Recent Updates
870: Perfect Guide to Starting a Podcast with Colin Gray

Thinking of starting a podcast? You have concepts, and you've got some ideas. You have themes. You want to talk about something you're passionate about, and launching a podcast is a great method. However, you should not begin your podcast without first considering a few key factors. Even if your show is going to be a pastime at first, chances are you want it to be as successful as possible.
Colin Gray is the founder of The Podcast Host, a website dedicated to helping anyone start and grow a successful podcast. With over 11 years of experience in the podcasting industry, Colin has established himself as an expert in the field. In addition to running The Podcast Host, he is also the founder of Alitu, a software tool that simplifies the podcast production process. Today, Colin shares his journey in building The Podcast Host and Alitu, sharing insights on the importance of providing valuable free content to build trust and credibility with his audience.
Quotes
“I can split myself into two parts. I do a Planning Day at the start of every month to outline my higher-level goals for that month. Then, every Monday morning, I revisit that higher-level plan and create a more detailed manager-level plan for the week.” - Colin Gray
“It's not just that everyone is different. Everyone does have different ways of working, but equally, you yourself have many different ways of working inside you as well.” - Colin Gray
“If you're switching from one type of task to another, it takes your mind a little while to flip, change mindset, and adapt to the new task.” - Colin Gray
Takeaways
00:34 Providing valuable free content is crucial for building trust and credibility with an audience.
10:43 Balancing innovation and reliability is a key challenge in software development.
12:15 Implementing structured time management strategies can help increase productivity and reduce stress.
21:48 Recognizing and embracing different working styles within oneself can lead to more effective task management.
26:51 Segregating tasks and planning ahead can help maintain momentum and ensure consistent progress.
Resources:
- The Podcast Host: Helping you launch, grow & run your show
- Alitu: The powerfully simple podcast maker that turns your passion into a published podcast in a third of the time.
- Follow Colin Gray on Facebook
- Connect with Colin Gray on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:42 — 46.5MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
Testing the Wrong Thing: How Often to Send Emails? (And Other Dangerous Ideas)
What do you think would happen if you spent all your time...
- Trying to come up with the perfect product name?
- Trying to figure out what's the best time of day to send out emails?
- Trying to find the perfect price?
- Trying to decide if your product should have 4 modules, 8 modules, 100 pages, 5 hours, 10 hours?
- Trying to add more content to that product before it was launched?
- Trying to decide if you should send 1 email per day, 1 email per week, or 1 email per month?
I hate to be a broken record for the last decade, but this is how you make money on the internet...
- Find that overlap between: a real need people are having (and are willing to pay money for), and the perfect solution you can provide using your skillset
- Cut up that solution into four "parts" or modules, making sure people get real tangible results from module #1 that erases the entire cost of the course and that modules 2, 3, and 4 build on top of that
- Record a 1-hour video for each module, making sure to give them a goal or result after each lesson
- Put those inside a membership site, create a payment button so people have to pay at LEAST $97 for access, add that button to a blank web page
- Create a sales letter above that payment button,
Persuasion & Influence: The Most Important Blog Post You’ll Ever Read If You Ever Wanted to Sell Anything Online
Component #1: Stage of the Selling Process
(A.I.D.A.)
- Attention: what's in this for me, why should I give you 30 seconds of my time? (usually a shocking statement, bold claim, promise, or newsworthy statement)
- Interest: who are you, why should I listen, how does it relate to me?
- Desire: what is your offer, what does it do, why would I want it?
- Action: what do you want me to do right now to get it?
A very common mistake I see with sales letters (or with teaching of any kind) is that someone's got this in the wrong order. They're trying to sell something before they've demonstrated the importance of it, or they haven't captured my attention before they began talking to me. Some of them don't have a very clear call to action!
The point is, just look at your webinar presentation and sales letter and make sure that the ENTIRE presentation as a whole follows AIDA. Starts with attention, moves to interest, then desire, then finally action -- the pitch! Every piece of the webinar itself (intro, teaching, and pitching) should follow AIDA on its own and every slide should also follow AIDA -- even if the "attention" part is the headline of your slide, and the "action" is just to continue listening, watching, and participating in that webinar.
Now that we know the order we're going to proceed in, let's look at what tools we're going to use to do the job -- they are pretty interchangeable...
Component #2: Persuasion Tool
(Robert Cialdini "6 Keys of Influence")
I've seen many people try to explain their "system" for selling and persuading, but only explain one small piece. For example, has anyone tried to be your best friend in order to get you to buy from them (likeability)? It didn't always work, did it? On the other hand, if someone presented a trial offer (reciprocity) it made you buy... but not always, right?
These are the six tools you always use to get what you want, whether you realize it or not:
- Authority: demonstrate higher value, you've got what I want, you know what you're talking about and I should listen to you
- Likeability: we have common ground, we connect on several levels
- Reciprocity: you've done something for me (either a literal gift or taught valuable information) so I want to return the favor
- Commitment & Consistency: I've already agreed with you 20 times in a row, or I've sat through your 1-hour webinar, I want to keep following you
- Social Proof: others see value in what you have so I do too
- Scarcity: if I don't act on this right away, I will miss out in some way (won't be able to buy, will have to buy at a higher price, or won't get results if I wait)
I hope you seeing this list makes you realize why you sell to some people and not others. Honestly, some people will buy from you because they feel like they are you (likeability), because they feel the need to give back to you (reciprocity), because others like you (social proof), or just because you lit a fire under their butt to get them to buy right away (scarcity)...
And the way this REALLY makes sense to me is that authority, likeability, and reciprocity are the high-level strategies you'd use over time to sell high-ticket items. You play on your audience's need for certainty, love, and contribution.
While commitment & consistency, social proof, and scarcity are the cheap "gimmicks" that work great for low-ticket impulse buy sales. Think about it. Bucket brigades, hand raising, and multiple facts in a row (commitment and consistency) will give you a boost. Social proof (testimonials) will give you a boost. Deciding to only offer 100 copies or raise the price on Wednesday, will give you a boost!
The point of these six keys of influence: you need to have SOME of each of the six keys. Even if you don't have testimonials are your social proof, have case studies or explain to me how SOMEONE uses your product.
BUT! I think you're going to realize that the next time you create (or dissect) one of your own headlines, the effective ones uses one of these 6 keys as its MAIN driving force, probably with a 2nd a 3rd. For example, look at this headline:
"43 Smart Marketers Create 94 Information Products In Just A Few Short Weeks, Each In A Single Take, Starting With Almost Zero Training!
You Too Can Create Your Own Online Show, Event, or E-Class Just Like Two Guys Who Have Logged 545 Webinars (Totaling 1050 Hours)"
You could look at that and say it's a SOCIAL PROOF headline. Look at what these people did and you can do it too. I would say the secondary tool we used here was AUTHORITY, check out how well we train our students and how many webinars we ourselves have run. Finally, a 3rd tool that's just barely in there is LIKEABILITY -- we run online shows, events, and e-classes and would like you to do it as well.
Component #3: Underlying Need
(Anthony Robbins "6 Human Needs")
Here's where it gets super cool... if we know where we are in our selling process, we know what our end goal is at this point in time (get them to start reading, or to align with us, or listen to our offer, or buy now). That was component #1. Any of those 6 keys of influence will do it... but how do we know WHICH tool to use???
Ahhh... the answer is to know who you're selling to -- what are their needs? If you think about WHY someone buys your course on Facebook traffic, it's might be because they want to help as many people as possible with their training (contribution) or because they want everyone to know about them (significance)...
I've looked at every which way people try to simplify human needs but motivational speaker Tony Robbins was the only one I've found to break it down in a way that I can always remember...
- Certainty: we need stability in our lives and to maintain what we have
- Variety: we need new adventures and excitement
- Significance: we need others to recognize how great we are
- Love: we need to connect with other human beings
- Growth: we need today to be better than it was 5 years ago
- Contribution: we need to contribute to the greater good
Once again, how does this relate? To make a huge generalization, I would argue that most older men desire CERTAINTY the most. They want to be able to pay their bills and not have to worry. Their #2 need is VARIETY -- can't have the same exact day as yesterday. And #3 for them is SIGNIFICANCE. They still need love, growth, and contribution, but they see those things coming almost automatically as a result of meeting those other three needs. (Picture the ultimate "alpha male" -- William Shatner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Jobs, Donald Trump -- they want certainty, variety and significance ABOVE ALL ELSE!)
Likewise, I would argue that MOST older women value those bottom three items the most... love, growth, and contribution. Do you think Oprah cares if she has $2 billion vs. $3 billion? NOT knowing her personally, I would say that Oprah belives in connecting with people (love), bettering herself as a person (growth), and helping others improve their lives as well (contribution) -- and that any certainty (money), variety (her business), and significance (fame) comes as an automatic result of that and therefore isn't so important.
Customer Avatar
You're going to have some Trumps as your subscribers, some Oprahs and everyone in between but once you get to know enough of your ideal customers you're going to discover your "ideal prospect" (Frank Kern and Eben Pagan call this your customer avatar) -- one imaginary person in your mind that adequately represents your ideal subscriber.
You'll figure out their name, age, appearance, what they do, what their income is, what they buy and THEN when you create a sales letter, or write a headline, you're just writing to that single person. And because you know what motivates them (their #1, #2, and #3 ranking needs), which tool you'll use to match those needs (which of the 6 Cialdini keys) -- then all you need to do is figure out which order to use them in! (which is Attention, Desire, Interest, and Action)
Bringing It All Together...
If you look at it correctly, this table will solve all your problems:
[table id=1 /]
Let me show you how to use it. Let's say your customer avatar is a slightly selfish person who values Variety, Significance, and Growth above all else. Let's also say you were selling a low ticket product so you're going to use Commitment & Consistency, Social Proof, and Scarcity to sell your product.
Now, we've decided that it would make the most sense if we opened with Social Proof, used Commitment & Consistency to keep them reading, and ended with Scarcity to really push them to buy right now.
Here's what we have so far:
- Attention: Variety + Social Proof
- Interest: Significance + Commitment & Consistency
- Desire: ???
- Action: Growth + Scarcity
We want to begin, build and end strong so I've listed our avatar's top three human needs in order as Attention, Interest, and Action, respectively. By the time someone is in the "Desire" stage, we're already explaining our offer to them, so we can put the remaining weakest pieces in there.
- Attention: Variety + Social Proof
- Interest: Significance + Commitment & Consistency
- Desire: (Certainty, Love, Contribution) + (Authority, Likability, Reciprocity)
- Action: Growth + Scarcity
How does this all come together? Let's consult our chart... for the headline (Action phase) we're going to start with a before and after statement, such as...
"If You're Not Using These Video Sales Tactics In Every Website and Sales Letter You Create, You Might as Well Throw $10 in the Trash Every Time Someone Visits Your Landing Page!
On the Other Hand, Apply This Easy 6-Step Formula and You'll Notice an Increase in Traffic, Higher Customer Response, and More Sales... Which Means More Money For You!"
Now for the "interest" step... significance + commitment & consistency = limited slots.
869: Use Branding to Discover Your Target Audience with Ernie Harker

