Recent Updates
254: Red Zone Marketing: Make Your Marketing Exciting, Engaging, Unique, Focused, and Helpful from the Right Messaging and Branding with Maribeth Kuzmeski
Maribeth Kuzmeski from RedZoneMarketing.com has some breaking news: most companies' messaging sucks! They don't have a value proposition, story, elevator speech, or anything of the sort. Instead, specialize in something specific, focus on what's in it for your customers, model your competitors, and think about the outcomes/emotions you can provide for people.
Quotes:
“Marketing isn't working at all if nobody's selling anything.” – Maribeth Kuzmeski
“The key to getting someone to pay attention is more about who you work with than what you do, especially if what you do isn't really all that compelling.” – Maribeth Kuzmeski
“The biggest mistake in marketing is not that you're not doing enough or spending enough; it's that you're not messaging yourself correctly.” – Maribeth Kuzmeski
Takeaways:
05:02 Craft a specific, targeted message that focuses on who you help and the outcomes you deliver, not just what you do.
07:57 Develop multiple messaging templates tailored to different target markets and events.
16:03 The most unique part of your business is often the people behind it, not just the product or service.
16:53 Word-of-mouth and personal recommendations are more powerful than generic marketing efforts.
21:56 Your marketing message should address what people want, not just what they need.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:18 — 21.3MB) | Embed
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253: Self-Publishing: Step into Greatness by Transforming Your Personal Story, Experience, and Passion into a Published Book with Michelle Prince
Michelle Prince from MichellePrince.com says that everyone has a story. She's an expert at taking anyone who wants a non-fiction book and fleshing out not only what they want to accomplish with that book, but also developing the first draft and editing it into something publishable. She also talks about the different types of books you can create, from a business card book, a small "7 things" book, a huge story/message book, or a multi-author book where you only write one chapter.
Quotes:
“Everyone has a story, no matter who you are or what you do, but generally, people who want to share their story and get it into the hands of others are those who are ready to step into their greatness.” – Michelle Prince
“Every story matters, you just have to figure out what you want to do with it.” – Michelle Prince
“The biggest mistake all authors make is underestimating the process, how much time it will take, and how many little decisions have to be made along the way.” – Michelle Prince
Takeaways:
00:53 Every professional has a unique story that can be transformed into a book to boost their business credibility.
04:55 A book's purpose varies - from being a business card to creating speaking opportunities to sharing personal development insights.
07:55 The hardest part of writing a book is extracting the author's core message and experiences from their mind.
13:04 The book creation process can take as little as 4-8 hours of focused conversation and questioning to develop a first draft.
16:02 Publishing a book involves more than writing; it requires a clear marketing strategy aligned with the author's specific goals.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:49 — 20.9MB) | Embed
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252: From Lead to Gold: Develop a Life Plan and Business Plan That Results in Happiness and Joy with Alchemy Advisor Stephen Rodgers
Stephen Rodgers from TheAlchemyAdvisors.com wants to help you discover your higher purpose and develop a life/business plan around that. Steve shares his best resources with us and talks about his daily ritual involving exercise, affirmations, yelling/screaming to music, and his daily scoreboard point system.
Quotes:
“Breaking through resistance is the price you pay for the dream you want.” – Stephen Rodgers
“I've learned more from my challenges and my failures than I have from my successes.” – Stephen Rodgers
“Every goal and every action has a gestation period, just like it takes an orange tree a certain amount of time to grow or an elephant baby to be born.” – Stephen Rodgers
Takeaways:
02:39 Connect with a network of professionals and mentors who can provide support and guidance.
05:00 Create a detailed business and life plan with specific goals, timelines, and action steps.
12:55 Look for the "gift" in challenging situations, turning setbacks into opportunities for growth.
17:11 Break down big, ambitious goals into smaller, manageable chunks to maintain motivation and progress.
20:29 Develop a daily ritual that includes exercise, affirmations, and personal accountability to stay focused and motivated.
Resources
- The Alchemy Advisors (Podcast)
- Focal Point Coaching from Brian Tracy (Coaching and Training Website)
- Mind Valley (Website)
- Code of the Extraordinary Mind (Book)
- Think and Grow Rich (Book)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:33 — 26.1MB) | Embed
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251: Launch Copywriting: Be Personable, Develop a Buzz Around Your Product, and Succeed with Sarah Grear
Sarah Grear from SarahGrear.com/robertrules is a copywriter who enjoys creating the "launch stack"... creating a website with landing pages, marketing emails, funnel, opt-in pages, Facebook ads, and more.
