It’s no secret that the Instagram algorithm has gone off the deep end over the last month or so, but if you are using that as an excuse or reason to not grow on Instagram, I have some tough love for you today. You can not control the algorithm, but you CAN control how you respond to it. And you have a choice to either use these shifts as the reason you pull away from the platform, or you can lean in.On today’s episode, I am sharing:What the algorithm should have to do with your emotions What to do when the algorithm changes, and how to ride the waveThe importance of knowing your numbers and following the metrics that truly matterWhy your email list is crucial during this timeWhen the right time is to build out your automated social funnel (spoiler alert- it's right now).Which is why I am hosting a free workshop, called Automate your Social Sales, that is going to show you how I was able to unplug and really be present just weeks ahead of my biggest launch of the year. This automated funnel has not only brought consistent leads and sales into my business, but also given me the freedom to live my life fully at the same time, and I can’t wait to show you how we did it!Want to learn more? Go to https://www.sevenstrong.com/workshop to register!

I am back on the podcast this week and back home after an amazing trip to Bora Bora. I share more in this episode but this was such a great opportunity for me to reflect on not only how much my businesses have grown over the years, but also how much I have grown.The last time I was in Bora Bora was in 2022 and I remember feeling so stressed and working the entire time, feeling this urge that I could not just relax. And this trip, that was not at all the case.Not only did both my businesses make money, but I was able to fully unplug and be present in the moment with my husband and really reset before our upcoming big launch.On today’s episode, I am sharing a few maybe unpopular opinions about online courses, and why I believe the old way of doing things does not work anymore.I am coming at you raw and unfiltered, and sharing my thoughts on:How much is too much information in your online courseWhy people don’t finish courses, and what you need to do about it as the creatorThe importance of coaching your clients to success (and why this is a non-negotiable for me)Why people have lost trust in marketing programs, and how to stand out as an expert in today’s marketAnd moreI also shared that my upcoming free workshop, Automate your Social Sales is going to show you how I was able to unplug and really be present just weeks ahead of my biggest launch of the year. This automated funnel has not only brought consistent leads and sales into my business, but also given me the freedom to live my life fully at the same time, and I can’t wait to show you how we did it!Want to learn more? Go to https://www.sevenstrong.com/workshop to register!

Being in business for over 9 years has given me some perspective, and something I think about a lot is what I would do differently if I were to do it all over again. I spent a lot of time early on doing things the hard way, or being stuck in fear around some things that could have helped me grow even faster. And I can definitely point to some key decisions in the past that have made all the difference in my growth. Of course, I learned these lessons through experience, but I love hearing from other successful business owners how they have grown and so on today’s podcast I am sharing the big lessons I have learned along the way, and what I would change if I could go back and do it all over again. In this episode, I share:My biggest lesson about getting help, and what I would do differentlyWhat my biggest bottleneck was in scaling and how I overcame itThe secret to doing more without doing MOREWhy it took me so long to adopt the systems to really let me scaleThe kind of support I wish I had earlier in my businessOne of the biggest lessons has been creating an automated system that has helped me grow my list on autopilot using Instagram, and after hearing from so many business owners who don’t have this set up, I have put together a free workshop to teach you how to Automate your Social Sales. I can’t wait to show you how we have grown our list by thousands organically using automations. Want to learn more? Go to Sevenstrong.com/workshop

In the last 90 days, we have grown our email list by over 1200 subscribers completely organically using Instagram. This was not an accident. While most business gurus will tell you that you need to spend money on ads to grow your list, we have found that having a clear, intentional strategy on Instagram has been more effective (and way more profitable) than ads alone.And in this episode, I am sharing the 4 simple steps to creating an Instagram to Email List pipeline that converts like crazy and brings in leads on autopilot.I am sharing:     - Why creating systems that grow your business for you is so important when you want to create balance in your life and business     - The biggest mistake business owners make when it comes to their social media content     - The asset you must have in your business to convert followers into subscribers     - The secret to automating it all, and how its easier to set up than you think     - And the key ingredient that brings it all togetherI have created a free workbook that teaches you exactly how to create a high converting lead magnet so you can grow your list on autopilot.Check it out at  Free Guide to creating your first irresistible lead magnet!

