Google “Amy Porterfield” and prepare to feel tempted. To consume, listen, attend and buy whatever she’s offering. That’s because Porterfield creates irresistible experiences for women entrepreneurs to dramatically improve their lives. And she delivers. I attended her annual Entrepreneur Experience event in San Diego along with 500 women entrepreneurs (and a sprinkling of men) to see the Online Marketing Queen Bee and her winning #hypesquad in action. They shared the game-changing steps needed to grow our businesses. Most of all Porterfield’s irresistibility brought us together to create our very own community.
Get the greatest takeaways from the Amy Porterfield Entrepreneur Experience.
1. Amy Porterfield empowered us to play big
Amy Porterfield called us out from the get-go. She asked us, what does it mean to be a big deal in this world? If you really stop and think about it, you start to imagine bigger goals than you ever have before. “The best takeaway for me was around the idea of not playing small. We all have unique gifts and talents to share with the world. I was so inspired by the entrepreneurs with big dreams and goals,” said Jamie Dadant, a life coach for busy working moms. Porterfield empowers us through her step-by-step action plans and also by practicing what she preaches. “She’s changing the way we show up in life and business and it’s what we should all be aspiring to do in our own respective ways,” said Tanya Dube, show host and speaker guiding women through divorce.
2. Rachel Hollis broke down the price of admission
When THE Rachel Hollis sprang onto stage to Beyoncé with a bolt of energy greater than a supernova, I knew we were in for a treat. She knows how often we are guilty of comparing ourselves. Hollis challenged this temptation by asking us, how come we never compare ourselves in the areas where we’re killing it? (Excellent question!) Then she explained that we’re making excuses in our lives because what we want to achieve is going to be hard. “This is the price of admission for a life that’s not mediocre,” said Hollis. She’s an example of embracing the rollercoaster that is entrepreneurship, trading time for her dreams and courageously continuing to take one more step. “I loved hearing Rachel Hollis talking about her journey…everybody thinks that [she] knocked out a bestselling book her first time out, but it was more like her fourth book, and 15 years of busting ass that got her to major traction,” said Jane Atkinson at Speaker Launcher. Her message to stand back up after every failure was just what we all needed to hear. “Being an entrepreneur can not only be lonely at times but you can get unmotivated and Rachel’s energy and her message reignited a fire for me,” said business coach Kara Charron.
3. Jasmine Star answered every DM imaginable
Photographer, business strategist and Instagram guru Jasmine Star blew us away with her answer to just about any message you would ever get from your audience. For instance, let’s say someone comments with, “So fun.” Her answer: “I do have a lot of fun doing what I love.” Star gets how to build a community through social media by making these connections. When it comes to your Instagram strategy, get focused. “Get exposure for the thing you want to be known for,” she advised. “My favorite moment at the Entrepreneur Experience was hearing Jasmine Star give this mic-drop line, which sent chills up my spine: ‘Run in the direction of your dreams, and never look back and never apologize,’” said Daniel Lona, founder of Daniel Lona Fitness.
4. Stu McLaren painted a long runway
He’s an expert at the launch runway, building anticipation for your course, product or membership site. Stu McLaren delivered his message through a hilarious dating metaphor complete with ridiculous sloppy make out photos. For instance, how many of us are guilty of pitching our products on the very first conversation, similar to going in for the kiss before the first date? Just like in dating, this approach doesn’t work. Instead, McLaren encourages building trust and communication first over time—the recipe for any successful relationship. “The longer the runway, the bigger the result,” he said. He does this through videos that share his values, inspiring case studies, and generating anticipation. “My favorite moment was when Amy and Stu said we didn’t need to believe in ourselves, because they do. They’ve seen enough success stories to trust ours unfolding, as well,” said Jennifer Shryock, Master Career Coach & Strategist of Rainmaker Resumes.
5. Gina Gomez treated us like a favorite
Doesn’t it feel amazing when you’re talking to your favorite person? How about when you know that you’re their favorite too. Gina Gomez channels this feeling into her client communications. “Treat every client as if they are your favorite client,” said Gomez. This mindset helps her attract her dream clients. Gomez is a business strategist and consultant for public figures in the entertainment and professional development industries, and a pro at selling with integrity. Always show your best intentions by setting up expectations and making agreements. Say goodbye to assumptions. At the end of the day, it’s about attracting the audience you want through clear communication.
