Small Stage, Big Impact Renia Carsillo

Has running a business taken over your life?
You’re making good money and have no shortage of clients. You’re feeling pretty successful with this business that you’ve built from the ground up.
But you feel that if you blink too long it will start to crumble. Taking a day off is out of the question.
You know you need to take your business to the next level, but you’re not sure how to get there.
In today’s episode, we’ll discuss what’s keeping you from growing your lifestyle brand into a full-blown business that you can lead while still having a life.
When you realize that making money was the easy part...
When the thing you thought would give you freedom leaves you in chains...
When you’ve bought all the courses and watched all the videos and still have no life outside of work...
It’s time to assess your mess and figure out how to go from the Head Doer to the Leader of People.
I’ve been working with my long-time friend and project managing guru Stephanie Veraghen to bring you the Assess Your Mess quiz. 
The purpose of this quiz is to help you pinpoint your next steps: 
Do you need to put a project management platform in place?
Do you need to spend time developing personas and brand guidelines?
Do you need to better understand how your marketing and sales decisions affect the rest of your company?
What specific action can you take right now to turn your business mess into magic?
Join me in today’s episode to learn more about what it takes to scale your business to 7-figures in a sustainable, values-driven way.
You’ve done the work to lay a firm foundation for your business. Now it’s time to add the logistical framework that will allow you to scale into a company that finally gives you the personal freedom you’ve been searching for.
Listen to episode 60 now!
In episode 60 of Small Stage, Big Impact we discuss: [5:18] The key step all businesses must take to scale 7-figures
[11:46] What business owners should NOT do when trying to grow their business beyond themselves
[17:13] What the Assess Your Mess quiz assesses and how it can guide you toward your next steps
[19:38] Why defining your purpose at this level is more essential than it was as a start-up
[26:04] A common misunderstanding about the role of a CEO at different stages of a business
[32:55] The importance of understanding how your marketing and sales decisions affect the rest of your company
[39:05] What referrals can tell you about the sustainability of your business
[42:35] How the Assess Your Mess quiz results can help you figure out your next steps in sustainably scaling your business  
Resources mentioned by Renia in the episode: Take the Brand Archetype Quiz and figure out your next steps Learn more about Stephanie Veraghen Sign up for 2-Minute Tuesdays to get weekly digital strategy tips in your inbox: https://realignyourstrategy.com/two-on-tuesdays/
Leave a review on iTunes.
Connect with Renia on LinkedIn. Don’t miss an episode of season 5 of Small Stage, Big Impact.

Are you ready to revitalize your business and take it to the next level?
This week I’m teaming up with project manager and business systems extraordinaire Stephanie Veraghen. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to bring you a business development program you won’t find anywhere else.
Have you been there, done that with marketing courses and project management systems - and still not gotten the results you need? 
Are you ready to get some systems in place and learn to delegate so that you can be the leader your company needs?

Are you ready to get your shit together so your business life doesn’t have to BE your life?