I strongly believe that using Instagram as your free top of funnel strategy is the first step in growing your business, but it really is just step one. And that is what I teach inside the Seven Strong Society. But what you build from there is really where the magic happens.And the bridge between growing an audience on Instagram and growing your business is a value packed lead magnet. The way I teach creating a lead magnet is not the same as other “freebie” trainings out there, and in fact those trainings are causing a lot of business owners more harm than good. And in this episode I am breaking down the big mistakes most people are making with their lead magnets, and how to fix them.In this episode, I cover:     - The first question you need to ask yourself when creating your lead magnet     - The power of focusing on the outcome     - What step in the journey your lead magnet should solve     - The easiest way to get people your solution fastWant to create your own irresistible lead magnet? I have created a new workbook to help you walk through this process and create your lead magnet fast!Head to https://www.sevenstrong.com/leadmagnet

When I started email marketing 9 years ago, things looked quite a bit different. And we have come a long way from me sending emails one by one from my gmail account after bedtime, but that is where it all started. And for the last 9 years, my email list has been my biggest source of predictable revenue in both my businesses.Yes, I can teach you how to grow on social media, and I love doing that, but if you want to grow and scale your business without spending all your time on social media, you need to build an email list. In this episode, I am sharing:- My story of where we started with email marketing (it wasn’t pretty)- How much email marketing has impacted my business growth of the last 9 years- The truth about social media, and how little control you have- Why I will never stop growing an email list- The biggest reason you need a list (and it's not because you might lose your social media account)Plus I shared more about my new free workbook that walks you through how to create an irresistible lead magnet that converts your followers into clients while you sleep. Want to check it out? Head to https://www.sevenstrong.com/leadmagnet

This week I am sitting down with intuitive mindset mastery coach and NLP practitioner, Mindi Huebner and diving deep into the subconscious programming that might be limiting your success.As I have shared before, entrepreneurship is really the most powerful personal growth experience and our businesses can only grow as much as we grow ourselves. Mindi shared her wisdom on how to hack your subconscious mind for success to overcome any plateaus you might be experiencing. We talked about:- How what you say literally creates your reality- Why “acting as-if” is one of the most effective ways to change your thoughts- How to create a vision board that activates your subconscious mind for growth- The power of reverse engineering to create “24 karat” results- How to hack your performance like an Olympic athlete - And why you should show up with “Of Course” energy.Plus, get your hands on my completely free guide for creating your first irresistible lead magnet! Grab your copy now and let's dive in!Want to level up your content game so you can get off the app and still grow? The doors to the Society are now open! We are so excited to welcome this new class of members into the membership and if you are an online business owner, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to go all in on your growth this year!Want to learn more? Go to https://www.sevenstrong.com/society (use the code PODCAST to save $50 off your first month)

If you want to grow your business to 6 figures and beyond, there comes a point where you can't do everything by hand. And the great news is, in 2024 you don't have to. One of the ways I have been able to grow two businesses to 7 figures while being a mom of 3 is automations.And in this episode, I am breaking down the steps by step of my list building funnel that has not only helped me grow my list by 1200+ new leads, but also convert over 10% of them into paying clients in that same time frame.I am breaking down:- The key to creating a lead magnet people will be begging you to send them- How I use evergreen content to build my list around the clock- The no fuss automation tool that does all the heavy lifting for me- How I position these new leads to buyPlus launching here for the first time, my totally free guide to creating your first irresistible lead magnet! Get your copy and let’s dive in!Links:Free Guide to creating your first irresistible lead magnet!ManyChatManyChat MasteryFloDesk (50% off your first year!)Launch by Jeff Walker

If I have learned nothing else in my 10+ years running a business, it’s that entrepreneurship is the ultimate personal growth journey. And that is exactly what my guest Megan Blacksmith and I are diving into today. Megan Blacksmith is a holistic health coach, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, speaker, NLP Trainer and mindset ninja. She is the co-founder of Zesty and the Becoming Zesty podcast. She trains coaches, practitioners and leaders with the tools for faster (inner) transformation without fighting themselves along the way through Functional NLP, a combination of the principles of NLP, functional medicine and compassionate coaching.Each time I have reached a growth or revenue ceiling in my business, I know it’s time to look within and uncover what subconscious beliefs or mental blocks are the root cause. And if you have found yourself hitting a ceiling yourself, this episode is for you.During our chat, we talk about:How identity influences our aspirationsThe ease of making decisions that resonate with our core valuesWhy embracing who we truly are can lead to more fulfilling choices, both personally and within our careersThe radical ah-ha moment that helped me break through my own ceiling and connect with my audienceAnd how challenging conversations can actually strengthen our connections with othersThis one is real juicy, and I can’t wait to hear what you think! You can follow Megan at @Becomingzesty and tune in to her show, the Becoming Zesty Podcast.

