Rebecca Tracey is the head/only honcho at The Uncaged Life where she works with clients from all over the world who want to have the freedom of working from anywhere by running their own online business.
She helps people figure out what the hell they're doing in their businesses, create packages that sell, and helps them actually take action on the things they want to do. Rebecca runs an online community of over 3000 solopreneurs.
She started her business while living in a van, loves rock climbing and riding her bike around Toronto, and is genuinely obsessed with helping people live their version of Uncaged.
Becca has been an amazing virtual mentor to me since I stumbled upon her website while searching for women to interview for for my Women to Watch Series.
I connected instantly with her message, emailed her to ask for an interview and then promptly purchased Biz Shiz* joined the Uncaged Lifers Facebook group and voraciously read all of her blog posts.
Then found a little nugget of gold on her website called Hey, Nice Package!* It took me a couple of weeks to decide to buy it because I can't just let $297 leave my bank account without careful consideration… If there's one thing to know about me, I don't part with money easily.
I can run the tech of an online business in my sleep, but I've struggled with designing, packaging and marketing my services. So when I come across an expert or product that helps me out in such a drastic way I can’t not share it with you guys.
If you don’t have a handle on WHAT, exactly, to sell (so you haven’t created anything at all), or you created a generic package based on what everyone else was offering, but it’s not exactly working for you…and you want to learn how to package up your services in a way that 1) feels GOOD for you, 2) feels GOOD for your clients and 3) makes you some goddamn money (finally) – then you need to check out Hey, Nice Package!
It will show you a repeatable system for creating, packaging and selling your services – the same system I used to put together WP*OMG.
What I learned from Hey, Nice Package! I could not have figured out on my own – or it would have taken months of trial and error…
Read on to learn more about Becca, when you should start a website and what she wishes she would have done sooner – AND enter to win Hey, Nice Package!
When did you start The Uncaged Life and why?
I have been living my Uncaged life my entire life… but I started my business in 2011. I knew that I wanted to do work that I cared about and I knew that I could never work on someone else's schedule – so I took matters into my own hands and created something that would fit all my criteria!
What do you feel makes your audience/readers special?
My Uncaged Lifers are all hellbent on creating the freedom they crave, and are all so dedicated to making the most of LIFE by making work something they actually enjoy (imagine that!). They're a unique group of people who are taking their lives and their careers outside the box (er… cage).
Did anything surprise you about creating your original website? What about your latest site?
I was surprised at how much stupid finnicky back end shit there was to do. I created it myself and there definitely weren't as many user-friendly themes as there are now. My current site is getting an overhaul soon because it's built on a janky theme that causes some problems behind the scenes. It's SO worth it to invest and do it right!
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting their own business?
START. Get a little bit clear on what you want to do, then start doing it. The rest of the clarity will come. Also, start your website right away. Do it yourself on the cheap (blogging is a GREAT way to get more clarity and to help hone your voice). Start to build it up as you go, and when you're clear on what your niche is and what you're selling, invest in having it done properly. But getting it up right away makes everything feel more REAL, and that will help keep you motivated!
If you could go back in time and do something differently, what would you do and why?
I would invest in business coaching sooner. It helps cut through all the crap you shouldn't be worried about and helps you grow faster.
How long did it take you to launch your business once you decided to do it?
It was immediate. I got started on my website that day and was taking on clients the next day. When I want something, I don't like to waste any time 🙂
Did you launch your business while working another job?
No, I was happily fun-employed when I started my business, so I had lots of time to work on it. I was planning a long roadtrip 5 months in the future, so it was a good kick in the pants to get things off the ground before I left!
How did you promote your site when you first started out? Has anything changed between then and how?
I emailed everyone I know and told them about it, started blogging regularly and posting on social media, and I started interviewing other people with businesses on my blog.
Now I focus on marketing to my existing email list and using FB ads to get in front of new audiences.
What is the most effective way you have grown your email list?
Guest posting on other people's sites has worked really well for me! It's easy and free and it works!
Do you earn money from your site, and if so, how? Affiliate marketing, ads, products, etc.?
Nope, that's not my business model. I sell services and courses as a coach and consultant!
Who are your favorite bloggers, podcasts and/or coaches?
Honestly, I don't follow many people online! It screws with my head and I find it really hard to focus on my own work when I'm constantly watching what everyone else is going, so I try to keep my eyes on my own paper! That being said, I love the Fizzle podcast, and my coaching mastermind ladies are the BEST and all have amazing businesses (hi Andrea, Kira, and Amy!)
I absolutely love Becca's advice about just starting your site on your own, and then investing in a professional design once you gain some momentum.
Knowing how to do it yourself before you hire it out is priceless – you'll know what's possible, what to expect and how to better communicate with a designer – and you'll always be able to manage your own site if you need to.
You can find Becca online at www.theuncagedlife.com, on Facebook here and follow her on Twitter here.
*Biz Shiz will no longer be available for sale after April 24, 2015.
*this is my affiliate link because HNP is amazing and I love sharing life-changing stuff with you guys!
