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Marketer of the Day with Robert Plank: Get Daily Insights from the Top Internet Marketers & Entrepreneurs Around the World

Marketer of the Day with Robert Plank: Get Daily Insights from the Top Internet Marketers & Entrepreneurs Around the World

1,664 episodes — Page 25 of 34

453: Heatmaps, Scrollmaps, Analytics, User Testing, A/B Testing and Troubleshooting: Increase Your E-Commerce Website Profits with Conversion Consultant Nick Disabato

Nick Disabato is a designer & writer. He runs Draft, a small consultancy that focuses on research-driven A/B testing for online stores. We talk with Nick about his strategy when it comes to improving the conversions of e-commerce storefronts, from Google Analytics, heatmaps, scrollmaps, behavior, user testing and vocalization. Your website's conversion rate might be low due to a factor you've never considered, such a slow load time, lack of mobile-first design, or the terms on your site (e.g. "shipping" or "trial"). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_85_Io0sbTc Quotes: “The whole point of optimization is to keep what works and throw away what doesn't.” – Nick Disabato “You want the takeaways. You want to know what to do, because I don't just watch videos for a living—I watch videos in order to make design decisions.” – Nick Disabato “If everything is stripped away except trying to create a positive economic impact for the business, you're going to focus on that really quickly.” – Nick Disabato Takeaways: 09:13 Successful optimization isn't about quick fixes, but about understanding user motivations and throwing away bad ideas while keeping good ones. 14:22 Technical cleanup can dramatically improve website performance, potentially increasing revenue without running a single AB test. 20:37 Mobile traffic requires a completely different design approach, focusing on touch states, responsive design, and user-specific experiences. 26:11 Effective AB testing goes far beyond changing button colors - it requires deep research and understanding of customer objections and motivations. 27:59 A true consultant focuses on creating economic impact, not just running tests, and is willing to fire themselves if they can't deliver value. Resources Draft Revise (Analytics Tear-Down And Service) Drafts Letters (Newsletter) Cadence & Slang (Book About Interaction Design) Nick Disabato (Official Site)

Dec 4, 201730 min

452: Find Your Passion, Grow a Podcast, and Monetize It Using the Speaker Platform with Podcaster Rob Greenlee

Rob Greenlee has been podcasting for over 13 years and is the head of Partnerships at Spreaker.com and BlogTalkRadio.com. He's a 2017 Inductee into the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame, Is former EVP/CTO at PodcastOne.com in Beverly Hills, CA and former Content and Business Manager, Podcasts/TV at Microsoft’s Xbox Live and Zune. He currently hosts the SpreakerLiveShow.com podcast, Weds at 3pm PST and co-hosts NewMediaShow.com/live Live Sat at 9am PST/Noon EST. We talk today about why you should use the Speaker platform for podcasting, its unique features (Skype recording, mobile app, live shows, easy migration and more), the essentials of podcasting (name, format, how it fits into your life, where you'll podcast physically, format and topic ideas), how to grow your podcast traffic (social media, tell-a-friend, organic search optimization, podcast guesting, TV, and guest blog posts) as well as how to monetize your podcast (affiliate links and monetization tools). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9n1neEw5mI Quotes: “Podcasting is a marathon, not a sprint. You need to think long term. If you want to be successful in podcasting, you need to think long term.” – Rob Greenlee “Sometimes the audience of your show is more knowledgeable than the host. Getting feedback, questions, and contributions from the audience fuels the show and makes it better.” – Rob Greenlee “Podcasting is, at its core, a technology-related medium. It's built on the same principles the World Wide Web was built on—it's about sharing.” – Rob Greenlee Takeaways: 08:41 Building audience connection matters more than chasing quick listener numbers or perfect production. 13:26 Podcasting success comes from consistent passion and long-term commitment to your chosen topic. 16:37 Choose a podcast format and recording approach that genuinely fits your lifestyle and schedule. 28:20 Start monetizing early by using affiliate programs, even if earnings are small, to practice ad integration. 35:12 Podcasting grows through word-of-mouth sharing and authentic storytelling, not just marketing tactics. Resources Spreaker (Site) Blog Talk Radio (Website) Speaker Live Show (Website)

Dec 1, 201742 min

451: Visually Promote Your Business Using Photos, Videos and Live Streaming with Smartphone Marketing Guru Tabitha Carro

Tabitha Carro is the Smartphone Marketing Guru! She taught for 13 years as an elementary teacher while running her own curriculum design business. Her present passion is exploring how to visually promote businesses through an iPhone. In May of 2016, she created the Smartphone Marketing School, a blog and membership site, to share her iPhone design techniques with fellow business owners. Through her course content, members are learning how to create professional videos, product photos, and social media designs without the need for camera equipment, desktop software, or outsourcing design work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3acY04ohFE Quotes: “People love to see people. I had my husband come on for no other reason than he's more of a tech buff than me, and it just makes it more entertaining when you have more human elements in your Facebook Live.” – Tabitha Carro “Learn to do it on your phone, and you'll be able to keep up because you always have your phone with you. You can instantly create things in seconds and push them out.” – Tabitha Carro “It's really about stopping people in their feed, grabbing their attention and then getting them to click.” – Tabitha Carro Takeaways: 01:23 Modern smartphones are powerful enough to create professional-quality visual marketing content without expensive camera equipment. 11:34 Strategic giveaways can boost audience engagement by offering physical items directly related to your business niche. 19:09 Building a consistent photo and video library allows entrepreneurs to quickly repurpose content across multiple marketing platforms. 25:22 Mobile apps have evolved to provide complex editing capabilities that rival traditional desktop software, making content creation more accessible. 33:36 Focus on creating content and connecting with people rather than getting stuck on technical perfection or expensive equipment requirements. Resources Tabitha Carro (Official Site) Tabitha's Courses (Site) Google Photos (Store Images Into Your Library) Gleam (Run Social Media Competitions) A Color Story (Basic Image Editing) SnapSeed on iTunes and Google Play DesignLab Studio (Graphics Editor) Adobe SparkPost (Social Media Image Editor) Quik (video editing app) VideoShop (Use In Conjunction With GIFShare) InShot on iTunes and Google Play iMovie (app)

Nov 30, 201741 min

450: Amazon Analytics and Amazon Optimization: Do E-Commerce Right, Run Your Business on Systems, and Make Data-Driven Decisions with Reed Menssa

Reed Menssa from Advanced Amazon Consulting is a successful Amazon and online physical products seller who has developed many software tools and systems to help other Amazon sellers succeed. Reed's AZoptimizer and AZanalyzer software has produced profitable results for every type of seller and can be used for any skill level. He is an expert in his field and loves to share his knowledge and experience with others to help them succeed. Reed's software and consulting businesses help increase profits substantially for thousands of online sellers, every year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7RivYdJYRw Quotes: “Data really drives this industry a lot. You should never be guessing, because that leads to uncomfortable situations where you have to then go back and try and figure those issues out.” – Reed Menssa “I like to own my own thing. I like to be able to run it the way I want to run it, and I like not having to rely on someone else's good graces.” – Reed Menssa “A lot of people have great ideas, but they don't know if it's actually going to sell or not, because they don't know where to look.” – Reed Menssa Takeaways: 02:14 Accurate data is the backbone of successful Amazon selling, eliminating guesswork and reducing potential business risks. 12:13 Comprehensive product research means analyzing entire keyword pages, not just individual competitors, to understand market dynamics. 17:20 Using precise tracking methods like the 999 trick can provide real sales numbers, moving beyond unreliable best seller ranking estimates. 21:38 Amazon product indexing is critical - if you're not indexed for specific search terms, your product won't appear in relevant searches. 22:23 Successful business growth requires systematic approaches and informed decision-making, not random experimentation. Visit AZAnalyzer to Claim Your Free Trial, Differentiation Worksheet & 30-Minute Skype Call

Nov 29, 201727 min

449: Create Passive Income Membership Sites for Your Online Business

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DusTHtEVYwY Quotes: “If someone joins a course but doesn't log in and use it, and you don't give them a reason to and they're not motivated, they're not going to use your stuff.” – Robert Plank “Find the overlap between what people are asking for and paying money for, and something you can deliver in a step-by-step, solvable, and complete format.” – Robert Plank “Big dreams and goals are wonderful, but what's more important is hitting achievable milestones so you know your membership site is headed in the right direction.” – Robert Plank Takeaways: 04:40 Creating a membership site isn't about complex packages or endless tips, but solving a specific problem people will pay to fix. 07:22 Design your membership site modules to give members a quick win in the first session, with clear, actionable results they can implement immediately. 12:15 Don't let technical details or perfect setup prevent you from launching your membership site - start simple and improve as you go. 16:30 Build your membership sites one at a time, focusing on making money with each project before expanding to multiple sites. 19:20 Your online business becomes more exciting and sustainable when you create sites that generate real income and provide genuine value. Listen in to our episode to discover what you need to know about creating your membership site, keeping it simple and profitable. While you're listing, please check out this post on LinkedIn to leave a quick comment. Leave a Like and Comment on LinkedIn

Nov 28, 201721 min

448: Stop Being the Bottleneck, Change Your Habits, Escape Scarcity Thinking and Amplify Your Success with Melanie Benson

Melanie Benson from Rapid Cash Strategies is a Profit Amplifier, and has a gift for guiding fast­-paced, mission­-driven entrepreneurs to thrive in their small business. Melanie can quickly identify what derails you from productivity and progress – ultimately freeing you to scale your influence and income without overwhelm. Melanie hosts the weekly podcast, Amplify Your Success, is author of Rewired for Wealth, co­author of Entrepreneur.com's Start Up Guide to Starting an Information Marketing Business and has her success tips featured in magazines such as American Express OPEN Forum, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Woman's Day, Parenting Magazine, and University of Phoenix Alumni Magazine. She is on the Executive Team for the Women Speaker's Association as well as is Council Chair for the Association of Transformational Leaders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7c-MaP5TpE Quotes: “The thought ‘I can't afford it’ is probably the single biggest bottleneck that exists. What we're doing is telling our mind that we can't. When we lead with ‘I can't afford it,’ it literally shuts our problem-solving brain down.” – Melanie Benson “Success and comfort don't always hold hands. We have to be willing to step out on that ledge and not know how to do something in order to achieve things we've never achieved before.” – Melanie Benson “Just because you don't know how to do something doesn't mean you shouldn't go for it.” – Melanie Benson Takeaways: 04:50 Your mindset is the primary driver of business success, acting like a water hose that can either trickle or flow with opportunities. 11:34 Making a bold decision without knowing the entire path is more powerful than staying stuck in fear and uncertainty. 16:24 Avoiding failure can actually cause you to repeat failures by keeping you trapped in scarcity thinking instead of success energy. 20:41 Identifying your high-payoff business activity is crucial for quickly moving the income needle forward. 24:24 Building a team is essential for business growth, as you'll eventually hit a point where you cannot expand if you're working alone. Claim Your Checklist: 10 Rapid Cash Strategies to Create a Quick Cash Infusion for Your Small Business

