More Than A Few Words

Have you noticed that the internet is filled with people claiming to have made thousands of dollars online and they're willing to share their secrets to success with you all for the low low price of $199. The problem is the only people who get rich from that slick package solution are the people who create it. Why? because the system they create is right for them or it is generic and not right for you.  Instead what you need to do is invest money spending time with someone who can look at your business and your goals and help you build a strategy that you can execute. Success in 2024 If you're looking for a quick hit the internet is filled with get rich quick schemes.  If you're looking for a strategy for long term, sustainable growth, well that's going to take some time.  SCHEDULE A 1 HOUR WORKING SESSION TO BUILD YOUR STRATEGY. 

In this insightful interview, I had a chance to chat with Anne Carden, about making competitors irrelevant by building a business that stands out. She emphasizes the importance of identifying and leveraging a business’s unique selling proposition or “sweet spot.” Anne  explains every business, regardless of size, possesses a distinctive quality that can set it apart, emphasizing the need to position oneself around that expertise to become untouchable in the market. She provides practical examples of businesses she has worked with, such as a plumbing company and an auto repair shop, showcasing how they differentiated themselves by addressing specific pain points in their industries. She stresses the significance of backing up claims with social proof, such as testimonials and case studies, to build trust with potential clients.  The conversation encourages business owners to think strategically about their unique strengths and how they can use them to make competitors irrelevant in their respective markets.

You're spending a lot of resources to drive traffic. But are you converting traffic to prospects? If you're not getting people to fill out your conversion forms there are a few things you can do to improve the effectiveness of those pages 1. Don't oversell avoid bloated adjectives like awesome and amazing. Just stick to the facts. 2. While we're on the subject of facts, back up what you're saying with real proof. It gives you tremendous credibility 3. Use video to complement the images and text on the page. We are living in a video age 4. Add testimonials. Nothing gives you credibility like someone else saying just how great you are 5. Consider limited time offers create that sense of urgency Want to learn more?  Check out: RANDOM STRANGERS TO RAVING FANS 

Let's face it, one of the challenges faced by most business owners is the absence of a clear rulebook for navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship. To shed light on the essential strategies for success, I invited Scott Ritzheimer, founder of Scale Architects, to share  his tips for entrepreneurs, particularly the struggle to prioritize and manage tasks amidst a multitude of expert advice. Scott emphasizes the importance of understanding that there are seven specific stages of business growth and you need to tailor your  strategies accordingly. Scott gave some great specific examples .  Stage 2 - Startup Entrepreneur: At this stage, the focus is on finding a profitable and sustainable market. The key is to resist the temptation to constantly come up with new ideas and, instead, concentrate on identifying and tapping into a market that aligns with the business's goals. Leadership skills are less critical, and time management and focusing on necessary tasks become paramount. Stage 3 - Reluctant Manager

Chatting with Tina Bakehouse was like unwrapping a gift for anyone who’s ever hesitated to step into the spotlight. We explored the idea that public speaking isn’t just for natural extroverts.  It is about discovering that inner magnetism within all of us. Tina, the author of “Discovering Our Magnetic Speaker Within,” brought her insights to the table, emphasizing that being magnetic involves intentional communication, encompassing words, voice, body language, energy, and overall essence. Tina’s three pillars – the Magnetic Mind, Message, and Mechanics – provided a roadmap for aspiring speakers. We kicked off with the Magnetic Mind, delving into temperament, authentic selves, and the power of introversion in public speaking. Tina shattered the myth that only extroverts make great speakers, highlighting the impact of leaders like Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, who wielded quiet charisma. The message became our focal point, as Tina shared strategies for crafting compelling content, urging speakers to be audience-ce

Today I want to talk about email. Why email,  when there are so many better ways to get people to pay attention to you? Because year in and year out people open their emails. So if you want to deliver messages to people who are interested in what you have to say email is still a great way to reach them Here are a few things you can do to improve the effectiveness of your email campaigns number Send them on Tuesday. Emails sent on Tuesday actually have the best open rate Keep your emails short. No more than twenty lines of content Make sure you put a call to action right at the top of the email If you've enjoyed these tips and want to find other resources for your email program sign up for our newsletter and we'll show you how it's done.  

