Notes in the Margin

The name's Pond. Jill Pond. (Like a small body of water, rather than a hot male spy.) This week, I abandon Joe and instead talk to Jill about boobs, pubes, and your smallest viable product. Jill's on the show because her pitch made me snort tea out of my nose, and because she's a copywriter and marketing strategist who GETS IT. Tune in, pay attention, then get cracking.

Key Takeaways:

[1:00] Who is Jill and what does she do?

[4:10] Failing is important! It's the best way to learn!

[7:00] What kind of copywriting does Jill do now?

[12:45] Jill is awesome because she sent Vicky the best pitch...ever!

[16:15] You have to find that special thing about you. That thing that lights clients up.

[16:35] How does Jill bring on a new client?

[18:30] Nobody wants to build a business around an idea that doesn't even work.

[22:00] What tips does Jill have for someone who is struggling to be unique?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Vicky's new book! Write & Publish Your Book in 90 Days

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Jill Pond

The Lab Method Mastermind

Want to make more money fast? Of course, you do. So this week, Vicky dragged Neil O'Brien and a dead Italian dude onto the podcast to show you how. Okay, there are no zombies, but Neil shares the secret of how he's taken the 80/20 principle and used it to give his clients HOOOOOOOOGE profit-boosts. You can do the same, and it'll only take you around 30 minutes, a stiff gin, and a couple of uncomfortable conversations. A bit like a first date, really. Tune in, and spend the festive period plotting.

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] Who is Neil and what does he do?

[1:55] How is Neil a consultant for the 80/20 principle?

[3:40] Neil explains his business process.

[4:05] There's a lot of emotional attachment towards firing some of your clients.

[5:20] How can people get started in this process? Know your numbers!

[7:55] What kind of improvements has Neil seen in his clients after they've fired some of their clients?

[9:35] Look at your gross profit and see how much time goes into each of your clients.

[13:40] Just by taking out one sardine (bad client) and replacing it with a whale (high-profit client), you can increase your profits by an extra 40%.

[15:05] It can be hard to get rid of your sardines, but it opens you up to allow for more work with your whales.

[17:30] What's the first step someone should take to get started?

[21:15] What's next for Neil?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Vicky's new book! Write & Publish Your Book in 90 Days

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Quantum.ie

Email Neil O'Brien at [email protected]

Neil O'Brien on LinkedIn

101 Business Lessons From a Recovering Accountant, by Neil O'Brien!

Joe is back–hurrah! Just in time to talk about feet in buckets of porridge and goats on a string. Yep–we're on about the Freemasons, and why you oughta get your own set of rituals in place. Starting a club is a profitable gig, you know–and not just for your business. Tune in and find out why the Freemasons play with porridge, how you can Spotify your business, and why starting a club is good for humanity as well as your bank balance.

Key Takeaways:

[4:15] Vicky and Joe will be talking about gang culture today!

[5:40] Have you ever been a member of a club?

[7:35] Being a part of something taps into one of our core human needs.

[11:25] Throughout history, being an outcast was a death sentence.

[13:25] What have psychologists and medical professionals found about being social vs. lonely?

[15:50] Stressful things are more stressful when you're alone.

[19:35] Socializing in a club allows for us to participate in things safely.

[22:55] What do the Freemasons even do?

[27:25] You should always offer your clients some way of belonging.

[28:55] You always want to introduce variety to keep people interested! Vicky shares what she does in her membership group.

[31:00] Go out and start a club!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Vicky's new book! Write & Publish Your Book in 90 Days

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Last time Vicky went away to write a book, she managed the grand total of 2,803 words in a week. That's not a book. It's barely a boo. So this time, she kidnapped three fellow writers and whisked them away to Lanzarote for a week of sunshine, beer, and book-writing. It was EPIC. Tune in and find out what they got up to – including their biggest struggles with writing a book, and how they got over them.

Key Takeaways:

[1:10] Vicky and friends are in Lanzarote to write their books!

[1:25] Why did Kendall come out to Lanzarote?

[2:45] Why did Jennifer come out to Lanzarote?

[3:25] Why did Mike come out to Lanzarote?

[4:55] What is Kendall's book all about?

[6:50] What is Jennifer's book all about?

[8:15] What has been Mike's biggest challenge with writing his book so far?

[11:05] It stops a lot of people in their tracks from writing their book because they think they're not a good writer.

