Archive 3: 2018-2020

601: Mini-Offers, Market Research, Quitting Your Job, and Building Your Funnel with Michelle Evans

October 3, 2018

Michelle L. Evans walked away from her global marketing strategy role at Microsoft in 2012 after a successful 16-year corporate career spanning many industries and now works with a fantastic community of business owners - coaches, consultants, experts, speakers, authors and solopreneurs - helping them go from simply surviving to predictably SOLD OUT. Using her 20+ years of successful marketing experience she helps her clients create income-producing, client-generating, stress-reducing marketing funnels. Michelle has been featured in Mirasee, Huffington Post, Online Marketing Made Easy and 30+ other places over the internet and worked with household names like Microsoft, LinkedIn and others as a well-paid employee and consultant.

Michelle talks to us about her strategy of creating mini-offers to find hot selling product ideas, training your list, creating upsells and funnels, and how to emotionally connect with prospects.

Quotes:

“When I'm doing market research, I learned my lesson—don't do market research on free stuff if people don't have to whip out their wallets and even give you a tiny amount of money.” – Michelle Evans

“You did all this work to get them excited, they come in, engaged, and continue this discovery process. Thus, the best thing you can do is to hook into their curiosity and even if you could have a small offer, you have to keep that conversation going.” - Michelle Evans

“Start those conversations regardless of how big your audience is. Start solving problems for people because that's what they'll pay for.” - Michelle Evans

Takeaways:

06:36 Funnels don't need to be complicated; focus on understanding the problem you solve and the results customers want.

20:15 Creating low-ticket mini offers helps entrepreneurs test market demand without massive upfront investment.

22:06 Always include an upsell or next step after someone opts in or makes a small purchase to keep the conversation going.

29:25 When transitioning from a 9-to-5 job, start building your side business gradually with simple, quick-to-create products.

31:57 Testimonials and market research can come directly from customers who buy your initial low-cost offerings.

Take This Short Quiz to Claim Your Michelle's Free Funnel Template

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:32 — 88.4MB) | Embed

600: The Magical Profit-Producing Power of Following Up, Being Organized, and Persistent: 22 Things I Learned From Grant Cardone About Wealth, Mental Health, Happiness, Knowledge, and Making Money

September 28, 2018

For our 600th episode, we're going to talk about Grant Cardone, who I consider to be one of the top 10 marketers on the planet. Important to note: Grant doesn't know me and he does not appear in this episode. However, I've read (almost) all his books and bought a few other things from him, such as his 10XGrowthCon livestream. He brands himself as a sales trainer and is the best person to learn from if you're looking to up your game, develop a better work ethic, and connect better with your customers & employees.

He's definitely the hardest working person I've ever seen. If that makes me a kiss-ass, so be it:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:04 — 126.2MB) | Embed

10X rule: it takes 10 times the effort you think it will take, so set your goal, then 10-times that goal, and then 10-times the action you think you'll need to take to hit that goal (avoids "one foot on the brake")
Get your money right
Have a quiet workspace, rent an office, get employees
You don't know if "too much" is too much until you've done it
Grocery store rot: feed the beast, keep the traffic, clients, business, and money pouring in constantly
You’re always selling (job, career, webinar, class) -- surpass your quota (quick personal videos)
Be the most ethical person you know: "ethical" means telling as many people about your product because it’s unethical not to help them by selling it to them
Most of us are introverted or shy (the thing you fear is the action you are putting off and should probably take). Be "social" even if you're introverted. Make thank you calls or send postcards to customers. "Someone canceled on me for lunch, let's have lunch."
Daily meetings & quotas (measured progress): get into the habit of completion
Most people don’t follow-up (36 voicemails, every business in Miami, eat lunch with people)
Don't wait to get your ducks in a row before taking action: CRMs or spreadsheets? Just start dialing or contacting.
Omnipresence (market yourself in so many places that people can’t ignore you
Ramp up as your skill and efficiency improves (Brad Lea videos, morning vlogs, daily LinkedIn posts)
Be difficult and ask for what you want
Ask questions from prospects (buying a laptop story), mirror and always agree
Scheduling & happiness: fill in so much in your schedule that the weeds can’t grow
Be so busy that you haven’t even had time to watch your favorite tv show in weeks.
Work weekends - don't take them off like everyone else does
Write down your goals in the morning and at night
If you have multiple jobs / streams of income, be looking for "complementary" skills, i.e. day job to learn coding and create plugins on the side... voiceover artists who get into podcast setup & editing
Are you discouraged because someone hasn't called you back? How many times have you failed to call someone back? Call again.
Even if they hate you, they’re still talking about you, so just be yourself

Quotes:

“You get what you tolerate, and if you keep on doing what you're doing, you're gonna get the same old results.” – Grant Cardone

“Successful people have a big library. Unsuccessful people have a big TV set.” - Grant Cardone

“Don't wait for things to be perfect. Don't wait for your confidence to be at 100%. Don't wait for the fear to go away. Just proceed anyway.” - Grant Cardone

Takeaways:

00:20 80% of success is simply showing up and pushing past your comfort zone.

09:57 Always keep your business pipeline full by constantly reaching out and following up with prospects.

18:22 Set goals 10 times higher than you initially think possible and match those goals with 10 times more activity.

30:49 Fill your schedule so completely that unproductive thoughts and "weeds" cannot grow.

45:06 Be yourself in business, even if some people might dislike your approach, because visibility matters more than universal approval.

Resources

Grant's articles (LinkedIn)
10XGrowthCon (Live Event)
Cardone University (Online training, non-affiliate link)
The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure (Book)
Sell or Be Sold: How to Get Your Way in Business and in Life (Book)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:04 — 126.2MB) | Embed

599: Listen, Choose, and Breathe: Parse Your Story to Meet Your Audience, Create a Strong Call-to-Action, and Recap with Communications and Public Relations Expert Jeanne Alford

September 27, 2018

Jeanne Alford -- author, speaker and communications expert -- directed PR and communications programs for such brands as Dolby Laboratories, Philips Electronics, Visa and Sony. She focused on media perception, crisis communications and international issues. As an executive coach, today, she specializes in communications and media training including speaking, presenting and writing to guide business leaders to tell their most compelling stories in their own words.

