Streamlined Solopreneur: Tips to Help Solopreneurs Automate Their Business

2024 has been a transformative year for me. I learned a ton about myself and my business, and for the first time in a while I feel like I’m not flailing. I’ll have the clearest plan I’ve had in a long time in 2025 — one that’s reinforced by conversations I’ve had, not just hunches. So for the last episode of the year, I wanted to do a quick year in review where I talk about my biggest success, my biggest failure, and the lessons I learn.

Plus, some feedback from last week’s episode on using AI.

My Biggest Success

This was definitely ranking #1 in Google for “Podcast Coach”. It shows that my work to grow this area of my business is working out!

Biggest Failure

My Be everywhere strategy. I made a big deal about it and abandoned after 4 months, since it was very clearly not working. It was basically all downsides. It also resulted in two other outcomes:

• Going to stop publishing on Medium in 2025
• Shutting down my membership

Lessons

• Know your niche. I thought I knew mine but it got a lot clearer the back half of the year, and I saw a positive impact because of it.
• Don’t discount SEO/Google, and even ChatGPT, which is being used for search more. As social media is fracturing further,
• Focus on one thing at a time. My Be Everywhere strategy left me trying to do too many things at once, and none of the succeeded.

Links

It’s been two years since ChatGPT went mainstream, and AI has completely transformed how we work. While I maintain some hesitancy and skepticism in using AI, it has made it’s way into my daily life for certain tasks. While I’ll tell you all about that, I also talk about why the human touch will always matter, no matter how advanced these tools get.

So strap in (yes, I wrote these words without any intervention from AI) for a look into how I’ve been using AI as a solopreneur. And don’t worry — I’ve mostly edited out the rambling rants.

Top Takeaways

• AI tools like ChatGPT have improved significantly, especially with features like custom GPTs and web-connected capabilities, but there’s room for growth in personalization.
• AI has become an essential tool in my workflows, particularly for providing fresh perspectives during ideation and research, and “rubber ducking.”
• As we move forward, it’s important to balance efficiency with authenticity, using AI for support while ensuring it doesn’t replace meaningful human interactions and creativity.

Links

“Build your authority” feels like advice that’s often given without a solution attached. And it’s SO important to solopreneurs, especially since social media is no longer the best place to build a proper audience. 

That’s why I sat down with Jessica Lackey, a business and operations strategist who’s all about helping solopreneurs like us build real authority.  We talked all about what you actually need to do to build authority – from understanding who you’re talking to, to the medium you use to get your message out. 

Top Takeaways

• Develop a Clear Premise, Process, and Body of Work: Building authority begins with a well-defined message and positioning (your premise), a unique approach to your work (your process), and a public body of work that showcases your thinking and differentiates you from others.
• Focus on Patterns and Behaviors Over Demographics: When identifying your niche or audience, prioritize the patterns, behaviors, and values of those you serve best, rather than just their demographic details. This leads to more meaningful connections and effective authority building.
• Create a Cohesive Body of Work Outside of Feed-Based Platforms: Relying solely on social media can be limiting due to its ephemeral nature. Building authority is more effective on platforms you own—like blogs, newsletters, or podcasts—where your content forms a cohesive and accessible body of work.

Finally, pick the medium you’re most comfortable with – or as Jessica puts it – pick the method for authority building that you’ll actually use.

Show Notes

In this bonus episode, I share a gratitude-inspired look at the tools and habits that have shaped my year, including my favorite apps, services, and hardware. From time-saving actions to game-changing tech, this episode offers a sneak peek into my “favorites of the year” and how they’ve helped me reclaim time and focus.

Links

Have you ever been playing with your kids or trying to relax, but your mind keeps drifting back to work? Trust me, you’re not alone! It can feel frustrating – and it can feel like you’re failing to achieve “work/life balance.” 

That’s why I brought on Lindsey Carnick, a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Onward Psychological Services.

We get into how our minds work, the importance of aligning with our personal values, and practical strategies to stop overthinking – BUT ALSO why there’s no shame in those random work thoughts. 

If you’re done feeling shame for work thoughts hijacking your free time, and want to learn how to be more in control of your reaction to them, this is a perfect episode for you.