The School of Self-Mastery: Business, Money, Life

There are only 2 ways to fast track your business growth: relationships + luck. — Todd Herman. I thought about this and really took it to heart, I thought about all the growth I’ve experienced in my own business over the past 2 years and traced everything back to see if he was right. He was right. Now, of course I had to do other things to make sure the relationships and luck became fruitful, but my business has grown 10X faster because of my committment to relationships and connection. So, where does LUCK come in? You can’t find luck sitting behind your computer. You have to get out of your house and create opportunities to find luck if you want it. I’ve made a concerted effort to attend live events over the past 16 months in my business. And it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made for numerous reasons, but primarily because of: relationships and luck. In this episode I’ll share more about relationships + luck and how you can use live events to create BOTH of these to fast track your own business growth. And if you’re looking for live events, I’ve got 2 for you to choose from today: Todd Herman’s 90 Day Year Live event is coming up in San Diego — this was one of the best live events I’ve ever been to, and I’ll be there again this year. I even scored a 50% off ticket for you, so you can join us from April 17th-19th for just $497 through this link. Earn More to Give More™ Whistler Chalet Retreat {July 30th - August 4th} - Business visioning + strategy that plays to your strengths {and doesn’t let you hold yourself back}, ‘give-back’ business model creation for more satisfaction at every tier of success you hit, and mega mindset shifts that will catapult you forward, faster. This week-long retreat is about finding real motivation, strategizing growth for your business, and deepening the true meaning behind your work. We only have 12 spots available. www.adriennedorison.com/retreat

