Hi All!
I'm grateful to be able to teach courses and run group programs to help people grow their authentic business and joyful productivity.
My social media links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geokao
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/georgekao
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgekao
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/GeorgeKaoCommunity
Twitter: https://twitter.com/georgekao
Medium: https://georgekao.medium.com
6:32
Are you giving away too much?
A common concern -- "How do I share enough about my framework to be valuable and attract clients, without giving away so much that people feel they don't need my help?" Finding the right balance is key, and it's less about holding back information and more about guiding clients through a transformative process. Share the "What" and the "Why," Guide the "How" Share: The core principles, steps, or stages of your framework. Explain the purpose of each element and the benefits it offers. This provides a clear overview and demonstrates the value of your approach. This is about providing a roadmap. Guide: The detailed instructions, exercises, specific techniques, and personalized guidance are best delivered within the context of your paid offerings. This is where you provide the support, accountability, and customized application that make the framework truly effective. This is about experiencing the journey with an expert guide, rather than just reading the map. Why This Approach Works: Avoids Overwhelm: Presenting all the details upfront can be overwhelming for potential clients. A framework summary should provide a clear, concise overview, not a comprehensive manual. Prevents Misinterpretation: Complex techniques or exercises often require guidance and context to be implemented correctly. Sharing only the high-level concepts prevents potential misinterpretations or ineffective application. It prevents the false assumption of "I can do this on my own easily". Highlights the Value of Your Guidance: By focusing on the "what" and "why" in your summaries, you emphasize the transformative potential of your framework. You also make it clear that working with you provides the support and expertise needed to achieve that transformation. Builds Trust While Creating Intrigue: It's demonstrating your generosity and making them curious. Example: Instead of giving a detailed, step-by-step guide to a specific meditation technique, you might say: "Step 3 involves a powerful mindfulness practice to help you manage stress and cultivate inner peace. In my [program/coaching], we'll explore several proven techniques and find the ones that work best for you." Offer Value, but Hint at a Deeper Experience: Your framework description should be genuinely useful, even if someone doesn't hire you. It should offer insights, inspiration, or a new perspective. But it should also make it clear that there's more to discover – a deeper, more personalized experience awaits them. Use phrases like: "This is just the first step..." "In my [program/coaching], we delve much deeper into..." "This framework is the foundation for a profound transformation..." "I guide my clients through a personalized application of this framework, providing support and accountability every step of the way..." Focus on the Transformation, Not Just the Information: People aren't just buying information; they're buying a transformation. Emphasize the progress that your framework helps clients achieve. What will their lives be like after working with you? What feelings will they experience? What will be possible for them? Use testimonials or case studies (if you have them) to demonstrate the impact of your work. Example: Byron Katie's "The Work" -- Byron Katie's framework, "The Work," is based on four simple questions. She shares these questions freely, and they are powerful in themselves. But people still seek out her workshops, retreats, and certified facilitators because they want the deeper experience of applying The Work with guidance and support, and within a supportive community. The questions are valuable, but the guided process unlocks the true transformation. Include a Clear Call to Action: At the end of your framework description (both the long and short versions), include a clear call to action. Tell people how they can learn more or work with you. Examples: "Ready to experience the full power of this framework? Schedule a free discovery call." "Learn more about my [program/course] where I guide you through each step of this process." "Contact me to learn more about how this can be applied specifically to your situation." Action Step: Review Your Summaries: Look back at your long and short summaries (from the previous lessons). Apply the Principles: Does your summary share the "what" and "why" effectively? Does it guide the "how," rather than giving away all the details? Does it focus on the transformation? Does it include a clear call to action? Make Adjustments: Refine your summaries based on the principles above. Aim for that sweet spot between providing value and creating intrigue, while emphasizing the benefits of working with you directly. By finding the right balance, you'll attract your ideal clients, build trust, and establish yourself as an expert in your field – all while generously sharing your unique gifts with the world.
🎁 2 Months Access to Work Retreats
If you've never experienced one of my Work Retreats, you've got to try it :) You'll find yourself in a calmly focused environment where you accomplish a lot... the power of group intention on joyful productivity. Attendees are getting a lot of good work done and they're enjoying the group! Click here for Work Retreats 😊 These work retreats are usually for my group coaching members only... but even if you're not a member, I'm inviting you for the next 2 months! No additional cost to you. Your access will expire in 2 months, so please make use of it while you can 🙏🏼 Click the button above to get started.
are the work retreats like drop-in coworking? is it ok to come and go, or are we expected to attend for the full 2 hours?
