Summary

On this episode of Rhodes to Success I interview Greg S. Reid who is a bestselling author, acclaimed speaker and filmmaker. Greg has motivated millions of people and is published in more than 45 books including 28 bestsellers, 5 movies, and is featured in countless magazines. In this podcast learn how to seize those ‘ah ha’ moments and seek counsel over opinion.

Main Questions Asked

-       Can you talk about how we can still harvest gold from the minds of successful people when we go a long time without being face-to-face with other entrepreneurs?

-       What gave you the confidence to go on your journey?

-       Talk about running from people with negative attitudes and breaking ties with people who aren’t going to move you forward

-       What is your take on entrepreneurs creating distance between themselves and their audience?

Key Lessons Learned

-       A good author writes about what he or she needs help with the most

-       We are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with

-       Run from people with negative attitudes

-       Its difficult to cut negative people from your life when they are friends, family and colleagues

Ideas

-       Many people have great ideas but a lot don’t have initiative to do things with the great idea

-       How many times have you had an ‘ah ha’ moment and let it go away only years later to see someone else has made a success of it? Don’t let it be you!

-       The best thing to do is to harness that great idea the moment it strikes you

-       Its not about what information you get its about the application of that knowledge

-       All the energy and information is in the airwaves so you just need to tap that source

Relationship Marketing

-       Relationship marketing is all about building relationships with successful people in order to build your business

-       Remember don’t give up before the finish line and quit before the miracle happens

-       LOR – leveraging our relationships

-       Successful people know how to move the fulcrum so they can leverage their relationships at the highest rate possible

Accessibility

-       When entrepreneurs become well known some start outsourcing their email, social media and make the decision to create distance between themselves and their audience

-       The most successful people are the most accessible and available people

-       You have to have responsibility and accountability for your actions even if you outsource your brand representation for things such as social media

Counsel and Opinion

-       There is a big difference between counsel and opinion

-       Opinion is based in ignorance, lack of knowledge and someone who has never done it

-       Counsel is based on wisdom, knowledge and mentorship

-       Successful people seek counsel where failures listen to opinion

-       If we spend our daily lives only seeking counsel and ignoring people’s opinion then that is the day your life will change 

-       The line between successful relationships, mentorships and friendships is often blurred. People often fall into the trap of seeking opinion instead of mentorship

-       It is possible to have multiple mentors in your life so surround yourself with the right people who can get you the information you want

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!

The music in today's episode was written by The Danger Os and produced by Nick Palmer. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/thedangerosmakemusic 

Links to Resources Mentioned

Three Feet From Gold

Thoughts Are Things  

Napoleon Hill: The Road to Riches

Greg S. Reed’s Website

Interview Connections

Summary

On this episode of Rhodes to Success I interview Steven Essa who is known internationally as the “make money with webinars expert.” Steven gives business owners the flexibility to create additional streams of reveneu using the power of webinars. If you’ve ever wanted to monetize your podcast through webinars this is the best start you can give yourself!

Main Questions Asked

-       What is a webinar?

-       How professional does your Powerpoint presentation need to be and do you suggest outsourcing?

-       Can you break down the webinar format?

-       How can podcasters monetize their show with webinars?

Key Lessons Learned

Webinars Explained

-       A webinar is a web seminar where you present a Powerpoint with voice, or video image

-       Webinars are much like lectures but with the opportunity to sell at end

-       The difference between a webinar and a teleseminar is that teleseminars only use the phone

-       Webinars are usually presented on one particular topic

-       Popular webinar platforms are Go To Webinar and Google Hangouts

-       Webinars are automatable. You can place on YouTube and continue to make you sales after the live webinar

Webinar Effectiveness

-       Webinars produce higher conversions than any other form of online marketing

-       There is no better way to convert a prospect into a customer or an existing customer that’s bought a low end product into a higher paying customer

-       The idea of a webinar is to deliver as much valuable information as you can and at the end offer a natural solution to the next step

