The Brands On Brands Podcast

In his interview with Brandon earlier this week (episode #050), sales expert Oren Klaff laid out why every entrepreneur and salesman needs their own "Winter is Coming"—Game of Thrones fans may know what he's talking about. Essentially, you need to impress to your customer that a certain scenario or problem is inevitable, and that your product or service is the solution they need for when the time comes. But on that note, what solution do you have yourself when the winds of work change? In this episode, Brandon takes an honest look at the shifting nature of modern work, discusses his old fears of irrelevancy, and explains how pursuing his own brand has afforded him a degree of independence. The Finer Details of This Episode: Why big corporations might not be as well-prepared to deal with sudden changes and paradigm shifts as you might think. How the Internet and modern technology is changing the rules regarding standardization, specialization, and how rare or common your skillset is. The "journey of small steps" Brandon took to become less dependent on the corporate world and more viable as an entity on his own. If you have your own worries about adapting to the changing tides of business, or if you've actually successfully dealt with that turbulence, let Brandon know at [email protected]! Quotes: "I needed to find a way to put myself out there in a way where I am no longer a resume—I am now a brand." "Think about how to start building your own personal brands before you have that decision made for you." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Live Facebook FAQ every Wednesday @ 1PM PST https://www.brandgrowthlive.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Oren Klaff is an investment banking advisor and investor based in Beverly Hills. Oren advocates for "selling without selling"—that is to say, successfully pitching a customer on a product or service without them feeling like they're being sold to. He is also the author of Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading and Winning the Deal and Flip the Script: Getting People to Think Your Idea is Their Idea (now on retail and digital shelves). In this episode, Oren explains how he can pull off a real life Inception, helps you figure out the pressing concern that motivates you, and discusses the three "layers" of a compelling personality. The Finer Details of This Episode: Oren explains what his book Flip the Script is about and what this show's listeners can get out of it. How do you influence customers in an era where no one really wants to be sold to anymore? Oren breaks down the key piece of advice at the heart of Pitch Anything. Oren's method for planting the seed of an idea What are "pre-wired ideas" and how do they work? Why every industry and line of business needs its own "Winter is coming" to innovate and survive. Oren discusses the different layers of your persona that make you compelling. Quotes: "Salespeople don't know how to sell because today buyers don't want to be sold." "People want what they can't have, they chase that which moves away from them, and they only value that which they pay for." "The closer you get to something that's new, novel, unusual, or never tried before, the more anxiety it creates." "Your value system that cannot be altered by a sales meeting is what makes you compelling." "Business, to me, is about relationships." Guest Links: Oren's homepage - https://orenklaff.com/ Pitch Anything - https://pitchanything.com/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Once you have the topical and technical aspects of your podcast taken care of, how do you get the word out? How do you make both your show and yourself known quantities? If you want people to listen to your show, it absolutely helps for people to know who you are and what you can speak confidently about. Thankfully networking, Apple Podcasts categorization and simply being a guest can go a long way to making your personal podcast brand stick out. In this episode, Brandon considers a few ultimate podcast formats that may draw in different kinds of listeners, asks for your help in defining this podcast's community, and explains how you can be an engaging and sought-out podcast guest. The Finer Details of This Episode: Brandon's exciting announcement about Brands on Brands on Brands' latest ranking—and the best thing you can do to support the show. Taking a closer look at how Apple Podcasts categories have changed and what that means for this show and your own. Email Brandon at [email protected] if you have any ideas for what he should call the Brands on Brands on Brands community of listeners! How going on other people's podcasts can help you become a "person of interest" others want to seek out. Figure out which topics you can speak authoritatively on and make that your hook as a guest. Some alternate episodes Brandon is considering to bring more value to you listeners. Quotes: "Continue to engage and I'll continue to bring everything I can to help you guys move forward." "It's hard to be found if you're not actually putting yourself out there to new places to be discovered." "You have to actually put yourself where the opportunity happens." Links: Brand Growth Live - http://www.brandonbrands.com/live/ Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Live Facebook FAQ every Wednesday @ 1PM PST https://www.facebook.com/brandonbrandsinc Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Brandon's at a podcast conference this week—Podcast Movement in Orlando—to exchange tips with other podcasters, network with them and arrange interviews. It's in these moments that he's especially grateful for the value podcasting has brought to his life. Even if it's just a side-hustle, podcasting can give you something outside of your usual job and help get you out of any rut you may be in. Moreover, helming your own podcast is a reliable way of making solid connections and expanding your own knowledge base, as well as that of your listeners. In this episode, Brandon explains why it's better to start with a subject you DON'T know rather than one you know inside out and reveals how a single podcast interview can provide even greater opportunities than a conference meet-and-greet. The Finer Details of This Episode: Brandon breaks down what percentage of people listens to podcasts—and what that means for your own show. Start small, and instead of going with a subject you know top to bottom, go with a topic that you're generally curious about and wish to learn more of. The trick to getting the first few guests onto your podcast. Let Brandon know if you start up your own podcast and how it's going for you by sending a message to [email protected]! Quotes: "Suddenly your network is working for you in a way that it never did in real life." "You getting on other people's podcasts means that you now have credibility as the person presenting the content." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Live Facebook Q&A every Wednesday @ 1PM PST https://www.brandgrowthlive.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Mondays are when Brandon brings on accomplished and inspiring guests, and to start this week off with a bang he's invited entrepreneur and podcast host John Lee Dumas. His show, Entrepreneurs On Fire, airs every weekday and is one of the most highly rated entrepreneurial podcasts on the charts right now. In addition, he launched the Podcasters' Paradise community to help other aspiring hosts get their own shows off the ground. In this episode, John explains his tips for making a mark in the podcasting world, reveals what he thinks is the weakest aspect of most podcasts, and discusses why being the best may not be as important as being the first. The Finer Details of This Episode: Looking at how John was able to construct his own kind of Internet empire and earn over $100,000 in a month! John discusses his scale-independent, solutions-based approach to developing his podcasting community. How John saw a void in the podcast market and used his show to take advantage of it. Why podcast hosts shouldn't be afraid to disagree with the guests they have on. Quotes: "At the end of the day, you've got to find your own, special, unique niche." "What can you be the best, the worst, the only at, from day one? That's your thing." "The world is a collision of ideas. The world is a collision of opportunity. The world is a collision of people." Guest Links:Entrepreneurs On Fire - https://www.eofire.com/ Podcasters' Paradise - https://podcastersparadise.com/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Brandon found himself coming up short on ideas this week—ironic, considering his interview with Mike Allton about blogging and minisode about writing released just a few days ago. Thankfully, he made the most of this little mental drought by dedicating this week's Freestyle Friday to sharing the process he uses to get out of a creative slump. In this episode, Brandon reveals his most tried and true methods for kindly showing writer's block the exit and invites you to send in your own solutions for stalled creativity. The Finer Details of This Episode: Brandon walks us through the steps he used to get over his own bout of writer's block this week and highlights which tactics helped him the most. How Brandon finds creative inspiration through both his successes and the obstacles he faces. Remembering that consistency is key to long-term success and just as important—if not more so—than putting out the highest quality content possible. Don't wait for the last minute for your best ideas to percolate—take note of the little ideas that spring into your head every day. When in doubt, change up your setting. Email your own techniques for getting over writer's block to [email protected] (subject line: Ideas)! Quotes: "The simple solution to getting through [writer's block] is talking about the struggle you're having in the moment." "If you're committed to being someone who creates content, doing it consistently every week is the work." "Look for little inspirations throughout your week, every week." Links: Brand Growth Live - http://www.brandonbrands.com/live/ The Online Branding Checklist - http://www.brandonbrands.com/checklist/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Whether your business is big, small, or very personal, good writing is an essential skill for success. It's possible to develop smooth, confident spoken delivery through time and practice, but writing is the perfect method for organizing and fine-tuning your thoughts. In this episode, Brandon explains the benefits that writing blog posts have in creating long term credibility. In addition, Brandon is now hosting a live FAQ every Wednesday at 1PM PST on the Brand Growth Live Facebook page (https://www.brandonbrands.com/live)! The Finer Details of This Episode: The advantages writing has in developing your brand voice over other forms like podcasts, videos, etc. Getting over the mental obstacle of wanting your writing to be perfect on the first go. Writing is an opportunity to solve your customers' problems—tutorials, FAQs and blog posts are easy ways to answer the questions on their minds. How you can use your writing, regardless of form, to generate valuable leads as well as catalyze content. Quotes: "Start finding your voice and perspective and putting it into practice through writing." "You can have pieces of valuable information you can be handing out as people meet you." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.brandonbrands.com/apply Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Mike Allton is the founder of award-winning blog and agency The Social Media Hat and a brand evangelist for Agorapulse, a social media management tool that helps people organize their content across multiple platforms. Known as "the Blogging Brute"—also the name of his own blog—Mike is part of 360 Marketing Squad alongside former Brands On Brands On Brands Guests Stephanie Liu (episode #008) and Jenn Herman (episode #020), specifically focusing on content marketing. In this episode, Mike explains how to more effectively and efficiently produce content for your brand, reveals how you can use blogs to your advantage, and gives you tips for developing your own voice as a writer, even if it doesn't come naturally to you. The Finer Details of This Episode: How the 360 Marketing Squad got together and what Mike in particular contributes to it. Mike explains why blogging is such a valuable asset to building your brand, as well as where his "Blogging Brute" moniker came from. His technique for getting people who are normally averse to writing to more easily express themselves through blog posts. What benefits do blog posts have over Twitter, Facebook and other social media posts? Should you consider a contributor model for your blog? The subjects Mike is most interested in blogging about these days. How Mike was able to optimize the amount of traffic coming to his site. Mike's tips for cultivating and organizing blog post ideas and how you can make the most of your own knowledge base. Publishing more content earlier on so you can publish fewer but higher quality pieces in the long run. Quotes: "If we want to make money, that content has to drive people to a website, and once they're on the website people need to read—they HAVE to read." "I strongly recommend that you at least entertain the idea of allowing some contributors to participate in the creation of content on your site." "Those one hundred articles that were getting approximately fifty views a month now get closer to about THREE HUNDRED views a day." "You've got a lot of information in your head and that's what I want you to pour out in your blog posts." "There are no shortcuts to any aspect of marketing." Guest Links:The Social Media Hat - https://www.thesocialmediahat.com/ Agorapulse - https://www.agorapulse.com/ Blogging Brute - https://bloggingbrute.com/ 360 Marketing Squad - https://360marketingsquad.com/ Mike on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/allton Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

