Interview
295: Discover Your Content Personality: Thought Leadership, Branding, and Content Strategy with Shannon Hernandez
Shannon Hernandez from MShannonHernandez.com and Content Strategy Academy wants you to take a content personality quiz for a very important reason: the content you're creating (audios, videos, books, live streaming) is most likely clashing with your personality.
Listen in as Shannon shares content ideas with us (benefits, drawbacks, why vs. alternatives), how to pace yourself, stay in alignment, and attract the right people into your business.
Quotes:
“Don't be who you're not. People will see through that—whether it's your message, your marketing, or the content you're putting out into the world.” – Shannon Hernandez
“When you're having fun in your business and fun in life, it's fun to keep going, it's inspiring, and you're getting results.” – Shannon Hernandez
“Honor people's time and space, and let's give them what they need right away.” – Shannon Hernandez
Takeaways:
07:43 Matching content creation to your personality helps you enjoy marketing and attract the right audience.
15:22 You don't need to create content in every format - focus on your top two content personality types.
18:31 Quality matters more than quantity when producing content for your business.
22:05 Consistency in content creation builds your brand's reputation and expertise.
23:25 Give yourself permission to stop creating content that feels like a chore.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:13 — 37.4MB) | Embed
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293: Kindle Machine: Build a Loyal Fanbase, Drive Traffic and Become a Self-Published Author with Adam Houge
Adam Houge is a preacher, teacher, novelist, and #1 international best-selling author of over 100 books on the Christian faith. A health crisis forced him to become a full-time Kindle author, and he's learned all the secrets about Amazon's ranking algorithm, how to produce lots of books quickly (and consistently), how to research books, get lots of buyers and reviews, and send traffic.
Quotes:
“Turn your lemons into a lemonade stand and share it. Turn your mess into a message, and share that with others.” – Adam Houge
“If you can't get it in front of eyes, you can't get it out there. If it's a product you're trying to sell, the more eyes you get on it, the more you're going to sell.” – Adam Houge
“A target audience isn't defined by who you are targeting—it's more about the interest that they have.” – Adam Houge
Takeaways:
10:35 Set clear, achievable writing goals to overcome procrastination and boost productivity.
19:18 Build an engaged email list to drive consistent book promotions and gather reviews.
22:15 Focus on defining a specific target audience and genre before creating multiple books.
25:46 Understand and adapt to platform algorithms to maintain book visibility and sales.
29:58 Invest time in crafting a compelling book description, as it's your primary sales tool.
Resources
- Adam Houge (Official Site)
- Adam Houge's books (Books)
- The Fanbase Formula (Free Video Series)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:22 — 29.6MB) | Embed
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292: Get a Copywriter Today, Discover Aggressive Content Marketing, and Scale a Service-As-A-Service with Gabe Arnold
Gabe Arnold from CopywriterToday.net wants to write your emails, blog posts, and press releases, so that you don't have to. Listen in as he tells you how content marketing can help your business, and how he discovered (and grew) this "service-as-a-service" model that provides unlimited content to monthly buyers.
Quotes:
“If you can commoditize your product or service, you can reach the masses. And when you can reach the masses, you have a business that can scale and is far more profitable and stable than doing one-off consulting or project-based work.” – Gabe Arnold
“You have to be able to jump in and do whatever it takes. You need to get your hands dirty and do everything to truly understand what's going on.” – Gabe Arnold
“The people who have been most successful with us came in with the mindset of taking the first few weeks to a month to get everything synced up and get everyone on the same page.” – Gabe Arnold
Takeaways:
07:58 Getting your hands dirty and understanding every detail of your business is crucial for long-term success.
14:31 Launch quickly and simply, then refine based on customer feedback rather than getting stuck in over-complicated planning.
18:57 Create an automated hiring process that filters candidates through practical tests, ensuring only top-tier talent joins your team.
24:50 Build a content service that offers flexibility across different business sizes, from small businesses to large agencies.
27:35 Expect a 90-day learning curve when starting with a new service, focusing on clear communication and feedback.
Resources
- Copywriter Today (In The Referral Field, Answer "Robert Plank")
- Design Pickle (Website)
- The Foundation Podcast: Interview with Dan Norris of WP Curve (Podcast)
- WP Curve's hiring process (Blog Post)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:15 — 26.8MB) | Embed
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291: Amazon Done-For-You: The Secret Sauce Behind Profitable FBA Brands with Brad DeGraw
Brad DeGraw from AZDoneForYou.com knows quite a bit about narrowing down the perfect product to sell on Amazon, how to negotiate with suppliers, market products and get reviews and sales. Listen in as he walks us through the process of getting samples, involving an inspection company, getting insurance, researching competitors, and creating images, titles, bullets, a description, and testing pricing. When selling on Amazon, be sure to notice customers' problems, fantasies, and desires to avoid becoming another "me-too" product.