Powerpoint

-       Black and white slides are just as effective as color branded slides and sometimes work better as they are less distracting and seem less ‘salesy’

-       The less you put on the actual slides the better

-       Simply listing a number on the slide is often enough visually

-       People will want to write down everything on your slides so the less visual information, the more they will listen

Webinar Formula

Introduction

-       Choose a target market

-       Come up with a killer marketing hook

-       Put that hook on slide #1

-       Immediately outline the benefit for the listener (rather that talk about yourself)

-       On slide #2 outline who the webinar is for (list all the types of your prospects and their needs) the goal is for everyone in the audience to identify and say ‘that’s me’

-       In a 60 minute webinar your introduction should be 10 minutes

-       15 min introductions are best for 90 minute webinars

-       On slide #3 show proof, case studies and statistics.

-       People want to know why they should listen to you and that you are a credible source

-       The introduction should include “what led me to this webinar and why I’m talking to you today” this really isn’t about you but you need to relate back to your audience

Content

-       Always show 3, 5 (60 mins) or 7 steps (90 mins)

-       Webinar content should be 40 mins for a 60 minute

-       For a a 90 minute webinar content should be 60 minutes

-       You need to have multiple ‘ah ha’ moments in your webinar

-       Webinars need to have practical actionable steps people can take away

-        

Webinars for Podcasters

-       Follow intro and content steps from webinar formula above

-       Don’t sell on your podcast  (do it on your webinar)

-       Create a name for your product such as Podcast Mastery Program e.g 8 webinars delivered one per week over an 8 week period

-       People aren’t interested in the actual pitch is, they are interested in working with you (tell them what they will get out of it)

-       Focus on 30% features 70% benefits

-       Reveal the value of the package (if you are not sure multiply your hourly rate by 8 webinars)

-       Offer some one-on-one support or group sessions

-       Find out why customers bought and where your program is strong and weak

-       Make sure to get testimonials from your one-on-one clients

-       Offer email support (another opportunity for feedback and to sell other products)

-       People buy because of bonuses (interviews, e-book, mastermind session, and workshops etc)

-       When giving a special or reduced price you have to give a reasoning

-       The word ‘because’ automatically makes people think there is a ‘reason’  

-       Offering an unconditional guarantee shows confidence in your product

-       Keep repeating the link to buy at the end

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!

The music in today's episode was written by The Danger Os and produced by Nick Palmer. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/thedangerosmakemusic 

Links to Resources Mentioned

Web Business Breakthrough

Steve Essa

Interview Connections

Go To Webinar

Jim Palmer

Influence – Robert Cialdini

Summary

On this episode of Rhodes to Success I interview Lyndsay Phillips, founder and CEO of Smooth Sailing Online Support. Lyndsay’s goal is to serve and help businesses grow and run efficiently using her Virtual Assistant team and account managers.  If you want to scale your business and grow, then hiring a virtual assistant is what you need to do! This episode of Rhodes to Success answers all Virtual Assistant questions!

Main Questions Asked

-       What is a virtual assistant?

-       What are some things a virtual assistant can do for an entrepreneur?

-       Talk about the perception of virtual assistants and how they are viewed

-       How does a virtual assistant having multiple clients bring more value to your clients?

-       How do your clients find you and what advice do you have for entrepreneurs who want to hire a virtual assistant?

-       How did you grow relationships so they resulted in paying clients?

-       Talk about trading hours for dollars and moving toward being a business owner

Key Lessons Learned

What is a Virtual Assistant?