As a business owner, growing your email list with new leads should be at the top of your to-do list. But turning followers on social media into email leads can be harder than it sounds, especially with social platforms doing their best to keep people on their app.This is where the magic of ManyChat comes in. ManyChat is the automated chat bot behind the “DM or Comment the word [X] below” craze on social media right now. This little behind the scenes automation is hacking the Instagram Algorithm and resulting in amazing results for accounts of all sizes. And on today’s episode, I am going to tell you all about it!Today I am doing a deep dive into:- What is Manychat, and how long has it been around- Why the Instagram Algorithm hates “link in bio” but LOVES ManyChat automations- The real importance of email list growth, and why you should be doing it already- How Manychat makes the whole process so easy- And my plug and play system to get your automations set up in 1 hr or less!My ManyChat Mastery plug and play template system is everything you need to set up your own ManyChat account, and start growing your list on autopilot. Not only do we walk you through the whole process, we also give you our best performing templates you can upload right into your own account.Plus, you can get a month of the Premium account for free when you join (though we have templates for the free level too!)Want to learn more? Click here for all the details

Is your money mindset keeping you from making more? We all have money stories and beliefs that we were brought up with, and oftentimes we don’t even know them until we start a business and want to make more money.This is exactly what my friend Kathi and I are chatting about on this week’s episode of the Seven Strong Podcast! Kathi is a transformational mindset coach for entrepreneurs and she has helped dozens of entrepreneurs break through their internal limits and unlock their next levels of success.On this episode, we discussed:- Why you need to redefine failure to find success- What real life struggles business owners face, and how to overcome them- How your uncertainties are keeping you stuck- The importance of developing a positive money mindset- What growing abs has to do with your businessKathi also shared her upcoming free training, "Unleash Your Business Potential." This training is designed to help you rebuild momentum after feeling stuck in your business, by showcasing how small tweaks in your thinking can ignite significant leaps in your life and business.If you are feeling stagnant or stuck in your business growth, and are ready to break through the invisible barriers that are holding you back, you don’t want to miss this!The free training is taking place on Wednesday, 3/13/24 @ 8PM EST or Thursday, 3/14/24 @ 11:00AM EST (A correction from the information in the episode)Click here to register for the free training now!

What would happen if you commit to doing something in your business for a whole year? And where would you be a year from now if you started today?This episode is a pretty exciting one because we are celebrating our 52nd weekly episode, meaning 1 FULL year of weekly podcasting. And I have to say there were a few times I wasn’t entirely sure we were going to make it this far.This has been an incredible year, and I am so proud of the growth we have seen, not just from a business standpoint but from a personal one as well. And I am spilling it all on this episode.On today’s episode, I am sharing:- Some of our biggest wins (and biggest lessons) from the last year- One of the most surprising things to come from growing the podcast- How much my husband (and business manager) David has been key to strategic growth- My favorite thing about having guests on the show- And more!Plus, I am announcing our Anniversary Giveaway! When you leave a review of the show (and DM a screenshot to me on Instagram with the keyword CELEBRATE) you will be entered to win one of our amazing prizes!*Thank you for hanging out with me every week in your earphones, and I can’t wait to celebrate for many years to come!*Giveaway ends 03/03/2024 at 11:59 PM EST