Nov 27, 201731 min

447: Level Up By Being a Direct Sales Troubleshooter, Amplify Your Strengths, and Scale Your Business Using the Five Sales Steps with Nathan Walker

Nathan Walker is a self-made millionaire, entrepreneur, direct sales expert, and business owner. With over 15 years of direct sales experience and business building he's changed the lives of many with his ability to 'Level Up' your life; regardless the industry! Nathan is professionally affiliated with Brad Lea, Grant Cardone, Henry Kaminski, Akbar Sheik, and Arne Giske. He currently trains and educates sales teams within is businesses on a regular basis via calls, webinars, zoom, and live events. If Nathan is all about one thing, it’s this – Direct Sales! At the young age of 33, he’s built a few multi-million dollar companies all based around one thing, selling; more specifically selling in the home! Along with that, he has several success stories under his belt. Success stories like Corey who was making $8.00 an hour at a Weber grill factory, and will now make over $200k this year alone. This is all due to Nathan’s sales process, and training. Stories like that is Nathan’s real passion in life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF0eCNxeEcw Quotes: “You've got to sell people on what they care about, not what you care about.” – Nathan Walker “If they don't like me, don't trust me, or don't respect me, they're not going to do business with me. I could have the best product in the world, but if I don't like you—or if there's something missing—I'm probably not going to do business with you.” – Nathan Walker “There's a lot of money going around in this world. There's a lot of opportunity in this world, and you get one shot. Your days are numbered, whether we want to admit it or not.” – Nathan Walker Takeaways: 05:04 Focus on solving real customer problems they actually care about, not just pushing your product features. 11:20 Build sales teams around individual strengths instead of trying to make everyone a well-rounded performer. 20:24 Ask targeted questions to understand what specific problems matter most to the customer before presenting solutions. 25:02 Create a clear, step-by-step sales process that guides customers logically from initial contact to final purchase. 30:48 Maximize your potential and opportunities because life is short and you only get one chance to go all out.

Nov 24, 201733 min

446: Attend the Right Networking Events, Lay the Groundwork for Better Joint Ventures, Land Clients, Become a Connector, and Follow Up with Lori Saitz

Lori Saitz from ZenRabbit started life as an extremely shy child. Her report cards regularly included, “Lori is very bright but she needs to learn how to speak up in class.” - Lori Saitz (pronounced Sites) has become a nationally recognized marketing expert, master networker and relationship-builder. In 2003, she launched Zen Rabbit Baking Company and introduced the world to The Gratitude Cookie. In order to build that company, she had to overcome her hesitancy to talk to strangers, and learn how to network effectively to find clients and referral sources. Today, as a networking strategy coach and speaker, she works with quiet people on getting past the fear of networking, managing their energy, and feeling more comfortable connecting, so they can find success. Her services are in demand by consultants, entrepreneurs, business owners, and business professionals who need to figure out which networking events are worth going to so they’re not wasting hundreds of dollars; what to say once they’re there so they don’t look foolish; and how to follow up afterward so their efforts aren’t wasted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UvCOwcdigo Quotes: “We're naturally attuned to storytelling. Storytelling goes back centuries in human history. The storytelling part really cements and makes you more memorable.” – Lori Saitz “Follow-up is the most important part. Where most people fall down is in the follow-up, because we all have the best of intentions.” – Lori Saitz “If you can take control and make it more interesting by asking better questions of your conversational partners, it becomes easier and more enjoyable.” – Lori Saitz Takeaways: 05:50 Strategic networking means choosing events with the right people, not attending every possible gathering. 06:32 Managing personal energy is crucial when attending networking events, especially for introverted professionals. 10:28 Preparing a clear, concise answer to "What do you do?" helps quiet professionals feel more confident and memorable. 17:01 Asking thoughtful, interesting questions transforms surface-level conversations into meaningful professional interactions. 25:36 Follow-up is the most critical part of networking, and setting specific calendar time for post-event communication ensures connections aren't lost. Resources Zen Rabbit: Networking Strategies for Quiet People (Website) Lori Saitz (LinkedIn) Lori Saitz (Twitter) Highrise HQ (Client Relationship Management tool) Insightly (Site)

Nov 23, 201737 min

445: Online Entrepreneurs: Re-Frame Your Struggles, Stress & Failures of the Past to Create Everything You Want in the Present

Let's talk for a second about past failures, stress, and how to use the mistake of the past to get the future you want, as you listen in today's episode. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Vqmm3_oh0 Quotes: “Far too many people wait until it's too late to take any sort of action, and then they wish they had taken that action one to ten years ago.” – Robert Plank “Many struggling internet marketers are currently having trouble with being spread too thin—too many projects, no deadlines, no sense of urgency, and no focus.” – Robert Plank “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” – Robert Plank Takeaways: 00:45 Your current struggles and frustrations will become fond memories when viewed from a future perspective. 01:30 Taking calculated risks is more valuable than playing it safe and never attempting anything meaningful. 02:15 Most people underestimate what they can accomplish in a decade by being too cautious in the short term. 02:45 Simple online business success requires focusing on three core elements: lead capture, offers, and traffic. 03:20 Half-done projects and scattered efforts prevent entrepreneurs from creating a functional online business. Leave Us a Quick Like & Comment on LinkedIn

Nov 23, 20176 min

444: Just Do One Push-Up: Get Yourself Out There and Stream Live on Facebook

Have you heard that you "need to take massive action" but you don't quite know how to get started? Do you find yourself overwhelmed, sometimes backsliding or struggling to stay consistent? If so, this is the most important podcast you'll listen to today. Listen below and when you're done, leave us a quick like and a comment over on LinkedIn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYhHRL7vG4E Quotes: “A year from now, everything you're stressing about won't even matter.” – Robert Plank “Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive about what could go right.” – Robert Plank “Life is not fair, and you don't want it to be fair. Fair means average—one step below good, and even one step above poor.” – Robert Plank Takeaways: 00:05 Small, consistent actions can transform your life, even if you start with just one push-up. 01:25 Fear and overthinking prevent most people from taking the first step towards their goals. 02:15 Success comes from being proactive and taking risks, not from waiting for perfect conditions. 03:45 Incremental improvement beats waiting for the perfect moment to start. 04:35 Envy and regret are poor substitutes for actual action and personal growth. Visit the "One Push Up" Article on LinkedIn & Leave a Quick Comment

Nov 20, 20176 min

443: Take More (Fast) Action, Follow-Through and Be Consistent Daily: How I Wrote a Book in a Day and Got Married in a Day

I got married today, Friday, November 17th, 2017. We hadn't planned it, just woke up and decided to knock it out today. I've also done the same thing with my business in several cases, most notably having an idea for a book in the morning and getting it published that afternoon. Listen to the story and if you'd like to leave a comment or "like", check out this post on LinkedIn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a-jMMvgU1U Quotes: “20 years from now, you'll be more disappointed about the things you didn't do than the things you did do.” – Robert Plank “You should be committed to your outcome, but flexible in your results.” – Robert Plank “Develop a habit of consistent completion, and you get instant gratification. You set yourself up for future patterns of turning ideas into reality.” – Robert Plank Takeaways: 04:40 Fast action and consistent daily effort can transform your biggest dreams into immediate reality. 07:15 Breaking complex goals into smaller, manageable steps reduces anxiety and increases the likelihood of success. 08:30 Don't let perfect details stop you from starting - the first step is more important than having every single thing planned out. 09:20 Setting SMART goals with specific timelines helps you move from idea to execution quickly. 10:10 Developing a habit of instant completion creates powerful patterns of turning thoughts into tangible results. Visit This Article on LinkedIn to Leave a Quick Comment

Nov 17, 201716 min

442: Masterminds: The Secret Shortcut to Success, Focus, Clarity, Speed, and Action with Charlene Burke

Charlene Burke says that you shouldn't go it alone when it comes to your online business, so she founded Search by Burke. Charlene believes that a mastermind group is "the secret shortcut to success" and is an information professional and mastermind group expert, with a background in marketing and engineering. She provides small and medium sized businesses with research that answers their questions about market opportunities, industry trends, and what's working for their competitors. We discuss the importance of you joining a mastermind, types of masterminds to join, what to avoid when you join one, and how to get the most from them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W58IjDaYaU Quotes: “A mastermind group is designed to help you navigate through challenges using the collective intelligence of others.” – Charlene Burke “If you are the one who caused your problem, and you are the one who has decided to come up with the answer, you are using the same thoughts and brain that actually caused the problem.” – Charlene Burke “You can't be a taker. You can't just sit in on a group to check it out.” – Charlene Burke Takeaways: 01:50 Mastermind groups are powerful tools for solving business challenges through collective intelligence and peer support. 10:25 Successful mastermind participation requires giving as much value as you receive, not just taking advice. 21:56 A strong group leader is crucial for maintaining group health, resolving conflicts, and ensuring productive discussions. 23:03 Joining a mastermind can help introverted professionals improve communication skills and build confidence. 29:45 When selecting a mastermind group, ask detailed questions about group structure, expectations, and conflict resolution. Resources Search By Burke (Website) Charlene Burke (LinkedIn) No More Sabotage: Developing Your Success Mindset (Book)

Nov 15, 201735 min

441: Website Optimization, A/B Split Testing and Heatmaps: How to Double Your Customers, Sales and Profits with Conversion Fanatic Justin Christianson

