Social media advertising is vital for online businesses, so all entrepreneurs should be looking into it. Is there a right time to start advertising? What happens if we don't have a big online following yet? Do we need to be hesitant to use retargeted advertising? On this episode, host of The Art of Online Business podcast, Rick Mulready, shares how to advertise effectively on social media. 

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Start using ads as soon as possible

As soon as we have a social media presence and an audience, we should be leveraging ads. There's no time like the present to start using ads if we have an audience. 

Build an audience

Those of us new to a platform may not have established audiences yet. The best way to build these audiences is by doing Facebook Lives, which we can later use as advertisements to build our following.

Rethink advertising

A lot of people are hesitant to use retargeted advertising, because there's a common belief that this is an invasion of privacy. We have to shift our mindsets away from that - advertising isn't going anywhere, so we may as well provide useful information to the right people.

The path to finding our purpose isn't the same for everyone. For many entrepreneurs and creatives, finding out what we want to do is a process of peeling back the layers. This is the process filmmaker Greg Koorhan took, going from a job in a marketing agency, to one focused on storytelling. What can we learn from the journey Greg took? What's the right mindset to have about success? Why is the idea that people have one purpose and one purpose only a huge myth? On this episode, award-winning film director, best-selling author, speaker and coach, Greg Koorhan, discusses his projects, his creative children and the path to his purpose.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Structure in storytelling is key (17:13 - 18:55) There's a difference between talking about a bunch of events and telling a story. A story has structure and conflict, and paying attention to these things makes us more effective storytellers. 

Short-form content can be extremely effective (23:33 - 24:32) In the day and age of storytelling through ads and social media content, we only have 1-2 minutes to tell someone's story. Within a minute or two, we can actually say a lot and resonate with people. 

There's no perfect formula for the path to success (33:30 - 35:44)Some people knew their passion from early on, but a lot of people actually discover their passion through a process of evolving, pivoting and iterating new pathways. There's nothing wrong with either approach.

We often think of our businesses as our babies, but at the end of the day, what really matters is our actual families. Is it possible to run companies while staying actively involved in our kids' lives - and what happens if we have large families? How can we build businesses around our families, rather than the other way around? On this Boss Dad Spotlight episode, leading YouTube strategist, Tim Schmoyer shares how to build businesses that serve our families. 

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Run big families like businesses (08:30 - 09:42)

Having a big family should never be a hindrance to entrepreneurial success. Think of having a growing family the same way as a growing business: as we expand, we need to work on finding better systems. Having a large family is not a barrier to owning a business- in fact, if we can master the systems to coordinate a big family, we'll probably be more productive in our businesses, too. 

Prioritize family over business (10:49 - 12:29) 

Business decisions are relatively easy to make- but they're not always the best decisions for our families. As entrepreneurs, we are in positions where we're able to decide when we'll travel for work. We need to prioritize our time according to what matters most to us, and our families. 

Disconnect to connect with family (16:51 - 17:39)

It's easy to get wrapped up in business round the clock, especially when work and emails are available on all our devices. To combat this, disconnect. For 24 hours on a weekend, put phones on airplane mode and switch off computers. When we aren't constantly being bombarded by work reminders, we're able to relax and enjoy time with our families. 

There's no need to sacrifice family for work. It all comes down to the way we manage our time and the systems we use to coordinate our activities. From time to time, we need to disengage with work and give our families our full attention. Our businesses may be our second babies, but there are times when they'll need to come second to our actual babies.

Guest Bio-

Since 2011, Tim Schmoyer has been one of the leading YouTube strategists in the online video industry. His company, Video Creators, has been featured by FOX, Forbes, BBC even YouTube themselves as his team trains creators and brands to master YouTube and use it as a place to spread messages that change lives. Their clients have organically grown by over 14 billion views and 61 millions subscribers under their guidance. Today he lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife and seven children.

To find Tim on social media, head to: 

https://www.facebook.com/videocreators/ 

@timschmoyer

https://www.instagram.com/timschmoyer/ 

And to find him on YouTube, visit: https://www.youtube.com/VideoCreatorsTV 

To find out more about Video Labs LIVE, visit https://vclabs.com/ on Venice Beach, CA this coming July 8-9

The one thing all entrepreneurs have in common is that we started our businesses in order to give ourselves more time and money freedom. The ugly truth is, most entrepreneurs have zero freedom. They are constantly stressed and exhausted. As a result, their families suffer. What do we need to do in order for our businesses to give us true freedom? How can we get out of doing low value work? How can we make sure our businesses aren't negatively impacting our families?

