John Lee Dumas (@JohnLeeDumas) & Kate Erickson (@KateLErickson) are the duo behind Entrepreneur on Fire, a daily podcast about business, life, and success. Working closely and dedicating themselves to systematic behaviour, John and Kate have built a massively successful business around their podcasts and blogging community.
This conversation discusses their individual workflows and systems, how they manage virtual assistants, and how working from home requires discipline and systems.
Check out their podcasts, blogs, communities, and courses over at EntrepreneurOnFire.com
Listen Now
Get The Episode
- Download The Busy Creator Podcast, Episode 50 (MP3, 25:47, 12.4 MB)
- Download The Busy Creator Podcast, Episode 50 (OGG, 25:47, 21.4 MB)
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Show Notes & Links
- John doesn’t consider himself a creative person. He doesn’t have a “design bone” in his body, but his mouth is creative.
- Kate worked in advertising and marketing on the accounts and project management side
- Systematic behaviour for John means “always tweaking”
“Day one looks very different from today.”
—John Lee Dumas
- John batches his interviews on Tuesday; 8 interviews in one day
- John edits a 40-minute show in about 5–7 minutes; 8 interviews in 90 minutes
- Lists posts seem to have the best responses for blog posts
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software allow you to keep everything in one place
- Kate understands how to “drop a diagram” and be analytical (especially in Infusionsoft)
- Kate uses Asana with her Virtual Assistants (VAs)
- John’s VAs were focused on his schedule and social media
- John & Kate struggled when working from the same desk, and now lead “separate work lives”
- John never found the groove when working in a cubical; this still powers his concentration when working from home
- The Fire Path, Kate’s training program and book from Entrepreneur on Fire
- The Fire Path by Kate Erickson on Amazon
- John Lee Dumas on Twitter
- Kate Erickson on Twitter
- Entrepreneur on Fire on Facebook
- John Lee Dumas on Instagram
- Kate Erickson on Instagram
- Entrepreneur on Fire on YouTube
Tools
Techniques
- While recording, use colour-coded markers as flags for yourself when editing
- Listen to feedback and monitor social feedback and sharing
- Use “skeleton writing” to jot down bullet points. This avoids the “blank paper syndrome”
- Use Virtual Assistants (VAs) to extend your day-to-day capabilities
- Keep roles distinct for VAs; don’t keep people guessing about what their duties will be
- Before you hire a VA, spend one week writing down all your repetitive tasks
Habits
- Keep a running list of ideas. Continually record inspiration for blog posts while reading, listening, watching.
- Skype with your co-worker rather than interrupt each other
- Take breaks throughout the day, especially if you work from home and don’t otherwise leave the house
- Build in domestic distractions into your morning routine (so they don’t reappear during the day)
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