Justin Christianson is the #1 bestselling author of Conversion Fanatic: How to Double Your Customers, Sales and Profits with A/B Testing. The book is based on years of experience running thousands of split tests on hundreds of campaigns and is the definitive guide to getting more out of your marketing efforts. It's designed to help you find and test breakthrough marketing ideas faster and more adeptly than your competition can keep up with, so you convert more website visitors into paying customers faster and at a lower cost than they can. He's the co-founder and President of Conversion Fanatics, a full service Conversion rate optimization company, member of the Forbes Agency council as well as the host of the weekly marketing podcast, CMO Roundtable. We talk today about Justin and his team's strategy, process, and mindset when it comes to increasing conversions, improving the website visitor experience, decreasing ad costs, and skyrocketing clicks & sales. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRXXNf4aNbA Quotes: “At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what you or I think of the website—it matters what the visitors think, because they're the ones who are your customers or potential customers.” – Justin Christianson “The only way to really get and keep a competitive advantage is to constantly be testing to try to beat your high score.” – Justin Christianson “Optimization never stops, because markets are constantly changing and evolving.” – Justin Christianson Takeaways: 04:18 Always test website changes scientifically instead of making assumptions about what might improve conversions. 07:18 Companies need at least 30,000 monthly unique visitors to conduct meaningful A/B testing effectively. 12:09 Optimization is an ongoing process that requires constant analysis and adaptation to changing market conditions. 20:07 Focus on customer benefits rather than just listing product features when marketing. 27:04 Don't give up on testing and optimization efforts too quickly - patience and persistence are key to discovering significant improvements. Resources Conversion Fanatics (Agency) Conversion Fanatic (Book) CMO Roundtable (Podcast)

Nov 14, 201728 min

440: Meditation, Journaling, and Gratitude: Tap Into the Three Habits for High Performance State of Flow with Enthusiastic Clay Green

Clay Green, speaker, trainer, and expert. What do you want to do better, in both your business and your life? What ever that "thing" is, Clay can help you apply high performance principles to achieve, excel, and get more out of life. To break the usual destructive patterns blocking your way, have self-awareness and move forward, you need to apply the three fundamental principles: meditation (2-5 minutes a day), journaling, and gratitude. We also talk about getting into the flow state and its four stages: struggle: where you're focused on a problem release: get away from the problem and take a break flow: get inspired recovery: coming back to reality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXx4LmRwi9M Quotes: “You cannot stay in a state of flow 24/7—you can't, because your body is burning energy. You have to fuel, you have to rest, and your brain has to recover.” – Clay Green “Control your mind so that you can control your day.” – Clay Green “My first and most important lesson that I teach people is: think—do not react.” – Clay Green Takeaways: 02:31 High-performance habits like meditation, journaling, and gratitude form a foundational framework for personal and professional success. 13:02 Breaking complex goals into manageable daily practices helps overcome mental barriers and achieve long-term transformation. 22:21 The state of flow can be intentionally accessed through specific habits, allowing for heightened productivity and creativity without extreme risks. 32:41 Meditation is a powerful tool for controlling your mind and improving daily performance, requiring just 2-5 minutes of consistent practice. 38:56 Entrepreneurs often get stuck by reacting emotionally instead of thoughtfully processing challenges, which blocks their potential for growth. Resources Clay Green (Official Site) Clay Green (LinkedIn) Custom Mastermind (Site) Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler (Book) The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler (Book) High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard (Book) Relaxation One (app) Insight Timer (app) Headspace (app)

Nov 13, 201742 min

439: Grow Your Business Using Project Management Software, Systems, Flow, Documentation and Troubleshooting with Bryan Weinert

As the Founding Partner of Incipient, Bryan Weinert oversees product strategy, implementation, and client relations while spearheading an adept team that is determined to push the envelope in custom software technology. From funded startups to large-scale enterprise solutions in finance, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and supply chain management industries, his foolproof solutions have benefited a wide range of clientele. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrDdSSK8Bpg Quotes: “As humans, we're all creatures of habit—especially when those habits are bringing good returns. But just because you're getting a return doesn't mean it's the return you should be getting.” – Bryan Weinert “Reflection is key in any business for any business owner on a monthly basis. You should have processes that allow you to reflect on your progress.” – Bryan Weinert “It's always easier for someone on the outside, with no preconceived expectations, to offer advice than for anyone involved who might just want to tell you what you want to hear.” – Bryan Weinert Takeaways: 04:19 Prioritize scalable processes that can grow with your business without requiring complete system overhauls. 08:30 Build a knowledge database that captures recurring problems and their solutions to improve customer service and team efficiency. 12:54 Document your business processes to uncover hidden inefficiencies and create opportunities for technological improvement. 14:43 Seek outside perspectives to identify blind spots in your current business workflows and communication strategies. 15:30 Focus on time-consuming tasks as the primary starting point for business optimization and automation. Resources Incipient (Product Growth Company) Incipient (Twitter) Bryan Weinert (LinkedIn)

Nov 10, 201722 min

438: Be of Service and Value to Others: How to Network, Build Loyalty, Develop Relationships, and Express Gratitude with Meredith Bell

Meredith Bell has been an entrepreneur since 1982, and she's an expert in helping companies develop the people side of their business. Meredith is co-founder and President of Performance Support Systems, a global software company based in Virginia. Their products are used by leadership coaches and consultants as well as internal learning and development professionals to help managers become more effective leaders. One of Meredith strengths is building strong relationships. She and her business partners have worked together for 25 years, and many of their clients and resellers have done business with them for 20 years. She understands what’s required to build the loyalty and commitment that lead to repeat business and referrals, and we talk today about how to help others, follow up, and actively listen to make sales easy again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV1mlVb0sGg Quotes: “The more I give, the more comes back to me.” – Meredith Bell “Most people don't have enough others in their lives who show a genuine interest in who they are, what they're doing, and what's important to them.” – Meredith Bell “When your attitude is focused on serving and being helpful, it makes a huge difference in the response you get.” – Meredith Bell Takeaways: 02:29 Effective leadership hinges on clear communication, active listening, and genuine appreciation of team members. 11:07 Reaching out to authors, experts, or professionals can create unexpected opportunities through genuine curiosity and support. 17:51 Building strong relationships requires a mindset of serving others and finding ways to help them without expecting immediate returns. 24:57 Most people lack meaningful connections, so showing authentic interest in someone's work can create lasting professional relationships. 27:13 Expressing gratitude and providing small, thoughtful gestures can significantly impact professional interactions. Resources Surveys for Small Business (Website) Strong for Performance (Site) Meredith Bell (LinkedIn)

Nov 9, 201734 min

437: Fulcrum Investing and the State of Logic: How to Stand Out, Get Noticed, Build the Right Team, and Make Great Decisions with Kevin Van Eekeren

Kevin Van Eekeren started his career as a logistic officer for a SWAT team, which gave him insight into the criminal justice world, and he soon found that through training SWAT teams better he could reduce the use of force while bettering the national security of our country. Fulcrum Tactical was born out of that idea, and within 18 months he expanded it from a charity to a for-profit company. He started investing in startups on the side but focused on Fulcrum Tactical and his new venture, Fulcrum Farms a sustainable farm producing high-quality meat and eggs for families and restaurants in the Chicagoland area. After six years Kevin sold Fulcrum Tactical and moved on to investing in startups full-time by starting Fulcrum Investing. Kevin spends his free time co-hosting The State of Logic Podcast and has also continued his passion for farming. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0cLd_BraAo Quotes: “While we never want to hurt anyone's feelings, it's also important to give people our honest assessment of the possible ability for success of an idea or a company.” – Kevin Van Eekeren “It is the investor's job to call an ugly baby an ugly baby when necessary, in order to be the best person you can be for that entrepreneur.” – Kevin Van Eekeren “The CEO cannot be working in the business. He has to be working on the business.” – Kevin Van Eekeren Takeaways: 03:12 Media and information sources often prioritize sensationalism over truth, making critical thinking and fact-checking essential. 06:33 Quick, honest feedback is more valuable to entrepreneurs than prolonged, sugar-coated responses. 09:18 Startup success depends more on the quality of the founding team than the specific industry or product. 09:49 Successful investing requires a rigorous, objective process that removes personal bias and focuses on the entrepreneur's potential. 15:00 Building a business means focusing on the big picture strategy while empowering a skilled team to handle execution details. Resources The State of Logic (Podcast) Fulcrum Investing (Website) Kevin Van Eekeren (LinkedIn)

Nov 8, 201720 min

436: Speaker Fulfillment Services: Avoid the Usual Mistakes Authors Make and Discover the ABCs of Selling Physical Products at Live Events with Bret Ridgway

Bret Ridgway is co-founder of Speaker Fulfillment Services, a company that works for speakers, authors and information marketers. His unique, behind-the-scenes perspective allows him to see what is working and not working in the industry. He is the author of 5 books in the niche, including the Amazon bestseller "Mistakes Authors Make" and most recently "The ABCs of Speaking." He stops by to tell us what we need to know about selling products from stage at events, what's working now, and what physical products we should be creating and selling in our businesses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhOyX5DVedI Quotes: “It's really all about relationships. I mean, the people you know—when you get out to live events and meet others—you just never know where it's going to lead.” – Bret Ridgway “Consumption is what it's all about. If you can't get them to read your book, watch your video, or listen to your podcast, the chance of them coming back to you for other products and services is almost nil.” – Bret Ridgway “A good seller can make a lot more money selling at the back of the room than by getting paid for a keynote speech.” – Bret Ridgway Takeaways: 01:07 Event selling strategies have shifted from pure pitch fests to more balanced content and sales approaches. 10:21 Successful speakers create multi-modal learning experiences that cater to different learning styles and preferences. 12:47 Physical products remain crucial in marketing, even in a digital world, as they provide tangible value and credibility to customers. 16:41 Offering personal access or coaching can significantly increase the perceived value and pricing of your products. 20:16 Books should be strategic marketing tools that guide readers to additional products and services, not just standalone revenue generators. Resources Speaker Fulfillment Services (Official Site) Mistakes Authors Make (Book) The ABCs of Speaking (Book) View from the Back (Book)

Nov 7, 201725 min

435: The Art of Kickstarter Crowdsourcing: Build Brand Awareness and Launch a Campaign to Get Funding for Your Business Idea with Roy Morejon

Roy Morejon is the president of Enventys Partners and host of the Art of the Kickstart podcast. . With over 20 years of experience in marketing services for B2B and B2C clients, Roy has become an expert in digital strategy, search marketing, and crowdfunding. He is the host of "Art of the Kickstart" podcast, where he shares insights about entrepreneurship and product launches. Roy's company is recognized as the world's first vertically integrated product development and crowdfunding digital marketing agency, helping entrepreneurs transform their ideas from initial sketches to market-ready products. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE3CK50KyZQ Quotes: “We take brands from nothing to something. We're building out their brand, writing their story, and handling their social for them. These are entrepreneurs—they're makers. They know what the product is and how to make it, but they don't always know how to speak to their consumers.” – Roy Morejon “The work you do before the campaign leads to almost 90% of the success after launch. The pre-campaign phase is critical to the overall success of getting a product out there and getting people excited about it.” – Roy Morejon “We fail upwards. We gain insights, grow a community, a group of people who are passionate about the product we're launching.” – Roy Morejon Takeaways: 04:40 Pre-campaign work drives 90% of a Kickstarter campaign's success, making early preparation critical for product launch. 11:20 Kickstarter offers entrepreneurs a unique platform to test product ideas and get direct customer feedback before full production. 17:50 Successful crowdfunding requires building anticipation, creating excitement, and generating a groundswell of interest before launching. 20:10 Not every campaign will succeed, but each attempt provides valuable insights and helps build a community around the product. 22:30 Hardware products, fashion, and design categories tend to perform best in crowdfunding platforms.