She explains her copywriting process to us, common mistakes people make when launching their products, and the things you need to know to make your upcoming product launch a huge success.
Quotes:
“People really respect and admire you for bringing extra value without necessarily saying it and just surprising them.” – Sarah Grear
“One thing that I see people do is they assume they know what their customer wants without getting the exact language that their customer would use.” – Sarah Grear
“As a copywriter, part of what I do is look at the surveys, ask for the surveys, and find out why people aren't buying their product or why they did buy the product.” – Sarah Grear
Takeaways:
01:46 Showing up on camera and being visible can unexpectedly open up professional opportunities.
05:18 Offering additional value beyond your core service can make you stand out in a competitive market.
14:48 Breaking down complex launch campaigns into manageable, time-boxed stages helps maintain clarity and efficiency.
16:29 Batching work and having dedicated production days can significantly improve productivity and client satisfaction.
26:29 Understanding customer language through surveys and direct conversations is crucial for creating compelling marketing copy.
Resources:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:06 — 28.5MB) | Embed
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250: Strictly Marketing: Debug the System, Follow-Up, and Outsource with Kerry Heaps
Kerry Heaps from StrictlyMarketingMagazine.com has had to wear a lot of hats in her offline and online business career. She has some very helpful and interesting thoughts about outsourcing, fine-tuning your business, making more sales, and having stronger marketing.
Quotes:
“One thing I've learned in my 12 years is you never want to take on a company and promise things you can't deliver.” – Kerry Heaps
“If something isn't working for the company or they're not seeing the results they need, even though at some point they have to take responsibility for it, I still want to work with them.” – Kerry Heaps
“You have to go out there and market your business. So you might as well keep that pipeline full. Thinking someone isn't interested is your thinking, not theirs.” – Kerry Heaps
Takeaways:
05:12 Past work experiences, even in unrelated fields, can provide valuable skills and insights for current business challenges.
07:41 Business owners should maintain some control when outsourcing tasks, but also learn to gradually let go and trust specialists.
12:13 It's important to be honest about whether your services are a good fit for a potential client, even if it means turning down business.
15:56 When helping clients, focus on solving specific problems in their sales process by creating creative, engaging solutions that add value.
25:28 Consistent, patient follow-up is critical in sales, and most businesses give up too quickly when pursuing potential clients.
Resources:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:38 — 27.1MB) | Embed
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Formula for an Easy Book on Amazon
The other day, I asked my subscribers about what they were working on and what they planned on accomplishing by "Friday" of that week...
A recurring theme is that people are either listing a bunch of things, possibly more than they'll realistically complete (sound familiar?) or it's a lot of different things -- sounds like lots of switching gears and putting out different fires... sound familiar?
I have great news... with a little bit of focus (and following a system) you can get all those money making tasks of yours done. The secret is to do things QUICKLY that way all the little
"must-do" things in your business don't pile up...
And how's this for speed? Everyone needs a book, whether it's to land clients, sell products, land joint venture partners, etc. and everyone "thinks" it's "supposed" to be "hard" and take
6 months, 12 months, 24 months... Well... how about 12 hours?
That's right... just a few weeks ago, I woke up at around 6AM with an idea for a book... within 30 minutes, I was speaking it out, and less than an hour later, it was done... a 30 page,
9000 word book...
I took the afternoon off and saw that Amazon gave the "okay" on the published book around 6PM that evening...
So it's possible to do things fast... and... did you know that publishing a book (Kindle and physical) is completely free? Amazon just takes a cut... click here to check out the whole story:
Free PDF download...
Your Book Made Easy: How We Went from "Idea" to Published Book in Under 12 Hours
249: Your Uniqueness, Your Authenticity, Your Superpower and Your Messaging with MaryJo Cranmore
MaryJo Cranmore from MaryJoCranmore.com and Message2Media.com says that you have a unique ability (a superpower) and that can be the basis for the branding that you cultivate. Take those raw materials, hobbies, your skillset (what you've learned), your accomplishments (your experiences), and that unique piece of you to get noticed and stand out from the crowd.
Quotes:
“We are truly in the age of the authenticity movement. It's about not being afraid, as a company or entrepreneur, to allow yourself to be part of the offering.” – MaryJo Cranmore
“Your superpower is something you haven't necessarily cultivated, but you've used your whole life. When people talk about you when you're not in the room, that's generally what they mention.” – MaryJo Cranmore
“You have to be interesting and break through the fog of what people understand about your business to give them something new and tell them something they don't know.” – MaryJo Cranmore
Takeaways:
09:02 Finding your unique "superpower" helps you stand out from competitors and attract the right clients.
