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268: Power Talk Friday: Ashley Faulkes- Maximizing SEO for Your Interior Design Firm

Welcome to another episode of Power Talk Friday! We have Ashley Faulkes, the CEO of Mad Lemmings with us on the show today. Ashley creates WordPress websites and he also is an SEO expert, which is one of the main reasons that LuAnn invited him onto the show. She knows that there are many of you out there, wondering about the merits of blogging and wanting to find out how to go about doing it. This is a topic that we really can’t seem to get enough information on, so listen in and learn from Ashley, who is an expert when it comes to blogging and creating websites.

Ashley, whose company is fourteen years old, is an Australian who is now living in Switzerland. After skiing one time, on the last run of the day, Ashley fell, twisting his leg and breaking it in thirty-seven places. He then had to spend three days immobilized in hospital, waiting for the weekend to be over and for the surgeons to get prepared to operate. It was well worth the wait, however, and he was also really lucky because they ended up doing a first class job and getting excellent results with his leg. The spin-off of this was that it brought Ashley to blogging, which then brought him to a whole new endeavor, which he became really good at, through getting educated and also teaching. Listen in now, to find out what Ashley has to share with you about SEO and Website Creation.

Show highlights:

  • Ashley’s opinion on the difference between a Square Space site and a WordPress
  • Migrating to a new website with all of your current content.
  • How to attract people to your website, if you’re doing the website yourself.
  • Optimising your Home Page and your Services Page.
  • Making a habit of getting reviews on your website for SEO- you can even set up a link for that.
  • Getting onto your local listings, to create SEO links, when starting out.
  • Leveraging social proof, through getting your business listed with The Chamber Of Commerce, or Government Institutions.
  • Finding the biggest bang for your buck, for SEO rankings.
  • How to find out, rather than guessing, if there are any people searching for a particular topic, before writing a blog post.
  • Thinking about reasons that people would need your services, for effective blogging.
  • How to create links to your website.
  • Getting access to Google tools.
  • Using the right keywords for great rankings.
  • Pictures can be worth a thousand words.
  • Using Youtube for great rankings.
  • The value of re-purposing your content.

Links: 

Ashley’s website: https://www.madlemmings.com

Ashley on Youtube: Mad Lemmings

Previous shows mentioned in this episode:

Lisa Escobar #258

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267: Rasheeda Gray: A Pipeline With Over 20 Interior Design Projects in Under 2 Years

Welcome to today’s show! Our guest for today is Rasheeda Gray, the Principal of Gray Space Interior Design, which is located in the Philadelphia Metro area. Gray Space is still a side hustle for Rasheeda at this point in time and yet in just under two years, she has already had more than twenty projects! You’re probably wondering how she has managed to do this, so today she shares three strategies that she has used, to land these twenty plus projects and also her thoughts on what it takes to succeed in the field of Interior Design. Listen in now, to get some really actionable tips from Rasheeda, to fill your pipeline.

Rasheeda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and International Business, as well as a Master’s Degree and she currently works full time, in a corporate position. She also has a husband and two kids. Rasheeda brings her business skills to her Design Firm, so listen in, as she explains how she’s managed to achieve as much as she has, in such a short time.

Show highlights:

  • What led to Rasheeda starting Gray Space Interior Design, as her side hustle.
  • Rasheeda is a strong believer in Vision Boards.
  • How Rasheeda managed to obtain her first two projects.
  • The way that Rasheeda made use of social media to get herself known, as an Interior Designer.
  • The magic mix for Rasheeda’s success on social media.
  • The secret to Rasheeda’s success on Instagram.
  • Rasheeda’s way of growing her business intentionally to attain the kind of success that she has, in such a short time.
  • Taking full advantage of any opportunity to speak at events as a great way to get yourself and your business known.
  • What Rasheeda did to get to know five Realtors.
  • All about Rasheeda’s Consultation Special for Cyber Monday.
  • Using Loss Leaders to attract more business.
  • How referrals and testimonials have helped Rasheeda to fill her pipeline.
  • The way that Rasheeda leverages her reviews on Howz, to get more business.
  • How Rasheeda found Cheryl and then selected her to be her mentor.
  • How mentorship has contributed to Rasheeda’s success.
  • Why it could be tricky to have a mentor from the same area as you.
  • Why it’s important to be upfront with your clients about your working a full-time job.
  • The questionnaire that Rasheeda has her prospective clients complete right in the beginning.
  • Assessing the needs of your clients, then providing solutions for them.
  • The logistics of running a Design firm, a full-time job and a family.