@Julie Nowak yes you are welcome to drop in as you can 🙏🏼
Bonus Q&A Webinars -- Live Support Calls
When you signed up for the course, you received a few months of live Q&A access: See the dates & sign up for the Q&A You can "mark as complete" below to acknowledge knowing about the Q&A calls :)
@George Kao I signed up for tomorrow. It's about Substack. I had someone recommend my Substack and I'm not sure about the overlap in our communities. I messaged him and asked for a Zoom meeting and he hasn't responded. I'm feeling concerned and wondering if I should stop him from recommending it. Thanks
@Fi Kahani As far as I know, there's no way for you to stop it on your side - he would have to do it. Without knowing more I'd probably say to let it go. Even if it doesn't seem like a good fit, you never know who will subscribe (from his recommendations) who could be a great fit. I mean it's like out in the internet in general, any old joe shmoe can highly recommend your substack and you wouldn't even know :)
@George Kao, it’s so refreshing to hear about your liberating approach to intellectual property. I feel similar on an ideological level about my own work (especially as an anarchist who doesn’t really believe in the concept of property in general), and tbh I would offer all my work for free if I could survive that way. But the pressures of capitalism have made me feel like I need to at least care a bit about IP, which has added stress - not just because it feels out of alignment with my values, but because it’s a lot of effort to try and figure out how to copyright and have protections etc.
For example, I have felt like I’m “supposed” to trademark my brand name, but it seemed so overwhelming when I looked into it (and expensive, especially since you need to pay separately to trademark in different countries, and I work across the globe). So I decided to not pursue it (at least for the time being), but I felt like I was making a “bad” business decision that could bite me in the butt later. And I have felt similarly about other aspects of my business, such as content I create - where it just seems so overwhelming to be on top of copyrights etc. The bare minimum I do is put a “content ownership clause” in my client contracts, and even that feels weird to me.
So hearing you talk about IP in your liberatory way feels like a weight is being lifted! Because you’re right - ultimately what I want is for my ideas to spread to help change the world. And in terms of making sure I’m not stealing from others, I do credit people when it makes sense to do so, and I’m currently writing up a blurb about my lineages for my website (which I also think is very important for the work I do around social justice and nature connection, as these movements often get co-opted, commodified, and culturally appropriated).
George, I have 2 questions for you related to this:
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Do you have advice for how I can continue to address my fears and scarcity mindset related to IP, so that I can feel fully ready to take a similar liberatory approach as you?
What are your thoughts on licensing your content as an income stream? For you, would this not fit within your approach to making all your content uncopyrighted etc? Or do you think there’s a way to do it that would be value-aligned? (I ask because I feel drawn to licencing as a potential business model because it would help me serve more people without using up too much of my energy, which is a constant issue for me as a chronically-ill entrepreneur with low capacity - but I would only want to do it if I can find a way that doesn’t feel icky.)
(I realize these are big questions, so no worries if you can’t answer them fully here. Maybe I could bring them to one of your Q&As? Either for the framework course, or your general Q&A?)
(I also realize I wrote a lot here, and I think this was mainly to help me think through my own thoughts - and I figured I might as well share it here, ha.)
@Julie Nowak great questions! Yes I'd love to answer them either in the monthly Q&A or the evening Framework session. I see you're signed up for the monthly Q&A so i will try to answer there if possible, and if not, definitely will record an answer for you in the framework evening!
1:40
George, this is so well put. It's genius! I tend to overthink things, which gets me stuck.
@Jodi Cooley I'm so glad! Thanks for your kind comment 😊
5:29
📲 Accessing my courses on mobile - use the Simplero app!
Download the Simplero app from your phone's app store 🙌🏾
the app looks different on my android phone. When I click on the course I registered for, it opens in a mobile browser, and and then it asks me to log in. So is it no longer possible to watch it within the app itself?
@Julie Nowak indeed they have a new app since about a week ago and it looks different from the above tutorial now -- I need to update it. Can you check your mobile app store to see if you have the latest Simplero app? It might ask you to login via mobile browser but should then direct you back to the app to watch the lessons? Let me know 🙏🏼
4:23
Warm welcome to the Frameworks course 🤗
Warm welcome! Overall, I view my courses as a learning community that I'm facilitating -- we learn from each other, I learn from you, as well as you learn from whatever I share that is relevant to you. I invite your questions and your replies to each other's questions. Be helpful, be kind, be engaged in the chat only as much as you'd enjoy. Let's dive right in -- "What is a signature framework" is the title of this module... Here's the unconventional way we'll get to that understanding: Instead of me telling you the definition (for you to memorize or something!) I'd like to invite you to create the definition for yourself, from what I'm going to share with you, which are examples and metaphors in the coming lessons. Truth is most powerful when it's personally created and articulated. In other words, you're going to create a framework for what is a signature framework ;) Shall we give it a try? At this point, before we get into seeing examples, what do you think a "signature framework" is?