Quotes:

“We all think the same thing about ourselves. What we do is ordinary, because we're in it every day. We don't always see the extraordinary.” – Jeanne Alford

“If we don't understand where our audience is coming from, all we're doing is throwing words at them and looking for something to stick.” - Jeanne Alford

“We have about two seconds to make an impression on somebody. We have micro expressions that we exude without even being aware of, because they're in our subconscious mind.” - Jeanne Alford

Takeaways:

05:00 Understanding your audience's perspective is more important than sharing raw information.

10:29 Tailoring your message to different audience groups helps your communication hit the mark more effectively.

23:17 Breathing deeply and staying calm allows you to think more clearly and respond thoughtfully in high-pressure situations.

28:56 Most people only hear half of what's being said, making active listening a critical communication skill.

33:13 Practice makes communication skills become natural, just like muscle memory when learning to drive or ride a bike.

Resources

Jeanne Alford (LinkedIn)
Jeanne Alford on Alignable (Business Card)
Jeanne Alford on Clarity (Coaching Session)
Jeanne Alford on Medium (Blog)
Jeanne Alford (Twitter)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:37 — 93.1MB) | Embed

598: Create a Better Product, Narrow Down Your Audience, Find the Ideal Price Point and Grow with Crossword and Word Search Hobbyist Jonah Phillips

September 25, 2018

Jonah Phillips is the founder and CEO of Crossword Hobbyist and My Word Search. He’s here to talk about starting your own business, and explain why you should ignore most business advice you get. He also explains how he was able to grow the audience for his crossword and wordsearch tools, as well as the audiences he's broken into in order to expand his user base.

Quotes:

“If you're making something for an anniversary gift, you want the absolute most premium.” – Jonah Phillips

“The price is always worth it if it’s the best option and exactly what they’re looking for.” - Jonah Phillips

“You have to be a certain kind of crazy to want to create a crossword puzzle. Even with intense focus, your first newspaper-style crossword could take around eight hours to complete.” - Jonah Phillips

Takeaways:

01:32 Sometimes the most valuable customers are those who weren't your original target audience.

02:19 Finding a unique market niche can turn a seemingly simple tool into a successful business.

05:19 Successful businesses adapt by closely observing how people actually use their product.

15:43 Future-proofing your business means anticipating technological integrations before they become mainstream.

20:40 Pricing isn't always about being the cheapest, but about providing the best value for specific user needs.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:08 — 66.8MB) | Embed

597: How to Go Viral: Conflict, Narrative Tension, Emotional Messaging, Anger, Anxiety, and Awe with Joe Romm

September 24, 2018

Joe Romm, named one of Rolling Stone’s "100 people who are changing America," has a game-changing new book, "How to Go Viral and Reach Millions." Romm is "the communicator's communicator," blurbs Van Jones, host of CNN’s The Van Jones Show.

"How to Go Viral" is the first book to reveal all the latest secrets for consistently generating viral online content—words, images, or videos that are seen and shared by hundreds of thousands and eventually even millions of people, something Romm and his colleagues in three different organizations achieve routinely.

Joe is here to talk about how to create viral content that grabs attentions, connects emotionally, and has all the correct "mechanics" in place, i.e. winning headlines.

Quotes:

“There’s a massive amount of noise—endless content, countless tweets, and nonstop videos. To stand out and be heard, you need to use the proven strategies and techniques that top social media superstars and viral experts have mastered.” – Joe Romm

“For tens of thousands of years, storytelling has been at the core of human evolution—that’s how our brains are naturally wired.” - Joe Romm

“We’re in an era where two things matter most: capturing people’s attention and holding onto it.” - Joe Romm

Takeaways:

04:45 Storytelling with conflict and resolution is more engaging than flat, fact-based presentations.

12:53 Viral content must work visually, even with sound off, to capture audience attention.

18:19 Headlines and opening lines are critical - they determine whether people will continue consuming your content.

23:16 Emotional triggers like anger, anxiety, and awe make content more shareable.

27:17 Personal stories behind information create deeper audience connection than raw data.

Resources

How To Go Viral and Reach Millions: Top Persuasion Secrets from Social Media Superstars, Jesus, Shakespeare, Oprah, and Even Donald Trump (Book)
Rhetoric (Official Site)
Joseph Romm (Wikipedia)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:47 — 84.4MB) | Embed

596: Rock Your Lifestyle, Live Life to the Fullest, and Transform Your Life with Jenny Holla

September 19, 2018

Jenny Holla is a life adventurist, world traveler, author of Rock Your Lifestyle and the co-founder of 2jHolla. Jenny is on a mission to awaken deep transformational life change in leaders and executives who are looking for more free time, energy, connection and who crave more out of life. As far back as she can remember, she has been motivated to love what she is doing, no matter what. She's always been drawn to adventure, new experiences, meeting new people and seeing the world.

You can get a dose of inspiration from Jenny and her husband, Jai Holla (co-founder of 2jHolla), on their show The Hollastic Life with J&J, LIVE via Facebook every Sunday at 8pm EST. They cover many topics about holistic living including wellness, finances, relationships and travel.

Jenny is here to tell us about about her three secrets: confidence, active listening, and followup. She also explains how she was able to transition from a stressful existence into an ideal stress-free, money-making lifestyle on her own terms.

Quotes:

“If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, find something else. I’ve always said that’s how I want to design my life—that’s how I want to live.” – Jenny Holla

“Sales, at its core, is about leading with heart and solving problems. It doesn’t have to be a daunting or complex process—it can be as simple as listening and determining whether what you offer genuinely meets someone’s needs.” - Jenny Holla

“Sometimes, having a coach or mentor—someone to provide guidance and encouragement—can give us the necessary nudge to regain focus or take meaningful steps forward.” - Jenny Holla

Takeaways:

02:37 Selling is about solving problems and listening deeply to understand people's needs, not pushing a scripted pitch.

