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The BS-Free Service Business Show

The BS-Free Service Business show takes you behind the scenes of running a business as a freelancer, creative, or agency owner, focusing on fluff-free lessons to help you grow your business and get paid. You're in the right place if you work with clients and want to create a simple AND sustainable service business. Your host is Maggie Patterson, the creator of BS-Free Business, a content production agency owner, and a self-employed writer and consultant for nearly 20 years. You can learn more about the podcast and BS-Free Business at http://www.bsfreebusiness.com and subscribe to never miss an episode.
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Now displaying: Page 3
Oct 24, 2022

Agencies are pitched as the natural next step when growing a service business, but is an agency right for you? And if you’re running an agency what do you need to consider as agencies aren’t one-size-fits-all?

In this episode, we’re looking at the world of micro agencies, including what they are, and some data that may surprise you. 


Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/what-is-a-micro-agency

Oct 17, 2022

Is your business a little slow? Do you need better leads? Or you’re just plain sick of the marketing you’re doing? 

 

This episode is for you as we’ll be talking about fresh ways to find clients, and why this is not the time to be relying on the magic of client attraction. 


Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/finding-clients-in-2022

Oct 3, 2022

Have you ever thought you weren’t good at sales? Or that you’re missing some secret sales strategy? 

In this episode, we’re digging into some of the terrible takes on sales I’ve seen lately and the alternatives, and how sales as an industry is designed to mess with you. 

Get the inside scoop at: smallbusinessboss.co/terrible-takes-on-sales

Sep 26, 2022

Have you ever been lying in bed and thought about what would happen to your business if you were unable to work? Or if you suddenly had to take time off? I know I sure have, and whenever I think about it, I don’t always have clear answers to those questions.

That’s why in this episode, we’re talking to Julee Yokoyama about covering your ass in your business and how to plan for the unexpected.

Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/planning-for-the-unexpected

Sep 19, 2022

You’re probably already doing strategy work in your business, but you’re not getting paid for it. Or you’ve got strategy offers and you feel like they’re not quite right or you’re struggling to sell them. No matter what’s going on with selling strategy in your business, I’ve got you.

In this episode, I’m diving into everything I’ve learned from my Sell the Strategy offer and what you need to consider if you want to start selling strategy.

Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/sell-the-strategy-offer

Sep 12, 2022

As a business owner, sometimes you get a feeling. Like you’re missing something. Or like things can’t be this simple. I’m here to tell you that feeling may be lying to you.

In this episode, we’re looking at some places where BS sneaks into our business and very practically how to deal with it, as everyday actions are what makes all the difference in building a sustainable service business.

Get the inside scoop right here - smallbusinessboss.co/cut-the-bs

Sep 5, 2022

So many of the business strategies and tactics that we’re taught feel overwhelming. Like we need to learn something new and start over. But what if we didn’t need to constantly add new things and simply would build on the foundation we already have?

In this episode, we’re diving into how to actually build a service business that’s sustainable and cutting through all the BS around scale. I’m sharing key questions to ask, the problem with overconfidence, and how the secret of sustainability really lies in small, simple changes.

Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/sustainability-for-service-business

Aug 29, 2022

Scaling your business is seen as the ultimate goal for every online business owner. As the saying goes, if you’re not scaling, you’re failing”.

In this episode, I’m digging into the cult of scale, including why scaling isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and how the relentless quest for scale is doing more harm than good for many of us.

Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/scale-and-sustainability

Aug 22, 2022

Working with clients one-on-one gets a bad rap in online business circles, and honestly, I really hate it.

In this episode, I’m talking about why working one-on-ones is not at all what the celebrity entrepreneurs make it out to be, along with how and why I STILL work with clients one-on-one and have no plans to stop anytime soon.

Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/work-with-clients

Aug 15, 2022

Inflation. Recession. There’s no escaping talk of an economic downturn but how do you separate fact from fiction? How do you know what’s just hype designed to make you buy? And what’s actually helpful? And most of all, what do you really need to know?

In this episode, we’re getting real about a recession with a look at the actual numbers, the complete BS the online business world is currently spinning, and what you can do in your business so you’re prepared.

Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/recession

Jun 20, 2022

For many of you, you’re heading into summer, and you may be wondering how you’re going to juggle everything for the next two months. In this episode, we’re going to talk about how to create your Summer Action Plan, including five boundaries to set!

Even if it’s not summer for you as you’re down under, you’ll still find some helpful ideas for setting and managing boundaries when you work with clients.

Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/boundaries-in-your-business

Jun 13, 2022

Despite what you may have been told, not all service businesses are created equal.

And that means not all advice for service business owners is applicable to everyone. 

The needs and nuances of creatives, coaches and consultants vary wildly, yet they’re all given the same strategies and BS advice. 

So what advice should you actually be paying attention to? 

That’s why in this episode, we’re going to look at the key differences between various types of service businesses.

Get the inside scoop at smallbusinessboss.co/creatives-coaches-and-consultants

Jun 6, 2022

**This week we're sharing an episode from Duped Season 3 for your listening pleasure.**

Over the last 10 years, there have been countless ways that celebrity entrepreneurs have sold to us, courses, masterminds, memberships and so many more. These trends come and go, and one of the big ones right now is group programs.

In this episode of Duped, we’re digging into all things group programs including the potential grifts of these programs that you need to know about right now.

Learn more at duped.online

May 30, 2022

Have you ever seen biz advice telling you to “stop trading time for dollars”?

This is an all-too-common refrain when it comes to pricing your services, but there’s something about this advice that misses the mark —

What does it actually MEAN?

Because while it may *sound* like good advice at first glance, there’s way more nuance needed when discussing pricing.

In this episode, we’re diving into the missing part of this conversation and what you really need to know about trading time for dollars.