Links:

To take advantage of the special incentives that are being offered to you, as a listener of the podcast:

From My Doma Studio, go to: https://www.mydomastudio.com/awelldesignedbusiness

and

From our newest sponsor, Fresh Books, go to https://www.freshbooks.com/luann

 

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266: Remya Warrior: How To Network in 7 Steps

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Today we have Remya Warrior on the show with us and she’s a New Jersey Interior Designer with a Master’s Degree as well as fourteen years of experience in the field. She is active in both the WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America), where she is currently the Vice President of the New Jersey chapter, and also in ASID in New Jersey, where she is the featured Tech Talk host. Listen in today, to hear all about what that is and also to find out about Remya’s very actionable Seven Step Process that she uses to really knock her networking right out of the park.

Remya really loves to cook for her friends and family and she firmly believes that the kitchen is the heart of the home and it is this that has her specializing in Kitchen Design. Being an active member of the WCAA has led her to her falling in love with window treatments and specializing in that area as well.

On Remya’s website, there is a line that says that she helps busy, middle-income families create a home that they love and this is something that LuAnn found very interesting because she really enjoys finding out what makes you, as an Interior Designer, different. LuAnn loves researching and finding out what really sets certain Designers apart, for the purposes of the show, and she points out that your clients also want to find something on your website, that really sets you apart as a Designer.  Listen in now, to find out more about Remya and the really interesting things that she does with her business, to set her apart from the rest.

Show highlights:

  • Koffee Break– the Video Resource that Remya used to have on her website.
  • What Remya learned from doing Koffee Break for two years.
  • What Tech Talk is all about and who Remya has connected with, through doing it.
  • How Remya has really managed to up her game, through doing Tech Talk.
  • How Remya selects the people that she interviews on Tech Talk.
  • You can go to the ASID channel on YouTube, to see the library of resources that Remya has created there with her webinars.
  • If you’d like to attend one of Remya’s Tech Talk Live Webinars, you will need to friend her on Facebook. (Remya Warrior)
  • Remya gives a detailed explanation of her Seven Step Process designed to help you to network most effectively.
  • The heartfelt and personal messages that Remya sent to only five special people on Thanksgiving.
  • What it takes to create a really effective Sales Conversation.
  • The three separate email sequences that Remya has on her website to put business leads into her pipeline.
  • Building your referral strategy, through Remya’s Seven Step Process.

Resources:

Remya’s website: https://www.rwarriordesigns.org

Remya on Facebook-Remya Warrior Designs

Remya on LinkedIn-Remya Warrior Designs

Remya learned this networking technique from her friend Paul McManus!

You can also search for Remya on YouTube and Ted Talk.

To get 10% off your entire first purchase from Curated Kravet, go to https://www.curatedkravet.com and use the code C K Podcast at the checkout.

If you’d like to be in one of LuAnn’s Masterminds, email her at info@luannnigara.com to see if you’re a good fit.

Please leave your review for the show on iTunes – LuAnn will really appreciate it

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265: Power Talk Friday: FreshBooks for Your Interior Design Firm

Welcome to Power Talk Friday! We have an interview with FreshBooks today. A few months ago, FreshBooks and LuAnn started talking about them becoming a regular sponsor for this show.  As pretty smart business people, they both wanted to find out more about one another before joining forces, to see who they would be getting involved with.

FreshBooks asked to do a trial of two or three thirty second ad spots. Before LuAnn agreed to do any commercials for them, however, she wanted to know if they really were right for you, her listeners. And what better way for LuAnn to know if they are the right fit than to apply her ninja interview tactics to them? Listen in to find out more.

LuAnn wanted the chance to ask any and every question that she thought would be helpful, for you to decide if FreshBooks is right for you because she thinks they really are a terrific platform for helping you to track the money side of your Design business.