Nov 6, 201726 min

434: Virtual Assistant Secrets: Focus on Growing Your Business and Build a Team That Runs on Autopilot with Andrea Rozman

Andrea Rozman from Your Gal Friday stepped out of the corporate IT and project management world ten years ago, and into small business where she works with people from all backgrounds – lawyers, digital marketers, business coaches, investment bankers and more. Andrea and her team of virtual assistants help relieve the stress of business ownership by doing all the odds and ends tasks needed so entrepreneurs and small business owners can focus on growing their businesses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bjxb1yV46A Quotes: “Hiring a virtual assistant is a tough task. It's something that shouldn't be taken lightly.” – Andrea Rozman “You have to be able to release tasks so you can focus on growing your business. You don't need to be answering the phone just to tell someone what your business hours are.” – Andrea Rozman “If you're going to consider hiring a virtual assistant, start early—start early on and think about what you want them to do.” – Andrea Rozman Takeaways: 04:34 Hiring a virtual assistant isn't just about cutting costs, but about freeing up your time to focus on growing your core business. 16:12 Start planning for a virtual assistant before you're desperate, giving yourself time to find the right match for your specific needs. 18:31 Trust is crucial when working with virtual assistants, but can be built through careful screening, background checks, and starting with small tasks. 22:33 The right virtual assistant becomes an integral part of your business, potentially working with you for years and understanding your operations deeply. 26:21 Virtual assistants can handle a wide range of tasks, from simple email management to complex project coordination, tailored to your specific business requirements. Visit Your Gal Friday

Nov 3, 201732 min

433: Improve Your Productivity and Enhance Your Sales Goals with Business Rehabilitator Maya Harrison

Maya Harrison from Wedding Consultant Services is a well known consultant for corporate executives who need to improve productivity and enhance sales goals. She has been featured on tv shows like "Get Your Face On The Air" and on major podcasts for small biz owners. Maya Harrison has years of experience in the consulting industry and because of her proven results her clients refer to her as the "Biz Rehabilitator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_FcZ-3XRFQ Quotes: “Recent statistics show that the average worker is disconnected from their job. They're not engaged, which reduces overall employee morale for the company because there's no motivation on their part.” – Maya Harrison “Most companies are still behind the times. They're still using old practices, old policies, and old work ethics.” – Maya Harrison “Flexibility is key. If companies would adopt mobile and digital data processes in their working environment, it would lead to more engaged employees.” – Maya Harrison Takeaways: 04:40 Modern workers want flexibility, digital processes, and the ability to work remotely to stay engaged and motivated. 07:20 Before starting a new business, research multiple potential industries and understand what each role truly involves. 11:30 Creating a successful business means focusing on work you enjoy and finding help for tasks you don't like. 17:10 Don't assume career advancement is possible; ask questions early and understand your actual growth potential within a company. 20:25 Promoting yourself through interviews, web shows, and professional platforms can significantly increase your business visibility.

Nov 2, 201728 min

432: Close More Deals and 10X Your Revenue with Sales Coach Jim Brown

Jim Brown has led two companies from $1 million to more than $10 million, and one from $1 million to $0. He now Hosts the SalesTuners podcast, and trains entrepreneurs who don't realize they're the VP of Sales how to 10x their revenue using a step-by-step sales formula. We talk today about Jim's monkey's paw evaluation concept, and how he turns cold call prospecting into discovery calls, then proposals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3B4608b9lM Quotes: “You will never get anything in life that you don't ask for. So start asking.” – Jim Brown “A discipline is something I force myself to do because I know it's the right thing to do. A habit is something I do just because it feels natural.” – Jim Brown “If people are willing to take money out of their pocket and give it to you, that's when you know you're working in a B2B setting.” – Jim Brown Takeaways: 05:41 Breaking big sales goals into small, daily actionable steps makes massive revenue targets feel achievable and less overwhelming. 11:15 Testing different messaging in small call batches helps quickly identify what works and what needs improvement in your sales approach. 19:30 Cold calling isn't about hard selling, but about creating genuine conversation and understanding potential customer pain points. 23:20 Creating scarcity by scheduling discovery calls weeks out signals confidence and increases perceived value of your services. Resources Sales Roadmap (Free Gift) Sales Tuners (Weekly Podcast) Jim Brown (Twitter) Email Jim: [email protected]

Nov 1, 201730 min

431: Bridge the Gap Between Success and Relationships: Harness Your Inner Hero and Shift Your Thinking with Optimal Life Coach Laura Long

Laura Long is passionate about her business as a Life Coach, Energy Worker, and Teacher, however it does not define her, complete her or even drive her. That's been the download message from the universe that's been deleted a few times until it went into her hard drive so to speak. Now the power of "being" drives her more than the power of "doing", and doing and doing. From her own experiences - Laura works with open-minded driven professionals who’ve had success yet still feel there's something missing, and who are ready to bridge that gap between their outer success and their inner peace and relationship success. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKUAM-9TN0o Quotes: “We have an external world, yet we often fail to recognize or align it with our internal world, leaving us constantly reliant on external influences.” – Laura Long “If you can write down your goal, aspiration, or desire with the greatest possible clarity, you will have a greater chance of achieving it.” – Laura Long “Our human body and mind are designed to allow us to experience ease. If we anticipate pain, we will naturally resist it.” – Laura Long Takeaways: 06:26 External success means nothing if you're not aligned with your inner self and true values. 08:47 Breathing and meditation are powerful tools for understanding and stabilizing your inner emotional landscape. 14:29 Writing down goals with clarity significantly increases the probability of achieving them. 17:37 Building inner "muscles" through consistent practice helps you handle real-world challenges more effectively. 18:37 Resistance to change is a natural human response rooted in our body's protective chemistry. Visit Laura's Site and Schedule a Call

Oct 31, 201727 min

430: Live the Focused Driven Lifestyle: Remove Distractions, Set Profitable Priorities, Get More Organized and Be Intentional with Lyman Montgomery

Lyman Montgomery from Focused Driven Lifestyle missed out on some great business opportunities due to a lack of focus. He faced many setbacks until he decided to do something different. He learned to clear his mind and focus his energies on eliminating his debilitating beliefs and within a few weeks, he saw dramatic results; that was over twelve years ago. The key to his success was having a life coach and learning how to build a long-term relationship that balanced work and family. He also helps others to recognize the difference between life counseling (uncovering emotional issues) and personal coaching. Life Coaching, Relationship Coaching, Wellness Coaching, and Career Coaching are designed to help you develop a plan to achieve focused-driven results. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYx-EWCvsPE Quotes: “Never confuse activity with accomplishment. Just because you're busy doesn't mean you've accomplished anything.” – Lyman Montgomery “If you fail, fall forward, push yourself back up—even if you have to crawl—but keep moving toward your destiny and never stop.” – Lyman Montgomery “It's okay to make mistakes, but make sure to learn from them and grow because of them.” – Lyman Montgomery Takeaways: 00:02 Breaking digital addiction requires setting clear family communication boundaries and creating phone-free zones. 09:39 Being physically present isn't the same as being psychologically present with your family or team. 17:13 Productivity isn't about completing 50 half-done tasks, but focusing on 2-3 meaningful accomplishments. 20:19 Implement a structured approach to task management using simple, actionable steps like the TURBO method. 24:03 Failure is not final - learn to fail forward by growing from mistakes and continuously moving toward your goals. Resources Focused-Driven Lifestyle (Book) Focused-Driven Lifestyle (Official Site) Lyman Montgomery (Twitter)

Oct 30, 201727 min

429: Lead the Way to Better Perspective, Success and Authenticity to Overcome Any Obstacle with Keynote Speaker Robb Holman

Robb Holman is an internationally recognized leadership expert, executive coach, keynote speaker, and author who has a heart for authentic relationships and a true talent for equipping people with the skills and the knowledge necessary for their success. With passion and exuberance, Robb’s dynamic teaching style has successfully led countless business owners, executives, and leaders through his exclusive and proprietary method of Inside Out Leadership Coaching. In helping his clients learn how to connect with their unique life’s purpose, they are finding success in a way they never expected - from the inside out! As a lifelong serial entrepreneur, Robb has founded numerous, highly influential organizations, both for-profit, as well as non-profit. His current endeavor is as founder and CEO of Holman International, a global leadership consultancy revolutionizing the way business leaders operate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNmvsOavMk4 Quotes: “The better we get to know ourselves, the more we can lead from that place. This allows us to lead with confidence and practice what we preach.” – Robb Holman “If we begin to build a foundation in our lives by being intentional and consistent in maintaining a higher perspective, it can make all the difference.” – Robb Holman “Everything always comes back to purpose. Knowing who you are will help you define why you are here and why your business ultimately exists.” – Robb Holman Takeaways: 03:23 Personal leadership starts with understanding yourself deeply before trying to lead others. 05:36 Your daily mindset and perspective can transform challenges into opportunities for growth. 09:42 Success isn't about hitting financial targets, but about the meaningful impact you create in people's lives. 10:48 Comparing yourself to others drains energy and prevents you from discovering your unique strengths. 24:58 Practicing daily gratitude can fundamentally shift how you view yourself and the world around you. Resources Robb Holman (Official Site) Lead the Way (Book) Robb Holman (LinkedIn)

