The Zest Podcast
By Dahlia E. Akhaine
My name is Dahlia Akhaine and I am thrilled to be your host as I am all about that online business lifestyle.
I went from being a full-time software developer to becoming a certified strategist in the world of digital marketing and sales!
On the Zest Pod, we focus on REAL...
real problems,
real solutions,
real work-life,
Forget the fluff, the overused jargon, and leave the fake promises at the door.
Let's build your thriving business while living a life of zest!
The Zest PodcastApr 06, 2021
Four (4) limiting beliefs that keep you stuck with feelings of overwhelm
Today's episode is sponsored by Mailerlite
There’s nothing wrong with being stuck.
It’s a natural occurrence and happens even to the best of us.
However, there is everything wrong with remaining in a stagnant place.
We feel terrible about being overwhelmed and stuck.
But because we are overwhelmed, we can’t get past our current predicament.
And this leads to feelings of sadness and worry about our overwhelm.
It’s just a circle of negativity. One that I have experienced so many times, and even more when I was just starting out in my business.
In today’s episode on the Zest Podcast, I share with you four (4) limiting beliefs that are keeping you stuck with feelings of overwhelm.
And of course, in identifying these beliefs, I also share how you can get past them, and get started on what you really want to do.
- Why do you feel that you should be doing more?
- Why should you not seek out to learn or do more?
- How do you get past overwhelm and get stuff done?
Join me in the conversation so you never allow your belief system or mindset keep you from doing the things you desire to do.
Share this with someone who may be struggling with any of these negative mindsets, and save it for the next time you need to move past being “stuck”
What to do when your side business is not making any money
Today's episode is sponsored by Mailerlite and The Bloomboon Academy.
In today's episode of the Zest Podcast, we address a question I get all the time: "What do you do when your side business is not making any money?"
And I get it.
You started this part-time business for time and financial freedom.
You want to be able to quit your full-time job and go all-in into your side-gig.
But it's been weeks or maybe months, and nothing is coming in.
Wouldn't it be much better if you just quit this effortless venture and focus on what is actually bringing in some tangible income?
Join me in today's episode as I share with you why you shouldn't throw in the hat just yet, and what you should actually do instead.
Ultimate guide to email marketing for product-based businesses - Part 2
Listen to part 1 of this series here
What do you do with all these subscribers if they never open your emails?
Absolutely, nothing!
Because no open emails = no taking action = no conversions.
On today's episode of the Zest Pod, we cover part 2 of our ultimate guide to email marketing for product-based businesses.
So how do we become more proactive in ensuring our emails are opened?
Here are five (5) effective strategies you can start using today:
- Trigger curiosity
- Take advantage of customer behavior and give discounts they would jump at
- Share exciting product-based facts or upcoming features
- Tease limited-time or disappearing bonuses
- Share emails specially created "just for you"
But it's not enough to get our subscribers on our list and opening our emails, we want to make sure they stay put.
Here are three ways you can do that:
- Always keep them in the loop
- Reward subscribers regularly
- Always ask for feedback
Where are you on your list-building journey? Just getting started or way into the game?
Share this episode with a product-based business owner who may find it helpful.
Thank you for listening!
Ultimate guide to email marketing for product-based businesses - Part 1
You could lose control of your product-based business any day now.
If you are not building an email list.
With email marketing, we are able to build a more dedicated online community of people who:
Love your brand
Love the person behind the brand (i.e. you)
Love what you stand for
Love to buy from you
But to get started you need an email marketing plan.
On today’s episode of the Zest Podcast, I am sharing the first in a two-part series of the ultimate guide to creating an email strategy for product-based businesses.
Do you own a product-based business or would you love to start one in the future?
Tune in today, take back control over your business and stop putting all of your eggs in a basket that’s not even yours.
If you want to get started with email marketing, you can open a free account here
Three (3) Questions to Ask Yourself to Avoid Overspending This Year
What if I could make all of your money problems go away?
Well…
Not every single one.
