Welcome to another episode of Minding My Creative Business, the go-to podcast for creative entrepreneurs who want to master strategy, structure, and self-development. In this episode, hosts ShySpeaks and Ron "iRonic" Lee Jr. sit down with Jonathan Speaks Jones—an accomplished author, coach, and podcast host—to unpack the real business of creativity. Jonathan shares his journey from paying his own father $5,000 to write his first book, to building a thriving brand through writing, speaking, and of course, podcasting.

You'll hear candid reflections on the belief and investment required to turn creative ideas into profitable ventures. Jonathan dives into the evolution of his business, breaking down how he leveraged his books to kickstart a speaking career, the power of bundling products and services, and the nuts-and-bolts of launching and monetizing a successful podcast. From finding your authority voice to practical advice for structuring your workflow, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

Whether you’re an author, a speaker, or someone looking to build a brand through podcasting, this episode has something just for you. Plus, discover why charging family for your expertise could be the best lesson in valuing your time, and get inspired to move from sitting on your “dope ideas” to actually doing the work.

So grab your notepad, tune in, and learn what it really takes to mind your creative business.

Timestamped overview

00:00 Legacy Through Teaching and Sharing

04:15 "Using Loans to Fund Dreams"

08:28 Dad's Advice: Book Pay Rate

11:59 Maximizing Speaking Engagement Profits

15:33 Podcast Success and Expansion Journey

16:42 Model Success and Coaching Impact

19:29 Authority Stacking in Podcasting

25:08 "Inspirational Media Collaboration"

27:58 Shift to Media Business Coaching

31:13 Investing Time in Show Improvements

34:46 "Prioritize and Schedule Solo Podcast"

35:54 "Focus on High-Value Tasks"

41:20 Capacity: 5 Individuals or 30 Group

41:51 "Choosing Financial Paths Wisely"

47:16 "Learning by Observing Greatness"

48:38 "Mentorship Success and Testimonials"

53:00 Podcast & Funding Guidance

54:51 Join Our Community Network

Key topics and bullets

Absolutely! Here’s a comprehensive sequence of topics covered in the transcript of "Minding My Creative Business" – Season 4 Episode 6 with sub-topic bullets for each major point:

1. Introduction & Guest Welcome

• Introduction to the Mind in my Creative Business podcast
• Co-hosts ShySpeaks and Ron “iRonic” Lee Jr. introduce themselves
• Introduction of guest, Jonathan Speaks Jones
• Praise and feedback exchanged about the podcast and guest contributions

2. Jonathan Speaks Jones: Background & Personal Introduction

• Jonathan describes himself primarily as a teacher
• Belief in spreading knowledge to build a lasting legacy
• Personal details: man of faith, husband, father of two

3. Overview of Jonathan’s Creative Business Roles

• Jonathan as an author, coach, and podcast host
• Discussion of multi-faceted creative entrepreneurship (“drinking from three different creative pots”)
• Focus on current lean toward podcasting and coaching others in this space

4. The Creative Business of Being an Author

• Origin story: Jonathan’s father encouraged (and charged) him to write his first book
• Motivations and mindset: investing in oneself and borrowing belief
• Financial investment: paying $5,000 to his father for guidance and services
• Process of leveraging a book for differentiation and entry into speaking

Sub-topics:

• Family dynamics and professional relationships (working with his attorney father)
• Initial experiences and lessons learned in book publishing
• Transition from book writing to public speaking

5. The Business of Paid Speaking

• Evolution of speaking rates: from $25 to $5,000 per speaking engagement
• Strategies for maximizing revenue at speaking events by bundling products (like books)
• The entrepreneurial freedom to scale value and income over time

Sub-topics:

• Bundling books with speaking engagements
• Selling products from the stage and other advanced speaking strategies
• Growth in speaking opportunities and confidence

6. Measuring Podcasting Success & Teaching Others

• How Jonathan defines podcasting success (“holistic monetization”)
• Leveraging podcasts for new opportunities and greater impact
• Examples of clients achieving success through his podcasting frameworks
• Concept of authority stacking: building expertise and networks via podcasting

Sub-topics:

• Client case studies: Ed Jones (Player Development Pod), Dr. Miriam Smith (Empowering New Nurses)
• The importance of action and consistency for coaching outcomes

7. Who Should Start a Podcast?

• Anyone with something to say or something to sell
• Value in showcasing expertise before attempting sales
• The correlation between authority, trust, and business growth via podcasting

8. Outcomes and Goals of Podcasting

• Connecting podcast purpose with personal or business goals
• Structuring content to reinforce expertise, community, and transformational value

Sub-topics:

• Tailoring podcast format to objectives (solo, interviews, community-building)
• Example: Jonathan’s current show structure and co-host dynamic

9. Coaching & Courses: Helping Creatives Succeed

• Jonathan’s coaching methodology (group coaching, weekly calls, community access)
• Layered access: free resources to build engagement and qualify motivated clients
• Metrics for “off the ground” success before focusing on monetization

Sub-topics:

• Qualifying clients based on initiative and follow-through
• The free community and resource model before paid mentorship

10. Podcast Monetization Strategies

• Overview of podcast monetization tactics:
• Paid or premium episodes
• Transcribing episodes into ebooks or books
• Mini-courses from podcast content
• Paid speaking from podcast exposure
• YouTube monetization, affiliate deals, running ads
• Creating member communities
• Offering consulting/coaching services, and more

11. Systems & Structure for Sustained Podcasting

• Importance of time-blocking and routine (“make a podcast date”) for consistency
• Automation best practices:
• Efficient guest booking (forms, scheduling, etc.)
• Streamlining workflows to avoid burnout
• Gradually improving production quality and branding
• Low-lift, “ship it now, polish later” philosophy for beginners

12. Coaching Model & Pricing Discussion

• Custom coaching offers based on client needs
• Examples of pricing (family and external clients)
• Capacity management and the shift toward one-on-one work

Sub-topics:

• The value of charging for coaching (even with family members)
• The importance of valuing one’s time and expertise

13. The Real Value of Coaching

• Time investment as a justification for coaching fees
• Acceleration and access: Coaching as “locker room access” to established pros
• Investing in relationships and communities for mutual growth

14. Testimonials & Proof of Concept

• Importance of testimony and client outcomes as true coaching “fruit”
• Jonathan’s own student success stories as evidence

15. Final Reflections and Audience Takeaways

• Jonathan’s “one thing” message: Don’t sit on your ideas—just start and take action
• The power of consistency and learning through imperfect action
• Co-hosts’ recommendations: Find mentors and invest in coaching

16. Calls to Action & Community Building

• Encouragement for audience engagement: liking, subscribing, and sharing
• Invitation to join the Creators Corner Community for networking and support
• Podcast episode closing affirmation for listeners

Links & Resources:

• [Business Funding](https://www.creditsavnt.com) - Get your creative business funded through Credit Savant.
• [Creativepreneur Gear](https://www.whatstheirony.com) - Get your creative entrepreneur apparel from What's the Irony.

Closing Remarks: Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Minding My Creative Business Podcast! We hope you found valuable insights and strategies to apply to your own creative journey. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more enriching discussions and expert advice in our upcoming episodes. Keep creating and stay inspired!

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ABOUT US We’re Ron & ShySpeaks, two music industry creators marching to the tune of entrepreneurship. Our goal is to help our creative peers keep in step by taking them behind the brands of some of wildly successful creative entrepreneurs. Our interview-styled podcast gives access to the strategy and structure that turn creative arts into viable 6, 7, and even 8 figure business!