Recent Updates
254: Red Zone Marketing: Make Your Marketing Exciting, Engaging, Unique, Focused, and Helpful from the Right Messaging and Branding with Maribeth Kuzmeski
Maribeth Kuzmeski from RedZoneMarketing.com has some breaking news: most companies' messaging sucks! They don't have a value proposition, story, elevator speech, or anything of the sort. Instead, specialize in something specific, focus on what's in it for your customers, model your competitors, and think about the outcomes/emotions you can provide for people.
Quotes:
“Marketing isn't working at all if nobody's selling anything.” – Maribeth Kuzmeski
“The key to getting someone to pay attention is more about who you work with than what you do, especially if what you do isn't really all that compelling.” – Maribeth Kuzmeski
“The biggest mistake in marketing is not that you're not doing enough or spending enough; it's that you're not messaging yourself correctly.” – Maribeth Kuzmeski
Takeaways:
05:02 Craft a specific, targeted message that focuses on who you help and the outcomes you deliver, not just what you do.
07:57 Develop multiple messaging templates tailored to different target markets and events.
16:03 The most unique part of your business is often the people behind it, not just the product or service.
16:53 Word-of-mouth and personal recommendations are more powerful than generic marketing efforts.
21:56 Your marketing message should address what people want, not just what they need.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:18 — 21.3MB) | Embed
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253: Self-Publishing: Step into Greatness by Transforming Your Personal Story, Experience, and Passion into a Published Book with Michelle Prince
Michelle Prince from MichellePrince.com says that everyone has a story. She's an expert at taking anyone who wants a non-fiction book and fleshing out not only what they want to accomplish with that book, but also developing the first draft and editing it into something publishable. She also talks about the different types of books you can create, from a business card book, a small "7 things" book, a huge story/message book, or a multi-author book where you only write one chapter.
Quotes:
“Everyone has a story, no matter who you are or what you do, but generally, people who want to share their story and get it into the hands of others are those who are ready to step into their greatness.” – Michelle Prince
“Every story matters, you just have to figure out what you want to do with it.” – Michelle Prince
“The biggest mistake all authors make is underestimating the process, how much time it will take, and how many little decisions have to be made along the way.” – Michelle Prince
Takeaways:
00:53 Every professional has a unique story that can be transformed into a book to boost their business credibility.
04:55 A book's purpose varies - from being a business card to creating speaking opportunities to sharing personal development insights.
07:55 The hardest part of writing a book is extracting the author's core message and experiences from their mind.
13:04 The book creation process can take as little as 4-8 hours of focused conversation and questioning to develop a first draft.
16:02 Publishing a book involves more than writing; it requires a clear marketing strategy aligned with the author's specific goals.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:49 — 20.9MB) | Embed
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252: From Lead to Gold: Develop a Life Plan and Business Plan That Results in Happiness and Joy with Alchemy Advisor Stephen Rodgers
Stephen Rodgers from TheAlchemyAdvisors.com wants to help you discover your higher purpose and develop a life/business plan around that. Steve shares his best resources with us and talks about his daily ritual involving exercise, affirmations, yelling/screaming to music, and his daily scoreboard point system.
Quotes:
“Breaking through resistance is the price you pay for the dream you want.” – Stephen Rodgers
“I've learned more from my challenges and my failures than I have from my successes.” – Stephen Rodgers
“Every goal and every action has a gestation period, just like it takes an orange tree a certain amount of time to grow or an elephant baby to be born.” – Stephen Rodgers
Takeaways:
02:39 Connect with a network of professionals and mentors who can provide support and guidance.
05:00 Create a detailed business and life plan with specific goals, timelines, and action steps.
12:55 Look for the "gift" in challenging situations, turning setbacks into opportunities for growth.
17:11 Break down big, ambitious goals into smaller, manageable chunks to maintain motivation and progress.
20:29 Develop a daily ritual that includes exercise, affirmations, and personal accountability to stay focused and motivated.
Resources
- The Alchemy Advisors (Podcast)
- Focal Point Coaching from Brian Tracy (Coaching and Training Website)
- Mind Valley (Website)
- Code of the Extraordinary Mind (Book)
- Think and Grow Rich (Book)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:33 — 26.1MB) | Embed
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251: Launch Copywriting: Be Personable, Develop a Buzz Around Your Product, and Succeed with Sarah Grear
Sarah Grear from SarahGrear.com/robertrules is a copywriter who enjoys creating the "launch stack"... creating a website with landing pages, marketing emails, funnel, opt-in pages, Facebook ads, and more.
