Even though I LOVE helping business owners nail down the words that will help them tell their story and attract the clients they feel called to serve, I’m by no means an expert on building a business.
The funny thing is, I often find myself talking about how to do this or blurting out simple tweaks my clients (or coffee companions) could make that would simplify their lives.
But here’s the truth: These are not things that come from my intuition or even my Zone of Genius. What I know about building a business — what’s worked for me and what I’ve seen work for countless others — comes from Jenny Shih.
I discovered Jenny Shih back in 2014 and started following her blog religiously. Her blog is still my number-one go-to if my clients have questions about how to get awesome testimonials, whether to start a course or coach 1:1, and tons of other topics.
If you know me even a little, you know I don’t go gaga for people easily. I’m a skeptic. I generally don’t like things that are popular. And I have a natural suspicion for the latest trend — especially when it comes to running an online business.
So just how exactly did Jenny Shih win a place in my heart as a valued mentor?
Life Was Sucking Hard
In 2014, my business was majorly stalled. Two years before, my hubby and I had moved to a new city for a job opportunity for him, and I thought it’d be no big deal to take my thriving offline writing coaching practice and move it online.
I figured out all the tech of delivering my services online and thought I was good to go. The problem was, I had no clue how to get clients online. I went from being our family’s primary breadwinner to struggling to contribute to our household budget.
I was so frustrated!
By that point in my career I had 8 years of writing coaching experience under my belt, and I was really hard on myself.
I thought I should know how to do this, and the fact that I didn’t made me angry at myself. Not to mention that I was extremely embarrassed. I cringed when anyone asked how my business was going because the truth was, it wasn’t.
After two years of this, I was tired of spinning my wheels. I was following every expert about online business and stockpiling free PDFs and how-to guides, but the more information I got, the more confused I was. I was constantly anxious.
If my guy asked me how things were going, I got defensive. I started feeling resentful about our move and the success I’d left behind. This was not my finest hour as a person or a partner. ?♀
My Light Bulb Moment
By October of 2014 I’d been following Jenny for a few months — devouring her emails and feeling like maybe there was some hope for me after all.
Then, I signed up for a live webinar she was hosting. The light went on. My head nearly exploded with insights.
Suddenly, it all made sense. Of course I’d been spinning my wheels. I didn’t have a plan. I would literally sit at my laptop and stare at the screen with no clue what to do that would actually give me traction.
I had been trying to think my way out of a problem. I had these various resources — all those PDFs and webinars I’d been bookmarking to read or watch “later.”
But I didn’t have a plan. I didn’t know what the action steps were from top to bottom.
On the webinar, Jenny used this analogy of trying to build a house. Sure, you can spend all your weekends at Home Depot taking classes about how to build a roof or tile a bathroom or install plumbing.
But all that detailed, tactic-level knowledge does you no good unless you actually know the step-by-step process of building a house. What to do when and exactly how to do it, with expert guidance.
I took pages and pages of notes on that webinar. I could feel in my bones that this was different from anything I’d learned before.
But would I finally make a change? Or would I be like the definition of insanity: Taking the same action over and over but expecting different results”
One More Hurdle
When it came time to apply to Jenny’s program, Make It Work Online, I knew in my gut that this was the right next step. But I was scared that I wouldn’t be accepted. I kept thinking, “I don’t know enough. I should just learn one more thing and then I’ll be ready…”
And then I realized how backwards that thought was. This was exactly the kind of thinking that had gotten me so stuck in the first place. The whole reason I was anxious was that I had all these individual pieces of knowledge and no fricken clue how to put them all together so I could take action.
When I looked a little deeper, I realized that I had this feeling that as a smart, capable person, I should be able to do it all myself.
I thought I should be able to just think my way out of this problem.
<<Face palm>>
No wonder I was feeling so stuck! The more information I got, the worse I felt. The worse I felt, the more I looked for answers. The more I looked for answers, the more information I collected. And the cycle repeated.
It was time to stop stockpiling information and start taking action.
I talked things over with my hubby and listed all the reasons this program would be exactly what I needed — it would give me a plan, it would teach me to write copy, it would give me personalized feedback, and most importantly, it would make me take action. He just sat and listened. He knew I was trying to convince myself.
Well, it worked. 😉 I took the leap and applied.
Getting Super Honest with Myself
And thank goodness I did! Because I was accepted into Make It Work Online and was able to learn how to write great copy that speaks to my target client, how to effectively spend my time and work fewer hours, and how to actually go out and get clients online.
Yes, I’ve always been a strong writer. But getting access to proven templates for writing everything from sales pages to consult scripts to follow-up emails was game-changing. Plus, I was getting personalized feedback on my copy from an expert so that I could fine-tune my copywriting and take it to the next level.