Then this episode is for you.
We are introducing the Get Your Shit Together Intensive for mature businesses who are ready to take things to the next level. 
In today’s episode, Stephanie and I talk about what you can expect from the Get Your Shit Together program. 
First, this is NOT a coaching course. We will work alongside you and your team to develop personalized systems and strategies to help you build a sustainable business. We want your business to keep growing and succeeding long after we’re no longer in the picture.
Second, this intensive will provide you with a community of other business owners and CEOs. Like you, these leaders are working to build sustainable values-driven companies. It can be lonely at the top - but it doesn’t have to be.
Third, we want to help you strengthen your team on a personal level. Being a values-driven leader is about putting people first, and that includes your team. We’ll work on ways to help you communicate, delegate, and self-regulate to be the leader your company needs. 
We’re pretty excited about this program and can’t wait to see what we can create together with you. 
Does the Get Your Shit Together Intensive sound like what you’ve been looking for?
Join us in today’s episode to find out more details and how you can apply.
Listen to episode 59 now!
In episode 59 of Small Stage, Big Impact we discuss: [3:46] How the GYST intensive came about and how Stephanie and Renia’s experiences and expertise overlap
[6:48] The most common issue clients are struggling with when Stephanie and Renia begin to work with them
[8:40] What you can expect in the GYST intensive and how it is NOT a coaching course
[25:44] The general structure of the GYST program and the importance of being real about the state of your business
[29:05] How business management and digital strategy work together to get your business to the next stage
[33:09] Why there is an application process for the GYST program and who should apply [36:52] Final details about the GYST initiative  Resources mentioned by Stephanie and Renia in the episode: Apply to be a part of the Get Your Shit Together Intensive.
Learn more about Stephanie Veraghen - business coach, brand consultant, and project manager Discover how HeartMath can help you in your personal and professional lives. Sign up for 2-Minute Tuesdays to get weekly digital strategy tips in your inbox. Leave a review on iTunes.
Connect with Renia on LinkedIn. Don’t miss an episode of season 5 of Small Stage, Big Impact.

Are you unsure where to start to #DoBetterDigital with your marketing strategy?
This Tuesday, your next step will be delivered right to your inbox.
The Genevieve Digital team has been working hard to create actionable resources for business leaders like you: Leaders who want to get better results with digital marketing without compromising their values.
To make those #DoBetterDigital resources readily available, we’re starting 2-Minute Tuesdays. 
These weekly emails will take two minutes out of your day, but the impact on your business will be boundless. 
With 2-Minute Tuesdays, you will learn things like:
How to write click-worthy metadata, How to optimize internal links in a blog post, and How to apply your values to sales funnels. Our goal is to provide you with actionable tips that you can put into place immediately. 
These emails will also give you exclusive access to the Genevieve Digital Team for questions and feedback.
We’ve been receiving an incredible number of emails from our listeners. To streamline the process, we are now encouraging you to submit your questions by responding to the 2-Minute Tuesdays emails. This ensures our team has the capacity to answer your questions.
As an added bonus, every few episodes, Renia will choose audience questions to address directly on the show.
How do you sign up? 
Go to https://realignyourstrategy.com/two-on-tuesdays/ to get your name on the list.
But wait!
That’s not the only thing our team has been working on. We’re about to launch a new program designed especially for mature businesses. The rollout will begin next week with a special episode. Be sure to tune in!
In today’s episode, be sure to listen for
More details about 2-Minute Tuesdays

What our new program is all about

What you can expect in next week’s “Get Your Shit Together” episode (with a special guest!)

A mini-lesson in how an ounce of courage can create your most effective CTAs Listen to episode 58 now!
 
In episode 58 of Small Stage, Big Impact we discuss: [4:20] What our team has been creating behind the scenes just for you
[6:04] What the 2-Minute Tuesdays emails are all about and how to sign up
[9:00] The #1 tip for creating an effective CTA, especially with an audience that supports you
[11:35] The new program designed specifically for mature businesses that will be rolling out soon
[14:40] Why Renia is especially passionate about #DoBetterDigital and offering resources to businesses right now  
Resources mentioned by Renia in the episode: Sign up for 2-Minute Tuesdays. Leave a review on iTunes.
Connect with Renia on LinkedIn. Don’t miss an episode of season 5 of Small Stage, Big Impact.

Search Engine Marketing is essential to a sustainable marketing strategy. But how do you ensure that your SEM is values-driven?
In the last episode,  we talked about the advantages of an SEO marketing strategy over one driven by social media. 
This week we are taking a deeper dive into Search Engine Marketing (SEM). We will explore how to optimize this platform and #DoBetterDigital.
In 2021, the search engine is its own platform. It requires a specific engagement strategy to be effective. 
And when it comes to the Trinity Principle, I highly advocate that search be your primary marketing platform. 
Search Engine Marketing doesn't come without flaws. But it also has some major benefits when compared with social media:
Search is generally a more level playing field, especially for small and micro-businesses.

