If you listen to just one episode of the Legal Road Map® podcast, let this be it. In the final episode - at least for the foreseeable future - Autumn shares takeaways from the past 5 years of running her own law firm, what all online business owners need to know about legal protection to build a sustainable, profitable business, and more. In this episode, we’ll cover: How entrepreneurship can help you live your values Why putting legal protections in place early can help you build the business of your dreams faster and with less stress (One last time for the cheap seats in the back!...) Why contracts are THE most important legal protection for your online business Why you DON’T need to spend money on ALL the legal things when you’re just getting started Why -- and when -- you should add an attorney to your bench of professionals to build a sustainable, profitable business BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast171! Resources mentioned in this episode: Season 1 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/blogs/news/tagged/start-here Season 5 of the Legal Road Map® podcast - legal for each business phase episodes: https://awbfirm.com/podcast120 https://awbfirm.com/podcast121 https://awbfirm.com/podcast122 https://awbfirm.com/podcast123 Prep to Scale™ FastTrack:  https://awbfirm.com/fast-track This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

We love helping our clients get their legal house in order, but sometimes when we introduce a new service, contract template, or marketing initiative at the AWB Firm, we have to be our own lawyers, too! We recently hosted our very first 5 day list building challenge that brought up some questions around our terms and conditions, protecting a potential new trademark, rules for giveaways and contests, and more. In this episode, we’ll cover: What you need to make sure you have on your website, so your Facebook ads won’t get rejected Why you should use website terms and conditions for your course or challenge, even if it’s not required by law The easy (and free!) ways you can begin to protect your intellectual property without having to spend lots of dollars on an official trademark or copyright registration How to make sure your giveaways or contests don’t break any laws BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast170! Resources mentioned in this episode: Prep to Scale™ FastTrack:  https://awbfirm.com/fast-track Legal Road Map® podcast episodes about Facebook ads: Episode 102:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast102 Episode 124:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast124 Episode 125   https://awbfirm.com/podcast125 USPTO website:  https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-application-process/search-trademark-database This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

If you’ve been in business for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard about (or seen firsthand) the value in building your email list. No matter how large a following you may build on a social media platform, that following isn’t owned by you - it’s owned by the platform, and they can change who sees your content on a dime.  But an email list? That’s all yours! And it can be a great way to get to know your audience and them, you. But with all the talk about Privacy Policies, GDPR, cookies, and more, how are you supposed to build your list and stay out of legal trouble? In this episode, we’ll cover: Why email lists have become increasingly valuable in online business Who has to comply with the EU’s GDPR privacy regulations What you need to know about cookies on your website Why you shouldn’t make promises, especially about earnings or weight loss, in your list building freebies or opt-ins Whether or not you need to include an affiliate disclaimer if you’re promoting someone else’s list building challenge BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast169! Resources mentioned in this episode: AWB Firm 5 day Prep to Scale™ challenge:  https://awbfirm.com/challenge Prep to Scale™ FastTrack:  https://awbfirm.com/fast-track Jasmine Star’s free Instagram challenge:  https://jasminestar.com/join-my-free-instagram-challenge/ Ask by Ryan Levesque:  https://askmethod.com AWB Coaching quiz:  https://awbfirm.com/coaching-quiz Amy Porterfield’s list building challenge:  https://www.amyporterfield.com/growmylist Corinne Crabtree’s free weightloss course: https://pnp411.com Privacy Policy contract template:  https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-privacy-policy-for-u-s-businesses-gdpr-compliant GDPR guide: https://awbfirm.com/gdpr Legal Road Map®  podcast episodes about GDPR: Episode 38:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast38 Episode 39:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast39 Episode 40:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast40 Episode 38:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast83 Legal Road Map® podcast episode 164:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast164 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Finances and legal are like four-letter words for most entrepreneurs. You know you need to have a grasp on them to run a successful business, but the amount of things you don’t know about finances and legal makes you want to bury your head in the sand. In this episode, I brought on CFO consultant and founder of 100 Degrees Consulting, Stephanie Skryzowski, to share some of her best practices and advice for entrepreneurs when it comes to getting a handle on the financial side of business.  In this episode, we’ll cover: Why you shouldn’t run your business based solely on the money you have in your bank account (i.e., what cashflow is and why you need to pay attention to it!) How widely profit margin can vary among different industries and service providers and how often you should review yours Some helpful advice for hiring new team members How a cobbled together contract ended up costing Stephanie five months of pay Stephanie’s best practices for coming up with your business’s financial plan for 2021 The difference between a forecast and a budget (and why a budget can actually be freeing!) BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast168! Resources mentioned in this episode: 100 Degrees Consulting:  https://www.100degreesconsulting.com Free financial worksheet: https://www.100degreesconsulting.com/profit This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Planning for next year is in full swing. You may be planning new products or services, epic launches, new training series, and more. And you’re probably also working on your budget with line items all geared toward helping you facilitate those rollouts. While most people forget to add legal into the budgeting equation at all, the good news is that you may need way less than you think, depending on your unique stage of business. In this episode, we’ll cover: What you might want to skip legally when you’re just getting started Why you should definitely update your contract every time you uplevel or change the way you work with clients  How you can start protecting your trademarks and copyrights even before you register them What you should plan to protect with your first custom contract Which lower risk activities you can likely still use a contract template for, even if you’re in a more advanced stage of business The revenue threshold that marks when you should absolutely when you should absolutely sit down for a legal audit of your business with a lawyer  BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast166! Resources mentioned in this episode: Contract template store: https://awbfirm.com/contract-templates Episode 120 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Launch Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast120 Episode 121 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Solopreneur Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast121 Episode 122 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Success Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast122 Episode 123 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Scale to CEO Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast123 Legal Road Map® Facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/legalroadmap Episode 91 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast91 Episode 49 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast49 Episode 37 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast37 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

