How to Keep your Passion Alive? with Julie C. Butler

Are you feeling disconnected from your business? You're not alone. Even successful entrepreneurs can lose their spark. In this eye-opening episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with Julie C. Butler, a branding and systems coach who rediscovered her passion after a major life change.

Julie, an Amazon bestselling author and host of the "Build Your Beautiful Business" podcast, shares her journey of falling out of love with her business and how she reignited that flame. With over 15 years of experience, Julie offers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs at any stage.

Visit Julie C Butler's social media pages:

Website: https://juliecbutler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliecbutlerxo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliecbutlerxo/

[00:00:00] Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing. I'm your host, Katie Brinkley. Join us as we dive deep with the world's leading digital marketing experts every single Tuesday. It's all about giving you the strategies that are working right now, directly from those who are making an impact. With my 20 years of experience, I'm here to help you navigate the world of digital marketing.

Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills or transform your business, you're in the right place. Let's get started on today's journey to success.

Welcome back to this week's episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing. Holy cow. Are we in for a treat with today's guest? Because man, I've known today's guest. I want to say for four years now, but maybe it's, maybe it's been longer. Today's guests, there's just a joy. Anytime that I see them show up in my feed, they just bring, you can feel their energy through the video.

Your phone screen or through your computer screen. [00:01:00] And today's guest is none other than Julie C Butler. She's the host of the build your beautiful business podcast, and she's a branding and systems coach. And get this, she has an Amazon bestselling book. And over 15 years of experience. And I wanted to talk with her before I hit record here, she did something that so many people do.

And, you know, I don't even know, I didn't even ask you if it was okay to start with this, Julie, but you know, you left, you're a Canadian. So you're instantly like just nicer than me anyways, because you're Canadian and all Canadians are amazing, but you're one of the most joyful people I've had the opportunity of being around.

And. You left Canada. You moved to Costa Rica. You moved back to Canada after a year of being in Costa Rica, which was not the intended plan. You were planning on staying in Costa Rica forever. And that's, that's a story that we can get into later today or not. But you said something right at the end of us catching up.

And [00:02:00] that's where I want to start today's episode. You said, I'm falling in love with my business again. Cause you left, you retired your husband, you've built this hugely successful business. You're able to move to, paradise and all of the things we're lining up, you know. Lining up Julie and even you fell out of love with your business and doing the business.

And, and I've, I wanted to actually start there because it's, I think that as entrepreneurs that can happen and we either give up or, you know, there's so many other things that come fall into play. So. Do you mind if you share a little bit about your journey and what it's been for you to fall out of love with your business and then fall back in love with it?

Absolutely. And you know, it's funny because first of all, thanks for having me on your amazing podcast. And secondly, I think I'm here today and I'm like, I don't even know what we're going to talk about. Oh, I'm always open anyway. Right. But I know, and [00:03:00] you say you've known me for however long, and you know me as the happy bubbly, person who always shows up.

Smiley and positive and everything. And even us, the positive bubbly people have, you know, stuff that can happen in our lives that is not so positive and happy. And you taught me and you talked a little bit about that before we hit the record button. And like you said, it's a story for another day, but, but the thing is, is that definitely sometimes whatever is going on, sometimes we can get, I don't know, like. Burnt out. Burnt out. Frustrated. That's the right word, but I think that sometimes maybe we are creative beings, right? And like when we're solopreneurs and we have this business and sometimes maybe we think we're supposed to be on this route that we fell in love with and we're supposed to continue on this route or, and not try different things or, and sometimes we just like, passionate, not that I'm not passionate about my business because Julie C. Butler as a whole, I'm awesome. [00:04:00] You wrote, you're an Amazon bestselling author. I mean, you have a great podcast. You do all sorts of digital summits and events and man, I feel like you're speaking everywhere, but then there's, you know, like you said, you have the business side of things, but then there's also life.

And sometimes, and this, you know, This is okay. If you're listening to this and you're like, man, like, I don't know what's going on, but I'm not feeling my business anymore. And it's funny, Katie, that we were talking about this because I was on a coffee date with a friend before this, a BizBestie, and we were talking about the same thing, how we weren't like, feeling inspired by the things we were doing in our business anymore, or maybe our core offers weren't inspiring us anymore or giving us lighting our belly on fire and stuff like that.

Right. And so it's, I think it's normal and it can happen. And if it's happening to you at this moment, just know that it's, it's okay. Yeah, it is okay. And I think that sometimes, Especially in the world of social media, we can see what other people are putting out there, and it feels like maybe even like we're [00:05:00] falling behind.

