EPISODE 050 | APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY

We have reached our 50th podcast episode, and I am so excited to celebrate this milestone with you. Thank you so much for being with me, many of you right from the beginning when we launched our very first episode almost a year ago. Over the last fifty weeks, I’ve shared a workshop-style episode every week, and I'm thrilled they have been as helpful as they have.

These episodes have resonated the most with you, and we’ve heard from many of you about how much they have helped and made an impact on your creative business. I am thrilled by your feedback, and in this episode, my hope is that whether you listen to these episodes already or you are listening to these highlights for the first time, you will take away something valuable.

I’ll provide a quick overview of each episode and share the key takeaways. Even if you simply listen to just this episode, you’ll leave with a bounty of practical, jargon-free strategies that you can apply right away. I’m all about no-fuss, practical advice, and this episode is packed full of it!

CONFIDENCE WITH PRICING

Our fifth most downloaded episode is "Confidence with Pricing," and I’m not surprised it’s reached the top five. Questions around pricing are some of the most frequent messages we receive, and pricing really is everything in business. Coincidentally, it was episode number 005, and over the 20 minutes, I shared a series of steps to help you feel confident about pricing effectively. This episode followed a 20-page free guide that I created, which you can still access right now. It covers the nine most important steps to help you confidently price all your offerings. Let’s briefly revisit some of those steps, and after this, I encourage you to download a copy of the PDF from our website to have it handy.

Pricing isn't just about numbers; it's about aligning your prices with the value you provide, meeting your customers' expectations, and ensuring your business thrives while promoting a healthy work-life balance. Effective pricing is a game changer, and these steps can make a massive difference for you, just as they did for me.

Firstly, in the episode, I discussed the crucial difference between price and value. Price is what your customers pay, but value is what makes your offering stand out and drives customers to choose you over competitors. Understanding your unique combination of features, benefits, and experiences is essential, as is aligning your offerings with your customers' perceived value.

Another important point I covered was avoiding the pitfall of comparing your prices with others. It's natural to want to check what your competitors are doing, but aligning your prices with industry standards without knowing their full story can be misleading. Instead, focus on your unique value rather than treating your offerings as commodities.

One of the key takeaways was the danger of pricing too low. Attracting bargain hunters might seem like a good strategy, but it can result in less loyal customers. Instead, conveying your unique value will attract the customers you truly want to work with.

We also delved into understanding your profit and shared tips to help calculate it from your revenue. I emphasised the importance of a unique pricing strategy that reflects your unique offerings and desired profitability, helping your business stand out.

Flexibility in pricing was another critical aspect we discussed. One of the advantages of running a small business is the ability to be nimble and adaptable. I shared steps to help you feel confident about testing and trialling your prices and making changes as needed.

Other significant takeaways from the episode included the often overlooked step of offering a premium option, with examples from other businesses, and the significance of mindset and self-worth. I provided methods to help you fully understand and believe in your value.

If you would love a more comprehensive understanding, definitely listen to this episode and download the free PDF guide from our website. Whether it's your first time hearing it or you're revisiting it, this episode is filled with actionable insights to help you feel confident with your pricing.

DEFINING YOUR PATH

Moving on to our fourth most downloaded episode, "Defining Your Path: How to Pursue What You Love Without Being Derailed," this one struck a chord with many of you, and for good reason.

Just before I recorded the episode, I had an experience that really got me thinking about the direction of our lives and careers. During dinner with a friend, who knows how often I evolve my business ideas, she asked me, "So, what's next for you?" This question wasn't unusual, but it struck a chord this time. It made me think deeply about ensuring that 'what’s next' aligns profoundly with my overall vision for life and work.

This reflection started the idea for that episode, focusing on the importance of defining and pursuing your own vision to ensure you live a life that’s true to yourself. Often, we get caught up in the motions, following paths that might not truly resonate with who we are or what we desire most deeply.

I explored how to identify whether you’re on the right path, how to realign if you’re not, and how to protect what you most want to achieve from anything—or anyone—that might try to derail you. It’s all about creating your own direction and preventing any kind of regrets. Whether you're feeling uncertain about your current business, thinking about a shift, or just need a little inspiration to reaffirm your path, this episode is for you.

I spoke about the importance of reflecting on where you are right now. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and rarely take the time to genuinely assess our current state. Ask yourself: Are you truly happy with where you are? Does your current role and business fill you with excitement and genuine happiness at the end of each day? Or is there a nagging feeling that something isn't quite right? Maybe there’s a dream you’ve put on hold or a passion you’ve sidelined for 'practical' reasons.