The intentionality you put into search produces higher, longer-lasting dividends.

Over time, search requires less hustle for bigger, more sustainable results.  
In a 2021 world, you can’t afford NOT to focus on Search Engine Marketing.
In today’s episode, we’ll discuss exactly where to put your focus to get the most out of SEM.
I’m giving you a list of nine best practices for effective SEM. As always, these practices will help you grow your business while staying true to your values. 
I’m covering a lot of information in today’s episode, including some technical jargon. To help you keep track of the details, my team is sharing the cheat sheet that we use with each of our clients. Download your SEM cheat sheet here.
Are you ready to increase your visibility on the internet and build a more sustainable business?
Listen to episode 57 now!
 
In episode 57 of Small Stage, Big Impact we discuss: [6:04] The good and the ugly of SEM when compared to other platforms.

[12:07] How to use a small ad budget strategically and carefully for greatest effect

[15:02] How Youtube videos can help your search rankings, especially when they are optimized

[17:11] The vital role of local search, even for online businesses

[20:45] Why you shouldn’t overlook Google Shopping if you have product

[22:00] The importance of moving beyond keywords and connecting with intent

[25:05] How intentionally used rich snippets can bring you better traffic

[27:15] Why you should check your Core Web Vitals on a regular basis, especially if traffic has decreased

[30:06] How to increase your ranking on Google by using the acronym E.A.T.

[34:25] When you should consider if a non-Google SEM strategy is worth a look  
Resources mentioned by Renia in the episode: Download your Search Engine Marketing cheat sheet for today’s episode: https://realignyourstrategy.com/sem-cheat-sheet-opt-in-landing-page/

Revisit our episode on SEM best practices.

Learn why three platforms are all you need with the Trinity Principle.

Learn how to optimize your YouTube channel with these past episodes: How to Kick Ass at Metadata Thinking Beyond Transcripts Review the importance of a #DoBetterDigital copy-first marketing strategy: Choosing a Copy-First Digital Strategy in a Video World CTAs That Work Blogging in 2021 (And Beyond) Read more about E.A.T. and Google’s search engine ranking factors. Leave a review on iTunes.

Connect with Renia on LinkedIn.

Email Renia with questions or feedback. Don’t miss an episode of season 5 of Small Stage, Big Impact.

If you’re tired of the hamster wheel of social media content creation, it’s time to focus on a more sustainable business model.
It’s a fact that our world is largely influenced by social media. It’s also true that social media can be a useful tool in your digital marketing strategy - especially with a #DoBetterDigital mindset.
But the idea that we can constantly be “on” and responsive is not a business model.
When you focus much of your marketing dollars and effort on social media, you can guarantee one thing: you’re headed for burnout.
The issue with relying on social media to drive the majority of your sales is that social media requires constant engagement. If you take a week off, your bottom line suffers. What you created for last month’s campaign isn’t going to continue generating leads or sales after the campaign is over.
In today’s episode, I am proposing a more sustainable focus for your marketing: a search-first digital strategy.
This means optimizing your website for search. It means 
Developing in-depth, evergreen content,  Focusing on keywords, alt-tags, and metadata, Considering site speeds and mobile compatibility, Creating backlinks and internal links, and Focusing on user experience.  
An SEO-first marketing strategy does require a bit of work upfront. That’s why I’ve spent several episodes talking about SEO and how to do it effectively. 
But dollar for dollar, a search-based strategy provides you with more value than a social media-based one.
 
