Recent Updates
267: Find a Strategic Virtual Assistant and Hire the Right Team with The Entrepreneur’s Secret Weapon Tracey Osborne
Tracey Osborne says that you should know what you want, be open to learning, and find that perfect virtual assistant to leverage your time and scale your business.
She tells us how to hire slow and fire fast, and makes us aware of the possibilities that come from hiring a "VA"... for example, her team of virtual assistants can organize entire telesummits for you, run podcasts, publish newsletters, create your funnels, and more.
Quotes:
“There are two types of virtual assistants: those that just do the tasks you assign to them, and those that actually think, strategize, and understand the big picture.” – Tracey Osborne
“If I was going to be a success and make it in this business, I had better get my act together and get organized.” – Tracey Osborne
“Hire slow, fire fast. If after 2–3–4 weeks you can tell it's just not a good fit, cut them loose.” – Tracey Osborne
Takeaways:
01:01 Not all virtual assistants are created equal - some offer strategic thinking beyond basic task completion.
06:30 When hiring a virtual assistant, create a detailed "virtual assistant avatar" with specific qualifications and expectations.
16:03 Paying a higher hourly rate for an experienced VA can save money in the long run by reducing mistakes and increasing efficiency.
20:50 Proper project management and organization are critical for successful virtual assistant work.
23:50 Virtual assistants can provide comprehensive business support, from technical tasks to strategic planning.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:11 — 26.7MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
266: Affiliate Mastery: How to Generate High, Targeted, and Fast Commissions with Myke Metzger
Myke Metzger from MykeMetzger.com (email him directly at mindset@mykemetzger.com) has had a lot of online success in a short amount of time, and not only has an amazing lifestyle, he also generates income getting traffic for top performers.
Myke explains his affiliate marketing strategy. Instead of the outdated MLM model of recruiting friends and family, Myke says that it makes more sense to position yourself in front of people who are already looking for a particular solution. (For example, software, luxury automobiles, and high-end water filters). He also believes in focusing on higher conversions and testing your results. Don't be like most people who simply "get ready to get ready"... take small actions today that pay off in the near future.
Quotes:
“If you can get the skills and you understand how it's done with one product, then you can branch out and use it in so many different ways.” – Myke Metzger
“Nobody really knows why some things work better than others. The only thing that's ever going to determine that is by testing it.” – Myke Metzger
“The further you go in life, you take on all these responsibilities, and sometimes it can be hard to find a way around them when you're already committed.” – Myke Metzger
Takeaways:
07:55 Finding online audiences already searching for solutions is smarter than trying to create new markets from scratch.
11:30 Focus on high-ticket affiliate products with bigger commissions instead of selling many low-value items.
16:30 Master one skill or product thoroughly before expanding into multiple areas.
26:58 Always test and gather real audience feedback instead of relying on personal opinions about marketing strategies.
31:46 Stop getting "ready to get ready" and take uncomfortable actions that push your business forward.
Resources
- Myke Metzger (Website)
- Freebie Hacks (Site)
- Travel Hacks (Site)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:03 — 30.3MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
265: Visibility, Credibility, and Leadership: Repurpose and Curate Your Evergreen Content with Dawn Jensen
Dawn Jensen from DawnShowMeHow.com is all about reusing your content.
If you're ready to live the laptop lifestyle and enjoy a huge social media reach with your content marketing, without working too hard, then you're in for a treat. Dawn discusses:
- how to repurpose videos and audios (for example, turn a 90 second video into an audio and a podcast episode)
- how to curate your own evergreen content into shareable facts, figuers, statistics, quotables, and checklists
- curate from other sources including Hewes, Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine and Inc Magazine
- why you should look back at your last few years of blog posts to find new ideas to update that speak to what your audience is doing now
- the feedback loop
- prep, presence, plan, and pivot
Quotes:
“People sometimes don't understand who they are for the people they serve, and they're not sure what to share or how to share it.” – Dawn Jensen
“You are a strategic partner for your clients, whether you think about it that way or not. The more you can educate and inform through your information, the better educated your buyers will be.” – Dawn Jensen
“Typically, when businesses seek help, they usually need assistance in one of three areas: visibility, credibility, and digital leadership.” – Dawn Jensen
Takeaways:
04:06 Old content can be a goldmine for fresh social media posts and marketing materials.
05:36 Repurposing content allows you to meet different audience preferences and expand reach.
