Archive 1: 2012-2016

250: Strictly Marketing: Debug the System, Follow-Up, and Outsource with Kerry Heaps

February 20, 2017

Kerry Heaps from StrictlyMarketingMagazine.com has had to wear a lot of hats in her offline and online business career. She has some very helpful and interesting thoughts about outsourcing, fine-tuning your business, making more sales, and having stronger marketing.

Quotes:

“One thing I've learned in my 12 years is you never want to take on a company and promise things you can't deliver.” – Kerry Heaps

“If something isn't working for the company or they're not seeing the results they need, even though at some point they have to take responsibility for it, I still want to work with them.” – Kerry Heaps

“You have to go out there and market your business. So you might as well keep that pipeline full. Thinking someone isn't interested is your thinking, not theirs.” – Kerry Heaps

Takeaways:

05:12 Past work experiences, even in unrelated fields, can provide valuable skills and insights for current business challenges.

07:41 Business owners should maintain some control when outsourcing tasks, but also learn to gradually let go and trust specialists.

12:13 It's important to be honest about whether your services are a good fit for a potential client, even if it means turning down business.

15:56 When helping clients, focus on solving specific problems in their sales process by creating creative, engaging solutions that add value.

25:28 Consistent, patient follow-up is critical in sales, and most businesses give up too quickly when pursuing potential clients.

Resources:

Connect with Kerry Heaps on LinkedIn

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:38 — 27.1MB) | Embed

249: Your Uniqueness, Your Authenticity, Your Superpower and Your Messaging with MaryJo Cranmore

February 17, 2017

MaryJo Cranmore from MaryJoCranmore.com and Message2Media.com says that you have a unique ability (a superpower) and that can be the basis for the branding that you cultivate. Take those raw materials, hobbies, your skillset (what you've learned), your accomplishments (your experiences), and that unique piece of you to get noticed and stand out from the crowd.

Quotes:

“We are truly in the age of the authenticity movement. It's about not being afraid, as a company or entrepreneur, to allow yourself to be part of the offering.” – MaryJo Cranmore

“Your superpower is something you haven't necessarily cultivated, but you've used your whole life. When people talk about you when you're not in the room, that's generally what they mention.” – MaryJo Cranmore

“You have to be interesting and break through the fog of what people understand about your business to give them something new and tell them something they don't know.” – MaryJo Cranmore

Takeaways:

09:02 Finding your unique "superpower" helps you stand out from competitors and attract the right clients.

11:19 Testimonials and word-of-mouth recommendations are more powerful than traditional advertising.

16:09 Media exposure is about offering a fresh perspective on current events, not just creating news.

18:19 When appearing on camera or in interviews, focus on helping the audience and being yourself rather than trying to be clever.

20:08 Authenticity in business means allowing your personal traits and experiences to be part of your professional offering.

Resources:

Connect with Mary Jo Cranmore on LinkedIn

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:10 — 21.2MB) | Embed

248: Intuitive Art Academy: Certification Programs, Relaxation, Knowledge and Intuition with Rachel Archelaus

February 16, 2017

Rachel Archelaus from RachelArchelaus.com and IntuitiveArtAcademy.com has some entrepreneurial advice to share with you when it comes to tapping into your creativity, getting outside of your own head, and turning on your brain flow.

Her method involves asking the right questions of yourself, drawing on crayons (or colored pencils) and paper, scribbling with your eyes closed, and then decoding the drawings and colors used in that drawing to achieve huge insights. She also talks about the up's and down's of her business journey and shares ways to be more productive and give yourself more credit for your accomplishments.

Quotes:

“The more I trust my intuition or instincts, the less I have to strategize and think about things.” – Rachel Archelaus

“Your intuition is never really going to tell you not to pursue your dreams; it might tell you to hold off on making a decision, and something better will come along.” – Rachel Archelaus

“The path to success or whatever outcome you're seeking is never a straight line.” – Rachel Archelaus

Takeaways:

01:49 Intuition is your first voice - the initial instinct before overthinking kicks in.

05:18 Creative activities like doodling or walking in nature help clear mental space for intuitive insights.

17:42 Developing a certification program can expand your business reach and create additional revenue streams.

18:43 Automating business processes and hiring a part-time assistant can free you to focus on strategic thinking and travel.

23:39 Trusting your own knowledge and capabilities is more powerful than constantly seeking external validation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:59 — 24.7MB) | Embed

247: Tame the High Cost of College: Pursue Side Hustles and Entrepreneurial Adventures with Brad Baldridge

February 15, 2017

Brad Baldridge is a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of experience who specializes in college financial planning. Since 2004, he has been a college consultant and founder of "Taming the High Cost of College," a consulting service aimed at helping families navigate college expenses. Brad hosts a podcast under the same name, which features over 100 episodes discussing various aspects of college planning, including test preparation, scholarships, and financial strategies. He offers free resources on his website, including an EFC calculator and a scholarship guide for parents.

Quotes:

“A lot of entrepreneurs' successful business was their sixth try, not their first. And if it's going to take you six tries, the sooner you get the first five done, the sooner you start making money.” – Brad Baldridge

“College planning is a challenge for many families. You can think of planning for college like planning a large family vacation, buying a car, and finding a job for your student all rolled into one.” – Brad Baldridge

“I always tell people there are probably 100 strategies out there or more, and five or ten are going to be right for you. The challenge is figuring out which five or ten those are and getting out there and doing them.” – Brad Baldridge

Takeaways:

03:14 Involving kids in family businesses can be an effective way to fund college expenses while teaching entrepreneurial skills.