But today, I want to share with you the three (3) questions you must ask yourself to avoid overspending this year.
Do you look at your bank statements and wonder where all your money goes to when you work so hard to make so much?
Do you often find yourself constantly in a frenzy of purchasing “shiny objects” which you think you absolutely must have?
On the Zest Podcast today, we are talking all things MONEY MATTERS and you are invited to join the conversation.
You will learn three (3) conscious questions you need to stop and ask yourself before spending money on anything above $15 this year (yes! You read that amount right)
Financial independence does not come from making a huge 5-figure or 6-figure month and then back to level 1.
It comes from developing habits to ensure that we are making more than enough and saving more than enough so we never have to rely on anyone for a financial need ever again.
How to plan your year in six simple steps
You've probably given up on this by now
But it's not too late to plan for and execute your most successful year yet!
Planning an entire year can often seem like a tedious task:
- what to include
- what to leave out
- how to follow through on plans
And then after barely completing the plan, things almost seem hopeless as you work through every day counting down to your goals.
What would it look like if you had your own custom blueprint of how to create your annual plan in a way that is feasible to follow through with.
On the latest episode of the Zest Podcast, we walk through six simple steps to plan your entire year.
Why does it matter to build systems rather than setting goals?
How can you monitor your goals to ensure you remain on track?
What role do your everyday atomic habits play?
Tune into today's episode and join me on the six-step plan to annual success
Are you a badass woman trying to build a wildly successful business? Join the Female Entrepreneur Association Membership here: http://bit.ly/bbfea
Content Creator Series - How to create a content strategy that meets business needs
In the final episode of this content creator series, we walk through the nine (9) components of drafting a content strategy that helps you meet your business goals and ensures conversion.
Content Creator Series - How to create digital content
How to create a video, audio, and blog content for your brand/ business.
Despite the massive amount of information online, content is still king, it is so important that we learn the very basics of content creation.
How can we create content in a way that suits our needs and doesn't leave us overwhelmed or drained out.
In today's episode, we dive deep into:
- how to create different forms of content
- some key tips to take note of when creating content
- the platforms to start with for beginners
And loads more.
Content Creator Series - Why and when should you be creating content
Why do you do what you do?
For the money, for fame or posterity?
For me, the most important reason I create content is to create genuine connections with people all over the world.
To share in their thought process, to share my experiences, to learn and grow.
In today's episode on the Zest pod (Part 2 of our Content Creator series), we look into the why and when of content creation.
Why should you create content and share it with the world?
There are five (5) major reasons:
1. To tell a story/ share a message
2. To make money
3. To build a community of like-minded people
4. To help someone out
5. To leave your digital footprint
Have you decided on your "why" yet?
How about "when"?
What are the factors affecting your time of content creation and publishing?
Join the conversation now to find out all you need to know on when and why you should be creating content.
And if you missed Episode 1 in this Content Creator series, click here
Thank you for listening!
Content Creator Series - What kind of content to create for success
Would you consider yourself a content creator?
How well does content creation come to you?
Whether you're new to the biz or you're just starting out, this mini-series is for you!
Over the course of the next 4 weeks, we're going in-depth and taking a first-hand look into the business of content creation.
1. What is content and what types of content help you connect with your audience?
2. Why and when should you create content
3. How do you create videos, podcasts, graphics, and articles
4. Developing a full-on content strategy
In today's episode, we dive into:
- 3 factors to help you discover what kind of content you should be producing
- 3 tips to find out what content best resonates with your community
- 3 tips on creating videos, audio, written content, and graphics.
Do not forget to pick up your free checklist on 30+ content types you can mix and match so you never run out of ideas
I'm ready when you are!
Happy Listening!
This one self-care habit can effectively improve your communication
Self-care habits can literally save your life.
I know it has saved me from mental breakdown more times than I can remember.