11:19 Testimonials and word-of-mouth recommendations are more powerful than traditional advertising.
16:09 Media exposure is about offering a fresh perspective on current events, not just creating news.
18:19 When appearing on camera or in interviews, focus on helping the audience and being yourself rather than trying to be clever.
20:08 Authenticity in business means allowing your personal traits and experiences to be part of your professional offering.
Resources:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:10 — 21.2MB) | Embed
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248: Intuitive Art Academy: Certification Programs, Relaxation, Knowledge and Intuition with Rachel Archelaus
Rachel Archelaus from RachelArchelaus.com and IntuitiveArtAcademy.com has some entrepreneurial advice to share with you when it comes to tapping into your creativity, getting outside of your own head, and turning on your brain flow.
Her method involves asking the right questions of yourself, drawing on crayons (or colored pencils) and paper, scribbling with your eyes closed, and then decoding the drawings and colors used in that drawing to achieve huge insights. She also talks about the up's and down's of her business journey and shares ways to be more productive and give yourself more credit for your accomplishments.
Quotes:
“The more I trust my intuition or instincts, the less I have to strategize and think about things.” – Rachel Archelaus
“Your intuition is never really going to tell you not to pursue your dreams; it might tell you to hold off on making a decision, and something better will come along.” – Rachel Archelaus
“The path to success or whatever outcome you're seeking is never a straight line.” – Rachel Archelaus
Takeaways:
01:49 Intuition is your first voice - the initial instinct before overthinking kicks in.
05:18 Creative activities like doodling or walking in nature help clear mental space for intuitive insights.
17:42 Developing a certification program can expand your business reach and create additional revenue streams.
18:43 Automating business processes and hiring a part-time assistant can free you to focus on strategic thinking and travel.
23:39 Trusting your own knowledge and capabilities is more powerful than constantly seeking external validation.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:59 — 24.7MB) | Embed
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247: Tame the High Cost of College: Pursue Side Hustles and Entrepreneurial Adventures with Brad Baldridge
Brad Baldridge is a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of experience who specializes in college financial planning. Since 2004, he has been a college consultant and founder of "Taming the High Cost of College," a consulting service aimed at helping families navigate college expenses. Brad hosts a podcast under the same name, which features over 100 episodes discussing various aspects of college planning, including test preparation, scholarships, and financial strategies. He offers free resources on his website, including an EFC calculator and a scholarship guide for parents.
Quotes:
“A lot of entrepreneurs' successful business was their sixth try, not their first. And if it's going to take you six tries, the sooner you get the first five done, the sooner you start making money.” – Brad Baldridge
“College planning is a challenge for many families. You can think of planning for college like planning a large family vacation, buying a car, and finding a job for your student all rolled into one.” – Brad Baldridge
“I always tell people there are probably 100 strategies out there or more, and five or ten are going to be right for you. The challenge is figuring out which five or ten those are and getting out there and doing them.” – Brad Baldridge
Takeaways:
03:14 Involving kids in family businesses can be an effective way to fund college expenses while teaching entrepreneurial skills.
09:08 Entrepreneurial strategies for college funding can include side hustles, hiring kids in the family business, and exploring tax-efficient income methods.
13:31 Not every family or student is suited for entrepreneurial approaches, so multiple college funding strategies should be considered.
17:08 College planning is complex and requires early preparation, starting as early as sophomore year of high school.
22:13 Educating yourself about college planning through podcasts, resources, and early research can significantly reduce financial stress.
Resources:
- I’ll Show You How to Save on College Costs | Taming the High Cost of College
- Connect with Brad Baldridge on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:13 — 27.7MB) | Embed
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246: Authority Content: Document Your Magic, Delegate Your Business, and Get Off the Hamster Wheel with David Jenyns
David Jenyns from AuthorityContent.com heard of a marketer who sold pieces of the Brooklyn Bridge and modeled this success to sell the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
He's discovered that you can model (not copy) an idea to make it your own and then own that success or failure. Drill down to a speciality, find a specific need, and sell it to the immediate crowd in front of you.