If you go listen to my dear diary episode from a few months ago {episode 243} -- it will make more sense -- but I’ve been a bit confused on how I wanted this podcast to fit it. I was wanting it to fit in perfectly versus just allowing it to be what it wanted to be, or allowing it to be fun. I’m super focused on making sure this podcast is of value to you, but I was overanalyzing and self-judging a bit too much if I’m being honest. I didn’t feel the name fit for what I was evolving into. I felt it was too broad, but maybe that’s what it needs to be over here. I didn’t want to put too much on my plate with the Pop-Up podcast being tested out. Inspired by an episode and blog post by Jess Lively called Things I’m Afraid to Tell You ..I think I’ll also be doing one of my own soon -- all the things I’ve been afraid to tell you, which might be a bit cathartic for me and will maybe put this whole show back into flow for me...who knows...coming soon. But today I want to talk about Affiliate launches since I’m right in the middle of one with Selena Soo for her Impacting Millions and I’ve had some pretty successful ones over the past year with Todd Herman. I partnered with Todd Herman’s program twice last year and become his affiliate partner of the year for selling the most overall -- I had 109 students enroll through me over the last year which was AMAZING -- yes financially, but also because I believe so much in Todd’s work and know how much it will support these students, AND I know I can help support them even more alongside his work than if they just did his program without me! But more of that later. I want to take you...behind the scenes. Selena’s program is IN launch right now her doors to Impacting Millions close on Thursday, March 30th --  so it’s a bit crazy for me to talk about this now, but it felt right. I may even have another episode where I can do the full debrief if you’re interested. Affiliate launching behind the scenes So first -- what is an affiliate launch --- this just means that I’m partnering with someone else to promote their program/offer  -- and in return for that promotion I sometimes get a percentage of that sale. Think of it like a referral based system. Part 1 I don’t treat it like an affiliate launch. I treat these launches as if they are my own launches. They’re not a side or afterthought. I am ALL IN. It was our HIGHEST PRIORITY. We do weekly stand up calls on my team to discuss tasks and priorities and for the past 6 weeks -- THIS has been the focus. our team knows that this is the highest priority focus right now, and has been for the past 6 weeks -- between the free challenge, the podcast, and the launch -- it’s been at the top of everyone’s list. Part 2 Continuing the Conversation from free content to paid offer I planned for MONTHS in advance to make sure our content focus leading into the launch was all about publicity and the benefits, my own experiences, planning the guest interview with Selena, etc. I mean heck, we started an entire PODCAST, a FB community, and free challenge focused around this topic. So, for the past 6 weeks, I’ve been making sure it was the center of our conversation with our audience and within our own team. Part 3 The Trust I’ve Built I’ve worked hard to build trust with my audience, I’m consistent {except when I’m not -- like on this podcast lately}, honest, deliver tons of value for free, and so on...so I do not take these affiliate launches lightly. It takes a LOT for me to decide if I’m going to promote someone else’s work. I have some standards/rules around who I promote and who I don’t … that rhymed :) Here are some of my rules: I won’t promote anyone’s work that I haven’t personally experienced. I have to believe their work will not only work for me, but for the people in my audience -- thinking of my audience vs just my own results. I have to know their work well enough to be able to help any students that enroll through me with the program/results. I have to trust and love them as a person. I have to know they’re super supportive of their students. I have to know their work will compliment my work -- especially if I’m adding a bonus experience. I also have to take a really hard look at my promotional calendar for the year -- I’m doing this about a year in advance now {I’m sure it will shift a bit as I evolve and create my own new offers} so there’s only so much room to promote other people’s offers if I also want to make sure I’m not exhausting my list with launches. Part 4 My Support I always offer really supportive bonuses. Because with an affiliate launch, I’m offering this other person’s product/offer to MY list -- so I’m assuming that my list may have a desire to work with me as well and this is a great way for me to provide that extra level of support, and work with some new clients in a different capacity. The only way to work with my right now is a retreat that I’m going to be hosting in the summer -- which is limited to 12 peeps -- that’s not a lot! So with an audience MUCH bigger than 12 -- it’s an awesome way for some peeps who have been ready to work with me to get that opportunity while also working through a program, like Selena’s Impacting Millions that is going to get them insane results on it’s own. When I affiliate for something -- I’m always thinking about how I can help them get even BETTER results than they could with just the program itself. So, #1 -- I have to believe in the program and the results it gets on it’s own. But then #2 -- my affiliate bonuses are there purposefully to accelerate or compliment the results they’ll be getting through the main offer. This allows the students to surpass the mentor! And I love it! Part 5 Getting Personal. This is what I call the unrequired work. It looks really great and easy from the outside to have had some of the most successful affiliate launches in the business over the past year...but there’s a lot of work going into it behind the scenes. BECAUSE I CARE. I want the RIGHT people to enroll in the right program for them, so I take a lot of time during these launches to reach out to people individually and answer questions, give them feedback, and just help them through the decision making process. During Todd hermans first launch I sent out over 300 individual emails to people that had signed up for the free video series through me -- now I do that same thing with every affiliate launch -- I don’t always make it through the entire list of peeps who opted in -- but I sure do try! It does take a lot of time -- but it’s worth it for me because the right students enroll and the ones who aren’t a fit are able to have me help them figure that out HONESTLY. I love promoting good people who are doing great work in the world right now. So while, yes I do make an affiliate commission sometimes when selling an offer -- I really love and believe in these people and the work they’re sharing and will continue to take the time and energy to help and support them in anyway that I can. So this was a nice sneak peek behind the scenes this week -- Selena’s Impacting Millions program closes on Thursday -- March 30th and we’d BOTH love to support you inside! You can go to adriennedorison.com/IM to join through me and get all my bonuses -- cause I’d love to support you! <3 And...what’s next… This weekend I’m headed to NYC  -- I had plans to meet with Todd on Monday for our quarterly day long group intensives -- so I decided to bring tyler along and make a weekend out of it. We’re going to my friend Chris Winfield’s event on Saturday -- Chris is a master at productivity and also has a background in publicity, and Selena is his guest speaker that day too, so it should be a great day with a ton of new takeaways and friends! I also organized my first dinner party for a group of friends and other influencers, people that I’ve known and really want to connect with in person finally - i am SO excited, we have an incredible group of people, many of which have been on this podcast! I’ll try to remember to take a pic and post it on FB + instagram -- I’m the worst at remembering to do this. Selena’s Impacting Millions program closes on Thursday -- March 30th and we’d BOTH love to support you inside!

Ellie Scarborough Brett helps visionaries master their message and ignite their brands by harnessing the power of their unique stories. A former NBC reporter, she specializes in building powerful and purposeful on-camera personalities quickly and cultivating leaders into captivating speakers. She works exclusively with female entrepreneurs and thought-leaders who are serious about positively impacting the planet with their passion + moxie + services.   As women, we use an average of 20,000 words per day. The question is, how many of them really matter? If you want to make the most impact possible with your work, you need to know how to make the most impact possible with your words. Ellie calls this 'speaking with soul'. Ellie worked as a tv news reporter for nearly a decade and learned out to turn hours of sound into 90-second stories, so she had to learn how to get rid of all of the words that were unnecessary and focus on what truly mattered. When Ellie left news to start my own business, she was interviewed on the Today Show within a month of launch and truly got to see what a difference four and a half minutes on national tv could make on a brand.   Here's what Ellie and I dove into on this episode:  - how to make your words matter - why make time for media interviews - three keys to sharing powerful stories - the #1 myth about media interviews {and what to do instead} - specific ways to make any story you tell stronger   You can find Ellie Brett over at mediabombshell.com.