And it there's no matter what the reason is, I do think that there's times where it's just like, there's always there's there's 2 sides to every coin, but talked to me a little bit about how you were able to fall back in love with your, your business after, you know, supposedly, you know, like leaving Costa Rica, coming back to Canada, having to reestablish your roots, uh, for everything because you, you sold everything.

Let's just talk to a little bit about how you were able to rediscover the love of being an entrepreneur and being. you know, Julie C. Butler, this badass business owner. For me, it was a little bit about letting myself, allowing myself to maybe bring something new into my business. And that can always be scary, right?

When you are thinking about, think that you are meant to be the person who teaches people how to X, Y, Z, right? Like I had a core program and I thought my business was supposed to revolve around that or these, these little voices that we, we put into our heads, right? [00:06:00] And, and things like that. I allowed myself to kind of like, and this doesn't come, this didn't happen overnight. Right. By the way, I just took some, some talking to coaches and some, sometimes, you know, this besties and friends, but it took also some, Allowing myself to be honest with my true self, with my heart, right? Because our heart really never lies. If you ask your heart something, it never lies, right?

Is it Oprah that says that? I think it is. So, but it's true. And if you allow yourself to listen, ask yourself these questions, like ask yourself, Would I be happy or content if I went this direction and going another direction in your business can be very scary, Katie, you know, right? Like, you know, like if you're known for the social media queen and all of a sudden, I know I've been seeing you being, you know, promoting like podcasting [00:07:00] and I'm like, that is someone who is stepping into something different.

But going all in, right. Letting yourself, allowing yourself to first of all, hearing that, hearing that, Oh my God, like, I think I would be happier doing this, allowing yourself to, envision what that could look like, first of all, like you as this, you know, maybe it's a, a new title or a new, like a new completely different, you know, offer suite, whatever that looks like some, like, and, and I don't know, you know, people as examples.

However, I know people who have like completely just like scratched everything and start brand new, right? Yeah. The thing that offer that they are more passionate about doing. And so I allowed myself to kind of dig deep and be like, okay, Julie, why right now? Am I not in love with my business? Why am I bored with it?

Why am I not? Excited anymore or, and you know, what happens when, when that happens, the thing is, is [00:08:00] that then you try to show up on social media and you don't know what to say, right? Because you're like, the fire's not there anymore. The fire in your belly, the passion is not there anymore. And so allowing myself to kind of like, Can't not rediscover, but like, you know, allow myself to, to go the new route in my business has inspired me, has given me a, an, a love for my business that was there at the beginning, like that I found again, I am so inspired.

I am inspired when I show up on social media. It just comes out when I send an email, it comes out when I create a sales page for a new offer. It just comes out. Like it's magical how that happens. And then, but that relates into when you show up online too, because we have to write like running a business.

Some people are very successful doing it with an email list, but for some of us and a lot of us, like the social piece, I think it's a whole package deal. Right. So, [00:09:00] yeah. That relates into that as well. And the energy comes through, the passion comes through and everything. And then people are drawn to that and they're attracted to that.

Whereas where me before, and like trying to sell my program that I'm not passionate about anymore, blah, blah, blah. Right. Truly. I think it was really like the allowing yourself to kind of dig deep, right. Ask the hard questions, but imagining, okay, well, what could this look like? And. Am I courageous? Do I have the courage to maybe step into that gray area?

You know, one of the things that you specialize in doing Julie is, virtual events, branding. And I feel like your brand is so on point. What if your brand, like you were saying, to some extent, you know, like it was hard to even show up on social media because, well, what am I going to say? If your brand is, Here I am, happy, bubbly, Julie, Julie C. Butler, and you're just not feeling. [00:10:00] drawn to your brand anymore. What advice do you have to somebody if that's maybe it is doing a rebrand or what, what do you say to somebody as for, they need to really encompass their brand, but they're not feeling it. Yeah, I think that's the thing, right? Like, sometimes we have to figure out what that thing is, and sometimes it takes a little, it can take like, like I said, it doesn't happen overnight.

Right? And I started, I started rebranding because the thing is, sometimes your website might not be your messaging might not be Might not be right anymore. Right. Like your messaging might not be, you know, like business, the entrepreneurship, online businesses, they change so fast, right? Like, like we're having this conversation today, but if we're talking in six months from now, we might be like the conversation may have gone a completely different way because online businesses and the online industry now is, is just so [00:11:00] different. Yeah. And so, you know, like what I said on my website a year ago is just not what captures anymore. And it's just not what's, you know, and sometimes that's, could be all it is, is that your messaging is just not what it should be anymore, right? So we may have to, go back to basics.