David has a number of insights about direct mail, online marketing and SEO, getting attention, systems/processes, and delegation. He talks with us today about recurring revenue and the 3 P's of content marketing:
- Present: organize a (one-take) live event to teach your best content to a real crowd (take photos)
- Product: repurpose that content in a 4-day cash machine
- Promote: repurpose into hundreds of pieces of audio and video
Resources
- Authority Content (Book)
- System Hub (Website)
- Mebourne SEO Service (YouTube)
- David (Twitter)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:51 — 33.7MB) | Embed
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245: Wow Factor Marketing: Stop Spraying Bullets and Use Direct Response Techniques to Adapt and Thrive with John Dwyer
John Dwyer from TheInstituteOfWow.com has noticed that many businesses simply "spray bullets" -- they don't use direct response techniques to measure their marketing. They should use the Wheel of Wow:
- Identify your most profitable customer: not your target audience, an actual person... then market more people like that
- Add Wow Factor: get prospects to take their eyes off the price (the Happy Meal effect)
- Position problem/solution scenario: the same way weight loss companies market (before and after)
- Fix your website: make sure it has those sticky ingredients (welcome video, headline, testimonials, data capture)
- Repetitive trade: get customers to use a loyalty/reward system (think "sandwich punch card")
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:12 — 32.2MB) | Embed
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244: The Business of Life: Achieve Financial Freedom, Personal Freedom, and Create the Type of Business You Want with Keith Callahan
Keith Callahan is a husband and father of four who can show you how to get not only financial freedom, but freedom of time as well.
He's made money with real estate, financial consulting, network marketing, and life coaching. He has a number of insights about the difference between inspiration vs. perspiration, along with self-obsession, perspective, and gratitude.
Resources
- Keith Callahan (Official Website)
- The Business of Life Podcast (Podcast)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:07 — 28.5MB) | Embed
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243: Run Live Events and Workshops with Direct Response Event Planner Sherrie Sokolowski
Sherrie Sokolowski (email address sherriesokoevents@gmail.com) from SLSEventPlanning.com is an event planner who can structure, strategize, and fill seats in your live events.
She has tons of unique insights about "modern" soft-sell events and workshops with bonus days. She wants to tell you about common mistakes made with events, venues, overflow rooms, webinars, live streams, cancellations, and more.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:33 — 32.5MB) | Embed
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242: The Four D’s of Reputation Marketing: Discover, Define, Develop and Defend with Pamela Gockley
Pamela Gockley from Repuatus.com wants you to work on your reputation. Branding is who you are, but reputation is how you're perceived (which may be egotistical, narissistic, or aggressive). It's important to take the DISC profile test (every year if you can) so yoy find out who you really are, and then apply the four D's...
- Discover: discover your past and personal awareness, how do people perceive you?
- Define: set goals
- Develop: website, target marketing, and messaging
- Defend: how to react or apologize if the "shit hits the fan"
Resources
- Reputatus (Website)
- Email: pam@reputatus.com
- The Art of Running Red Lights (Book)
- The Reputation Factor (Book)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:08 — 24.8MB) | Embed
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241: Stop Overpaying Your Taxes and Avoid Entrepreneurial Mistakes That Cost You Thousands with Diane Gardner
Diane Gardner from TaxCoach4You.com is a tax superhero and wants you to avoid mistakes you're making on your taxes, such as using the wrong entity type or not deducting meals and entertainment. You can make use of your home office deduction, hire your kids, make use if health insurance and retirement if you know what to do.
Quotes:
“I firmly believe in being a giver. So if we can get that information into people's hands, they can start learning about some of these things that possibly their accountant or their tax preparer isn't really telling them about.” – Diane Gardner
“Choosing an accountant is an awful lot like dating because you want to get to know that person. You want to find out if they are entrepreneurial and if they understand your industry.” – Diane Gardner
“A lot of people don't feel comfortable doing it themselves, so I always suggest that you should hook up with a good, solid professional of some sort to make sure that those expenses are being recorded.” – Diane Gardner
Takeaways:
02:52 Small business owners can reduce tax burden by implementing strategic planning like hiring family members and writing off specific expenses.
04:52 Regular tax analysis can uncover hidden profit and potential savings opportunities.
08:00 Choosing the right business entity type can save entrepreneurs thousands in taxes each year.
14:25 Tracking and documenting business expenses is crucial for maximizing tax deductions.
21:49 Internet marketers and solopreneurs often miss significant tax deduction opportunities due to poor record-keeping.
Resources:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:10 — 21.2MB) | Embed
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240: Web Design and SEO: Optimize Your Website Using Cutting Edge (and Common Sense) Tweaks and Factors with Jeremy Knauff
Jeremy Knauff is a US Marine Corps veteran, proud father, and husband who has dedicated over 17 years to helping businesses grow through digital marketing. As the founder of Spartan Media, he specializes in web design and search engine optimization (SEO). Jeremy is also an author for Search Engine Journal, a prominent industry publication. His expertise spans web development, digital marketing strategies, and helping companies improve their online presence.