It's the end of the week once more and for this edition of Freestyle Friday, Brandon is following up on his interview with Dorothy Illson this past Monday (check out episode 42) and focusing on Facebook: how to advertise on it, what kind of content works best for it, and why you shouldn't miss out on this valuable platform. In this episode, Brandon discusses the impact each guest has on his show, reveals what he enjoys chatting about the most with his guests, and dives into some 2019 Facebook fun facts. The Finer Details of This Episode: Brandon explains how a single guest can provide a wealth of information and opportunities. A closer look at Brandon's new Brand Growth Live show on Facebook and YouTube and what you can get out of it. If you're interested in going on the show, submit your application at www.brandonbrands.com/liveguest 10 Need to Know Facebook Marketing Stats for 2019 Quotes: "You're gonna have to find a way to drive people to see what you're actually posting—otherwise, posting is a waste of time." "Make sure that when you're building something and you're posting something that you're making it optimized for someone on their phone." "Take advantage of those things that help you perform a little bit better." Links: 10 Need to Know Facebook Marketing Stats for 2019 - https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/10-need-to-know-facebook-marketing-stats-for-2019/547488/ Brand Growth Live - http://www.brandonbrands.com/live/ The Online Branding Checklist - http://www.brandonbrands.com/checklist/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Are you aiming to make yourself a million dollars in a year through your startup or small business? Then what you're communicating to existing and potential customers is essential. Your brand's message needs to do more than just list what your product or service is capable of—it has to demonstrate how it can change your customer's life for the better. If you want to ensure that the message you're putting out into the world resonates with your ideal audience and really moves the needle, you should absolutely listen to this episode. In this episode, Brandon explains what it means to craft a "transformative" message, urges you to zero in on the product you know is selling, and breaks down how to adjust your prices according to your customer base. As well, Brandon is now hosting a new Facebook Live Q&A show called Brand Growth Live every Wednesday at 1PM PST. (www.brandonbrands.com/Live) The Finer Details of This Episode: Why having a well-defined message is so key to your product or service's success. Looking at your brand message as if you're introducing yourself to someone for the first time. Why a brand message should express a transformation rather than just list features. Picking a "hero product" of the ones you have available to build your message around. When to work on building up a larger customer base vs. when to scale down your product's price. The reason selling a book early on in your brand's life likely won't net you your million dollar year. Remembering that the effectiveness of your message comes down to how you say it, not necessarily what you're saying. Quotes: "If you don't know what to say, you're gonna have trouble building a relationship." "You have to be able to show them that you're going from This to That." "Do you have what it takes to be able to serve forty people at once every month?" "It might take you a hundred thousand people being aware of you to convert two thousand people to buy from you." "Don't expect the book to be your business." "How do you stand out wherever you are? How do you do something different? How do you not look like the rest of the pack." "That message needs to speak to the people who are buying now!" Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.brandonbrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.brandonbrands.com/apply Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Dorothy Illson is a speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Needle's Eye Media, an advertising management agency that helps customers get the most online visibility for their dollar. She also hosts Do Well & Do Good, a podcast where she asks other entrepreneurs how they've achieved professional and personal success while still contributing to the community. Dorothy believes financial growth is a vital ingredient to having a positive effect on the world at large. In this episode, Dorothy explains how she found her calling in the world of ad management and explains how she was able to bring in clients when starting her business. She also dishes some important tips for making the most of your own Facebook ads. The Finer Details of This Episode: How Dorothy's agency helps its clients get on top of their ad game and optimize the traffic coming to their sites. What is "paid traffic" and what does it mean to a rising entrepreneur? Why Dorothy realized accounting wasn't the career for her and what drew her to the world of ad management. The reason a good grasp of numbers can go a longer way than good copy in the advertising game. Dorothy's secret for finding clients in the early days of her agency. Dorothy's core lessons for entrepreneurs looking to implement Facebook ads into their marketing strategy. Why you never want to send paid traffic directly to your homepage. Building an avatar for your ideal customer to understand what they want and how you can best deliver it. Why big brands with big advertising budgets are surprisingly not as effective with regards to paid traffic. The reason Dorothy trusts personal brands more than the larger, more well-known ones. Quotes: "I was able to really get experience and taste a lot of different areas of marketing." "You really need to let your ego quiet down a little bit and just have the guts to ask for help." "The best way to build a business is by creating raving fans out of your clients and customers who are then gonna tell people about you." "It's not just about getting clients, it's about delivering to an extremely high level so that those clients are gonna keep coming and coming." "Give people what you promised them and make it so valuable that they are gonna start to build that Know, Like and Trust factor that's gonna lead to a sale." "The brands that I trust the most are the brands built around people." Mentions: Moink, AdSkills, Chris Harder, Gerard Adams Guest Links:Needle's Eye Media - https://www.needleseyemedia.com/ Do Well & Do Good - http://dowellanddogood.co/ Dorothy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dorothyillson/ Dorothy on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dorothyillson/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