When you think self-care, do you straightway think of bubble baths, wine and chocolates? Because I do too😎
But self-care is about the tiny habits we practice every day to help us feel better about ourselves, to take care of our mental and physical health, to love ourselves. While different self-care practices exist, such as mindfulness (@yanawellbeing is my go-to superhero for this) and positive affirmations, one of my personal favorites is JOURNALING.
My journal is like my very own love letter to myself, not only for the kind words but also to talk myself through everyday tosses and toils. And on days I really don't feel like writing, I draw out a few words like: "Things may be tough right now, but you're exactly where you need to be! On the path to greatness"✊ In today's episode on the Zest Pod, I share with you 3 unique ways that this tiny self-care habit has helped me communicate more with friends, family and even myself.
Do you journal? what other self-care practices make and shape you every day? Check out the link in my bio for the podcast and remember to share your thoughts.
If you're looking to start journaling, here are some personal picks to get you started:
1. Be a nice human
2. Space cats mini journal
3. Brain Art Sketch Pad
4. United by diversity mini sketch pad
5. We're all connected journal
How changing the way we think can help us achieve work/ life balance
What does it mean to have the right mindset towards accomplishing a goal or meeting up with a task?
In my experience, it takes tremendous amount of courage to achieve what we've set out to, develop a lifestyle or build a system when we have the wrong mindset.
In today's episode, let's walk-through the mindsets that I believe you need to be shifting to if you're someone who is constantly trying to find work/life balance.
As always, I like to talk about real strategies that we can adopt in our lives to help in our everyday activities and it all starts with you.
Are you ready to adopt the right mindsets for change?
Let's get right into it.
As always, happy listening and thank you so much.
Improve your planning and preparation habits with these four (4) strategies
Do you struggle with setting time out to plan and prepare?
We all do! How often do you fall into the trap of thinking that you don't need to plan?
Or do you set too little preparation time for yourself and still end up just being overwhelmed and upset?
In today's episode, I share 4 helpful strategies that have helped shape my planning and preparation habits so I never have to struggle with "on the spot" pressure from work or otherwise.
Planning truly is one of the most important factors to success in any venture, it cannot be overemphasized.
What strategies do you use to ensure your day/week/month is well mapped out so you're ready for what lies ahead?
Happy Listening!
How to create a work system that works for you
Hi Tribe!
Welcome back to the Zest Podcast.
In today's episode, I talk about five (5) top tips to creating a work system that works for you.
If you are not familiar with the concept of creating systems, you may want to check out my IGTV video here
If you are familiar with setting lifestyle systems, this video is for you.
Do you want to create a system where you are regularly meeting up with your tasks and getting stuff done?
Do you want to create a workplace environment where you are optimistic and looking forward to checking into work everyday?
Then you need a solid workplace system tailored towards YOUR needs.
Join the conversation to find out how little things like setting a work mood, setting boundaries and setting a customized work space can change the way you work.
I look forward to your questions and comments.
Thank you for listening.
How to validate your passion project/ business idea
Nobody likes unpleasant surprises, especially when it comes to business and succeeding online. We all want to play our part and do our best to ensure that when and if we launch our passion project, we do it with little to no errors or hitches on the way.
In this podcast, I cover the necessary steps you need to take to validate your idea and start on the right track.
1. Research, research, research: not only because you need as much information as possible before you launch, but also because research also helps you strengthen your understanding of what you want to start.
2. Starting small: Because it's better to expand and grow, than to downsize or fold up.
3. Get technical with the numbers: This is a part of business a lot of people run away from. But if you can get it right, you're on your way to a great start
Please leave your a comment or question below if you have one.
Let me know what you think of today's episode.
Thank you for listening
Why passion isn't enough to launch a passion project
It's the best feeling in the world once you have that idea that you can't wait to launch.
Your passion project.
A passion project is a product/ service you are passionate about offering because it naturally comes to you.
But passion is not enough to do what you love and love what you do.
Your passion project should be monetizable, add value to your target audience and even add value to you.
In today's episode, I talk about the four key points/ questions you should ask yourself and think about when you have that million naira idea.
Don't forget to leave a comment or question below.
Thanks for listening.