Recent Updates
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")
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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)
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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.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:33 — 23.4MB) | Embed
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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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230: You Have No Competition: Get Paid to Create an Information Product and Turn Your Knowledge into a New Stream of Passive Income with Fred Gleeck
Fred Gleeck is a business coach and entrepreneur with a unique approach to helping subject matter experts transform their knowledge into profitable information products. With extensive experience in creating and marketing online courses, Fred has worked with clients across various industries, including voiceover artists and opera singers. He is currently writing a book titled "You Have No Competition" and has hosted multiple business coaching boot camps in Las Vegas. Fred's business model involves becoming a joint venture partner with clients, sharing profits 50/50 and helping them develop systems for creating and selling online training materials.
Listen in as he describes a few case studies about his clients (voiceover expert Bill DeWees, or Fred's latest opera singer client) where he made use of that "unsold inventory" of information that many business owners seem to have. You'll also hear about how Fred establishes boundaries with his JV partners, deals with competition (competence plus personality), and systematizes everything so that he can deliver consistent quality.
Quotes:
“You've got a lot of unused and unsold inventory inside your brain that could help other people just starting out in their careers.” – Fred Gleeck
“People make their decision in the long run based both on competence and on personality.” – Fred Gleeck
“The key to success in a business relationship, as it is in a personal relationship, is in proper screening in advance.” – Fred Gleeck
Takeaways:
06:04 Transform your professional expertise into a profitable information product by packaging your unique knowledge and experience.
11:14 Creating an info product doesn't generate competition; instead, it often leads to more service opportunities and client trust.
14:15 Get paid to create your product by validating market demand through initial paid workshops or webinars.
22:58 Screen potential business partners carefully to ensure long-term success and minimize potential conflicts.
26:12 When choosing a business partner or coach, prioritize personality compatibility alongside professional competence.
Fred's Contact Information
- Email address: fredgleeck@gmail.com
- Subject line: "ROBERT PLANK SENT ME"
- Message body: tell Fred what your "field" is, as well as any info-products you have or would like to create
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:17 — 28.6MB) | Embed
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229: Temporarily Embarrassed Millionaires, the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Social Policing
Today's Sponsor: Website Remote (manage all your WordPress sites)
Important Quotes from Famous People
- "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right." -- Henry Ford
- "The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence." -- Charles Bukowski
- "Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great." -- John D. Rockefeller
- "Don't compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel." -- Pastor Steven Furtick
- "Are you losing belief or do you just wish it was happening faster? Balance ambition with patience." -- Gary Vaynerchuk
- "Every successful person has a rule to never spend more than 10% of time on a problem, but at least 90% on a solution" -- Anthony Robbins
Reminders from Robert Plank
- People have less of what you have and are happy. Others have exactly what you want (if not more) and are unhappy.
- Being upset or stressed about your business is a good thing if you channel it into something positive (growth)
- You're exactly where you're supposed to be right now in your journey. The present probably came very close to not happening as it was supposed to, and the future is probably very close to not happening as it should
- If things are tough, is it possible you're being setup for something better?
- Haven't there been times when you enjoyed taking some action?
- If things are difficult, it's because you're being tested. It's an opportunity for personal growth (feast and famine)
- Your life isn't a straight line or a curve of up's and down's... it's a series of 3-5 year containers
- Have an abundance mindset instead of a scarcity mindset (don't let the little stuff like grudges use up 100% of your CPU)
Talking Points
- Be careful of social policing: it's not up to you to save the world, all you can do is look out for yourself first (but that includes feeling good about helping others)
- Many people aren't calibrated to where they need to be -- Four Daily Tasks, thinking too far (or not enough) in the future or past
- Have the right metric: make money, reduce hours... not just to "show off for them"
- Excuses: "I'm tired" or "I don't have time" or "People aren't buying now" or "I need to wait until..."
Dont's
- Don't be a downer, a victim, a person who puts themselves down
- Don't be a predictable, one-note, cardboard character
- Don't give up, don't use any old excuse to stop unless you seriously believe it
- Don't stop doing something unless you replace it with something else
Do's
- Make it work even if it "seems" the universe is conspiring against you (even though it's not)
- Decide to: let go, have boundaries, get the right priorities, and find the time
- Switch gears, recharge your batteries and take time to calm down instead of just going through the motions
- Wish you were better -- your best is enough but make sure it's your best
- Use failure and frustration as fuel to do better in the future
Quotes:
“Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone else's highlight reel.” – Robert Plank
“People have less of what you have and are happy. Others have exactly what you want, if not more, and are unhappy.” – Robert Plank
“Every successful person has a rule to never spend more than 10% of time on a problem, but at least 90% on a solution.” – Robert Plank
Takeaways:
01:01 Avoid keeping up appearances and focus on genuine business development.