On this Boss Dad spotlight episode, I'm joined by founder of Real Estate B School and host of the Business Freedom Podcast, Lars Hedenborg. He shares powerful business, marriage and parenting nuggets, while discussing how he built a 7-figure business that still allows him time freedom. 

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Know your worth and your dollar per hour value (11:41 - 13:47)One of the biggest barriers to our growth as entrepreneurs is not having a concrete dollar value for our time. Because of this, it makes it hard for us to know what we should be spending our time on. If we know that our time is worth $250 per hour, we won't spend it on $10 per hour tasks. 

Delegate to elevate (14:22 - 16:50)Entrepreneurs often wear all of the hats in their business, but the problem is, some of the work is something we could be passing off to someone else. Pay them $10 per hour and then we can focus on higher level work.

It's impossible to grow a business if you don't know the numbers in it (17:02 - 17:48)The first step to successfully scaling our businesses is tracking and measuring everything we do. Once we know our numbers, we can systematize processes, optimize them and even teach other people how to do the tasks.  

When our businesses aren't set up with systems and processes, we become chained to them. As a result, our partners and children carry the weight because we can't be present with them. We have to learn that our time is valuable, and that doing every single role in our business isn't noble, it actually puts our families at financial and emotional risks. We have to know our numbers, get a good system down, and bring on people who can help us work more efficiently. This is how we show our children that running a successful business venture can be fun, fulfilling and financially viable.

Guest Bio- 

Lars Hedenborg is the host of the Business Freedom Podcast and the founder of Real Estate B-School, an education and coaching program for top producing real estate agents looking to build sustainable, systems-driven businesses. He is passionate about bringing real-world tools, and strategies to top agents and team leaders so that they can achieve success and freedom in the real estate business. Go to RealEstateBSchool.com for more information and get a free Business Growth strategy session at REBSstrategysession.com.

A lot of us have gone through traumas and difficulties in life that have the potential to shape us negatively. How can we get past those experiences and succeed against the odds? How can we continue to excel once we've moved past your trauma?

On this episode, owner of Quest Education, Daniel Blue shares how he turned his life around after becoming a dad.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Be competitive about your higher calling (09:45- 10:18)

To fuel our ambition, we need to have some kind of motivator that pushes us. However, we also need to acknowledge that we won't be the only person with drive- be willing to compete and cultivate a willingness to go the extra mile for the things that are important to us.

Know what motivates you (11:42- 12:50)

It's always helpful to understand our 'why'. There is a reason why we want to achieve our goals. Pay attention to that reason and keep it in mind every step of the way on your path to success.

Surround yourself with people who know more than you (23:11- 24:14)

A massive step in the right direction comes from surrounding ourselves with people who know more than us. These are the people who will be able to tell us when we're wrong and help guide us in the right direction. 

Our experiences shape us in many ways, and sometimes going through tough times allows us to evaluate what's truly important to us. It can reveal our motivations and fuel our competitive drive. It's important to listen to our 'why', and keep growing by asking the people who know more than us for help. You have the power to overcome any obstacle, as long as we keep listening to our inner voice- and take advice when necessary.

Guest Bio- Daniel Blue is the owner of Quest Education. Most Americans don't know what a self directed retirement account is, but Daniel is determined to change that and bring awareness to how beneficial having one can be. He educates business owners on self directed retirement accounts to help them accomplish their financial goals.

Daniel has worked with over 1,200 business owners and was recently recognized by Inc 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the country.

To find out more about Daniel and Quest Education, head to: https://www.yourquest.com/ 

You can also find out more about him and access his free educational videos on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100026753792739 

https://m.facebook.com/YourQuestNow/ 

And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPDyoY7FjWAnvHGQrxNh43A/videos 

And find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-blue-5b1339113/ 

Marketing is an important part of building a successful brand, but many business owners ignore word-of-mouth advertising strategies. Why is word-of-mouth so crucial, and how can we use storytelling to boost our success? How do we become relevant in the eyes of our customers?

On this episode, New York Times bestselling author, Jay Baer explains the importance of storytelling for branding a business.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Get your fans to do the advertising for you (17:34- 18:14)

The best brands often have the least advertisements. The reason for this is, they're being talked about by their customers. The power of word-of-mouth is immeasurable, so we need to make sure we're giving our customers something to talk about.

Tell stories (19:11- 21:17)

Simply being competent and running a good business isn't enough to generate excitement about our brands. We need to create talking points and put word-of-mouth strategies in place. We can't assume people will talk about our businesses- we need to give them something to talk about. 