09:08 Entrepreneurial strategies for college funding can include side hustles, hiring kids in the family business, and exploring tax-efficient income methods.

13:31 Not every family or student is suited for entrepreneurial approaches, so multiple college funding strategies should be considered.

17:08 College planning is complex and requires early preparation, starting as early as sophomore year of high school.

22:13 Educating yourself about college planning through podcasts, resources, and early research can significantly reduce financial stress.

Resources:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:13 — 27.7MB) | Embed

246: Authority Content: Document Your Magic, Delegate Your Business, and Get Off the Hamster Wheel with David Jenyns

February 14, 2017

David Jenyns from AuthorityContent.com heard of a marketer who sold pieces of the Brooklyn Bridge and modeled this success to sell the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

He's discovered that you can model (not copy) an idea to make it your own and then own that success or failure. Drill down to a speciality, find a specific need, and sell it to the immediate crowd in front of you.

David has a number of insights about direct mail, online marketing and SEO, getting attention, systems/processes, and delegation. He talks with us today about recurring revenue and the 3 P's of content marketing:

Present: organize a (one-take) live event to teach your best content to a real crowd (take photos)
Product: repurpose that content in a 4-day cash machine
Promote: repurpose into hundreds of pieces of audio and video

Resources

Authority Content (Book)
System Hub (Website)
Mebourne SEO Service (YouTube)
David (Twitter)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:51 — 33.7MB) | Embed

245: Wow Factor Marketing: Stop Spraying Bullets and Use Direct Response Techniques to Adapt and Thrive with John Dwyer

February 13, 2017

John Dwyer from TheInstituteOfWow.com has noticed that many businesses simply "spray bullets" -- they don't use direct response techniques to measure their marketing. They should use the Wheel of Wow:

Identify your most profitable customer: not your target audience, an actual person... then market more people like that
Add Wow Factor: get prospects to take their eyes off the price (the Happy Meal effect)
Position problem/solution scenario: the same way weight loss companies market (before and after)
Fix your website: make sure it has those sticky ingredients (welcome video, headline, testimonials, data capture)
Repetitive trade: get customers to use a loyalty/reward system (think "sandwich punch card")

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:12 — 32.2MB) | Embed

244: The Business of Life: Achieve Financial Freedom, Personal Freedom, and Create the Type of Business You Want with Keith Callahan

February 10, 2017

Keith Callahan is a husband and father of four who can show you how to get not only financial freedom, but freedom of time as well.

He's made money with real estate, financial consulting, network marketing, and life coaching. He has a number of insights about the difference between inspiration vs. perspiration, along with self-obsession, perspective, and gratitude.

Resources

Keith Callahan (Official Website)
The Business of Life Podcast (Podcast)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:07 — 28.5MB) | Embed

243: Run Live Events and Workshops with Direct Response Event Planner Sherrie Sokolowski

February 9, 2017

Sherrie Sokolowski (email address sherriesokoevents@gmail.com) from SLSEventPlanning.com is an event planner who can structure, strategize, and fill seats in your live events.

She has tons of unique insights about "modern" soft-sell events and workshops with bonus days. She wants to tell you about common mistakes made with events, venues, overflow rooms, webinars, live streams, cancellations, and more.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:33 — 32.5MB) | Embed

242: The Four D’s of Reputation Marketing: Discover, Define, Develop and Defend with Pamela Gockley

February 8, 2017

Pamela Gockley from Repuatus.com wants you to work on your reputation. Branding is who you are, but reputation is how you're perceived (which may be egotistical, narissistic, or aggressive). It's important to take the DISC profile test (every year if you can) so yoy find out who you really are, and then apply the four D's...

Discover: discover your past and personal awareness, how do people perceive you?
Define: set goals
Develop: website, target marketing, and messaging
Defend: how to react or apologize if the "shit hits the fan"

Resources

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:08 — 24.8MB) | Embed

241: Stop Overpaying Your Taxes and Avoid Entrepreneurial Mistakes That Cost You Thousands with Diane Gardner

February 7, 2017

Diane Gardner from TaxCoach4You.com is a tax superhero and wants you to avoid mistakes you're making on your taxes, such as using the wrong entity type or not deducting meals and entertainment. You can make use of your home office deduction, hire your kids, make use if health insurance and retirement if you know what to do.

Quotes:

“I firmly believe in being a giver. So if we can get that information into people's hands, they can start learning about some of these things that possibly their accountant or their tax preparer isn't really telling them about.” – Diane Gardner

“Choosing an accountant is an awful lot like dating because you want to get to know that person. You want to find out if they are entrepreneurial and if they understand your industry.” – Diane Gardner

“A lot of people don't feel comfortable doing it themselves, so I always suggest that you should hook up with a good, solid professional of some sort to make sure that those expenses are being recorded.” – Diane Gardner

Takeaways:

02:52 Small business owners can reduce tax burden by implementing strategic planning like hiring family members and writing off specific expenses.

04:52 Regular tax analysis can uncover hidden profit and potential savings opportunities.