Go back to basics and let's talk about, okay, well, you know, and I just did that. Like last week I'm like, okay, let's go back to basics. Let's, think about my niche for a minute. Right. And I'm like, who's my niche, right? Like, who do I want to target? And from experience and knowing who my audience has been over the last, four or five, six years, I know that it's been women coaches and over 40.

So now I'm like, huh, I'm like, okay, well, how about I target coaches on the other side of 40? And I'm like, excited me. I was like, yes, that excites me. And you know, and I'm sure [00:12:00] you've spoken about this before, but when the more we niche, kind of like the more successful we can be because we're more specific, we know our brand messaging becomes more specific and easier.

And it just all around becomes easier when we're trying to sell, our offers or, coaching or, show up on social media and all that stuff. Right. So sometimes just even going back to that, like, okay. And now you know, my website, is it, am I truly in love with my website?

Like, and that could be something that is maybe it needs a few tweaks. Or maybe I just want to re bend the whole thing. And that's what I'm doing now. I'm in the back end. I'm kind of like going page per page. I'm actually re doing it because I'm changing from one builder to another builder.

So I'm re doing the whole thing. And that allows you to also go through all of the messaging and to see if it's on point with, at par with who you are at this moment in time. And who you want to be. [00:13:00] Yeah. Who do you want to attract? Well, and, and I think that you brought up a really good point is sometimes we get married to our website.

We get married to our logos. We get married to our brand kits and it's okay to have a little bit of a breakup or, you know, go on a little marriage retreat and rekindle the flame with your brand a bit, you know, do you say if someone is listening right now and they're like, you know, maybe, maybe I just need to think about my, like, what steps would you, would you give them if they're saying like, I feel at the same spot that you were, Julie, you know, And maybe revisiting my brand and my messaging, maybe some of my core offers, where would you have them start?

And now for just a quick break, you've heard me talk about some of my favorite social media tools on the show. And one of them is a tool called MetraCool. MetraCool allows you to plan, analyze, and grow your digital presence all in one place from websites to LinkedIn, to YouTube. You can track everything that you're doing online and see Just what's [00:14:00] working and what isn't check out metrical today at Katie Brinkley dot live slash cool.

Just a note. If you use the links I provide, I may receive compensation. All right, let's get back to the show.

So if you're going to, if you're going to look at the brand, right, like, so logo brand colors and stuff like that, I don't believe that your colors should be a reflection of feeling or not feelings, but moods. And like this color attracts that in this color. No, I think that your colors, your brand colors should be what feels in alignment with you.

What do you love? Because that comes through when you're designing your, especially if you're designing your own website and you're creating your own graphics, that comes through and it makes it so much easier designing anything when you're in love with your colors. It's true. I tried it. I tried. I like because I I'm an artist, so I love different color schemes. And this is a scheme that I really loved. And it's so beautiful. It's these rich colors like plum and [00:15:00] turquoise and Navy. And it was so beautiful. And I tried redesigning my website with those colors and it was not working. I was like. Nothing was flowing. I couldn't find pictures to match. And because I'm a pink person, I'm a pink person.

And, and I'm like, why am I even trying to do this right now? Yeah, yeah. Love being truly in love with your colors makes a huge difference. I think that, you know, that comes through in what you create. And I know that creation of Crangler Graphics and our website is just not everybody's cup of tea. And we're not all good at everything . So that's just the things that I'm good at. But if you're thinking, ugh, website, just make sure you're in love with your colors because that will make it easier. Designing camera graphics and stuff like that. And if we're going to talk about logo for like two seconds, right? Like logo, like don't spend too much time there, honestly.

Like don't overthink the logo creation process because honestly, [00:16:00] nobody remembers your logo. I don't remember. Well, I remember a little bit because you have the mountains and stuff like that. But honestly, do you know what my logo looks like? Probably not. Because that's not what matters.

What matters is me. You remembered me, my bubbly personality and, and, you know, who I am when I'm online. That's what you remember from me, not my logo. And certainly maybe not my colors, but you know that I'm a pink person and you like pink too. So that's what I have to say about, logo designing and, or redoing.

And like you said before, you're not married to any of it. So if you feel like changing it. Change it. It's your business. You decide. You'll be the boss. Exactly. I think that a lot of times people get so connected, so married to their logos or their website or whatever, you're the owner. You're the CEO and you can make the decision on if you feel like things need to change for, for me, like this podcast, it started as a lead gen tool. I was interviewing [00:17:00] Denver based business owners. It is now really transformed and it's turned into, to value driven. How do I feel that entrepreneurs could learn from the guests?