This week's Freestyle Friday focuses on a very hot topic right now, one brought about through the era of social media: personal branding. Thanks to the intimacy of platforms like Facebook and Instagram, it's no longer necessary to structure your brand around a specific product name or even a product, but you yourself and what you have to offer, quirks and all. In this episode, Brandon takes is through his journey building the foundations of his personal brand, explains what he did to spread the word, and reveals how he changed in order to make an even bigger mark. The Finer Details of This Episode: Brandon walks us through the early days of establishing his personal brand and how he began building his presence on the Internet. The benefits curating a personal brand has over simply letting word of mouth spread. Check out http://www.brandonbrands.com/apply/ if you ever want to work with Brandon on a VIP Day or six-week workshop. Brandon lays out how he went about relaunching his brand and stood out from the rest of the crowd—even people with the same name. Why you shouldn't hide your personality quirks when you put your brand out there. Quotes: "It's not information that the random world put out there about me—it's everything from me, in my voice, telling my story, in the way that I want to put it out there." "The big advantage of a personal brand is that you get to tell the story. You're in control." Links: The Online Branding Checklist - http://www.brandonbrands.com/checklist/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Lauren Davis is an entrepreneur, local business owner, a marketer, a graphic designer, and a "brand builder" who, through Lauren Davis Creative, helps local businesses strategically leverage social media to attract the customers they need to flourish. Lauren got her start co-founding the record and gift store Culture Shock in Rockford, IL, and has since launched her own conference, #SocialRockConf, which brings small business owners together. In this episode, Lauren details how she went from running lemonade stands, to launching her own record store, explains why scheduling loads of content in advance means little if you don't follow up on it, and gives you a crash course in lead magnets. Get Lauren's Instagram Brainstorming Worksheet here: http://bit.ly/LDCTOT The Finer Details of This Episode: What exactly Lauren does in her line of work and some of the projects she's currently working on. Looking into what Lauren's new Instagram course has to offer. How Lauren got a head start on entrepreneurship and what it was like to open her own record store. What Lauren did to get the word out about her business in the early days of social media. Why the most important thing Lauren has learned in her career is something that really can't be taught. How Lauren guides her clients through the early stages of developing a brand and look. The reason Lauren doesn't think stacking content in advance isn't as cracked up to be as you might think. What are "hashtag communities" and how can you think more like your customer?" How Lauren went about establishing her own social media conference. Lauren breaks down what a lead magnet is and how you can design one to best appeal to people who sign up for your mailing list. Quotes: "When they are done with my course, I want them to just breathe a sigh of relief and say 'Wow, I had no idea this could be that fun'." "Really, what taught me how to do what I do is the real life experience of building a brick-and-mortar store in a community." "I got to learn it as I went instead of having some idea of how it should go and then applying those principles." "When you are fundamentally clear on what your passion is behind your branding, no one can compete with you, because that passion is yours and yours alone." Mentions: Noom, Lizzo, Choices Natural Market Guest Links:Lauren Davis Creative - https://laurendaviscreative.com/ Lauren on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ldaviscreative/ Culture Shock homepage - http://cultureshockshop.com/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Mike Kim is a marketing and personal branding specialist, a highly sought-out speaker, and copywriter. He also hosts the Brand You Podcast, where he speaks to other marketing experts and draws from his own experience to give you insight into what makes a personal brand stand out and connect with others. Mike believes that the key to branding success is keeping your image and product in proper alignment with one another and to even leverage what people may assume about you at first glance. In this episode, Mike discusses the three things you need to make your brand appealing and marketable, explains why building a personal brand isn't as complex as you may think, and explores the "rhythm" of clarity. The Finer Details of This Episode: The value Mike finds in developing a personal brand. Why Mike sees personal brands becoming mainstream in the next few years. Mike defines the three "V's" he uses to determine a brand's effectiveness. Making sure your image, your messaging and your product are in proper alignment with one another. How Mike encourages his clients to turn some stereotypes that might be made of them into an advantage. Why Mike believes Vince McMahon of WWE excels at personal branding. People aren't psychic, so you have to make what you're selling and promoting as clear and accessible to others as possible. How Mike structured his content mastery strategy. The Personal Brand 3 (PB3) questions Mike asks people looking for clarity about their own personal brands. Why Mike is saddened by the "fish tank" that is mainstream employment. How adult and professional life strip people of the abundance of guidance they've received up until that point. Who Mike thinks is currently killing it in the personal branding space. Quotes: "The value of building a personal brand is that you have control." "Social media's only just gonna become more prevalent and the workplace is only gonna become more decentralized." "You can either be Louis Vitton or you can be Walmart." "You've just gotta use what you've been given." "By the time opportunity knocks it's too late to prepare." "Marketing isn't about closing a sale. It's about opening a relationship." "I believe true fulfillment starts with the courage to be yourself no matter the context." "If you build a relationship with people, the selling comes very, very naturally." Mentions: Kajabi, ConvertKit, ATHLEAN-X, Apple, Theory, Burberry Guest Links:Mike's homepage - https://mikekim.com/ Brand You Podcast - https://mikekim.com/brandyoupodcast/ Mike on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikekimtv/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

This week's Freestyle Friday focuses on how to work with others and make a good impression while you are maintaining your own personal brand. Running your own business takes a lot of time, and that time is already divvied up as you try to balance several plates at once—logistics, finance, communications and, of course, content. It's by no means an easy balancing act, so it helps to have a go-to method for establishing rapport with customers to hear what they want and figure out how you can help them. In this episode, Brandon discusses what he says and does to establish clear, healthy communication with his customers and explains how to push them toward a sale without necessarily giving your services away for free. The Finer Details of This Episode: What do you charge for and what do you give away for free? How Brandon establishes a rapport with potential customers. What Brandon wants to convey in conversations with people he's interested in working with. Brandon walks us through the process he uses to diagnose his customers' issues. The three choices Brandon's customers face at the end of the problem-solving process. Quotes: "You can learn the tactics of being more persuasive while still maintaining strong relationships with your customers." "The problem that they see in their business is a problem and it is one that is solvable, it's not something they have to do alone." "When you're giving away your free advice, when you're giving away your tips or tricks, I do think you need to prove to people that you are the real deal." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

We've come to the third and final part of Brandon's Brand Trilogy. After discussing how you can make your brand stick out from its competitors and effectively convey its message, we're going to look at the big—and little—things you can do to really resonate with your customers and make them spread the word about what you have to offer. In this episode, Brandon lays out five steps for going above and beyond to make the best possible impression on your customers, as well as some technical suggestions for how you can improve customer communication. The Finer Details of This Episode: Why it's necessary to go above and beyond when making a mark on your customers these days. Actions speak louder than words, so consider how little deeds make a bigger impact on your customer's impression of you than any story or mission statement. How the Internet makes it easier for brands to spread word-of-mouth and stay relevant these days. Think about the massive, far-reaching improvements you can make to your product or service rather than incremental changes. What is your biggest strength? Figure out what that is and lean into it. Consider what you would really like a customer to say about you and your product, then what you could do to match or exceed their vision. Be sure to invest in a good CRM (customer relationship management) interface. Quotes: "Take action every day to provide value to your customers." "What you do matters much more than what you say or think." "What is the actual thing that matters to someone that you can change right now?" "You have to have that mindset that there can be a big difference made in your business." "There are so many ways to be timely, relevant and engaging that your customers will notice." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Jeff Tippett, known as "Mr. Persuasion," is an international speaker, podcast host, writer, and expert in persuasive communication. Jeff is the founder of the public affairs and communications firm Targeted Persuasion, and author of the book Unleashing Your Superpower: Why Persuasive Communication Is the Only Force You Will Ever Need. In this episode, Jeff explains how persuasive communication played a vital role in adopting his daughter, breaks down his "Three C's" of communication, and discusses why persuasion is a powerful act for everyone involved. The Finer Details of This Episode: How Jeff got an early start as an "entrepreneur." The reason adopting his daughter played a major role in shaping Jeff's attitude toward persuasive communication. What makes persuasion different from manipulation, and why Jeff sees the former as instilling a kind of leadership in people. How persuasive communication allows you to do more with less and convince people without them even realizing at first. Capture, Connect and Convince: Jeff's "Three C's" for persuasive communication. Why Jeff puts his faith in mom & pop businesses and grassroots organizations over their bigger counterparts. Quotes: "Persuasion is seeing a better future, a better outcome for someone else and helping them to see it for themselves and bringing them along in this journey." "I wanna say something that doesn't give them everything, but gives them enough." "I didn't have to cause the emotion, I didn't have to create it. I just had to connect with it and give them an outlet to change it." "How do I reframe this in a way that speaks to what they care about, not what I care about?" "You're already building your brand whether you realize it or not." "There's so much peace when all of our work aligns with who we are internally and what matters to us." Mentions: Chubbies Guest Links:Jeff's homepage - https://jefftippett.com/ Targeted Persuasion - http://targetedpersuasion.com/ Unleashing Your Superpower - https://www.amazon.com/dp/173353380X/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_zbKkDb473RRPB Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

A lot of entrepreneurs drive themselves mad fretting about not having enough content at the outset, but really they have it all backwards. Building a brand, at least in the early stages, really isn't about creating content day after day. Rather it's about listening for what prospective customers are looking for, reaching out to them for input and to gauge interest, and making the most of what you have while you build up recognition. In this episode, Brandon explains how he was able to make his brand known before he had a ton of content, suggests ways you can optimize your own content in the early stages of brand-building, and reminds you not to let perfectionism overwhelm you. The Finer Details of This Episode: Answer the questions people in your industry and prospective customers are asking so you can tailor your service to existing needs. Realize how a single piece of content, such as a video interview or podcast, can be a source for additional content. Don't be so hard on yourself in the initial stages and try to be perfect. You'll have time to improve. Stake your claim on the Internet by buying a domain, putting up your pictures, and fill in the rest later. Also put your name out there by interacting with people you admire and like-minded individuals, and even participating in hashtags. Taking a look at how Brandon shows up in a cursory web search. Quotes: "This is why you build a brand, so that people can find you." "Consistent content is the destination, not the journey." "Today you need to set the goal of making your content consistent in the future." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

For the next installment in Brandon's "Brand Trilogy," he shines a light on the image you craft for your brand to make it distinct and resonant. What tone are you setting for your potential customers? How are they discussing you? Is your brand image even reaching people to begin with? You need to know first how your brand comes off to people if you want to figure out what's the best "look" for you. In this episode, Brandon instructs you to seek out the people who are already talking about you, explain how to increase your brand image's reach through relevancy, and reveals how you can do a lot of this for free! The Finer Details of This Episode: Why all the finely crafted brand image in the world doesn't matter if nobody can actually find you. The myriad of free ways you can build a brand persona for your company. Ask your customers how they found you in order to optimize the traffic coming into your site. You can hear what people are saying about you and your product by checking in on review sites like Yelp. Your brand won't catch on unless it's relevant to customers' desires and feelings. Quotes: "If you're not findable, then the [brand] image doesn't exist." "You can never lose if you're listening to your customers." "You gotta find new ways to tell your story." "At the end of the day the brand image is decided by the customers." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