08:00 Choosing the right business entity type can save entrepreneurs thousands in taxes each year.

14:25 Tracking and documenting business expenses is crucial for maximizing tax deductions.

21:49 Internet marketers and solopreneurs often miss significant tax deduction opportunities due to poor record-keeping.

Resources:

Connect with Diane Gardner on LinkedIn

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:10 — 21.2MB) | Embed

240: Web Design and SEO: Optimize Your Website Using Cutting Edge (and Common Sense) Tweaks and Factors with Jeremy Knauff

February 6, 2017

Jeremy Knauff is a US Marine Corps veteran, proud father, and husband who has dedicated over 17 years to helping businesses grow through digital marketing. As the founder of Spartan Media, he specializes in web design and search engine optimization (SEO). Jeremy is also an author for Search Engine Journal, a prominent industry publication. His expertise spans web development, digital marketing strategies, and helping companies improve their online presence.

The low-hanging fruit is to use the Google PageSpeed tool to measure your site's speed (remove slow plugins), as well as the mobile friendly test (refine your tap targets and adjust images that are too big).

Next, optimize your site for what your users want, as well as their intent (for those customers who come to your site for a specific purpose, for example, to find a phone number or address).

Quotes:

“When somebody comes to a website, they're coming there for their own needs. So that's an example of basically setting the stage for the customer, not for the owner.” – Jeremy Knauff

“Most websites tell you right off the bat how great they are and how they're the best. But that's not what anybody cares about.” – Jeremy Knauff

“You have to figure out what the particular visitor is trying to accomplish, and route them in a way that's going to be most efficient for them.” – Jeremy Knauff

Takeaways:

07:39 Website speed matters more than most business owners realize, with even a tenth of a second delay potentially impacting revenue.

12:53 Most websites make the mistake of talking about themselves instead of focusing on what users actually want.

14:00 Before building a website, understand the different intents of potential visitors and create pathways that efficiently guide them.

17:40 Mobile responsiveness is now critical, with Google using a mobile-first index that prioritizes mobile-friendly websites.

24:10 Adding too many plugins can dramatically slow down a website's performance, especially on WordPress.

Resources

Spartan Media (Website)
Spartan Media (Facebook)
Spartan Media (Twitter)
Amazon found every 100ms of latency cost them 1% in sales (Blog post)
Jeremy Knauff on Search Engine (Journal)
Mistakes Smart Web Designers Make That Can Kill SEO (Podcast)
Google PageSpeed Tool (Tool)
Mobile Friendly Test (Test)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:15 — 23.1MB) | Embed

239: Escape the Rat Race: Learn, Take Action, Achieve Success, and Scale Up with Mark Walker

February 3, 2017

Mark Walker is a successful real estate investor who transitioned from a high-tech corporate leadership role to becoming a full-time entrepreneur. He founded Lux Mana Investments, focusing on residential and multifamily property investments. Mark began his real estate journey in 2004 after reading "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki, which inspired him to pursue passive income strategies. He successfully purchased and developed properties, including a 64-unit apartment complex, and ultimately quit his corporate job in January 2015 to pursue real estate investing full-time.

In our discussion today, Mark talks about discipline, lifestyle, decision-making, priorities, procrastination, and inspiration.

Quotes:

“Learning leads to action, and it's the action that actually leads to success.” – Mark Walker

“I'm never done learning. I'm constantly focused on learning more, figuring out what's working, what's not working, and what can improve.” – Mark Walker

“Procrastination really is a self-inflicted stress that we all have complete control over.” – Mark Walker

Takeaways:

02:10 Successful entrepreneurs prioritize learning and continuously seek ways to improve their skills and knowledge.

08:48 Breaking free from the corporate paycheck mindset takes time and mental preparation, even after achieving financial independence.

11:33 Creating passive income requires setting clear lifestyle goals and building financial strategies around those objectives.

15:04 Procrastination is a self-inflicted stress that entrepreneurs can control by making daily conscious choices.

21:43 Making time for important goals happens naturally when you're truly passionate about your objectives.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:16 — 21.3MB) | Embed

238: Repurpose Your Career: Find a Career or Business That Fulfills You At Any Age or Skill Level with Marc Miller

February 2, 2017

Marc Miller from CareerPivot.com is a professional career changer for his clients. He's here to help you discover not only who you are, who you work best with (environment). For example, some people are "structured anarchists" and "stealth competitors."

Listen in and discover the difference between talents (things you do innately) and skills (things you learned). Speak authentically, develop your brand, find out how people see you, what's different about you, and where you fit best.

Quotes:

“The key piece here is understanding who you are and where you are going to fit.” – Marc Miller

“For most of us, it's more important who we work with in the environment than what we actually do.” – Marc Miller

“If you have skills that are not essentially attached to your innate talents, and you overuse them, that's when you get burnout.” – Marc Miller

Takeaways:

02:06 Career changes are normal and necessary in today's fast-changing job market, with professionals potentially switching careers 3-5 times in their lifetime.

08:35 Understanding your innate talents and skills is crucial to finding a fulfilling career that matches your true personality.

22:28 Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone, with only about 10% of people naturally suited to starting their own business.

30:44 Learning problem-solving skills is more important than mastering specific technical tools that may become outdated quickly.

44:06 The future of work involves continuous learning and periodic reinvention across different stages of life.