Is your brand getting KO'd by the competition? Why is branding important for your business? A strong brand matches colors, words, emotions, beliefs, and attitudes to earn the customers that you want most.
Ernie Harker is an experienced entrepreneur, author, illustrator, travel TV host, and Ironman athlete. One of the books he wrote is called, “Your Brand Sucks: How to ignite a brand that doesn't.” With over 30 years of expertise in branding and marketing, Ernie has valuable insights on how businesses can use branding to discover their target audience. Today, Ernie talks about the importance of finding a unique brand spark that sets a business apart from the competition, as well as the need to identify the core customer in order to craft effective marketing messages.
Quotes
“It's never exactly what you think it's going to be at the start. It's just a general idea. And then, after the illustration is done, you realize, 'That's kind of what I had in mind.' But it might be better, or it might be different.” - Ernie Harker
“Everybody in the water business talks about how great their water is. What you need to find is a unique point of differentiation that your target customer really cares about.” - Ernie Harker
“It's not about the quantity of eyeballs, but the quality. I can post a message about my widget and how cool it is to a million different people. But if only 100 are interested, it's a waste of time and money.” - Ernie Harker
Takeaways
08:22 Embracing a unique personality and not being afraid to let it shine through in branding and marketing can help a business stand out and connect with customers on a more personal level.
14:13 Branding and marketing should focus on finding a unique "brand spark" that sets a business apart from the competition, rather than just highlighting common product features.
20:57 Identifying the core target customer is crucial for crafting effective marketing messages that resonate with the right audience.
29:15 Quality of audience engagement is more important than quantity, as businesses should aim to build a smaller but highly engaged following rather than a large but disinterested one.
32:59 Collaborating with the right industry partners can help expand a brand's reach, but the partnership must align with the target audience to be successful.
38:10 Developing a distinct brand personality that customers can connect with emotionally is key to building a successful and memorable business.
Resources:
- Ernburn: Professional keynote speaker. AI branding specialist.
- Follow Ernie Harker on Facebook
- Connect with Ernie Harker on LinkedIn
- Get a copy of Your Brand Sucks: How to ignite a brand that doesn't. by Ernie Harker on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:50 — 60.2MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
868: From Money Maker to Moonshot: Find Success Through Innovation with Lewis Schiff

