Sequence Over Strategy

Do you hesitate to ask for help because it feels selfish or awkward? In this episode of Sequence over Strategy, Michelle challenges that mindset and shows why asking is actually key to building strong relationships. Far from being a burden, a well-crafted ask strengthens trust and connection. Michelle introduces the "ask continuum" to help you avoid the traps of asking for too much or nothing at all. She also breaks down five practical ways to make your asks clear, realistic, and meaningful. By getting comfortable with asking, you’ll not only get what you need but also deepen your relationships along the way.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Are you tired of social media feeling like a numbers game? In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner shares how to transform social media into a powerful tool for building relationships that generate high-quality leads. She discusses why service-based businesses should shift from traditional traffic marketing to a more intentional, connection-driven approach. Michelle offers practical tips on creating authentic content that not only attracts the right clients but also establishes trust and builds lasting business relationships.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Have you ever thought about how to generate leads that feel as powerful as referrals without waiting for them to come in? In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner breaks down how to engineer leads that act like referrals through relationship marketing. She explains why service-based businesses, in particular, need to move beyond traffic marketing and focus on creating meaningful, impactful first impressions that build trust and convert potential clients quickly. Michelle shares actionable insights on how to be proactive in building the relationships that matter most for your business's growth.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Have you ever wondered why some marketing campaigns capture attention but fail to convert that interest into sales or lasting relationships? In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner emphasizes the pivotal role of engagement strategies in effective marketing. She discusses how businesses often excel at creating awareness but falter when it comes to engaging their audience, which is essential for converting interest into action. Michelle introduces her framework that prioritizes a clear marketing sequence: awareness, engagement, and then sales, stressing that each stage is interconnected.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Have you ever considered the role of trust transfer in borrowing audiences for relationship marketing? In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner explores how establishing trust through collaboration can greatly enhance an individual's impact on new audiences. The key to success lies in whether the host understands and values the guest's expertise, facilitating a smooth trust transfer between the guest and the audience.Through real-life examples, Michelle contrasts successful collaborations, where the host is well-informed and invested, with less effective partnerships based on transactional motives. She highlights how to vet opportunities by assessing the potential for trust transfer and explains why working with collaboration-minded partners can lead to long-term value, even when the immediate audience fit may not be perfect.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Many entrepreneurs find themselves asking, “Is my marketing working?” It’s a question Michelle Warner addresses in this episode of Sequence Over Strategy. Rather than trying to figure out if a strategy is failing or not, Michelle emphasizes the importance of sequence—the order in which marketing steps are implemented.Michelle explains how breaking marketing down into three steps—awareness, engagement, and sales—can provide a clear framework for diagnosing issues. Often, the problem lies not in your ability to sell, but in failing to target the right people in the awareness stage. If the wrong audience reaches your engagement stage, sales won’t follow, no matter how polished your approach is.By focusing on the sequence of actions, you can diagnose problems and determine whether adjustments in one step might improve the entire process. Instead of blindly tweaking your sales tactics, step back and ask: Am I engaging the right audience from the start?If you’re struggling to understand where your marketing falls short, start by breaking it down into these steps. The sequence will guide you to more productive solutions.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Is your business missing the mark by not speaking to customers at the right level of understanding? Are you losing customers because your messaging is either too advanced or too basic for where they are? In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner unpacks the crucial concept of customer maturity and how it directly impacts your marketing success. She dives into why understanding exactly what your customers know and care about is the key to designing offers that truly resonate. You'll learn what customer maturity is and what it means for you and your business. You will also hear about how aligning your marketing, messaging, and product strategy with your audience’s maturity level can bridge the gap between what you offer and what your customers actually need.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Is your business struggling with aligning its advanced products with an evolving customer base? In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner explores how a mismatch between your product sophistication and customer needs can lead to frustration and ineffective marketing. Learn how to address the common issue of feeling bored or frustrated with your clients by realigning your product, customer, and marketing strategies. Let’s discover how to navigate these shifts smoothly to keep your business model in harmony and set yourself up for continued success!Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Do you struggle to decide your marketing strategy? Do you know if you want to reach as many people as possible or just your target audience? Michelle Warner, a business designer and strategist, discusses a shift in her marketing strategy. Previously focused on one-on-one work and relationship marketing, she’s now transitioning to teaching more bootcamps, which requires a higher volume of leads. This shift means she needs to balance her marketing strategies, incorporating more traffic marketing alongside relationship marketing to align with her new product mix.Michelle explains the difference between relationship marketing (deep, authentic connections) and traffic marketing (mass outreach) and stresses the importance of aligning marketing strategies with your business model. She also highlights her involvement in Michelle Mazur’s summit, "Make Marketing Suck Less," which aims to help businesses find suitable marketing strategies.For more details and to join the summit visit:  https://drmichellemazur.com/eventCheck out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

