Marie Forleo’s B-School Review: Is it Right for Your Jewelry Business?
As a jewelry designer or maker, you might be trying to build a better online presence, attract new and repeat customers to your website and overall just make more sales online.
You may have also heard about a little program called B-School, the brainchild of the brilliant Marie Forleo.
As usual, I’ve been getting a lot of questions from designers like YOU who are curious if B-School is right for them.
So I wanted to share a little more about how B-School can help build YOUR online presence so you can decide if it’s right for you or not.
If you are thinking about B-School, you’ll want to check out my bonus suite for the 2017!
Lot’s of great value in this post so make sure you read the entire post all of the way through…
But first, if you are struggling to get “sales” on your website, to build your email list or to create a solid marketing plan for blogging, social media, and PR efforts..keep reading.
After my first jewelry business failed, I realized that I needed to make a lot of changes if I wanted to build a sustainable business. I also knew that I needed to reach my clients online, I just didn’t know how…
I tried, unsuccessfully, a bunch of different strategies (had a beautiful website built, started social media channels, etc.), but nothing was really catching on.
I didn’t feel like I was in control of my business destiny. At that time, I was just throwing spaghetti against the wall to see what stuck.
And then I stumbled upon Marie Forleo. My friend forwarded me an email with a super cool strategy that helped me make some quick sales online. I tested it and it worked!
When she opened her B-School Program for the first time, I had a hunch that this was the program for me!
It was a business-saver! B-School was a game changer and I learned everything I needed to know about building my jewelry business online.
I learned tried and true strategies to build my email list, build a website that was a prospect converting machine, and the fundamentals of building content online to attract more of my DREAM clients to my jewelry business.
Within 18 months I went from just $2000 in sales to $30,000 in profits in a single month + I had a waiting list of clients eager to work with me!
To this day, I get consistent inquiries on my site for my jewelry and I’ve attracted some pretty incredible opportunities for collaboration and exposure. My business generates multiple 6-figures in revenue a year, while I work part time and remotely when I want to.
It feels really good to be in the flow and I owe a lot of the flow I’ve created in my business to learning how to attract (and keep) customers online.
(That’s me on the couch with Marie, sharing my experience for the second time.)
The B-School principles are timeless and I continue to apply what I’ve learned to build a waiting list of clients for my business for the past several years.
You too can have great success like this online (if you learn how to crack the code and use the right tools).
That’s why I wanted to walk you through my review of B-School so you know a bit more about the program and how you might be able to apply some of these timeless principles…
What is B-School and Who is it For?
B-School is an 8-week, online training program that teaches business owners effective marketing strategies and sales techniques to grow their online presence, create a business that is making money 24/7 and to help build a lifestyle that you love.
The course is catered to entrepreneurs who have existing products (jewelry), services or brick and mortar stores who want to leverage the power of the internet to expand their reach.
You might be thinking, I’ve taken social media or SEO trainings and I didn’t get results.
Well, most likely you didn’t have a bird’s eye view of an entire business strategy that will help you specifically with your “online” business.
How is it Different From Laying the Foundation?
I get asked this question all of the time!
So I wanted to show you the difference between courses because they are quite different.
Laying the Foundation is a program specifically for jewelry designers and makers. We walk you through building a solid jewelry brand and focus mostly on jewelry industry-specific topics like collection development, pricing, branding, industry specific sales, and a marketing overview. The focus is on all types of jewelry business models. Not just ONLINE business.
Marie Forleo’s B-School is a program dedicated specifically to grow your reach and business, online. Sure she covers some of the same “topics” like Marketing and Sales. However, there is nothing as in depth as B-School for list building, content creation, marketing strategy and lead generation. If you are struggling to get more traffic and sales on your website, this course is for you.
One of the things that I personally found so valuable about B-School was pulling strategies and tactics from different industries and revamping them so they worked for my business.
How Can B-School Transform My Jewelry Business?
At the beginning of this post, I shared how B-School helped transform MY business… and it can do the same for YOURS!
If you are TIRED of the hustle of relying on selling to friends and family, via the craft show circuit or to wholesale accounts who pay late, then you’ll likely want to sell more online.
Plus, even if you continue to sell to stores or do craft or trade shows, adding an online source is a great way to get consistent sales and make more profit on each piece of jewelry.
With Marie Forleo’s support and training, that transition is guaranteed to be straightforward, successful, and even fun!
B-School will help you to:
- Gain Total Profit Clarity so You Can Focus Your Energy on Results
- Build a HIGH Converting Website That Increases Your Online Sales Exponentially
- Grow Your Email List so You Can Effortlessly Sell More
- Create (and Implement) a Consistent Communication and Marketing Plan
- Develop Partnership with Influencers Who Become Your Biggest Brand Advocates
- Leverage Social Proof to Increase Your Desirability
Here are the stories from a few more jewelry designers with similar success.
Here’s a quick example:
What Makes Marie Special?