Oct 27, 201727 min

428: Practice Being Happy and Choose to Be Happy to Discover the Opportunities, Possibilities and Solutions You Deserve with Happiness and Success Coach Vernon Brown

Vernon Brown, happiness coach and speaker, has successfully coached over 10,000 people in the last 4 years and is not slowing down. He is focused on solutions and not problems, finding your happi gets you more clear, conscious and intentional. He's direct, fun and engaging as he coaches his clients to greater heights and happiness face to face or virtually, there is never any excuse why you can not be happier in any phase of your life. What's your happi? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_05yO4Gm7Tg Quotes: “Happiness is not about constantly walking around with a smile on your face, but about understanding that, regardless of the circumstances, you have options, opportunities, possibilities, and solutions.” – Vernon Brown “Your brain is designed to keep you alive. It is not designed to keep you happy.” – Vernon Brown “Success becomes something to manage. If you achieve significant success, you'll need to maintain it, and that alone can make people very fearful.” – Vernon Brown Takeaways: 04:44 Happiness is a deliberate choice you make, not something that happens by accident. 11:14 Writing down your goals and desires creates clarity and commitment to your personal happiness. 17:10 Changing your mental channel through music, exercise, or other activities can help silence your inner critic. 19:12 Conquering negativity frees up mental space to be more productive and successful. 22:10 Entrepreneurs should focus on being productive, not just busy, by simplifying their to-do lists. Visit "What's Your Happi" to Claim Your Free Discovery Session with Vernon

Oct 26, 201724 min

427: Think About Money Differently, Build Cashflow, and Optimize Like a Millionaire with Chris Miles

Chris Miles, the Cash Flow Expert and financial advocate for the entrepreneur, is a leading authority teaching entrepreneurs and professionals how to quickly free up and create cash flow TODAY spending time doing what they love most! He's an author and podcast host of the Chris Miles Money Show, and been featured in US News, CNN Money, Entrepreneur on Fire, and has a high reputation with his company, Money Ripples, getting his clients fast, life-altering financial results. In fact, his clients have increased their cash flow by over $100 Million in the last 7 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOpGD285qpk Quotes: “If you engage in activities outside of your business that you love, they should be things you truly enjoy, regardless of whether they make you money or not.” – Chris Miles “The highest-risk choices are often what most people do, such as putting your money into mutual funds and similar investments. That is likely the easiest path to guaranteed failure.” – Chris Miles “If you want to elevate your money and your business, you need to elevate your team as well. You can't keep the same old people and expect to grow, as they may hold you back.” – Chris Miles Takeaways: 07:54 Your business should be your primary investment and economic generator. 08:22 Cash flow creates options, and options create freedom for entrepreneurs. 10:32 Always seek financial strategies that provide immediate cash flow, not just long-term accumulation. 14:39 Traditional financial advice often fails; successful investors think differently about money. 19:52 Focus on creating multiple income streams instead of just saving money. Resources Money Ripples (official site) The Chris Miles Money Show (podcast) Money Ripples (Facebook page)

Oct 25, 201730 min

426: Get Stuff Done, Develop Your Team, Get Out More, and Scale with Advertising Professional Mike Arce

Mike Arce is the host of the top fitness business video podcast, The GSD Show. He is also the founder and CEO of Loud Rumor, a 7-figure advertising agency for small businesses in the fitness and wellness space. Mike has helped over 25 major brands like Orangetheory Fitness and his agency has worked with over 457 fitness and wellness companies throughout the world. As a husband and father of 4, he's created the time to do all of this while traveling to speak at many events across the country over the last 2 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_-ULh2p7ZM Quotes: “They do what they see you do. You can tell them all this stuff, but they don't do what you tell them—they do what they see you do.” – Mike Arce “You want to be great, you want to study great people. It's as simple as that.” – Mike Arce “You want to build your business as if you're going to sell it to someone else, and you're not going to be a part of it, and it's going to be just as valuable without you.” – Mike Arce Takeaways: 03:32 90% of business success comes from understanding core business principles, not getting lost in industry-specific technical details. 07:33 Developing and empowering team members allows you to focus on high-level business strategy and personal growth. 11:50 Children learn more from watching what you do, not just from what you tell them to do. 20:25 Continuous learning and education are critical for business growth, especially reading books and attending conferences. 27:39 Build your business as if you're going to sell it, making it valuable and functional without your direct involvement. Resources Mike Arce (official site) The GSD Show (podcast) Loud Rumor (agency) Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss Scaling Up by Verne Harnish The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber

Oct 24, 201729 min

425: Appify Your Book to Get the Perfect Branding and Attention on Your Business with Emergent Technology Specialist Seth Weinstein

Seth Weinstein from Appify Your Book is a young, innovative thinker with a passion for creating digital solutions that demand success. A natural born tech geek, Seth uses his exstensive skills to build, design and maintain apps. Growing up with a professional stand-up comedian father and a teacher mother, Seth's thirst for joy and knowledge allow him to offer signature services to business owners. His rare abilities enable his clients to discover the best version of their company through strategy, design, and development. He revitalizes presence and positioning in any field and industry through the implementation of an unwavering brand strategy and superior online presence. An adventurer at heart, Seth will unearth and leverage your opportunities into profitability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgiJhZueHEk Quotes: “Innovation doesn't wait for anyone—not you, not me, not even the people making it. So the question is: are you getting on the train, or are you getting left behind?” – Seth Weinstein “We always pride ourselves on this: if you don't have time to sit down and give us all the information, we have a team that will figure it out.” – Seth Weinstein “A lot of people see technology as a way to simplify and remove us from the equation, but I truly believe it's actually a way for us to get smarter and access new ways of helping people and changing the world around us.” – Seth Weinstein Takeaways: 08:13 Technology isn't about removing humans, but about finding smarter ways to help people solve problems and improve their lives. 17:04 Creating interactive book apps can transform passive reading into an active learning experience with quizzes, achievements, and engagement tools. 23:24 Building a custom app doesn't have to be expensive or complicated when you work with the right team who understands your specific needs. 29:40 The future of technology lies in connecting different systems - software, hardware, and human experiences - in creative and meaningful ways. 31:45 Innovation moves fast, and businesses must choose to either jump on the technology train or risk getting left behind. Visit "Appify Your Book" and Schedule a Call Now

Oct 23, 201733 min

424: Social Media Success: Build Your Presence, Engagement and Traffic on Facebook Using Reciprocity, Followup, and Marketing with Nikki Yeager

Nikki Yeager is an entrepreneur and startup coach based in NYC. Her first company, EHR Tutor, was profitable from day one and quickly reached a million dollars a year while she was leading the sales and marketing effort. She now runs a holistic products company, The Relievery, designs for a non-gendered children's clothing line, Every Bean Boutique, and spends her free time doing consulting for entrepreneurs and small businesses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45y6ERWSEos Quotes: “If I'm going to spend time on something, I want there to be a reason for doing it—especially when you're in those early stages, or even when you're starting to grow but don't have the resources to just hire willy-nilly.” – Nikki Yeager “Social media is just a digital version of real life. I always imagine that if I'm going out to a networking event, I would change what I'm talking about based on the people who are at that networking event.” – Nikki Yeager “The ones getting a lot of engagement and potentially sales from those pages are usually the people who provide a back and forth. It's not just them sharing information—it's them actively engaging with their audience.” – Nikki Yeager Takeaways: 02:21 Social media success is about converting followers into meaningful business relationships, not just collecting large numbers. 07:35 Treat online interactions like real-world networking by engaging with people regardless of their current follower count. 13:49 Small, engaged audiences can generate more revenue than large, passive follower bases. 16:51 Strategic social media engagement can open doors to valuable business partnerships and opportunities. 33:00 Entrepreneurs must embrace sales skills as a core part of building a successful business. Resources Nikki Yeager (official site) Nikki Yeager on Facebook Nikki Yeager on LinkedIn Nikki Yeager on Twitter

Oct 20, 201734 min

423: Escaping Darkness: End Self-Sabotage, Negative Self-Talk, and Hit Restart to Make Progress with Life Coach Marti Forrest

Marti Forrest Hicks is a life coach and here is her story in her own words: "I mentor/coach people on their journey into loving themselves from the inside out. After a series of monogamous abusive relationships, I learned how to reprogram the messages that sabotaged me in every relationship I entered, because I had no idea how to LOVE me first. How I love me dictates how I am in every single relationship outside of me. How I am with me is how I am with you." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRzX8bswoo0 Quotes: “We're always co-creating with people. We get wounded when we're children by our environment, our parents, or whoever was our caretaker at that time.” – Marti Forrest “If it's in my best interest, it is also in theirs. Because when I'm authentic and true to me, I'm taking a stand for myself—my esteem, my life, and my purpose.” – Marti Forrest “We have this idea that at certain ages we should be at certain points, but if our emotional age isn't there, it doesn't matter what our chronological age is.” – Marti Forrest Takeaways: 00:20 Recognizing destructive personal patterns is the first critical step toward meaningful life change. 19:10 Personal growth happens in a spiral, with each cycle bringing faster insights and shorter recovery times. 37:59 Self-improvement starts with planting seeds of awareness, even if immediate action isn't taken. 39:25 Healing is messy and requires walking through emotional challenges with supportive guidance. 41:03 Emotional maturity matters more than chronological age in personal development. Resources Hello Extraordinary Life (official site) Hello Extraordinary Life Coach (Facebook page) Loving Yourself from the Inside Out (Facebook group)

Oct 19, 201742 min

422: The Anticipatory Organization: Turn Disruption and Change into Opportunity and Advantage with Innovation Expert Daniel Burrus

Daniel Burrus is considered one of the world's leading technology forecasters and innovation experts. He is the CEO of Burrus Research, a research and consulting firm that monitors global advances in technology driven trends to help clients profit from technological, social and business forces that are converging to create enormous, untapped opportunities. He is a strategic advisor to executives helping them to develop game-changing strategies based on his proven methodologies for capitalizing on technology innovations. He is the author of seven books, including The New York Times bestseller Flash Foresight, and his latest book, The Anticipatory Organization. Daniel has a ton of interesting stories to share with us, as well as the three categories of hard trends that you should be looking for: demographics (i.e. baby boomers -> a smartwatch for seniors) government regulation technology https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4kBofInoTc Quotes: “If it can be done, it will be done. If you don't do it, someone else will.” – Daniel Burrus “Take your problems and skip them. Use the hard trends that are shaping the future to gain confidence to make a bold move.” – Daniel Burrus “Instead of trying to be successful, which is inwardly focused and measured by you, don't create a life of success. Why not create a life of significance?” – Daniel Burrus Takeaways: 06:05 Skip problems that seem impossible and focus on innovative solutions. 14:59 Create a life of significance by helping others, not just pursuing personal success. 19:42 Solving real problems for specific demographics creates powerful business opportunities. 23:57 Make your business ideas newsworthy to gain free marketing and credibility. 28:12 Think bigger than your initial idea - there's always a "bigger big" waiting to be discovered. Resources The Anticipatory Organization (get a free copy of the book) Daniel Burrus TedX Talk Daniel's books (Amazon author page)

