actually doing what they went to school for. You’d be shocked. Most of us ended up somewhere completely different, not because of failure, but because life redirected us to something better. And maybe... that unexpected detour was the real path we were meant to follow all along! I know because that was me. I didn’t follow a straight path. I followed curiosity and it led me somewhere more fulfilling than I ever planned. I spent years in school, earned my Doctor of Chiropractic, and fully expected to spend my career helping people heal, but life has a funny way of rewriting the script. Back when I was in my early 20s, the internet was barely a thing and Zoom definitely did not exist. Running a business meant physical locations, printed marketing materials, and face-to-face networking. (OMG, how old am I, ha!) Obviously, the world changed. The way we connect, sell, and build businesses transformed and I found myself evolving with it. I moved away from chiropractic and into the digital space. What started as curiosity turned into mastery, and before I knew it, I was helping other entrepreneurs build their own online businesses, teaching them how to create digital products, market themselves, and build scalable income streams. If you had told me back in grad school that this would be my career, I would have laughed. But here I am, running a thriving online business, helping others do the same. And you know what? I wouldn’t change a thing (except for that student loan ha). Sometimes, the best things in life aren’t planned. They’re discovered. Like a lot of people who start their own thing, I kind of stumbled into it. I was freelancing, figuring things out as I went, and saying yes to projects that felt interesting. Some were great. Some… not so much. Along the way, I found myself working with people who had incredible knowledge to share. They were struggling to turn that knowledge into something sustainable online. They needed someone to help piece together the tech, strategy, and moving parts of a digital business. So, I started helping. One project at a time, one problem at a time. Somewhere in the middle of all that, I realized: Oh. This is what I do now. Now, I spend my days making the messy, complicated parts of online business way easier for people who just want to focus on what they love, like coaching, teaching, and sharing their expertise. I love it. It’s funny how things work out. What about you? Did you take a straight path to what you do now, or did you figure it out along the way like I did? Free Resource: Idea to Offer Formula

7 min
08/12/2025

Thinking of Creating an Online Course? Start Here First (check out the show notes)

You already know your subject and have years of experience, stories from the field, and/or a method that delivers results. You've seen what works. People already come to you for advice, and now you are ready to package that knowledge into something more structured and scalable. ⭐A course is simply a focused way to help people reach a specific outcome. It gives your audience a way to learn from you on their own time while positioning your expertise in a professional, organized format. Begin Conversations While Building Your Course Instead of waiting until your course is done to start talking about it, consider sharing what you are creating as you go. This invites people into the process and will help build your audience. It also provides helpful feedback on what people want most. People enjoy being part of something from the beginning. By sharing your process, you're building interest and trust at the same time. Offer a Small Resource That Builds Toward Your Course A great way to connect is to give away a small win. Think of this as an introduction to your teaching style. A checklist, a short video, or a quick guide can show people that your approach works. Design your free resource around the same topic as your course. Make it simple to use and easy to apply. Focus on Connection Over Scale The size of your audience matters less than the level of trust. When a few people feel seen, helped, and supported, they often become your best clients and biggest advocates. Look for places where your potential audience already gathers. This could be a professional group, social platform, or online forum. Step by Step Plan for Your First Course Launch Step One Pick a specific result that your course will help someone reach. Write it as a statement with an action and a benefit. Step Two List the steps needed to reach that result. These will become your course modules. Organize them in the order that makes the most sense for someone brand new to your method. Step Three Visit conversations online where your ideal audience is already spending time. Look for the phrases they use, the struggles they describe, and the outcomes they're seeking. Step Four Create a free resource that helps someone take the first step. Keep it simple. A one page guide, a short how to video, or an email mini series works well. Step Five Mention your resource in conversations naturally. Share it inside online groups, on social posts, or in comments. Begin building your email list by offering value first. Step Six Invite five to ten people to join your first version of the course. This can be taught live over video or pre-recorded behind a paywall. Offer personalized support in exchange for feedback. Step Seven Use what you learn from your first group to adjust your content, delivery, and message. Keep improving your course with each round. The sooner you begin helping someone with your expertise, the sooner you begin building momentum! You already have the knowledge and know how to guide someone through a process. With an online course, you'll have a way to share that with more people (and create a supplemental income stream). Free Resource: Idea to Offer Formula