LIVE CHAT (before they've had chance to reflect -- just initial quick thoughts on "what is a signature framework?") --
Sophia Freigang:
A methodology of my approach to coaching women.
The Fouchers:
being yourself with all your weird stuff
Ulrike Schuster:
My unique offering
Christopher Jones-Warner: Self-Mastery for people who lead:
The models I use to explain my teaching.
Estèl van Hattem:
authenic style expression
Dipti Patel:
a methodology as a style and process of how i work with someone
Melissa DeJoseph:
Main pillars of support provided to client to guide transformation or outcome client is desiring
Shruthi S:
Something for others to make sense of what I do. What experience I provide. To make it easier without overwhelming them
Selina Stansfield:
A series of steps that form your unique methods
Amy Fitch:
A methodology that supports my clients to tap into their own wisdom.
Joselito Laudencia:
A signature framework is a way that we guide transformation that can be used over and over again
Mary Bajorek:
a way to communicate your POV to other people easily
Anja Kersten:
My energy signature and my point of view which is woven through my content and offerings. Just a guess.
Val:
Guiding principals and values that are practically and tactically applied to accomplish an objective.
Elishema Mannie:
I believe it's your unique way of doing something
Virginia M Carvajal:
Choosing a personal system and preferred tools or platforms to operate and run your own business
Wendi Gordon:
A way to organize and describe the products and services I offer as part of a cohesive whole
Carine Log:
For me a signature framework is a particular way I solve a problem, based on my perspective experience and wisdom
Katherine Macomber Millman:
A values perspective that’s like an umbrella (and reference point) to all the things that I offer!
Ida Regena Butler:
it's the transformational process which you take your clients through to get a particular result for them.
Gregory Vahanian:
The unique constellation of products and service offerings that are framed in a way that represents that universe with clarity and integrity.
Elisa Estrera:
A path of transformation
Clare Downham - The Thriving Life Approach:
The articulation of a transformational journey I can take someone on. This could also form a book to run alongside the signature programme.
Jacqueline:
its a unique way of sharing content & working with clients
Haleemah:
It's a unique way or process that you use to deliver your value and transformation to your clients
kim@heartwisehealingpaths.com:
A signature framework are the methods and skillset that I blend to serve my specific clients.
Rachel Astarte:
My ideology expressed through my services as a holistic therapist through 1:1 sessions, courses, podcast, and writings (in Substack).
Grace Carter:
A way of packaging your unique way of doing some aspect of a model that you share with your clients.
Mel Sirois @innerfiremovement:
A structure that guides me to accomplish my goals.
Tara LuQuette:
A framework that resonates most with you and the people you work with. that defines your boundaries
Tomar Levine:
Signature - meaning it is my personal unique approach
Framework - An overview, pathway, or way of understanding the content and the path to transformation I want to share with my audience.
Elie Khoury:
comprehensive framework through which my clients can diagnose, understand and treat themselves in a sustainable and efficient way
Gavin Frye:
My unique orientation or lens on reality that speaks to others and brings them aliveness, revelation and fulfillment in their lives
Kathleen Collins:
A structure to add and remove ideas as I evolve.
Scott Engler:
Frameworks show up in my responses to clients’ questions I notice
Amy Spalding-Fecher:
I view it has a structural frame, as in a building, that expresses and supports the basic form, function and feel of my business (ex architect speaking here….)
Scott Engler:
Isn’t Framework used to mean a coherent overview/diagram that brings together what otherwise look & sound like disparate parts? Emphasis on coherent, vs cohesive.
Scott Engler:
my dad said “there are lumpers and there are splitters” Do you know which you are? Lumping is what we do with frameworks
Ulrike Schuster:
Sometimes a lumper and sometimes a splitter 😄
LIVE CHATS:
stephanie morrison:
I am creating a framework that explains what and how clients will experience working with me
Sophia Freigang:
Yes inspires v overwhelm.
stephanie morrison:
I give samples
stephanie morrison:
These are micro experiences