If you want to change your business, you're gonna need a system

When's the last time you designed something for yourself?

I know, I know – we're in business to help other people. That's what the podcasts and courses and service offerings and products and commissions and 1:1 calls are for, right? To offer a solution or answer a question or respond to a need.

But what about you? What about what you need?

If you're not paying yourself a living wage, either because the business isn't generating enough revenue or because you don't think you're "ready to" yet...that's a systems problem.

If you're working long hours without any breaks, waking up in a cold sweat and reaching for your phone to see what passive-aggressive client email you received overnight...that's a systems problem.

If you want to take a sabbatical next year but don't know how you'll be able to step away from constant social media posting and come back to a surviving business...that's a systems problem.

That might seem redundant until you think about how expansive and interconnected the systems of our lives and business really are. 

And it's not until we're able to see these systems clearly that we can make the truly impactful decisions that change everything.

That's what you'll learn in practice in Self-Advocating Systems, my free training which is (surprise!) available now. This isn't another basic marketing class—think of it more as a 300-level, interdisciplinary creative business exploration.

We'll talk about sales funnels and strategies, sure, but we'll also study how systems show up and support us getting our needs met in ALL areas of our life, from relationships to boundaries to how we organize the fridge.

Even better, Self-Advocating Systems is now accompanied by an updated version of the Idea Designer! This Notion journaling tool has been the foundation of my client work for years. It now includes a detailed self-assessment tool which will illuminate the areas of your business that are lagging behind your vision. You can get a free copy of the updated Idea Designer (ft. the new self-assessment tool!) when you sign up for Self-Advocating Systems here.

"The Idea Designer got my wheels spinning so quickly. Writing it I was like, 'Wait, I actually have a LOT that I want to do.' That's your gift—you ask all the right questions to make us release the self doubt and comparison." — Adrianna Basin

What I want for you is a creative business that supports the kind of life you actually want to live. The fastest way to get there is not by copying and pasting someone else's strategy—it's by thinking deeply about your own needs and desires and designing a system that makes it easy for you to do your best creative work.

That's what you'll study and practice in this free training.

Can't wait to hear what you think.

Bored on the Internet?

✷ Lol of course: Why The Phrase 'Pull Yourself Up By Your Bootstraps' Is Nonsense

✷ Anyone interested in product design (or in need of a gift) should check out The Strategist's 100 Most Stood-Behind Products. You'd do well to spend a bit analyzing what these beloved products have in common.

✷ I've loved playing around with the 5 Things Essay all week, which I learned here from Summer Brennan. It was this format that led me to create this post on Instagram, which lots of you seemed to love.

⚛ Mini Lab: Tools, Trends & Experimental Ideas ⚛

A/B testing is coming to your Reels captions!

Do you have this new feature yet? If so, it might be worth exploring simple tests of which captions are more effective.

Some variables I might explore:

• Do you get more engagement when you use a tool like ManyChat to automate link/lead magnet delivery in the DM's? If so, which call to action works best? You might test the difference between "Comment XYZ for a free tool" and "Want a free tool? Comment XYZ!"

• What's most impactful in your first line of the caption? When a user is watching your Reel from the explore page, they're likely only seeing the first line of your caption. Do you want them to keep reading? Follow for more? Save for later? You might A/B test what happens when you swap out these variables in the first line. 

Need More Leads?

Are you wanting to increase your work's visibility, raise the price of your products or services, launch (or relaunch) an offer, and/or simply feel more confident directing people to your website or social media because it actually feels like a place that represents all of your brilliant knowledge and insight?

If yes, let's get together and brainstorm your next era.

I'd love to support you in any capacity, whether that's diving head-first into your business and creating a sales funnel for you or spending a couple days strategizing your next moves together.