Streamlined Solopreneur: Tips to Help Business Owners Grow Without Burnout

The 3-Step Process for Your First Automation

My oldest daughter loves asking me to tell her a funny story about my wife from when we were dating... and I almost always freeze. It's not because there aren't any funny stories. It's because there are too many to pick from.This is exactly what happens when you open Zapier without a plan. You're faced with a "blank canvas" and endless possibilities, so you freeze and do nothing.You've heard about "triggers" and "actions," but you're not sure what your triggers or actions should be. Zapier isn’t a sandbox for people starting out. The secret is to look at the work you're already doing.I'll walk you through my simple, three-step process to get started. It starts with documenting your tasks, listing your apps, and then using one specific (and often overlooked) page on Zapier's website that will show you exactly what's possible for you.Stop staring at the screen, wondering where to begin. Let's get your first automation built.Want to see some real-world examples tailored to your biggest struggles? Take my free quiz at https://streamlined.fm/quiz and I'll email you four automation ideas you can use today.Show NotesTake the Automation Quiz: streamlined.fm/quizExplore the Zapier Apps Page: zapier.com/appsWatch the Zapier Apps Page Walkthrough VideoLeave feedback: streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites. ★ Support this podcast ★

Thinking About Affiliate Emails During Cyber Week

Our inboxes are about to be inundated with sales emails and affiliate-link riddled round-ups. Should I contribute to the noise? I'm thinking yes...but I want it to feel different. What do you think? Let me know at https://streamlinedfeedback.com  ★ Support this podcast ★

The 4 Core Components of Every Automation

Remember diagramming sentences back in school? I always thought it was pointless, but the real goal wasn't the diagram itself—it was understanding the structure of a good sentence.The same exact logic applies to building automations. It's tempting to just jump into a tool like Zapier or Make and start connecting things, but that's like throwing a bunch of random words on a page and hoping it makes sense. If you want to build automations that actually save you time (and don't break), you need to understand the structure first.I'm breaking down the four essential components every automation has—the two that are required, and the two "optional" ones that make your workflows truly powerful and intelligent. We'll walk through the difference between a Trigger and an Action, how to use Conditions to make your automations smarter (like "only do this if X is true"), and when to use specific Timing to batch your work.Are you unsure what you should even automate first? I built a brand new quiz to help you pinpoint your biggest bottleneck. Answer four simple questions, and I'll send you personalized automation recommendations to solve your most crucial problem.Take the quiz now at: streamlined.fm/quiz – https://www.google.com/search?q=https://streamlined.fm/quiz&authuser=1Show NotesWatch the Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i41JKLS9Uf4 for visualsSubmit Feedback: streamlinedfeedback.com – https://www.google.com/search?q=https://streamlinedfeedback.com&authuser=1 Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites. ★ Support this podcast ★

The #1 Mistake Solopreneurs Make With Newsletters

Ever wonder if your newsletter should be the product…or just promote the product?I’ve been treating mine more like a magazine than a sales tool — and it’s cost me. So I sat down with Dylan Bridger, who helps course creators and coaches turn their newsletters into profit machines.We talk about:The difference between a “magazine” newsletter and a “sales team” newsletterHow to actually warm up your audience so they buy when you make an offerBut we also get into the impact becoming a new dad had on Dylan’s workflows, and a short-lived side project that taught him big lessons fast.This conversation helped me clear up a ton of issues with my own newsletter, and I think it’ll do the same for you.Seeking clarity in your business systems? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.Dylan Bridger is an email marketing expert who helps coaches and course creators increase their conversions while building stronger relationships with their lists. A full-time marketing consultant since 2021, more than 7,000 entrepreneurs follow his insights across newsletter and social media. When he's not working, you can find Dylan writing songs, goofing around with his daughter, or enjoying a nice cup of coffee.LinksDylan BridgerDylan on LinkedInDylan on Twitter/XDead-Eyed Portraits: The Real Risk of AI HeadshotsNathan BarryKit (formerly ConvertKit)Ken McCarthy – Jazz on the TubeBeehiivWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites. ★ Support this podcast ★

Growth by Subtraction: How to Make Time for What Matters Most

When I was a kid, I said things like, “I won’t forget,” or “When I’m a dad, I won’t get mad.” Or…”I’m bored.”But as you get older, and life puts you in various, unforeseen situations, it’s easy to get blindsided and react in a way you hoped you wouldn’t.I think about this a lot when I consider what’s changed between turn 20 and turn 40. And there’s a common theme that has cropped up: pruning.Letting go of what doesn’t work. Of where you used to spend your energy. About making more space in your life for the things that matter.And I thought that there was no better person to bring on to talk about this than my friend, fellow freelancer, and fellow father, Austin L. Church. He’s a deep thinker, committed family man, and wants to help people.Looking to prune what’s stealing your energy? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.Top TakeawaysFluff vs. value in business books — many books stretch one idea into 300 pages, but the best insights are usually old, durable ideas worth revisiting.Growth by subtraction — focus and pruning beat doing “all the things.” Fractured attention leads to mediocre results.Attention as water — what you focus on grows. Stop “watering” indignation and instead nurture gratitude, creativity, and presence.Values over virality — not all success is worth emulating. If someone’s optimizing for attention or wealth at all costs, that doesn’t mean you should.Parenting parallels — kids remember how you respond more than what you say. Choosing patience, presence, and love shapes both them and you.“These are the good old days” — a simple mindset shift that makes it easier to stay present with family and avoid regrets later.LinksAustin’s post on pruningAustin L. Church — Freelance CakeAustin’s Book: Free MoneyBuy Back Your Time — Dan MartellGood Strategy Bad Strategy — Richard RumeltEssentialism — Greg McKeownDieter Rams — Principles Of Good DesignWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites. ★ Support this podcast ★