John D. Russell is a professional photographer and creative director based out of Manhattan Beach, CA. A good friend of Brandon's for the last 15 years, John works with brands across the globe to help them create powerful content that effectively conveys what companies have to offer to their customers. He can count Toyota, Ford, Skechers, Habitat for Humanity among his clients and has photographed celebrities such as John Legend and Magic Johnson. To John, photography isn't just a career but a passion that change the course of his life for the better. In this episode, John explains how photography provided him with guidance during a very dark period in his life, suggest ways influencers can more effectively work with the photographers they hire, and reveals how one of his favorite brands has very little to do with brands at all. The Finer Details of This Episode: How photography got John through a very turbulent period in his young life. The comment from a complete stranger that sent John down the path to professional photography. What pushed John to make his life-changing decision and kept him on the straight and narrow. John describes some of his more memorable experiences working as a photographer and what traits have kept him afloat and sought-after in his profession. Why John believes it's essential for new business owners to focus on their value proposition. Why influencers should have very clear intent when working with a photographer. The reason John believes selling is more important than branding—and how we should think of selling from a different perspective. Which brands John likes, which ones he trusts, and why he believes Burning Man is doing something different and important. The one major thing John would do differently if he could start his career over from scratch. Quotes: "Photography became my outlet." "I made a pact to myself very early on in the midst of tremendous pain and suffering that I wouldn't become a victim." "My network has given me opportunities to have these incredible experiences." "When you're given an opportunity, you have to show up." "People don't do business with brands; they do business with people." "I think creating value and helping people comes first." "Everything you ever wanted in your life is on the other side of fear." Mentions: Burning Man, Facebook, Instagram, Uber, Airbnb, Delta Airlines, The Giving Spirit Guest Links:John's homepage - https://www.johndrussell.com/ John's professional Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/john.d.russell/ John's personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/myeyescapture/ John on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johndrussellphoto/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

This week's Freestyle Friday reminds you that leading a successful business means talking to your customers and really hearing out their wants and desires, rather than keeping them at arm's length. If you fail to keep in touch with your customer base you can risk them moving away to a different product or service without warning. Don't let yourself get locked out of the loop from the people who keep your business thriving! In this episode, Brandon emphasizes why you should communicate with your customers to hear what they really want, explains how you can make it easier for them to contact you, and reminds you that it may be necessary to take it slow. The Finer Details of This Episode: If you haven't already, do leave a star rating and review on Apple Podcasts to keep Brands on Brands on Brands on the charts. Unless you're regularly in contact with your customers and listening to what they have to say, you won't be able to keep ahead of where they wish to spend their money. Make sure that your customers have an easy way to get a hold of you through your own website and through social media. Patience is essential because marketing is a long-term game that doesn't always show immediate results. Don't be discouraged by slow growth! Take the time to get to know what your customers really want. Quotes: "You have to be able to talk to your customers, hear what they need and answer those needs." "I value what you guys say and I'm building my business around your feedback and your comments." "The Google search algorithm is not gonna find you if you aren't consistent and [don't] have a lot of content." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

What brings value to your customer and makes them choose you instead of the competition? And before you say your product or service, remember that every company out there offers a product or service as a baseline. You need to find something around your product—your customer service, your message, your whole vibe—that will make you stand out in a sea of similar services. What's unique about your company? What inspired you to start it in the first place? In this episode, Brandon explains why having a "quality" product isn't nearly enough in today's market, lists the myriad of other ways you can stand out from your competitors, and breaks down how you can figure out your strongest selling point. The Finer Details of This Episode: Saying you have a quality product or service doesn't mean much in a market flooded with them; find something specific to say about your materials or awards. Being the most convenient option may attract customers more than a low price point can. Innovation can be tricky if you've been around for a while, but it can take many forms. Do an audit and figure out where you have an advantage over your competitors. What's the emotional truth behind your business that resonates with your customers' deeper desires? Quotes: "Don't just say you're high quality, come up with examples that explain why." "There might be ways to innovate in your space beyond your actual physical product." "You need to hone in and find out what sets you apart. That's how you get to your brand truth." "There's always little things you could be doing to take advantage of being a little bit more nimble than the big guys." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Dan Gingiss is a social media consultant, Forbes contributor and an acclaimed keynote speaker. He has spent the last two decades helping numerous companies—from McDonald's to Discover—optimize the service experience they provide customers with and, more recently, their social media engagement. Dan is the author of Winning at Social Customer Care: How Top Brands Create Engaging Experiences on Social Media, and co-hosts the customer experience podcast Experience This! with Joey Coleman. In this episode, Dan impresses the importance of social media engagement, describes how he went from corporate to entrepreneurial work, and discusses some of the best customer service experiences other brands have treated him to. The Finer Details of This Episode: Why putting yourself in your customer's shoes is essential for creating a good website experience. How effective social media interaction can turn complaining customers into big-time advocates for your brand. It doesn't matter how big or small your company is, there are always ways to engage with your customers. The key areas business owners should work on to improve their customer relations right now. Why crafting the best possible customer service experience became one of Dan's biggest passions. How Dan transitioned from full-time corporate work to his current social media consulting career. The reason customer relationships make branding more important than selling in the long run of your company's success. Why Dan feels targeted advertising makes far better use of your time and money than mass reach. Dan relates two memorable times when brands went above and beyond to deliver the best possible customer experiences. Quotes: "What social [media] did to change the game is it gave the consumer a voice to say 'No, I don't want to hear that. Here's what I want to hear instead'." "You can't just have a megaphone in social media. You've got to make it a two-way conversation." "Put yourself in your customer's shoes and deliver to them what they want." "Every time you're asking your customer to click twice, figure out how to have them click once." "You don't have to be everywhere. You only have to be where your customers are." "No other company has the human beings that you have who are creating that experience." "You can have a personal brand and a professional brand at the same time, and they can be related but not the same. Mentions: Chewy, Hyatt, Guest Links:Dan's homepage - https://www.dangingiss.com/ Experience This! Podcast - https://www.dangingiss.com/podcast Dan on Twitter - https://twitter.com/dgingiss Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

This week's Freestyle Friday is focusing on the marketing tactics you should use to build up your word-of-mouth businesses. Focus not on the people who find your content passable or "meh," but those who genuinely love it, since they often end up being your top referrers. Forge strong personal connections with these customers that makes them want to spread the word about what you have to offer. In this episode, Brandon breaks down why direct referrals bring in a lot more customers, explains how you can reach out to and strengthen your relationships with top referrers, and asks you to consider the best kinds of customers who can bring in more business for you. The Finer Details of This Episode: Why Brandon sees a silver lining his first three-star rating on Apple Podcasts. The "95:5" ratio that word-of-mouth referrals are capable of. The reason Brandon talks to his clients about referrals even before they get into logos or websites. Don't be apprehensive about asking your most loyal customers how they heard of you, or who told them about you. Make a point of rewarding the customers who do bring you referrals—it incentivizes them to bring in more. Brandon's challenge: this weekend, take a minute to write down a list of 10 types of people who would be effective at bringing in new business for you. Figuring out your niche is key to discerning who will bring you the best referrals. Do more than send your top referrers a thank you message; have a conversation with them. Quotes: "Your referrals are gonna drive your business." "The majority of your business will be because of happy customers." "Bring some value and some way back to the people that are pushing you to the customers that are coming in the doors." "You just gotta wrap your mind around what people would say about you when you're not in the room." "I'm trying to help every single person I encounter in one way, shape or form." "What is that framework that you are telling people that makes them think of you?" Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Building a brand from scratch without the benefit of a research firm or big budgets may be difficult—after all, any minute an entrepreneur spends on building their brand is a minute taken away from improving their product or service—but it's not impossible. You can make your enterprise stand out by focusing on three key components for building a brand that matters: brand truth, brand image and brand love. In this episode, Brandon discusses what each of these main brand components mean to both you and your customers and how you can use them to improve your marketing strategy. If you want to really polish your image on Instagram, sign up at 6 Minute Grams on Brandon's site to view an exclusive video session where he'll coach you through the essentials of making your IG brand pop and draw attention. The Finer Details of This Episode: What does it really mean to build a brand, and why should you try thinking of a brand as a person. How having a strong customer community can actually build a brand for you. Looking for the sensitive points in your current marketing strategy that will allow you to amplify your image and convey a certain message. Quotes: "What are you trying to accomplish and what's that mission?" "It could be that you have a story to tell but you're not telling it everywhere you're looking." Links: 6 Minute Grams - https://www.brandonbrands.com/6minutegrams Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Chris DiVecchio is a fitness trainer, a lifestyle specialist, and a health and wellness expert. He founded Premier Mind & Body, a wellness and coaching company based out of Los Angeles, and is the author of 5x2 Method: Revealing the Power of Your Senses. Chris believes that the 23 hours a day we're outside the gym are just as important to your health and fitness, if not more so, than the 1 hour we spend training. In this episode, Chris discusses how he started a training business in his own backyard, explains how he dealt with the biggest curveball thrown his way, and reveals how he helped a client win a $1.2 million weight loss bet. The Finer Details of This Episode: How Chris' early life experiences influenced him to enter the world of bodybuilding . Why Chris moved away from the "grip it and rip it" method of weight training to one that emphasized the mind-body connection. What he did to transform his backyard startup into a booming business. When Chris realized that it's the time we spend outside the gym that has the biggest impact on our health. Where does Chris think his entrepreneurial spirit comes from? Chris reveals the first customers that really put their faith in what he had to offer. What Chris is really excited about right now and what he has planned for the near future. Why he believes brand personality and identity are even more important to your company's success than selling. What Chris hopes his customers will say about him when referring new clients. The biggest loss he's dealt with in the course of creating his business and how he made the most of it. How Chris stands out from the crowd and stays relevant. Why he feels boundaries between him and clients are important and what he does to avoid self-indulgence. What Chris loves the most about his chosen career. Quotes: "I believe so much in my own philosophies and my own principles. It's my own approach that I've applied to my own life." "80% of my clientele I work with right now are C-level executives who have spent the majority of their lives building their success and wealth at the expense of their health and wellness." "It's not always about doing more; sometimes it's about doing less." "If I can think it, it's possible. Let's do this, let's find a way." "You can't force transformation down somebody's throat. People have to be ready for that." "I've turned what turned out to be one of the biggest losses into the biggest win." "The outside gets fixed when the inside gets fixed." Mentions: Aesthetic Revolution, Gary Vaynerchuk, Jim Kwik, Nike Guest Links:Chris' homepage - https://www.chrisdivecchio.com/ Emergency 7 - https://www.emergency7.com/product-launch-sales-page25207804 Chris on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisdivecchio/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