06:09 Stress can be a powerful tool for growth when channeled positively.
09:06 Believing in your business potential creates a self-fulfilling path to success.
17:06 Maintain an abundance mindset instead of getting trapped in scarcity thinking.
30:05 Your best effort is enough, but always strive to improve continuously.
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228: Are You Afraid?
"If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original."
-- Ken Robinson
Here's why I ask if you're afraid...
A bunch of years ago, it was around the holidays and I was hanging out with some friends... we were playing Monopoly and you might know that it's the sort of game that leaves a lot of players super angry by the end...
Well, I didn't mind it too much that one of the guys in our group kept making us start over... as in... if HE was the one who was down on his money, even if the rest of us were doing well, he would suddenly act super sad and push and prod us until we gave in and restarted the game...
If he was raking in the money in Monopoly, he had no problem continuing the game... even if others were having trouble.
It's just a game, we were having fun, and I don't think we actually saw a complete gamethrough to completion that night... BUT... it got me thinking...
Imagine if that friend of mine (I didn't know him that well, he was just someone's brother who happened to be there) had saw one of our games through? Maybe he'd still lose or maybe he would have come out of those "tough times" on the other end, and really enjoyed that rollercoaster ride?
As opposed to starting it over and playing it safe...
What does all this have to do with internet marketing, being an entrepreneur, and growing your online business?
Many People Are Afraid To Actually See Their Business Become A Business...
- It might get tough and scary
- They might have to change course
- They might get confused and not know what to do next
- They might have to admit they were wrong or that something isn't working
Is this "fear" problem something that you can solve in the next 10 seconds? Is it something that won't rear its ugly head sometime later? Heck no... BUT...
If you've felt that you've "restarted the game" too many times and you haven't finished that sales letter, product, or have neglected that blog or podcast... it's possible that you needed to ride the wave of failure down only to ride an even bigger wave of success back up...
But YOU are the only one who can say that statement is true...
I honestly believe that you should focus on whatever you think your best chance of making money is for the next 30 days... commit yourself to that singular goal and take four actions per day in service of that goal...
I also think that a long term goal of yours is to have 300 pieces of content (whatever that means to you -- quick YouTube videos, short podcasts) that lead back to you and your websites, your opt-in forms, your sales letters.
Not 300 pieces of content overnight, but that should be your long-term goal in order to bring in enough traffic to sustain you and your business.
WP Import and Podcast Crusher
I think that our WP Import plugin is a great tool to fill up a blog with content (whether you did or didn't write it yourself) and our Podcast Crusher podcasting course is a wonderful complement to that tool, because podcasting allows you to quickly speak out whatever's on your mind...
AND even have other experts create the content for you, which they will gladly do. I've interviewed 125 people for my podcast in the past 143 days -- it's only been an extra time commitment of about 4 hours per week on my part (it would be a lot less if I chose not to publish 5 days a week which I can always change) ---
It's increased the blog traffic big-ly, opened up a ton of doors (joint ventures) I didn't have previously, and I'm already on the schedule with a few other marketers to appear on THEIR shows, provide value to THEM and introduce ME to THEIR audience.
I hope that in the coming year you aren't afraid to set yourself on the path that has the best chance of success for you, repeat for 30 days with 4 daily tasks with the ultimate goal of 300 pieces of content, repeat / follow-through, and then look back at those 30 days of successes and failures with self-awareness so you can course correct.
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you're kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you're successful, you'll win unfaithful friends and genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you're honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy it overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.-- Mother Teresa
Claim the $7 WP Import Plugin
Quotes:
“Many people fear seeing their business truly take shape because it can become tough and intimidating. They might need to change direction, face uncertainty, or feel lost about the next steps.” – Robert Plank
“You might need to ride the wave of failure down only to ride an even bigger wave of success back up.” – Robert Plank
“Focus on whatever you think your best chance of making money is for the next 30 days, and commit yourself to that singular goal and take four actions per day in service of that goal.” – Robert Plank
Takeaways:
00:05 Fear of failure can prevent entrepreneurs from completing important business projects and experiencing potential success.