We’re here… finally. Down to the final weeks of 2020 and there’s no better time to start creating your business’s legal plan for next year.  If you’ve got your sights set on building a successful business, creating a legacy, launching a new product or service, or simply maintaining your current side hustle, this episode is for you. In this episode, we’ll cover: The best way to stop losing sleep over the legal black holes in your business in 2021 How you can avoid learning legal lessons the hard (and expensive!) way The cost advantage of thinking proactively when it comes to legal for your business The right time to register your copyrights or trademarks and when it makes sense to wait How to create legacy with legal planning Why creating a legal plan doesn’t mean doing it all or spending all the money right now JOIN THE PREP TO SCALE™ CHALLENGE! Our very first 5 day challenge kicks off December 7-11. Doors close on December 6, so claim your spot today! https://awbfirm.com/challenge Don’t need 5 days and want to have lifetime, instant access to all the challenge content, plus attend an exclusive Q+A with Autumn? Take the FastTrack today for just $27. https://awbfirm.com/fast-track Resources mentioned in this episode: FastTrack Prep to Scale™:  https://awbfirm.com/fast-track This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Preparing to launch or run a year-end (I see you coming Black Friday / Cyber Monday) promotion involves a lot of moving parts. It can be easy for things that may seem less important to fall through the cracks, but tightening up your contracts shouldn’t be one of them.  Learn what you need to know about getting your contracts in shape before your launch or year-end promotion, including a few tips to keep in mind that are specific to 2020 (because, you know… it’s 2020 🙄). In this episode, we’ll cover: How frequently you should review your contracts What your customer contracts need to say about testimonials How your contracts can help with circumstances outside of your control (hello, pandemic!) Why you really need to make sure you address termination or cancellation in your contracts Best practices for getting your contracts signed, and your terms agreed to the right way Other agreements you may need as you launch or kick off your promotion BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast165! Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 164 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast164 Contract template store: https://awbfirm.com/contract-templates Model release contract template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/model-release Affiliate agreement template: https://awbfirm.com/products/affiliate-or-referral-program-agreement-template This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Testimonials, endorsements, and more. Whatever form it takes, you know that being able to share your customers’ success from purchasing your product or online course is one of the most powerful ways to drive sales, especially during year-end promotions. But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) actually has quite a few guidelines about how your customers’ words and experiences can be presented as you market your business, and if you don’t follow them, the penalties could be steep. In this episode, we’ll cover: Who needs to comply with FTC regulations What the penalties could be if you don’t comply What you can and cannot include in testimonials or other social proof Everything you need to know about using experts or celebrities to promote your product The specific language you need to use in your disclaimers (fair warning: you’re not going to like it!) Whether or not you should add an earnings disclaimer on your website and what it should say BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast164! Resources mentioned in this episode:   This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Most everyone I know will not shed one single tear when it’s time to bid 2020 farewell. We’re all ready for a new year and a new start after everything that’s been thrown at us this year. But there’s still plenty of opportunity to run a successful year-end promotion in your business. Going through a launch, running a challenge, or doing a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale is stressful enough when everything goes right - not to mention when something goes wrong (like your FB ads account gets disabled, no one shows up to your webinar, or you can’t get your ads approved for your sale). In this episode, we’ll cover: The Facebook ad basics you need to know (especially if your ads keep getting denied) How to break through noise and offer fatigue to make your year-end promotion a success What people are really tired of in 2020 Ways to structure your year-end promotions for maximum engagement New Facebook ad limits that are rolling out soon BONUS: If this episode has spotlighted areas of your business’s website that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your it’s in good shape legally. Download our legal for websites  checklist to make sure your website won’t drag your year-end promotion down at www.awbfirm.com/podcast163! Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 124 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast124 Privacy Policy contract template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-privacy-policy-for-u-s-businesses-gdpr-compliant Episode 125 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast125 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Financials can either be exciting or depressing, depending on how your business is doing. But no matter how you feel about them, reviewing and understanding your business’s numbers is critical to growing a successful, sustainable business.  Danielle Hayden with Kickstart Accounting and The Profit Planner shares her tips for making bookkeeping more manageable and enjoyable, even if you’re doing it yourself. In this episode, we’ll cover: The importance of understanding and reviewing your business’s numbers throughout the year (not just at tax time!) Why Danielle recommends creating a weekly financial dashboard for your business How you can make DIY bookkeeping work for you  How building your business with the thought of selling it can help it run more smoothly Danielle’s formula to figure out if you can pay yourself more Small steps you can take now to start building up your cash reserves BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or coronavirus has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation!  Resources: Kickstart Accounting: www.profitplannerbookkeeping.com Kickstart’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc/ Kickstart’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickstartaccounting/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