When Brandon left his corporate job to become an entrepreneur, he quickly realized he needed to start investing in himself to grow fast enough to succeed. He needed to learn from others that came before him. Networking is key to that, which is why for this Freestyle Friday Brandon's diving into the fascinating world of Masterminds. In this episode, Brandon recounts his experiences attending Masterminds, and networking events, and reveals what you'll get out of his own upcoming Mastermind. The Finer Details of This Episode: Why anyone looking to market their business should work with a marketing coach as a first step. Breaking down what Masterminds are and how they've benefitted Brandon over the course of his marketing career. How Masterminds is the ideal alternative to the styles of networking Brandon ordinarily dislikes. To sign up for Brandon's own upcoming Mastermind, join our Brand Growth Now Facebook community or apply directly at http://www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply. Quotes: "No matter how you got here I'm glad your path somehow led you to me." "It's essential to have a tribe of people that you can trust and lean on." "I wanted to give back in a way that was similar to what I got." "Get out there, conquer your dreams, build your brands." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

What moves the needle for your business? Today we discuss what marketing tasks to prioritize if you want your business to grow and move forward. This includes the adjustments and strategies that will make your brand pop just a little bit more than they did before because, if executed correctly, you'll stand out more to the part of the crowd that will really like what you have to say. This means leaning into your strengths, attending to where you're weakest, and ensuring you have a community to reach out to. In this episode, Brandon discusses five key areas that will move the needle on your business if you put the right kind of focus into them, and explains why simply putting the word out about your business should be the last thing you prioritize. The Finer Details of This Episode: Looking at the traditional "funnel" approach to marketing and how it's limited when it comes to working with small businesses. Why advocacy is where Brandon always starts when he works with a new client. How over-delivering can be key to getting you and your customer off on the right foot. Figure out what you want to be known for and stand out from the crowd, then from there seek out the tools that will allow you to distinguish yourself. Find common ground between your customers and use that to build a community around your business. What are you best at right now? Whether it be events, videos or podcasting, lean into that talent for all it's worth. Patch the "bottom of your bucket" by figuring out where your marketing is weakest and doing what you need to do so that it reaches people. Lastly, and of least priority, includes broader reach tactics to scale your business awareness Quotes: "A lot of times the things to focus on aren't the first thing on the list." "You have to create the experience and the script for them to be able to share your story appropriately." "Treating your customers as a community is an important step." "How do you get as many people as possible for the lowest possible cost?" Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Neal Schaffer is a global keynote speaker, university educator, consultant and owner of media agency PDCA Social. He works with brands to craft effective social media strategies that allow them to reach their audiences without intruding on their online experience. Neal is also the author of Maximize Your Social: A One-Stop Guide to Building a Social Media Strategy for Marketing and Business Success, and his upcoming book The Age of Influence is set to release in February 2020. In this episode, Neal describes how working in Asia shaped his approach to marketing, argues that "organic" social media ads aren't as effective as we think they are, and explains what entrepreneurs can take away from influencers. The Finer Details of This Episode: Neal describes when and how his interest in marketing really took off. How Neal's experience in Asia gave him a very holistic perspective on business. Why Neal's customers are where he finds inspiration for the content he writes. YouTube streamers and influencers: the Dot Com boom of today. The topics in Neal's upcoming book he believes are most relevant to his readers' success. Why mastering Facebook ads is kind of like Jon Snow learning to ride a dragon. Important lessons about influencers that entrepreneurs can take away from this episode. Neal's favorite examples of companies working well in tandem with influencers. Looking for better ways to connect with customers without interrupting their social media experiences. Why Neal views branding as "eternal" and essential to your company's long-term success. Quotes: "I like to add value. I like to help people. That's sort of my core DNA." "Don't ask me what I want to talk about. It's all about what your customers want to hear." "Social media should be as much of a collaboration as it is about marketing." "Now it's really about breaking down those barriers and making the audience part of your brand." Mentions: Volkswagen, Origins, Amazon, Apple Guest Links:Neal's homepage - https://nealschaffer.com/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Brandon's discussion with Jenn Herman this past Monday (check out episode #020!) has him thinking about the ways we can make social media work for us rather than the other way around. Many startups and entrepreneurs believe they have to build up a base of followers before getting them willing to invest in your product or service, when in fact you're bound to get more success convincing people to purchase first, then building a community around them that increases word of mouth. In this episode, Brandon describes what separates a buyer from a social media follower and explains how you can build your reputation through each successful sale. The Finer Details of This Episode: Thanking everybody who was kind enough to leave a review for Brands on Brands on Brands in the last week. Why you should approach social media in terms of accruing buyers rather than followers, and what differentiates the two. Building your reputation one person at a time so you eventually have a community of people willing to buy why you're selling. What the major priorities should be for your business and where you can find the highest ROI. Quotes: "There's so much information out there, but also there's enough that you can drown in it and not know what to do first versus second." "A follower does not necessarily equal a buyer." "Instead of converting followers into customers you're converting customers into followers." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

For the high six figure and seven figure businesses out there just getting started, $1K-$3K per month tends to be the advertising budget for anyone ready to grow their business with marketing. In the grand scheme of advertising resources, that's not a lot, but with smart spending and the right expertise you'll find that this limited budget can pay dividends. Thankfully, Brandon knows what to do to ensure you're wasting neither your money nor your time. In this episode, Brandon discusses five key ways you can optimize your monthly advertising resources so you can get the most bang for your buck and reach as many potential customers as possible. As well, Brandon has opened his coaching program up, so you can work one-on-one with him through either a VIP Strategy Day or a six-week course by signing up at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply! The Finer Details of This Episode: Why creating a professional logo is so key to maintaining an edge in the early stages of your brand. If your website is already in place, have someone take a look at it to ensure it's getting the traffic you desire and that it's conveying the key information about your brand it needs to get across. Figure out what are the key pieces of content your website is providing to visitors. If you're not a marketing expert, seek out a marketing consult who can review your strategy and determine if it's reaching the audience you want to reach. Why Facebook ads are the cheapest yet most effective way to spread the word about your business. BONUS TIP: get someone to coach you on an optimized email strategy so you can manage your relationship with existing customers and bring in new ones. Quotes: "Have someone design the voice and look of your business." "Invest in that content first." "Bring people in to talk about the priorities in your business." "Investing in someone who knows what they're talking about is way more important than just starting to execute tactically without any direction." "When you've been guided by market strategy and your website's humming too, suddenly you start to see a return." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Jenn Herman is an author, speaker, blogger and "Instagram expert." As one of the forefront bloggers on Instagram marketing, she helps her clients craft optimized social media strategies that get them noticed. She also uses her site Jenn's Trends to examine how the web's biggest brands make themselves household names. In this episode, Jenn discusses how she honed her Instagram game, explains what you can do to put your profile on the forefront of everybody's discovery feed, and gives some pointers for how you can best spend money to boost your virtual footprint. The Finer Details of This Episode: How Jenn went from just casually browsing Instagram to mastering it. What exactly are Instagram "pods," and how do they negatively impact the underlying algorithms? Breaking down how Instagram's central content recommendation algorithm works. Jenn's "quality over quantity" approach to accumulating Instagram followers. Why Instagram can be so valuable to an entrepreneur. How you can get your brand going on Instagram and why you should switch over to a business profile. The reason you need to attach a singular, identifiable job title to your Instagram profile. What is a user going to get out of engaging with your profile? The do's and don'ts of attaching a name, face and logo to your profile. What it means to post "thumb-stopping" content. Why you're better off putting your money into ads rather than a photoshoot. At what point should you consider outsourcing content creation? Why establishing a brand should always come before getting your sales numbers up. What Jenn has planned in the near future and what her ideal customer testimonial would be. Quotes: "I fell into this niche of being an Instagram expert because it was just something I loved and I genuinely put the time and effort into it." "This is all organic, targeted growth versus just saying 'Here's a bunch of people that like me'." "I'd rather have ten thousand followers and like a ten percent conversion rate versus a hundred thousand followers and like a half a percent conversion rate." "For me Instagram, as a community-building tool, is unmatched." "Most people that read your bio are only ever gonna read it the first time they come to your profile." "People tend to connect with humans more than they connect with logos." "Nobody can talk to your brand better than you." "In the long run, the branding gets you more sales, but the branding is what gets you there." Mentions: Instagram, TSA, The Love Bomb Co., The Royal Family, Sam Edelman, Samsung, E! News Guest Links:Jenn's Trends - https://www.jennstrends.com/ Jenn on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jenns_trends/ Jenn on Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenns_trends Jenn's Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/jennstrendsonline Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