15:23 Commit to a single money-making goal for 30 days, taking four specific actions daily towards that objective.
22:40 Build a long-term content strategy aimed at creating 300 pieces of content across various platforms to sustain business growth.
26:15 Podcasting can be an efficient way to generate content, network with experts, and expand business opportunities with minimal time investment.
30:50 Persist in your efforts despite potential criticism, setbacks, or lack of immediate recognition.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:54 — 6.3MB) | Embed
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227: Positive Psychology Coaching: Become Your Best Self, Communicate Better, Locate and Use Your Authentic Strengths with Fatima Doman
Fatima Doman is the founder and CEO of Authentic Strengths Advantage. She is a best-selling author and an executive coach who helps people understand and use their personal strengths. Her book, "Authentic Strengths," has been featured by the Huffington Post, Psychology Today, and on TV. Fatima works with individuals, entrepreneurs, and executives, teaching them how to use positive psychology to improve their lives and work.
Fatima Doman from AuthenticStrengths.com says that 24 character strengths exist (for example: curiosity, perseverance, energy, engagement), and if you're under-utilizing these or not playing up to your strengths, then you're in trouble. You may need to bring some of your strengths to the forefront, combine specific strengths or even temporarily use "situational strengths" when needed.
Quotes:
“Positive psychology focuses on what's strong in people rather than what's wrong.” – Fatima Doman
“If you concentrate on what is working well and what you want more of in your life, it becomes a far more powerful motivator.” – Fatima Doman
“People who utilize one of their top five strengths daily are approximately six times more fulfilled, energized, and engaged at work.” – Fatima Doman
Takeaways:
04:33 You can take a free strengths survey online to find out what your top strengths are.
06:22 It is possible to improve a strength that is not your best if you really want to.
11:55 People feel more energy and happiness at work when they use their top strengths every day.
17:39 Combining two strengths, like humor and social intelligence, can make them work better together.
26:30 Overusing a strength, even something like kindness, can sometimes cause problems.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:01 — 33.9MB) | Embed
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226: Retail Arbitrage, Online Arbitrage, Private Labeling and E-Commerce with The Amazing Seller Scott Voelker
Scott Voelker's (TheAmazingSeller.com) journey is an amazing Amazon and e-commerce success story. Beginning with retail arbitrage (buying local items and selling them on Amazon), then online arbitrage (buying physical items online and re-selling them on Amazon), private labeling (get a product sourced), and finally, e-commerce (setup a storefront outside of Amazon), Scott has not only generated a huge income scaling his business, he also teaches others how to do it. Topics covered:
- how Scott narrows down the perfect product to sell, every time
- Scott's "open brand" strategy that allows him to experiment with new physical products
- how to deal with copycats and the price wars
- how to build a list and get lots of reviews quickly (and remain compliant) using contests
Quotes:
“Everything that I've learned up to this point has taught me and got me to where I am today. And without those experiences, I wouldn't be where I am today.” – Scott Voelker
“I'm not suggesting you build your business on Amazon, but rather use Amazon as a channel to quickly validate a product.” – Scott Voelker
“Loopholes are temporary, as seen with Google. The rules will inevitably change, and you must adapt while ensuring you establish your own platform.” – Scott Voelker
Takeaways:
03:03 Use Amazon as a testing ground for products, not your sole business platform.
10:14 Focus on products people need, not just trendy items, and aim for consistent daily sales.
18:09 Build an email list through targeted contests to create a sustainable marketing asset.
27:19 Prioritize genuine customer service over manipulating review systems.
34:00 Always prepare to expand beyond a single sales channel to protect your business.
Resources
- The Amazing Seller (Podcast)
- The Private Label (Workshop)
- The Amazing Seller (Facebook group)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:57 — 34.7MB) | Embed
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225: Get Publicity and PR Leads with Dan Janal
Dan Janal from PRLeads.com has a number of easy tweaks you should make in your marketing for huge results. He wants you to create an authority piece (lead magnet) such as "10 Tips to Save Your Marriage." Create a Facebook ad sending people to a (LeadPages) landing page, research your target audience, create a compelling headline and call to action. Create a Facebook post (use Canva.com to generate graphics), boost that post, and re-post it anywhere you can. Test different headlines with A/B testing and improve from there.