She explains her copywriting process to us, common mistakes people make when launching their products, and the things you need to know to make your upcoming product launch a huge success.
Quotes:
“People really respect and admire you for bringing extra value without necessarily saying it and just surprising them.” – Sarah Grear
“One thing that I see people do is they assume they know what their customer wants without getting the exact language that their customer would use.” – Sarah Grear
“As a copywriter, part of what I do is look at the surveys, ask for the surveys, and find out why people aren't buying their product or why they did buy the product.” – Sarah Grear
Takeaways:
01:46 Showing up on camera and being visible can unexpectedly open up professional opportunities.
05:18 Offering additional value beyond your core service can make you stand out in a competitive market.
14:48 Breaking down complex launch campaigns into manageable, time-boxed stages helps maintain clarity and efficiency.
16:29 Batching work and having dedicated production days can significantly improve productivity and client satisfaction.
26:29 Understanding customer language through surveys and direct conversations is crucial for creating compelling marketing copy.
Resources:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:06 — 28.5MB) | Embed
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250: Strictly Marketing: Debug the System, Follow-Up, and Outsource with Kerry Heaps
Kerry Heaps from StrictlyMarketingMagazine.com has had to wear a lot of hats in her offline and online business career. She has some very helpful and interesting thoughts about outsourcing, fine-tuning your business, making more sales, and having stronger marketing.
Quotes:
“One thing I've learned in my 12 years is you never want to take on a company and promise things you can't deliver.” – Kerry Heaps
“If something isn't working for the company or they're not seeing the results they need, even though at some point they have to take responsibility for it, I still want to work with them.” – Kerry Heaps
“You have to go out there and market your business. So you might as well keep that pipeline full. Thinking someone isn't interested is your thinking, not theirs.” – Kerry Heaps
Takeaways:
05:12 Past work experiences, even in unrelated fields, can provide valuable skills and insights for current business challenges.
07:41 Business owners should maintain some control when outsourcing tasks, but also learn to gradually let go and trust specialists.
12:13 It's important to be honest about whether your services are a good fit for a potential client, even if it means turning down business.
15:56 When helping clients, focus on solving specific problems in their sales process by creating creative, engaging solutions that add value.
25:28 Consistent, patient follow-up is critical in sales, and most businesses give up too quickly when pursuing potential clients.
Resources:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:38 — 27.1MB) | Embed
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Formula for an Easy Book on Amazon
The other day, I asked my subscribers about what they were working on and what they planned on accomplishing by "Friday" of that week...
A recurring theme is that people are either listing a bunch of things, possibly more than they'll realistically complete (sound familiar?) or it's a lot of different things -- sounds like lots of switching gears and putting out different fires... sound familiar?
I have great news... with a little bit of focus (and following a system) you can get all those money making tasks of yours done. The secret is to do things QUICKLY that way all the little
"must-do" things in your business don't pile up...
And how's this for speed? Everyone needs a book, whether it's to land clients, sell products, land joint venture partners, etc. and everyone "thinks" it's "supposed" to be "hard" and take
6 months, 12 months, 24 months... Well... how about 12 hours?
That's right... just a few weeks ago, I woke up at around 6AM with an idea for a book... within 30 minutes, I was speaking it out, and less than an hour later, it was done... a 30 page,
9000 word book...
I took the afternoon off and saw that Amazon gave the "okay" on the published book around 6PM that evening...
So it's possible to do things fast... and... did you know that publishing a book (Kindle and physical) is completely free? Amazon just takes a cut... click here to check out the whole story:
Free PDF download...
Your Book Made Easy: How We Went from "Idea" to Published Book in Under 12 Hours
249: Your Uniqueness, Your Authenticity, Your Superpower and Your Messaging with MaryJo Cranmore
MaryJo Cranmore from MaryJoCranmore.com and Message2Media.com says that you have a unique ability (a superpower) and that can be the basis for the branding that you cultivate. Take those raw materials, hobbies, your skillset (what you've learned), your accomplishments (your experiences), and that unique piece of you to get noticed and stand out from the crowd.
Quotes:
“We are truly in the age of the authenticity movement. It's about not being afraid, as a company or entrepreneur, to allow yourself to be part of the offering.” – MaryJo Cranmore
“Your superpower is something you haven't necessarily cultivated, but you've used your whole life. When people talk about you when you're not in the room, that's generally what they mention.” – MaryJo Cranmore
“You have to be interesting and break through the fog of what people understand about your business to give them something new and tell them something they don't know.” – MaryJo Cranmore
Takeaways:
09:02 Finding your unique "superpower" helps you stand out from competitors and attract the right clients.