When Brandon was at the Thrive: Make Money Matter conference this past weekend, he heard some of the presenters speak on the subject of businesses that are neither for-profit nor nonprofit, rather "for-purpose," managing both the financial growth of the former with the altruism in the latter. Traditional nonprofit organizations do very important work, but they're ultimately limited by how many donations they receive. For-purpose businesses take the best of both worlds and create something even greater. In this episode, Brandon discusses the how and the why of a for-purpose business, relates his recent encounters with a couple of listeners, and explains how he's using this show as a means to bring a little extra good into the world. The Finer Details of This Episode: What does it mean to build a "for-purpose" business? Brandon thanks those listeners who've left reviews and tracks Brands on Brands on Brands' rise through the charts. Why you shouldn't be ashamed of having low viewership so early in the game. Which two "mystery listeners" Brandon had the chance to chat about the show with. What you're eligible for if you sign up for Brandon's coaching before this Sunday (June 9). How you can use your business as a tool for good, and how Brandon specifically is giving back using his coaching. A couple of key pieces of advice that Brandon took back from Thrive. Quotes: "If you build a business—an engine that can generate money—you can use that money for good." "How are you gonna do something that touches people and is built around more than protecting your lifestyle and those few things that you want to accomplish in life?" "This is long term for me. I'm investing in this and this will be here long after I'm gone." "What can you do to use your business as a tool to advocate for that cause that you already care deeply about." "I know what I have to offer, I know that I can help people, and I hope you guys see that and appreciate that." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Brandon turned 40 this January, which has made him contemplate what his goals are and how he's going to accomplish them moving into the next 10 to 20 years of his life. While he knows that, statistically, many people in their middle age and beyond are capable of achieving a lot—thanks to experience—he's still concerned that his path has been too safe. To create real success, and on a faster timeline, it will be necessary to break from routine and take what Robert Frost called the road less traveled. In this episode, Brandon discusses the three "roads" available to you in the course of your professional career, outlines their upsides and downsides, and explains why the riskiest road might be the best choice for you. The Finer Details of This Episode: Thinking of life in terms of the road you travel to get from point A to point B. The first road: the "routine road," where everything is well lit and maintained, there are pit stops, and everybody's cheering you on along the way. However it's a safe loop and you end up back where you started. The second road: the "hero hill," from which you're able to see where you can pull off to make improvements such as a promotion, new job, or big idea. But it's still a slower path where you may have to wait in line for opportunities. Big things feel beyond your control. The third road: "Stormy Mountain Highway." It's unlit, windy, rainy, animals are running across the road. Overall, it doesn't look safe, but many people have been down this road before you and have left signs, care packages and overall just a wealth of information to guide you along your way. Ultimately, none of these paths are free from mistakes and missed opportunities, but the riskier path can get you to where you want to be sooner. Keep moving, get yourself out of your comfort zone, and embrace change. Quotes: "A lot of what I do and how fast I get there have to do with the roads I take." "For a lot of us I think growth is inherent with our happiness." "You weren't the first person to ever take that stormy mountain highway." "There's so much growth that can happen when you are challenged." "There's gonna be mistakes on every road, and you're gonna learn from those mistakes." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Dr. Mark T. Wade is the CEO of Virtual Summits, the host of the top-rated Virtual Summits podcast, and now helps entrepreneurs interface remotely yet directly with their customers. As well, his Hustle & Scale coaching service works with online business owners to turn their side-gigs into six and even seven figure ventures. In this episode, Mark makes a case for why you should give virtual summits a go, relates some of the obstacles he's come up against running his own, and explains why direct customer interaction is so essential for branding. The Finer Details of This Episode: How Mark went about starting his own summits and making use of list-building. Why the summit approach worked better for him than email lead magnets. The reason you should focus on directly engaging with your customers, and why summits play such a big role in that. What compelled Mark to expand from his successful private posture practice. How Mark's curiosity has led him to experiment and expand over the years. What entrepreneurs need to understand about summits and make the most of these events, and why summits are so important to entrepreneurs. The challenges Mark has had to grapple with when running summits and how he's managed to forge relationships with his customers through thick and thin. Why he values branding so much over selling. Mark explains his "fire starter" approach to influence. Quotes: "Generating an engaged audience that you could have a conversation with and build a relationship was fundamental to any business." "Summits are the engine to conversation, collaboration and empowerment." "We all have a message that needs to get out to the world. A summit is a way to start that conversation." "The elephant in the room, really, is attention span. That's what we're all competing against." "We're literally changing people's lives by giving them access to people with the answers to their problems." "Magnetize, monetize, maximize and multiply." Mentions: Apple, Dodge, Harley-Davidson, Scubapro, Amazon, Guest Links: Hustle & Scale - https://hustleandscale.com/ Virtual Summits Software - https://virtualsummits.com/ Virtual Summits Podcast - https://podcast.virtualsummits.com/ Hustle and Scale Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hustleandscale/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Talking points are required for any business conversation. These points make a case for what you're selling as quickly and clearly as possible. If you use these talking points correctly, and with the right strategy, you can develop the relationship you've already built with your community even further. In this episode, Brandon relates the moment he realized he couldn't simply ad lib the big choices and explains how you can steer the conversation through phone and email. The Finer Details of This Episode: Brandon celebrates as Brands on Brands on Brands continues to rise in the charts and gives a shout out to everybody who's reviewed the show! The anecdote from Brandon's own past that emphasizes why you should have a plan in place for important life decisions. To understand what you want out of these important business conversations, you need to understand who your customers are and what they desire. Always make sure that you sound relatable and direct—individually tailoring emails is a good start! How to check in with your clients without coming off too sales-y. Quotes: "We don't think enough about how we talk to people that are involved and engaged in our business." "In any conversation, your first step is figuring out what you need to know about the listener to determine the goal of the conversation." "You should have your intentions figured out so that you know what you're trying to accomplish and it comes off clear in the call." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