Oct 18, 201729 min

421: Profit First: Be Efficient Instead of Productive, Find Your Passion and Purpose with Mike Michalowicz

By his 35th birthday, Mike Michalowicz had founded and sold two multi-million dollar companies. Confident that he had the formula to success, he became an angel investor…and proceeded to lose his entire fortune. Then he started all over again, driven to find better ways to grow healthy, strong companies. Among other innovative strategies, Mike created the “Profit First Formula”, a way for businesses to ensure profitability from their very next deposit forward. Mike is now running his third million dollar venture, is a former small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal; is the former MSNBC business make-over expert; is a popular keynote speaker on innovative entrepreneurial topics; and is the author of Profit First, Surge, The Pumpkin Plan and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, which BusinessWeek deemed "the entrepreneur's cult classic." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G3EBMJTrc0 Quotes: “Efficiency's core mindset is to do less. Productivity's core philosophy is, ‘How do I get more done?’ And efficiency, as crazy as it sounds, is, ‘How do I get less done?’” – Mike Michalowicz “When we become more productive, what that gives us is more time. You can increase your productivity, and as you do, more time becomes available. When you have more time, it means you can do more things.” – Mike Michalowicz “Business, which used to be considered a marathon—where you keep pushing forward over the long haul—has become a sprint. But we're sprinting the entire distance of a marathon. It's exhausting and burning out owners, employees, and everyone else in between.” – Mike Michalowicz Takeaways: 08:18 Efficiency trumps productivity by focusing on doing less and delegating smartly. 16:33 Profit should be prioritized first, not treated as an afterthought in business finances. 22:18 Challenging industry norms can spark innovative growth when resources are limited. 28:18 Business systems already exist in your head; the goal is to extract and simplify them, not create from scratch. 30:31 Entrepreneurs should align their passion with their work by asking two critical questions: What would you do with all the money? What would you do with no money? Resources Profit First (book) Mike Michalowicz (official site) The Profit First Podcast

Oct 17, 201736 min

420: Online Advertising: Master Search Engine Optimization and Content Marketing on Pinterest and YouTube with Kellen Kautzman

Kellen owns Send It Rising Internet Marketing and manages a team of over 20 internet marketing professionals. He was the keynote speaker at Planet Hollywood on the Las Vegas strip and has spoken at Roseman University and the Lance Tamashiro podcast. His book "Everybody's Doing It" was the #1 New Release on Amazon.com in the SEO category. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCxRdyI1dDw Quotes: “If you don't value your own expertise, you're kind of missing the point. What you do on a daily basis, for 99% of humanity, is absolutely outside of their norm—and it's a lot more interesting than you think.” – Kellen Kautzman “Now is always the best time to start. Now has all the best opportunities. You're not missing out—you're missing out if you're not thinking about what you can do now.” – Kellen Kautzman “If you don't think your industry is sexy or interesting, you're missing the point. You're probably a lot smarter and better at it than you think.” – Kellen Kautzman Takeaways: 02:01 Pinterest can be a powerful link-building tool for businesses, even in seemingly mundane industries. 12:44 Google's AI understands content so well that educational, authentic videos are more important than perfect production. 14:53 Small business owners already have strong advertising skills - they just need to learn the digital tools. 19:35 Creating weekly video content builds a valuable web asset that grows in worth over time. 26:19 Don't fear making content - your first attempts will improve quickly, and something is always better than nothing. Resources Everybody's Doing It: Advertising Redefined by an SEO Expert (book) Kellen Kautzman (official site) Kellen Kautzman on LinkedIn Kellen Kautzman on Twitter

Oct 16, 201733 min

419: From Stuck to Unstoppable: Get the Right Thoughts, Beliefs, Habits and Conditioning with Energy Expert Linda Binns

Linda Binns is an accomplished energy coach and author of seven self-help books, and numerous published articles. She has appeared on television, including her multiple encore guest appearances on Portland, Oregon's AM Northwest News Show, as well as, on the radio, podcasts, and on-line summits. Being raised not to succeed, Linda discovered early on "you are rarely ready for what life brings." Where most people let life's obstacles stop them, Linda seized this recurring "lesson" and transformed it into her life's work and passion including playing competitive tennis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OHJIaRwBWA Quotes: “Everything is a lesson to me. Lessons are all around us all the time.” – Linda Binns “If you're struggling, if it feels really hard, then it's not the right thing. You need to take a step back and ask yourself, ‘How could I make it easier?’” – Linda Binns “The better you treat yourself, the more you actually accomplish.” – Linda Binns Takeaways: 02:24 Your internal beliefs and energy directly shape your external life experiences and opportunities. 05:20 Personal transformation starts with understanding what you truly want, not what you think you should want. 09:53 Changing your approach from struggle to ease can unlock natural progression toward your goals. 23:18 High expectations are different from unrealistic self-bullying expectations that prevent personal growth. 26:51 Challenging personal narratives requires outside perspective and willingness to recognize self-imposed limitations. Resources Linda Binns (official site) Linda Binns on YouTube Linda Binns on LinkedIn

Oct 13, 201735 min

418: Grow Your Business and Help Others Using Referral Marketing with Mickey Griffith

Mickey Griffith from Asentiv Sacramento is an expert in referral marketing and he can help you discover what you want your business to do, what you want out of your business, and who you need to talk to in order to get there. He can help you attract the exact clients you want and get others to send business your way by helping others get what they want. As an owner of the leading Asentiv franchise in the United States, Mickey has delivered thousands of hours of programs and presentations on the art of creating an amazing business and having a spectacular life. His clients report results such as increasing sales closing ratios by more than 40%, closing more business in one month than they did in an entire year, and having time to start a non-profit organization they've always wanted to do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPm0s1UMe20 Quotes: “Success lies outside of your comfort zone.” – Mickey Griffith “If you show up with the mindset that you want to help somebody, you have a far better chance they'll remember you as someone they want to help back.” – Mickey Griffith “Even if you're getting enough business, but you don't like the kind of work you're doing, then it's really about making sure you're getting better quality referrals.” – Mickey Griffith Takeaways: 08:14 Referral marketing thrives on understanding your deeper life goals, not just business objectives. 12:04 Your most valuable referral sources are those who already send business your way - nurture those relationships intentionally. 19:44 Effective coaching goes beyond business tactics and addresses personal challenges that impact professional success. 22:44 Building strong referral relationships means meeting in person and staying on people's radars regularly. 28:59 Successful networking requires showing up consistently and focusing on helping others, not just selling. Resources Asentiv Sacramento (formerly Referral Institute) Mickey Griffith YouTube channel Mickey Griffith on LinkedIn

Oct 12, 201735 min

417: Influencer Marketing: Promote Your Brand on SnapChat, YouTube, and Amazon with Yogin Patel

Yogin Patel is the founder of an influencer marketing agency called YPSocial and works with large mobile games, some with over 100M MAUs. YPSocial has created campaigns with some of the largest female YouTube influencers in the Beauty/DIY, including Alisha Marie and Niki and Gabi. One particular campaign his agency ran did over 80,000 downloads for a mobile game in less than 6 days, having the game jump up 100 spots to #56 in the Top Charts across all apps on iOs. Listen in as Yogin discusses influencer marketing (in a way, it's product placement using social media apps) -- connecting brands and businesses with "influencers" (celebrities, blogger moms, veterans, etc.) using SnapChat, geofilters, YouTube ads, and more. He also discusses the new Amazon Influencer program and how his 21 year old millennial built his business before the influencer trend was well known. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8tALnYQNFY Quotes: “Everyone's hearing about influencers—they're just not sure how to go about it. A lot of brands simply don't know, in the whole world of influencers, where to start.” – Yogin Patel “Once influencers reach a point where every video or post is basically an integration or product placement, they're going to lose a bunch of followers.” – Yogin Patel “Any category—your business could probably use influencer marketing. You just have to find the right influencer with your target audience.” – Yogin Patel Takeaways: 01:24 Influencer marketing is a powerful alternative to traditional advertising, offering brands direct access to targeted audiences through social media personalities. 05:48 Successful influencer marketing requires strategic creativity to maintain follower trust and engagement. 10:58 Brands across multiple industries can benefit from influencer marketing, not just limited to millennial-focused products. 22:39 Finding the right influencer match means understanding their audience demographics and ensuring product alignment with their followers. 28:16 The influencer marketing industry is rapidly growing, expected to expand from $1 billion to $10 billion in the next five years. Resources YPSocial Yogin Patel on Twitter Email [email protected] with subject line "Robert Plank sent me"

Oct 11, 201733 min

416: Train Your Brain for Better Habits, Decisions and Results with Holistic Prosperity and Mindset Mentor Joan Sotkin

Joan Sotkin helps entrepreneurs and practitioners experience freedom from struggle personally, professionally, and financially. She is THE expert when it comes to understanding how emotions learned in early childhood can affect a person's business and financial outcomes. Thousands have benefited from her groundbreaking book Build Your Money Muscles and her online programs. Joan's latest program is Rewire Your Brain for Prosperity & Financial Freedom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHCf8WUsT5k Quotes: “When you're under stress, you can't make good decisions, and it also leads to physical problems. The idea is to recognize when you're in a state of stress and know how to bring yourself back to a more peaceful place.” – Joan Sotkin “More money does not make you happier, because it just brings a lot of new things you have to deal with.” – Joan Sotkin “The more you allow yourself to express your feelings—which is an expression of who you are—the more satisfying your life will be.” – Joan Sotkin Takeaways: 04:08 Worrying about money often masks deeper emotional concerns about resources and personal connections. 06:28 Childhood experiences create emotional habits that unconsciously drive adult decision-making and life outcomes. 08:39 Learning to recognize, release, and replace negative emotional patterns can help build inner peace and make better decisions. 10:11 Personal growth is about changing habits, not fundamentally changing who you are as a person. 16:42 Feelings are learned early in life and can be intentionally retrained through conscious practice and self-awareness. Resources Prosperity Place Rewire Your Brain for Prosperity & Financial Freedom (course)