In this conversation, I had a chance to chat with Josh Nielsen, the founder behind Zencastr, one of the top podcasting platforms.  As the founder and CEO, he’s focused on the next level of podcasting, providing creators worldwide with an all-in-one platform. We delved into the current podcasting landscape, and Josh pointed out a trend he dubs the “tick-toification of podcasting.” Attention spans are shortening, and people are leaning towards bite-sized, consumable content, especially in the form of clips. It’s all about watching engaging snippets rather than committing to full-length shows. Josh emphasized the rising importance of video in podcasting. While the audio-only format has its charm, the audience is eager to see faces and make genuine connections. Video brings that extra layer of connection, making the audience feel more involved. We also touched on the power of AI in simplifying tasks. Zencastr’s AI, for instance, can analyze content, identify key moments, and generate clips tailored for various pl

Did you miss my conversation with Joe Matz as we unraveled the the concept of business transformation. We chatted about the desire among entrepreneurs to push the limits of their businesses, but recognize the challenges that come with turning that desire into a tangible transformation. We explored the notion that everyone has a unique genius zone, a sweet spot where work becomes easy, fun, and exciting. Joe delves into the significance of identifying this genius zone and aligning it with the problems or solutions you're uniquely equipped to address. The conversation pivots to the client's perspective, highlighting the essence of delivering transformation through your products or services.   As we discuss the marketing implications of this transformation-focused approach, Joe emphasizes the simplicity it brings to crafting effective marketing copy. We touch on the evolving landscape of marketing over the years and the enduring value of creating meaningful transformations for customers. If you're intrigued by t

Today's tip start with a bit of a rant.  I I teach marketing at a local university and was grading papers the other night.  As I read, it occurred to me a number of my students were using CHAT GPT to write their essays. I was annoyed but also stopped to think about why I felt like that was problematic. The answer was pretty simple. Their answers were generic, boring and they didn't really address my specific question. In a way that is the same challenge content marketers have when using AI to create content If you're not starting with good, original content the end result is generic,  a little boring and doesn't really answer the questions your customers have.  So how do you get around that? Well the best way to use AI on the front end is to ask it a question. Then you overlay your own content on top of the generic outline.  Or use AI on the back end, uploading a blog post you've already written and ask AI to transform your content into a series of social media updates. Ask it to rewrite headlines or create t

Today's talk centers around the unavoidable truth: not every employee walks into the office fully equipped for the job's challenges. Enter the world of training, a necessary step for workforce readiness. Joining me is is Vicki Noethling . We explored the hurdles faced by small businesses with fewer than ten employees when it comes to carving out time for training and developing effective plans. Small business owners often find themselves juggling individual tasks, with training sometimes taking a back seat.  We discussed the benefits of having an outside perspective through avenues like lunch and learn sessions, helping uncover gaps in skills and knowledge. Vicki sheds light on her approach to identifying team dynamics, using icebreakers and empathy-building exercises to enhance communication. We delve into the intricacies of leadership and communication struggles within teams, emphasizing the value of external assistance in bridging gaps. Shifting gears, we touch on the current age of remote work, acknowledg

We are living in a Video world.  All the major social media platforms, and many of the upstarts are flooded with video.  If you aren't creating at least some video content, you are really missing an opportunity to put yourself in front of potential customers.  Mechelle McDonald explains that every business owner, even if they are camera shy, needs to find a way to put themselves on camera.  Potential customers want to touch, see, feel and connect. Video lets you do all that.  In addition to explaining why video, she shared a few tips on how you can step slowly into video.    About Mechelle  Delivering on the concept of communication that connects, Mechelle A. McDonald is a Bahamian writer, entrepreneur, growth coach and speaker who finds joy in empowering and uplifting others through impactful conversations. Within her experience of hosting the Australian-based Evolvepreneur (After Hours) Show podcast, Mechelle has created captivating conversations with over 100 global speakers including 6 and 7-figure CEOs,

Long before I worked on my first website, I was writing content for brochures and direct mail campaigns. Many of the lessons  I learned about good copywriting then are absolutely transferable to the digital age. If you want to create great content that's engaging and interesting your copy must be is focused on your reader. One of the simplest tests is what I call the pencil test. Get two pencils, one a blue and one red. Print out that page of web copy and start circling every word that is first person, I, we, our,  in red. Circle every phrase that is second person, you, your, your business, companies like you, in blue.  Then compare the circles.  If the red circles outnumber the blue circles you have some rewriting to do 

I'm glad you're listening to this episode, but are you actively listening? That's the topic I dove into with Patrick Donadio, author of the book "Communicating with Impact," which outlines a process designed to improve communication, increase profits, and boost performance in less time. Our conversation kicks off stressing the pivotal role of setting intentions in communication, underscoring that a clear purpose steers the entire interaction. As we explore the significance of listening, particularly in sales scenarios, Patrick shares his  perspective that successful selling hinges more on adept listening than on excessive talking. We dissect common stumbling blocks, including the challenge posed by the gap between the speed of thinking and speaking. Patrick introduces practical techniques such as paraphrasing, note-taking, and the intriguing concept of the "internal summary" to heighten active listening skills.

