Category: Archive 1: 2012-2016

Natasha Davis is a branding expert and consultant who helps companies develop strategic visual, auditory, and emotional branding. She is the author of the book “Be Unleashed: Unleashing Millionaire Mindset and Build Your Brand,” which she co-wrote with six other entrepreneurs. Natasha runs Impact Branding Consulting and has been in business for 11 years, specializing in working with healthcare, agencies, and service professionals. Her expertise focuses on helping micro and small businesses understand the critical differences between marketing and branding.

Natasha Davis from Impact Branding Consulting says that many business owners confuse marketing (psychological minutiae that let people know your business is present, i.e. t-shirts) with actual branding (pricing, content, client acquisition, culture, business model, expertise you have, identity).

Don’t do so many things that you can’t differentiate yourself in a unique way! Branding is the difference between being seen as a “Target” business or a “Dollar Store” business. Decide what type of client you want, and then develop a profile of what that ideal client looks like.

Identify that ideal client’s commonalities and observable behaviors (business size, industry, where they hang out, social networks, how to get in touch, follow-up) and characteristics (what you can only identify by talking to them — if they’re ready to get started and how accountable and coachable they are).

Quotes:                                                                                                                                   

“Branding transforms a company from merely being recognized to establishing true brand equity. Only by developing brand equity can a business scale effectively and be acknowledged as a well-suited company.” – Natasha Davis

“The foundation of any business is its clients. If your clients aren’t happy, your business won’t thrive, and your finances will struggle.” – Natasha Davis

“An ideal client is one who values your work and recognizes that they are investing in the solutions you have developed.” – Natasha Davis

Takeaways:

02:28 Branding goes far beyond logos and websites – it’s a strategic approach to defining your business’s core identity and value.

12:07 Pricing should be a strategic decision based on the type of clients you want to serve, not just matching competitors’ rates.

15:23 Identifying your ideal client requires understanding both observable behaviors and hidden characteristics that make them a perfect match for your services.

17:49 Different industries require unique communication approaches, and understanding your target market’s communication style is crucial for successful client acquisition.

21:25 Investing time in research and preparation before implementation can save significant money and increase business success.

Resources

• Impact Branding Consulting (Website)
• Be Unleashed (Book)
• The Difference Between Marketing and Branding (Blog Post)

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Jim Kukral is an experienced internet marketing professional with nearly 20 years of expertise helping small and large businesses grow online. He has worked with major companies like FedEx, Sherwin Williams, and Progressive Auto Insurance. Jim is an author who has published over 10 books, including a traditionally published book with Wiley and Sons. He runs Author Marketing Club, a website that provides tools and training for book authors looking to market their work effectively.

Publisher Jim Kukral from Author Marketing Club wants you to create a non-fiction book to solve a problem, or a fiction book to entertain. Jim lays out a scenario where he targeted a big group to solve a problem with a clear title, as in, “Social Media Marketing for Real Estate Agents.” In the book, he explained what business owners should do, and provided a free 15-minute phone consultation in the back of the book to close clients.

Quotes:                                                                                                                                   

“There are two main reasons people use the internet: first, to solve a problem, and second, to be entertained.” – Jim Kukral

“The greatest thing about Amazon and selling books online is that the market is controlled by the readers.” – Jim Kukral

“People prefer to hire individuals they feel comfortable with—those they know, like, and trust. A book helps establish and strengthen that trust.” – Jim Kukral

Takeaways:

02:39 People use the internet for two core reasons: to solve problems or be entertained, which directly maps to nonfiction and fiction book purposes.

05:45 Writing a book with a clear, direct title that describes exactly what it does can help attract the right audience and build credibility.

12:23 Revealing all your professional secrets in a book won’t hurt your business – most people still want someone else to do the work for them.

18:52 Success in book publishing requires writing in a genre with a large market and creating multiple books to build a sustainable income stream.

20:50 Digital publishing allows authors to update and improve their books based on reader feedback, making the writing process more dynamic.

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Tom Corson-Knowles is an international best-selling author and entrepreneur who specializes in Kindle publishing. He founded TCK Publishing, an independent book publishing company, and created the Ebook Publishing School. Tom has written multiple books, including the Kindle Publishing Bible and a book about Facebook marketing for business owners. He helps authors write, publish, and market their books through his training courses and publishing services.