Keep your audience small (28:50- 30:14) 

To create successful content, your podcast, books, or videos need to be someone's favorite version of that content. For that to be possible, you need to be targeting a small enough audience so you're not competing with every other version of your product. Stop trying to generate a huge following- focus on being great at being small.

Advertising is crucial, but relying solely on marketing campaigns is not enough to turn our brands into household names. We need to be focusing on creating stories- whether through unique experiences or inside jokes- that make us relevant in a public space. Stay small and create so much awareness and excitement that your need for traditional advertising is reduced.

Guest Bio-Jay is a Hall of Fame speaker, emcee, New York Times best-selling author of six books, and an internet pioneer. The 7th-generation entrepreneur is the founder of five, multi-million dollar companies, including Convince & Convert, a boutique consultancy that works with the world's most interesting brands. 

For more information on Jay and his work, see Convinceandconvert.com

And Jaybaer.com

To follow Jay on social media, visit these links:http://www.twitter.com/jaybaer

http://www.instagram.com/jaybaer

http://www.linkedin.com/jaybaer

http://www.youtube.com/jaybaer00

http://www.facebook.com/therealjaybaer

To find out about Jay's Talk Triggers book, head to talktriggers.com

To follow the Talk Triggers show, visit  talktriggersshow.com 

In the current economy, a lot of people shy away from entrepreneurial ventures because they're afraid the industry is already too saturated. Is it possible to still make a dent in the market? What role do your gifts play in this endeavor?

On this episode, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and digital marketing consultant, Dustin W. Stout shares how he's used his gifts to carve out a niche and help others.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

There are still opportunities (06:22- 07:12)

Don't fall into the trap of believing your market is already saturated. With the right intention, you can still make your mark and freelance successfully, even in the current economy. 

Focus on a niche (22:16- 23:19)

You can narrow down your target by looking for people who are utilizing their gifts, but merely don't have the time to run the social or business aspects. Look for a group who have the talent, but who need to outsource parts of their business. 

Share your gifts (26:42- 29:40)

No matter what your gift may be, never forget to share them with others. While your business certainly doesn't need to become a charity, and you have every right to capitalize on your talents, remember that your gifts can- and should- be used for the greater good. Use your talents to build a business that can empower others, whether as clients or as employees.

While there are so many business opportunities available thanks to the internet, the sheer number of them can be overwhelming. Don't allow it to stop you from using your talents to get ahead. Identify your gifts and the audience you can help. You're allowed to benefit from helping others- so capitalize on your talents.

Guest Bio- 

Dustin W. Stout is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and digital marketing consultant. His blog, Dustn.tv, was named one of the best social media blogs by Social Media Examiner and continues to be a growing resource for marketers, entrepreneurs and bloggers alike. His newest venture is aimed at helping fitness brands get unlimited access to social media graphics for a small monthly subscription. It also gives suggested captions and hashtags to help busy fitness pros spend more time engaging their community and less time trying to be graphic designers or social media marketers.

To find out more about Dustin, check him out on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dustinwstout 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/dustinwstout 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/dustinwstout 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dustinwstout 

And Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/dustinwstout 

We live in a world where so much is overcomplicated. How can you simplify your business process? Can your new approach have a positive impact on your social environment?

On this episode, 5-time Bestselling author, decorated pilot and 2020 Presidential hopeful, Ed Rush shares how to simplify business and change the world for the better.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Build systems around the few things that work (05:59- 06:54)

As entrepreneurs, we tend to make business a lot more complicated than it really is. Essentially, business comes down to 2 to 4 things. Once you identify those elements, build systems around them. This simplifies your process and will make you much more effective.

Pay attention to the advice you receive (09:54- 11:06)

Be wary of a coach or advisor who gives you tons of ideas. There are three levels of advice you should be receiving: suggestions to try something new, recommendations, and confident, foolproof go-aheads. As soon as a coach gives you too many more ideas, proceed with caution.

See the opportunities in turmoil (34:27- 35:16)

All over the world, there is a growing unhappiness with leadership. Entrepreneurs can benefit from seeing the problems that need to be solved in these situations. As business owners, we have the ability to change the world for the better, as long as we're seeking solutions.

The world we live in is currently going through a leadership crisis, in terms of politics, business and the home. Regardless of where this issue stems from, the reality is we need to see change. As entrepreneurs, we have the power to be at the forefront of that change. The way forward is uncomplicated. Let's go back to the basics and cancel out the noise.