-       A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an executive assistant, a secretary, a receptionist, an administrative assistant and many roles beyond

-       A VA doesn’t work in your office but is available remotely (electronically )e.g email, text or phone

-       Tasks a VA can complete include email, contracts, letters, scheduling, customer service, event management, promotions, and marketing

-       A VA can encompass anything in regards to the operation of your business such as client management, payments, customer support and marketing

The Value of A Virtual Assistant

-       Having a VA means you can focus on the revenue generating activities and doing the things that you love

-       Remember a VA is a business owner who has other clients so they are an entrepreneur in their own right

-       VAs are not employees so you don’t have to pay tax or vacation or sick days

-       Many VAs work on retainer or an as needed basis so you don’t need to hire a full time employee (saves you money)

Finding A Virtual Assistant

-       Two great ways to hear about VAs for hire is via word of mouth from other business owners and networking

-       Make sure you interview your VA before committing to ensure there is synergy and that they meet your needs

-       When searching for a VA think about what you value most in a business owner (complete tasks on time or communication in a timely manner etc)

-       Make sure your VA is familiar with the software you use or that they are trainable

Be A Virtual Assistant

-       Starting by offering services for an hourly rate is a great way to start as a VA

-       When building your business ask yourself “what revenue generating things can I do and have my support staff take on?”

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!

Links to Resources Mentioned

Smooth Sailing Online Support

Info@ ssonlinesupport.com

484-284-0933

Interview Connections

Entrepreneur Support Services

Dream Business Academy

Your Virtual Assistant (FB Group)

Glambition Radio

Summary

On this episode of Rhodes to Success I interview Jonny Andrews who is a bestselling author, publishing expert, entrepreneur, international speaker and business strategies consultant.  Jonny is known as the go-to-guy for author entrepreneurs when it comes to launching a successful business or book by leveraging the power of audience and Amazon. If you ever wanted to know how to hack the publishing industry then this is podcast is a must!

Main Questions Asked

-       What is an audience hacker?

-       How do you focus on building a large audience while still bringing in revenue?

-       What is your opinion on self-publishing versus traditional publishing?

-       What is the secret to a successful book launch?

-       What is your opinion on writing for Kindle?

Key Lessons Learned

Audience Hackers

-       An audience hacker is someone who builds their business by the power of audience

-       Building an audience is all about going to where they live online, hang out with them and bring them to your platform so you can communicate with them

-       Learn how to properly leverage your platform so you can build a sustainable audience driven business

Building Audiences

-       Build your audience of people who are more than likely going to buy from you

-       If you can leverage 5-10K of people you can have a million dollar business

-       Aim for a focused audience who are your ideal customers not just people who are your fans

-       You can turn your customers into fans and your fans into customers

Publishing

-       Traditional publishers are more credible and can offer more distribution which potentially get you in front of more eyeballs

-       If you don’t have an audience you won’t get a major publisher

-       A book is a method of growing your audience

-       You can’t make money off books if you are only getting 7-15% (what a publisher will give you)

-       Amazon takes 30% so you will get to keep more money

Book Launch

-       Get pre-release copies to book bloggers in your niche (Make sure they are a book reviewer)

-       If pitching to a podcast host make sure to pitch the content and not the book itself (sell the benefit and not the book)

Pre-Selling

-       Book Scan tracks all of the book sales on Monday-Sunday basis across platforms

-       If you want to get on the New York Times Bestseller list be in pre-sale 30-60 days before you go live

-       The day your book goes live sales count toward Book Scan   

Links to Resources Mentioned

Interview Connections

Audience Hacker Podcast

The Grey Wolves  

I Love Vampire Novels

The Red Podcast (David Hooper)

Mikel Mailings

Create Space

Click to Tweet

Do you want to be an author entrepreneur?  @Jonny_Andrews reveals how to hack the publishing industry w/ @JessRhodesESS  www.rtspodcast.com

Self Publishing vs Traditional Publishing. Find out the pros and cons w/ @Jonny_Andrews & @JessRhodesESS  www.rtspodcast.com

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!

The music in today's episode was written by The Danger Os and produced by Nick Palmer. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/thedangerosmakemusic 

Summary

On this episode of Rhodes to Success I interview Michael Stelzner, founder and CEO of a multi-million dollar social media blog called Social Media Examiner. Michael also hosts one of iTunes most popular business podcasts and was once known as the King of White Papers. Listen to this episode to learn how Michael propelled his way to success using the power of relationship building!