12:16 Businesses should focus on creating consistent, branded content across multiple platforms.
22:06 Understanding your clients' needs and perspectives is more important than demographic data.
28:37 Visual marketing through infographics, checklists, and quote graphics is crucial for engaging audiences.
Resources
- Social Mention (Website)
- Social Searcher (Site)
- KnowEm (Site)
- NameChk (Site)
- Dawn Show Me How (Site)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:44 — 27.2MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
264: Accelerate Your Online Branding with Brand Strategist Jena Rodriguez
Jena Rodriguez from BrandWithJena.com wants you to understand the difference between a brand (the inner game of what you stand for) vs. branding (the outer game of how you express those core values).
She has a 12 component system called branderity that involves communicating with those brand fans to understand their problems, their language, and combine that with your unique story. That leads to your website colors, positioning, price, marketing message, and so on. She also tells us how to prevent getting bogged down with your branding and why you should be clear instead of clever.
Quotes:
“Clarity is better than clever. So if you want to create a business that's kind of like the Google of the world, Google means nothing without the concept behind it, without the story.” – Jena Rodriguez
“Your brand is who you are and what you stand for. It's the experience of who you are, and branding is simply the process of expressing it.” – Jena Rodriguez
“Entrepreneurship is not the easy way; it's the brave way, and we as entrepreneurs have to wear many hats.” – Jena Rodriguez
Takeaways:
01:45 Brand is the inner core of who you are, while branding is how you express that identity to the world.
12:25 Successful branding requires understanding your target audience and speaking their specific language.
20:28 Entrepreneurs should prioritize cash flow and basic consistent branding over expensive, complex marketing strategies.
30:54 Clarity comes from taking action and getting real-world feedback from actual clients.
33:49 Branding is an ongoing process that can be refined and updated as your business grows and changes.
Resources
- Brand with Jena (Website)
- Brave Entrepreneur Podcast (Podcast)
- Digital Maestro (Case study)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:59 — 33.9MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
263: End Destination Thinking, Enjoy the Process, and Complete Daily Goals with Motivational Speaker Todd Lemense
Todd Lemense (Twitter.com/todd_lemense) becomes the first ever return guest on our program! A motivational speaker, he says that most people fall into the trap of "destination thinking" ... the idea that a single event, such as a product launch, wedding, or birth of a baby will be the "single moment that changes everything" when in reality, it's all about those consistent daily actions.
Instead of being disappointed when "that one event" didn't change much, learn to enjoy the process. Manage your fear, hope, and expectations with daily goals. Don't cop-out by thinking "I don't have that problem." Educate yourself about your own emotional maturity, and spiritual/health/financial status to reach that higher standard. Everyone, including celebrities like Carrie Underwood and Tom Brady, have multiple coaches just to become 1% better (or maintain the same skill level), so you need a similar resource as well.
Quotes:
“We have to concentrate on processes. Life isn't static, it keeps moving.” – Todd Lemense
“Life is short and ends quickly, so do as much as you can while you can; it's never going to get easier than it is right now.” – Todd Lemense
“The quality of our lives is the quality of our relationships. I try to enjoy everyone for who they are right now, and I don't plan on changing them.” – Todd Lemense
Takeaways:
02:14 Success isn't about reaching a single destination, but consistently putting in daily effort across all life areas.
09:16 Appreciate relationships and people as they are right now, instead of expecting them to change.
11:03 Not every day will be perfect, and that's okay - managing expectations is crucial for personal growth.
13:14 Top performers always seek coaching and feedback, regardless of their current skill level.
18:25 Challenging experiences can be valuable learning opportunities that ultimately help you improve.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:13 — 19.4MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
262: Self Publishing without Writing: The Lightning Speed Book Creation Method
Quotes from Thought Leaders
- "The secret joy in work is contained in one word: excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it." -- Pearl Buck
- "You get good (and fast) at what you do a lot of." -- Robert Hunt
- "If I had more time, I would have written you a shorter letter." -- Winston Churchill
Productivity tip: set high resolution pictures of nature as your desktop background (and set it to change once per hour if possible)
Self-Publish a Book on Amazon
- Get out more: stop showing off to your peers so much and solve real problems that people are looking for. The danger in copying what's right in front of you is that you only copy "the top layer." Most people have a tendency to make simple things complicated (including your future buyers, your fellow competitors) and blindly copying someone else just leads to something that's hard to follow.