Check out these statistics:
53%: The percentage of all trackable website traffic that comes from organic search. (BrightEdge)

5%: The percentage of all trackable traffic that comes from paid social. (BrightEdge)  
This is partly because content driven by SEO can continue to get traffic for years. Meanwhile, that video you spent hours on for your social media platform last month has probably already run its course.
But how do you make that transition to a search-first strategy?
And what about all those influencers who’ve amassed a huge audience?
Can’t you simply add keywords to your social media posts and call it a day?
I answer these questions and more in today’s episode.
If you’re looking to create a business model that does the work for you - even when you take a break - you need to shift your focus to SEO. 
Listen to episode 56 now!
In episode 56 of Small Stage, Big Impact we discuss: [4:48] Why it’s important to consider what you’re building when choosing a business model

[10:27] Why you should consider what’s happening in your business when making the shift to search-based marketing

[13:06] Why an SEO-based business model just makes sense based on human behavior

[14:59] What the long-term implications are of focusing more on search than social media

[21:00] Why it used to be easier to depend on a social media marketing strategy

[26:16] The difference between SEO and SEM, and why both matter

[28:38] How to SEO has changed in the last ten years

[29:55] What to expect when transitioning from a social media based strategy to a search-first business model  
Resources mentioned by Renia in the episode: Learn why SEO is a long-term strategy (You’ll want to bookmark this one!) Review what a copy-first digital strategy is and why it works. Leave a review on iTunes.
Connect with Renia on LinkedIn.
Email Renia with questions or feedback. Don’t miss an episode of season 5 of Small Stage, Big Impact.

The Call to Action (CTA) is often seen as a necessary evil in marketing. But while it is necessary, it doesn’t have to be evil.
The reality of marketing is that, ultimately, you are asking people to give you money. (Sometimes their time, or a positive review, but usually it’s money.)
The reality of running a business is that you need money to operate. As I’ve talked about before, sales cure everything when it comes to accomplishing the goals you’ve set for yourself and your business.
But it’s not uncommon for marketers to balk when it comes time to ask potential clients to take action. It seems easier to allude to what we want rather than risk seeming scammy and underhanded.
In values-driven marketing, crafting compelling CTAs doesn’t have to be difficult. In today’s episode, we talk about how to change your perspective when it comes to making that call to action. 
How can you avoid the manipulative tactics that go against your values?
View CTAs as empowering your audience to take action to improve their lives - because that’s exactly what you’re doing.
As a values-driven marketer, you’ve already created goods, services, or content that will help your audience in some way. Now it’s your job to encourage them to do what they need to do to access those things.

Maybe it’s giving you money.

Maybe it’s downloading an ebook.

Maybe it’s listening to your podcast.

But here’s the thing: They won’t know what to do until you ask.
It’s a general rule that objects at rest tend to stay at rest. Potential clients, especially those who are new to us, can seem incredibly hard to reach without resorting to underhanded tactics. Even persuading them to share their email can seem like a Herculean task.
In this episode, I will give you specific steps for creating effective, values-driven CTAs that move your audience to action.
And of course, we have a checklist to help you remember all the little details and stay consistent in your practices. You can download your Landing Page Scorecard here.
Are you ready to revolutionize your marketing strategy with CTAs that inspire without manipulation?
Listen to episode 55 now!
 
In episode 55 of Small Stage, Big Impact we discuss: [4:40] What a CTA is and why it doesn’t have to be manipulative to be effective
[7:34] The two types of CTAs and where CTAs show up in the digital world
[10:37] Why clarity is the most important part of writing an effective CTA
[14:15] How to avoid a disconnect between the CTA and the landing page so you don’t  lose clients
[16:38] The importance of making “small asks” with your CTAs that build trust over time [22:09] How “Content Bingo” can help you create and manage more effective CTAs  
Resources mentioned by Renia in the episode: Download the Landing Page Scorecard to improve your CTAs and landing pages
Explore the Dear Grown Ass Women community.
Check out YourSuper.com. Grab the Copy and Formatting Checklist from episode 53 here
Leave a review on iTunes.
Connect with Renia on LinkedIn.
Email Renia with questions or feedback. Don’t miss an episode of season 5 of Small Stage, Big Impact.