The low-hanging fruit is to use the Google PageSpeed tool to measure your site's speed (remove slow plugins), as well as the mobile friendly test (refine your tap targets and adjust images that are too big).
Next, optimize your site for what your users want, as well as their intent (for those customers who come to your site for a specific purpose, for example, to find a phone number or address).
Quotes:
“When somebody comes to a website, they're coming there for their own needs. So that's an example of basically setting the stage for the customer, not for the owner.” – Jeremy Knauff
“Most websites tell you right off the bat how great they are and how they're the best. But that's not what anybody cares about.” – Jeremy Knauff
“You have to figure out what the particular visitor is trying to accomplish, and route them in a way that's going to be most efficient for them.” – Jeremy Knauff
Takeaways:
07:39 Website speed matters more than most business owners realize, with even a tenth of a second delay potentially impacting revenue.
12:53 Most websites make the mistake of talking about themselves instead of focusing on what users actually want.
14:00 Before building a website, understand the different intents of potential visitors and create pathways that efficiently guide them.
17:40 Mobile responsiveness is now critical, with Google using a mobile-first index that prioritizes mobile-friendly websites.
24:10 Adding too many plugins can dramatically slow down a website's performance, especially on WordPress.
Resources
- Spartan Media (Website)
- Spartan Media (Facebook)
- Spartan Media (Twitter)
- Amazon found every 100ms of latency cost them 1% in sales (Blog post)
- Jeremy Knauff on Search Engine (Journal)
- Mistakes Smart Web Designers Make That Can Kill SEO (Podcast)
- Google PageSpeed Tool (Tool)
- Mobile Friendly Test (Test)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:15 — 23.1MB) | Embed
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239: Escape the Rat Race: Learn, Take Action, Achieve Success, and Scale Up with Mark Walker
Mark Walker is a successful real estate investor who transitioned from a high-tech corporate leadership role to becoming a full-time entrepreneur. He founded Lux Mana Investments, focusing on residential and multifamily property investments. Mark began his real estate journey in 2004 after reading "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki, which inspired him to pursue passive income strategies. He successfully purchased and developed properties, including a 64-unit apartment complex, and ultimately quit his corporate job in January 2015 to pursue real estate investing full-time.
In our discussion today, Mark talks about discipline, lifestyle, decision-making, priorities, procrastination, and inspiration.
Quotes:
“Learning leads to action, and it's the action that actually leads to success.” – Mark Walker
“I'm never done learning. I'm constantly focused on learning more, figuring out what's working, what's not working, and what can improve.” – Mark Walker
“Procrastination really is a self-inflicted stress that we all have complete control over.” – Mark Walker
Takeaways:
02:10 Successful entrepreneurs prioritize learning and continuously seek ways to improve their skills and knowledge.
08:48 Breaking free from the corporate paycheck mindset takes time and mental preparation, even after achieving financial independence.
11:33 Creating passive income requires setting clear lifestyle goals and building financial strategies around those objectives.
15:04 Procrastination is a self-inflicted stress that entrepreneurs can control by making daily conscious choices.
21:43 Making time for important goals happens naturally when you're truly passionate about your objectives.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:16 — 21.3MB) | Embed
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238: Repurpose Your Career: Find a Career or Business That Fulfills You At Any Age or Skill Level with Marc Miller
Marc Miller from CareerPivot.com is a professional career changer for his clients. He's here to help you discover not only who you are, who you work best with (environment). For example, some people are "structured anarchists" and "stealth competitors."
Listen in and discover the difference between talents (things you do innately) and skills (things you learned). Speak authentically, develop your brand, find out how people see you, what's different about you, and where you fit best.
Quotes:
“The key piece here is understanding who you are and where you are going to fit.” – Marc Miller
“For most of us, it's more important who we work with in the environment than what we actually do.” – Marc Miller
“If you have skills that are not essentially attached to your innate talents, and you overuse them, that's when you get burnout.” – Marc Miller
Takeaways:
02:06 Career changes are normal and necessary in today's fast-changing job market, with professionals potentially switching careers 3-5 times in their lifetime.
08:35 Understanding your innate talents and skills is crucial to finding a fulfilling career that matches your true personality.
22:28 Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone, with only about 10% of people naturally suited to starting their own business.