One of the number one things I heard from people who were in the InstaGrowth Bootcamp last week was that they want to grow their audience on Instagram, but they want to spend LESS time on the app to do it. And while you might think that sounds counterintuitive, I actually think that is the whole point.When I was struggling to create content that actually grew my account, I was spending so much time trying to create content. And truth be told, most of that time was spent scrolling through the reels trying to find someone else’s idea that I could re-create.But then I realized- when you are copying someone else, you are already behind the trend. You have already missed the boat. Which is why when I started creating content strategically, with an actual plan, everything changed. In this episode, I break down my simple 3 step plan to create content FASTER so you can create MORE of it without spending any more time on the app. And if you are trying to get off the gram while growing on the gram, this episode is spilling some of my best kept secrets. In this episode, I am sharing:What you really need to focus on with your content, vs what is wasting your timeHow to determine what content your audience really cares about (and what you can skip)Where to start when creating content (and it's easier than you think)How I discovered the formula for creating viral contentThe best way to use the tools inside the Society to start creating content in just minutes, not hoursWant to level up your content game so you can get off the app and still grow? The doors to the Society are now open! We are so excited to welcome this new class of members into the membership and if you are an online business owner, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to go all in on your growth this year!Want to learn more? Go to https://www.sevenstrong.com/society

Last summer, I was feeling stuck on Instagram. My personal brand account was stuck at 40K followers for over 2 years, and I felt like I was doing everything under the sun to get my content seen by my ideal clients and nothing was working. I was frustrated, blaming the algorithm and feeling fed up by creating content. Maybe you can relate.But after blaming the Instagram algorithm for my struggle for so long, I decided to stop sitting in blame, and start asking better questions. And in this week’s episode, I am sharing the breakthrough that kickstarted my Instagram growth again, and completely changed the way I think about creating content. On this episode I chat about:- How I got stuck at 40K followers for 2 years, even though I was giving “value”- What my ideal clients were telling me they wanted (and why I started to listen)- How I stopped blaming the algorithm and started looking at it from a different perspective- The simple question I asked that changed how I look at creating contentThis week I am sharing exactly what I did to start growing on Instagram again in my InstaGrowth Bootcamp. Want to learn more? Register at https://www.sevenstrong.com/instagrowthbootcamp

Last summer, I was feeling stuck on Instagram. My Holly Hillyer account was stuck at 40K followers for over 2 years, and I felt like I was doing everything under the sun to get my content seen by my ideal clients and nothing was working. I was frustrated, blaming the algorithm and feeling fed up by creating content. Maybe you can resonate.But after blaming the Instagram algorithm for my struggle for so long, I decided to stop sitting in blame, and start asking better questions. And in this week’s episode, I am sharing the breakthrough that kickstarted my Instagram growth again, and completely changed the way I think about creating content. On this episode I chat about:How I got stuck at 40K followers for 2 years, even though I was giving “value”What my ideal clients were telling me they wanted (and why I started to listen)How I stopped blaming the algorithm and started looking at it from a different perspectiveThe simple question I asked that changed how I look at creating content

If you have been stuck at the same number of followers for what feels like FOREVER, I've been there. And I know how frustrating it can feel to try strategy after strategy and feel like nothing is actually helping you grow.Last summer, I was right there. I had been consistent on Instagram for a few years, and seen some slow but steady growth, and then I hit a wall. I was stuck at 40K followers for years, and no matter what I did I couldn't seem to get in front of new people, let alone the RIGHT people.At first, I was frustrated- but then I got curious, and decided to look at it as a puzzle I needed to solve.And that was the start of how I grew my account from stuck at 40K to well over 100K ideal client followers in just 9 months.In this episode, I am breaking down exactly what I started (and stopped) doing to bust through that ceiling and finally start seeing growth again. I am hosting a free 5 day InstaGrowth Bootcamp teaching you how to do the same. Want to learn more? Go to https://www.sevenstrong.com/instagrowthbootcamp to register!

It’s possible to create really great Instagram content and still fall flat! Going viral doesn’t ensure a growing account! The #1 thing you absolutely MUST do in order to gain new followers is optimize your account. Let’s talk about how!Listen in and learn:Why optimizing your account is importantWhat makes the best profile photo and whyTips for taking great profile photos on your phoneHow to optimize your name using SEO-specific termsThe 3 lines to include in your Instagram bioWhat you can learn by digging into social media dataWhy I don’t get upset over unfollows—Hi, I’m Holly Hillyer–coach, wife, boy mom, and 7-figure boss. I help women like you start and scale online businesses in small pockets of time so you can make more money while also building a life that allows you to be present with the people you love most.💛Are you ready to get the collaboration, confidence, and community you need to make more income and impact? Find out more about Seven Strong Society here!https://www.sevenstrong.com/  Get free business tips in your inbox: Seven Strong NewsletterFollow me on IG:  @sevenstrongco