And I wanted to make the pivot because these were the conversations I wanted to have. You're the business owner. You have the power if you're not feeling like you're in love with it anymore. If you love your logos, you can change it. And I think that, you mentioned this before too. You started thinking about who do I enjoy working with? My core offers? Who are they good for? What is my ideal client avatar? And it shifted a little bit. I think that having. Those kind of breakout sessions with yourself or with a business bestie really help you get clarity into not just maybe the evolution of your business, but different lead magnets that are going to convert the right people into the new. Way that your business is operating. Can we talk a little bit about how maybe having that really strong lead magnet is going to [00:18:00] help bring the right people into your sphere so that if you are making a shift in your business or if you are tweaking your, ideal client avatar a little bit. You have the lead magnet to bring the right people in.

So you're not talking to a room full of the wrong people. Yes. And that's so important. And before we dive into this. I just want to say that if you're going to change directions, don't be afraid that your audience is going to be changing too. don't be afraid. Don't. Keep yourself from moving into one direction because you think, Oh, but I've worked so hard to build this audience that I have now. Right? Because you could be getting in your own way of greatness. Right? And so we need to let that go. Right? And just move into the direction of, well, this is what I want to do. This is what I'm happy doing. And so. If there's people who are not my people anymore, either a, they'll stay for the ride because they love me or two, they'll just, move on and that's okay.

And so not being afraid, like not letting fear stop us from moving into these directions as well, I think is [00:19:00] really important, but, lead magnet. So the creation of a lead magnet and here's the thing about lead magnets. We want them to be so effective, right? Like. We want them to be something that is going to be so wow that people are going to be like, oh, my God, this is so good. I need to work with them. But something also short and sweet, because if it's something like a mini course, that's going to take me weeks on end to complete. You're going to lose me because why? Because it's free. Right? Yeah. Like there's no skin in the game. So when you offer something that is so good, but you know what, Katie, and maybe you do this too.

Like sometimes I'll sign up for a lead magnet because I just want to be on their list and I got interested in them and I want to know what they have to offer and what they have to say. And so I'm going to sign up for this lead magnet and then I get to. I get to see who they are and what they are. So I think that your lead magnet should certainly be [00:20:00] something.

Okay. So think about, first of all, what you do and what do you want each client, everybody that comes into your world, what do you want them to do? You want them to hire you to be their coach, or do you want them to join your program or your membership or whatever? What is that thing? And then the lead magnet has to be something that is going to lead them into this next thing. Like, it has to be related. So I think that, you know, having something that is not related is a big mistake that, some of us can get into. So, yeah, right. Making that. Connection. And so, okay, like this would be, for example, like I have a lead magnet that is teaching you how to create a lead magnet and converting them. And I created this four years ago when it still works for me. And that's because it converts, it does well. And it's still relevant today. But that's knowing your audience too, knowing, okay, well, what do people we, well, I help people build and grow an online, beautiful business.

And [00:21:00] part of that is creating a lead magnet. So it makes sense that I have a workbook teaching them how to create a high converting lead magnet. And that was made sense for me because that led them to my other offers. And I think that. Lead magnets are such a great way to get the right people into your sphere.

If someone says, is this thing, they're like, man, I, I feel like I need a new lead magnet because I've made a little bit of a shift. So for me, I launched podcast production in 2024 as one of the service offerings of Next Step Social. So I was like, man, I need to have a lead magnet. Well, what would somebody, if my ideal client avatar want. What kind of a lead magnet would be good for them if I want them to get into the podcast offering funnel, you know, sphere of Katie Brinkley. And I think that you have to think a little bit creatively about what is their problem. So what advice would you have to somebody that's maybe looking to launch a [00:22:00] new lead magnet or looking to, maybe revamp one, or maybe they have a new core offering?

So this is what I do, and I want to also add, while we're having this conversation, that your lead nanny could also be a low ticket offer. Ooh, I like this. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Because that's what I did. So you've been seeing me online, Katie, you know, like only Julie's going into virtual summits thing right now.

Because I've been passionate. For so many years about, hosting my own virtual events that I'm like, it makes sense that I want to go in that direction. Okay, well now I need a lead magnet. I need a lead. I need, I need something to lead people into my world that are interested in hosting.

And instead of creating a lead magnet, I created a low ticket offer, but it's the same concept. Like use the same idea and the same concept. I just put a dollar value to it. My thinking was, okay, what can I create that people are going to. Absolutely want right now [00:23:00] to help them plan and organize their summit and I came up with a planner.

So it's a virtual summit planner. I call it the dream planner. It's a planner, basically, you put the date of your summit in it, and then it auto populates all the tasks and the date that these tasks have to be done in and. Instead of it being free, I've made it 9 dollars. And that's what I created instead of creating a lead magnet, but it's the same concept.