Quotes:
“Publicity makes selling easy. If you use PR leads and you get publicity, then you have authority, you have credibility, and people are more likely to know, like and trust you in today's very skeptical world.” – Dan Janal
“Don't count yourself out. Just by working in your job and working with people and knowing what you know, you have a certain expertise that reporters are interested in.” – Dan Janal
“The world is becoming a very, very interesting place, as Facebook, Google, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest build trust and get people to buy from them.” – Dan Janal
Takeaways:
03:12 Anyone can be an expert if they have real-world experience, even without a PhD or decades of work.
16:46 Facebook ads work best with a small daily budget of $5-$10, allowing you to test different ad versions.
19:05 Success isn't just about ad views, but about getting people to take action on your landing page.
21:26 Mobile-responsive websites are critical since more people are checking content on phones and tablets.
23:09 Marketing strategies must evolve with new platforms and technologies to stay relevant.
Resources
- PR Leads (Facebook)
- PRLeads Plus (Matchmaking)
- Reporters Are Looking for You (Kindle Book)
- Canva.com (Create Graphics For Social Media)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:05 — 25.7MB) | Embed
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224: Cover Your Assets Online: Avoid Common Legal Traps and Pitfalls with Lin Eleoff
Lin Eleoff from CoverYourAssetsOnline.com and DIYLegalToolkit.com wants to help you take care of your "baby" (your online business). Many business owners do not properly protect their intellectual property. Many are missing proper website legal documents and use images in such a way that could open them up to lawsuits. Lin keeps things simple for us and explains what we need to do and what to avoid (legally) with our websites.
Quotes:
“If we choose to start our own business, we must embrace the responsibility that comes with it. There is so much good in owning a business, but, much like raising a child, it requires care, attention, and commitment.” – Lin Eleoff
“If you're not growing, your business won't grow. So taking responsibility is part of that growing process.” – Lin Eleoff
“The biggest problem is we don't know what we don't know until someone tells us about it.” – Lin Eleoff
Takeaways:
04:30 Entrepreneurs must take responsibility for their business's legal protection, treating it like a growing child that needs careful attention.
16:15 Using random images from Google Image Search can lead to expensive legal troubles, so always verify image usage rights.
19:13 When receiving a scary legal letter, don't panic and pay immediately; investigate the claim's legitimacy and seek proper verification.
20:19 Preparing legal documents yourself can save significant lawyer fees by doing initial groundwork before professional consultation.
25:41 Internet law is a complex, evolving field that most traditional lawyers might not fully understand, requiring specialized knowledge.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:29 — 27.9MB) | Embed
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223: Design a Life That Results in Wealth with Financial Mentor Todd Tresidder
Todd Tresidder is a financial mentor and wealth-building expert who has successfully navigated multiple investment paths throughout his career. Starting from a challenging financial background after college, he developed a passion for economic freedom and strategic investing. Todd has expertise in real estate, business, and paper assets, and runs the Financial Mentor website and podcast. He has created a series of investment courses, including the "7 Steps to 7 Figures" program, and offers a free ebook called "18 Essential Lessons of a Self-Made Millionaire". As an internet entrepreneur and experienced investor, he teaches advanced investing and retirement planning principles.
Todd Tresidder (FinancialMentor.com/3) has three ways of building wealth: real estate, business, and paper assets. Todd has some unique insights when it comes to building wealth since he believes in simplicity and uses math (research) as well as basic principles to create a sound investment strategy.
Quotes:
“As long as I'm going to lead an economic life, I may as well design it to result in wealth.” – Todd Tresidder
“It doesn't do you any good to have a process if it's built on flawed principles.” – Todd Tresidder
“You have to crawl first before you can learn to walk, and then you have to walk before you learn to run, and you have to run before you can sprint.” – Todd Tresidder
Takeaways:
02:37 Design your economic life intentionally to result in wealth, treating it as a deliberate strategy rather than a passive outcome.
10:41 Investing is about understanding processes and principles, not just finding the next hot investment product.
13:44 Low-cost passive index asset allocation is a solid starting point for new investors, but requires long-term discipline and understanding.
18:54 Market extremes provide critical information about potential investment risks and opportunities.