6. Melanie Howe encouraged us to find our people
Small business marketing coach Melanie Howe attributes her success to more than just stellar course programing. She shared her story of being midway through taking Amy’s course and launching her own course, and then being diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer. Talk about your world being turned upside down. “Find your people, lean on them—be vulnerable.” Howe connected with her entrepreneurial community when she needed them most and advised us to do the same. We’re not alone in this journey. “Entrepreneurship is amazing, but can feel a little lonely, and becoming friends with others in the same boat has given me a support system and confidence,” said Kelly Nolan, Time Management coach.
7. Tarzan Kay boiled it down to just don’t quit
Tarzan Kay is a launch strategist, copywriter and educator on all things money—earning it, growing it and helping others get more of it. She’s one of Amy Porterfield’s course alumni and success stories. And she’s not afraid to tell you that it didn’t come easy. Nor was she a success on her first course launch. In fact, it was quite the opposite. “Just don’t quit,” advised Kay. No matter what, she believed in herself and kept going. Now she’s inspiring us all to do the same. “My favorite moments occurred every time I met another entrepreneur in the audience, someone who dreamed big, got started, succeeded and was willing to help others do the same. The generosity of spirit and open-hearted collaboration blew me away!” said Suzanne Jeffreys, Certified Nutrition Therapist.
8. Amy McLaren made a case to start now
Amy McLaren leads Village Impact, a nonprofit that focuses on partnering with communities in rural Kenya to help educate every child. Entrepreneurship is complex and there’s no way you’re going to foresee every step that lies ahead before you get started. This is why McLaren’s advice rings raw and real. “You have to start,” said McLaren. She shared her journey of getting clear on exactly what she wanted to do, and her belief that nobody should wait on their passion. “I gained so much clarity around how I wanted to move forward with areas of my business as well as the big decision I needed to make so this would become reality. I’ve made huge strides in my business by taking more chances and getting way out of my comfort zone since the EE event,” said Megan Corey, health coach.
9. Amy Porterfield rocked our world with her ultimate advice
Through her keynote talks and panels, Porterfield reminded us to sell what our audience actually wants. I mean, DUH. But it’s easy to forget this straightforward message when we’re in the weeds of freebie PDF designs, landing pages with opt ins and Facebook ad campaigns. Remember to come back to this message—it was one that transformed my entire messaging for The Content Strategy Lab. “Sell what they want— give them what they need,” said Porterfield. In other words, my audience of women entrepreneurs wants to attract their potential clients to their website; to achieve this goal, what they need is content strategy. Instead of selling content strategy, I sell what they want, which is the outcome of attracting your audience to your website. This is Amy’s message in action. Or just take it from her students, who followed this advice to a T. “I loved Amy’s panel where she showcased former students. Hearing how others have used her program to make positive change for their core audience through courses was eye opening. It was clear they were the real deal and truly inspiring!” said Ashley Baxter, CEO of Baxter Digital Media Group.
10. Our #hypesquad beckoned
If you arrive at the Entrepreneur Experience feeling like an entrepreneur stuck on a lonely island, you ultimately left with a hype squad. “My favorite moment was when Amy was talking about building relationships. Within your business by finding your tribe, those you can lean on, bounce ideas off of and go to when you are doubting yourself. We need a tribe that will lift us up and push us to keep going,” said Carrie Hagee, CEO of Story Teller Stylist. Rachel Hollis said it best: look for your hype squad. And that’s exactly what we did at Porterfield’s event. “The people. It’s always the people. To me, it feels like community, friendship, home, when you can sip a warm beverage and chat about your dreams and ambitions with someone who fills your cup— pun intended,” said Katie Jefcoat, CEO of Kick Start with Katie.
BONUS: The energy infused the room
The electric vibes were palpable. “The energy! It was so much fun to be in a room with so many supportive women (and a few men!). I am not the kind of person who just feels comfortable randomly going up to people but here I did and it was a safe space to do so,” said Carrie Lupoli of Disrupt Your Nutrition. Between the aha-moments, knowledge drops, success stories and networking, the room was brimming with drive. “My favorite moment was feeling all the energy in the room each and every day. Being able to be around so many amazing entrepreneurs, all at different stages and different levels of their business, all with something to give to each other fired me up to push myself to think big the entire weekend,” said Lexie Sparrow, Owner of Wild Sparrow Wellness.
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