Thinking about writing your first business book? Before you dive in, there are crucial questions every aspiring author needs to ask. In this episode, I’m interviewed by Carrie Birmingham, a first-time author working on her upcoming book about co-founder conflict, who asked me all the tough questions about my journey writing “LEMONADE Plan.”
Critical Questions We Explore:Whether you’re just considering your first book, halfway through writing, or ready to publish, this honest conversation reveals the realities, challenges, and unexpected benefits of becoming a first-time author.
Carrie specialises in helping co-founders navigate conflict and is addressing a critical gap in the market with her upcoming book - perfect example of finding your unique angle as an author.
🎯 Chapter Timestamps: • 00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Writing a Book• 02:27 Understanding Co-Founder Conflict and Its Impact• 06:00 The Importance of Writing for Clarity and Growth• 08:11 The 3 Audiences for Your Book• 11:39 The Role of Blogging in Preparing for Book Writing• 14:45 Exploring the Investment in Writing a Book• 15:45 Benefits Beyond Book Sales• 20:01 Personal and Business Benefits of Writing a Business Book• 23:09 Maximising Authority in Business• 28:00 The Importance of Feedback and Sharing Ideas• 29:41 Using Claude AI as Your ‘First Reader’ Proofreader• 33:41 How to Make the Book Launch Actually Happen• 33:59 Navigating the Writing Process• 39:28 Authoring a Book Feels Like a Solo Activity But It’s a Team Game• 41:09 The Purpose Behind Writing a Book• 41:41 Wrap-Up: Book Writing as Part of Your JourneyConnect with Carrie Birmingham:Carrie Birmingham Consults - Specialising in complex workplace problems and co-founder conflict resolution:https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-birmingham/Get “LEMONADE Plan”:Get “LEMONADE Plan”:Available on Amazon - https://lemonadeplan.com/book**Tags:** business book writing, first time author, co-founder conflict, startup problems, business partnerships, author interview, book marketing, self publishing, business authority, entrepreneur advice, small business systems, conflict resolution, business relationships, writing process, book launch strategy, AI writing tools, Claude AI, business growth, startup advice, author journeyIs your marketing creating real impact, or just random noise?Could implementing one system change your entire business trajectory?What if you've been building your marketing the wrong way around?
After 52 episodes exploring systematic business growth, host Gareth Everson and producer Rob Drummond reflect on the key insights from Season 1. Discover which episodes had the most impact, from building effective landing pages to overcoming the curse of expertise. Learn how the LEMONADE Plan framework evolved throughout the podcast journey and why working backwards from endorsements delivers better results than starting with lead generation.
Things we cover in this episode:
This season finale episode provides both a reflection on past insights and a roadmap for what's coming next in May 2025 with Season 2. Perfect for small business owners looking to transform flat results into predictable growth.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: SystemsWise Season 1 Wrap-Up Episode
01:36 Rob's Big Takeaway - Forks in the Road
02:44 The Landing Pages Series
07:17 All-In-One CRM: Your Best First Hire
08:24 Niching Your Small Business
10:44 The Problem Solver's Paradox: The Curse of Expertise
12:37 Gareth's Big Learning: Explaining Starting With The End In Mind
19:01 The Importance of Clarity in Business
21:57 The Five P's of Systems Implementation
24:24 Content Planning Strategies
27:59 The Role of AI in Business
34:27 The Evolving Role of AI in Copywriting
37:31 Introducing HeyPip: The AI Copywriting Assistant
40:46 The Importance of Momentum in Content Creation
43:01 Leveraging Past Content as Valuable Assets
45:40 Looking Ahead: The Future of the Podcast and AI Integration
➡️ Is your expertise becoming a prison rather than a pathway to growth?
➡️ Do you solve everyone's problems except your own business growth?
➡️ Are you trapped by your own brilliance?
Here's how "The Problem Solver's Paradox" might hold your business back. Transform your scattered solutions into systematic success without compromising the quality that makes you brilliant at what you do.
Things I cover in this episode:
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to the Problem Solver's Paradox
02:05 Understanding the Expertise Trap
04:22 Serve Fewer Clients More Or More Clients More Scalably?
07:23 Conclusion and Wrap-Up
My book, LEMONADE Plan, will be released on Monday, February 24th. You are invited to the Online Launch Party; you can RSVP here.
You did excellent work. Your client was thrilled. But that glowing review they promised? Nowhere to be found. If this sounds painfully familiar, this episode is for you.
Reviews are your silent salesforce - they build trust and credibility while you sleep. Yet most businesses leave this powerful tool to chance.
Did you know that 15% of your SEO ranking depends on reviews? Yet most small businesses miss the costly gap between client delight and capturing those reviews. In this episode, I'll show you:
Whether you're looking to boost your Google Reviews, LinkedIn Recommendations, or Trustpilot ratings, these practical steps will help you transform random praise into systematic success.