What kind of businesses do you want to create? What makes you unique that you can bring to the business world? You have to look at the world differently.
Lewis Schiff is an accomplished entrepreneur and author who has dedicated over 25 years to studying success in America. He wrote the Amazon best seller, “The First Habit.” As the founder of the "Birthing of Giants" program, Lewis has helped numerous business owners transform their companies into thriving, multi-million-dollar enterprises. Today, Lewis shares his insights on the key factors that differentiate the top 10% of successful entrepreneurs from the rest, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's unique strengths and leveraging them to create substantial growth.
Quotes
“The most successful people I know look at the world differently than almost everybody else, and that's a really hard thing to do.” - Lewis Schiff
“You have to learn how you're bad at a lot of things to carve away and discover what you're good at. Most people do not have the stamina, tolerance, or elasticity to fail repeatedly to finally figure it out.” - Lewis Schiff
“The thing that you're probably really good at is something that comes so naturally and easily to you that you think, 'What's the big deal?'” - Lewis Schiff
Takeaways
02:48 Identifying and focusing on your unique strengths is crucial for achieving exceptional success.
04:40 Embracing failure and using it as a learning opportunity is essential for personal and professional growth.
16:30 Surrounding yourself with a diverse community and being curious about others' perspectives can lead to unexpected insights and breakthroughs.
20:01 Transforming a successful business into an even more valuable enterprise often requires a willingness to challenge the status quo and explore new possibilities.
27:27 The physical environment and traditions of certain institutions can create a mindset conducive to innovative thinking and problem-solving.
Resources:
- Birthing of Giants: Discover The Innovations That Will Transform Your Company
- Birthing of Giants: The Fellowship Program will take your business from successful to stratospheric. Using our 4 pillars curriculum, we will help you transform and scale in 1 year.
- Follow Lewis Schiff on Facebook
- Lewis Schiff on LinkedIn
- Get a copy The First Habit by Lewis Schiff on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:34 — 44.8MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
867: Develop your Next Big Business Idea to Change the World with Bryan Mattimore

Developing a new idea for the next big thing in the market can be tough. This usually requires a lot of ideas and a lot of people during its process. The first thing you should do is to figure out the problems that need to be solved. In that way, you know what kind of problem you are facing and what kind of solution you should be proposing.
Bryan Mattimore is the co-founder of the 20-year-old growth engine Growth Engine Innovation Agency. He has written three books, including "Idea Stormers" and "21 Days to a Big Idea!" Bryan has facilitated over 1,000 ideation sessions and 200 successful innovation projects, leading to $3 billion in new products and services. He is also an innovation instructor at Caltech. Today, Bryan talks about developing big ideas and shares techniques for overcoming common challenges in the innovation process, such as redefining problems and questioning assumptions.
Quotes
“If you can create an environment where people are allowed and encouraged to be creative, you'll find that it's more fun, and you're likely to be more profitable and grow more rapidly.” - Bryan Mattimore
“You can go down a certain path with a certain problem definition. But you need to be flexible and open to redefining that definition as you come up with ideas and learn more.” - Bryan Mattimore
“A big part of successful innovators is the salesmanship of their ideas, which is, frankly, as or more important than the first 'eureka' moment.” - Bryan Mattimore
Takeaways
08:38 Successful innovation requires a toolkit of different ideation techniques, such as questioning assumptions, using metaphors, and exploring fantasy ideas, to reframe problems and uncover new solutions.
12:45 Involving key stakeholders early in the innovation process and allowing them to contribute to the ideas is crucial for gaining buy-in and overcoming organizational resistance.
17:40 Failing quickly and learning from those failures is more important than trying to get the perfect solution on the first try, as it allows for iterative improvements.
22:07 Mashing up ideas from different industries or domains can lead to unexpected and innovative solutions.
27:33 Imposing constraints or limitations on a problem can sometimes spark more creative thinking and breakthrough ideas.
Resources:
- The Growth Engine Co.: An Innovation Agency
- Bryan Mattimore on LinkedIn
- Get a copy of 21 Days to a Big Idea!: Creating Breakthrough Business Concepts
- Get a copy of Idea Stormers: How to Lead and Inspire Creative Breakthroughs
- Watch Bryan on Creative Techniques to Solve Impossible Challenges – TEDx Talk
- Send Bryan an email at bmattimore@growth-engine.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:07 — 44.1MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
866: Build a Global Podcasting Brand with Audrey Bell-Kearney

Reaching out to your target audience was challenging for entrepreneurs, when the internet was not around. With so many outlets via which you may communicate your niche these days, all you have to do is get your message through.
Audrey Bell-Kearney is the CEO of Noise Media Network, a media, marketing, and consulting firm that produces and distributes digital content for clients. She is a podcast host, with her show "Good Morning, Gwinnett" airing four days a week live. Today, Audrey shares her experience in the podcasting industry, including how she has leveraged her show to build relationships with local government officials and small business owners, and how she has structured a partnership with her local Chamber of Commerce to provide podcast services to their members.
Quotes
“We need transparency. We need you to be transparent and tell us where the money's going.” - Audrey Bell Kearney
“I talk to business owners all the time. I sit on the chamber board of two chambers, and often they think it's something that can't help them.” - Audrey Bell Kearney
“I help take away the fear of being out there—the fear of not knowing how to work something, what to do, or who to call.” - Audrey Bell Kearney
Takeaways
01:37 Podcasting can open doors to valuable connections and opportunities, even with government officials and community leaders.
04:39 Small business owners may be hesitant about podcasting, but it can be an effective way to establish themselves as experts and attract new customers.
13:44 Consistency and passion are key to maintaining a successful podcast, even during difficult personal circumstances.
21:59 Tailoring the podcast format to your own style and preferences, rather than trying to emulate others, can lead to a more authentic and engaging show.
28:09 Taking advantage of partnerships and technology can help expand the reach and impact of a podcast, even for those who may be intimidated by the technical aspects.
Resource
- Noise Media Network: We Shine the Spotlight on Small Businesses
- Connect with Audrey Bell-Kearney on LinkedIn
- Follow Audrey Bell-Kearney on Facebook
- Subscribe to Good Morning, Gwinnett Podcast hosted by Audrey Bell-Kearney on Spotify Podcasts
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:03 — 49.5MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
865: Get into Growth Mode Using Automation with Kevin Snow

Starting a business and establishing a presence in the traditional sense might be intimidating. It might be as simple as a few clicks for the tech-savvy. However, it is a different scenario for the technological nomads. It may be difficult for them to navigate through complicated web pages, links, or commands.
Kevin Snow is the President and CEO of Time on Target and the co-host of the top 100 Apple podcast called "Growth Mode." As a sales expert and technology enthusiast, Kevin shares his expertise in integrating digital technology with sales processes in an authentic and professional way. Today, Kevin discusses the importance of starting small with marketing automation and sales process optimization.
Quotes
“Wisdom comes from experience, and experience comes from bad choices.” - Kevin Snow
“It's always about understanding and helping them realize where their limitations are now, and then figuring out a really cool way to fix it.” - Kevin Snow
“Your number one job as a CEO or business owner is sales. You need to sell, especially if you're just starting out, because that's what gives you proof of concept for your product.” - Kevin Snow
Takeaways
05:48 Embrace the iterative nature of marketing automation and sales process improvements, as the ability to revisit and enhance your systems is key to driving business growth.
13:00 Start small with marketing automation and sales process optimization to get easy wins and build excitement around the technology.
20:00 Document and understand your current sales process before implementing complex automation to ensure it aligns with your clients' needs.
24:35 Use an outside perspective to help identify limitations in your sales process and develop innovative solutions to streamline your operations.
32:37 Prioritize sales as the CEO or business owner, as it provides proof of concept for your product and keeps your company going.
Resources
- Time On Target: Your Sales Technology shouldn't make you Bang your head against your desk.
- Connect with Kevin Snow on LinkedIn
- Subscribe to the Growth Mode Podcast hosted by Kevin Snow & Donnie Bovin on Podchaser
- Follow Kevin Snow on Twitter
- Contact Kevin: 612-429-4298
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:41 — 46.5MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
864: Become True to Your Intentions and Impact the World with Amanda Johnson