- You need to be a content machine (hint: content can be videos, podcast interviews, not necessarily articles and blog posts)
- 80% of life is just showing up. You should have at the very least, a short book with your best blog posts. Dish some helpful advice anyone can pick up. Be the person that stuck around and kept selling books after everyone else gave up because it was "too hard." Giving up and procrastinating aren't "real" things. It's just a matter of incorrect priorities.
- Amazon books last forever, even if you die and your websites are gone (although you can edit or unpublish at any time) -- use it to silence the haters in your life and show them you have a real business.
- It's a must-have credibility tool that ALL successful people have (celebrities, politicians, thought leaders)
- It's free. Amazon only takes a cut. You can publish unlimited books, with unlimited pen names, so why not do it?
- It's easier to edit crap than air. Get that first draft completed so you have something to edit. Your message is more important than one or two typos in a book.
- Don't quit. Take action now. The time will never be just right. A year ago, you'll wish you had started today.
Write a Book with Lightning Speed
- Speak out the book YOURSELF and get it transcribed. That way you don't take forever on it, and you're saying it in your voice the way you "would have said it." It's done while you're still within the three day window of excitement.
- You need a guide from someone who has done it before. And a proven system so that you can easily follow in their footsteps, and then repeat the process yourself over and over again.
- Have a real deadline, know why you're doing what you're doing and know exactly how much progress you've made. There's no such thing as being 80% or 90% done with a book. Are you in the outline stage, speaking stage, editing stage, cover stage?
- Use 10-7-4 to pile in "too many ideas" and reduce down to just the important ones, and then WWHW to ensure those short chapters are packed with value.
- Use the step by step process to overcome uncertainty, scope creep, and negative associations to "that damn book I can't seem to finish.
Quotes:
“The secret joy in work is contained in one word: excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.” – Robert Plank
“The time will never be just right, and a year from now, you'll wish you had started today.” – Robert Plank
“Giving up and procrastinating are not real things. Those sorts of things just mean that your priorities are out of whack.” – Robert Plank
Takeaways:
03:39 Self-publishing a book doesn't have to be expensive, time-consuming, or complicated.
13:30 Creating content that solves real problems is more important than trying to impress peers.
20:20 A published book serves as a powerful credibility tool that can impress potential clients and silence critics.
26:20 Taking action and publishing quickly is more important than achieving perfection.
29:52 Short, focused books with clear value are more effective than lengthy, meandering publications.
Resources
- Make a Product (Book Publishing Course)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:04 — 33.0MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
261: The Entprepreneurial Mindset: Find Your Passion, Narrow Down Your Niche, and Diversify Your Income with Jason Hartman
Jason Hartman (JasonHartman.com) is all about having that healthy entrepreneurial mindset and wants to talk to you not only about his own up's and down's, but the common mistakes and solutions that we all face.
First, Jason realized early on that he loves to work and that his business actions represent his own creative expression. He also discovered that to narrow down that perfect niche, find your passion (that also results in income) and diversify so that it remains evergreen. To tackle frustrations and roadblocks, he treated himself as his own first client when it came to solving a problem and "building a better mousetrap."
Finally, Jason explains what drew him into the world of podcasting, as well as his number one secret about podcasting: that it's all about the listener, and not the guest.
Quotes:
“Every business starts out of somebody's frustration with something. If it frustrates you, it probably frustrates a lot of other people too.” – Jason Hartman
“People want someone who's real, so I share my failures and problems on my show because I learn from them, and I want my audience to learn from me so they don't have to make the same mistakes I did.” – Jason Hartman
“A higher level of thinking would be to look around at what other businesses are doing and think about how you can bring that idea to your industry.” – Jason Hartman
Takeaways:
01:48 Real estate remains a reliable investment because land is a fundamental asset that doesn't disappear.
06:23 Every great business starts from solving a personal frustration in the market.
14:15 Stop following competitors and instead look at successful strategies in other industries.
22:25 A podcast or content show should always prioritize listener value over guest comfort.
23:49 Consistent content creation doesn't mean you'll become overexposed if the content remains high quality.
Resources
- Jason Hartman (Official Website)
- Hartman Media (Website)
- Jason Hartman Economist (Website)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:55 — 25.6MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
260: Multi-Channel Marketing: Website Retargeting, Email Analytics, Social Media Traffic, and Postcard Marketing with Neil Berman
Neil Berman has a lot to say about multi-channel marketing (site, blog, social, SMS, postcard) and his service Delivra.com can help you stand out from the blizzard of emails with some smart marketing.