05:00 Confidence, active listening, and consistent follow-up are critical skills in both personal and professional interactions.

10:38 Personal transformation requires continuous adjustment and willingness to challenge your current life circumstances.

13:48 Breaking down big life dreams into actionable steps helps transform vague goals into realistic plans.

21:42 Exploring local experiences with a tourist's mindset can reveal unexpected adventures right in your backyard.

Resources

Rock Your Lifestyle (Book, use coupon code "robertplank" at checkout)
2JHolla (Website)
Unf*ckwithable Wedding Pros with Jenny & Jai Holla (Facebook Group)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:04 — 64.4MB) | Embed

595: Tax Liens and Tax Deeds: Make More Money Easily By Thinking Outside the Box and Ramping Up with Ted Thomas

September 17, 2018

Ted Thomas is an active investor with over 20 years' experience. He specializes in advising, guiding and teaching people the steps to make money with Tax Lien Certificates and Tax Defaulted property. It's something he's taught thousands of men and women all around the world to do – from single moms to professional investors and entrepreneurs. He's here to tell us how to make easy, passive, scalable income using tax liens and tax deeds.

Quotes:

“If you want to learn something, you want to learn it from someone that's doing it. Don't use the television to be your apprentice, because those guys are trying to make a big show for television.” – Ted Thomas

“You need to build a reputation. There are many factors that contribute to a successful website. Yes, there are millions of them, but the real key is how many actually generate revenue.” - Ted Thomas

“Listen, cash is king—that’s what I emphasize. I don’t want people buying those fixer-upper houses; they’re a huge headache, a big one.” - Ted Thomas

Takeaways:

05:25 Tax lien certificates offer a safe, predictable investment with potential returns between 16-25% when property owners pay their overdue taxes.

08:42 Always research properties thoroughly before bidding, focusing on exit strategies and avoiding high-risk investments like fixer-uppers.

26:59 Start small with investments, learning from experienced professionals and gradually building your skills without falling for get-rich-quick schemes.

31:11 Online resources and technology now make real estate investing more accessible, allowing investors to research properties from their kitchen table.

32:33 Successful investing requires patience, process, and a willingness to learn from those actively doing the work in the field.

Resources

Ted Thomas: America's Tax Lien Certificate & Tax Deed Authority (Official Site)
Ted Thomas (Twitter)
Ted Thomas (LinkedIn)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:39 — 79.4MB) | Embed

594: Shiny Object Mastery: Discover Sustainable Motivation, Achieve High Productivity Excellence, and Conquer Your Inner Game with Productivity Expert Michael Montague

September 10, 2018

Michael Montague is the Amazon #1 best-selling author of the book Shiny Object Mastery: The Formula for Overcoming Distractions and Increasing Productivity. Michael’s mission is to help people transition from the confusion of the Information Age, into the clarity and aligned intention of the Age of Purpose.

Quotes:

“Evolution hasn't caught up to our modern day society yet, so our brains are not really designed to filter out the volume of information that we are bombarded with each day.” – Michael Montague

“Successful people understand that information must be implemented to have value, but most people are reduced to gathering more information rather than implementing the right information.” - Michael Montague

“When you wake up and you are living your purpose through your business, then that's going to give you the sustainable motivation and the enthusiasm to keep going.” - Michael Montague

Takeaways:

09:33 Keep your cell phone out of the bedroom to improve sleep and reduce morning distractions.

10:01 Develop a morning ritual that includes setting daily intentions, practicing gratitude, and forgiving yourself.

14:18 Focus on high-value activities during your most productive morning hours instead of checking emails.

17:22 Batch similar tasks together to minimize mental energy drain from constant task switching.

19:35 Align your business goals with your life purpose to create sustainable motivation and satisfaction.

Resources

Shiny Object Mastery: The Formula for Overcoming Distractions and Increasing Productivity (Book)
Michael Montague: The King of Productivity Excellence (Official Site)
Michael Montague (Facebook)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:13 — 62.3MB) | Embed

593: Rockstar Marketing: Make More Money, Think Outside the Box, Get Noticed and Succeed with Keynote Speaker Craig Duswalt

September 5, 2018

Craig Duswalt is a Keynote Speaker, Author, Podcaster, and the creator of RockStar Marketing.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:22 — 76.4MB) | Embed

His background includes touring with Guns N' Roses, as Axl Rose's personal assistant, and Air Supply, as the band's personal assistant.

After touring, Craig opened his marketing firm, Green Room Design and Advertising, which was named the 2002 SCV Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.

Craig then combined his backgrounds in both music and marketing, and is now a professional speaker, author and podcaster, promoting his RockStar Marketing Program all over the world. He is known in the industry for putting on high energy, 3-Day RockStar Marketing BootCamps every Spring and Fall in Los Angeles.

Craig is here today to share with us how to use outside the box marketing techniques to generate leads, attract clients and how to stand out from the competition — Like a RockStar.

Quotes:

“If you want to make more money, be a rock star in your business, stand out from the competition, establish yourself as an expert, and have people buy from you because of your excellence, then you must rise above the rest.” – Craig Duswalt

“We need to start thinking like five- and ten-year-olds again—letting go of the fear of judgment, putting our ideas out there, and trusting that what we create has value.” - Craig Duswalt

“The key is to create raving fans, just like rock stars do—by doing things differently and standing out.” - Craig Duswalt

Takeaways:

14:30 Creating unique marketing approaches, like selling a single album copy, can generate massive attention and buzz for your brand.

20:53 No one will market your personal brand for you, so you must put your own picture and face everywhere.

28:36 Negative feedback is inevitable, so develop thick skin and focus on the positive responses from your audience.

30:13 Having fun with your marketing and letting go of critics helps you connect with passionate, supportive fans.

31:54 Standing out from competition requires delivering unique value and making personal, extra touches.