30:44 Learning problem-solving skills is more important than mastering specific technical tools that may become outdated quickly.
44:06 The future of work involves continuous learning and periodic reinvention across different stages of life.
Resources
- Career Pivot (Website)
- Repurpose Your Career (Book)
- 100 Year Life (eBook)
- Will It Fly by Pat Flynn (Book)
- Who Moved My Cheese by Kenneth Blanchard (Book)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:35 — 42.7MB) | Embed
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237: Money Answers: Setup Your Business Structure, Get Financing, Put Your Money to Work for You, Refinance Student Loans and Optimize Your Mortgage with Jordan Goodman
Jordan Goodman from MoneyAnswers.com has a number of financial solutions to not only setup your business structure correctly, but obtain business financing, optimize your mortgage, and more.
Quotes:
“One word that is the key to success in life and business is leverage. And by leverage, I mean leveraging other people's expertise, finances, and contacts.” – Jordan Goodman
“The two greatest forces of personal finance and business finance are inertia and apathy. People don't do that, and they don't care.” – Jordan Goodman
“I wish people learned more of this stuff in school, but they don't. You can go through the finest university, and they don't give you anything about how to start a business.” – Jordan Goodman
Takeaways:
05:00 Choose the right business structure from the start to protect personal assets and make future selling easier.
16:06 Banks are tough on small business loans, so explore alternative financing options like peer-to-peer lending and specialized lending platforms.
21:21 Don't let money sit idle in low-interest bank accounts; seek out investment opportunities like commercial real estate income funds that offer better returns.
29:19 Student loan refinancing can dramatically reduce interest rates and help borrowers pay off debt faster.
30:54 Mortgage optimization techniques can help homeowners pay off their mortgage in 5-7 years instead of 30 years.
Resources
- MoneyAnswers.com (Official Website)
- Business Answers Today (877-627-5555): Setup Your Business Structure (sole prop, S-corp, C-corp, LLC, or LLP)
- Corporate Lending Solutions (877-290-2510): Get Business Funding
- Commercial Real Income Funds (888-444-2102): Invest In Small Commercial Property Renovation
- Dream Funded (Quity Crowd funding)
- Credible Money Answers (866-540-6005): Refinance Student Loans to 2-3%
- Truth In Equity (Optimize Your Mortgage With A Home Equity Line Of Credit)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:07 — 31.2MB) | Embed
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236: Get More Clients with Less Marketing, Overcome Burnout, and Develop Profitable Habits with with Mary Cravets
Mary Cravets is a business growth and development expert who specializes in helping driven entrepreneurs expand their businesses effectively. With a professional background spanning real estate, business-to-business networking events, and business consulting, she has developed a unique approach to helping business owners get more clients and create sustainable growth strategies. Mary is known for her speaking engagements and strategic business development guidance.
Mary Cravets from MaryCravets.com/bigimpact says that instead of drowning people in content, you should build your own path and breeze through the "what the hell" period.
Develop better habits, delegate sooner, narrow ideas, land your favorite clients, and become more productive.
Quotes:
“The way that I work is I start with real fundamental concepts that help people build their own path, using their strengths, their values throughout every area of their business.” – Mary Cravets
“In client generation, there's no queue; you just have to be self-motivated. So you have to build structure into your business so that there is some kind of self-imposed queue.” – Mary Cravets
“You have to be willing to build from your priorities, and not someone else's, even if it's fun, even if you've made a commitment.” – Mary Cravets
Takeaways:
05:21 Focus on 3-4 marketing tactics that actually work instead of trying 27 different strategies.
09:26 Build a system of rewards for consistent marketing actions to overcome the lack of immediate feedback.
12:01 Delegate tasks and hire help sooner than you think you need to in order to grow your business.
16:23 Be willing to say no to commitments that don't align with your business priorities.
19:22 Prepare your to-do list the night before to hit the ground running and maximize morning productivity.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:21 — 24.1MB) | Embed
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235: Make Facebook Your ATM: Profit from Social Media Ads and Marketing with Sally Hendrick
STOP posting randomly on social media without a real strategy!
Sally Hendrick from MakeFBYourATM.com and SocialMediaMarketingLab.com wants you to capture the right cross-section, split test your landing pages, market affiliate products, and make those sorts of small tweaks that get you results on Facebook.