He dives into many different scenarios and case studies showing how you can use analytics to draw conclusions about your visitors, send alerts to your staff to directly contact your visitors, and segment your list into three groups (those that don't respond, those that are always active, and your true fans). Neil also shares the best advice he ever received about starting a business: creating a solution that is faster, better, AND cheaper than what's out there.
Quotes:
“Multichannel marketing, all connected through a single database, is really the next phase of making it on the internet.” – Neil Berman
“The challenge in sales and marketing is the timing or urgency of the sales opportunity.” – Neil Berman
“You can't just set it and forget it. You have to go back in, see what's working, see what's not working, and adjust accordingly.” – Neil Berman
Takeaways:
01:57 Multi-channel marketing connects different communication platforms to boost customer engagement and sales opportunities.
07:41 Personalized, timely follow-ups significantly increase conversion potential.
08:58 Successful marketing requires constant analytics review and customer behavior understanding.
14:19 Small businesses can now access advanced marketing technologies at affordable prices.
18:13 Email remains a critical communication infrastructure, despite claims of its decline.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:02 — 20.2MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
Paper Template: Push the Right Button, Don’t Get Bogged Down with Design and Ditch the Copywriter to Create a Website Fast
This might make you angry... I know that it did for me back when I realized that:
I'd spent literally years unsure about how to make a sales page and opt-in page... I was scared that my website would "look stupid" with an ugly design and some of those weird cheesy "headlines" and "sales messages"... copywriting...
But can I tell you what happened next?
This was before I created Paper Template. I hired someone to create a "mini-site" design for me... about 300 bucks... I had to wait a couple of weeks... it came back, and I didn't discover until years later that the plain "white piece of paper" design (Amazon uses a plain white background, Google uses a plain white background, eBay) out-coverted the "pretty" looking website... by a long shot...
The only thing I can figure is that visitors were pulled in MORE by the words on the screen than the "beautiful" design, huge logo and everything...
And then... I paid a copywriter 400 dollars (an inexpensive one, this is a person who writes the persuasive text on the web page) and had to wait two more weeks for that...
Let me tell you what happened with the copywriter. They had me fill in a 12 page questionnaire. It took me a couple of days to complete, actually. And then, the copywriter only made MINOR tweaks to the text I had entered.
It was largely a copy and paste job. To give you an idea, one part of the questionnaire asked me to list the names of all 17 videos contained in my product. The copywriter chose to only list the 9 most exciting videos and then said... plus 12 more videos for a total of 17 videos!
I don't regret paying the copywriter or the graphic designer because I wouldn't have finish the sales page anyway... but as they say... here's what I paid for:
Pushing button: $1
Knowing which button to push: $399
Now, you yourself might have paid thousands of dollars for a website design, and maybe thousands more for a copywriter...
And I don't think copywriters are bad... but...
Can I give you a free copywriter? (in plugin form?)
It's called Paper Template.
And it not only creates your landing pages for you (opt-in pages, sales letters, download pages, webinar replay pages, etc.) but it also:
- allows you to do it independent of your website's theme (let Paper Template run your whole site or create a landing page in addition to your blog)
- has a number of designs (including that tried and tested plain white one that converts) so you can have a website where people focus on the WORDS and not just how beautiful your design is
- has a ton of pre-built pages with the EXACT words and phrases you need to use... just customize to make it your own or delete what you won't use (it's easier to edit crap than air)
- has a bunch of pre-written headlines and bullet points built right into the plugin... just click, click, click your way to a profit-pulling web page
Check out Paper Template and discover how you can get it for 7 dollars (the quick and easy version) or 47 dollars which includes mobile responsiveness, templates, swipe file, and so much more.
259: Reinvent Your Life, Culitvate Your Inner Circle, Absorb Values, and Model the Right People with Damion Lupo
Damion Lupo says that when it comes to choosing the people you want around you, "The way they do SOMETHING is the way they do EVERYTHING." For Damion, money is a side effect of what he does, and he's more focused on circulation and contribution, helping others succeed financially.
Listen in to our conversation as Damion talks about owning our own life, absorbing values, and modeling the right people (paying close attention to what's under the hood as opposed to that external visible lifestyle). He's got lots of life advice about everything from disconnecting digitally, to noticing/observing nature and spending time thinking about those bigger issues.