Resources

Craig Duswalt's RockStar Marketing Program (Official Site)
Craig Duswalt (Twitter)
RockStar Marketing Bootcamp (Live event in Los Angeles)
RockStar Marketing Backstage (Membership site)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:22 — 76.4MB) | Embed

592: Stay Focused on Gratitude, Shift Out of Negativity, Get Empowered and Transition to the Next Stage of Your Life with Love and Lifestyle Coach Terri Rose

September 4, 2018

Terri Rose is a Love & Lifestyle Coach and Motivational Speaker committed to serving those in major life transitions such as separation, divorce, single parenting, empty nesting and/or losing a job. Terri encompasses the qualities of Love and Service to others.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:08 — 87.3MB) | Embed

After leaving her 13 year marriage, she has walked the emotionally challenging path of divorce. With a strong and passionate desire to serve and empower others, she brings unique insight and inspiration from her own life experiences.

Terri knows how transformative the aftermath of Divorce, loss, break ups and starting over can be. Emerging free and independent as a single mother of two, she recognized the potential to help hundreds of people transform their heartbreak and grief into clarity, vision, and self-love. Her wisdom, intuition and genuine love for others inspire one to shift out of limiting unconscious beliefs and step into personal strength and empowerment. With her coaching methods, you will move through the sea of emotions and awaken to deep abiding self-love and experience the inner joy that comes from truly loving yourself.

Through her own unique experience, Terri approaches everyone she meets with extraordinary compassion and brings deep listening and an open, welcoming heart to each client. Clients experience a deeper understanding of their emotions, compassion and self-love in even just one session, and over a series of sessions, they are able to stand in their own power, asking the universe fearlessly for the love and lives they truly desire, arms and heart open, ready to receive.

Quotes:

“When you stay focused on gratitude, it's more difficult to stay in anger, resentment, bitterness, hurt, pain, loss, and grief.” – Terri Rose

“Life constantly throws curveballs, and how you respond makes all the difference. Do you let the ball knock you down and stay down, or do you get up and run?” - Terri Rose

“Sometimes, the changes that come our way are meant to push us toward something positive. However, how we perceive them depends on our life experiences and mindset.” - Terri Rose

Takeaways:

08:14 Self-care is critical during life transitions, even if it's just 15 minutes a day of personal time.

11:58 Nature and sunlight can significantly improve emotional well-being during difficult personal changes.

14:43 Positive affirmations and sticky notes with encouraging messages can help rebuild self-worth after major life challenges.

23:20 People's negative actions often stem from their own pain, not from a desire to hurt you.

29:31 You have the power to choose how you respond to life's challenges and can decide whether to let them defeat or empower you.

Resources

Roseville, California Meetup: Finding Your Empowered Self through the Divorce Process (Events)
Blissify Your Life: Terri Rose, Love & Lifestyle Coach (Official Site)
Email: love@blissifyyourlife.com
Phone: 916-425-8383

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:08 — 87.3MB) | Embed

591: Run Your Business Like a Predictable, Repeatable, Dependable Money-Making Machine By Delegating with The Techie Mentor Susan Mershon

September 3, 2018

Susan Mershon, The Techie Mentor, teaches the strategies, skills & systems you need to design, build & grow a thriving Virtual Assistant business. She explains what you need to know to get over the hesitation of hiring a freelancer, and the many options available to you, for example, a website audit.

Quotes:

“For many of us, myself included, we pour so much time and energy into developing our business—through blood, sweat, and tears—that it almost feels like a family member. It's like a baby to us, which creates a trust issue when it comes to handing over control.” – Susan Mershon

“You have to understand that your time is more valuable sometimes than doing a lot of the admin or technology work yourself.” - Susan Mershon

“If you can find somebody that you can partner and trust with, you can fly because you have a peace of mind that you didn't have before.” - Susan Mershon

Takeaways:

01:57 Investing in expert help upfront can save months of trial and error and accelerate your business's financial success.

09:04 Your time is more valuable than struggling with technical tasks you don't enjoy or understand well.

14:13 Business systems are repeatable assets that, when set up correctly, can generate consistent income with minimal ongoing effort.

18:01 Start small with virtual assistants - a two-hour trial can help you build trust and understand their work style without massive commitment.

22:31 Outsourcing isn't about kicking back, but about freeing yourself to focus on business growth and what you're passionate about.

Resources

The Techie Mentor (Official Site)
The Techie Mentor (Freebies)
Susan Mershon (Twitter)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:24 — 71.9MB) | Embed

590: Family, Fitness, Finances and Friendships: The American Dream Realized Through Hard Work, Positive Beliefs, Sacrifices and Focus with Hayk Tadevosyan

August 31, 2018

Hayk Tadevosyan has an upcoming book called Mind Control: 14 Principles of Achieving The American Dream - Manual to why most successful people feel unfulfilled and what to do about it.

He's here to talk about his mindset, belief system including hard work and modeling, and compounding. He also shared the 4 pillars: Family, Fitness, Finances, and Friendships. He's all about dedication, simplicity, and course correction... and is here to explain what it takes to live a life of success and fulfillment.

Quotes:

“We don't attract what we want in life, we attract what we are.” – Hayk Tadevosyan

“Positivity takes practice, and a lot of it has to do with the information you're exposing yourself to.” - Hayk Tadevosyan

“To live in the future is to be in fear, and to live in the past is to live in regret. To be happy is to be in the moment.” - Hayk Tadevosyan

Takeaways:

04:40 Success isn't just about money, but about balancing family, fitness, finances, and friendships equally.

07:22 Temporary happiness from material things often leads to regret and emptiness.

12:57 Nothing substitutes good old-fashioned hard work and consistent effort.

19:12 We attract what we are, not what we want, so focus on personal growth and positive environment.

23:35 Be careful who you ask for advice, as not all mentors or supporters have your best interests in mind.