Main Questions Asked

-       Why is it so important early on to build relationships?

-       How did building relationships help you grow Social Media Examiner so fast?

-       What is your take on why it is important to leverage multiple content platforms?

-       Do you think that using your personal brand hurts or helps people when trying to get noticed?

-       How frequently should you post on Facebook and Twitter and what is the etiquette?

Key Lessons Learned

Relationship Building

-       People like to work with people they know, like, and trust

-       Build relationships with the right people way in advance

-       We all have something of value to other people. If we can figure out what they need and help with that, that can become a profitable relationship for both parties

-       Just asking someone for an interview (or favor) doesn’t always work. Sometimes you need to offer value first without asking for anything in return.

Content Marketing

-       Be realistic about the time you have as a business owner and what you will spend that time doing

-       In the beginning choosing one platform such as podcast, video or written is okay but in the long run you should diversify

-       Remember that there are different kinds of people that are interested in consuming different types of content

-       On average people spend 1-3 minutes reading a blog post and generally only skim the content (more time is spent consuming other formats)

-       As your business gains momentum it is worthwhile experimenting with more than one form of content marketing

Branding

-       There is a difference in being the spokesperson for the brand and the brand itself  (personal branding vs spokesperson for the brand)

-       Not everybody might like ‘you’ as the person if you are the brand which means you may lose business

-       If you are not the ‘brand’ itself then people have the opportunity to rally around the business identity and not you

-       When it comes to selling, it is easier to sell a non-personal brand

-       As a personal brand the challenge is when you get to the point where everybody wants a piece of you and you can’t grow your business

Social Media Posting Guidelines

-       As an example; Social Media Examiner posts 5-7 times a day on Facebook, 20-30 times on Twitter and publishes 10 articles a week (Keep in mind that SME is a publisher)

-       Before posting or setting a schedule, ask yourself: What am I trying to accomplish?

-       Posting content is about what your audience finds interesting and what you find acceptable

-       Post interesting content that people find of value 2-3 times a day (non promotional.) If that works increase the frequency and monitor for negative consequences then adjust

-       Lists come in handy as a way to privatize your content into sub groups

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!

Links to Resources Mentioned

Social Media Marketing (Podcast)

Social Media Examiner

Interview Connections

Solopreneur Hour with Michael O’Neil

Nuclear Chowder Marketing Podcast 

Writing White Papers (Book)

Gary Vaynerchuk

She Podcasts

Click to Tweet

Social Media Examiner @SMExaminer CEO & founder @Mike_Stelzner speaks w/ @jessrhodesess on http://rhodestosuccesspodcast.com/michael

Just asking someone for an interview doesn't work; Offer value first @mike_stelzner on RTSPodcast.com/Michael @jessrhodesess

The music in today's episode was written by The Danger Os and produced by Nick Palmer. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/thedangerosmakemusic 

On this episode of Rhodes to Success I interview Adam Hommey, founder and creator or Help My Website Sell and The Business Creators Institute. Adam’s focus is on helping you emancipate the power of information by converting more social media fans and followers. His goals is to turn website visitors into prospects and customers by simplifying your internet marketing technology. In doing this, you can get more customers, make more money and make a bigger difference. If you want to know how 1 hour of content can be used in 22 ways then you need to listen to this podcast!

Main Questions Asked

-       How did you end up founding Help My Website Sell?

-       What are web conversions?

-       What does multi-purposing and content marketing have to do with web conversions?

-       What is the model where 1 hour of content can be used 22 different ways?

-       What kinds of entrepreneurs have you had a lot of success with?

Key Lessons Learned

- When you want to take things to the next level its important to invest and implement systems to increase conversion rates

Web Conversions

-       When people who visit your web pages do what you want them to do

-       Sign up for your webinar, product for sale and buy it, register for your event, comment on your blog, listen to a podcast are some examples of actions taken

-       Just getting traffic to your website is not effective, you actually need visitors who are prequalified, prepped and pumped

-       Prequalified- addressing the right people

-       Prepped- when click on link they know what to expect

-       Pumped- they are excited to be there so they are waiting for page to load to take action

-       It will take an average of 9 months to a year before someone contact you after they first hear about you

One Hour of Content Used Twenty Two Ways

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe to the show in iTunes or Stitcher Radio!