Oct 10, 201725 min

415: Conviction, Customization, and Clarity: Break Out of Your Comfort Zone with Andy Molinsky

Andy Molinsky is a Professor at Brandeis University's International Business School, with a joint appointment in the Department of Psychology. His new book Reach discusses ways to know yourself better and break outside your comfort zone. A simple exercise you can implement today is to confront that thing you're fearing, imagine the worst case scenario, then the ideal/perfect version, then the realistic version, and decide on the probability for each of the three. Andy says that some or all of the five pain points holding you back are authenticity, likability, competence, resentment, and morality. Listen in as you can realize that thing you were procrastination doing wasn't so bad at all, and making progress will get you to break that cycle of avoidance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj1hRCVgpQI Quotes: “When you take a leap, when you try something, that's where learning happens. You can't learn if you don't actually try.” – Andy Molinsky “When you avoid something, you get a short-term boost of relief. But over time, it just makes that thing much harder.” – Andy Molinsky “There's no one-size-fits-all. Whatever you're trying to do to step outside your comfort zone, you can make your own version of it.” – Andy Molinsky Takeaways: 04:30 Breaking out of your comfort zone requires understanding your personal barriers and creating a customized approach to overcome them. 07:52 Taking small risks creates a positive cycle of self-discovery and increased confidence, replacing the negative cycle of avoidance. 16:51 Personal conviction and purpose can provide the motivation needed to push through uncomfortable situations. 21:22 Most people catastrophize worst-case scenarios, but the realistic outcome is usually far less intimidating than imagined. 24:39 Stepping outside your comfort zone is not a one-time event, but a continuous process of growth and self-improvement. Resources Andy Molinsky (official site) Andy's books ("Global Dexterity" and "Reach") Reach: A New Strategy to Help You Step Outside Your Comfort Zone, Rise to the Challenge, and Build Confidence (book)

Oct 9, 201730 min

414: The Land Geek: How to Make Money Using Raw Land, Refine Your Process and Teach Others to Repeat Your Proven System with Mark Podolsky

Mark Podolsky, The Land Geek, is considered to be the country's most trusted and foremost authority on buying and selling raw, undeveloped land within the United States. He's been actively investing in Real Estate and Raw Land since 2001 and has completed over 5,000 unique transactions. Mark's company, Frontier Equity Properties, LLC, is an A+ rated BBB real estate company. Mark is the host of one of the top rated podcasts in the Investing Category on iTunes titled The Best Passive Income Model and The Art of Passive Income. He's also the host of the Land Geek Podcast. We discuss Mark's highly refined process to find raw land and profit from it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5rzVBfM9g0 Quotes: “Good artists copy; great artists steal.” – Mark Podolsky “If you've never bought a piece of real estate or marketed one, there are all these steps involved. And you know, it's a lot easier to just watch the latest Netflix show.” – Mark Podolsky “The game I play is: can I create enough passive income from these land notes to exceed my fixed expenses? Then I'm working because I want to, not because I have to.” – Mark Podolsky Takeaways: 01:55 Tax-delinquent property lists are goldmines for finding undervalued land investments with minimal competition. 07:05 Creating a systematic approach to land investing can transform raw land into predictable passive income streams. 14:25 Automated marketing and software tools can simplify real estate transactions and reduce manual workload. 16:27 Building a targeted buyer's list is crucial for consistent land sales and reducing dependency on external platforms. 23:57 Unexpected buyers exist for seemingly undesirable land parcels, so don't quickly dismiss potential opportunities. Resources The Land Geek (official site) Email [email protected] with subject like "Robert Plank sent me" for free $97 freebie on buying and selling land The Best Passive Income Model (podcast) The Art of Passive Income (podcast) The Land Geek Podcast

Oct 6, 201728 min

413: Consistency, Persistence, Discipline, and Creativity: Overcome Frustration, Build a Brand and a Following with Jim Sweeney

Jim Sweeney, creator of the Trademarked MIKE cartoon sports character, has crafted his digital innovation to become the first universal animated brand in sports. Jim's property has enjoyed an incredible start in digital media. In addition to penning 800+ blogs, Jim has also published 40 MIKE Sports Comic Books. Jim's goal is to license MIKE as an alter-ego animated character to a major sports network. Listen in as we discuss Jim's secrets to being creative and pumping out content, as well as his long-term goal to license his brand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuF3VpArLdI Quotes: “People can't stay angry at a cartoon character for long. A cartoon character can get away with saying things that push the envelope a little without ever stepping over the line.” – Jim Sweeney “When you're in the creative space, you should be creative. I like to think that I'm creative in that I look at the world a little differently.” – Jim Sweeney “My intent is to entertain, to educate, to edify—and, in some cases, to make people just laugh out loud at something.” – Jim Sweeney Takeaways: 01:02 Consistent content creation across multiple platforms builds audience trust and opens unexpected opportunities. 02:58 Creating a unique character allows you to communicate complex ideas in a more engaging and less confrontational way. 20:38 Strategic marketing through niche groups and free content can help grow a brand's visibility and potential reach. 28:40 Having a clear, long-term vision while remaining adaptable is crucial for creative entrepreneurship. 31:55 Pursuing creative work should be driven by passion, enjoyment, and personal satisfaction rather than immediate financial rewards. Visit Mike on Sports

Oct 5, 201734 min

412: Gain Clarity, Self-Love, Confidence, and Unshakeable Belief in Your Future with Adele Brimage

Adele Brimâge is a Transformational Life Coach, Writer & Speaker, whose mission is to help as many women and visionary men gain clarity on what their current mind-set is producing and how they can easily change it. To have self-love, confidence and unshakable self-belief so they no longer feel stuck or play small in their life or business. Adele challenges her clients thinking, helps them to acquire a mind-set that sets them up for sustainable results and propels them forward to achieve their goals in their life. Through her speaking she inspires her audience to take back the CONTROL of their life, to get CLEAR about who they are and give themselves PERMISSION to be visible and dare to dream. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNrveLEl2Kw Quotes: “Your thoughts create your world, and no one ever has an experience they haven't invited into their world.” – Adele Brimage “If you're going to change your belief system, you have to change the thoughts you're thinking, and you also have to change the language you use with yourself.” – Adele Brimage “You are the author of the book called your life. You write every single chapter of that book with your thoughts, your beliefs, your actions, and your emotions.” – Adele Brimage Takeaways: 04:40 Your subconscious mind acts like a background computer program, protecting you from perceived risks and potentially blocking personal growth. 11:34 Changing beliefs requires more than lip service - you must actively transform your thoughts, language, and emotional patterns. 17:50 Your internal mindset must change before external circumstances can improve, making personal belief work the foundation of life transformation. 22:46 Focusing on negative thoughts creates a self-fulfilling cycle that leads you toward the very outcomes you're trying to avoid. 26:46 Self-love is the critical foundation for becoming the person you're truly meant to be, not a sign of arrogance. Resources Adele Brimage (official site) How To Love Yourself For The Amazing Person You Are (free e-book) Adele Brimage on Facebook

Oct 4, 201732 min

411: Get Your Health Right: Set a Morning Routine in Place for Optimal Sleep, Eating, Movement, Productivity, and Happiness with Dr. Michele Summers

Dr. Michele Summers Colon is the author of Body Wisdom: 10 Weeks to Transformation So You Can Get and Feel Healthy Again and the creator of the podcast Body Wisdom with Dr. Michele. She is also a physician, Ayurvedic health coach, yin yoga and anatomy instructor, and a motivational speaker offering workshops and online courses based on her book. She hopes to inspire women to live happier, healthier lives that honor their own bodies, wants, and desires. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8SNKb-AjPE Quotes: “When you want to have a good tomorrow, you start with today. So, plan to have a good day tomorrow by adjusting your bedtime today, as well as your dinner time and what you're eating today.” – Dr. Michele Summers “If you're not getting enough sleep, it can cause weight gain—and a lot of people don't realize that. Sleep deprivation can lead to many problems like diabetes, weight gain, and various other stress-related issues in your body.” – Dr. Michele Summers “We're born pretty much healthy, with everything in balance. As we grow older, things get out of balance because of stress, a busy lifestyle, and sitting at the computer all day.” – Dr. Michele Summers Takeaways: 01:30 Entrepreneurs often neglect their health due to sedentary work environments, making intentional wellness routines crucial. 03:36 Small, consistent changes are more effective than drastic overhauls when improving personal health and lifestyle. 09:28 Sleep, eating habits, and movement are the three core areas to focus on when rebuilding personal health. 17:45 Customizing health strategies based on individual body types and personal preferences increases long-term success and motivation. 22:15 Regular routines can be disrupted by travel, holidays, and family visits, requiring adaptable health strategies.