Resources

Hayk Tadevosyan (Official Site)
Hayk Tadevosyan (LinkedIn)
Hayk (Facebook)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:47 — 70.5MB) | Embed

589: Reversing Burnout: How to Thrive, Find Courage to Pull the Trigger, Regain Focus, Be All-In and Have a Greater Impact with Peter Atherton

August 29, 2018

Peter Atherton is a consultant, speaker, and author of the book "Reversing Burnout. How to Immediately Engage Top Talent and Grow! A Blueprint for Professionals and Business Owners." Pete is the President of ActionsProve, LLC and works with high-achieving professionals and business owners to create greater growth and profits through more effective employee attraction, retention, impact, and branding. For more than 20 years prior, Pete was a very successful and accomplished professional civil engineer focusing on designing sophisticated water treatment facilities and major public infrastructure projects.

Pete sold his engineering firm ownership to focus on designing systems for professionals and organizations to grow and succeed in more relevant and effective ways. Pete has also served in multiple capacities in the non-profit sector to achieve both local and global impact, and is a co-founder of the 100 Men Who Care chapters for Southern Maine and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Quotes:

“Money will never fully satisfy. Having the best products and services in our organization will never fully satisfy. We're made for more than that.” – Peter Atherton

“We're not made just for provision and being productive in our life. We're going to want to have a sense of mission. We're going to want to be connected to our community.” - Peter Atherton

“When people achieve success, many of us get trapped—caught in the comfort, money, and momentum that make it difficult to push forward and grow.” - Peter Atherton

Takeaways:

04:36 Having the courage to make career changes requires careful planning and understanding your skills' transferability.

08:26 Burnout isn't just feeling tired; it's a complex mix of work overload, losing passion, and missing out on life.

17:07 Creating daily margin - even just 30 minutes - for self-reflection can help prevent and address professional burnout.

20:45 Successful professionals should expect and plan for career shifts, understanding that being "all in" doesn't mean staying in the same role forever.

31:40 Money and comfort can trap you in a career that no longer serves your personal growth and happiness.

Resources

Reversing Burnout: How to Immediately Engage Top Talent and Grow (Book)
Peter Atherton (LinkedIn)
Actions Prove: Strategic Planning & Executive Coaching (Official Site)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:01 — 73.4MB) | Embed

Stand Out from the Crowd in Internet Marketing with ContactMonkey, Bonjoro, Google Voice, and GIF Personalization

August 28, 2018

588: Your Big Idea: Take Massive Action, Launch a Podcast, Become the Thought Leader in Your Industry, and Stay Focused with Entrepreneur on Fire John Lee Dumas

August 22, 2018

John Lee Dumas is the host of Entrepreneurs on Fire, an award winning podcast where he interviews inspiring Entrepreneurs every Monday and drops value bombs every Thursday. With over 2000 episodes, 1.3 million listens every month, and seven-figures of annual revenue, JLD is just getting started. Visit EOFire.com to set YOUR Entrepreneurial journey ON FIRE!

JLD tells us about his journey of publishing 2000 podcast interviews in 2000 days, the importance of focus and time management, PLUS why you need to build a following (influence) so that you can network (and collaborate) with others who have a huge following, and network your way to success.

Quotes:

“We're always going to be better off combining our forces than trying to just be in a silo and grow alone.” – John Lee Dumas

“If you find yourself getting bored with those kind of questions, then you're just in the wrong field, and that's not a bad thing.” - John Lee Dumas

“I want my guests to give me their best, and by giving me their best, they're giving the listeners their best.” - John Lee Dumas

Takeaways:

02:23 Maintaining personal health and wellness is crucial for sustaining high-energy professional performance.

05:29 Quality trumps quantity when creating content, especially in a crowded digital landscape.

07:46 Building strategic partnerships allows entrepreneurs to grow together by sharing audiences and expertise.

11:29 Preparing interview questions in advance helps guests provide more thoughtful and valuable responses. 13:01 Genuine curiosity and passion are key to avoiding burnout in repetitive professional tasks.

Visit Your Big Idea to Flesh Out Your Big Idea in Just 3 Hours

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:42 — 27.3MB) | Embed

587: Make Time for What’s Important: How to Get Motivated, Stay Organized, Time Block, Prioritize, Amplify Your Productivity and Hit All Your Goals with Robert Plank

August 20, 2018

Robert Plank from The Checklist Mindset is back with a solo episode to revisit your productivty, mindset, and goal setting!

If you'd like to schedule a call with Robert to get a better handle on your time management, delegation, and technology, then reach out at: Robert@RobertPlank.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:35 — 40.9MB) | Embed

Must Have Tools

Second monitor
LogMeIn (set a conversion job, check on upload)
LastPass (plus iPhone app)
Google Drive (share files)
Learn a few keyboard shortcut

Tool of the Day: Permanent Clipboard for Chrome

Making the Time

Rewrite goals, write them over and over
iPhone notepad, set to lock screen wallpaper
Wake up one hour earlier or stay up one hour later, dedicate the time
Time block (chunk), automate and schedule
Google Calendar (take it seriously, keep the connection strong)
The X Factor: 50 days of consistent (small) progress
Four Daily Tasks: plan tomorrow, today.

Motivation

Record a podcast episode or Facebook Live as a sort of talk therapy
Four Daily Tasks: don't lose momentum & adjust
Accountability partner: YouTube video, Skype call, text, follow-up at the end of the day
Countdown timer
Camtasia Babysitter
Google Calendar
Set work hours
Time blocking: batching/chunking

Quotes:

“If you ever look up the difference between people who are frustrated and don't make money versus people who are happy and make a lot of money. One of the biggest correlations is that the people that make money read instead of watching TV.” – Robert Plank

“Not having a plan is as absurd as driving across the country—or through unfamiliar streets—without a GPS, a map, or even paying attention to street signs.” - Robert Plank

“We often complicate things for ourselves and hide behind that complexity. We say, "I've got so much going on." But is that really true? Did you actually accomplish a lot today, or did you just move things forward without real progress?” - Robert Plank

Takeaways:

00:24 Cutting out time-wasting activities like live TV can dramatically improve personal productivity and free up hours for meaningful work.

18:24 Using a password manager like LastPass helps create strong, unique passwords while simplifying online security.