Resources

Career Pivot (Website)
Repurpose Your Career (Book)
100 Year Life (eBook)
Will It Fly by Pat Flynn (Book)
Who Moved My Cheese by Kenneth Blanchard (Book)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:35 — 42.7MB) | Embed

237: Money Answers: Setup Your Business Structure, Get Financing, Put Your Money to Work for You, Refinance Student Loans and Optimize Your Mortgage with Jordan Goodman

February 1, 2017

Jordan Goodman from MoneyAnswers.com has a number of financial solutions to not only setup your business structure correctly, but obtain business financing, optimize your mortgage, and more.

Quotes:

“One word that is the key to success in life and business is leverage. And by leverage, I mean leveraging other people's expertise, finances, and contacts.” – Jordan Goodman

“The two greatest forces of personal finance and business finance are inertia and apathy. People don't do that, and they don't care.” – Jordan Goodman

“I wish people learned more of this stuff in school, but they don't. You can go through the finest university, and they don't give you anything about how to start a business.” – Jordan Goodman

Takeaways:

05:00 Choose the right business structure from the start to protect personal assets and make future selling easier.

16:06 Banks are tough on small business loans, so explore alternative financing options like peer-to-peer lending and specialized lending platforms.

21:21 Don't let money sit idle in low-interest bank accounts; seek out investment opportunities like commercial real estate income funds that offer better returns.

29:19 Student loan refinancing can dramatically reduce interest rates and help borrowers pay off debt faster.

30:54 Mortgage optimization techniques can help homeowners pay off their mortgage in 5-7 years instead of 30 years.

Resources

MoneyAnswers.com (Official Website)
Business Answers Today (877-627-5555): Setup Your Business Structure (sole prop, S-corp, C-corp, LLC, or LLP)
Corporate Lending Solutions (877-290-2510): Get Business Funding
Commercial Real Income Funds (888-444-2102): Invest In Small Commercial Property Renovation
Dream Funded (Quity Crowd funding)
Credible Money Answers (866-540-6005): Refinance Student Loans to 2-3%
Truth In Equity (Optimize Your Mortgage With A Home Equity Line Of Credit)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:07 — 31.2MB) | Embed

236: Get More Clients with Less Marketing, Overcome Burnout, and Develop Profitable Habits with with Mary Cravets

January 31, 2017

Mary Cravets is a business growth and development expert who specializes in helping driven entrepreneurs expand their businesses effectively. With a professional background spanning real estate, business-to-business networking events, and business consulting, she has developed a unique approach to helping business owners get more clients and create sustainable growth strategies. Mary is known for her speaking engagements and strategic business development guidance.

Mary Cravets from MaryCravets.com/bigimpact says that instead of drowning people in content, you should build your own path and breeze through the "what the hell" period.

Develop better habits, delegate sooner, narrow ideas, land your favorite clients, and become more productive.

Quotes:

“The way that I work is I start with real fundamental concepts that help people build their own path, using their strengths, their values throughout every area of their business.” – Mary Cravets

“In client generation, there's no queue; you just have to be self-motivated. So you have to build structure into your business so that there is some kind of self-imposed queue.” – Mary Cravets

“You have to be willing to build from your priorities, and not someone else's, even if it's fun, even if you've made a commitment.” – Mary Cravets

Takeaways:

05:21 Focus on 3-4 marketing tactics that actually work instead of trying 27 different strategies.

09:26 Build a system of rewards for consistent marketing actions to overcome the lack of immediate feedback.

12:01 Delegate tasks and hire help sooner than you think you need to in order to grow your business.

16:23 Be willing to say no to commitments that don't align with your business priorities.

19:22 Prepare your to-do list the night before to hit the ground running and maximize morning productivity.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:21 — 24.1MB) | Embed

235: Make Facebook Your ATM: Profit from Social Media Ads and Marketing with Sally Hendrick

January 30, 2017

STOP posting randomly on social media without a real strategy!

Sally Hendrick from MakeFBYourATM.com and SocialMediaMarketingLab.com wants you to capture the right cross-section, split test your landing pages, market affiliate products, and make those sorts of small tweaks that get you results on Facebook.

Sally Hendrick is a digital marketing expert and founder of Social Media Traffic School, an online marketing academy focused on target market research, sales funnels, and Facebook advertising strategies. She helps entrepreneurs clarify their business goals and create effective social media marketing plans. Sally runs the Social Media Profit Lab and offers free resources like the "Top 10 Mistakes with Facebook Ads" guide through her website Make FB Your ATM. Her background includes helping clients develop clear marketing strategies, from those unsure of their business direction to those with fragmented marketing efforts.

Quotes:

“It’s not about the 10 ways to get there, it’s about the result. That's the part I've got to solve for someone.” – Sally Hendrick

“You really do have to research and focus on that one result that you want to help people who are struggling with it.” – Sally Hendrick

“You might be that type of entrepreneur where you're multi-passionate, and you want to help everybody do everything. But when you hire a business coach, you eventually understand that they're really focusing on one major thing at a time.” – Sally Hendrick

Takeaways:

00:47 Stop posting randomly on social media without a clear strategy and proper website setup.

05:16 Focus on the specific result you want to help people achieve, not multiple scattered approaches.

14:25 Use creative targeting in Facebook ads by incorporating unexpected interest groups and attention-grabbing visuals.