Do you want to change the world with your message? In order to do that, you need to be true to your intentions.
Amanda Johnson is the founder of True to Intention (folded into Saved By Story), a company that helps seekers and storytellers write truer and more impactful stories. She is also the co-founder of Saved by Story Publishing. Today, Amanda talks about her recent project "You Can't Make This Story Up," a compilation book featuring 20 of her previous clients and family members, and how the process of writing their stories helped them heal old wounds and become more authentic in sharing their messages with the world.
Quotes
“There's a lot of hype around telling your story, getting your message out there, and sharing your expertise with the world.” - Amanda Johnson
“We can't heal by ourselves. The communal aspect is crucial, especially for those who have been traumatized and want to share their stories. They need to rebuild trust with themselves and others.” - Amanda Johnson
“If we can just pay attention and ask ourselves, 'What's the message that I'm supposed to be getting here? How is all this being brought to me so that I can be more whole?' life gets a lot more magical.” - Amanda Johnson
Takeaways
00:59 Sharing personal stories and healing old wounds can help people become more authentic and impactful in sharing their messages with the world.
09:00 Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and share the full depth of your story, including the difficult parts, can lead to growth and transformation.
19:06 Creating a supportive community space can be transformative for people who are struggling to write and share their stories.
26:27 Recognizing the reciprocal nature of the coach-client relationship and how each person's journey can contribute to the other's healing is key to avoiding burnout.
33:30 Being open to the messages and lessons that life presents, rather than seeing challenges as obstacles, can make life feel more magical and purposeful.
Resources
- Saved By Story: Your Partner at Every Plot Twist from Inspiration to Impact
- Follow Amanda Johnson on Facebook
- Connect with Amanda Johnson on LinkedIn
- Get a copy of You Can't Make This St*ry Up: What If It's All Happening For Us? by Amanda Johnson on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:04 — 48.4MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
863: Build Relationships on LinkedIn with Janice Porter

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful online platforms for networking and business building. If you are using the power of LinkedIn to build meaningful and long-lasting connections, then your business is missing out. In order to grow your business in the right direction, you must first need to understand your vision and goal.
Janice Porter is a LinkedIn expert and trainer who helps business professionals build relationships and attract new clients, strategic partners, and referrals through LinkedIn. She believes that all business owners need a magnetic LinkedIn profile to showcase their expertise and connect with the right people. Today, Janice discusses the importance of having an optimized LinkedIn profile, including key elements like the header, headshot, headline, and "about" section.
Quotes
“If you're in business today, you need to be on LinkedIn and have a profile that works for you, as it is highly indexed by Google.” - Janice Porter
“LinkedIn is really about your profile. It provides insight into you, your personality, and how you serve people.” - Janice Porter
“Be consistent and know your purpose for using the platform. It's so powerful and so underutilized.” - Janice Porter
Takeaways
04:29 Having a fully optimized LinkedIn profile, with attention to the header, headshot, headline, and "about" section, is crucial for making a strong first impression and showcasing your expertise.
10:59 LinkedIn is a platform for building genuine business relationships, not just pitching products or services, so the approach should be focused on connecting and engaging, not just promoting.
12:45 It's important to be selective and strategic about which LinkedIn connections to pursue, rather than just accepting every request, in order to focus on the most promising opportunities.
15:47 Consistently posting relevant content on LinkedIn can help establish oneself as an authority in their industry and attract the right connections.
19:52 Utilizing new LinkedIn features like video messaging can help one's messages stand out and foster more personal connections.
Resources
- Janice Porter: Stay Connected. Be Remembered.
- Follow Janice Porter on Facebook
- Follow Janice Porter on Twitter
- Connect with Janice Porter on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:58 — 37.1MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
862: Groove: The World’s Fastest Growing CRM and Marketing Automation Platform with Mike Filsaime

When it comes to operating your business, one method to avoid internal conflict is to identify and simplify how various teams define success. You must assess how teams collaborate, processes operate, and data flows. Remove any barriers that are preventing you from getting things done. You should examine how you manage your firm and who is operating it.
Mike Filsaime is a legendary internet marketing expert with over 20 years of experience, currently the Co-Founder & CEO at Groove Digital, LLC. He has created numerous successful software platforms like WebinarJam, EverWebinar, and Kartra. Today, Mike talks about his journey from the car business to the world of online marketing and software development. He shares insights on common mistakes entrepreneurs make, the importance of focus and prioritization, and the lessons he learned from past business partnerships.
Quotes
“Fail quickly; you will learn more from your failures than from your education.” - Mike Filsaime
“Partnerships are like marriages. You can love someone, but things don't always work out.” - Mike Filsaime
“Follow your passion. Entrepreneurs take risks, but don't do anything reckless. Make sure you have your ducks lined up.” - Mike Filsaime
Takeaways
08:59 Embracing the imperfections of a new project and taking action is better than overthinking and delaying launch.
12:14 Prioritizing tasks and focusing on one project at a time is crucial for avoiding burnout and achieving success.
13:14 Failing quickly and learning from mistakes is more valuable than extensive education.
16:07 Carefully structuring business partnerships with clear contracts and shared vision is essential to avoid conflicts and ensure long-term success.
22:32 Having a clear contract in place for business partnerships can help resolve conflicts and make difficult decisions easier.
34:05 Pursuing your passion and taking calculated risks can lead to fulfilling entrepreneurial journeys.
Resources
- GrooveDigital: Superpowers For Digital Marketers
- Mike Filsaime: Known as the "Michael Jordan" of Digital marketing.
- Follow Mike Filsaime on Facebook
- Connect with Mike Filsaime on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:52 — 49.5MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
How to Index, Scape, Build a Spreadsheet, and Download an Entire YouTube Channel in 2022
Step 1: Get the List of YouTube Video Links from the Channel
Extract All YouTube Links from a Web Page: Go to the Chrome Developer Console (F12), click in Console and paste in:
var urls = document.getElementsByTagName('a');
for (url in urls) {
console.log ( urls[url].href );
}
Select All (Ctrl-A), Copy, and Paste (Ctrl-V) into a text editor to sort out the list. I've used EditPlus for over 20 years because it allows me to use regular expressions when doing a search-and-replace... use the ^ (hat character or shift-6) to place text at the beginning of every line and $ (dollar sign or shift-4) to place text at the end of each line.
Step 2: Get the "Metadata" (Title, Number of Views, etc.) for Each Video Link
Start with just ONE YouTube video before building a "batch file." I use YT-DLP (a command-line tool).
yt-dlp -o "%%(id)s %%(upload_date)s %%(title)s %%(view_count)s %%(duration)s" --get-filename https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl1wkoG-os0 >> list.txt
This will dump the video ID, upload date, title, view count, duration (in seconds) into a new line in the file "list.txt."
Here's a really important nuance: if you were to run this command (perhaps as a test) in the command line, you would only have one percent % sign. But when you enter this into a batch (.bat) file, you must enter two percent signs %%.
I use a "search-and-replace" regular expression in EditPlus to add the special command to the left and right of each YouTube video, then save the file as "batch1.bat" (with the quotes), and then I can let it run and fill up the text file containing the list.
Because I separated the "columns" with a "tab" character, it pastes right into any Excel or Google Sheets spreadsheet.
Step 3: Download Every YouTube Video in the Channel
You could almost figure this out on your own, without me having to tell you. Build a batch file with the list of YouTube videos, a search-and-replace regular expression in EditPlus:
yt-dlp -S res,ext:mp4:m4a --recode mp4 --output "%%(id)s %%(title)s.%%(ext)s" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl1wkoG-os0
861: Be Seen and Heard: Improve Your Credibility In The Global Village With Mitchell Levy