Thinking about these questions isn't just about making big leaps or dramatic changes; sometimes, it's about making small adjustments that realign your day-to-day actions with your long-term vision. It’s about ensuring that every step you take is a step towards a life that feels fulfilling and true to who you are.

Living true to yourself isn't just about major leaps; it's also about the small, everyday decisions that gradually shape our lives into expressions of our true selves. One critical aspect we covered was overcoming societal expectations and external opinions that can significantly influence our decisions. These external voices can lead us away from our true paths into lives that don't fully reflect who we are or what we desire most deeply. Recognising and shedding these preconceived notions is essential for realigning with your true values and long-term happiness.

We also talked about the concept of creating your own destiny. Every choice we make and every action we take opens new doors and influences our life's path. It’s about being proactive—making decisions that actively shape our future rather than passively waiting for opportunities. Tuning into our intuition can be the key to making choices that align deeply with what success means for us.

I shared steps to help us stay open to new opportunities, trust our ability to make decisions, and remain adaptable in our approaches. It’s about learning from past experiences and listening to your inner voice to find the exact answer you need.

MY PERSONAL GUIDE TO INSTAGRAM

Moving on to our third most listened-to episode, "My Personal Guide to Instagram," it’s clear that Instagram is a platform that resonates with so many and I was expecting that, particularly as we all have creative businesses. It’s one of the most preferred social media platforms amongst us all, and I frequently receive questions about how I manage Instagram for my business, so I dedicated episode 025 to sharing my approach.

Instagram definitely creates polar views—some love it, others loathe it, and perhaps like me, you sit somewhere in between. Regardless of where you stand, we can all recognise the feeling of slight overwhelm that can come with managing a business Instagram account.

First and foremost, I made it clear that I am not an Instagram expert, but I do have a straightforward strategy that works well for my business. It’s a method that stops Instagram from being overwhelming and ensures it fits successfully as part of our overall marketing strategy. My goal was to help you feel relaxed and even excited about incorporating aspects of this strategy into your working week.

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a small business owner with an established account, this episode aims to support you not just in gaining more followers and increasing likes, but in building meaningful relationships, enhancing and growing your brand, and actually enjoying the process without feeling overwhelmed.

So, let’s look into some of the key takeaways from that episode. One of the first points I stressed was the importance of authenticity. Sharing your journey, the ups and downs, makes your brand relatable. People connect with people, not just polished products. This also taps into vulnerability, where you share aspects of the “real” you and behind-the-scenes moments. Set your own boundaries here and share what you feel comfortable with, it definitely doesn’t need to be everything, just a small glimpse is often plenty.

Consistency is another key principle. This doesn't mean posting every day, but rather maintaining a regular presence. Find a rhythm that works for you and your audience without letting Instagram overtake your life. Engagement is crucial—take time to respond to comments and messages, and engage with your followers' content. It's a two-way street, and building these connections can significantly enhance your community.

I also talked about the importance of your Instagram bio. It’s the first thing people see when they visit your profile, so it needs to be strong, clear, and inviting for your target audience. Your bio should quickly tell people who you are and what you offer, injecting your brand’s personality into it.

Another key aspect is how Instagram fits into the bigger marketing picture. It’s a fantastic platform for storytelling and showcasing the heart and soul behind your brand, but it should complement your overall marketing strategy, not dominate it. Instagram should work in harmony with other channels like newsletters, podcasts, editorial features, and collaborative projects to expand your reach and deepen your relationships with your audience.

One of my favourite parts of managing Instagram is building and nurturing a community. Engagement is not just about responding; it’s about initiating and participating in conversations. Active listening, prompt replies, and balancing personal and professional content are all essential strategies for building a strong, engaged community.

I also shared practical tips for planning your Instagram content effectively to bypass the feeling of overwhelm. Content batching and planning have been game-changers for me. Setting aside time each month to create the bulk of your content and using a content calendar to plan your weekly topics can save you a lot of time and energy.

Understanding and measuring the impact of your Instagram efforts is crucial. It’s not just about likes and comments; it’s about knowing what those interactions mean for your business and how you can use that information effectively. Tracking engagement and conversion, optimising posting times, and understanding your audience are all vital for making informed adjustments to your strategy.

If you’re looking for more in-depth insights and practical tips, I highly recommend listening to the full episode.

HOW TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

Next up, our second most downloaded episode, "How to Achieve Your Goals," is one I'm thrilled to see ranked so high. Setting and achieving goals is fundamental to success in any creative business, and in episode 003, we delved into practical steps to make those dreams a reality.