15:43 Create content funnels that guide potential clients through a natural progression of interest and engagement.

20:19 Develop free training resources that showcase your expertise and build trust with potential customers.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:33 — 23.4MB) | Embed

234: Innovate, Systematize, Repurpose and Scale: Overcome Criticism, Find Simplicity and Be an Imperfect Superhero with O-Shot Creator Dr. Charles Runels

January 27, 2017

Dr. Charles Runels is a multifaceted medical professional with a rich background spanning various roles. He has worked as a lifeguard, research chemist, emergency room doctor, and wound care center director. Currently, he is known for developing innovative medical procedures like the Vampire Facelift and O-Shot. Dr. Runels has authored several books available on Amazon and has written about his medical techniques.

Dr. Charles Runels (phone number: 888-920-5311) is the inventor of the O-Shot, Vampire Facial, Vampire Facelift, and the Priapus Shot.

He's developed and trademarked a widely respected and medically documented procedure that uses Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to improve sex, treat injuries, heal Peyronie's disease, fix post-pregnancy incontinence, and more. Dr. Charles has gone from living in his car to running a 2 million dollar per year business by becoming excellent, modeling mentors, packaging, and repurposing. He's also learned many lessons about simplicity, authenticity, and hiring the right people. He also shares Stan Lee's secret about making superheroes real, that you can use in your marketing starting today.

Quotes:

“The enemy to progress is not ignorance. The enemy of progress is the illusion of knowing, thinking you know when maybe there's something that you don't know.” – Dr. Charles Runels

“If you want to be a superhero, give up being perfect. People will actually like you better.” – Dr. Charles Runels

“The only way to make no enemies is to sit on the couch and watch television all day. If you get up and make something happen, you make some friends and enemies.” – Dr. Charles Runels

Takeaways:

03:53 The internet allows professionals to connect, share knowledge, and innovate faster than traditional methods.

13:23 Always be learning and teaching, adapting your skills to create new opportunities.

25:12 Being an imperfect hero makes you more relatable and appealing to people.

35:19 Breaking traditional business models and creating your own path can lead to greater success and satisfaction.

40:17 Simplifying complex ideas makes learning more effective and engaging.

Resources

888-920-5311 (Dr. Charles' Office #)
O-Shot (Website)
Membership Cube and Webinar Crusher (Book)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:13 — 45.1MB) | Embed

233: Personality, Philsophy, and Passion: Differentiate in the Marketplace, Create Noise, and Take Meaningful Risks with Frank Gibson

January 26, 2017

Dr. Frank Gibson from Last Call Program wants to talk to you about personality, philosophy, and passion. He invented a solution to treat alcoholism called Sobrexa and started a huge movement on social media. Listen in as he discusses how he's changed the conversation and updated an industry for the first time in decades.

Dr. Frank Gibson is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in medicine, entrepreneurship, and scientific research. He has established himself as a successful businessman who transitioned from running three state-licensed medical clinics to creating the Last Call Program, an innovative approach to treating alcohol use disorders. Dr. Gibson has been featured on over 50 TV and radio programs in the US and Europe, including appearances on the PBS series and American Milestones.

Quotes:

“You want to be joyous on the last day of your life. You don't want to compromise.” – Frank Gibson

“Our use of social media serves as a platform for knowledge, positive exposure and growth. It lets people get to know and trust us.” – Frank Gibson

“Sometimes you just got to go after it. Sometimes you need to risk it all without question.” – Frank Gibson

Takeaways:

02:35 Breaking through industry barriers requires understanding modern science and challenging outdated treatment protocols.

18:20 Successful entrepreneurs view obstacles as strategic opportunities for innovation, not insurmountable roadblocks.

24:59 Social media marketing is most effective when focused on education and building trust rather than direct selling.

28:20 Personal passion and authenticity are critical in connecting with potential customers and creating meaningful content.

30:43 Continuous learning and adaptation are essential in rapidly changing marketing landscapes.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:19 — 33.3MB) | Embed

232: Mantra Leadership and Mantra Design: Innovate, Buy, or Die with Dana Oliver

January 25, 2017

Who wants to work for a jerk? No one, that's who! Dana Oliver from MantraLeadership.com has a lot of "best practices" for start-up communities and entrepreneurs to get along with others and manage others effectively. Pay attention to peoples' needs, identify what they want, and trust them.

Dana Oliver is a seasoned professional with approximately 30 years of experience in the medical device industry. He previously served as a senior director of research and development at Medtronic, helping grow the company from $100 million to $2 billion in annual revenues. Dana has applied for over 30 patent applications and been granted 25 US patents. As an author, he has written two books: "Mantra Leadership: Don't Become the Emperor with No Clothes" and "Mantra Design: Innovate, Buy or Die". These books focus on leadership skills and innovation strategies for businesses.

He also has a concept called Mantra Design, where simple beats better. You should get onto the peer level with your customers to discover their unmet needs and long-term pain. Run your product by 12 to 20 people to tease out the 75% to 90% of features (and hot buttons) to focus on.