Tom Corson-Knowles from TCK Publishing and Ebook Publishing School has great news: it’s easy to publish lots of content and scale your business by approaching Amazon publishing in a scientific, step-by-step mindset:

1. Write down a list of 20-40 book ideas in a tool such as EverNote
2. Research: find the marketplace gaps and see how similar books are selling
3. Hook: narrow down one unique idea and craft a clear message
4. Brainstorm: develop your promise and decide what readers want to know (these are more than just chapters, they include additional videos and checklists)
5. Speak out the book (you can even use your smartphone)
6. Editing/revision

Quotes:                                                                                                                                   

“Business has never been easier than it is today. There has never been a time in human history when it has been simpler to start a business, make money, publish books, or write books.” – Tom Corson-Knowles

“You need to focus on what you can control in life, rather than dwelling on what you cannot control.” – Tom Corson-Knowles

“A great book is crafted by offering something uniquely valuable. It must stand out, as writing another generic “me-too” book won’t make an impact.” – Tom Corson-Knowles

Takeaways:

06:24 Research market gaps and reader needs by carefully studying book reviews on Amazon to create unique, valuable content.

10:39 Don’t get stuck in planning; take action quickly and iterate your book development process, treating it like climbing a mountain with changing perspectives.

18:47 Schedule dedicated time for book writing, treating it like a critical appointment that you cannot miss.

26:46 Success in publishing requires perfecting multiple elements: book title, cover, description, keywords, reviews, and branding.

29:28 Choose evergreen book topics that remain relevant over time, avoiding rapidly changing technical markets.

Resources

• TCK Publishing (Website)

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Terry Gremaux is an entrepreneurial leader from Dallas, Texas, who trains business owners on using free social media strategies to grow their market presence and revenue. Originally from a small town in Montana, Terry struggled financially for years before breaking through and becoming a successful entrepreneur. He grew up on a ranch with limited resources and was making only $35,000 a year before transforming his business approach. Terry now helps entrepreneurs expand their online presence across platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Terry Gremaux, the Hashtag Hunter, only needs to spend about 15 minutes a day to get 10 new leads a day into his business as part of his daily routine. Here’s his process:

1. regularly check thought leaders’ Facebook pages such as Gary Vee or Tony Robbins
2. leave a thoughtful comment on their latest post (4-5 minutes)
3. like all the comments left by others
4. respond to friend requests and get to know them
5. keep in touch with those prospects to find their problem/desire
6. run Facebook live streams every day

Mindset tweak: Business is promoting a solution to a problem at a profit. Be interested in people and have a conversation.

Quotes:                                                                                                                                   

“Business is about providing a solution to a problem while generating a profit. That’s the essence of it—end of story.” – Terry Gremaux

“A decision always happens in a moment. It wasn’t a seven-year decision—it happened in an instant. I was done, made a plan, and put it into action.” – Terry Gremaux

“I don’t want you to think about sales. I want you to think about being interested in people and providing value.” – Terry Gremaux

Takeaways:

05:56 Success starts with choosing who influences your mindset and blocking out negative voices.

13:01 Taking action matters more than having a perfect plan – start small and grow from there.

19:12 Social media success is about building relationships and solving people’s problems, not just selling.

24:53 Consistent daily actions on social media can generate significant business opportunities.

28:27 Your business reputation is built by consistently providing high-value solutions to customers.

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Heather Havenwood is an online business expert and entrepreneur who has been active in digital marketing since 1999. She successfully grew an information marketing publishing company to over $1 million in sales within 12 months. Heather runs multiple businesses, including Date Triggers, a dating education platform for men, and hosts her own podcast called “Win with Heather Havenwood”. She is also the creator of Podcast 3030, a course teaching professionals how to effectively guest on podcasts. Her background includes overcoming significant personal challenges like bankruptcy and foreclosure, which she now uses as a powerful storytelling tool in her speaking and teaching.

Heather Havenwood has made a killing guesting on podcasts. She has tons of tips for you today on how to be a great podcast guest and an even better podcast host.

Quotes:                                                                                                                                   

“Podcasting is not a presentation where I’m speaking to you; it’s a conversation. I share my story, provide value, offer tips and tricks, and people listen in to our chat.” – Heather Havenwood

“If I can do it, you can do it, no matter your situation—whether it’s divorce or something else. Everyone has their ups and downs.” – Heather Havenwood

“My job is to add value to you and your people. It’s about making you the star, not me, and offering as much value as I possibly can.” – Heather Havenwood

Takeaways:

01:58 Podcast guesting is a powerful way to share your story and connect with new audiences without the hassle of physical travel.

10:31 Successful podcast interviews are conversations, not presentations – focus on storytelling and creating an engaging dialogue.

25:48 Being open to appearing on diverse podcasts, regardless of the niche, can lead to unexpected opportunities and connections.