Guest Bio-

Ed Rush is a decorated pilot, author, speaker, entrepreneur and a Presidential hopeful for 2020. While in the Marines, Ed served as one of the country's leading instructors on aerial dog fighting and recently worked as a key player in the development of the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. After serving in over 50 combat missions and 2 tours to Iraq, Ed left full-time active duty to speak, write, and share a message that will change the world. Today, his clients range from small startups to multi-million dollar and multi-national organizations.

Ed's books and expertise have been featured on CBS, FOX, ABC, and NBC. To follow or connect with Ed and to find out more about his books, head over to: www.EdRush.com. You'll also find out about Ed's free membership site offer for Boss Dad listeners.

To find out how you can support Ed, visit: EdRush2020.com 

Social media and online platforms have brought a lot of changes to the business world, but many brands are slow in adjusting. How can we build an online persona that connects with our customers? How has the role of the customer shifted?

On this episode, author, blogger, and podcaster Mark Schaefer explains why human connection is so important, even with the increasing popularity of virtual spaces.

3 Things We Learned From This Episode

Respect your customer (07:16- 08:08)

Customers are aware that they have more power now than ever before. The problem is, many businesses don't act accordingly. To get ahead with the new consumers, it's vital that businesses respect their customers' time, resources, and spending habits.

Build a brand personality and forge real connections (10:19- 11:27)

No matter how advanced technology becomes, people trust people. It's important to give your customers a human face they can get to know, like, and trust. Foster loyalty by sharing stories about what you're going through and by being open.

Your customer is your marketer (20:37- 21:56)

Marketing isn't about the advertisements anymore— it's about the customer. Businesses are no longer able to buy their way in. We all need to start finding ways to assist our client in their daily lives and build real relationships with them.

While the customer has always been important to businesses, their influence on the sales process has changed significantly. Build relationships with your customers that ensure that they know you value them.

Guest Bio-

Mark Schaefer is a keynote speaker, educator, podcaster and business consultant. Known globally for his work, Mark is celebrated for his approach to marketing and is the bestselling author of six marketing books.Mark is adamant that personal touches are vital for effective marketing in the age of social media.

The process of creating and writing a book is a bit like giving birth— there's a lot we go through to get to that raw, honest truth. What are some of the hurdles that get in the way of creation? What is the first step we need to take to start writing that book? Why is it so important to not try to control the message that reveals itself?

On this episode, book coach and my book doula, Azul Terronez, shares on why everyone has a book (or two) in them, and how to extract that magic.

"Most people try to write as the editor and not the creator. That's why they can't get their message out." -Azul Terronez

1. How to extract the essence of what we want to write (19:49 - 20:45)

When we're thinking and reflecting, it takes the time and willingness to go deep to get to the real gold. In order to get to the emotionally triggered, meaningful things, it's important to think longer than we usually give ourselves space to.

2. What makes a book special (21:18 - 23:38)

The hardest part of writing a book is looking into ourselves. What makes a book special isn't the technical pieces in it. It's what is in our souls, and what's unique about us. That's what people resonate with.

3. The first step to writing your book (28:33 - 29:49)

Empty your head and put the contents on paper. It gets rid of confusion and helps you find clarity. Most of the time you have more than one book sitting in your head at once, and you need to untangle those ideas. It will help you see the book differently and not worry about the book in your head anymore.

Writing a book is a vehicle of personal transformation, but in order for that to happen, we have to find our voice, figure out what we're trying to say, and let it out. If we miss this step, we end up writing the book we think you should write, not the story we actually need to tell. It's all about finding your message in your book, not finding it and then writing it. The process of extracting the message can't be ruled by outlines and structures. It's ruled by listening to our inner selves.

Guest Bio-

Azul Terronez has been called a book whisperer and book doula. He helps authors and entrepreneurs write and publish books so they can create their brand, grow their audience, and increase their influence.

He is the CEO of Authors Who Lead™ and the host of the Born to Write Podcast and his TEDx has over 1.2 million views.

In addition to coaching Dana, he has coached Pat Flynn from the Smart Passive Income Podcast and Jadah Sellner, the Co-Founder of Simple Green Smoothies. Go to https://coachazul.com/ for more information. To get his 5-day challenge to help get your book idea out of your head, go to https://coachazul.com/challenge/

Podcast https://coachazul.com/blog-category-podcast/

To Watch is Ted Talk "What Makes a Good Teacher Great" go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrU6YJle6Q4.