Today she talks to Julie Kerr, the Marketing Communications Strategist at FreshBooks, about FreshBooks and how she sees them as the perfect side companion to My Doma Studio. Listen in now, as Julie explains how this platform was designed, specifically for the small, serviced-based industry, to take the fear out of accounting and to help you to efficiently input, track and analyze your operations, your projects, and your business.

Show highlights:

  • Julie explains what FreshBooks is all about.
  • Who the ideal client for FreshBooks is.
  • Julie explains why this is the Accounting Software for non-Accountants.
  • FreshBooks have built templates that actually help you to get paid faster.
  • How FreshBooks helps you to track and operate your business seamlessly.
  • You can take a picture of the receipts of money you spent, on gas, lunches or even hotel stays and the information will be automatically uploaded- and even sorted, for tax time.
  • Your company credit cards can be linked to FreshBooks, to have all the transactions automatically uploaded.
  • How FreshBooks helps you to easily assess the health of your business.
  • Julie explains how the whole invoicing process of FreshBooks works.
  • How well FreshBooks would work, as a side companion to My Doma Studios.
  • The really beautiful design of the way that of FreshBooks looks.
  • You can have your questions answered right away, by the Toronto based support team, at their call center.
  • The way that the pricing structure of FreshBooks works.
  • How FreshBooks helps you to track the exact number of hours that have been worked on a project.
  • The different ways that you can stay connected to FreshBooks.

Resources:

You can get a free 30 Day Trial with FreshBooks!  All you have to do is go to https://www.freshbooks/LuAnn to sign up!

If you still have any questions, you can email their Support Team at support@freshbooks.com, or you can give them a call at 1-866-303-6061.

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264: Design Biz Live: How to Manage Not Being the Project Manager

How many times have you, as a Designer,  felt like you were caught between your client and the Contractor? You know the kinds of situations where you have created a floor plan for space, only to find, on your next visit to the site, that a wall has been moved… So, what happens when this happens? Listen in now, to find out.

Judith Neary and Corey Klassen have some terrific insights and advice for you around this subject, on today’s Design Biz Live feature. On today’s show, Corey and Judith will be talking about how to manage not being the Project Manager. The diversity of the Design Industry is your strength, but sometimes also your weakness, as a Designer, so listen in, as we pick this topic apart a bit and go through the nuances of it, so that you can find out how to avoid being in this kind of situation.

Show highlights:

  • The definition of Project Management.
  • Judith’s concept of the three legs of the stool.
  • The challenge that Corey faced recently, around having to manage a project.
  • The role of the General Contractor, as compared with that of an Architect, or a Designer.
  • The different elements that need to be pulled together, to create cohesion in a project.
  • What a really good Project Manager looks like.
  • Where Designers tend to fall down in a project.
  • What the initial Sales Process should cover.
  • Judith’s way of preventing the pain factor in a project.
  • Educating the client about the costs of Project Management.
  • When to say ‘no’ to a project.

 

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263: Amanda Evans: Creating Growth in Your Interior Design Firm

Welcome to today’s show! Our guest for today, Amanda Evans, is someone you may know through Instagram. She is the Founder and Principal of Amanda Evans Interiors, which is based in Vancouver. Amanda opened her business in 2009, before the birth of  Theo, her first child. Today Amanda talks to LuAnn about what work looked like for her before Theo came into her life, what it looked like after Theo began pre-school and what it looks like now, after their daughter, Marlee, who is now just three months old, was born. Listen in to find out more.

On the show today, Amanda gives a detailed explanation of how she grew and then filled her pipeline, so that now, only three years later, she already has three employees. If you have been battling with ways to give your new (or existing firm) a boost in getting new leads, you’re going to really enjoy today’s show. Listen in now, to find out from Amanda some ways to handle the transitions in life, both from a business standpoint and when things come at you personally.