33:03 Creating a strategic media kit and approach can significantly increase your chances of being invited as a podcast guest.

37:35 Developing your storytelling skills through podcast appearances can help you communicate more effectively across different platforms.

Resources

• The Win: Podcast with Heather Ann Havenwood (Podcast)
• 30 Podcasts in 30 Days Course (Podcast)

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Nick Loper is an entrepreneur and digital business expert known for his work in side hustles and online income strategies. He runs the popular Side Hustle Nation blog and podcast, where he interviews entrepreneurs and shares insights about part-time business ideas. Nick is also the author of “Buy Buttons,” a book that explores various online marketplaces and strategies for making extra money. He has built multiple online businesses, including a footwear comparison shopping site, and has become a respected voice in the entrepreneurial community for helping people explore alternative income streams.

Nick Loper from the Side Hustle Nation podcast is the king of side hustles: low-risk entrepreurship, for-profit hobbies. Thanks to marketplaces like iTunes, Fiverr, eBay, Craigslist, and other sharing economy sites, the universe has shrunk, and now is the time for you to jump in:

1. Find a marketplace that uses the sharing economy (such as Uber, Airbnb, DogVacay, Turo for P2P car rental, Prosper for P2P loans)
2. Use your unique skills (freelancing)
3. Buy low and sell high
4. Create your own products

Quotes:                                                                                                                                   

“I think of side hustles as a lower-risk form of entrepreneurship. You don’t have to quit your job, but if you have an extra 5, 10, or 20 hours a week and want to do something productive with that time, consider it like for-profit hobbies.” – Nick Loper

“We’ve underutilized assets in our lives—our car, spare bedroom, and even various platforms to generate money.” – Nick Loper

“Realistically, the biggest failure is often cash flow. Businesses fail because they don’t bring in enough money or make enough sales.” – Nick Loper

Takeaways:

01:53 Marketplaces like Fiverr, Amazon, and Airbnb provide built-in audiences and easier entry points for new entrepreneurs.

04:13 Treating a side hustle like a real business, with persistence and willingness to learn from failures, is crucial to success.

22:17 Side hustles offer a low-risk path to entrepreneurship, allowing people to earn extra money and learn new skills without quitting their day job.

29:40 Small, incremental earnings can grow into significant income streams when approached with patience and strategic thinking.

37:39 Successful side hustlers focus on one platform or skill at a time, building momentum through consistent small actions.

Side Hustles Mentioned

• Turo (rent out your car)
• CuddleUp (charge money for cuddling — yes, really)
• Fiverr (provide any service you want)

Resources

• Buy Button (Book)
• Side Hustle Nation (Podcast)
• The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson (Website)
• Steve Scott (Website)

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John Pollock is the CEO of Financial Gravity and an expert in tax planning for entrepreneurs and small business owners. He is the author of a book about the 10 biggest tax mistakes small business owners make, which is available for free through his website or by text. John has also created a program to train accountants and financial professionals in tax-saving strategies.

John Pollock from Financial Gravity wants to help you save on your taxes, since accountants and bookkeepers aren’t trained for that. He has some unique insights on how you can get a tax blueprint to proactively plan your finances.

Be sure to text “TAXBOOK” to phone number 33-4444 for a free bonus.

Quotes:                                                                                                                                   

“If I can show you ways to save on federal and state taxes, you’ll also gain savings on payroll taxes and sales taxes, leading to a compounding effect.” – John Pollock

“The tax code is not designed for the rich. It’s actually designed for the small business owner.” – John Pollock

“The IRS is a collection agency. That’s the stark reality, and collection agencies are going to go after people that don’t know the tax code, not people that do know the tax code.” – John Pollock

Takeaways:

02:08 Many business owners are surprised by big tax bills, and most accountants are not trained to help lower taxes.

06:00 There are thousands of pages in the tax code that can help business owners save money, but most people don’t know about them.

08:32 Using legal tax rules does not make you more likely to get audited.

14:00 Changing how you handle your business taxes can save you a lot of money.

20:08 Having a clear tax plan, like a “tax blueprint,” helps you know what steps to take to pay less in taxes.

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Rene Brent is a certified clinical hypnotherapist with over 25 years of experience as a registered nurse. She is an international speaker and faculty member at the Institute of Interpersonal Hypnotherapy. Rene is the author of the international bestselling book “How Big is Your Butt,” which offers practical exercises for understanding and overcoming mental blocks. Her work focuses on helping people tap into their subconscious mind and break through emotional barriers using scientific approaches to personal development.