Sally Hendrick is a digital marketing expert and founder of Social Media Traffic School, an online marketing academy focused on target market research, sales funnels, and Facebook advertising strategies. She helps entrepreneurs clarify their business goals and create effective social media marketing plans. Sally runs the Social Media Profit Lab and offers free resources like the "Top 10 Mistakes with Facebook Ads" guide through her website Make FB Your ATM. Her background includes helping clients develop clear marketing strategies, from those unsure of their business direction to those with fragmented marketing efforts.
Quotes:
“It’s not about the 10 ways to get there, it’s about the result. That's the part I've got to solve for someone.” – Sally Hendrick
“You really do have to research and focus on that one result that you want to help people who are struggling with it.” – Sally Hendrick
“You might be that type of entrepreneur where you're multi-passionate, and you want to help everybody do everything. But when you hire a business coach, you eventually understand that they're really focusing on one major thing at a time.” – Sally Hendrick
Takeaways:
00:47 Stop posting randomly on social media without a clear strategy and proper website setup.
05:16 Focus on the specific result you want to help people achieve, not multiple scattered approaches.
14:25 Use creative targeting in Facebook ads by incorporating unexpected interest groups and attention-grabbing visuals.
15:43 Create content funnels that guide potential clients through a natural progression of interest and engagement.
20:19 Develop free training resources that showcase your expertise and build trust with potential customers.
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234: Innovate, Systematize, Repurpose and Scale: Overcome Criticism, Find Simplicity and Be an Imperfect Superhero with O-Shot Creator Dr. Charles Runels
Dr. Charles Runels is a multifaceted medical professional with a rich background spanning various roles. He has worked as a lifeguard, research chemist, emergency room doctor, and wound care center director. Currently, he is known for developing innovative medical procedures like the Vampire Facelift and O-Shot. Dr. Runels has authored several books available on Amazon and has written about his medical techniques.
Dr. Charles Runels (phone number: 888-920-5311) is the inventor of the O-Shot, Vampire Facial, Vampire Facelift, and the Priapus Shot.
He's developed and trademarked a widely respected and medically documented procedure that uses Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to improve sex, treat injuries, heal Peyronie's disease, fix post-pregnancy incontinence, and more. Dr. Charles has gone from living in his car to running a 2 million dollar per year business by becoming excellent, modeling mentors, packaging, and repurposing. He's also learned many lessons about simplicity, authenticity, and hiring the right people. He also shares Stan Lee's secret about making superheroes real, that you can use in your marketing starting today.
Quotes:
“The enemy to progress is not ignorance. The enemy of progress is the illusion of knowing, thinking you know when maybe there's something that you don't know.” – Dr. Charles Runels
“If you want to be a superhero, give up being perfect. People will actually like you better.” – Dr. Charles Runels
“The only way to make no enemies is to sit on the couch and watch television all day. If you get up and make something happen, you make some friends and enemies.” – Dr. Charles Runels
Takeaways:
03:53 The internet allows professionals to connect, share knowledge, and innovate faster than traditional methods.
13:23 Always be learning and teaching, adapting your skills to create new opportunities.
25:12 Being an imperfect hero makes you more relatable and appealing to people.
35:19 Breaking traditional business models and creating your own path can lead to greater success and satisfaction.
40:17 Simplifying complex ideas makes learning more effective and engaging.
Resources
- 888-920-5311 (Dr. Charles' Office #)
- O-Shot (Website)
- Membership Cube and Webinar Crusher (Book)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:13 — 45.1MB) | Embed
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233: Personality, Philsophy, and Passion: Differentiate in the Marketplace, Create Noise, and Take Meaningful Risks with Frank Gibson
Dr. Frank Gibson from Last Call Program wants to talk to you about personality, philosophy, and passion. He invented a solution to treat alcoholism called Sobrexa and started a huge movement on social media. Listen in as he discusses how he's changed the conversation and updated an industry for the first time in decades.
Dr. Frank Gibson is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in medicine, entrepreneurship, and scientific research. He has established himself as a successful businessman who transitioned from running three state-licensed medical clinics to creating the Last Call Program, an innovative approach to treating alcohol use disorders. Dr. Gibson has been featured on over 50 TV and radio programs in the US and Europe, including appearances on the PBS series and American Milestones.
Quotes:
“You want to be joyous on the last day of your life. You don't want to compromise.” – Frank Gibson
“Our use of social media serves as a platform for knowledge, positive exposure and growth. It lets people get to know and trust us.” – Frank Gibson
“Sometimes you just got to go after it. Sometimes you need to risk it all without question.” – Frank Gibson
Takeaways:
02:35 Breaking through industry barriers requires understanding modern science and challenging outdated treatment protocols.