24:05 The X Factor technique of tracking daily progress with a 49-day grid can help maintain motivation and build consistent habits.

33:55 Focusing on just four critical daily tasks prevents overwhelm and ensures meaningful progress in your work.

41:50 Batching similar tasks together is more efficient than switching between different types of work throughout the day.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:35 — 40.9MB) | Embed

586: Dare to Be Seen Using Podcast Guesting Campaigns: Win-Win Joint Ventures, Reputation Management, and Content Marketing with Kansas City Web Designer Phil Singleton

August 17, 2018

Phil Singleton is a web designer, an SEO expert and an award-winning author. Since 2005, Phil has owned and operated a digital agency based in Kansas City.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:37 — 40.9MB) | Embed

In 2016, Phil and John Jantsch, of Duct Tape Marketing, co-wrote, SEO for Growth: The Ultimate Guide for Marketers, Web Designers & Entrepreneurs. SEO for Growth is an Amazon bestseller and has been listed as a top marketing book by Mashable, Oracle and The Huffington Post. It's also been featured on MSNBC and was named by Forbes as the #1 SEO book on its list of “Essential SEO Books for Every Startup to Read”.

Phil is also the author of a popular WordPress SEO plugin that has been downloaded over 100,000 times in the last year.

Phil's latest startup venture, Podcast Bookers, is a service that helps marketers and executives get booked on established podcasts as way to develop authority and personal branding, improve SEO, and most importantly, generate new leads and sales.

Quotes:

“I've never done anything that provides as much bang for the buck as getting booked on established podcasts.” – Phil Singleton

“If you’re into blogging, podcasting, or being a podcast guest, step back and analyze the entire process. Look for ways to optimize and unlock additional benefits—that’s how you can amplify its impact significantly.” - Phil Singleton

“I'm not a really good salesperson in terms of selling other people stuff, I only sell what's working for me.” - Phil Singleton

Takeaways:

01:37 Podcast guesting offers massive marketing benefits with minimal effort, providing SEO boosts, audience exposure, and reputation management.

17:32 Podcast appearances can help push down negative online content and improve personal branding.

20:14 Transcribe and repurpose podcast episodes as blog content to maximize SEO potential.

30:19 Always aim to deliver high-value content when appearing as a podcast guest, focusing on educating rather than direct selling.

34:47 Build your own podcast to capture subscribers and create a complete content marketing ecosystem.

Resources

Podcast Bookers (Podcast Booking Service)
SEO for Growth (Book)
Kansas City Web Design & SEO (Service)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:37 — 40.9MB) | Embed

585: Write Your Book in a Flash to Create the Paint By Numbers Big Business Card of Your Dreams, Apply Structured Creativity, Grow Your Confidence, and Land Your Ideal Clients with Dan Janal

August 15, 2018

Dan Janal helps leaders build their brands with books. He has written more than a dozen books. His latest book is called "Write Your Book in a Flash: The Paint-by-Numbers Systems for Writing the Book of Your Dreams - Fast!"

When Dan helps thought leaders and business executives write their books, he helps them take their businesses to the next level and exert greater influence.
Dan has spoken everywhere from Beijing to Budapest, from Brazil to Boston. He taught classes at Berkeley and Stanford.
He was president of his National Speakers Association chapter in Minnesota. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from Northwestern University.
Dan was an award-winning daily newspaper reporter and business newspaper editor who interviewed President Gerald Ford and First Lady Barbara Bush.

Quotes:

“Good is good enough and perfection is the enemy of done.” – Dan Janal

“The purpose of a book, especially for an entrepreneur, is a big business card. It's a way for your prospects to get to know, like and trust you, so they want to do business with you.” - Dan Janal

“No one wants to read the encyclopedia about a specific topic. The purpose of the book is to solve a problem. That's the only reason why anyone will read a book or buy a book is to solve a problem.” - Dan Janal

Takeaways:

04:18 Writing a book doesn't require being super motivated every single day; you can fill in outline pieces when inspiration strikes.

05:38 Overcoming mental blocks is crucial - writers shouldn't accept "writer's block" as a legitimate excuse to stop working.

17:29 A business book should solve a specific client problem and serve as a powerful marketing tool, not an exhaustive encyclopedia.

21:15 Books today are most effective when they're short, targeted, and quickly consumable by busy professionals.

26:55 You can write a book using existing materials like blog posts, quotes, and transcripts instead of starting from scratch.

Resources

For Information About His Book Coaching, Developmental Editing Or Ghostwriting, Go To: Write Your Book In A Flash (Website)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:04 — 30.3MB) | Embed

584: The CLICK Technique, 5-Day Launch Challenges and Local Podcasts: Create a Five-Figure Funnel Through Curiosity, Landing Pages, Irresistible Offers, Then Cultivate and Keep Going with One-Click Lindsey Anderson

August 13, 2018

One-Click Lindsey is a web strategy expert working with small business owners to help them utilize the web to produce more website trafﬁc and leads.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:23 — 43.4MB) | Embed

Lindsey is the founder and CEO TrafﬁcAndLeads.com that specializes in driving trafﬁc, getting leads and the art of nurturing leads to become lifelong clients. One-Click Lindsey is an expert in landing pages, email sequences, search engine ranking, newsletters, analytics, social media, pay-per-click ads, websites, blogging … the list goes on. She knows how to utilize the myriad of online marketing options to generate more trafﬁc and leads which produces more paying clients.

One Click Lindsey is here to unpack the C.L.I.C.K. technique, which stands for:

Curiosity (content)
Landing Page (professional, mobile, Google Analytics, Facebook pixel)
Irresistible Offer
Cultivate (follow-up)
Keep Going

She also explains the 5-day launch challenge and her strategy of creating a "local" city-based podcast to talk to potential clients.

Quotes:

“The more you email market, the better. What I don't want you to do is email three times in a week and then not email them for six months. That is not going to work.” – Lindsey Anderson

“Don't get caught up in the stats. It's all about relationships. Just focus on one-on-one relationships and your business will grow.” - Lindsey Anderson

“People do business with people, and not just dry, stuffy people sharing facts.” - Lindsey Anderson

Takeaways:

02:34 Consistent, simple content creation beats perfect, overthought marketing strategies.