As a creative business owner, at some point, you will probably find someone has copied your best stuff or started a business or product with a very similar name as yours. Learn how to respond when this happens to protect your business and brand. (Be sure to listen to Episode 5 first for an overview of the different kinds of IP; Episode 11 builds on Episode 5). Episode highlights: What steps can you take to avoid someone copying you? What evidence should you keep in your files if you find you’ve been copied? How can you get someone to stop copying you w†ithout†a lawyer? What is a DMCA takedown notice and how can this help you stop copycats? When should you consider hiring a lawyer? What is the process for filing an infringement lawsuit and what does it cost? KEY TAKEAWAY: Protecting your rights from copycats may be easier than you think, many people don’t know how the laws work and often a gentle heads up and request that they stop will work wonders. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast11 for a transcript and show notes, and sign up for swipe copy you can use to write your own cease and desist letter to send to a copycat (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information not legal advice specific to your situation.

How can you use content created by other people like photos, videos, music, or text (third-party content) the right way in your business? Learn all about fair use and how to stay out of legal hot water with copyrights and trademarks. (Be sure to listen to Episodes 5, 6 and 7 first for an overview of the different kinds of IP; Episode 8 builds on those episodes). Episode highlights: What’s in the public domain? Ask permission - the safest bet Using other people’s content on social media (re-pinning, re-posting, re-gramming) Copyright fair use - there is no magic % you can change and be safe Trademarks - rules for selling things made with licensed fabric, plus can you use college sports and NFL logos, movie and book titles and characters, quotes and song lyrics? KEY TAKEAWAY: If you don’t have permission, you’re probably infringing. Create your own stuff or get permission (in writing!) or risk getting a nasty letter or being sued. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast8 for a transcript and show notes, and sign up for a cheat sheet to help you use other people’s stuff the right way (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Do you need an LLC for your business? Maybe, maybe not. Learn why you might want to form an LLC or corporation, plus info about federal and state taxes, insurance, business licenses, EINs, bank accounts, and sales taxes. Episode highlights: Liability protection - what this actually means Federal and state tax issues (hint: talk to an accountant!) Pros and cons of Sole proprietorships, Partnerships, LLCs, and Corporations Changing your business name KEY TAKEAWAY: Forming a business entity can provide important protection for your personal assets and maybe even tax benefits -- but this decision will be different for every business. This is an area where chatting with an attorney and accountant is money well spent. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast4 for a transcript and show notes, and sign up for a pro/con cheat sheet about the different kinds of business entities (plus be the first to know when new episodes are live). This podcast is information not legal advice specific to your situation.

Learn about the three main types of transactions you might encounter when you’re looking to sell your business. In this episode, I cover the legal basics you need to have in place before even thinking about leaving or stepping back in your business: The importance of making sure your contracts are airtight (and a resource to help if you're not sure yours are) Why your contracts need to be regularly revisited, especially if an exit is on the horizon The importance of choosing the right corporate entity Getting a handle on your business's intellectual property assets with an audit or inventory Key takeaway: A little preparation before you’re ready to sell or take on a partner or investor in your business will take time and financial resources.  But if you’re planning to build your business to sell it so you can lounge on the beach with a cocktail in your hand, or take on investment so you can grow your business to the next level, planning for the future now has its benefits. Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast57 for a transcript and show notes, and sign up to get a free 5 Minute Intellectual Property Audit.  You’ll learn how you can make more money from the copyrights and trademarks in your business (you can also sign up there to be the first to know when new episodes are live and receive other legal updates and special offers from the AWB Firm). Additional resources: Forbes.com article about Autumn: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyhoey/2018/09/20/podcasting-and-working-with-influencers-is-how-this-attorney-is-scaling-her-practice/#3199465331f5 AWB Firm Legal Road Map® checklist: www.awbfirm.com/checklist Small Business Administration: www.sba.gov SBA checklist: available for download at www.awbfirm.com/podcast57 Customizable contract templates for online businesses: https://awbfirm.com/contract-templates/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.