Selena is the creator of Impacting Millions. She teaches business owners how to elevate their brand, reach more people and so, of course, impact millions! In this interview, Selena got real with us on what it was like when she first got started in the online business space, how she stretched herself to connect with influencers and why it's so important to her and for you to share your message and mission with the world. IMPACTING MILLIONS® helps you connect with the media and land high-exposure opportunities — including guest posts, podcast interviews, print magazine coverage, and TV.  The goal is to help you reach more people, impact more lives, and become an industry leader. You’ll learn how to leverage your media opportunities for maximum impact — including more sales for your 1:1 services, group programs, or events. This is a 90-day live training program that includes 1 year of support. During the year, you’ll get invites to special webinars with Selena’s media friends (who’ve worked at places like O, The Oprah Magazine Entrepreneur, Business Insider, MindBodyGreen Glamour, The Today Show). You’ll also be part of a vibrant Facebook community, where Selena will be sharing story ideas, prompts, and tips to help you get more attention for your business. Doors open for Impacting Millions just once a year. Sign up for the VIP waitlist here: www.selenasoo.com/impactingmillions

Announcement!  The Pop-Up Podcast is LIVE!  Let's get POPPIN' y'all! This is a new podcast with a new twist...get it while it's hot because at the end of each 'themed' pop-up season...it's all coming down. This season: Expose Your Business We're going to be talking all season long about how to land publicity and media for your business so that you can reach more people with your message. The first episode is LIVE and all about WHY publicity is important for your business. I share 3 reasons and want you to go listen and let me know which one is MOST important to YOU personally -- let me know in the comments here. I'd love for you to subscribe {so you will get notified when I add new episodes}, review and share the show with someone. >> www.adriennedorison.com/popup >> www.adriennedorison.com/popuppodcast  

Spending lots of time 'working' but having a hard time getting clients?  I hear you...and we can help.  You're probably focused on the wrong things in the beginning, and while everyone is telling you that marketing your business is the most important piece, they failed to mention what you need to do BEFORE you spend a moment on marketing. Today's guest, Becca Tracey from TheUncagedLife.com is going to rewind for a moment and share the 4 most important pieces to getting and keeping clients when you're just starting a business...without all the BS of having to use every marketing gimmick under the sun.   Becca is also sharing the 5 Secrets to Getting More Clients As A Coach on a FREE training with my audience this week -- do NOT miss this.  Join us here.

Esther Kiss is the founder of Born To Influence, a boutique publicity firm specializing in helping experts and personal brands get more publicity, leads and sales. Her clients have been featured on TV, in newspapers, magazines and on some of the top podcasts in the world, resulting in millions of dollars in additional sales. Through their coaching program Strategic Influence, in collaboration with her business partner, John Dennis, she teaches a unique, methodical process for developing influential personal brands designed for exponential, long term growth. www.borntoinfluence.com/gift

I know, I know, I’ve been a bit inconsistent here so far this year…not a good way to kick off the new year you may be thinking. BUT truthfully, this is the BEST way to kick things off. ‘Cause things be changing y’all. Yup. I used this episode as a ‘dear diary’ of sorts, so bare with me as I let it all out. I knew I needed to share this all with you, and it feels better now that it’s out in the wild and free. Tune into this episode to hear about what’s happening to The School of Self-Mastery as we know it, what the future looks like for our 2017 content and plans, and who I’m UNAVAILABLE to work with moving forward as we become more vocal and clear with our core values as a company. If you’re feeling the pull to work together this year — join me inside Momentum Track — www.adriennedorison.com/momentum-track

If you think you're the BEST at all the tasks in your business, and it feels way too challenging to start handing things over to others... You need to listen to this episode.  It's time to let go of some control and realize that you're NOT the best at everything, and even if you are, I'll show you why it's worth it to let some things go! 