Marie may be a respected “online celebrity” but that’s not the reason she’s special… She’s special because her teachings actually work.
I’m a fan and a student of Marie’s.
When I first signed up for B-School, I was super clueless as to why my website never really got sales except from people who found me in person like at sample sales or at live events. I had NO online game.
Why? Because I slapped up a pretty website that wasn’t set up for success and my marketing simply wasn’t converting because it didn’t have a purpose. It doesn’t matter if you have traffic if conversions aren’t happening… And, think you have enough traffic to get those conversions? Maybe not… I didn’t!
Marie has a unique teaching style that is straightforward and easy to understand. She has the ability to deliver information in a clear concise way that makes learning fun. Plus, she’s really pulled out all of the stops to create a holistic program that creates the framework for those of you who want a little side-hustle jewelry biz, consistent online sales or even those of you who want to go big or go home to create an ecommerce machine. Personally, I love her teaching style, but it might not be for everyone (yep, she’s super positive and funny and has a big personality).
The Course Content
You can view the entire course content over here.
Here is a quick overview:
B-School is released in weekly modules, you will receive easy-to-follow videos, done-for-you templates, swipe files, resource lists, and worksheets.
She covers the 6 Pillars of marketing your business online:
- Profit clarity
- Websites that sell and don’t suck
- Creating an awesome communication plan
- Solid list building strategies
- How to create products and services that sell themselves
- Marketing wisdom that will transform the way you promote your business
B-School also includes “Office Hours” where you can ask all your burning business and marketing questions to Marie herself!
PLUS, you’ll be a member for life and can retake the course for free year-after-year.
Is it really worth the investment?
This is usually the biggest sticking point for emerging jewelry brands…
And that’s not a bad thing. Obviously, if you are struggling to put food on the table, this probably isn’t the right time to invest.
But if your situation isn’t so desperate, I encourage you to consider this…
Don’t look at the B-School registration fee simply as the price for the course – consider it to be an investment in yourself, in your business, and in your future.
As you can see from my personal experience, the course has potential to pay itself back quickly and many times over.
(Plus, Marie has also included an extended payment plan this year to help you budget it out.)
For me, It all started with a small leap of faith. I’m so glad I took the leap because now am living my DREAM scenario in my life AND in my business!
Last but not least…
Yes, the curriculum alone is an insane value, but if you sign up through the links in this post I will also add on my own personal suite of B-School Bonuses!
BONUS # 1:: 1 YEAR ACCESS TO THE DIAMOND INSIDERS CLUB
The Diamond Insiders Club** is our exclusive membership program designed to support you on a daily basis with the best resources, mentors, and community in the industry. Each month in the Club is a themed, curated experience. From hand-picked Guest Teachers In Residence to specially-created, in-depth trainings, you will receive all the knowledge and support you need to run a successful jewelry business.
** (You can substitute access to the Diamond Insider’s Club for our Multiply Your Profits Course or Mastering Wholesale. By Request Only.)
BONUS # 2:: ACCESS TO THE F&TA “LIVE” MASTERMIND EVENT, SEPTEMBER 2017 IN NYC
Robin and I will be hosting a live Mastermind in NYC in September 2017*, we’d love for you to join us! Nothing beats the power of an in-person connection. You’ll enjoy guest speakers, sales, PR and marketing workshops, a panel of experts and mastermind experiences for the entire group, specifically catered to help your jewelry business flourish & thrive. If you can’t attend in person (which we highly recommend you try), you’ll get our recorded footage.
*(dates tentatively slated for September 14th and 15th but are subject to change)
BONUS # 3:: DEEP DIVE MARKETING INTENSIVE TRAINING
My exclusive B-School Bonus will be released after B-School is over. I’ve designed this online training only for B-Schoolers in the F&TA community to teach you how to apply what you’ve learned directly into your jewelry business. No more trying to figure this out yourself!
BONUS # 4:: PRIVATE, ONLINE COMMUNITY FOR DESIGNERS
Connect with your fellow designers who are going through B-School to share your successes, get feedback on your burning questions and bond with your fellow classmates. These intimate groups are a great way to get direct feedback from me and other designers.
BONUS # 5:: MY PERSONAL NOTES FROM THE PROGRAM
Every time B-School comes around, I retake the course. You’ll enjoy my personal notes from the program. I’ll take detailed notes along the way, which I’ll send to you at the end of the program.
BONUS # 6: WEEKLY INSPIRATION & ENCOURAGEMENT ALONG THE WAY!
I definitely don’t want to leave you hanging! That’s why every week, I pop in and send you some love-notes and inspiration to keep you motivated. Let’s stay on track together!
Combined Bonus Value… $1,999
Yes, I am a proud partner and ambassador of B-School and I earn a commission on referrals. That’s why I am able to offer these insane bonuses to add more value to your experience.
Sign up for B-School now and enjoy the F&TA Bonus Experience.
xo, Tracy