Quotes:
“The way people do something is the way they do everything.” – Damion Lupo
“Today, when I think about my goals, it's not necessarily to make 10 times as much money this coming year; it's to create 10 times as much impact.” – Damion Lupo
“We have to make sure that we know what's under the hood with people that we're spending time with.” – Damion Lupo
Takeaways:
02:05 Money follows impact, not the other way around. Focus on contributing value and solving problems, and financial success will naturally follow.
05:45 Choose your inner circle carefully, as the people around you significantly shape your values, ethics, and personal growth trajectory.
09:56 Authenticity in business means being transparent about costs, services, and intentions, rather than manipulating client emotions.
15:37 Develop a consistent morning routine that sets a positive tone for the entire day, prioritizing personal development and gratitude.
20:17 Create intentional space in your schedule for stillness, disconnection from devices, and personal reflection to maintain mental clarity and prevent burnout.
Resources
- Total Control Financial (Website)
- Reinvented Life (Book)
- Hal Elrod's The Miracle Morning (Book)
- The One Thing (Book)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:17 — 25.0MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
258: End Destructive Money Habits and Regain Financial Control with Hilary Hendershott
Do you sometimes feel that money is in control of you, or otherwise has you backed into a corner? Hilary Hendershott is a financial advisor who believes your money operating system (that limits your beliefs) is based on your first money experience.
If there's never enough money, you need to allow different results. Replace your beliefs with new ones, stop saying the same tired phrsaes, create a spending plan, and then follow actions that support that plan to completely change your life and outlook on money.
Quotes:
“Money is a very adult concept. It's very hard for the young human brain to grapple with. People are basically crazy about money.” – Hilary Hendershott
“When you have a money operating system called ‘there's never enough money,’ when money comes into your bank account, the only thing to do is get rid of it.” – Hilary Hendershott
“Most people think they have an earning problem, but the truth in my experience is most people actually have a spending problem.” – Hilary Hendershott
Takeaways:
02:42 Your early money beliefs shape your financial behavior, creating a personal "money operating system" that can limit or empower your financial growth.
12:14 Changing your financial narrative starts with deciding to transform your money story and replacing negative self-talk with empowering language.
15:53 Practical financial health requires getting real with your numbers, creating automated systems, and separating emotions from financial decisions.
18:35 Abundance comes from asking for more, negotiating better, and taking control of your earning and saving potential.
20:02 Anyone can overcome financial challenges by forgiving past mistakes and taking consistent, intentional actions.
Resources
- Hilary's TEDx talk (Youtube)
- Hendershott Wealth Management (Official Website)
- Money Blueprint for Business Owners (Website)
- Profit Boss Radio (Podcast)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:17 — 20.4MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
257: Market Your Killer Website with Exposure Ninja Tim Kitchen
Tim Kitchen from Exposure Ninja (claim your free website review at ExposureNinja.com/review) is an expert at creating five-page sites.
If your business needs a website, or just a website makeover, Tim's process involves discovering your businesses core services. Each of those sub-services requires a separate page on your website. Also, every business needs a blog to answer the 20 most important questions your customers have, in the form of in-depth blog posts.
Quotes:
“Modern SEO is arranging the information about your business in a way that makes Google want to rank your website highly.” – Tim Kitchen
“Your blog is a way to get search visibility as well as a way for you to introduce your business to people who might be new to you.” – Tim Kitchen
“The stuff that's obvious to you might not be obvious to them. We're not saying they're stupid. We're just saying they don't know your business like you do.” – Tim Kitchen
Takeaways:
00:48 SEO is about arranging business information so Google wants to rank your website highly.
09:31 Create website content by listing your top services and answering the most common customer questions using tools.
14:17 Web designers often focus on design without understanding SEO, creating gaps in website optimization.
19:34 Get a free, detailed website review to understand your site's marketing potential without sales pressure.
21:16 Improve website visibility by sharing helpful, informative content that genuinely assists potential customers.
Resources
- Exposure Ninja (Website)
- Free Website Review (Website)
- Answer The Public (Find Common Questions)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:13 — 20.3MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
256: Break the Cycle, Get Motivated and Do What Matters to Make Money
Do you know how time seems to speed up as you get older? The solution for that is to change up your experiences and do new things to slow time back down. Get out of the usual routine.
- Go on a trip, spend weekends off the computer, walk, run or drive. Go to the movies. (Not TV.)
- Productivity. Shut off email, phone and Facebook, and complete four money making tasks per day. Wake up early. Drink water.