06:50 Use multiple content pillars to keep your marketing fresh and personal.

24:01 Focus on steady, long-term marketing efforts rather than seeking instant results.

29:07 Create urgency and engagement through time-limited, interactive challenges.

36:05 Build genuine relationships by helping others without expecting immediate returns.

Resources

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:23 — 43.4MB) | Embed

583: Beyond the Book: Embark on the Quest for Greatness, Never Stop Marketing, Fight Obscurity, Become Memorable Using an Audio Logo, and Get High Paying Clients with Trevor Crane

August 10, 2018

Trevor Crane is an 11 time #1 international bestselling author and the founder of Epic Author Publishing.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:45 — 52.9MB) | Embed

He is the also host of the GreatnessQuest.com podcast and co-founder of SuperKidsBooks.com.

Trevor's mission is to help publish 1000 new authors and help people take their LIFE and their BUSINESS to the next level – no matter how successful they already are.

Since 2003, Trevor has been a trusted business adviser, coach and mentor. He is president of Step Up Strategies, Inc. and together with his team, they help companies outperform, outsell, and outlast the competition through systemic and strategic consulting, coaching, training, marketing and support. He helps his clients generate MILLIONS OF DOLLARS in bottom line profits.

Trevor leads mentoring and mastermind programs for service based professionals and entrepreneurs with his wife, Robyn Crane.

Trevor is also a sought after speaker, trainer and coach. His unique commonsense approach, along with his humor, wit, and infectious energy, allows him to connect with any audience.

Quotes:

“Money is simply a measure of the greatness, goodness, and contributions you provide to others. It is a privilege and an honor to receive it, and it becomes your moral duty and responsibility to seek substantial wealth to make a greater impact.” – Trevor Crane

“If all you do is try to stay within the lines and make everybody happy, you will lose. So, to have the courage, stick your head up and go out and get something.” - Trevor Crane

“The hero is the person that has the courage and the intelligence to ask for help, receive it, and then walk the golden brick road.” - Trevor Crane

Takeaways:

04:40 Your book must have a clear next step for readers, not just be a standalone product.

06:57 Success comes from understanding who your book is for, what problem it solves, and what results it delivers.

18:56 Build a platform and audience that grows with each book, creating a self-sustaining marketing cycle.

22:21 Craft a clear, concise audio logo that explains who you help, what problem you solve, and the results you deliver.

39:40 Stop hiding and start promoting; waiting for perfect conditions means missing opportunities to connect with your audience.

54:30 Have the courage to be seen and heard, even if it means being polarizing or facing potential criticism.

Resources

High Paying Clients (Free Book)
Big Money With Your Book without Selling a Single Copy (Free Book)
Trevor Crane (Official Site)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:45 — 52.9MB) | Embed

582: Niche Down and Play Bigger: Evangelize and Redesign the Problem, Market Differently, and Master Category Design with Christopher Lochhead

August 9, 2018

Christopher Lochhead, author of Play Bigger (and now, Niche Down) is THE person to listen to if you're looking for the courage to stand out (in your life and business) using what's called "category design."

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:12 — 34.1MB) | Embed

If you'd like to become LEGENDARY by carving out your own category -- in the same way Apple, 5 Hour Energy, CarMax, Goldiblocks, and The World's First Arcade Bar (Barcade) did -- then you'll need to market AND redesign the problem you're solving so you can't be compared to anyone else.

Teach the world to think in a different (NOT better) way!

Quotes:

“Legendary entrepreneurs are intuitive category designers. They realize that the way they're going to be successful is actually not marketing a product and its features, but marketing a problem and a point of view about why that problem matters.” – Christopher Lochhead

“Legends don't want to be compared to anyone else. They want everyone that comes after them to be compared to them. They want to break and take new ground.” - Christopher Lochhead

“The number one problem in business today is failure to niche down or set a different way. Nobody buys a solution without a problem.” - Christopher Lochhead

Takeaways:

03:24 The most impactful innovators don't compete in existing markets - they create entirely new ones by reimagining problems.

05:46 Stop trying to be better than competitors. Create a unique market category that solves problems differently.

12:03 Successful entrepreneurs evangelize a problem, not just sell a solution. They teach people to see challenges from a new perspective.

29:28 Niching down isn't just for big companies. Small businesses and individuals can carve out specialized spaces by focusing on specific problems.

35:30 Your unique difference is your greatest strength. Have the courage to stand out and create your own path.

Resources

Legends and Losers (Podcast)
Niche Down: How To Become Legendary By Being Different (Book)
Play Bigger: How Pirates, Dreamers, and Innovators Create and Dominate Markets (Book)
Christopher Lochhead (LinkedIn)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:12 — 34.1MB) | Embed

581: Passion Plus Commitment Equals Success: Love What You Do, Practice Gratitude, Challenge Yourself and Win with Elysia Stobbe

August 8, 2018

Certified Military Relocation Pro, Wonder Woman Adventurer, Speaker and Author of the #1 Best Seller How To Get Approved for the Best Mortgage Without Sticking A Fork in Your Eye.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:12 — 30.5MB) | Embed

Elysia Stobbe has closed more than $250 million in residential mortgage loans during her career. Through diligence and great service to her clients, Elysia not only survived, but actually thrived during the mortgage crisis that began in 2006. Through a relentless and never-ending commitment to customer service and integrity as a core value, Elysia has built a successful mortgage business in the midst of the industry's tightening regulations. Elysia has moved 10 times and has a unique perspective that she brings to her real estate business. In addition, Elysia has bought and sold over 30 properties as a real estate investor.

