Today’s co-host of The Solopreneur Hour is best known for his work as a White House aid during the Bill Clinton Administration, but has also dabbled in the entertainment industry working for DreamWorks (think Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen).

John Corcoran now runs a successful law practice from Silicon Valley focusing on entrepreneurs and small businesses.  His web site, smartbusinessrevolution.com, is filled with fantastic ideas of how to leverage your relationships to succeed in your career, amongst other things. Listen in as we discuss all of that and more on episode 218 of The Solopreneur Hour.

More About This Show

John was grew up in the DC area, but wasn’t born into a family of connections or influencers. Nor did he attend an Ivy League school where he could network with other well-leveraged people. So how did he land a position as a White House aide at the age of 23? How did he get an internship at DreamWorks, or a gig as a speechwriter for the governor of California? And how has he built two successful businesses: his Silicon Valley law practice and his Smart Business Revolution blog and podcast?

One word: relationships. Over the years he’s uncovered how to connect, engage and build relationships with people. He’s learned how to build trust and grow the relationship, before asking for a sale, or anything else.

Today we talk about many topics including what Bill Clinton can teach us as solopreneurs (all politics aside), the critical role copywriting plays in any online business and how he sets goals and achieves them.

The Finer Details of This Show Include:

* Where is the birthplace of mountain biking?

* How did he meet Aaron Sorkin?

* The Thanksgiving Proclamation Joh  wrote as a White House aide was the source of an episode of The West Wing: true or false?

* How he accomplishes his goals on a weekly basis, John explains.

* Where did the concept of a mastermind group come from?

* And so, so much more!

 

Whatever your political leanings, Bill Clinton has long been known and will continue to be known for his ability to connect with people in a meaningful way. John says he experienced this many times while in the White House during the former President’s term. President Clinton did this by being present with the person he was talking to, noticing something personal about them and making that connection. He got to know them on a personal level, on an even playing field so to speak.

And that’s a lesson we can all implement in our lives: the next time you’re chatting with someone, put your phone down and actually engage with them fully. Don’t look around the room for who else is there, but make eye contact and find something about them that is personal and matters to them. You could notice something they are wearing, or a book they’re carrying or you can simply ask them what they are most excited about right now in their lives.

John says when you do those things you’re connecting and starting to build rapport, you’re beginning a relationship with them. And what you do next is critical: continue to grow trust with them before you ask for anything.

In fact, offer to help them in some way or do something that shows you care about them from sending them an article that may be...