Resources and full episode notes: https://getsystemswise.com/ep51
#SystemsWise #SmallBusiness #CustomerReviews #LEMONADEPlan
How do businesses without marketing expertise generate leads that convert? This episode explains a simple system for finding, nurturing, and converting leads when your business gets paid for a skill other than marketing.
In this episode, you'll discover:
1️⃣ A practical approach to lead generation that doesn't require marketing expertise
2️⃣ How to nurture leads naturally without constant content creation
3️⃣ Why most sales meetings fail (and how to fix this)
4️⃣ The crucial mistake most businesses make when onboarding new clients
Drawing from the LEMONADE Plan framework, learn how four key processes - Leads, Education, Meetings, and New Client onboarding - work together to create predictable growth.
It's perfect for service providers, consultants, coaches, and practitioners whose expertise lies outside marketing and sales.
🎯 Key Timestamps:
00:29 - Introduction
04:32 - Why most lead generation advice doesn't work for non-marketing experts
07:39 - Finding leads when marketing isn't your strength
11:05 - The three approaches to nurturing leads
19:58 - Making sales meetings more effective
23:21 - The critical onboarding mistake most businesses make
Resources mentioned:
Get episode resources at https://getsystemswise.com/ep50
LEMONADE Plan book: https://lemonadeplan.com/book
Connect with Gareth:
LinkedIn: https://askgareth.com
What if everything you've been taught about growing your business is in the wrong order? Want to know exactly which systems to build first - and why? Are you tired of delivering great work that doesn't translate into consistent growth?
Most business owners start by chasing leads, but what if that's why they stay stuck? Discover why starting with the end in mind - your ideal reviews and client outcomes - transforms everything that comes before.
If you're ready to move beyond theory, this episode reveals the practical steps successful service businesses use to turn scattered excellence into systematic success.
What you'll learn:
Learn the practical framework for transforming random business activities into predictable profits. Part two of our journey from scattered systems to systematic success, with implementation steps you can start today.
Is your business stuck chasing leads without seeing sustainable growth? Wondering why marketing feels harder than it should? Are you tired of "gurus" claiming more leads will solve everything?
In this episode, discover why most small business marketing advice has it backwards. Learn how working from your desired outcomes creates more predictable success than endlessly chasing new leads. Understand why systematic delivery excellence matters more than constant lead generation.
Covered in this episode:
The two markers of sustainable business growthHow to identify costly "cliff-drop moments" in your client journeyWhy EDOALEMN matters more than LEMONADE for implementationA systematic approach to turning service excellence into predictable profitsPractical insights from the forthcoming LEMONADE Plan bookJoin Gareth as he challenges conventional growth wisdom and shows how working backwards from your perfect review creates more sustainable success than working forward from endless lead generation.
Listen now to discover why systematic success starts with excellence, not endless marketing.
Episode notes can be found at https://getsystemswise.com/ep48
Teaser Episode 2 for the LEMONADE Plan book release
Are your marketing efforts only connecting with the tiny fraction of prospects ready to buy today? Most businesses focus entirely on the 2% ready to purchase, missing the other 98% of their potential market. And they don't even realise they're doing it. 🤯
This episode is part 2 of our special series introducing the LEMONADE Plan book, sharing proven systems helping small businesses achieve predictable profits and systematic endorsements.
Topics I cover in this episode:
In the forthcoming launch of the LEMONADE Plan book, you'll discover how to transform scattered marketing into systematic success that reaches your full market potential through the stories of four small business owners - a business coach, physiotherapist, heating engineer, and a virtual assistant. It's an entertaining and light-hearted way to pinpoint where your sales and marketing might lose some of its fizz.
Is your marketing more random than strategic?
Are you spinning your wheels without real business growth?
Do you know why most small businesses struggle to convert leads?
On this episode, I introduce the forthcoming release of the LEMONADE Plan book and why I've written it.
The tl;dr is that I want to help more small businesses learn how to turn their marketing from scattered tactics to a purposeful, profit-generating strategy.
What I cover in this episode:
You can access the resources for this episode at https://getsystemswise.com/ep46
Is your landing page failing to convert visitors into leads? Are people leaving your website without taking action?
In this episode, discover the five most common landing page mistakes that could be costing you valuable opportunities. Learn why most businesses focus on the wrong audience stage, and how to align your landing pages with your visitors' real needs.
Things we cover in this episode:
* Why targeting the wrong buyer journey stage kills conversion
* How expert knowledge can actually hurt your landing page effectiveness
* The crucial elements missing from most landing pages
* Simple fixes to dramatically improve response rates
* Clear implementation steps you can take immediately
Discover how to transform your landing pages from random marketing efforts into systematic lead generation tools. Learn the proven framework for creating pages that connect with visitors at every stage of their journey.
