#110 | Must Have’s For Creators With Jenny Blake

We mixed things up on Coffee With Kim this week with my friend Jenny Blake. She’s met with us before to discuss making life easier with time-saving systems. The ‘Free Time’ author taught us how to get better at the “skill” of creating free time so we can do more of our best work. 

On this episode, we’re both dishing our favorite tips, tools, and tricks for content creation. With over two decades of shared experience, we’ve learned a thing or two about having success in this creator economy. Get ready for a wealth of information in this open dialogue between Jenny and I. From our favorite software and paying for accountability, to fishing facts that help you find business and where to source contentt. If you love this episode, find more like it here!

No Meeting Monday 

After reading Jenny’s book, Free Time, I put two things into action immediately. 

The first is No Meeting Monday. We’re talking zero Zooms, phone calls, meetings, etc. 

Before you ask, yes, the rule sometimes gets bent – especially as a service-based business owner – but only for emergencies!

The second is Fun Friday. As a pendulum to Monday, all coffee dates with someone visiting town, client lunches, intro calls, etc get moved to Friday. 

I was glad to hear Jenny had a similar schedule set up! She says clearly defined parameters, with the help of calendar blocking, has helped her stick to it. 

“I used to feel bad about saying no but I realized the people I’m meeting with would be getting me at 60% capacity. I want to take meetings, calls, or podcast interviews when I’m at my best.”

Our Favorite Content Organizing Software 

Having success in content creation starts with being organized. 

Jenny unashamedly loves Notion. The ability to create buckets, tags, and view her database in different ways makes it easy to pull notes and act on ideas. She even created a Loom walkthrough for visual learners. 

“The key is creating something easily searchable, customizable to how you like to collect information, and interlinkable so you can link notes to each other and they not get lost.”

My new favorite is Superhuman. (P.S. Message me for a joining code!) 

Here’s why I love it:

1 The templates – Having prewritten emails, especially the ones in which I’m responding “no” to something, has taken the work out communication for me.

2 Never having to touch my mouse – Everything is done with keyboard shortcuts! This may take a while to adjust to, but it saves so much time in the end.

3 Reminders – Setting reminders for specific tasks, specific people, and specific responses sets this feature apart from similar ones in other email software.

Paying For Accountability 

If there is one thing Jenny and I agree on, it’s that accountability will help you get more done!

I know it, because the CWK community held me accountable to produce my newsletter this year. Thank you again! 

Do you know what else helps besides community? Having to pay. Jenny recently booked a studio and hired a full service production company to help churn out podcasts. She said she’s “paying just enough that it hurts” but has also become more productive.

“It hurts if I don’t use the time in the studio well at $50 an hour. But, it gets me to batch my content and plan ahead. Also, there have been many days I don’t feel like podcasting but I have to show up because the studio doesn’t let me cancel within 24 hours. Also, hiring a production company has taken full ownership for the life of an episode from me to them and kept the train moving forward even if I’m not prepared. All this has allowed me to produce 12 episodes a month, which is way more than I’ve done in the past.”

Want To Skip Around?

7:02 No Meetings Monday

12:03 Collection Bucket

16:28 Superhuman

22:57 Paying For Accountability

33:20 Shark Tank

40:56 Be Discoverable

47:00 Fish Where Your Fish Are

54:47 It’s OK To Abandon Ship

Links Mentioned

• Past CWK episode with Jenny: https://kimkaupe.com/create-time-saving-systems-with-jenny-blake/
• Buzzfeed’s 44 Life Hack Products With Results That Practically Sell Themselves https://www.buzzfeed.com/malloryannp/life-hack-products-with-results-that-practically-sell
• http://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html
• HBR’s Meeting Cost Calculator: https://hbr.org/resources/html/infographics/2015/11/meeting-cost-calculator/index.html
• Jenny’s Notion Loom Walkthrough:  https://www.loom.com/share/9ef8db145b014221b4178614db79c1dc –
• https://supplygem.com/publications/creator-economy/
• Book: itsfreetime.com

If You Enjoyed Today’s Episode:

1.) You should check out this episode Create Time-Saving Systems With Jenny Blake

2.) Sign up for notes at copymyhomework.com for a full list of resources, links and recommendations listed on today’s episode.

3.) Post a screenshot of the episode & tag me on LinkedIn or Instagram @kimkaupe so we can talk about your favorite parts!

4.) Leave a positive review on any podcast platform (shameless, but someone’s gotta say it right?!)

5.) Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday on your favorite podcast app.

Connect with me over on the socials!

Instagram + TikTok: @kimkaupe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimkaupe/

Want To Learn 1 on 1 with Me?: I’m passionate about making YOU stand out at work. After a 45 minute training, Avery (aka my newest shining star) implemented my tactics and got a new job making $60k MORE than the last. Want some of that secret sauce for yourself? Check out more here. 

Share: If you enjoyed this, please share with others by clicking on the social icons below…