Show highlights:

  • Some of Amanda’s observations about the transitions in her life, over the last few years.
  • Amanda’s really intentional way of creating relationships with the Builders and Realtors that she wanted to work with.
  • What it was like for Amanda, and how she coped, when she first joined the mostly male Builder’s Association and started going to networking meetings.
  • Amanda’s way of initiating a first meeting, to connect with the Builders and Realtors that she wanted to build relationships with.
  • Some lessons that Amanda learned, and how her thinking changed, while making the transitions in her life.
  • How Amanda was able to up-level her work and take on even more, by hiring people to assist her.
  • Taking the pain out of developing new relationships with Builders or Contractors.
  • How Amanda managed to get ideal team together.
  • Some advice to help you to hire the right people for your business.
  • Amanda’s way of growing her Instagram, to get over 12 000 followers.
  • Some things to watch out for, when tagging people on Instagram.
  • You really do need to credit your photographer!
  • Winning ways to work with Instagram.
  • Some tips for engaging with your Instagram Community.

Links:

Website: https://www.aeinteriors.ca Instagram: @amandaevansinteriors Facebook: Facebook.com/amandaevansinteriors Twitter: @amandaevansinc   Previous shows mentioned on this episode: 

Nancy Ganzekaupher #256

Tabitha Carro #235

Shea McGee #236

Amber Lewis #184

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262: Power Talk Friday – Dezignwall- What is it? With Joseph Haecker

Welcome to another Power Talk Friday! Today LuAnn is really excited to have Joe Haecker, The CEO and Founder of Dezignwall, with her on the show. Listen in to find out more about this awesome social network platform, created specifically for the Design community.

Dezignwall is the fastest growing network for Design and Architectural professionals, worldwide. It is the very first social platform to address the specific needs of the international Design community and it blends the features found on top social media platforms with the ability to produce products. The goal of Dezignwall is to unite the International Design and Products community, in order to help the industry to compete in a constantly changing and growing global marketplace.

Joe’s background is in Custom Lighting, for hotels, casinos, high end residential and Daylight Tubular Skylight Industries. He has been responsible for setting trends, developing innovations and also coordinating world-class projects internationally, for more than seventeen years. He has served as Head Of Design for Triton Chandelier, Alger Lighting, and Solatube International. He has also consulted for many custom lighting companies, including iWorks, Spectrum, 3Form Light-Art Schonbek and lots of others. Joe has a passion for the success of the industry and he serves as an Industry Advocate, fostering a focus on global communication, collaboration and restoring the value of luxury in the industry. Joe is a single Dad of two sons and he is very involved in Business Consulting, Mentoring and establishing an ecosystem for startups and Tech Companies in the Antelope Valley and Kern Country areas of Southern California. Listen in now!

Show highlights:

  • Joe explains how Dezignwall came about, what it is and why you, as a Designer, should care.
  • The difference between Dezignwall and Instagram.
  • Dezignwall is a place for one of a kind artisans.
  • The multiple angles that a product can be viewed, on Dezignwall.
  • The awesome features to be found on Dezignwall.
  • Why a Designer would want to upload their projects onto Dezignwall.
  • How Dezignwall works as a sales efficiency tool.
  • How Dezignwall works for Designers and how it works for consumers.
  • Joe’s motivation in creating Dezignwall.
  • Dezignwall is the only social network platform that features Podcasts.
  • Joe explains the value of having your Podcast featured on this platform, to tell your Design story.
  • Dezignwall is a tool that has access to analytics, so it can really help you to cater to the specific needs of each client.
  • Everything on this platform can be accessed via a keyword search.
  • The benefits of this platform, for reaching and connecting with a global market.
  • Dezignwall as a system for coordinating the Trade Shows that you attended.
  • The goal that Joe had in mind when creating this platform.

Resources: 

Website: https://www.dezignwall.com

FB LIVE Talkshow: https://www.facebook.com/events/502777173434577/?ti=cl

Social Handle: @Dezignwall, Inc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCycMyaEpwYZVOg0D7pfIfA/featured

Follow LuAnn on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgRScT16XD_jq_NqsPPawDA

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261: Shannon Tate: The Road to Interior Design isn’t Always Straight

Welcome to today’s episode! We have Shannon Tate, a real go-getter, with us on the show today. She opened her business, Shannon Tate Interiors, in 2012, after having worked in a very diverse range of artistic fields, such Acting, Fine Art, Fashion, Writing, Lifestyle Coaching and even spending some time working as a Private Chef. Shannon, who is also a Certified Holistic Health Coach, loves to pair her artistic vision with her sense of empathy, her Reiki training and her knowledge of Ayurveda and Feng Shui.