And speaking of being a good writer… Make It Work Online made me realize that one of the ways I’d been hiding out from really taking action was by writing. I would go back and update my website or come up with a new opt-in offer instead of doing the work to bring in clients. Why? Because that’s what felt comfortable for me.
Do you relate? Is there something you do in your business because it feels comfortable, instead of because it’s effective? Maybe it’s spending hours on social media without a plan, or designing your logo, or researching the perfect email service provider.
Beyond all the step-by-step templates, the expert coaching, the clarity, and the proven structure of Make It Work Online, one of the huge takeaways for me was that I had to choose:
Did I want to hold onto all my BS excuses? Or did I want to build a successful business?
No Turning Back
Now, just over 4 years later, I’m running a business I love, helping the clients I feel called to serve. I know how to prioritize tasks in my business, and I have the clarity about how all the pieces work together.
This meant it was no big deal when I radically changed my coaching practice in 2016 by pivoting from serving students to serving business owners. Or when I started serving indie authors in 2017. Or when I narrowed to my “business owner” niche to specifically serve transformational coaches in 2019.
Are you seeing a theme here? My business evolves as I evolve. As I get more clarity about the work I do best and that really lights me up, I shift my coaching practice so that it remains joyful.
Whenever I need to create a new message or a new offer or start getting clients in a new niche, I simply go back to the tried-and-true plan I learned in Make It Work Online.
And each time I do it, it’s faster, smoother, and easier than the time before. Because these steps are ingrained in me now. I not only know them intellectually, I know what they feel like in action. I know how to troubleshoot them when things aren’t working.
(Of course, it helps immensely that along with the live program of MIWO you also get lifetime access to the course materials, plus a free ticket to the live event in June, plus free membership in a kick-ass alumni forum online!)
Now I spend time taking action that moves the needle in my business. I also have time to volunteer in my community, and to really enjoy the wonderful little beach town that I’m SO GRATEFUL my hubby and I moved to. ?
I’ll be forever grateful to MIWO for teaching me the core skills required to run a successful business. And for helping me get out of that rut I was in. The one that had me thinking I just wasn’t cut out to be an online entrepreneur.
I want this for you, too. To be able to build the business of your dreams, serving clients you love, feeling fulfilled.
So let’s take a deeper look. What the heck is Make It Work Online, and how can it help you?
What is Make It Work Online®?
Make It Work Online® is a 12-week coaching intensive designed for one-on-one, service-based business owners who want to earn a full-time income doing work they love, on a schedule that gives them the freedom they crave.
The program is a one-of-a-kind mix of online training, personal business coaching, personal copy coaching, and Structured Peer Support, infused with online community and tons of action-taking.
Yeah, But Is it Really Different?
You might have invested in other courses or programs in the past, only to wind up feeling overwhelmed, confused, or stuck about how to apply the lessons to YOUR business.
If this has happened in the past, you probably did one of two things …
Pushed your overwhelm, confusion, and maybe even a little embarrassment to one side and asked for help.
Or …
Stopped showing up for office hours, tried to do it all on your own, or gave up completely because you convinced yourself “the timing wasn’t right.”
Either way, you probably wound up feeling like you’d wasted both time and money.
Here’s what makes the Make It Work Online® client experience so different and so unique.
When you enroll in Make It Work Online®, you’ll be assigned not one but two personal coaches:
Your own personal copy coach:
When it comes to online business, it’s your words that will make you money. You can provide the best service in the world but if you don’t know how to describe it in a way that makes your prospects want it you won’t make sales, simple as that. When you enroll in Make It Work Online®, you’ll be assigned a copy coach who will personally guide you to become the best copywriter you can possible be. The net result? You’ll never need to hire a copywriter again.
Your own personal business coach:
Words are what help you make money, but those words have to rest on a solid business foundation. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to business strategy, which is why your business coach will work with you to formulate a strategy tailored to you and your unique circumstances. With their detailed personalized guidance and support you’ll waste no time in setting your rates, designing your packages, and most importantly, signing paying clients.
Your business coach will make sure you know what needs to get done, get your questions answered, are working with success mindset, and are on track to creating the thriving business you want. With this ally by your side, you’ll have all the guidance and encouragement you need to navigate any challenge, keep taking action, and create the success you dream of.
Accountability
Throughout your Make It Work Online® experience, your coaches will work together to help you keep pace with the program, aligned with your vision of success, and accountable to your ultimate goal of creating a thriving online business.
Every Make It Work Online® Coach has been selected and trained by Jenny personally.
