201: How To Organize A Weekly Newsletter: The Purpose Behind Our Template
Today, I’m sharing how I went from struggling to write regular emails to building a system that helps us send two value-packed newsletters with ease and joy. You’ll learn the purpose behind our two biweekly newsletters—“Secrets of the Studio” for surface pattern designers and “Beneath the Surface” for creative entrepreneurs—and how having a clear structure and cadence changed everything. I walk through the importance of defining your audience, creating intentional sections, and using a repeatable template to take the guesswork out of writing. With tools like Kit and thoughtful planning, we’ve created newsletters that not only feel good to send, but are fun and inspiring to read too. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your own newsletter rhythm, I hope this inspires you to find a system that works beautifully for you. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/201 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide
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19:53
200: The Role of Surveys: Shaping Our Business Strategies
As creative entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves wondering what our audience wants—what they’re thinking, needing, or hoping we’ll create next. In this episode, I share one of the most powerful tools we use to stop guessing and start knowing: surveys. You'll hear exactly how we ask meaningful questions, the specific ones we rely on, and how we design surveys that lead to clear and confident decision-making. The episode begins with a funny (and humbling) story about a yacht surprise gone sideways. It’s a lighthearted reminder of how important it is to ask the right questions before making decisions, whether big or small. From there, I walk through three detailed examples of how surveys have shaped key areas of our business this past year: email newsletters, product development, and live events. You’ll learn how one simple survey question led to a major new feature in our Pattern Plus membership, how asking about newsletter cadence brought instant clarity, and how we use post-event feedback to improve each year’s conference. I also share the framework we use to build surveys that are simple, specific, and impactful—along with the tools and practices that help us get great results. If you’ve ever felt unsure about what your audience wants or needs, this episode will show you just how easy and effective it can be to ask. You don’t have to wonder. You just have to ask. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/200 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide
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199: How to Build a Thriving Membership Site featuring Stu McLaren
Stu McLaren is one of the most impactful mentors I’ve ever had, and I’m thrilled to bring him back to the podcast to talk about a topic that can completely transform your creative business: recurring revenue through membership sites. Stu’s course, The Membership Experience, was a game changer for me. It’s the only course I’ve ever completed on time, and it’s one I return to year after year. After taking it, my membership revenue shifted from unpredictable spikes to a steady, staircase-like pattern of growth. In this episode, we explore why recurring revenue is so powerful—especially for creatives who often juggle inconsistent income streams and the demands of hands-on work. Stu shares his journey of moving from burnout and one-on-one service work to launching Wishlist Member, the world’s number one WordPress membership plugin. That experience gave him unique insight into what makes a membership site succeed over time. We discuss why creatives are uniquely suited to this model, with stories of artists, painters, sticker designers, and teachers who now run thriving memberships. Stu and I also tackle common concerns like the fear of content burnout and the myth of "subscription fatigue." He offers practical, encouraging advice on how to create a membership that delivers real results and keeps your members engaged. Whether you already run a membership, are thinking about launching one, or are simply curious, this conversation is full of wisdom and actionable ideas. Stu’s upcoming free live workshop is also something I recommend wholeheartedly—it’s one of the most energizing events I attend every year. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/199 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide
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198: Inside Our Creative Spring: From Magazines to Memberships
After a little spring break, I’m back with a behind-the-scenes update on what’s been unfolding in our business and creative world. This season has been one of the most energizing yet, full of new ideas, bold moves, and heart-filled work. In this episode, I’m sharing what we’ve been working on, what’s coming next, and what you can look forward to on the podcast. It all started with a leadership retreat in January that sparked a fresh season of building, creating, and expanding. Since then, we’ve been deep in development mode, launching several projects that have been on my heart for years. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/198 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide
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197: From Overlap to Ownership: Aligning Your Team for Success
In this episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges that growing teams face: role clarity and alignment. When businesses start out, it’s natural for everyone to pitch in and wear multiple hats. But as the business grows, this all-hands-on-deck approach can lead to confusion, inefficiencies, and even burnout. That’s why today’s conversation is all about how to ensure that your team is working together with clarity, confidence, and a shared sense of ownership. I share a personal story that sparked my realization about the importance of communication; let’s just say it involved neon paint, a carefully planned outfit, and an unexpected hug! From there, I break down the four key steps to aligning your team and fostering a culture of accountability: Create an Accountability Chart – Define roles and responsibilities so every team member knows what they own. Use the GWC Framework – Ensure every team member "Gets it, Wants it, and has the Capacity" to succeed in their role. Set 90-Day Rocks – Break down your vision into measurable, actionable priorities. Establish a Meeting Cadence – Keep communication strong with weekly and quarterly check-ins. With these steps, you’ll create a work environment where your team is rowing in the same direction, projects are completed on time, and goals are achieved with excellence. Plus, I’m sharing a free accountability chart template to help you put this into action. Whether you’re leading a team or envisioning your dream team as a solopreneur, this episode will help you bring clarity and structure to your business. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/197 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide
Have you ever dreamed of having a mentor with years of success to guide you through your creative business journey?
That’s exactly what you’ll get when you tune into The Professional Creative podcast with your host, Bonnie Christine. With over 14 years of experience as an artist, entrepreneur, educator, and leader, Bonnie brings genuine warmth and actionable advice to your journey as a creative professional.
Tune in each week to get inspired and discover how the days of struggling to succeed as a creative are over.
Each episode is designed to help you GROW no matter what phase of the journey you’re on. From overcoming creative challenges to learning how to promote your work, you’ll learn how to take your passion to the next level and see SUCCESS. If you’re an aspiring professional creative or already on the entrepreneurial journey, you’ll hear about the latest marketing trends, best business practices, and inside tips from a longtime designer—all to help you grow your business like a boss!
Welcome to The Professional Creative podcast.
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