In addition to her Interior Design Services, Shannon designs and creates custom furniture, art and home décor for her projects. After being in business for only five years, Shannon has been featured in Home Polish three times, Apartment Therapy twice, Design Sponge, Domino, The Nest, New England Home, and Modern Sanctuary. Listen in now, to find out more about Shannon’s artistic approach to her Interior Design business.

Shannon grew up both in New York and Los Angeles. On today’s show, she shares the story of how she, her husband and their daughter ended up in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, so listen in, to find out more.

Show highlights:

  • Shannon talks about her earlier career, which eventually brought her to Interior Design.
  • A funny story about why Shannon left Design School when she was still very young.
  • The food business that Shannon and her husband ran together.
  • How Shannon has managed to incorporate her Lifestyle Coaching with Interior Design.
  • Their crazy move to Massachusetts, which prompted Shannon to hire a Coach.
  • How Shannon got featured in so many top Design Publications, after opening her business only five years ago.
  • How Shannon works to get what she really wants.
  • The nuts and bolts of how Shannon Tate Interiors is run.
  • Shannon explains her recent change in the way that she charges her clients.
  • How Shannon deals with clients who want to negotiate her contract.
  • Offering excellent Customer Service, without compromising your own principals.
  • What’s coming up for Shannon in 2018.

Connect with Shannon:

https://www.shannontateinteriors.com

Facebook

Instagram

Remember that you can get 10% off your first purchase from Kravet, by going to https://www.curatedkravet.com  and using the code CK Podcast at the checkout.

Previous shows mentioned in this episode:

Ren Miller #12

Fred Berns #174

Claire Staszak #166

Amy Flurry #108

Lesley Myrick #37

Marina Umali #248

Kerry Leskowitz #98

To contact LuAnn, you can text her using the word Design Biz on 444999, or you can email her at info@luannnigara.com .

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260: Chaney Widmer – A 100% E-Design Interior Design Firm

A special ‘hello’ to all our new listeners and a warm welcome to the show!  Today we are really happy to introduce you to our guest, Chaney Widmer, the Founder of Mix And Match Design Company. Chaney is a very smart lady, who saw a need in the market and created a really innovative way to fill it. She offers One On One Decorating Services, through her  E-Design and Online Interior Design and on her Mix And Match Blog, she shares her decorating tips and inspiration. Listen in, to find out more about  E-Design and how to make it work profitably for you.

Today, Chaney explains how she created Mix And Match Design, in order to provide affordable and accessible Interior Design to everyone. After many years of writing a Design Blog and helping her friends and family to put together beautiful homes that they loved, Chaney decided that the time had come for her launch her own internet-based Design Business. Chaney is fully committed to taking the intimidation out of Interior Design, whether her client is starting from scratch with a brand new home,  adding a few pieces to pull a room together or even just looking for a way to take their space from looking good to looking really great! Listen in now, to hear Chaney’s poised and intelligent approach to her carefully designed business model.

Show highlights:

  • Chaney explains why she chose to focus her business on  E-Design.
  • What motivated Chaney to deal with the specific market that she has chosen to focus on.
  • The demographics of the market that Chaney focuses on.
  • The really reasonable cost of working with Chaney.
  • The number of hours that Chaney typically spends on a $300 project.
  • The time that it takes for Chaney to complete her average project.
  • How her processes have evolved, over time.
  • Chaney’s detailed, but not overwhelming survey that she gives her clients to complete.
  • How Chaney created the contract that she currently uses with her clients.
  • How Chaney makes her money through affiliate links.
  • Great resources for an affiliate networks, as a way to earn money through their affiliate programs.
  • The type metric that is sought after, for Affiliate Programs.
  • What creating an Affiliate Link would involve- it’s really easy!
  • The kind of service that Chaney offers her clients.
  • How Chaney does her follow-ups.
  • The eDesign Course that Chaney is going to be launching soon.
  • The target market for Chaney’s upcoming eDesign Course.

Resources for Affiliate Programs:

                 Reward Style Network – An application based Affiliate Network.

Shop Style Collective – Have a pay per click affiliate program.