9 min
08/05/2025

Should You Wait Until You Have Something to Sell Before You Start? (check out the show notes)

In reality, holding off on growing your email list until everything feels just right means missing out on valuable momentum. The best time to start growing your list is before you even have something to sell. Yes, even if you are still figuring out your offer. ⭐FIVE REASONS why starting your email list now is a smart business move. 1. Build trust before you sell anything People are more likely to buy from people they know and trust. By showing up in their inbox regularly with helpful or inspiring content, you become familiar and credible. When your offer is ready, your audience will already be warmed up and more likely to buy. 2. Use your email list to test ideas Your email list is not just for promoting. It's also a space for learning what your audience wants. You can share ideas, ask questions, run simple polls, and see what topics spark the most interest. This feedback helps you shape the offer your audience wants (rather than create something that they don't want, without even realizing it). 3. Have a ready audience when you launch Launching something to no one is discouraging. If you start building your list now, you'll have a group of interested people ready to hear about your offer the moment it's ready. This gives your launch a strong head start and increases the chance of making early sales. 4. Gain confidence Writing to your email list helps you practice talking about your niche and the value you give. The more you do it, the more confident you'll become in your messaging. This also helps you get clear on who you serve and what problems you solve. 5. Attract the right people You can begin by offering a simple free resource. It gives people a reason to join your email list and helps you attract the kind of people who are a good fit for your future offer. How to Get Started Building Your Email List Step 1: Choose your email platform Kajabi is a great all-in-one option for building your list and automating follow-up emails (see profile for details) Step 2: Create a simple free resource Think about a common question or challenge your ideal client has. Turn your answer into a short PDF or video. Step 3: Set up a landing page Use your platform to create a page where people can enter their name and email in exchange for your free resource. Step 4: Write a welcome email sequence This email thanks them for signing up and introduces who you are, what you do, and what kind of content they can expect from you. Step 5: Share your landing page Post it on social media, add it to your website, or mention it in conversations with people who fit your audience. Step 6: Email your list consistently You don't need to email every day, but aim for regular weekly or every other week contact. Focus on providing value and building trust over time. Starting now means you are planting seeds for your future success. Your email list will grow alongside your business and become one of your most valuable assets. Your success is inevitable! Free Resource: Idea to Offer Formula

14 min
07/29/2025

I may regret this one... (check out the show notes)

If you had the cure to cancer, wouldn't you do everything in your power to share it with the world?! So why is it that we don't put forth the same effort if we have an online course we spent months creating, but not sharing as much as we "should"? I think it's fear. We fear becoming annoying to our email list. We fear looking unprofessional on camera. We fear public speaking. We fear that there's no one out there to collaborate with, so we don't even try researching who'd be interested in a collaboration. Unless it's just me. Yep, I'm a victim of it as well. I have been wanting to start a YouTube channels for at least a year, but would see others in my space on their channels, compare my speaking and training skills to theirs, and think "there's no way anyone is going to be interested in watching a ten-minute video of me talking" or "I don't have the skills to edit my videos like they do." So, I didn't start. I just continued thinking about it. ...until my accountability partner started doing short 1-minute videos. She said she was nervous the whole time filming, but I sure couldn't see that when I watched. I thought, "she's being ridiculous, she's great on camera." And then I reflected back on my own fears. The difference between the two of us is that she took action and just did it, kicking fear to the curb. 👉I finally did the same. Launched the YouTube channel. Of course they're cringe. I'm a new channel. Aren't they supposed to be that way? I'm reaching out hoping you'll be my accountability partner too. If you subscribe and keep watching, I'll keep posting. And meanwhile...what fearful activity are you going to take step one on this week? Don't leave me hanging. Free Resource: Idea to Offer Formula

4 min

Tired of podcasts that just TALK about business? The podcast "Step-by-Step Online Business" is different. Here, it’s all about action. Each episode gives you straightforward, actionable steps to build, launch, and grow your online business. If you’re ready to stop dreaming and start doing, press play!

Creator

AI bots (and Virginia Stockwell, Business Coach & Kajabi Expert)
Years Active

2024 - 2025
Episodes

47
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Digital Course Freelancer LLC
Show Website

Step-by-Step Online Business