What goes through people's heads when they go inside your business? - How is your business credibility? Are you trusted? People make a rapid judgment about your credibility before you even start outlining benefits and features. At times like this, business credibility is supposed to work its magic. It's the glue that holds businesses together with their consumers and the communities they do business.
Mitchell Levy is a global credibility expert, two-time TEDx speaker, and international best-selling author of over 60 books. He is the founder of Credibility Nation, a membership community focused on helping thought leaders build their credibility. Today, Mitch shares his insights on the importance of being seen and heard as a thought leader, emphasizing the need to embrace one's uniqueness and avoid striving for perfection in conversations and personal branding.
Quotes
“Credibility is the quality that makes you trusted, known, and liked.” - Mitchell Levy
“If we did nothing more than act credible, we would be more humane to each other.” - Mitchell Levy
“If you can clearly articulate your purpose, when people see you physically, they will know exactly who you are and what you do.” - Mitchell Levy
Takeaways
02:20 Embracing imperfections and uniqueness in conversations can lead to more authentic connections.
06:51 Clearly articulating one's purpose in 10 words or less is key to capturing attention and building trust.
18:41 Aligning one's online and offline presence around a clear purpose can help attract the right audience.
20:56 Consistently living and sharing one's purpose is essential for building credibility and visibility.
23:39 Overcoming past struggles and finding one's superpower can enable helping others succeed.
Resources
- Mitchell Levy: Delivers Executive Gravitas Through Clarity & Credibility
- Follow Happy About on Facebook
- Connect with Mitchell Levy on LinkedIn
- Join the Credibility Nation: For Humans Who Want to Be Seen as Credible.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:59 — 37.3MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
860: Book Publishing: Refine, Identify and Channel Your Inner Voice to Your Audience with Kathy Sparrow

Many people avoid publishing a book because of the complexity. It takes a lot of effort to force yourself to sit down, brainstorm, write, edit, rewrite, edit, trim, add, rewrite, workshop, rewrite, and rewrite some more.
Kathy Sparrow is a mentor for aspiring writers of nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, with over two decades of experience. She is the co-author and project leader of "Ignite Your Leadership: Proven Tools for Leaders to Energize Teams, Fuel Momentum, and Accelerate Results." Today, Kathy talks about creating a business plan for your book, including a literary marketing plan, comparable titles, and a comprehensive marketing strategy to reach your audience effectively.
Quotes
“Unless we write it down, when it comes time to launch, we'll be so busy doing everything else that we might forget some things.” - Kathy Sparrow
“We have to believe in ourselves enough and believe in our writing enough to brag—just do a little shameless bragging about ourselves.” - Kathy Sparrow
“We leave something for future generations by sharing our words and our messages.” - Kathy Sparrow
Takeaways
01:14 Creating a comprehensive business plan and literary marketing strategy is crucial for the success of a book.
05:19 Researching and understanding the competitive landscape in your genre can help you effectively market and position your book.
07:12 Building a network of influencers and collaborators is essential for promoting your book and reaching a wider audience.
13:07 Consistent, even small, daily efforts towards marketing and promoting your book are more effective than sporadic, larger efforts.
21:10 Hybrid publishing can provide authors with the support and resources they need to successfully bring their book to market.
Resources
- A Writable Life: You have a story to tell… Let me show you how!
- Follow A Writable Life on Facebook
- Connect with Kathy Sparrow on LinkedIn
- Get a copy of Ignite Your Leadership: Proven Tools for Leaders to Energize Teams, Fuel Momentum, and Accelerate Results co-authored by Kathy Sparrow, et. al on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:29 — 39.3MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
859: Transform Your B2B Marketing: Exceed The Expectations of Your Modern Buyers With Matthew Stibbe

Consumers are wiser than ever before, and they recognize when they're being sold to. It is for this reason that we’ve seen dramatic transformation in the industry in the last decade. Marketers are now turning to inbound marketing strategies to help them attract new customers. It's no longer enough to have a fantastic product and catchy taglines. Companies must now become industry knowledge epicenters for everything customers need to know.
Matthew Stibbe is the CEO of Articulate Marketing, a marketing agency that specializes in the technology sector. As a serial entrepreneur, marketing maven, writer, and wine enthusiast, Matthew brings a wealth of experience to the table. Today, Matthew discusses the importance of correlating the results from the content that Articulate Marketing creates, as well as the challenges of transitioning from a "heroic leadership" model to a "professional management" approach within his own business.
Quotes
“We're evolving from what I would call heroic leadership—me, on my own, as the entrepreneur saying, 'This is what we're doing, go this way'—towards a model of professional management.” - Matthew Stibbe
“We're all sent here to learn on this planet, and I feel like I'm learning something new every day.” - Matthew Stibbe
“Sometimes difficult, challenging clients are the very best—they keep you on edge.” - Matthew Stibbe
Takeaways
00:54 Tracking the performance of content and identifying high-value pieces is crucial for marketing and sales success.
07:55 Transitioning from a "heroic leadership" model to a "professional management" approach can be challenging for entrepreneurs, but necessary for business growth.
12:29 Combining marketing intuition with data analysis is key to effectively using data in marketing.
15:28 Adopting an iterative, experiment-driven approach to marketing activities can help agencies stay accountable and provide tangible results for clients.
22:57 Making use of free tools like Google Search Console and PageSpeed Insights can provide valuable insights to improve website performance.
Resources
- Articulate Marketing: Build your Difference Engine ® with Brand Strategy Websites Copywriting and HubSpot
- Follow Articulate Marketing on Facebook
- Connect with Mathews Stibbe on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:48 — 39.8MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
858: Establish Authority and Build High Impact Campaign Images With Sarah Dupree