Links to Resources Mentioned

The Dream Business Coaching (Jim Palmer)  

Help My Website Sell

Higher Profits Webinars

Business Creators Institute

[email protected]  

Schedule With Adam

Business Creators Radio Show

Evergreen Business

Sony Vegas

Instant Teleseminar

Magiscript

Click to Tweet

1hr of content used 22 different ways: Find out how on this episode of Rhodes to Success @moresalesonline @jessrhodesess RTSpodcast.com/adam

How to improve your #WebConversions with @moresalesonline @jessrhodesess RTSpodcast.com/adam #podcast

The music in today's episode was written by The Danger Os and produced by Nick Palmer. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/thedangerosmakemusic 

On this episode of Rhode to Success I interview Jared Easley, the bestselling author of Podcasting Good to Great; How to Grow your Audience through Collaboration. Jared is the host of Starve the Doubts and the man behind America’s only national podcasting conference; Podcast Movement. If you’ve ever thought of starting your own podcast or want to know a few insider tips then this is the episode for you!

Main Questions Asked

-       What is the music you use on your podcast?

-       How does building rapport with your listeners help build relationships with them?

-       What are some things you did early on in your podcast that helped you build a strong audience?

-       What is the podcast co-hosting strategy?

-       Talk about the power of mentioning people’s name on a podcast

-       How can speaking at attending live events grow relationships?

Key Lessons Learned

Music

-       You can purchase stock music for your podcast, but it will be widely used

-       Another alternative is to utilize local bands’ music which in turn helps promote them too

Early days of your Podcast

-       Allow yourself permission to not be great when you start out podcasting

-       Embrace your invisibility when you are starting your new idea. This is your chance to practice and improve.

-       Focus on the people you are trying to serve and ask yourself “how do I get to know them and how do I develop a rapport?”

-       If you want to get noticed online one of the best strategies is to start noticing (sharing) other peoples’ content who are in your target. This develops a rapport and synergy.

-       Check in (share) on a consistent basis with several people

-       Over time rapport generates reciprocity

-       You don’t have to have the best equipment, guests, and performance straight away just start doing recording podcasts

-       Perception is reality so just fake it till you make it

Benefits Podcasting with a Co-host

-       There are different formats of podcasts; monologues, panels, interviews, and podcasts featuring co-hosts

-       You can grow your network by inviting people on your podcast as a guest

-       Think about how you can make people feel appreciated and share their story (how do you make it about them?)

-       Helping other people get what they want helps you get what you want

-       Building relationships doesn’t have to always be affiliate marketing, you can just genuinely help others

Mentioning People in your Podcast

-       An on-air mention is a simple free strategy with big impact

-       Ask yourself: “who are the people that would appreciate my mentioning them?”

-       The best people to mention are the people in the ‘trenches’ and your target audience who wouldn’t usually get a mention

-       A mention is a powerful way to get people excited and build rapport

-       You can make somebodies day just by mentioning their name in your podcast

Speaking at and Attending Live Events

-       Proximity is power

-       When you are communication in person with someone you have a richer dynamic in your relationship connection

-       Find unique ways to go to events or local Meetups

-       Everyone loves a prize no matter what the speaking engagement

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review in iTunes!

Links to Resources Mentioned

Starve the Doubts

Girl Power Podcasts

Podcasting Good to Great

Podcast Movement

Sound Cloud (Casework)

Tankia Dakka - The Garage Party

Entrepreneur on Fire

Solopreneur Hour

Cliff Ravenscraft

FinCon Expo

The music in today's episode was written by The Danger Os and produced by Nick Palmer. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/thedangerosmakemusic