Get the episode resources at getsystemswise.com/ep45
Listen now to start converting more visitors into valuable leads.
Are your lead generation efforts limited to your own website?
Could you be missing valuable opportunities to capture leads elsewhere?
What if some of your best landing pages weren't even on your own site?
Get practical insights into three powerful ways to capture leads beyond your website. Each method opens up new opportunities to connect with potential clients where they already are, making lead generation more natural and effective.
Things we talk about in this episode:
Connect with, or message, Gareth on LinkedIn at https://askgareth.com
Get the notes for this episode at https://getsystemswise.com/ep44
Resources referred to in this episode:
Are your landing pages speaking to the wrong audience at the wrong time?
Do you worry about scaring away early-stage prospects with hard-sell messages?
Not sure exactly what to include in your sales-focused landing pages - and when?
Get practical guidance on creating bottom of funnel landing pages that convert effectively. Learn when to deploy these conversion-focused pages, the four distinct types you might need, and why keeping things straightforward could be your secret weapon.
Things we talk about in this episode:
Read the full summary show notes and get the landing page guides at: https://getsystemswise.com/ep43
Connect with, or message, Gareth on LinkedIn at https://askgareth.com
Are your landing pages missing the mark with prospects who want solutions?
Confused about what content belongs in the middle of your funnel?
Need help turning researchers into leads?
Find out how to create middle-of-funnel landing pages that help solution-aware prospects take the next step. Learn from proven frameworks that make your content more compelling and your opt-ins more attractive.
What you'll discover:
Access the full show notes and downloadable guide at: https://getsystemswise.com/ep42
These are the books mentioned in the episode:
This is the "CRM Bingo" takeaway that I refer to in the show as an example of Expectations Setting in MOFU landing page content
Connect with Gareth Everson on LinkedIn at https://askgareth.com
Are your website visitors slipping away without a trace? Wondering if your landing pages are too complicated - or too basic? Not sure which type of landing page to use for new visitors?
Get clear on the three types of Top of Funnel (TOFU) landing pages that can turn anonymous website visitors into leads. Learn which elements to include (and what to strip out) to make your pages more effective.
Topics from this episode:
* The three specific types of landing pages for new visitors
* Why you shouldn't wait for perfection before launching your first landing page
* Simple ways to build trust with visitors who don't know you yet
* Common mistakes that make landing pages less effective
Read the full show notes and download the guide at getsystemswise.com/ep41
Connect with Gareth on LinkedIn at askgareth.com
Are your website visitors leaving without taking action? Think landing pages are just for the tech-savvy? Worried you're missing out on leads because your pages aren't working hard enough?
Get clear on the different types of landing pages and when to use each one. Learn which pages could transform casual browsers into valuable leads - without needing deep technical knowledge or a massive budget.
Things we talk about in this episode:
Read the full summary show notes and watch the video at: https://getsystemswise.com/ep40
Connect with, or message, Gareth on LinkedIn at https://askgareth.com
Have you heard that you need a 'landing page' to promote your services? Does the idea of creating a landing page fill you with dread - or confusion? Do you know the difference between a landing page and a funnel? Understand the specific role of these single-action pages in your marketing toolkit. Get a preview of our upcoming series covering best practices, common errors, and methods to enhance performance.
Read the full summary show notes and watch the video at: https://getsystemswise.com/ep39
Things we talk about in this episode:
Connect with Gareth on LinkedIn at https://askgareth.com
Guard your business's core: products and intellectual property. Learn to shield unique methods, digital assets, and brand identity. Find out how to back up key business materials and keep things running when faced with surprises.
Read the full summary show notes and watch the video at: https://getsystemswise.com/e38
Things we talk about in this episode:
Connect with Gareth on LinkedIn at https://askgareth.com
Have you ever managed to lock yourself out of the software you need to run your business? Has your website or any social profiles ever been hacked or targeted? Do past employees or freelancers you no longer work with have access to important passwords? Do you KNOW who has access to your key platforms?
With systems security, prevention is MUCH better than cure!
Read the full summary show notes and watch the video at: https://getsystemswise.com/e37
Things we talk about in this episode:
Connect with Gareth on LinkedIn at https://askgareth.com
Is digital clutter from all the apps in your business holding you back? This episode helps categorise the two main types of apps in your business as a first steps to helping you to simplify your business' tech stack and get more from it every day, without your time and effort. Pick up tips on tidying your systems to boost output and cut down on stress.
Read the full summary show notes and watch the video at: https://soloprenyear.com/e36
Things we talk about in this episode:
Connect with Gareth on LinkedIn at https://askgareth.com