  1. J. Affiliate.

Sign up for “How To Launch An E-Design Business” online course email list signup: bit.ly/launchanedesignbusiness

Connect with Chaney on social media:

Previous shows mentioned in this episode:

Christina Perry: #5

Danielle Liss #179

To get 10% off your next whole order from Curated Kravet Inc. head over to https://www.curatedkravet.com and use the code CK Podcast at the check out.

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259: Kae Whitaker – Get New Clients with the Right Email Sequence

Welcome to another episode of Power Talk Friday! Everyone can start doing their happy dance today because we have Kae Whitaker on the show! After doing her really great series all about Facebook, LuAnn was considering doing another series, about landing pages, click funnels, email responders etc. She was out there, in Podcast Land, listening and looking out for the right person to have on the show- someone who could really relate to you, as Designers, as well as having all the necessary know-how, when out of the blue, she got a notification that Kae Whitaker was going live on Instagram. She went on over to have a look and there was Kae, talking about click funnels and email sequences… It was like hitting the jackpot for LuAnn because she knows that Kae really talks our language, so listen in to find out what Kae has to share with you today, about Email Marketing.

If you’re a new listener and you haven’t yet been introduced to Kae, this is the fourth time that she’s been on this show and she is really well loved by all who listen in. She was on episode 26, 66 and 114. In the past, we have discussed branding, how to hire and train interns and how to conduct a proper year-end review of your business. Today Kae is here to talk about Sales Funnels. What they are, why we need to know about them and how we can apply them to our individual interior design firms. Kae answers the questions: What kind of content should be in an email sequence and how often should I send a potential client an email?

 Kay is the Owner and the CEO  of Kae Whitaker Solutions and she has more than ten years of experience in Retail Sales and Marketing Development. Now, her focus is on helping Small Businesses to stay competitive in their market and helping them to reach and surpass their revenue goals. She has worked with some of the largest national retailers and she now leverages her expertise in Retail Sales and Marketing Development to create her Premium Coaching Programs, that really help Small Business owners to tune in to what matters most in their Marketing efforts, by streamlining their processes and maximizing on their clientele. Kae’s highest achievements come from helping others to reach their goals and she really loves having the opportunity to help people to take their brand to the next level. So, listen in now, to find out how to tune in to what really matters most for your business.

Show highlights:

  • Kae explains what a Sales Funnel
  • Why Sales Funnels are really important for Designers.
  • The major difference in the number of conversions, and also the ability to predict revenue, that Kae has experienced in her firm, since starting with Email Marketing.
  • Where to start, with developing your Email Marketing.
  • Thinking about what you could offer for free, in return for an email address.
  • You’re really not interrupting anyone, with Email Marketing, because they only opt-in if they’re interested.
  • Why video works so well, as an opt-in.
  • What to do, right after getting your first opt-in.
  • How to build a great, trusting relationship, through your emails.
  • The whole point behind Email Marketing.
  • What the content of the sequence of emails, following the opt-in, should include.
  • The right time to schedule a chat with someone.
  • Working with an Automated Email Responder. (Like Acuity Scheduling)
  • Not stopping after the first ‘no’ can really set you apart from other Designers.
  • If you can muster up the courage to get in front of a camera, do it! The video really converts well!
  • Some alternative ideas, if you don’t want to appear on camera.
  • All about what’s to be expected from Kae’s soon to be launched Email Marketing Bootcamp. It will be live on Tuesdays at 8 pm (Central Standard Time) and it will be recorded, so you can still catch it if you miss the live broadcast.
  • Why Kae designed her Email Marketing Bootcamp- and who it’s for.
  • The importance of spending the time to learn something new.
  • Kae’s course will cost $949 retail, and you, as listeners to A Well Designed Business Podcast will get a hefty 25% discount. Go to kaewhitaker.com/luanneemail to find the check-out form on the website. You can either pay it all at once, or you can even split it into three monthly payments.
  • Kae will be back on the show soon, to talk about the more technical side of Email Marketing.

Links:

Kae’s course, Email Marketing Bootcamp is open and teaches everything you need to know in order to develop your own pipeline filling email strategy — A Well-Designed Business podcast listeners can get 25% off the $949.00 course by going to 

https://www.kaewhitaker.com/luannemail

Her website:

https://kaewhitaker.com