21:12 Diversifying across different asset classes (real estate, business, paper assets) can help build a more robust wealth strategy.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:35 — 22.5MB) | Embed
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222: The Book Doctor Is In: Self-Publish a Book, Build Your Platform, and Get Noticed with Stacey Aaronson
Stacey Aaronson is a multifaceted professional in the publishing world, serving as a writer, editor, layout artist, and cover designer. She founded The Book Doctor Is In, a comprehensive service helping authors navigate the self-publishing process from manuscript to market. Stacey demonstrates deep expertise in book production and publishing strategies. Her background includes working with non-fiction writers to transform their raw manuscripts into polished, professional publications that effectively communicate their message and serve their target audience.
Stacy Aaronson from TheBookDoctorIsIn.com and TheSelfPublishingScoop.com says that many authors make huge mistakes when they independently publish their books. Her approach is very step-by-step and detail oriented:
- Consult, proposal, contracts
- Editing process, developmental, structure, cohesive chapters, the right points are in the right chapters
- Copy-editing: bio, picture, grammar, remove cliches, correct syntax
- Illustration and graphics
- Presentation: interior, cover, interior/cover congruency, what's right for the audience, fine tune
- Upload files to CreateSpace and Ingram
- Proof the proof and send to proofreader (edit all the edits together from multiple people
- Re-upload, get printed proofs, catch the small things
Quotes:
“Self-publishing means you take responsibility as the publisher of your book, which requires thinking of yourself in that role.” – Stacey Aaronson
“The best approach from the very beginning is to focus on the pain points of your reader and the problem you are trying to solve for them.” – Stacey Aaronson
“You should be thinking about the audience from the start. That dictates all the different moving parts of the book.” – Stacey Aaronson
Takeaways:
05:32 Self-publishing isn't a do-it-yourself process, but a professional publishing approach requiring expert help across multiple disciplines.
12:41 Understanding your target audience is crucial before writing a single word of your book.
17:05 Building an audience platform should begin months before your book's actual publication.
22:14 A book's success starts with knowing the reader's pain points and solving their specific problems.
30:50 Professional book production typically costs between $4,000 to $6,000 and takes 4-6 months.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:49 — 32.8MB) | Embed
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221: Escape from Anxiety, De-Stress and Supercharge Your Life with Peggy Sealfon
Peggy Sealfon is a personal development coach, motivational speaker, and internationally recognized expert in stress and anxiety management. She holds a degree in functional nutrition and has dedicated her career to helping people overcome mental and physical challenges through integrated life strategies. Peggy is the author of the best-selling book "Escape from Anxiety: Supercharge Your Life with Powerful Strategies from A to Z," which offers over 100 practical techniques for managing stress and improving overall well-being. As a life coach, she works with clients across various domains, including relationship issues, health challenges, and personal development.
Peggy Sealfon from 3MinutesToDestress.com wants you to supercharge your life, help you break your patterns, hang onto your available energy, and live a mindful, integrated life. Many of us are caught in cycles where our health or relationships may have suffered due to over-focusing on our business, for example. Peggy have tons of insights, tools, and habits to share with you today.
Quotes:
“We have been conditioned to believe we need more—a bigger house, a bigger car, or even multiple cars—and that having a huge bank account will ensure our well-being.” – Peggy Sealfon
“If you are not eating healthfully, mindfully, and taking the time to eat, but instead eating on the run, in your car, or at your desk, it’s not very helpful.” – Peggy Sealfon
“These physical manifestations indicate an imbalance. It’s not necessarily a malfunction in your neck requiring surgery—though that’s possible—but more often, it’s your body reminding you to pay attention to it.” – Peggy Sealfon
Takeaways:
04:36 Cultural pressure to achieve material success often leads to neglecting personal well-being and happiness.
13:09 Small, consistent breaks throughout the day can significantly improve mental and physical performance.
16:47 Nutrition plays a critical role in brain health, energy levels, and overall life balance.
22:18 Personal growth requires breaking destructive habits and creating new, healthier neural pathways.
26:39 Meditation and mindfulness techniques can quickly interrupt stress patterns and restore calm.
Resources
- Escape From Anxiety (Book And Website)
- 3 Minutes To Destress (Sign Up)
- Peggy Sealfon blog (Free Personal Coaching: 10 minute Call)
- "Escape from Anxiety" (Amazon Book)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:00 — 27.5MB) | Embed
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