18:20 Successful entrepreneurs view obstacles as strategic opportunities for innovation, not insurmountable roadblocks.
24:59 Social media marketing is most effective when focused on education and building trust rather than direct selling.
28:20 Personal passion and authenticity are critical in connecting with potential customers and creating meaningful content.
30:43 Continuous learning and adaptation are essential in rapidly changing marketing landscapes.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:19 — 33.3MB) | Embed
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232: Mantra Leadership and Mantra Design: Innovate, Buy, or Die with Dana Oliver
Who wants to work for a jerk? No one, that's who! Dana Oliver from MantraLeadership.com has a lot of "best practices" for start-up communities and entrepreneurs to get along with others and manage others effectively. Pay attention to peoples' needs, identify what they want, and trust them.
Dana Oliver is a seasoned professional with approximately 30 years of experience in the medical device industry. He previously served as a senior director of research and development at Medtronic, helping grow the company from $100 million to $2 billion in annual revenues. Dana has applied for over 30 patent applications and been granted 25 US patents. As an author, he has written two books: "Mantra Leadership: Don't Become the Emperor with No Clothes" and "Mantra Design: Innovate, Buy or Die". These books focus on leadership skills and innovation strategies for businesses.
He also has a concept called Mantra Design, where simple beats better. You should get onto the peer level with your customers to discover their unmet needs and long-term pain. Run your product by 12 to 20 people to tease out the 75% to 90% of features (and hot buttons) to focus on.
Quotes:
“Who wants to work for a jerk? If you want the best from your employees, they need to feel motivated to come to work and give their all.” – Dana Oliver
“Innovation starts with an eye—not the letter ‘I,’ but the eyeball—meaning you immerse yourself in your customer's world.” – Dana Oliver
“Simple always outperforms better. Even if superior technology exists, if it’s not simple to use, people won’t fully adopt or embrace it.” – Dana Oliver
Takeaways:
08:18 Innovation starts by deeply understanding your customer's world and observing their actual behaviors, not just listening to what they say.
11:23 Simple solutions beat complex technologies every time, focusing on features that delight 80% of customers.
18:30 Every morning, identify the single most important task to accomplish and the longest lead item that needs addressing.
21:16 Technology and product development should solve real problems in people's ecosystems, making their lives easier and more efficient.
24:13 Getting close to customers and seeing through their eyes is the foundation of successful product development and business strategy.
Resources
- Mantra Leadership (Website)
- Mantra Leadership (Book)
- Mantra Design (Book)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:51 — 25.5MB) | Embed
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231: Create a Freelance Income from Scratch and Live Life on Your Own Terms from Fiverr Voiceover Artist, Fiverr Ambassador, and Host of the Fiverrcast Redd Horrocks
Redd Horrocks from InstantVoicemails.com was a voice actor for 13-14 years and discovered Fiverr as a way to do what she loves while living anywhere and setting her own hours. She has over 13,000 reviews from satisfied customers, has completed 27,000 jobs on Fiverr, plus 3,000 on other sites -- generating a six figure freelancing income from just 4 hours a day on weekdays and 1 hour per day on weekends.
Listen in as Redd explains how she's streamlined her process with a personal assistant, how she markets her Fiverr business with buyer requests (as well as over-delivering since you never know if "your next client will become your best client"), and how she's simplified her pricing structure to generate tons of extra sales.
Quotes:
“You never know when your next client is going to become your best client.” – Redd Horrocks
“If someone asks for something once, it's one thing. But if I have 10 people coming to me in the space of a week who are all asking for something that I don't provide, that's a good time to seriously look at whether or not I should be providing it.” – Redd Horrocks
“You can't be afraid to learn a new skill. It's worth it sometimes to just say, 'Okay, I don't know how to do that, but I wonder if it's really as hard as I think it is.” – Redd Horrocks
Takeaways:
09:47 Track your business trends meticulously to avoid panic during slow periods and understand your market's natural cycles.
10:43 Success on Fiverr comes from providing exceptional customer service and consistently delivering high-quality work.
13:43 Build long-term client relationships by treating every order as a potential gateway to future large-scale work.
16:37 Diversifying your skills and being open to learning new services can significantly expand your income potential.
21:58 Start small on Fiverr by creating gigs that match your existing skills and equipment, with minimal financial risk.
Resources
- Redd Horrocks female voiceover (Fiverr)
- Redd Horrocks (Official Website)
- Instant Voicemails (Immediately Download Outgoing Voicemail Greetings In A Variety Of Styles And Accents
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:40 — 28.1MB) | Embed
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