Hypnotist Rene Brent, from Practice Happy Now, is a professional garage door opener. She believes that your brain is running an old program and can help you to get rid of false beliefs. She wants you to allow your subconscious mind to move you away from pain and towards pleasure.

Quotes:                                                                                                                                   

“Hypnosis is like being a professional garage door opener—I help people open that garage door, hold the flashlight, and let them figure out what’s blocking the door.” – Rene Brent

“The subconscious mind defines and runs about 95% of your day. So if you don’t know what’s going on in that garage, then someone else is driving the car, for sure.” – Rene Brent

“Your body acts as your emotional GPS, which is why we use expressions like gut-wrenching, sick to my stomach, or heartbroken—it’s your body’s way of communicating with you.” – Rene Brent

Takeaways:

01:46 Your subconscious mind runs 95% of your daily actions and can be redirected through specific mental techniques.

08:07 Breathing and accepting emotional sensations can help release stress and gain mental clarity.

12:09 Visualizing your desired day and emotional state before waking up can help set a positive mental framework.

16:06 False beliefs formed before age 10 can significantly impact your current perception and behavior.

20:23 Procrastination is often a protective mechanism driven by fear of failure.

Resources

• How Big Is Your BUT (Kindle Book)
• Practice Happy Now: 2 free meditations (Book)

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Jim Palmer is a marketing and business building expert who helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses. He is the founder of the Dream Business Academy and the Dream Business Coaching and Mastermind Program. Jim hosts Dream Business Coach TV, a web TV show, and Stick Like Glue Radio, a weekly podcast. He is also the author of the book Decide. Jim is known for creating No Hassle Newsletters, a program that helps businesses with their newsletter marketing.

Jim Palmer is the Newsletter Guru and Dream Business Coach. He believes marketers should setup a Million Dollar Platform that includes email marketing, ezines, newsletters, and more. Many people lack focus and aren’t finding their best customers. You should also mail a 4-page physical newsletter once a month to your best customers to retain those customers and get yourself some repeat, high-ticket sales.

Quotes:                                                                                                                                   

“Starting a question with ‘Can I just’ is a limiting thought, as it implies you’re already doubting your ability to do it all or your willingness to take it on fully.” – Jim Palmer

“The largest cost that most businesses have is the cost of acquiring a new customer.” – Jim Palmer

“People don’t necessarily want to read everything about your business and what you do. It’s important to have a balance of what can be considered relevant and non-relevant material.” – Jim Palmer

Takeaways:

02:31 Many business owners struggle because they try to do too much and don’t focus on what works best for them.

09:01 Doing many types of marketing, like email, books, and video, helps reach more customers because everyone learns differently.

13:10 Outsourcing most tasks lets you spend more time on important work that grows your business.

20:41 Sending a printed newsletter every month helps keep your business in customers’ minds.

28:24 Spending money to keep your customers is important because it costs more to find new ones.

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Dan Englander is the founder of Sales Schema, a company that helps agency owners and project-based businesses get more clients and grow their accounts. He was the first employee at the animation studio Idea Rocket, where he played a key role in growing the business from the ground up. Dan is also an author, having written “Mastering Account Management” and “The B2B Sales Blueprint.” He lives in New York and works with creative agencies, especially those offering services like websites and video production.

Dan Englander from SalesSchema.com has some great information for you about marketing funnels and automation. Dan lands many new clients using outbound email marketing, virtual assistants, and phone closing.

He also has used some unique strategies to land new business. For example, he’s contacted up-and-coming tech companies mentioned on CrunchBase or checking job posting on sites like Indeed and AngelList, who needed services such as animation videos. He also walks us through his process of qualifying his process, getting those leads to the proposal stage, feeling them out with test closes, handling objects and feedback, and more.

Quotes:                                                                                                                                   

“It’s very hard to completely and to automate human empathy, and that’s really what sales entails.” – Dan Englander

“Sales calls quickly reveal your position in the market, often much faster than any number of survey funnels can.” – Dan Englander

“If I can learn, teach, or sell something every day, I’ll progress much faster than if I isolate myself from the world.” – Dan Englander

Takeaways:

01:50 Using sales tricks like fake deadlines in one-on-one emails can hurt trust if you don’t have a real reason for them.

06:02 Building your own list of leads is better than buying a pre-made list because you learn more and get better results.

14:57 Personalizing emails, even with simple details like recent company changes, makes your outreach more effective.

18:27 It’s better to ask someone if they can chat before sending a calendar link, so it feels more personal.

21:52 On the first call, make sure the person has a real need, is a decision maker, has a budget, and is ready to start soon.

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