In this episode, I talked about the importance of understanding the purpose behind your goals. It's not just about setting a goal but really understanding why you want to achieve it and how it will positively impact your life. This sense of purpose becomes your motivation, especially when you face obstacles or start to feel overwhelmed.

I also discussed breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable steps. By creating daily and weekly tasks, you can maintain a sense of progress and build momentum. Each small step brings you closer to your overall goal, making the journey less daunting and more achievable.

Consistency was another key principle we covered. Developing a routine and sticking to it is crucial for maintaining focus and making steady progress. Whether it's dedicating a few hours each day or specific days each week, consistency helps build habits that lead to success.

When you encounter obstacles or feel stuck, seeking growth is essential. This means asking for help, researching new methodologies, and continuously learning. Adopting a growth mindset—believing that you can and will find a way—can make a significant difference in overcoming challenges.

Having support from others is also vital. Whether it's family, friends, or hiring help, having a support system can ease the burden and provide the encouragement needed to keep going. Don't hesitate to reach out and ask for assistance when you need it.

Finally, measuring your progress and setting specific targets is crucial. Understanding why you're pursuing your goals and tracking your progress keeps you accountable and motivated. Use tools like spreadsheets to note down your targets and measure your progress regularly.

If you're interested in a more in-depth discussion on these steps, I highly recommend listening to the full episode.

BALANCING CREATIVITY WITH BUSINESS

Finally, let's talk about our most downloaded episode: "Balancing Creativity with Business." It's wonderful and heartwarming to see this episode at the top because, while we all strive for highly profitable and successful businesses, it's the reason behind the business that is so important. For most of our audience, it's about creating a successful business with creativity at its core.

This episode, which is actually our very first one, focuses on the five essential strategies that have helped me, and countless others, strike the perfect balance between creativity and business growth. My hope was, and still is, to help you find that sweet spot where you can follow your true creative vision while running a successful and profitable business.

First, we discussed the importance of setting clear goals and priorities. I talked about this in greater depth in episode 003, the episode I just mentioned, but it is also an important aspect in balancing creativity. Achieving the balance with creativity and business requires having a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Your goals should excite you and provide a mix of both big, audacious targets and smaller, more achievable steps. This combination helps maintain focus and drive, even when facing obstacles.

Next, I shared the necessity of staying organised and efficient. Time is our most valuable resource, and by using tools like project management software or even simple tables in a word document, you can streamline your workflow and stay on top of deadlines. This organisation allows you to devote more time to the creative aspects of your business.

We also talked about the power of collaboration. Finding like-minded individuals and brands to collaborate with can expand your creative ideas, help you learn new skills, and expose you to new audiences. Successful collaborations are mutually beneficial and aligned in vision, often leading to exciting new directions for your business.

Continuous learning and growth are crucial in a fast-paced business world. Staying updated with the latest trends, techniques, and systems in your field can help you create more innovative and unique work. This ongoing learning also helps you streamline processes and maintain excitement for your projects.

Lastly, staying true to your artistic vision is essential. Don't compromise your creativity for quick profits. Focus on creating work that reflects your unique perspective and values. Your creativity is what sets you apart and makes your work special and valuable.

I also shared inspiring examples from brands like Patagonia and Little Seed Farm, which have successfully balanced creativity with business growth by staying true to their unique values and perspectives. These examples highlight the importance of focusing on what makes your brand unique and not getting too caught up in what others are doing.

SUMMARY

We've reached the end of our 50th episode celebration, and I’ve loved revisiting our top five most downloaded episodes. These episodes have provided invaluable insights and practical strategies that have resonated deeply with so many of you.

All five episodes we've discussed today are linked above, so please do listen to them if you haven’t already, and I really do hope they make an enormous difference. And if you found another episode, one that sits outside of these five, I’d love to know. Please drop me an email at hello@philippacraddock.com or a DM on Instagram. After recording these episodes and sending them out into the world, it means so much when I hear back from listeners, and of course if you have any questions, I’d love to help.

As at the time of recording, as we are celebrating our 50th episode, it’s serendipitous that we have just found out that we have reached the top 3% of global podcasts. It’s an incredible milestone within less than a year and it’s because of your continued support, thank you. I'm excited about the next fifty episodes and beyond. And if you haven’t done so already, please do subscribe so I can share them all with you.

Until next time, keep striving, keep thriving, and here's to many more episodes together.

Thank you for listening and with huge love,
Philippa x