101: Run Your Business with Exquisite Greatness and Tiny Art Projects with Alexandra Franzen

How has Alexandra Franzen built two thriving businesses without social media? By delivering work with a quality I like to call “exquisite greatness.” She treats every marketing initiative like a tiny art project, something to get excited about rather than a draining chore to dread—and no, it doesn’t require social media. As Alex shares, according to a Nielsen study, 92% of customers purchase products or services because of a recommendation from someone they know.

More About Alex: Alexandra Franzen is a bestselling author, award-winning editor, and entrepreneur based in Hawaii. She’s the co-founder of Get It Done, a company providing writing coaching, editing, proofreading, cover design, publishing, and distribution services for clients who want to write a book. She writes one of my favorite newsletters at AlexandraFranzen.com, and runs a popular Tiny Book Course. Alex deleted all of her social media accounts eight years ago as she describes in her forthcoming book, Marketing Without Social Media.

🌟 3 Key Takeaways:

• Being excellent at what you do is the best way to get more clients and revenue.

• Do less and do it better. There is always another layer of simplicity you can reach with your work.

• Flex your asking muscle. Remember that what you are asking for is usually a win-win and you will be giving as much as you receive. 

📝 Permission: Give yourself a raise! If you are excellent at what you do, significantly increase what you charge.

✅  Do (or Delegate) This Next: If you’re stressed by social media, take a break; stop for a week and see how it feels. It’ll be fine. It might even be great, allowing you to focus on creating tiny art with your business communications instead. 

📘 Books Mentioned:

• Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Love Your Business

• Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One

• Marketing Without Social Media: 100 Marketing Ideas (No Social Media Required) for Business Owners, Founders, Freelancers, Authors, Artists, Musicians, and Creatives 

•  The 3-Day Effect

🔗 Resources Mentioned:  

• Alex on the web, Get It Done, Tiny Book Course, Marketing Without Social Media Program

• Ben Wendel 

• Brand Strategist: Jennifer Kem 

• Erin Haag: Pricing Overhaul 

• Video: Adele on Oprah

Related Podcast Episodes: 

• 183: Cultivating Opposites and Checklists with Alexandra Franzen

• 076: On Plan Z, Creative Finish Lines and the Graceful No—with Alexandra Franzen

• 075: Coaching Through the Free Time Framework with Wade Brill

• 020: Pricing Psychology with Jacquette Timmons

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