It's difficult to generate business leads. With so much competition on the market, the battle for exposure is important. Advertising has come a long way, thanks to today's technology. On the other hand, social media has become so saturated with information that it has shortened their attention span. How can you stand out in this environment?
Sarah Dupree is a seasoned professional in the advertising industry, with over 17 years of experience, and owner of Dream Weaver Media. She has dedicated her expertise to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses create effective marketing plans for social media. Today, Sarah shares her approach to social media strategy, emphasizing the importance of understanding your target audience, leveraging your unique abilities, and delivering authentic content that provides value to your followers, rather than just promoting your business.
Quotes
“You have to really know who you're talking to and what their interests are. You also have to be aware of your unique abilities, talents, and experiences—all of which can speak to and help these people.” - Sarah Dupree
“The more you do it, the more comfortable you're going to get. Really prioritizing and asking yourself if creating this content is important to you is key.” - Sarah Dupree
“I help people save time by providing expert knowledge behind all the steps. We start with brainstorming, and I'm there holding your hand through the entire process.” - Sarah Dupree
Takeaways
01:48 Developing a strategic social media marketing plan that focuses on providing value to your target audience, rather than just promoting your business, is key to building trust and authority.
08:00 Using your unique experiences, talents, and abilities to create authentic, visually-appealing content can help you stand out and engage your followers on social media.
11:31 Overcoming the fear of being "on display" and embracing the potential benefits of creating content in public spaces can lead to unexpected opportunities.
15:21 Prioritizing one primary social media platform and repurposing content across other channels can help streamline your social media efforts.
16:28 Understanding the nuances and audience preferences of different social media platforms, such as the more "judgmental" nature of Instagram versus the more supportive environment of TikTok, can inform your content strategy.
Resources
- Dream Weaver Media: Creating Purpose-Driven Marketing Visuals
- Follow Sarah Dupree on Facebook
- Connect with Sarah Dupree on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:30 — 31.1MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
857: Hashtag Smart: Win the Zero Moment of Truth to Enjoy a Competitive Advantage and Faster Sales with Paul Mackiewicz

Is your company presenting itself in a positive light now that information is readily available online? Consumers use the internet for everything from product research to finding out where a business is located and operation hours. Even a simple, well-designed website can provide you a competitive advantage in your business, and if you sell things, your site can help you develop your business quickly and affordably.
Paul Mackiewicz is the CEO and founder of Hashtag Smart Marketing (now Honorable Marketing), a digital marketing agency based in Los Angeles. As an Army veteran and former golf pro, Paul brings a unique perspective to his work with attorneys and doctors, helping them navigate the ever-changing landscape of online marketing. With a focus on the "zero moment of truth" concept, Paul helps his clients understand the importance of online reviews, social proof, and building memorable relationships with their target audience. Today, Paul discusses the significance of the "zero moment of truth" and how it has transformed the way businesses need to approach their digital marketing strategies.
Quotes
“The zero moment of truth is an amazing concept. It highlights how we all now have access to technology and information like never before.” - Paul Mackiewicz
“If you can use video, or even your social posts or comments, as a way to differentiate yourself and showcase your specialties and expertise, you can quickly create an emotional connection with people.” - Paul Mackiewicz
“Cover your bases first, and you'd be amazed at the impact that can have. After that, everything else becomes quite a bit easier, especially when you look great in comparison to others.” - Paul Mackiewicz
Takeaways
00:55 Embracing the "zero moment of truth" concept is crucial for businesses to stay competitive in the digital age.
06:34 Differentiating oneself through personalized content and emotional connections can help build trust and loyalty with potential clients.
16:07 Optimizing and maintaining a strong online presence, starting with the basics like Google Business Listings, is essential for businesses to be prepared for comparison.
21:40 Adopting a fearless and proactive mindset can help business owners navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in the current market.
25:17 Taking advantage of technology and automation tools can streamline online marketing efforts and free up time for more strategic initiatives.
Resources
- Honorable Marketing: Small and Solo Law Firm Marketing. Maximize Your Marketing Energy
- Follow Hashtag Smart Marketing on Facebook
- Connect with Paul Mackiewicz on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:12 — 36.2MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
856: Best Seller Listers: Optimize and Upgrade your Amazon Product Listings with Mac Schlesinger

Do you want to be your customers' first choice when it comes to Amazon purchases? With changing purchasing preferences, it's time to invest in building an outstanding Amazon product listing. Product listing optimization based on SEO characteristics assists brands in ranking higher as well as increasing traffic, which enhances visibility and conversion rates.
Mac Schlesinger is the founder of Best Seller Listers, a marketing company that helps Amazon sellers create high-performing product listings. He has also started Seller Centry, a service that monitors Amazon seller accounts to prevent suspensions. In addition, Mac co-founded the Amazon Powwow, a popular in-person event series for Amazon sellers. Today, Mac shares his journey into the world of Amazon selling, discussing the importance of treating your Amazon business as a real company, not just a side hustle.
Quotes
“If you really want to win, you have to be fully in it to win it.” - Mac Schlesinger
“You really have to build it as a real business, focus on it, and be competitive because there are so many competitors out there.” - Mac Schlesinger
“It's up to you. It's your money and your decision. But let me tell you, try doing it yourself and see if you're good at it.” - Mac Schlesinger
Takeaways
11:52 Treat your Amazon business as a real company, not just a side hustle. Invest the necessary time, money, and effort to build a sustainable business.
13:23 Avoid the "get-rich-quick" mindset when it comes to selling on Amazon. The market is highly competitive, and success requires a long-term, strategic approach.
16:02 Outsource tasks and services that are not your core expertise. Focus on your strengths and let professionals handle the rest to maximize efficiency and growth.
20:31 Be prepared to invest a minimum of $10,000 to start an Amazon business, with the understanding that more may be needed for highly competitive products or extensive marketing.
23:55 Overcoming shyness and building a personal brand can be a powerful asset in the Amazon seller community, as it helps you connect with and serve your target audience.
Resources
- Best Seller Listers: Rank the Best, Outsell the Rest
- Seller Centry: Amazon Anxiety Keeping You Up at Night? Put Your Worries to Rest.
- Powwow Events: Leading the Way in Industry Conferences and Expos.
- Follow Best Seller Listers on Facebook
- Connect with Mac Schlesinger on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:21 — 41.9MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
855: Strategic Communications, Public Relations, and Online Marketing Strategy to Gain More Visibility with Amanda Berlin