What if the key to successful relationship marketing isn't about trading audiences, but about providing value that makes others look better in front of their audience? In this episode of "Sequence Over Strategy," Michelle Warner challenges the common misconception that audience size determines fair exchange when borrowing audiences. By reframing the value exchange as a way to help others achieve better results, Michelle shares examples from her own business to illustrate how focusing on value can lead to mutually beneficial relationships.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

What stage of small business growth are you currently in, and are you prioritizing the right actions for that stage? In this episode of "Sequence Over Strategy," Michelle Warner discusses the importance of understanding and aligning with the five stages of small business growth, with a special look at what happens when you prematurely outsource or automate your processes. From the importance of validating your business idea to finding product-market-founder fit and building a solid foundation, Michelle provides invaluable insights to help you steer your business in the right direction and avoid the pitfalls that entrepreneurs often fall into.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

They say you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. What happens when you apply that line of thought to your business? It’s your network that determines your business’s worth. In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner discusses how to create and nurture strong networks and how specificity, involvement, and consistent communication will build deeper connections with the right people.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

If you know you’re going to get new business after a keynote or other speaking event, should you also be getting paid for it? In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner takes this question head-on, and immediately starts digging down into what we really need to answer instead. Using listener Jay Acunzo's question as a case study, Michelle emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between when speaking serves as a marketing tool versus a paid product, and shares the tools you need to do it for your own work.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

What does First Mover Advantage look like when we’re talking about marketing strategies? At first, it looks like a lot of well-earned success, but then the wave crests and what used to work doesn’t anymore. Today on Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner is talking about how to identify when you’re benefiting from First Mover Advantage, and how to tell when it’s about to come crashing down, so you can get out, pivot, or change your expectations before it’s too late. Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

What job are you asking your marketing strategies to do for you? In this episode of "Sequence Over Strategy," Michelle Warner, a business designer and strategist, shares her decision-making process behind starting a podcast and why she doesn’t rely on it for awareness. Today’s question concerns transitioning from private to group coaching. Michelle highlights the importance of understanding the job you need your marketing strategies to do and how to align them with your business goals.Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

How do you take the 'ick' out of networking when you need to scale your business? In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner addresses this crucial question posed by Joy, a leadership coach looking to expand her practice to include an online course for emerging female leaders. It all comes down to identifying ideal connection avatars and adapting your networking strategies to reach a larger audience. That way, you can leverage your existing skills for business growth. It’s Sequence over Strategy in building sustainable and successful businesses. Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the idea of expanding your business and adding new customer segments and products? In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner guides you through the ‘Five Whys’ exercise to uncover the root of your business challenges. By focusing on the impact of marketing efforts on your new ventures, you'll gain clarity on whether your current marketing strategy aligns with your growth plans. Discover the key to avoiding the chaos of running multiple businesses and embrace the power of asking the right questions with the Sequence Over Strategy mindset. Let's simplify your marketing efforts and set your business up for success! Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Are you tired of throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks in your business? In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle Warner dives deep into the world of relationship and traffic marketing and helps you understand the importance of choosing the right marketing approach. You'll learn how to meet your leads in a powerful way, whether you're a coach looking for clients or an entrepreneur seeking sustainable growth. Toss the spaghetti back in the pot and embrace the sequence over strategy mantra for building a sturdy business. Let's make marketing fun and effective again!Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Welcome to Sequence Over Strategy, a show about small business entrepreneurship on this show. Embrace a new perspective where asking the right questions and focusing on the next right action takes precedence over finding a one-size-fits-all strategy.