Quotes:

“Who wants to work for a jerk? If you want the best from your employees, they need to feel motivated to come to work and give their all.” – Dana Oliver

“Innovation starts with an eye—not the letter ‘I,’ but the eyeball—meaning you immerse yourself in your customer's world.” – Dana Oliver

“Simple always outperforms better. Even if superior technology exists, if it’s not simple to use, people won’t fully adopt or embrace it.” – Dana Oliver

Takeaways:

08:18 Innovation starts by deeply understanding your customer's world and observing their actual behaviors, not just listening to what they say.

11:23 Simple solutions beat complex technologies every time, focusing on features that delight 80% of customers.

18:30 Every morning, identify the single most important task to accomplish and the longest lead item that needs addressing.

21:16 Technology and product development should solve real problems in people's ecosystems, making their lives easier and more efficient.

24:13 Getting close to customers and seeing through their eyes is the foundation of successful product development and business strategy.

Resources

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:51 — 25.5MB) | Embed

231: Create a Freelance Income from Scratch and Live Life on Your Own Terms from Fiverr Voiceover Artist, Fiverr Ambassador, and Host of the Fiverrcast Redd Horrocks

January 24, 2017

Redd Horrocks from InstantVoicemails.com was a voice actor for 13-14 years and discovered Fiverr as a way to do what she loves while living anywhere and setting her own hours. She has over 13,000 reviews from satisfied customers, has completed 27,000 jobs on Fiverr, plus 3,000 on other sites -- generating a six figure freelancing income from just 4 hours a day on weekdays and 1 hour per day on weekends.

Listen in as Redd explains how she's streamlined her process with a personal assistant, how she markets her Fiverr business with buyer requests (as well as over-delivering since you never know if "your next client will become your best client"), and how she's simplified her pricing structure to generate tons of extra sales.

Quotes:

“You never know when your next client is going to become your best client.” – Redd Horrocks

“If someone asks for something once, it's one thing. But if I have 10 people coming to me in the space of a week who are all asking for something that I don't provide, that's a good time to seriously look at whether or not I should be providing it.” – Redd Horrocks

“You can't be afraid to learn a new skill. It's worth it sometimes to just say, 'Okay, I don't know how to do that, but I wonder if it's really as hard as I think it is.” – Redd Horrocks

Takeaways:

09:47 Track your business trends meticulously to avoid panic during slow periods and understand your market's natural cycles.

10:43 Success on Fiverr comes from providing exceptional customer service and consistently delivering high-quality work.

13:43 Build long-term client relationships by treating every order as a potential gateway to future large-scale work.

16:37 Diversifying your skills and being open to learning new services can significantly expand your income potential.

21:58 Start small on Fiverr by creating gigs that match your existing skills and equipment, with minimal financial risk.

Resources

Redd Horrocks female voiceover (Fiverr)
Redd Horrocks (Official Website)
Instant Voicemails (Immediately Download Outgoing Voicemail Greetings In A Variety Of Styles And Accents

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:40 — 28.1MB) | Embed

230: You Have No Competition: Get Paid to Create an Information Product and Turn Your Knowledge into a New Stream of Passive Income with Fred Gleeck

January 23, 2017

Fred Gleeck is a business coach and entrepreneur with a unique approach to helping subject matter experts transform their knowledge into profitable information products. With extensive experience in creating and marketing online courses, Fred has worked with clients across various industries, including voiceover artists and opera singers. He is currently writing a book titled "You Have No Competition" and has hosted multiple business coaching boot camps in Las Vegas. Fred's business model involves becoming a joint venture partner with clients, sharing profits 50/50 and helping them develop systems for creating and selling online training materials.

Listen in as he describes a few case studies about his clients (voiceover expert Bill DeWees, or Fred's latest opera singer client) where he made use of that "unsold inventory" of information that many business owners seem to have. You'll also hear about how Fred establishes boundaries with his JV partners, deals with competition (competence plus personality), and systematizes everything so that he can deliver consistent quality.

Quotes:

“You've got a lot of unused and unsold inventory inside your brain that could help other people just starting out in their careers.” – Fred Gleeck

“People make their decision in the long run based both on competence and on personality.” – Fred Gleeck

“The key to success in a business relationship, as it is in a personal relationship, is in proper screening in advance.” – Fred Gleeck

Takeaways:

06:04 Transform your professional expertise into a profitable information product by packaging your unique knowledge and experience.

11:14 Creating an info product doesn't generate competition; instead, it often leads to more service opportunities and client trust.

14:15 Get paid to create your product by validating market demand through initial paid workshops or webinars.

22:58 Screen potential business partners carefully to ensure long-term success and minimize potential conflicts.

26:12 When choosing a business partner or coach, prioritize personality compatibility alongside professional competence.