She tells us how to maximize your potential, prevent stagnation, and challenge yourself to break through limits and reach new heights. Elysia shares her daily routine, tips on staying organized, and five secrets to money and business success:

pay yourself
build cash reserves
get access to lines of credit BEFORE you need the credit
create a SEP IRA
know your exit strategy

Quotes:

“If you're not growing, you're dying. Sticking to the status quo leads to boredom, much like neglecting exercise causes muscles to atrophy.” – Elysia Stobbe

“Your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, and your actions become your reality.” - Elysia Stobbe

“There really is no easy street to becoming financially free. It is hard work, but you need the tools, and you definitely need the motivation to make that happen.” - Elysia Stobbe

Takeaways:

01:10 Technology is changing fast, and businesses must anticipate future trends to stay competitive.

06:57 Passion and commitment are essential for building a successful business that you truly enjoy.

18:57 Practice daily gratitude and create a morning routine that energizes and focuses you.

21:33 Break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps to maintain motivation and progress.

30:25 Always have a clear exit strategy when building a business to ensure long-term financial security.

Resources

How to Get Approved for the Best Mortgage Without Sticking a Fork in Your Eye (Book)
Elysia Stobbe ~ Mortgage Marketing Coach and Mentor (LinkedIn)
Elysia Stobbe (Twitter)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:12 — 30.5MB) | Embed

580: Convey Your Message Using Membership Sites, Gamify Learning for Your Customers, and Live Your Best Moments of Truth with Issac Tolpin

August 6, 2018

Isaac Tolpin is one of the Founders of ConveYour.com, the #1 Micro-Learning platform for influencers and companies.

He's a tech entrepreneur and futurist at heart, on a mission, enabling brands to authentically connect and inform at scale with over 105 million in combined revenues from the companies he's helped build. His success comes from understanding the relationships between human behavior, business and technology. This expertise has helped celebrity influencers and companies to transform their knowledge into humanized digital training. He refuses to waste his life achieving the world's definition of success that leave so many empty, but instead does what matters through the projects he's involved with, those he serves, and the family he leads.

Quotes:

“Technology has come so far that people building courses shouldn't create something that bores people to death. Whether it's in a company or you're selling your information, leveraging your content, the experience matters as much as the content matters.” – Issac Tolpin

“Money is a poor motivator because it'll motivate you for a while, but it doesn't necessarily motivate you to create the things that really matter.” - Issac Tolpin

“If you're not authentic in every aspect of your life, people will quickly sense it and be turned off, often without understanding why.” - Issac Tolpin

Takeaways:

04:40 Making online courses fun and interactive is more important than having perfect, polished video production.

07:20 Gamification works across all ages by tapping into people's natural desire for recognition and achievement.

16:50 Earning rewards through points creates a more meaningful learning experience and filters out less committed participants.

21:00 Being authentic in business and personal life is crucial for building genuine connections with people.

23:15 Chasing money alone will not sustain motivation; meaningful purpose is essential for long-term success.

Resources

ConveYour (Gamified membership sites)
Isaac Tolpin: Build More Than a Business (Official Site)
Isaac Tolpin (LinkedIn)
Isaac Tolpin (Twitter)

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

579: Build Your Championship Company, Overcome the Seven Deadliest Employee Communication Sins, and Manage High Performance Teams with Workplace Communication Expert Skip Weisman

August 5, 2018

Skip Weisman, The Leadership & Workplace Communication Expert, spent the first 20-years of his career leading professional baseball organizations, 16 as CEO. That experience in professional sports allows him to connect championship performance in sports to championship performance small business, Bringing the Right People Into the Right Environment to Deliver the Right Results!

Skip’s powerful leadership communication strategies, combined with his Championship Game Plan and Playbooks, bring championship performance to work environments in every industry. Despite his sports background, Skip connects with every type of audience because his experiences, stories and lessons come from your typical office environment anyone can relate to.

Quotes:

“To achieve championship performance in sports, communication, trust, and respect among coworkers and colleagues are vital.” – Skip Weisman

“Every problem, frustration, upset, and success in business is ultimately rooted in some form of communication.” - Skip Weisman

“People want to do a good job; they care about you, as well as the present and future state of your company.” - Skip Weisman

Takeaways:

06:55 Preparation and early planning are critical for business success, even months before a major event or launch.

14:00 Employees want to contribute and care about the company when given trust and meaningful responsibilities.

16:49 Small businesses can benefit from neutral third-party assessments that help break down communication barriers.

22:47 Communication problems are the root cause of most workplace challenges and conflicts.

24:40 Creating a positive work environment requires listening to employees and giving them a genuine voice.

Resources

The 7 Deadliest Communications Sins (Book)
Skip Weisman Speaks (Official Site)
Skip Weisman - Getting Employees to Think Beyond the Paycheck (LinkedIn)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:42 — 27.2MB) | Embed

578: Holistic Tax Planning: Save Money As an Entrepreneur Using Health Insurance, Life Insurance, and Income Strategy with Money Geek Michael Dinich

July 30, 2018

Michael Dinich is the founder of Your Money Geek and he helps people retire early by reducing taxes, fees and costs. He blogs about personal finance and he’s here to share the latest tactics, tips and strategies entrepreneurs need to know about regarding personal finance, tax planning, life insurance and health insurance.

Quotes:

“Dollars are not merely money; they represent moments you exchanged for a better future.” – Michael Dinich

“The tax code is more complicated than many people realize, with various phase-outs, exemptions, and factors based on your income.” - Michael Dinich

“Life often unfolds in the middle, but balanced and fair headlines don’t usually attract clicks.” - Michael Dinich

Takeaways:

01:39 Tax planning should be a year-round strategy, not just a once-a-year event during tax season.

03:56 Entrepreneurs need flexible financial strategies that adapt to changing income levels and business conditions.

14:05 Health insurance costs can be significantly reduced by carefully managing your modified adjusted gross income.

20:25 Finding the right financial professional requires research and understanding your specific business needs.

22:10 Life insurance offers more than just a death benefit - it can be a strategic financial planning tool for retirement and business financing.

Resources

Wealth of Geeks (Financial Planning)
Michael Dinich (Blog)
Michael Dinich (LinkedIn)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:05 — 26.7MB) | Embed

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Making the Time

Motivation

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