Get the inside scoop at smallbusinessboss.co/trading-time-for-dollars

May 23, 2022

There are lots of lessons on the path to being a successful business owner, aren’t there?

But if there’s one lesson that stands out the most is that there's no singularly “right” way to create the business we want. 


What works for me may not work for you, and that’s totally okay!

However, after nearly two decades of running a biz on my own, there ARE some lessons that I think everyone may benefit from.

That’s why in this episode, I’m sharing my own “secrets of success” from 17 years in business.

smallbusinessboss.co/secrets-of-success

May 16, 2022

Do you know how to sell your strategy?

Maybe your offer isn’t quite right. Maybe you’re having a hard time selling it. Or maybe, you just don’t have the first clue where to begin. 

I know I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way when it comes to strategy. 

And that’s why I’m super passionate about helping people learn how they can sell strategy effectively within their own business. 

In this episode, we’re digging into seven mistakes to watch for when selling strategy along with a lot of actionable takeaways for you.

Get the scoop at:

smallbusinessboss.co/sell-strategy

May 9, 2022

Do you have a hill you’re willing to die on when it comes to your business?

For me, that hill is proposals. 

As someone who works with creatives and consultants, I see a lot of confusion about how to sell their services. 

Sales pages are great and all, but not for every service — especially when there are levels of customization involved. 

That’s why in this episode we’re going to talk about how to write better proposals in 2022 including what to include, what you may be missing, and the latest research on proposals that you should take into consideration.

Looking for help up-leveling your proposals? Check out the Proposal Template Pack right here:

https://bsfreeshop.com/products/proposal-template-pack

 

May 2, 2022

If you offer services, at some point you’ve likely ruminated or waffled over which delivery model makes the most sense.

Should you use retainers? Charge by the hour? Offer VIP days?

And that’s not even including any hot new trends in the online business world that pop up and tell us we need to switch gears RIGHT NOW!

That’s why in this episode, we’re digging into two popular delivery models and asking the question, what’s right for you?

Get the inside scoop at:

smallbusinessboss.co/vip-days-and-retainers

Apr 25, 2022

***Season 3 of Duped is here! This week we're sharing the first episode of the new season.***

While the words “best practices” are heard again and again in online business, do you ever take time to actually think about what they mean?

Some of the best practices we’re being sold in the online space have been so normalized that they’re now business as usual — 

Which would be fine if they weren’t so damn SHADY.

And that’s why now is the time to start asking questions.

In this episode of Duped, we’re digging in to see how some of these “best” practices are actually serving us.

Learn more at duped.online

Apr 18, 2022

Picture it: That moment when things with a client get super awkward and you want to crawl in a hole.

And all you can think is… is there some way I could have avoided this?

Awkward moments are just one of those things that are going to happen. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some steps we can take to make them happen less often.  

In this episode, we’re digging into the top 10 awkward client moments and how to hopefully avoid them.

Get the inside scoop at: smallbusinessboss.co/avoid-awkward-client-moments

Apr 11, 2022

Ever had an awkward moment with a client? Of course you have!

Whether you’ve been in business for one year or 20 years, awkward moments with clients are bound to happen. 

Maybe they ghosted you. Or maybe they haven’t paid their invoice despite numerous requests. Or maybe they completely changed direction mid-project and expect you to go back and start from square one.

Whatever your awkward moment may have been, the result is usually the same — you’re left feeling stressed out and not at all pleased with what’s gone down.

In this episode, I’m talking about those awkward client moments when things get sticky and you’re trying not to completely lose your shit.

Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/awkward-client-situations

Apr 4, 2022

Have you ever heard someone in business talking about strategy and wanted to roll your eyes?

The unfortunate reality is that in the online biz world (and many other places!) people use the word strategy simply as a means to charge more money for whatever they’re selling. 

But we all know that not every strategy is created equal.

Having said that, strategy is a GOOD thing. Strategy makes your life easier as there’s actually a roadmap to guide your work. Best of all, strategy is something you can actively be selling. 

In this episode, we’re digging deeper into Selling the Strategy and I’m going to give you specific examples to help you get into action.

Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/how-to-sell-the-strategy

Mar 28, 2022

Ever felt frustrated by a client situation and like  *something* has to change but you aren’t sure where to begin.

One-size-fits-all solutions are rarely the magic bullet they’re sold as, but the good news is, there are some shifts you can make to move your business towards a place where you aren’t ready to tear your hair out. 

For me, that was implementing what I call Sell the Strategy.  

In this episode, I’m going to share this pivotal change that made all the difference for me and my business.

Get the inside scoop right here:

smallbusinessboss.co/sell-the-strategy

Mar 21, 2022

Ever heard the expression “a lie often repeated becomes the truth”?

The reality is that when we hear something enough times, we often start to believe it — including the countless tropes and myths often repeated by celebrity entrepreneurs. . 

Whether it’s the stories about burnout being inevitable or that you need to be booked out at all times, these myths can start to make us feel like we’re missing something or like we’ll never get things right.

But that isn’t the case at all.

That’s why in this episode, we’re looking at being booked out, burnt out, and other lies about service businesses.

Get the inside scoop right here: 

smallbusinessboss.co/myths-about-service-businesses

Mar 14, 2022

**Welcome to the Best of the BS-Free Service Business Show series. This episode is a re-release that originally went live on September 24, 2018.**

I'm talking with marketing expert Chrissie Wywrot to give you the inside scoop on how to get yourself more exposure, generate engagement, and highlight the best parts of your biz.

If you've been trying to figure out how to polish up your Linkedin profile or online brand to establish yourself as an expert in your field, this is the episode for you.

Get the scoop here:

https://smallbusinessboss.co/marketing-yourself-on-linkedin/

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