11:19 Testimonials and word-of-mouth recommendations are more powerful than traditional advertising.
16:09 Media exposure is about offering a fresh perspective on current events, not just creating news.
18:19 When appearing on camera or in interviews, focus on helping the audience and being yourself rather than trying to be clever.
20:08 Authenticity in business means allowing your personal traits and experiences to be part of your professional offering.
Resources:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:10 — 21.2MB) | Embed
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248: Intuitive Art Academy: Certification Programs, Relaxation, Knowledge and Intuition with Rachel Archelaus
Rachel Archelaus from RachelArchelaus.com and IntuitiveArtAcademy.com has some entrepreneurial advice to share with you when it comes to tapping into your creativity, getting outside of your own head, and turning on your brain flow.
Her method involves asking the right questions of yourself, drawing on crayons (or colored pencils) and paper, scribbling with your eyes closed, and then decoding the drawings and colors used in that drawing to achieve huge insights. She also talks about the up's and down's of her business journey and shares ways to be more productive and give yourself more credit for your accomplishments.
Quotes:
“The more I trust my intuition or instincts, the less I have to strategize and think about things.” – Rachel Archelaus
“Your intuition is never really going to tell you not to pursue your dreams; it might tell you to hold off on making a decision, and something better will come along.” – Rachel Archelaus
“The path to success or whatever outcome you're seeking is never a straight line.” – Rachel Archelaus
Takeaways:
01:49 Intuition is your first voice - the initial instinct before overthinking kicks in.
05:18 Creative activities like doodling or walking in nature help clear mental space for intuitive insights.
17:42 Developing a certification program can expand your business reach and create additional revenue streams.
18:43 Automating business processes and hiring a part-time assistant can free you to focus on strategic thinking and travel.
23:39 Trusting your own knowledge and capabilities is more powerful than constantly seeking external validation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:59 — 24.7MB) | Embed
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247: Tame the High Cost of College: Pursue Side Hustles and Entrepreneurial Adventures with Brad Baldridge
Brad Baldridge is a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of experience who specializes in college financial planning. Since 2004, he has been a college consultant and founder of "Taming the High Cost of College," a consulting service aimed at helping families navigate college expenses. Brad hosts a podcast under the same name, which features over 100 episodes discussing various aspects of college planning, including test preparation, scholarships, and financial strategies. He offers free resources on his website, including an EFC calculator and a scholarship guide for parents.
Quotes:
“A lot of entrepreneurs' successful business was their sixth try, not their first. And if it's going to take you six tries, the sooner you get the first five done, the sooner you start making money.” – Brad Baldridge
“College planning is a challenge for many families. You can think of planning for college like planning a large family vacation, buying a car, and finding a job for your student all rolled into one.” – Brad Baldridge
“I always tell people there are probably 100 strategies out there or more, and five or ten are going to be right for you. The challenge is figuring out which five or ten those are and getting out there and doing them.” – Brad Baldridge
Takeaways:
03:14 Involving kids in family businesses can be an effective way to fund college expenses while teaching entrepreneurial skills.
09:08 Entrepreneurial strategies for college funding can include side hustles, hiring kids in the family business, and exploring tax-efficient income methods.
13:31 Not every family or student is suited for entrepreneurial approaches, so multiple college funding strategies should be considered.
17:08 College planning is complex and requires early preparation, starting as early as sophomore year of high school.
22:13 Educating yourself about college planning through podcasts, resources, and early research can significantly reduce financial stress.
Resources:
- I’ll Show You How to Save on College Costs | Taming the High Cost of College
- Connect with Brad Baldridge on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:13 — 27.7MB) | Embed
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246: Authority Content: Document Your Magic, Delegate Your Business, and Get Off the Hamster Wheel with David Jenyns
David Jenyns from AuthorityContent.com heard of a marketer who sold pieces of the Brooklyn Bridge and modeled this success to sell the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
He's discovered that you can model (not copy) an idea to make it your own and then own that success or failure. Drill down to a speciality, find a specific need, and sell it to the immediate crowd in front of you.
David has a number of insights about direct mail, online marketing and SEO, getting attention, systems/processes, and delegation. He talks with us today about recurring revenue and the 3 P's of content marketing:
- Present: organize a (one-take) live event to teach your best content to a real crowd (take photos)
- Product: repurpose that content in a 4-day cash machine
- Promote: repurpose into hundreds of pieces of audio and video
Resources
- Authority Content (Book)
- System Hub (Website)
- Mebourne SEO Service (YouTube)
- David (Twitter)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:51 — 33.7MB) | Embed
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