Fred's Contact Information

Email address: fredgleeck@gmail.com
Subject line: "ROBERT PLANK SENT ME"
Message body: tell Fred what your "field" is, as well as any info-products you have or would like to create

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:17 — 28.6MB) | Embed

229: Temporarily Embarrassed Millionaires, the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Social Policing

January 20, 2017

Today's Sponsor: Website Remote (manage all your WordPress sites)

Important Quotes from Famous People

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right." -- Henry Ford
"The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence." -- Charles Bukowski
"Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great." -- John D. Rockefeller
"Don't compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel." -- Pastor Steven Furtick
"Are you losing belief or do you just wish it was happening faster? Balance ambition with patience." -- Gary Vaynerchuk
"Every successful person has a rule to never spend more than 10% of time on a problem, but at least 90% on a solution" -- Anthony Robbins

Reminders from Robert Plank

People have less of what you have and are happy. Others have exactly what you want (if not more) and are unhappy.
Being upset or stressed about your business is a good thing if you channel it into something positive (growth)
You're exactly where you're supposed to be right now in your journey. The present probably came very close to not happening as it was supposed to, and the future is probably very close to not happening as it should
If things are tough, is it possible you're being setup for something better?
Haven't there been times when you enjoyed taking some action?
If things are difficult, it's because you're being tested. It's an opportunity for personal growth (feast and famine)
Your life isn't a straight line or a curve of up's and down's... it's a series of 3-5 year containers
Have an abundance mindset instead of a scarcity mindset (don't let the little stuff like grudges use up 100% of your CPU)

Talking Points

Be careful of social policing: it's not up to you to save the world, all you can do is look out for yourself first (but that includes feeling good about helping others)
Many people aren't calibrated to where they need to be -- Four Daily Tasks, thinking too far (or not enough) in the future or past
Have the right metric: make money, reduce hours... not just to "show off for them"
Excuses: "I'm tired" or "I don't have time" or "People aren't buying now" or "I need to wait until..."

Dont's

Don't be a downer, a victim, a person who puts themselves down
Don't be a predictable, one-note, cardboard character
Don't give up, don't use any old excuse to stop unless you seriously believe it
Don't stop doing something unless you replace it with something else

Do's

Make it work even if it "seems" the universe is conspiring against you (even though it's not)
Decide to: let go, have boundaries, get the right priorities, and find the time
Switch gears, recharge your batteries and take time to calm down instead of just going through the motions
Wish you were better -- your best is enough but make sure it's your best
Use failure and frustration as fuel to do better in the future

Quotes:

“Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone else's highlight reel.” – Robert Plank

“People have less of what you have and are happy. Others have exactly what you want, if not more, and are unhappy.” – Robert Plank

“Every successful person has a rule to never spend more than 10% of time on a problem, but at least 90% on a solution.” – Robert Plank

Takeaways:

01:01 Avoid keeping up appearances and focus on genuine business development.

06:09 Stress can be a powerful tool for growth when channeled positively.

09:06 Believing in your business potential creates a self-fulfilling path to success.

17:06 Maintain an abundance mindset instead of getting trapped in scarcity thinking.

30:05 Your best effort is enough, but always strive to improve continuously.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:16 — 28.6MB) | Embed

228: Are You Afraid?

January 19, 2017

"If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original."
-- Ken Robinson

Here's why I ask if you're afraid...

A bunch of years ago, it was around the holidays and I was hanging out with some friends... we were playing Monopoly and you might know that it's the sort of game that leaves a lot of players super angry by the end...

Well, I didn't mind it too much that one of the guys in our group kept making us start over... as in... if HE was the one who was down on his money, even if the rest of us were doing well, he would suddenly act super sad and push and prod us until we gave in and restarted the game...

If he was raking in the money in Monopoly, he had no problem continuing the game... even if others were having trouble.

It's just a game, we were having fun, and I don't think we actually saw a complete gamethrough to completion that night... BUT... it got me thinking...

Imagine if that friend of mine (I didn't know him that well, he was just someone's brother who happened to be there) had saw one of our games through? Maybe he'd still lose or maybe he would have come out of those "tough times" on the other end, and really enjoyed that rollercoaster ride?

As opposed to starting it over and playing it safe...

What does all this have to do with internet marketing, being an entrepreneur, and growing your online business?

Many People Are Afraid To Actually See Their Business Become A Business...

It might get tough and scary
They might have to change course
They might get confused and not know what to do next
They might have to admit they were wrong or that something isn't working

Is this "fear" problem something that you can solve in the next 10 seconds? Is it something that won't rear its ugly head sometime later? Heck no... BUT...

If you've felt that you've "restarted the game" too many times and you haven't finished that sales letter, product, or have neglected that blog or podcast... it's possible that you needed to ride the wave of failure down only to ride an even bigger wave of success back up...

But YOU are the only one who can say that statement is true...

I honestly believe that you should focus on whatever you think your best chance of making money is for the next 30 days... commit yourself to that singular goal and take four actions per day in service of that goal...

I also think that a long term goal of yours is to have 300 pieces of content (whatever that means to you -- quick YouTube videos, short podcasts) that lead back to you and your websites, your opt-in forms, your sales letters.

Not 300 pieces of content overnight, but that should be your long-term goal in order to bring in enough traffic to sustain you and your business.

WP Import and Podcast Crusher

I think that our WP Import plugin is a great tool to fill up a blog with content (whether you did or didn't write it yourself) and our Podcast Crusher podcasting course is a wonderful complement to that tool, because podcasting allows you to quickly speak out whatever's on your mind...

AND even have other experts create the content for you, which they will gladly do. I've interviewed 125 people for my podcast in the past 143 days -- it's only been an extra time commitment of about 4 hours per week on my part (it would be a lot less if I chose not to publish 5 days a week which I can always change) ---

It's increased the blog traffic big-ly, opened up a ton of doors (joint ventures) I didn't have previously, and I'm already on the schedule with a few other marketers to appear on THEIR shows, provide value to THEM and introduce ME to THEIR audience.