Want to gain more Visibility to connect with more people? Then you need an effective PR and Marketing Strategy. But how do you leverage them to widen your audience?
Amanda Berlin is a business consultant, visibility strategist, and podcast host who has worked with clients for over 20 years. She previously worked in the corporate world of public relations, helping large companies like pharmaceutical and financial firms increase their visibility. Now, Amanda uses her expertise to help entrepreneurs and small business owners raise their profile and grow their impact through strategic partnerships, speaking opportunities, and media appearances. Today, Amanda discusses the three key pillars of visibility that she recommends for her clients: collaborations and alliances, speaking events, and media placements.
Quotes
“PR is based on earned visibility—visibility that you earn by positioning yourself as an expert and having valuable ideas to disseminate.” - Amanda Berlin
“The fastest track to visibility that generates leads, new clients, and revenue is through collaborations and alliances.” - Amanda Berlin
“All of us have something important to contribute, and it is our responsibility to do the work to make our voices heard.” - Amanda Berlin
Takeaways
00:56 PR (public relations) is about building relationships and earning visibility, not just paid advertising.
04:16 Visibility tactics should be tailored to your specific business goals, whether that's client acquisition, validation, or long-term awareness.
11:26 Collaborations and strategic partnerships are one of the fastest ways to build trust and credibility with a new audience.
14:03 Speaking opportunities, both on stages and through hosting your own events, can also quickly generate trust and lead to new clients.
14:43 Media placements are valuable for validating your expertise, but should be part of a broader visibility strategy.
25:48 Raising your voice and making yourself visible, despite the discomfort, is a responsibility to support the people who need your expertise and ideas.
Resources
- Amanda Berlin: Fractional CMO Marketing and Business Development for Service-Based Businesses
- Follow Amanda Berlin on Facebook
- Connect with Amanda Berlin on LinkedIn
- The Empowered Publicity Podcast hosted by Amanda Berlin on Spotify Podcasts
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:53 — 38.5MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
854: The Rule of 26: Charge What You Are Worth, Attract New Clients, and Grow Your Business with Michael Buzinski

Why should you ensure that your website marketing focuses on the client? How can you optimize your marketing for a million-dollar practice? Need more results from your website? If you want to grow your business faster, you need a revenue growth plan.
Michael Buzinski is the CEO of Buzzworthy, a website marketing company. He is a lifelong entrepreneur, a digital marketing thought leader, and a Best-Selling Author. Michael Buzinski was dubbed a "visionary marketer" by the American Marketing Association. Today, Michael discussed his "Rule of 26" concept, which outlines a simple three-step digital marketing strategy to double a service-based business's revenue from its website.
Quotes
“The rule of 26 states that if you increase the unique traffic to your website by 26%, then increase the conversion rate of that traffic by 26%, and increase your average value per client by 26%, you'll achieve a compounded output of 100% more revenue from your website.” - Michael Buzinski
“Nine times out of ten, I hear, 'If I raise my prices, I'll lose my clients.' And I usually respond with, 'Those aren't the right clients.' If you can't charge what you're actually worth, you do not have good clients.” - Michael Buzinski
“If you try to talk to everyone, you will become no one because you can please some of the people some of the time, but you cannot please all the people all the time.” - Michael Buzinski
Takeaways
01:09 Increasing the average value per client, conversion rate, and website traffic by just 26% each can lead to a 100% increase in revenue for a service-based business.
05:12 Raising prices may cause some clients to leave, but those are likely not the right clients for the business. Focusing on the right, high-value clients is key.
16:29 Clearly defining the specific problem the business solves and the target audience is crucial for effective marketing and standing out from the competition.
23:25 Regularly reviewing and updating the business website to ensure it reflects the current offerings and messaging is essential for maintaining a strong online presence.
25:21 Providing a clear, compelling customer journey and brand story on the website can significantly improve conversion rates.
Resources
- Buzzworthy: Master Profitable and Buzzworthy Marketing
- Follow Michael Buzinski on Facebook
- Connect with Michael Buzinski on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:51 — 42.6MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
853: Leverage Your Podcast: Promote, Boost, and Build Profitable Interview Connections with Lyndsay Phillips

Are you afraid of podcasting? Do you get burned out when producing your podcast? The number of people who listen to podcasts, as well as the number of podcasts that people listen to, is growing in tandem with the growth of podcasts.
Lyndsay Phillips is the founder of Smooth Business Growth, a company that specializes in helping entrepreneurs leverage the power of podcasting to grow their businesses. Lindsey is also the host of the "Leverage Your Podcast" podcast, where she shares her expertise on using podcasting as a marketing tool. Today, Lyndsay talks about the benefits of podcasting and shared her insights on how to effectively promote and leverage a podcast. She emphasizes the importance of consistency, strategic promotion, and utilizing various platforms to reach a wider audience.
Quotes
“There is always room and time to launch a podcast, start podcast guesting, or simply use it to grow your business.” - Lyndsay Phillips
“It's amazing how many people do not email their list when a new episode comes out. You want to nurture your list, be top of mind, and showcase that you're an expert and connected in the industry.” - Lyndsay Phillips
“You have to be realistic about your goals and expectations going into it. For me, when I first started out, it was about getting my name out there, meeting other people, and growing my email list.” - Lyndsay Phillips
Takeaways
00:57 Podcasting is still a growing and viable marketing channel, with room for new entrants to find success.
04:39 Consistently promoting podcast episodes across multiple platforms and channels is crucial for building an audience.
06:44 Leveraging email marketing to nurture your list and keep them engaged with your podcast content can be a powerful strategy.
21:17 Having a system and checklist in place for podcast promotion and repurposing content can help streamline the process and ensure consistency.
25:05 Focusing on the core goals and objectives of your podcast, rather than getting caught up in minor details, is the key to getting started and finding success.
Resources
- Smooth Business Growth: Leverage and Repurpose Your Podcast, Talks & Interviews in Powerful Ways To Boost Your Authority, Leads & Income
- Follow Lyndsay Phillips on Facebook
- Connect with Lyndsay Phillips on LinkedIn
- Subscribe to Leverage Your Podcast hosted by Lyndsay Phillips on Apple Podcasts
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:22 — 37.8MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
852: Outranking Content Writing Tool: Consistently Publish Popular Content with Pankil Shah

Being a writer or simply someone who wants to write for content creation is difficult for many individuals. Not because they don't know how to do it, but because they fear they won't be able to hold the reader's attention from the minute they begin reading the material.
Pankil Shah is the CEO and co-founder of Outranking.io, an AI platform that helps writers, editors, and SEO professionals create impactful web content. With over 10 years of experience leading product and growth for startups, Pankil is an entrepreneur and SaaS product and content marketing expert. Today, Pankil discusses Outranking.io's AI-powered writing assistant that helps create factual, SEO-optimized content for web pages, blog posts, landing pages, and more.
Quotes
“The problem with AI is that it's trained based on old data, so it doesn't really know the new concepts or what happened today.” - Pankil Shah
“Many tools out there do an excellent job at one thing, and that thing is brainstorming. You are going to read through the entire output and then modify it according to your needs.” - Pankil Shah
“This is the one piece of advice I give to all marketers creating content: Ditch the editors that focus solely on keyword density and look elsewhere. That's not how you create content for 2021.” - Pankil Shah
Takeaways
00:49 AI-powered writing tools need to be able to generate factual, up-to-date content, not just fictional or outdated information.
07:40 Leveraging AI to assist with research and content structure can save writers significant time and effort.
09:34 A modular, step-by-step approach to content creation, with guidance from the AI, is more effective than simply generating an entire piece of content at once.
15:48 Optimizing existing content can be just as important as creating new content, in order to maximize search engine visibility and traffic.
19:45 Focusing on user intent and readability is more important than just targeting specific keywords when creating content.
Resources
- Connect with Pankil Shah on LinkedIn
- Vclassrooming School: Software to Manage College, University & Schools
- Follow Pankil Shah on X (Twitter)
- Outranking: Create People-First Content and Rank with Confidence!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:03 — 29.1MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
851: Wunderkind: Find Fulfillment and Unleash Your Own Individuality in the Workplace with Alli Trusell