Quotes:
“Find the problem or fantasy desire that exists in the marketplace. It doesn't have to match who you are—it just has to align with a proven model of success.” – Brad DeGraw
“Don't just talk about the product. Don’t make it too technical—talk about the benefits, how it enhances people’s lives, and how it makes them better.” – Brad DeGraw
“If you can save yourself time, money, and—most importantly—stress, do it. You can always get money back, and you always have another day, but minimizing the stress you're building in your life is what we really thrive on.” – Brad DeGraw
Takeaways:
02:14 Amazon is the new Walmart, offering entrepreneurs a chance to change their income level by selling the right product.
08:13 Always aim for a minimum 300% markup when selecting products to sell on Amazon, with 5x markup being ideal.
11:09 Keep initial product orders small to minimize risk and allow quick improvements based on early customer feedback.
14:26 Outsource technical tasks like product listing and graphics creation to experts who can execute them more effectively.
22:58 Success in product creation comes from understanding customer problems, fantasies, and desires through careful review analysis.
Resources
- AZ Done For You (Website)
- Amazon Sherpa (Site)
- Freeeup (Outsourcing For Graphics)
- JungleScout (Website)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:27 — 22.4MB) | Embed
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290: Webinar Ninja: Present Live, Automated, Summit, and Hybrid Webinars By Keeping it Simple with Omar Zenhom
Omar Zenhom from Webinar Ninja wants you to use webinars to make your business stand out. You can present a live webinar (on or off camera), automated webinars, summits, and hybrids. Your first webinar could simply be a Q&A session where you answer common questions. Webinars can also serve as a nice bridge for you to become a better public speaker and sell from the stage.
Quotes:
“Trust is the most valuable asset you have in your business, and you want to earn it. The whole point of the webinar is to build trust with your audience.” – Omar Zenhom
“Delivery is really what we're rehearsing here—not the content. The content is something you should already know, because it's what you're talking about.” – Omar Zenhom
“The hardest part of doing a webinar is just doing your first one—so get that out of the way first.” – Omar Zenhom
Takeaways:
00:33 Webinars are powerful lead generation tools that capture email addresses, allowing direct follow-up with interested audiences.
03:02 Trust and transparency are paramount - always clearly communicate whether a webinar is live or automated.
17:39 Your first webinar should be a simple, low-pressure Q&A session to build confidence and understand audience needs.
22:30 Rehearsing webinar delivery is more critical than knowing content, focusing on engaging presentation techniques.
30:31 Webinar platforms should simplify technology so hosts can concentrate on delivering valuable content.
Resources
- Ultimate Webinar Course (Course)
- Webinar Ninja (Webinar)
- 100 Dollar MBA (Website)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:20 — 33.3MB) | Embed
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289: Marketing Multipliers: Masterminds, Direct Mail, Membership Sites, Copywriting, Freelancing, Newsletters and Networking with Kevin Donlin
Kevin Donlin from MarketingMultipliers.com has been an online copywriter and direct response master for over 23 years. Copywriting is salesmanship multiplied, and Kevin has tons of amazing advice about how to write copy (and web pages), that get attention and sell. Sell with a credible deadline, don't devalue your offers, and use clear (simple) wording.
Quotes:
“If you never quit, you will succeed. It's as simple as that. The people who quit are the ones who fail.” – Kevin Donlin
“There's no penalty for clarity. If you think so—if that concept offends you—you're going to struggle in your marketing.” – Kevin Donlin
“The cure for writer's block is research. If you run into writer's block, it's because you didn't do your research.” – Kevin Donlin
Takeaways:
07:12 Research and time are critical ingredients in producing high-quality marketing copy and business strategies.
13:26 Simplicity in marketing communication trumps complexity, making your message clear and easy to understand.
37:21 Consistent daily actions and never giving up are the true paths to building a successful business.
40:01 Creating multiple versions of marketing materials, especially headlines, increases the chances of finding truly compelling content.
44:53 Support from peers and accountability groups can significantly accelerate entrepreneurial growth and overcome challenges.
Resources
- Marketing Multipliers Membership Site (Tell Kevin That "Robert Plank Sent Me" When Joining The Site To Get His Marketing Multipliers Book For Free)
- Marketing Multipliers (Book)
- Marketing Optimizer (Split Testing Platform)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:42 — 41.8MB) | Embed
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288: Humanistic Business Management: Find Perspective, Compassion, and Reason in Your Customers and Team Members with Jennifer Hancock
Jennifer Hancock from HumanistLearning.com wants to teach you humanistic business management, which means you integrate ethics and critical thinking when dealing with team members, contractors, or even cranky customers. Stop rewarding bad behavior, and instead, examine how you respond (and what you reinforce), use confident body language, and finally, be calm, measured, and direct.
Jennifer says that angry customers respond in one of three stats: a child state (where you respond that you want to help but need to wait until they calm down), an adult state (where they are calm and professional), or a depressed state (where they "ghost" you).
Quotes:
“Humanistic business management is about being a good person and using your business to do good while also making money.” – Jennifer Hancock
“If you're in business for yourself, obviously you want to make money, but if that's your only reason for being in business, you might make decisions that are unethical.” – Jennifer Hancock
“An adult, compassionate thought is recognizing the other person as fully human and worthy of your compassion.” – Jennifer Hancock
Takeaways:
01:40 Scientific understanding of behavioral psychology can help manage interpersonal dynamics and workplace challenges.