I hope that in the coming year you aren't afraid to set yourself on the path that has the best chance of success for you, repeat for 30 days with 4 daily tasks with the ultimate goal of 300 pieces of content, repeat / follow-through, and then look back at those 30 days of successes and failures with self-awareness so you can course correct.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you're kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you're successful, you'll win unfaithful friends and genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you're honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy it overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

-- Mother Teresa

Claim the $7 WP Import Plugin

Quotes:

“Many people fear seeing their business truly take shape because it can become tough and intimidating. They might need to change direction, face uncertainty, or feel lost about the next steps.” – Robert Plank

“You might need to ride the wave of failure down only to ride an even bigger wave of success back up.” – Robert Plank

“Focus on whatever you think your best chance of making money is for the next 30 days, and commit yourself to that singular goal and take four actions per day in service of that goal.” – Robert Plank

Takeaways:

00:05 Fear of failure can prevent entrepreneurs from completing important business projects and experiencing potential success.

15:23 Commit to a single money-making goal for 30 days, taking four specific actions daily towards that objective.

22:40 Build a long-term content strategy aimed at creating 300 pieces of content across various platforms to sustain business growth.

26:15 Podcasting can be an efficient way to generate content, network with experts, and expand business opportunities with minimal time investment.

30:50 Persist in your efforts despite potential criticism, setbacks, or lack of immediate recognition.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:54 — 6.3MB) | Embed

227: Positive Psychology Coaching: Become Your Best Self, Communicate Better, Locate and Use Your Authentic Strengths with Fatima Doman

January 18, 2017

Fatima Doman is the founder and CEO of Authentic Strengths Advantage. She is a best-selling author and an executive coach who helps people understand and use their personal strengths. Her book, "Authentic Strengths," has been featured by the Huffington Post, Psychology Today, and on TV. Fatima works with individuals, entrepreneurs, and executives, teaching them how to use positive psychology to improve their lives and work.

Fatima Doman from AuthenticStrengths.com says that 24 character strengths exist (for example: curiosity, perseverance, energy, engagement), and if you're under-utilizing these or not playing up to your strengths, then you're in trouble. You may need to bring some of your strengths to the forefront, combine specific strengths or even temporarily use "situational strengths" when needed.

Quotes:

“Positive psychology focuses on what's strong in people rather than what's wrong.” – Fatima Doman

“If you concentrate on what is working well and what you want more of in your life, it becomes a far more powerful motivator.” – Fatima Doman

“People who utilize one of their top five strengths daily are approximately six times more fulfilled, energized, and engaged at work.” – Fatima Doman

Takeaways:

04:33 You can take a free strengths survey online to find out what your top strengths are.

06:22 It is possible to improve a strength that is not your best if you really want to.

11:55 People feel more energy and happiness at work when they use their top strengths every day.

17:39 Combining two strengths, like humor and social intelligence, can make them work better together.

26:30 Overusing a strength, even something like kindness, can sometimes cause problems.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:01 — 33.9MB) | Embed

226: Retail Arbitrage, Online Arbitrage, Private Labeling and E-Commerce with The Amazing Seller Scott Voelker

January 17, 2017

Scott Voelker's (TheAmazingSeller.com) journey is an amazing Amazon and e-commerce success story. Beginning with retail arbitrage (buying local items and selling them on Amazon), then online arbitrage (buying physical items online and re-selling them on Amazon), private labeling (get a product sourced), and finally, e-commerce (setup a storefront outside of Amazon), Scott has not only generated a huge income scaling his business, he also teaches others how to do it. Topics covered:

how Scott narrows down the perfect product to sell, every time
Scott's "open brand" strategy that allows him to experiment with new physical products
how to deal with copycats and the price wars
how to build a list and get lots of reviews quickly (and remain compliant) using contests

Quotes:

“Everything that I've learned up to this point has taught me and got me to where I am today. And without those experiences, I wouldn't be where I am today.” – Scott Voelker

“I'm not suggesting you build your business on Amazon, but rather use Amazon as a channel to quickly validate a product.” – Scott Voelker

“Loopholes are temporary, as seen with Google. The rules will inevitably change, and you must adapt while ensuring you establish your own platform.” – Scott Voelker

Takeaways:

03:03 Use Amazon as a testing ground for products, not your sole business platform.

10:14 Focus on products people need, not just trendy items, and aim for consistent daily sales.

18:09 Build an email list through targeted contests to create a sustainable marketing asset.

27:19 Prioritize genuine customer service over manipulating review systems.

34:00 Always prepare to expand beyond a single sales channel to protect your business.

Resources

The Amazing Seller (Podcast)
The Private Label (Workshop)
The Amazing Seller (Facebook group)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:57 — 34.7MB) | Embed

Archive 1: 2012-2016

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Resources:

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Resources:

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Resources:

Resources

Resources

Resources

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Resources:

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Resources

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Resources

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Resources

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Resources

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Resources

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Resources

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Fred's Contact Information

Important Quotes from Famous People

Reminders from Robert Plank

Talking Points

Dont's

Do's

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Many People Are Afraid To Actually See Their Business Become A Business...

WP Import and Podcast Crusher

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Quotes:

Takeaways:

Resources

Done For You Podcasting

Signup for Free Report

About Robert & The Podcast

Recent Posts

Income Machine

Bestselling Books

Categories

Archives