How I Get Clients Without Relying on Email Marketing

How I Get Clients Without Relying on Email Marketing

Re-airing a previous episode where I'm spilling the real tea on what it actually looks like to run a profitable, sustainable business, without your “number one moneymaker” being a magical inbox. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com⁠⁠/network [https://www.theordinarybusiness.com/network] Here’s the thing: I’ve spent 15 years in business, tried all the freebies, webinars, and custom quizzes the internet has to offer, and my email list is still not paying my grocery bill. I'm break ing down exactly where my clients do come from (hint: it’s not email), how I’ve learned to let go of what “should” work, and why leaning into what works for you is the real power move for ordinary but thriving business owners—just like you. → Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness] → Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠⁠ [https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy] Key Takeaways: * Stop forcing a marketing tool that’s never worked for you—focus instead on what actually brings you clients. * Know that referrals, SEO, and genuine connection on social media can be your secret sauce (no matter what the gurus say). * Give yourself permission to ditch the “shoulds,” play to your business strengths, and define success on your own, very ordinary terms. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

How a Part-Time Job Makes Jacki's Business Better

Ever feel like the only “serious” business owners are those pulling 90-hour weeks and living off sheer willpower and too much coffee? That’s why this episode is about what happens when you don’t go “all in”—at least, not the way hustle culture tells you to. Jacki Hayes (https://www.jackihayes.co/) is pulling back the curtain on what it looks like to run a thriving business and keep a part-time job, perks (hello, free gym membership) and all. If you’ve ever wondered how to juggle life, bills, and still have energy left to enjoy actually living, you’re in the right spot. This episode dives into the surprisingly liberating world of mixing a part-time job with your own small business—no shame allowed. We talk boundaries that stick, being upfront about your schedule (even when everyone else pretends they only “sleep when they're dead”), and dropping any guilt about not showing up nonstop on Instagram. The conversation covers how to handle client expectations like a pro, why stable income is the new “going all in,” and how to cut out the busy work so you can focus on what actually matters. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com [https://www.theordinarybusiness.com/] → Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness%E2%81%A0] → Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ [https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy%E2%81%A0] Key Takeaways: * Ditch the “all in” shame—having a part-time job can make your life (and mental health) a whole lot easier. * Use honest boundaries and clear communication to attract clients who get you (and actually respect your schedule). * Cut the fluff in your business by focusing only on what moves the needle, so you have more time for real life. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

Giving Away a $4,000 Service for Email List Growth with Allea

Ever wondered if you could actually grow your business without giving into the “never sleep, always grind” nonsense? I’m diving in with email strategist Allea Grummert (https://duett.co/), who’s keeping it very real about what it takes to launch a new offer, court those elusive leads, and keep your voice intact when you accidentally record 80 personalized videos. We're talking about giveaways that actually feel human, what to do when you get “only” 85 signups, and why a $4,000 service freebie isn’t some marketing power move, but a thoughtful experiment for finding your people. If you want actionable strategies, relatable stories (yes, including post-softball-sweat breakdowns), and proof that “small” can still mean sustainable and successful, you’re in the right place. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com [https://www.theordinarybusiness.com/] → Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness%E2%81%A0] → Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ [https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy%E2%81%A0] Key Takeaways: * Kickstart new offers with a personal, generous approach—even if that means one big, strategic giveaway. * Nurture your email list by tagging actual interests and sending real follow-ups, not just “here’s another funnel” emails. * Don’t measure success by bloated numbers—a handful of the right people engaging honestly beats 10,000 ghost subscribers any day. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

Are Coffee Chats Worth Your Time? A Roundtable Episode

I know what it’s like to look at your calendar and wonder if you actually need that coffee chat—or if you’d rather just, you know, nap, read a book, or, in a wild twist, get your actual work done. This episode is for ordinary business owners juggling work and life (and maybe a little people-pleasing fatigue), wrestling with whether “coffee chats” are networking magic or just another time trap. >> Huge thanks to our sponsor, Virtually Robyn [https://virtually-robyn.com/strategy-session?utm_source=ordinary+podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ordinary_podcast&utm_id=ordinary+podcast]! Check out her Strategy Sessions and mention 'Ordinary' for a bonus. Today, I sat down with four fellow business owners—Melissa [https://litchfieldmedia.org/], Michelle [https://michelledenioconsulting.com/], Sam [https://www.nomadcopyagency.com/], and Olivia [https://boldaugust.com/]—to unpack the messy real talk of coffee chats: who loves them, who dreads them, how to spot (and avoid) a brain-picking disaster, and why boundaries are a life-saver for your schedule and sanity. If you’re sick of hearing that “just one more coffee chat a day” will get you clients—but also wondering if you’re missing something—this episode is definitely for you. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com [https://www.theordinarybusiness.com/] → Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness%E2%81%A0] → Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ [https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy%E2%81%A0] Key Takeaways * Set clear boundaries for your calls—protect your schedule like your favorite hoodie. * Don’t confuse “networking” with “brain-picking” (or being polite about those pitches you never asked for). * Remember there isn’t one right way: referrals, DMs, Slack channels, and even actual coffee chats all work—find what fits for your kind of ordinary but thriving business. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

Gamifying Your To-Do List with Stickers and Bundt Cake with Branda

Ever felt like you’re drowning in sticky notes, missing appointments, or accidentally double-booking three summits and your sister-in-law’s birthday—all in the same month? This episode is for the ordinary but thriving business owner who wants fewer headaches, more naps, and a business system that doesn’t feel like a second full-time job. >> Thanks to our sponsor, Bright Bunch Designs [https://www.brightbunchdesigns.com/⁠]! Today, I get nosy with Branda (https://www.therelevantcollective.com/), the funnel nerd and former teacher who ditched chaos by turning her business (and her life) into a giant board game—stickers, dessert prizes, and all. From visual tracking methods that actually work for human brains just like yours, to saying “yes” and “no” without feeling like you’ve ruined your reputation, this convo is about building a business on your terms, not whatever’s trending on TikTok. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com [https://www.theordinarybusiness.com/] → Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠ [https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness%E2%81%A0] → Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ [https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy%E2%81%A0] Key Takeaways * Get honest about your capacity by using a physical quarterly calendar (because yes, paper counts as tech). * Motivate your ordinary business life with real, small rewards along the way (Bundt cake > burnout every time). * Say no with zero guilt by seeing the real mental load of every “yes”—and celebrate actual progress, not just the big wins. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.