Right. And then I'm like, okay, if I'm going to, and then you put yourself in that. Cause that's the thing, right? Like when we are the creator of it, we're not the receiver. And so sometimes it's hard to see. Yeah. Because it's our thing. It's like, did I say the right things for them to want this?

Or so you kind of put yourself in their shoes and see, is this something that would be super valuable to them that they would want. That would help them that, maybe depending [00:24:00] on what your offer is or what your program is, or, what could be the next step for them? What is that first thing that can get them in? So for me, a planner made sense. And that could be the same you in your business. Maybe like Katie, maybe you know, it would be a checklist for you or some kind of a planner. Right. And for a lot of instances, planners and checklists and worksheets, or like a little workbook, like that usually does the job, but they will. They will want more after they're like, okay, well, now that I've done this, how do I get the rest? And so, and then coming up with a funnel as well, to go along with that, because you can have a funnel with your lead magnet as well. You can have, okay, well you get the checklist as the lead magnet for free or for 9 or whatever, and what can you offer them as a little bump that's just going to sweeten the deal on this, right?

That they're going to be like, well, yeah, I want that too. And that's, if you have a free offer, then it's that 9 or 17 thing that they [00:25:00] can just add to go along with the freebie or, to go along with your low ticket offer. Right. So you can go into that whole, that like a bit of a funnel with that, right.

But it's only come up with the idea of the initial idea of the lead magnet or the, you know, the, the low ticket offer the I've even seen 1 offers now, which is super cool. 1 offers. That's crazy. Yeah, but it works. Like, you know, like, and, and the thing is, is that once you've come up with that idea Out there, to see if it's converting. And then when you get the results and you collect the data from that, and if it's converting, then go out, go ahead and build out a little funnel for that. Right. What can make that lead magnet or that low ticket offer sweeter? I love it. And I think that it's a way of, low ticket offer, like 1, 3.

Sometimes people are willing to pay that just to get on your list. Really? They are because they, yeah, like depending on how you're showing up, like the way that you're positioning yourself, [00:26:00] you never know, like, but people would, might be willing to pay for, you know, oh, okay, well it's only another 6.

Yeah, sure. I'll go ahead and take the full, 300 number checklist or whatever it is. Julie, this has been such an awesome conversation and I really appreciate your vulnerability vulnerability in sharing, you know, just about falling back in love with your business because I. You know, on the outside looking in, like we can see people and we'll be like, Oh, they have it all.

Like they love their, what they're doing. They love in this, but sometimes, we do need to take that time to fall back in love and reignite the passion for what we're doing with our businesses. And if you listener, are in a spot. Well, you're kind of feeling this. I mean, connect with Julie.

She has the podcast. She has her book. She is a wizard when it comes to virtual events. Obviously she just gave us an entire like SLO for virtual, for your lead magnet and everything. So, I mean, connect with Julie. She can help you build your beautiful business, but. Julie, what's the best way for people to get in touch with you and, and stay up to date on all things Julie C.

Butler? [00:27:00] Yes. Well, my website is easy, Julie C. Butler dot com and I'm on Instagram and Facebook. If I think if you could just search for Julie C. Butler, I'll come up, and I'm sure you'll have that in the show notes as well. But those are the best ways. And I really think like anybody else, you know, like just creep them a little bit and follow them on socials to see if they, they're, they fall into alignment with, you and your business and who you are, and if you've got the vibe with the people, that's usually the best way to know someone, to know another business and, to get to know them.

Yeah, I love it. Well, Julie, thank you so much for joining me on Rocky mountain marketing today. This has been long overdue. Amazing. Thank you so much for having me.

Thanks so much for listening to this week's episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing. I hope you're leaving with valuable insights and the inspiration to lead your market. If you've enjoyed our time together and found today's podcast episode useful, I have a small favor to ask of you. Please hit that subscribe button to stay updated with the latest episodes.

And if you [00:28:00] know someone who could benefit from these episodes, maybe a fellow business leader or an aspiring entrepreneur, go ahead and share this episode with them. Let's spread the knowledge and grow together. Also, I'd love to hear from you and continue the conversation beyond the podcast. Visit me at katiebrinkley.

com to connect, to find more resources, or just to share your journey. And be sure to pick up your copy of my new book, the social shift at katiebrinkley. com slash book. Thanks again for tuning in. I'm Katie Brinkley, and I can't wait to dive into more strategies and stories with you on the next episode of Rocky mountain marketing.

Let's keep on taking your marketing to new heights.