If you hope to develop your skills and eventually make a name for yourself, you're going to have to do more than the bare minimum training that your job provides you. That means getting involved when and where the average employee isn't expected to get involved, reaching out to like-minded professionals, and coming up with content that you can pitch to an enthusiastic audience. You are your own most precious resource, and you should invest in yourself like you would any other important asset. In this episode, Brandon explains why conferences are key for getting yourself out there, reveals just how helpful writing regularly can be, and helps you get over your apprehension toward networking. The Finer Details of This Episode: How Brandon worked his way up the corporate ladder and what he realized he missed out on. Make a point of attending industry events that usually only managers and owners take part in—aim for 1 per quarter. After you've attended a few of these conferences, think of ways you can add value to them, either by pitching yourself as a speaker or inviting other speakers back to your company. Really take an interest in your industry's news and literature. Read past headlines and check out the works of writers and speakers you find fascinating. Self-help: you might think it's corny, but it can help you bring out your best strengths and mitigate your weaknesses. You might be averse to networking, but consider it an opportunity to help others rather than just have it create opportunities for yourself. Making writing a daily habit will help you develop your voice and identify your passions—this will build your online profile in the process. Quotes: "There's a lot that's happening out there in your industry that you aren't connected to." "There's nothing better than finding things you're passionate about and investing time in it." "Once you contribute and invest in your own personal development, suddenly your job and your life becomes way more satisfying because you're growing." "You're not trying to meet people to get something out of them, you're trying to meet people to develop relationships." "Don't underestimate the power of having your own voice." "Don't rely on a company to teach you everything you know to take that next level." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Marshal Gillen, aka Marshal LIVE, is an inspirational speaker, lifestyle entrepreneur and author based out of San Diego. Marshal shares how he turned his mess into his message and now inspires others to turn what they previously thought were unreachable goals into achievable realities. In this episode, Marshal reveals how his emotionally troubled upbringing shaped him, discusses the chance encounter that set him on the path to motivational speaking, how he built his personal brand, and explains why he believes selling is "dead." The Finer Details of This Episode: The rocky but ultimately life-affirming path Marshal took to find his passion for motivational speaking. How Marshal turned his formerly annoying energy into a talent he was grateful for. Why he's able to so effectively get to the core of what motivates his clients. Marshal's honest, non-sugarcoated approach to coaching clients and even himself. Finding your "drill" rather than simply relying on a "screwdriver." How Marshal "hacked the system" to create his own personal brand. How Marshal treats his social media platforms as digital storefronts, and why you need to be available in audio, video and written word. Figuring out what message you want to put out into the world. What Marshal did to jumpstart his speaking career, and how he's currently trying to redesign his life. Quotes: "The only thing stopping me from having legitimately anything and everything that I want in life, is me." "Success is not final and failure is not fatal." "The reason I keep winning is because I'm not afraid to immediately ask for feedback and then take action." "What is your mission in life, and how can you go out and be evangelical about that mission because you don't anyone else to feel that pain that you used to feel?" "The brand pre-sells your service or product." "I really want to help people tap into an energy and an understanding of themselves that they didn't even know is possible." Mentions: Colgate, Apple, Nike, Bird, Charmin, Alkaline 88, Progressive Guest Links:Store Front - https://www.marshalgillen.com/home18390043 Marshal TV - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxGt7ASK6sbsRTUbQhm1JEw Brandon's Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

For this Freestyle Friday, Brandon shares his own professional journey, reveals what he's passionate about, and lays out what he hopes his work can find a resolution for. Brandon discusses future guest, Mike Kim from the Brand You podcast and runs through an exercise he learned from Mike's content, answering these questions: What pisses you off? What breaks your heart? What's the big problem you're trying to solve? The Finer Details of This Episode: Please leave a review on iTunes! You'll help give this show a boost and get the word out to people who need it. Plus Brandon will give you a shoutout on Freestyle Friday! Brandon explores which aspects of his career have been frustrating, what he cares about, and how that drives him. Debunking the notion that "anyone" can be a marketer—anyone can become one, but it is a difficult process. Why Brandon feels specialization is hurting us in the long run. The reason we need to make it easier for people to tell their stories. Give this process a shot and let Brandon know how things are working for you by joining the Facebook group. Quotes: "It pisses me off that you can work that hard in an industry and still become irrelevant simply because of your age." "I think it's heartbreaking that you might be stuck doing something without any sense of how to invest in yourself and your personal growth." "If yesterday you didn't do it, now is the time to start thinking about how to connect better with your passions." Links:Brand You Podcast - https://mikekim.com/brandyoupodcast/ Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Some of the hottest marketing trends and useful tools to reach your customers authentically are livestreaming and pre-programmed messenger bots to breathe life into your marketing and make it accessible to any curious customer, even if you're technically not there to answer their questions. So listen, take notes, and get on top of these things now so you aren't playing catch up in a few years. In this episode, Brandon explains how you can do more with less using a single live video, lays out how you can tag your way to success, and has some tips for how you can spice up boring old emails. The Finer Details of This Episode: Live videos and bots allow us to interact directly with our customers and get instantaneous feedback. Why a simple Facebook live video, for example, can provide a wealth of engaging content from podcast audio to images to blog posts. More and consistent content gets the attention of not only your users/readers but the algorithms that push your brand to the top of search results. Chat/messenger bots on your site can instantly provide curious users with needed information and make them feel welcome even if you technically aren't available. Smaller brands can excel at adopting these techniques—when they have the time—because they can pivot much more quickly than larger brands. Using live video to create appointment viewing. Instead of sending the same promotional email out to your entire base of followers, try to tailor different versions to specific demographics within that community. More tags and more keywords = more often your bots can provide specific answers to inquiries. Quotes: "Put out live content and use that to feed the machine of your media platforms." "You are using your communication as a way to better connect with customers and as a way to solve problems." "If you can focus on building community and listening to community, you are at such an advantage." "You need to figure out how this stuff's used and play with it while you still have the permission to make mistakes." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Chris Strub is the CEO of I Am Here, LLC, a social media consultant agency, and an expert on how to get your brand noticed, discussed and promoted. He is also the author of 50 States, 100 Days - The Book and the first person to livestream in all 50 United States, both of which allowed him to promote youth-centric nonprofit organizations across the country. Through his extensive experience with social media over the last decade, Chris knows what will and what will not get people talking about you. In this episode, Chris lays out how he and other experts have pioneered this era of social media branding, reveals how you can make a name for yourself on Twitter, and explains why everything boils down to getting people to talk about you. The Finer Details of This Episode: Chris explains the 50 States, 100 Days challenge and the roadtrip that gave him the idea. The very personal reason Chris got into nonprofit work. How old media actually helped Chris develop his skills with new media. Explaining why this decade's successful social media brands will be seen as pioneers by future generations. Chris makes his case for Twitter and how it's an excellent tool for professional AND personal networking. Why he thinks Twitter is far from the dying platform some people have said it is. Chris' biggest piece of advice for getting started: ignore your follower account. The one tweet that can help you set yourself up for success as an online destination. Having an excellent product does nothing unless people are talking about it. Why selling and branding won't mean much unless you have a solid product or service to back it up. The sheer hard work and coordination it takes to turn your brand into something reputable. What Chris hopes his customers and the people he regularly engages with would say about him. Quotes: "I know now that even at a relatively young age I've left something that has made this world a better place." "It's really a matter of having a good idea and executing upon it at all costs." "I'm trying to do things a little better today than I did them yesterday, and trying to do them a little bit better tomorrow than I'm doing them today." "If you don't start something soon you're gonna get lost in the wash." "When you're on Twitter you're basically establishing your voice." "Use social media as a mechanism to connect with real people in real life." Mentions: Shonduras, Dan Gingiss, At Your Gate, Switcher Studio, American Airlines, Twitonomy, Publix, Uber, Mario Armstrong Guest Links: Chris on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisStrub Chris Strub - Social Media Education: https://www.teamstrub.com/ I am Here, LLC: https://twitter.com/iamherellc 50 States, 100 Days - The Book - https://www.amazon.com/50-States-100-Days-Book-ebook/dp/B019J7MA3Y Brandon's Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

It's the first edition—or official edition, at least—of Freestyle Friday, where Brandon follows up with listener questions, comments and reviews, and discusses what happens to be on his mind. Something that's obviously on his mind this week is Brands on Brands on Brands' recent launch, especially the work he had to do to step up the quality of the show, and also the feedback sent by you listeners and supporters. In this episode, Brandon discusses the weekly format of this new show, how Brands on Brands on Brands' launch went, and how he went from transforming his old show into this new one. The Finer Details of This Episode: What listeners can expect from Brandon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Brandon thanks everybody who supported him through the launch and written reviews. Why reviews during launch are so important. What steps Brandon took to relaunch his show and who he consulted. The ways people in Brandon's formative years shaped how he seeks out and makes use of knowledge for himself and others. Quotes: "This launch week is about you guys." "Your feedback is critical, so let me know what you're liking the best." "If I've learned something along the way, I love to pass that back to the people coming up behind me." "I think that mentorship that I was missing I've always looked to give back." "I feel like I've grown more this year than in the past 10." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