*Best of The School of Self Mastery*    4 REASONS EXERCISE WILL HELP YOUR BUSINESS We all know it's important to exercise. The CDC recommends adults get two and a half hours of moderately intense activity every week. Nearly 80% of adults don't meet these basic fitness goals. We know exercise is good for our health, but how can it also be essential to our business? 1. It lifts your mood. 2. It reduces stress. 3. It boosts your confidence. 4. It helps you sleep. Join my free FB community: Society of Self-Mastery  

**Best Of 2016**   Have you been overwhelmed, overworked, and still feeling it's never enough?  Pushing yourself to be the best in ALL areas of your life and unsure when the payoff is finally going to happen?!  Trying to be...Mom of the year, Business owner of the year, Crossfit athlete and marathon runner of the year...sound familiar?  Jenny Shih and I sat down and had a real honest conversation about what success without sacrifice really is, if it's mythical and how she created this new revolution for women running around looking like chickens with their heads cut off.  I'll be honest, I didn't think I was going to like what Jenny had to say...but I'll let you be the judge of whether or not this whole 'success without sacrifice' idea can work for you.  Jenny Shih is an uncompromising business coach who works with smart entrepreneurs who are fiercely committed to their own success. Step by step, she show them how to create a successful online business without having to work long hours or make huge sacrifices. She believes that with the right systems and strategies, you can make money doing work you love and also live a life you love. You can join her FREE 6 week class here to start your Success Without Sacrifice journey. 

**Best Of 2016**   6 tips to fast track your success in 2016 - take these serious and the results will follow. 1. Let your vision, commitment, & drive guide you NOT your current circumstances or limitations or excuses. 2. To get energy you must do the work, and follow through on your word. When you hustle and get things done you create energy within to take even more action. 3. ALWAYS celebrate weekly progress over perfection. Being a perfectionist will cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. Remember you want experiments, not perfection. 4. Make sure you are ONLY associating with those who hold you accountable, raise your standards, and challenge you to think bigger...NOT those people who let you off the hook.  5. Get rid of ALL negativity in your life. Toxic people love company and they have a problem for every solution. You must purposely surround yourself w/ top-notchthinkers. 6. Start your days feeling resourceful, accomplished and confident - Define your highest value activity (MIM - most important mission) and spend the first 90 minutes doing that and NOTHING else. - use your success sheet every morning & evening.  Habits will always trump inspiration. Inspiration is needed to create consistent action, but your habits are ultimately going to define your success or failure. Which one of these will make the BIGGEST impact on your success and results this week and this year if you really focused on it?

**Best Of 2016**   Mariah Coz has been building businesses since 2008. After being in a touring punk band for a few years, she decided she wanted income in between tours and got started online. She first started out on Etsy selling vintage clothes and sunglasses that she would find at thrift stores for a profit. Then she purchased, renovated, and flipped vintage camper trailers for a few years. Mariah became a public speaker, developed a proprietary curriculum for high school girls that she toured around the country, and even did freelance museum curation. Then, after burning out on selling physical products on Etsy and her crazy speaking/teaching travel schedule, she let go of my profitable, but crazy businesses to pursue "online courses" and get REAL freedom back. Mariah set a goal to replace her Etsy and speaking income with leveraged, passive online courses. 30 days later, Mariah had made $10k selling a course about living in a vintage camper. That was 4 years ago! It changed everything and set her on the path she is on today - helping people turn their weird passions, hobbies and unique skills into leveraged digital products. Now, Mariah runs Femtrepreneur, a 7-figure business that helps badass young women start their own online course businesses so they can lead autonomous, independent lives! In this episode, Mariah is sharing some of her best tips for getting recognized and building successful and profitable courses in your niche industry, sharing why she loves super small niches for course building, and how you can get started today with your next big idea.  You can find Mariah over here: www.Femtrepreneur.co www.yourfirst1k.co www.launchyoursignaturecourse.com

**Best Of 2016** I recorded this story based on a question someone in my FREE FB community shared, but I'm sure many of you will find it beneficial and interesting. This is the story of how my VP found out about my side business and how I felt during that time, how I decided to be super open & visible with my business while still working, and the things I'd do differently if I could go back in time! If you want to get full access to the actual blog post that outed me, sign up here and we'll send it straight to your inbox --> adriennedorison.com/corporate