You know, so many business owners say, “I know some of my marketing is working, but I’m not sure which 50%.” Well, if you want to up your success rate, you need a plan. Laura Wagenknecht the owner of Mosaic Business Consulting,   is the perfect guide for this. She emphasizes the importance of unveiling your marketing gradually, focusing on niche markets, and tailoring your approach to different audiences. In our conversation, Laura dives into the intricacies of strategic marketing, especially for service-based businesses. She encourages clients to identify their niche market and gradually expand, using a layered approach. We discuss the significance of understanding your ideal client, exploring qualities, and building relationships.

You have a whole year ahead of you. You will accomplish amazing things. So, what I want you to do right now is close your eyes and imagine that it's not January but December. Imagine all the things you've accomplished this year. Go ahead, write them all down. Put that piece of paper in an envelope and seal it.  Don't open it until the last day of the year Dream Big Dream big both personally and professionally. Maybe you want to lose weight, expand your team, launch new products, or close more sales. Be specific; do you want 5, 50, or 500 new projects. Write your goals down. There is lots of research which indicates even the simple act of writing your goals will help you stay on track to accomplish them. As you visualize the success, make a list the new skills you learned and the changes you made in order to accomplish your goals. Think about the risks you took and how those risks panned out. If you are running a company with employees, think about how proud you are of their growth and accomplishments, too. I

Today we're diving into the world of pay-per-click advertising. You know, it'd be fantastic if customers just stumbled upon our businesses, but we all know that's not how it works. Sometimes we need to invest in advertising, especially in this age of the internet where pay-per-click is an affordable option. But there are right ways and wrong ways to do it, and that's what we're chatting about today. To help me navigate this terrain, I invited Nick Gosling to join me. He's a fractional COO and business consultant, specializing in optimizing business-to-consumer companies for that sweet bottom line impact.  Nick breaks down the PPC landscape, emphasizing the importance of knowing your audience and adopting a test-and-learn approach. He highlights how the regulatory environment has changed, with laws like GDPR and the Privacy Rights Act directly impacting behavioral advertising. As we explore the future, Nick advises small business owners to focus on leveraging first-party data and organic methods, especially wi

Jake Stahl, a pioneer in conversational dynamics, joined me for a conversation about how business owners can better communicate the value they offer. The key is to understand your customer's needs and desires and create a compelling value statement that addresses those needs. Stahl suggests using the "3 Whys" technique to uncover the true dream outcome driving your customers. He suggested four simple questions you can use to build your value statement:  Dream outcome: What do your customers ultimately want? Perception: How do they perceive their ability to achieve it? Time delay: How long will it take with your solution? Effort required: How much effort must they put in? When you answer those four questions prospects can visualize the benefit of working with you. 

The failure rates for early stage companies are staggering.  Depending on the source the numbers range from 40% to 90% in the early years. And while the economy can play a role, one of the biggest reasons small business owners fail in the early years is they try to hedge their bets. There’s  always that safety valve in the back of their head. “I can get a job, or I can do something else.” That back up plan approach doesn’t work.  If you want to be successful, you have to treat your business like you’re sailing to some exotic island where you’re going to spend the rest of your life. When you get there, you have to burn the boat. If not, you will sit there with one foot on the shore and one foot in the boat and never fully explore the island.  You will never get to see all of the possibilities. If you’re always hedging your bets, you’ll never make the investment in your time and in the resources to really be successful. So you need to burn the boats. And I’m going to make it easy for you. I put together Burn th

I am pumped to have Tom Ruwitch on the show. Now, Tom is not your average business growth guru; he's a storytelling aficionado and a pioneer in content marketing. He is on a mission to rescue us from the clutches of mundane, prospect-repelling content that makes marketing feel like a never-ending drag. So, I kicked off the conversation with a simple question:  Why do storytellers sell more? Tom broke it down, explaining that it's not just about regaling your own legendary origin story. It's about understanding the journey your prospects want to take. When you tell stories that resonate with your audience, they lean in, feeling heard, understood, and connected. Tom shares that storytellers don't just sell more; they also have more fun. It's about transforming content creation from a slog to an enjoyable, entertaining experience that not only fires up the creator but also engages and inspires prospects. We also chatted about a common resistance to storytelling, especially among the serious business types like e

I had a great conversation  with Jennie Wright, an email list building and lead generation strategist about how to leverage peer platforms to grow your email list. Jennie explains the easiest way to build your email list is by leveraging other people’s platforms. This can be done by appearing on other people’s podcasts, participating in giveaways and bundles, and speaking on panels and summits. She recommends that you do a little bit of due diligence before agreeing to be on someone’s podcast or panel. Make sure that the show or event is a good fit for your target audience. If you don’t have a large social following or email list, don’t worry. There are still ways to get involved in peer platforms. Jennie suggests networking with other people in your industry and participating in Facebook groups for speakers. When you’re leveraging peer platforms, it’s important to have an irresistible offer that people will want to sign up for. This could be a freebie, a discount, or a piece of valuable content. Finally, Jen