- Anchoring. If you're not making money at the computer, you associate computer time with "all that frustrating stuff." Know when you're "stuck" and leave the computer when that happens.
- Stop resting on your laurels. You'll never get today back, ever again. Fish before you're hungry and don't try to play "catch up" so often.
- Small wins. What can make you $10 or $100 today?
Know what questions you're answering in your mind. Know why you're doing what you're doing. For example, maybe the current problem you're trying to solve is to complete a website. Don't worry yet about making sales or dealing with refunds. Get the website COMPLETE first.
Sell what you sell. Membership site. Single payment. Deliver some videos that get them from point A to point B in four milestones of 60 minutes or so. Most people want beginner training.
Quotes:
“Any amount of money is better than nothing. You have to start somewhere, and don't psych yourself out before you've even started.” – Robert Plank
“Figure out what question needs answering, and then you can do it. Don't worry yet about your 1000th sale; just focus on getting a website online right now.” – Robert Plank
“You'll never get today back ever again. So you can look at that as sort of a depressing thing, or a reason to sort of get yourself in gear and fish before you're hungry.” – Robert Plank
Takeaways:
00:09 Breaking routine and changing experiences can help slow down the perception of time passing quickly.
05:41 Completing four specific money-making tasks daily is crucial for maintaining productivity and business growth.
08:30 Don't psych yourself out before starting - any amount of money earned is better than nothing.
09:45 Focus on solving one specific problem at a time when creating a membership site or product.
10:41 Let your paying customers guide your next product or service by listening to their needs.
Resources
- Membership Cube (Membership Cube Complete Course)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:16 — 14.0MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
255: The Voice of Your Dreams: Get Noticed, Serve Others, Overcome Setbacks, and Build Up Passive Income with Aaron Anastasi
Aaron Anastasi from TheVoiceOfYourDreams.com has been on a journey from being an up-and-coming singer to a online teacher. He shares many of his success principles, including finding the joy in service, having a big "why", skylining it, talking to a singular customer avatar, and making use of deadlines and structures.
Quotes:
“We all have this voice of our dreams that calls to us, but it can be hard to hear and hard to follow when our voices of limitation are shouting so much louder.” – Aaron Anastasi
“When I went from ‘it's all about me’ to ‘it's all about serving others,’ there was a big shift in my life, my focus, my level of joy, and certainly my level of income.” – Aaron Anastasi
“It's good enough. We can fix it later and get feedback later. Let's just keep moving and get it done, because done is better than perfect.” – Aaron Anastasi
Takeaways:
02:42 Shifting focus from self-interest to serving others can dramatically improve personal and professional success.
11:15 Perfectionism can block progress; sometimes it's better to complete a project and improve it later.
12:04 Structured creativity allows for more productivity and innovation than complete artistic freedom.
14:01 Creating content with genuine intention and a desire to help others can lead to organic growth and success.
22:07 Identifying and challenging personal limiting beliefs can unlock new opportunities and potential.
Resources
- The Voice Of Your Dreams (Books Website)
- The Voice of Your Dreams (Book)
- The Voice of Your Dreams on Audible (Audio Book)
- Aaron Anastasi (Instagram)
- Aaron Anastasi (Twitter)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:45 — 22.7MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
Internet Marketing: Solve One Problem At a Time
It really bothers me when I see people stressed out about the wrong things online (although, if you've been worried, it hasn't been you fault up until this point)...
Worried about what people will think about me or if there's a single typo on a web page... but in five years, or even one year, will anyone even remember?
Obsessed with having a beautiful web page or "just the right branding"... but what if I told you that those uglier websites make way more money than the pretty ones? And making more money is the point...
Worried about refunds... make some sales first!
Worried about running out of space or bandwidth with your web host... probably won't happen and worry about that problem IF (a big "if") that ever becomes an issue...
One step (or one problem) at a time.
- Do you have a website yet? If not, let's fix that...
- Do you have an opt-in page I can use to subscribe to you?
- Do you have a sales letter with a FUNCTIONING buy button?
- Do you have an email followup sequence? (most people are missing this one)
- Do you consistent get people signing up and buying from you? (Traffic)
I want to make it clear, easy, and repeatable for you in our course here: Income Machine
P.S. "Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher. Life is already filled with those who want to bring you down." -- Oprah Winfrey
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
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
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
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
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
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
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
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
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
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
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
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
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
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
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
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
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
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | RSS