Oct 3, 201728 min

410: The Secrets to Money, Power, and Love Prosperity with Lucas Lehman

Lucas Roy Lehman speaks and leads seminars on personal power and intimacy all over the US, Sweden and Canada. He is a certified neurotransformational coach, a certified sacred sexuality educator. Over the past ten years, Lucas has worked with hundreds of men and women to overcome the obstacles to their financial success and emotional fulfillment, helping them transform old patterns and limiting beliefs, and courageously create the lives of their dreams. Lucas talks to us about his forthcoming book, Mastering the 7 Principles of Sex & Money & Power for an Extraordinary Life: presenence (what is) purpose passion prosperity proactivity playfulness plasticity If you're ready to shift from "fear & survival" into "desire & fullness" then listen in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jH3srNRK_s Quotes: “Desire is the first step to all achievement. So, if we're talking about how to have the most amazing life, first of all, we need to move from lack into desire.” – Lucas Lehman “My definition of power is the ability to manifest my desires with ease.” – Lucas Lehman “Prosperity is more than just financial prosperity. It also includes our physical prosperity—because if you don't have health, energy, and vitality, then all the money in the world is going to be useless.” – Lucas Lehman Takeaways: 04:40 Desire is a more powerful motivator for growth than fear-based survival tactics. 17:37 Self-worth isn't tied to external achievements, but to internal acceptance and love. 25:25 Productivity can come from joy and desire, not just panic and stress. 32:47 Prosperity means more than money - it includes physical health, creativity, and emotional well-being. 35:19 Your life itself is your greatest art, not just the things you create. Resources Lucas Lehman (official site) The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle (book) Lucas Roy Lehman on Yelp

Oct 2, 201740 min

409: Feed the Beast, Find Your Passions, and Thrive in Your Zone of Genius with Corey Poirier

Corey Poirier, author of The Book of Why, is a multiple-time TEDx speaker, host of the top rated Conversations with PASSION Radio Show, founder of The Speaking Program, and he has been featured in multiple television specials. He's interviewed over 4,000 of the world’s top leaders and has some amazing advice today about finding meaning, leaving your comfort zone, and becoming enlightened. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaI2fOJaD2U Quotes: “I'd rather be busy than bored—and I'll add productive, because being busy just for the sake of being busy doesn't help anybody.” – Corey Poirier “If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. If you figure out that this is your thing, your calling, or your why, you'll discover that you won't be tired at the end of the day, because you never really worked.” – Corey Poirier “We're taught in school to focus on our weaknesses and ignore our strengths, because we're already good at them. But if you look at what sets the highest achievers apart, they do the exact opposite.” – Corey Poirier Takeaways: 00:46 Staying busy isn't enough; being productive in areas you're passionate about is what drives success. 01:57 Passion acts like an energy source that prevents burnout and keeps you motivated. 14:41 Finding your passion is a continuous process that can take years, and it's okay to not have it all figured out immediately. 20:29 Your "why" should create a positive impact beyond just personal achievement. 29:09 High achievers focus on their strengths and hire out or delegate tasks in areas of weakness. Resources The Book of Why Corey Poirier (official site) Conversations with Passion (Facebook)

Sep 29, 201739 min

408: Traffic Fountains: Get an Unlimited Number of Clicks, Views, and Sales to Your Website

Do you sometimes feel like you're slaving away at your website? Maybe you built it and they DIDN'T come? When you're looking for "traffic" advice, do you feel like you're told a bunch of shady OR outdated marketing techniques? Even worse, do you feel flooded with lots of "tiny" traffic techniques? If so, today's episode is the relief you've been searching for. We discuss the six traffic fountains you should focus on today: Search Engine Optimization & Content Marketing: Fiverr, Rev, WordPress blog, evergreen podcast, LinkedIn, Medium Guest Posting: podcast guest interviews (RadioGuestList), Interview Connections Video Marketing: YouTube, Facebook Live Pay Per Click: Google AdWords, Facebook ads, AdRoll (model, create campaigns daily, break even, scale) Upkeep: email marketing & followup campaigns, postcards/thank you's, PushCrew/ManyChat Nice to have's: affiliate program (swipe file & contest), Kindle books (your best material), outreach (find customers that use competing or complimentary products), under the table payment (podcast sponsorship, signature ad, Facebook page ad) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJnefnrT8kM Quotes: “Think of the 80/20 rule: spend 20% of your time creating content and 80% of your time marketing it. You need to spend more time marketing than creating the content.” – Robert Plank “The real problem with traffic is that things change so much. The rules change all the time—the Google rules, the Facebook rules—for both the free stuff and the paid stuff. Things change all the time.” – Robert Plank “You need to have a better mindset. You need to put 20% of your income back into ads, in whatever format that is.” – Robert Plank Takeaways: 04:40 Creating content is only half the battle; spending 80% of your time marketing that content is crucial for success. 11:20 Building a list of buyers is more valuable than collecting free email subscribers who may never purchase. 23:15 Consistently creating new ad campaigns and being willing to experiment is key to finding successful traffic strategies. 35:50 Retargeting and understanding audience targeting can significantly improve the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. 46:30 Breaking even on ad spend is a win, as it allows you to build a list and potential customer base for free. Resources Video Sales Tactics (Facebook Live Streaming) Podcast Crusher (Create A Podcast) Make a Product (Publish A Book)

Sep 28, 201759 min

407: Generate Leads, Drive Sales, and Grow Your Social Outreach Using Interactive Quizzes with Josh Haynam

Josh Haynam is the co-founder of Interact Quiz Builder, a tool used by more than 30,000 businesses including The American Red Cross, Home Depot, and Forbes. He's probably seen more quizzes than any other human on earth right now. We speak today about why you need quizzes to get traffic to your site, best practices, as well as do's and dont's for your own interactive quizzes. Josh's tool has 175 pre-existing templates to choose from, sorted by conversion rate, so you can begin engaging with your visitors in this new way, starting today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zzh2jVggJE Quotes: “Instead of asking people for their information so quickly, you guide them through a whole scripted conversation using the questions in the quiz, creating a back-and-forth interaction.” – Josh Haynam “The thing that's annoying about marketing and advertising is when we keep getting messages sent to us that we're not interested in.” – Josh Haynam “We process images much faster in our brains, so it's important to include visuals to help people avoid feeling overwhelmed.” – Josh Haynam Takeaways: 02:46 Interactive quizzes are a powerful tool for generating leads and growing your business across multiple industries. 07:33 Seven-question quizzes with image-based answers can double your email opt-in rates compared to traditional lead magnets. 17:55 Successful quizzes focus on helping people learn something about themselves, not just collecting data for businesses. 20:49 Personalization through quiz results allows for more targeted and meaningful marketing follow-ups. 23:53 The key to a great quiz is starting with what your customers want to answer, not what you want to know about them. Sign Up for Interact Quiz Builder

Sep 27, 201730 min

406: Facebook Groups, Facebook Live Streams, and Word of Mouth Advertising for Real Estate Brokers with Whitney Nicely

Whitney Nicely went from no investments (or strategies) to 19 houses, 19 apartment units and 7 chunks of land in less than three years all bringing monthly money to her bank account on auto pilot. She has traveled the United States speaking on stages, teaching her simple strategies, and meeting with other successful real estate investors- and still buying houses the way she teaches others. We talk today about how Whitney gets leads into her real estate business through Facebook pages, Facebook Live streaming and word-of-mouth advertising. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ac1V39Ayus Quotes: “The goal is to make an extra $10,000 a month by the end of next year. And you can do that with one deal a month. You don't have to go out and try to do 100 deals.” – Whitney Nicely “Just on the other side of that little hiccup, or that little bump in the road, is a whole new world and a whole new life.” – Whitney Nicely “There are more deals out there than any of us could ever get our hands on, and it really is a people business.” – Whitney Nicely Takeaways: 04:00 Standing out in a crowded market requires bold, unique marketing strategies that catch people's attention. 11:30 Real estate investing isn't about massive deals, but consistent, steady growth - one deal per month can change your financial future. 17:20 Success in real estate comes from understanding people's problems and offering solutions that give them back their time and peace of mind. 22:30 Building trust through authentic storytelling and personal connection matters more than aggressive sales tactics. 25:36 Real estate remains a solid investment because people will always need a place to live, regardless of economic or technological changes. Create Passive Income & Build Wealth with Real Estate

Sep 26, 2017

405: Evergreen Focus & Motivation: 12 Mind Hacks to Become a Better Author, Speaker, Coach, Entrepreneur, and Your Best Self

Listen in as we reveal the twelve secrets all entrepreneurs (including you reading this right now) need to know in order to take massive action and enjoy rapid success. Quiet the Noise: Don't check email or texting in the morning Minimum Viable Product: what's important? Body Health: Exercise, wake up early, drink water, and get a good night's sleep Better Relationships: contempt, criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling (expert John Gottman) Be Present: avoid multitasking, distractions, waiting for X to do Y, or "sticking it out" Write Things Down: journal to document and "crack the nut" plus gratitude list Negative Self Talk: ask better questions about your situation, such as: What's good about this? What action will you take moving forward? Is the thing you're worried about always true in all circumstances? Be Independent: You are in control. Even if luck or people get you down, Be Positive: Why did you get started with your business in the first place? What used to get you excited? Triggers, states, habits, responses Entrepreneurial Skill: distill the information down quick enough to take action. Don't be arrogant. Pay attention. Take the steps and see if you did it correctly. Don't give up. Chunking: Adjust the size of your "laundry basket" to work your productivity muscle (focus muscle) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHv93-Ubw_E Quotes: “Half the battle is just knowing where you're at and knowing what needs to be fixed.” – Robert Plank “You're in control of everything you're doing today. The day can be spent the way you choose.” – Robert Plank “Don't just learn and then put it aside. And don't just find a way to talk yourself out of implementing.” – Robert Plank Takeaways: 02:19 Quiet the noise in your morning by avoiding immediate email and text checks to prevent starting your day in a stressed state. 11:50 Exercise doesn't require complex routines; simple actions like walking can significantly improve mental clarity and physical health. 21:42 Writing down daily tasks increases the likelihood of completing them and helps track actual productivity versus perceived productivity. 29:47 Recognize your emotional triggers and choose to respond differently, breaking predictable patterns that hold you back. 38:14 Focus on completing a few meaningful tasks daily rather than creating overwhelming to-do lists that rarely get finished.

Sep 25, 201742 min

404: Copywriting, Creating Websites, Providing Value, and Overcoming Sales Obstacles with Chi Odogwu

Chi is a business growth consultant, digital marketer & direct response copywriter. He helps clients grow their businesses and achieve success on their terms through his digital marketing training, personal development coaching & entrepreneurship mentoring services. We talk today about how Chi differentiates himself as a copywriter, how he landed his first few gigs and how doing business online in Africa, the Middle East and Europe differs from North America. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Vm4VcmQiQ Quotes: “Once somebody in a remote place gets online, the first thing they want to do is learn what's out there.” – Chi Odogwu “Businesses are the same wherever you go. Business owners have the same problems, the same desires, and the same needs.” – Chi Odogwu “Not being clear in your messaging is the number one problem a lot of companies are facing.” – Chi Odogwu Takeaways: 05:50 Solving genuine problems for people naturally grows your business through word of mouth and referrals. 13:11 Design websites for mobile users with limited data, focusing on quick loading and concise messaging. 14:42 Meeting clients where they are means understanding their communication preferences, like using WhatsApp instead of email. 19:36 Great companies often have excellent products but fail due to weak, generic marketing communication. 23:50 Expanding internet access can democratize learning and economic opportunities in developing regions. Resources Chi Odogwu (Official Site) The Bulletproof Entrepreneur (Podcast) Chi (LinkedIn) Chi (Twitter) Chi (Facebook)

Sep 22, 201729 min