And with two coaches looking out for you, there’ll never be an opportunity to get lost, or hide in the back!
So, How Does It Work?
Each week you’ll get access to a new step-by-step video module, plus any supplementary resources, and a homework assignment to submit to your trio of coaches at the end of the week.
Just like a college course, your coaches will review your homework individually and then together, before providing you with detailed and personalized feedback to help you craft compelling copy and captivating offers that ultimately feel aligned with your vision and desires.
Unlike a college course, you’ll then have the opportunity to video conference with your coaches every week, to talk through any challenges you’re facing, and agree your way forward.
Make it Work Online® is NOT another download-it-now, do-later course .…
This is a program you join and do now, with coaching and support every step of the way.
The ultimate goal?
To provide you with all the knowledge and coaching support you need, so you can earn a full-time income by doing work you love, on a schedule that gives you the freedom you crave.
Is Make It Work Online® Right For You?
It’s for you if you’re a solopreneur who provides a one-on-one service that you want to market online. (This includes any kind of coach, consultant, copywriter, virtual assistant, nutritionist, healer, teacher, SEO expert, designer, web developer, or the like.)
You’re ready for Make It Work Online® if:
- You’re eager to step up, take action (even if it’s imperfect!), and make big things happen in your business.
- You’re fed up with being busy but having nothing to show for all your effort.
- You’re ready to stop spinning, start taking strategic action, and get real results.
- You have at least a little experience in your industry (you’ve worked with a handful of clients).
- You’re using your expertise, even if you haven’t made a ton of money.
- You’re ready to go all in and finally make your business work!
You’re probably not ready for Make It Work Online® if:
- You sell physical goods. (The methods covered are exclusively for service providers who want to market one-on-one services over the internet to a worldwide audience.)
- You want to learn how to create, market, and sell digital products.
- You’re part of a network marketing or direct sales business and don’t have your own, independent website. (If you do have your own website and have full control over it, please apply.)
- You’ve been making $2500+/month for the past 4+ months from online business revenue or inching your way toward six figures in your business.
- You’re looking for someone to hold your hand or tell you it’s cool if you just keep doing what you’re doing that isn’t working.
What Are the Results?
Those who enroll in Make It Work Online® learn how to get a steady stream of new clients coming in the door and create consistent income in their online businesses. Clients go on to fill their client rosters, start waiting lists, quit their “real jobs,” and create consistent income in their businesses doing work they love. It’s so fun to watch!
Why I’m Really Stoked About Make It Work Online® for YOU!
I know you’re smart. I know you’re a Big Thinker. In fact, you likely “overthink” things. From what to write in a blog post, to how to introduce yourself, to what service to offer to your clients that would really knock their socks off.
Thinking is good… right?
Absolutely! Until it stops us from taking action.
My whole life I’ve thought myself in circles. It’s the reason I became a writing coach — so I could give other big thinkers the resources and recipes I so desperately wish I’d had myself.
And, as you saw from my story above, I thought I could think myself out of being stuck. But I couldn’t. I needed someone who could give me action steps and hold me accountable for following-through on them.
But I also knew that it would NEVER work for me to be in a program where a Jillian Michaels-type coach yelled at me to “Just do it!” while I cowered at my computer, hoping not to be noticed.
Honestly, one of the things that made me certain MWO was right for me was that Jenny is super smart and super emotionally intelligent. She gets it.
And so do the clients she attracts and the coaches she hires.
Jenny understands what it’s like to be a good student, to put tons of pressure on yourself, and to get sucked into analysis paralysis because you want to make sure you’re doing the right thing.
The material in the program is designed to use your thinking to your advantage while also forcing you to take action — even when it’s outside your comfort zone.
In fact, there’s even a module in Make It Work Online about overcoming your fears and your unproductive mindset — from Imposter Syndrome to “but that won’t work for me” to straight-up “Holy crap, this is uncomfortable and I don’t want to do it!”
I know that if you’re ready to build a successful, service-based business that you LOVE, Make It Work Online is the clarity, the plan, the support, and the series of light bulb moments you need.
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I believe in this program wholeheartedly. That’s why I’m an affiliate for it. That means if you sign up for Make It Work Online through the link I provide, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
I want you to know that I take this responsibility seriously. I’m an affiliate for this program because I believe in it and the results it delivers 100%!
In fact, I believe in MIWO so much that last year I applied and was accepted to be a Copy Coach Assistant in the program, and this year I’m one of the Copy Coaches. ?
If you think Make It Work Online might be for you but you’re not sure, I’d be happy to chat with you and answer any of your questions. Feel free to reach out by email: hello@meganbarnhard.com