If “create content” keeps falling further and further down your to-do list, I am sharing a life changing hack for you today.As a business owner, you are already wearing many different hats. CEO, Bookkeeper, Product Creator, Website Developer, and Head of Marketing, just to name a few. Plus the hats you wear the other hours of the day, Parent, Spouse, and more. For a lot of online business owners, creating social media content is the thing that gets pushed further and further down the list, until its been days (if not weeks) since you last posted.Sound familiar?As a mom, wife and owner of two online businesses, I have absolutely been there. And on today’s podcast, I am breaking down how I create content for two brand accounts without spending my whole day on my phone.Don’t worry, I am not going to waste your time with the same borning tips you’ve already heard (I know how precious your time is with all those hats on) so I am getting real and honest about what I am doing in MY business, and how you can do it too.This week, I am breaking downMy simple weekly planning system, that makes actually creating content way fasterThe game changing content batching technique you haven’t seen beforeHow to consistently show up on stories by leveraging Habit Stacking The importance of creating content when your energy is highestHow to leverage your content to hit your quarterly goals by reverse engineering the process My effective (and time saving) strategies to capture more B-roll so you always have content waiting in the wingsHow I use tech (specifically Manychat, ChatGPT and Schedulers to make the whole system automation friendlyWant to learn more?Tune into this week’s episode!Plus listen in for an exclusive discount code to get your first month of access to The Seven Strong Society for only $1! —Hi, I’m Holly Hillyer–coach, wife, boy mom, and 7-figure boss. I help women like you start and scale online businesses in small pockets of time so you can make more money while also building a life that allows you to be present with the people you love most.💛https://www.sevenstrong.com/ Get free business tips in your inbox: Seven Strong NewsletterFollow me on IG:  @sevenstrongco

Do you feel like the Instagram algorithm is a foe, not a friend? Instead of beating your head against the social media wall and guessing how the algorithm works, you need to know the three key things that are essential for growth on Instagram in 2024. We’re talking about it on today’s podcast. You’ll also hear me share my tips for making content creation easier so you can implement a social media marketing plan that REALLY works! No more guesswork!Listen in and learn:The importance of optimizing your Instagram bio firstWhy defining your micro-niche is key to account growthThe one question you should ask about your Instagram contentThe process of creating a content strategy that supports your life goals and connects with ideal clientsWhat’s driving the Instagram algorithmHow to study the accounts you follow to gain insight into desirable contentTips on batching to make content creation easier—Hi, I’m Holly Hillyer–coach, wife, boy mom, and 7-figure boss. I help women like you start and scale online businesses in small pockets of time so you can make more money while also building a life that allows you to be present with the people you love most.💛Are you ready to get the collaboration, confidence, and community you need to make more income and impact? Find out more about Seven Strong Society here!https://www.sevenstrong.com/ Get free business tips in your inbox: Seven Strong NewsletterFollow me on IG:  @sevenstrongco

Are you ready to transform your dreams into reality this year? Discover how a simple vision board exercise can create a path to success!  But a vision board is more than just a tool to create business goals….it can help in all areas of your life from creating stronger relationships, taking care of your mind and body, exploring new passions, and so much more!Listen in and learn:How a vision board helped me reach my goals last yearHow you can be grateful for your current reality and still dream biggerThe importance of nurturing personal and professional relationshipsWhy taking care of your mind and body should be a priorityThe importance of finding passion and joy outside of workHow to create goals for wealth and abundance while also being realistic about the amount of time it takes to achieve themWhy it is vital to create a vision statement Why you should “keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable”—Hi, I’m Holly Hillyer–coach, wife, boy mom, and 7-figure boss. I help women like you start and scale online businesses in small pockets of time so you can make more money while also building a life that allows you to be present with the people you love most.💛Are you ready to get the collaboration, confidence, and community you need to make more income and impact? Find out more about Seven Strong Society here!https://www.sevenstrong.com/ Get free business tips in your inbox: Seven Strong NewsletterFollow me on IG:  @sevenstrongco