04:10 Personal ethics should be consistent across professional and personal environments.
14:21 When facing difficult interactions, remain calm and avoid rewarding bad behavior to encourage positive change.
22:02 Treat customers and team members with compassion, understanding their emotional state can help resolve conflicts more effectively.
37:34 Workplace culture can shift when a few individuals consistently model professional, ethical behavior.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:02 — 40.3MB) | Embed
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287: Empire Flippers: Buy, Sell, and Flip Web Properties (Including Shopify E-Commerce Stores, Amazon FBA and Kindle Businesses) with Justin Cooke
Justin Cooke from Empire Flippers and the Web Equity Show has a marketplace to help you buy or sell a web business. His service has not only sold standalone websites, but also Amazon Associates, Kindle, and FBA businesses. Listen in as he tells you what pitfalls to avoid as both a buyer and seller.
Quotes:
“The truth is, at the smaller end—people are looking at multiples of profit, so your business has to be making money.” – Justin Cooke
“If you get to the point where you've got another business blowing up, sell it off earlier rather than later.” – Justin Cooke
“The money you put into the business isn't necessarily going to add to its value.” – Justin Cooke
Takeaways:
06:30 Online business value is primarily determined by consistent monthly net profits, not development costs or personal investment.
13:05 Marketplace brokers like Empire Flippers provide critical vetting and guidance to reduce risks for buyers and sellers.
19:04 Collaborative investment models allow people with different skills and capital to jointly own and operate online businesses.
22:23 Buying an online business requires practical skills like WordPress management, content creation, and traffic generation.
24:27 Entrepreneurs should plan to sell businesses when they have stable 12-month earnings and are no longer passionate about the project.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:16 — 35.0MB) | Embed
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286: How to Build Huge Product Lines on Amazon and Flip FBA Businesses with Sophie Howard
Sophie Howard from Aspiring Entrepreneurs sold one US Amazon account in mid 2016 for over 7-figures USD. She developed the Minimum Viable Brand for physical products to be sold online at premium prices and scale fast. She loves sourcing products from around the world, usually in places where no one else is looking.
Quotes:
“If you're not growing on Amazon, you're actually going backward because everyone else is chasing the people doing well.” – Sophie Howard
“I don't want to run an empire. I don't want an enormous team. I don't want to work 60-hour weeks. I want to pick my kids up from school and play every afternoon.” – Sophie Howard
“I'm really focused on profitability and having a smart, small, scalable system for these brands, then being able to sell them, and keeping my time focused on growing the businesses—not being too busy in the businesses.” – Sophie Howard
Takeaways:
04:05 Building multiple low-volume products across a brand is smarter than banking on a single high-selling product.
06:41 Amazon businesses are most valuable when they're built as scalable assets that can be sold, not just income generators.
18:27 Continuous learning and skill development are critical for staying ahead in the rapidly changing e-commerce landscape.
27:10 Successful e-commerce requires deep understanding of brand psychology, including color choices, packaging, and customer identity.
28:07 Sourcing unique products from less-competitive markets creates stronger brand differentiation and reduces direct competition.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:44 — 34.5MB) | Embed
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285: The Wholesale Formula: The Superior Alternative to Retail Arbitrage and Private Labeling on Amazon with Dan Meadors
Dan Meadors from The Wholesale Formula sells products on Amazon. But he wasn't satisfied with retail arbitrage (buying products at discount stores and selling them on Amazon) or private labeling (creating a branded physical product). Instead, Dan works with existing brands to get them more reach on Amazon.
He discusses his thought process (find products that Amazon doesn't sell themselves, sells 50-60 per month, and he'll start with a monthly volume of $500-$600 per month). Many times, Dan find some easy low hanging fruit and improves the product description, adds images and bullet points. He also looks for add-ons that complement that Amazon product.
Quotes:
“We started approaching it from the perspective of serving first, like we wanted to help our brands actually succeed on Amazonl.” – Dan Meadors
“Our value is not necessarily in selling products; our value is in better serving our manufacturers.” – Dan Meadors
“I went from being a person who traditionally had a job and basically had to build my life around that job to being able to do what I want.” – Dan Meadors
Takeaways:
08:14 Creating repeatable systems is more important than simply hiring more people when growing a business.
14:36 Finding untapped product niches on Amazon requires creative thinking and looking beyond mainstream brands.
19:35 Wholesale selling allows entrepreneurs to start with minimal upfront investment and scale systematically.
20:19 Improving product listings can significantly boost sales without massive marketing investments.
30:13 Building strong relationships with smaller brands creates mutual business growth opportunities.
Resources
- Free Report: "The Little Known Business Model We Used To Build a Multi-Million Dollar Company With Only $600" (Guide)
- The Wholesale Formula (Website)
- JungleScout
- SkratchLabs (Nutrition Drink For Bike Riders)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:10 — 32.2MB) | Embed
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