People management and ensuring that qualified workers, are assigned in their optimal position of competency are crucial to achieving exponential growth in the following years. Simply preventing obstacles in the process is vital for sustainability and efficiency, as is supporting people in feeling valued, excited, and committed to the work they accomplish.
Alli Trusell is the Chief of Staff at Wunderkind, a fast-growing SaaS and marketing firm. She is an expert in communications, people management, culture, and performance. Today, Alli discusses the changing landscape of the workplace, the importance of aligning employees' values and passions, and the strategies companies can use to retain top talent in a highly competitive job market.
Quotes
“There's a real emotional connection to taking a new job that we haven't seen before. It's a harder thing to combat from an attrition perspective. We really have to align with people's values.” - Alli Trusell
“I would much rather hire someone who is passionate, driven, and curious about what they're going to be doing than someone who is cookie-cutter perfect from a resume perspective.” - Alli Trusell
“Be happy in what you do. It's something you have some control over. If you're not happy at your job, consider finding one that brings you joy.” - Alli Trusell
Takeaways
00:39 Companies need to focus on aligning employee values and passions to retain top talent in a highly competitive job market.
11:01 Managers should encourage open communication, provide opportunities for growth and development, and ensure employees are not overworked or burnt out.
16:38 Personalized experiences and a focus on the customer can help brands stand out in a crowded digital landscape.
18:57 Embracing diversity of thought and background can foster innovation and create a positive work culture.
19:47 Passion, curiosity, and a willingness to tackle challenging problems are highly valued traits in potential hires.
Resources
- Connect with Alli Trussell on LinkedIn
- Follow Alli Trussell on Facebook
- Wunderkind: Unlock a new top revenue channel
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:37 — 31.3MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
850: Savvy Pro Web: Boost Your Website’s Lead Generation Performance with Sean Rosensteel

Business growth can be a long-term and challenging process and many successful small business owners are continuously looking to expand their customer base and grow their businesses. One of the elements of growing a business is having access to a steady stream of leads, and business owners should invest in this necessary evil called "digital marketing."
Sean Rosensteel is the founder of Savvy Pro Web, a company that builds professional websites to increase credibility, generate leads, and win clients. As a lifelong entrepreneur, Sean shares his expertise on the importance of empathy and understanding your customer's journey when creating an effective website. Today, Sean talks about the strategic approach to website design, emphasizing the need to focus on solving the visitor's problems rather than just promoting your own business.
Quotes
“What we really need to be doing is expressing empathy for the visitor, the prospect we're serving, whether we have a service business or a product business.” - Sean Rosensteel
“Marketing is trial and error. That's been my experience. I've been a marketer for roughly 15 years, and to me, it all boils down to trial and error.” - Sean Rosensteel
“If your website isn't effective, if you have a website that doesn't work, you're just going to get the same results, and you'll just end up paying more for it.” - Sean Rosensteel
Takeaways
01:11 Focusing on solving the visitor's problems, rather than just promoting your own business, is key to creating an effective website.
03:22 Understanding your customer's journey and their level of expertise in your industry is crucial for using the right language and approach on your website.
13:12 Adopting a trial-and-error mindset and setting clear budgets and timelines for marketing experiments can help you make data-driven decisions.
21:52 Ensuring your website is effective and converting visitors before investing in traffic-driving strategies is a more efficient approach.
26:12 Leveraging existing traffic and optimizing your website can often yield better results than constantly seeking new sources of traffic.
Resources
- Savvy Pro Web: Thank You.
- Sean Rosensteel: Live Life On Your Terms and Break Free from Conventional Wisdom
- Follow Sean Rosensteel on Facebook
- Connect with Sean Rosensteel on LinkedIn
- Get a copy of The School of Intentional Living: A Real-World Approach to Living Life on Your Terms by Sean Rosensteel on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:53 — 39.9MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
849: Agency Survival Guide: Productize a Service Business and Stand Out in a Crowded Market with Max Traylor

I have a question for my fellow founders, small business owners, and entrepreneurs: Do you work for your business or is your business working for you? Do you wish you had a business that could develop quickly, be extremely profitable, and scale without you? Do you have a wonderful concept but aren't sure how to turn it into a product that will generate a reliable, regular cash stream?
Max Traylor is a coach, consultant, and strategy expert who helps productize consulting services. He is the host of the interview show "Beers with Max" and the author of the book "Agency Survival Guide: How to Productize Consulting Services and Do Other Things Better Too." Today, Max discusses the importance of building a business that aligns with your personal life, the power of positioning your knowledge as a premium offering, and the strategies for finding and targeting your ideal clients.
Quotes
“The lesson to my five-year-old business self would be to put your personal life first and build a business that works around your personal life, not the other way around.” - Max Traylor
“The money you make has nothing to do with what you do. It has to do with who you're selling to, who you're working with, and what they perceive the value to be.” - Max Traylor
“Don't wait for your best clients to show up; you have to go get them. If you're not staring at a list of your next 40 ideal customers, you're doing it wrong.” - Max Traylor
Takeaways
01:14 Building a business around your personal life and lifestyle is key to achieving work-life balance.
03:47 Positioning your knowledge and expertise as a premium offering allows you to charge higher prices and create scalable revenue streams.
09:18 Embracing the mindset that "no" is the start of a valuable conversation, not the end, can help you overcome limiting beliefs about pricing.
12:36 Actively pursuing and targeting your ideal clients, rather than waiting for them to find you, is crucial for business growth.
18:36 Maintaining a consistent pipeline of 15-20 new prospect conversations per month is a good target to ensure a steady flow of new business.
23:13 Defining what "growth" means to you personally, whether that's increased revenue or more personal time, is crucial for setting the right goals.
Resources
- Max Traylor: I help service providers do consulting better
- Follow Max Traylor on Facebook
- Connect with Max Traylor on LinkedIn
- Subscribe to Beers With Max Podcast hosted by Max Traylor on Spotify Podcasts
- Get a copy of Agency Survival Guide: How to Productize Consulting Services and Do Other Things Better Too. by Max Traylor on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:25 — 36.5MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