The recent launch of LinkedIn's live video service got Brandon thinking about what actually makes for engaging video content and how each person can tailor theirs to a specific audience and/or platform to get the most bang for their buck—that is to say, every dollar spent on video and broadcasting equipment. It takes more than a high quality camera and microphone to make videos people actually want to tune in. In this episode, Brandon lays out his 7-step method for creating high quality and attention-grabbing video content. The Finer Details of This Episode: Invitation: Let people know about your product or service and where/when they can see it. Context: Consider who you want to talk to and if the platform you're using is appropriate for that audience. Relevancy: Does what you're talking about matter to your audience? Engagement: Acknowledge your viewers and make them feel like they're part of your production. Answer questions: Can you provide your audience with the information they're seeking? Tell stories: Don't just drop facts; use your presentation to craft a narrative that pulls people in. Energy: Find a pace that holds your audience's attention while not wearing yourself out. Quotes: "There's no point in slowing your feed down and your recordings down to incorporate people when there's not gonna be people there." "The content should fit the context of the platform." "You are setting the pace for how your audience interacts with you." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Stephanie Liu is an online marketing specialist, live video expert and a speaker at major marketing conferences. She hosts live videos and interviews with other marketing professionals at Lights, Camera, Live, which is part of the 360 Marketing Squad. This is THE episode to listen to if you aim to make live video part of your personal business, as Stephanie has firsthand experience building her service from the ground up. In this episode, Stephanie discusses how she cobbled her live video service together, explores some methods for engaging viewers, and reveals which '90s band is her favorite karaoke choice. The Finer Details of This Episode: Stephanie recounts the first time she went live on Facebook and how she managed to stand out. Why she's had more success with a Facebook audience vs. a YouTube one. Stephanie describes what it was like moving from a corporate environment to one that was purely entrepreneurial. Stephanie's key social media lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. What equipment you can use to get your livestreaming off the ground. Some key ways to grab people's attention and engage your viewership. Where Stephanie sits on the branding vs. selling debate. Figuring out the best social media platform to launch your brand from. Which brands and other live video artists Stephanie admires. How Stephanie's own personality has played such a prominent role in her success. Quotes: "Social media is your opportunity to test out what works." "Every social media platform is kind of like its own country." "If you can't captivate a room, you aren't winning that pitch." "You gotta be playful. You can't take yourself too damn seriously." "Success is always going to leave clues." Mentions: Jenn Herman, Mike Alton, Amanda Robinson, 360 Marketing Squad, Social Media Marketing World, OBS Studio, Ecamm, Loom, Logitec c920, ATR2100, Sephora, Brit + Co, Temptu, Sean Cannell, Google Home Guest Links: Lights, Camera, Live: https://www.lightscameralive.com/ 360 Marketing Squad: https://360marketingsquad.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heystephanieliu/ Brandon's Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

We could all use a little help with our business. As your personal marketing coach, I'm here to help you go from unknown to being a brand that matters. This episode provides a little more background on the show. With 3 shows per week, you should get the advice you need to set the marketing strategy for your business. I interview marketing experts and game changing entrepreneurs who share their secrets on how to build better brands. Brands that are true to a purpose, brands that build real connection, and brands that matter to consumers. You can connect with me directly by going to www.brandonbrands.com/community Or if you just want any show notes or links from the episodes go to www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com

Launching a branding business was a tricky process for Brandon because he didn't really have any marketing connections from his former line of corporate work. Thankfully, he was able to seek out a few communities that made his next steps more confident and purposeful, and through coaching and free resources was able to grow his own brand to where it is today. In this episode, Brandon Birkmeyer debunks the myth that starting your own business means starting completely from scratch, discusses how to hire the right coach for you, and suggests how you can avoid some of the basic mistakes beginners make. The Finer Details of This Episode: You don't have to start from scratch; other colleagues in your industry can provide you with tried and true jumping-off points. Don't let the independent entrepreneur mindset isolate you from advice and support! The industry is full of resources—some premium, some completely free. Use them! Avoid making big mistakes by speaking to the industry veterans who've made those very mistakes themselves on their way up. Don't be afraid to hire a coach! Brandon has tips for vetting the right one. Quotes: "You can benefit from finding people in your industry that are doing the same thing you're doing." "Stop wasting time and start today!" "Don't be shy about asking for help. Just get out there and do it!" Brandon's Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.brandonbrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at http://bit.ly/brandgrowthnow And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Travis Chappell is the host of Build Your Network, one of the top 50 business podcasts. Travis also runs Cool People Cool Places, a personal development retreat for entrepreneurs. Formerly a door-to-door salesman, Travis has had an unusual career path in that he used the community he was part of to launch a business instead of the more traditional route of building a network out of an existing business. In this episode, Travis discusses how he leveraged his network to launch a successful coaching business and explains why his personal brand was so instrumental to getting the word out. The Finer Details of This Episode: How a network developed into Travis' business rather than the other way around. The epiphany that inspired Travis to give up door-to-door sales and go into personal development. The indirect route Travis took to launching his own podcast and how he shifted focus along the way. How he struggled to turn his podcast into a success. Discussing how massively important branding has been to the arc of Travis' career. What building a personal brand really means to you and your work. Core tenets of relationship-building and networking that entrepreneurs should lean into. How you should be prioritizing branding vs. selling when getting your business off the ground. The important relationship Travis has with his very first customer, Mark. Quotes: "I always had something bigger that I was trying to head toward, and it didn't make sense for me to not use my time and money and energy to after those things." "If you're truly committed to something you have actual freedom, because there's no second-guessing." "With no personal brand, you have no positioning." "You have to learn how to give without the expectation of receiving anything in return." "Always be giving at least 51% of the value in every relationship that you have." "If you brand well enough your sales become so much easier." Mentions: Mentions: Grant Cardone, Ed Mylett, John Lee Dumas, Gary Vaynerchuk Guest Shout-outs: Nike, Hurley, Toyota, Bose, Apple Guest Links: Website: www.travischappell.com Podcast: The Build Your Network Podcast Events: Cool People Cool Places Instagram: @TravisChappell Brandon's Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.brandonbrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at http://bit.ly/brandgrowthnow And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Advertising is great for getting the word out about your business, but you don't simply want customers who come and go. Instead, thinking about what you can do to build and manage communities around your businesses and services. A strong community can make customers and users feel like they're part of something bigger than simply using your products. In this solo show, Brandon explains how you can use your existing connections to forge a strong community around your business. The Finer Details of This Episode: Finding a way to leverage who you know into becoming your first customers. Why these existing connections can give you the most important feedback early on. Think about who you can help by expanding your business community. To build your community, check out the new Brand Growth Community Facebook group! Quotes: "Our first customers tend to be the people we know." "Having a community is what may make or break that path that you're taking." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.brandonbrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at http://bit.ly/brandgrowthnow And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Steve Sims is the founder of personal concierge service Bluefish and a speaker who has worked with Richard Branson, Elon Musk and many other rich and influential figures. Forbes has called him "the real life Wizard of Oz," acting as a kind of Make-a-Wish Foundation for the super rich and providing them with bespoke experiences beyond their wildest dreams. He is also the host of The Art of Making Things Happen podcast and author of Bluefishing: The Art of Making Things Happen. In this episode, our host Brandon Birkmeyer speaks with Steve about some of the unique services Bluefish provides for its high profile clients. And Steve explains how he turned his little startup into an extremely well-connected business, and discusses which brands he has the greatest faith in. The Finer Details of This Episode: What exactly Bluefish does on a daily basis and who its clients are. How does Steve get out the word about Bluefish and what he thinks the problem is with modern communication. Why networking and building relationships have been so essential to Bluefish's success. The ups and downs Steve endured turning his little branding company into the massive concierge service it is today. Steve's tips for maintaining relationships with influential people. Weighing the merits of branding vs. selling in the long term. The moments Steve thinks have been the biggest turning points in his career. Which brands Steve is currently obsessed with and which ones he really trusts. What Steve secretly wishes a customer would say about him in a testimonial. Quotes: "Never ask a question where someone can answer with a 'yes' or 'no'." "I focused on my substance over my shine and that's what built up my credibility." "I created by my own brand by my identity and my values." "If you don't have a client, no matter how pretty your logo is you're fucked." "I try to find growth in whatever I do." Mentions: Richard Branson, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Journey, Ferrari, Guest's Brand Shout-outs: Ducati, Suntory Whisky, McIntosh Laboratory, Apple, Starbucks, McDonalds Brandon's Brand Shout-outs: Skippy Peanut Butter Guest Links: Website: www.stevedsims.com Mobile Text: Text "SIMS" to 345345 for videos, events, and Bluefishing playbook Book: Bluefishing: The Art of Making Things Happen Podcast: The Art of Making Things Happen Instagram: @SteveDSims Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveDSims Brandon's Links: Visit Brandon's website at brandonbrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at http://bit.ly/brandgrowthnow And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

So much of success in business is being able to pull customers toward your product and service. Quite fittingly, there's a six-step process called P.U.L.L. M.E. that's essential for figuring out what exactly you need to do to accomplish that. To truly connect with customers and succeed, you need to actively engage with them at every step of the transaction process. In this mini-episode (minisode, if you will), Brandon explains how you can bring your customers value on a daily basis and breaks down the PULL ME method. The Finer Details of This Episode: Personalize: making each customer interaction bespoke and memorable rather than standardized and uniform. Unique: how does your company, firm or product stand out from the crowd? what story can you tell about what you're putting out in the world? Lead: ensure that your intended audience can actually find you; know where to find them and how to entice them. Like: what are you doing to show your customers that you care about and empathize with them? Meaningful: forging trust and loyalty with customers through shared interests. Exceed: set a standard for what customers can expect from you, and then go above and beyond in delivering it. Quotes: "If you talk about branding, it's more of a pull than a push." "Follow up in a way that personalizes the experience and let that customer know that they are important." "Meaning is going to come from you guys finding common ground or common shared values." Links: Visit Brandon's website at www.brandonbrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at http://bit.ly/brandgrowthnow And don't forget to leave a rating and review on iTunes! Thanks!