Hey Reader,

I’m a teacher at heart. I share a lot—whether you’re a subscriber, a client, or even someone just peeking in from the sidelines.

And there are several reasons why:

1. People have budgets, and the more I have to do, the more I have to charge. But not everyone can afford that.
2. Sometimes you might think something is harder than it really is, and therefore, you can do it, you just need a little hand holding.
3. I am a solopreneur and can only take on the full handling of things for a limited number of people. But I can teach MANY. And really, empowerment feels really good. Both on the giving and receiving end.

You may be wondering where I am going with this...

I was recently featured in Bold Journey Magazine talking about what makes Studio117 Creative different (I share the link to the article below if you want to check it out), and one thing really stood out to me as I was reflecting on that conversation...

I don't just build sites and bounce.

I teach.

I guide.

I help people make informed decisions.

But here's the thing - that wasn't always obvious to me as a business strategy. For the longest time, I thought being "helpful" meant just doing everything for my clients so they didn't have to worry about it.

Turns out, I was doing them (and my business) a disservice.

So this Tips Tuesday isn’t just a tech tip—it’s a mindset shift.

It's to get you thinking about how you run your business and if you have the ability to teach more, rather than do more and still have a profitable business.

Here's the quick version if you're short on time:

• Teaching clients creates more trust than just doing everything for them
• People tell you exactly what they need - you just have to listen
• Informed clients make better decisions (and fewer panicked 2 am support calls!)
• Empowering people builds better business relationships than creating dependency

Why I Stopped Being the "Just Handle It" Person

If someone always ties your shoes for you, you never learn to do it yourself. And what happens when they're not around and your laces come undone?

You're stuck.

That's exactly what was happening with some of my early clients. They'd come to me for every tiny website update, every small technical question, every little thing that went sideways. Not because they couldn't learn, but because I never gave them the chance to.

I was accidentally creating dependency instead of confidence.

And you know what?

That's exhausting for everyone involved.

My clients felt helpless, and I felt like I was constantly putting out fires instead of building something sustainable.

The Magic of Meeting People Where They Are

Here's what I've learned. People will literally tell you what they need if you just listen.

Some clients say, "I just need guidance, but I can probably do it myself." Others say, "I am not tech savvy at all, so I don't want to deal with any of this."

Both are perfect clients! The difference is in how I serve them.

For the DIY-curious client, I become their tech translator. I break things down into digestible pieces, use analogies that make sense (because I LOVE a good analogy), and give them the confidence to handle things themselves.

For the "please-just-handle-it" client, I take care of everything while still explaining what I'm doing and why.

They might not want to do it themselves, but they deserve to understand what's happening with their business.

The Real Business Benefits of Teaching

Since I shifted to this educational approach, something amazing happened:

The majority of my business became referrals

Why? Because clients trust me. They know I'm not trying to create dependency or keep them in the dark about their own websites.

Clients come back because they want to—not because they’re stuck

Even when I refer them to someone else for something outside my wheelhouse, they trust my recommendations.

Fewer panicked support calls

at weird hours because clients feel confident handling basic updates and troubleshooting.

Better client relationships

because there's mutual respect and understanding instead of a power imbalance.

How I Avoid the Information Overload Trap

The key is keeping things conversational and relatable. I don't dump a tech manual on someone's lap and call it "education."

Instead, I:

• Use analogies that connect to things people already understand
• Break complex processes into small, manageable steps
• Check in regularly to make sure I'm not losing anyone
• Adjust my approach based on their comfort level and learning style
• Remember that empowerment looks different for different people

The Trust Factor

Here's something that might sound counterintuitive...

I provide so much information upfront that if someone decides we're not a good fit, I'm totally okay with that.

Why?

Because I'm a firm believer that what the universe has for me is for me, and I know what I bring to the table.

When clients have all the information they need to make an informed decision, the ones who choose to work with me are choosing with confidence, not confusion.

That creates a completely different foundation for our working relationship.

No sleazy sales tactics.

No pressure to "close the deal."

Just honest information and trust that the right people will recognize the value.

Your Turn: Teaching vs. Doing

Whether you're a service provider or just someone trying to help your team/family or others, ask yourself:

• Am I empowering or creating dependency?
• Am I explaining the 'why' behind what I'm doing?
• Am I meeting people where they are, or where I think they should be?

The goal isn't to make people need you forever.

The goal is to help them feel confident and capable, whether they choose to handle things themselves or trust you to handle them.

That's what builds real, lasting business relationships.

Need help figuring out how to balance "doing" and "teaching" with your own tech?

Or want to experience what this educational approach looks like firsthand? Hit reply - I'm always happy to guide you through it.

P.S. Want to read the full Bold Journey feature? Check it out here - I share more about resilience, being a forever student, and how I've learned to move through fear in business.