[13:20] Just tell people! Tell people your story.

[15:00] What has been Jen's biggest challenge with writing her book?

[19:45] Mike reflects on some of the fun he has had while writing his book with a group of people.

[22:50] Jennifer is in the middle of working on her website, so find out more about her in Vicky's newsletter.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Vicky's new book! Write & Publish Your Book in 90 Days

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Mike Browne: Photographycourses.biz

Kendra Mcdonald: Automationninjas.com

Vicky's replaced Joe with TWO MEN. And not just any men at that; they're circus freaks just like her. Rob and Kennedy are a brace of mind readers and stage hypnotists, and they use their powers to help the likes of you and me sell more. Vicky got them talking about mind-bending, what questions to ask people if you want to sell them stuff, and how technology can help you glue it all together. Tune in, learn stuff, make more money.

Key Takeaways:

[1:45] With only a $1,000 investment, how would Rob and Kennedy rebuild their business today?

[3:50] What do Rob and Kennedy typically do?

[6:00] How did Kennedy learn about reading minds?!

[7:10] How did Rob learn about becoming a hypnotist?

[9:40] What are Rob and Kennedy's top tips for persuasion?

[11:45] The biggest problem is that people make huge assumptions without asking first.

[13:45] Allow your audience to choose their adventure.

[17:10] What kinds of things do Rob and Kennedy say to find out more about someone?

[22:45] What is Rob and Kennedy's business, Response Suite, about?

[28:45] How easy is this platform to use?

[34:40] Rob and Kennedy offer some final pieces of advice on targeted marketing.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Vicky's new book! Write & Publish Your Book in 90 Days

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Breaking Bread Mastermind

Response Suite

Responsesuite.com/VickyFraser

Are you weird? Do you know how to find fellow weirdos and drag them into your blanket fort? No? Well, tune into this week's Business For Superheroes Show and find out how (in a non-creepy way). If you want to grow your business and work with people who make your toes tingle and your face smile, you definitely need to look for people who are as weird as you. Then you need to protect them and nurture them and make them want to spend all their time with you. Vicky and Joe will give you a few pointers and loudly include disclaimers about not being inappropriate.

Key Takeaways:

[3:30] Vicky has very bad sheep that like to disappear!!

[6:20] By the way, blanket forts with cheese and gin are great.

[7:10] The biggest businesses in the world create 'blanket forts' for their customers.

[10:00] Businesses offer certain benefits to their most loyal customers.

[10:25] How can you attract (and keep) loyal customers?

[13:15] Create paid-for events like workshops and trainings.

[16:50] Most networking groups are awful! You're not mixing with people who are lifting you up.

[20:45] Create a loyalty program for your customers.

[22:45] You can always give recognition to your customers and make them feel extra special.

[24:25] Constantly be in touch with your contacts! Do not just disappear.

[27:35] Like this podcast? Please go to iTunes and rate this show!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Vicky's new book! Write & Publish Your Book in 90 Days

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Breaking Bread Mastermind

Who knew palm trees were so frickin' HUGE? Not Vicky and Joe, that's for sure – but now, recording this episode under a giant specimen, they're feeling dwarfed. This episode is coming at you from the California desert, where our intrepid travellers are nattering about why books are so amazing, what the Breaking Bread Mastermind Bread Heads are getting up to, and why YOU should write your book. Because you can, you know. You are capable of so much more than you think. Tune in for giant palms, cacti, and a roadrunner. Oh, and Vicky's personal plan to come up with an idea for your book.

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] There are roadrunners here!!!

[2:30] Vicky had an amazing time at the Breaking Bread Mastermind.

[3:15] Why should you write your own book?

[4:55] What did Vicky and the Bread Heads do during the mastermind?

[7:10] How do you reach the next level of clients?

[12:00] Should you be giving away all your best secrets in your book?

[15:45] How can you start writing a book?

[18:00] Take that one question your target audience is struggling with and break it down.

[20:30] Yesterday, Vicky and Joe spent some time exploring the desert and visiting a cactus garden!

[22:00] Want to write your book in 90 days? Vicky has a new course out here.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Vicky's new book! Write & Publish Your Book in 90 Days

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Breaking Bread Mastermind

Live-ish from the Whale's Vagina, tune in and listen to five supercool business owners who travelled all the way to California to change the course of history. Joe is busy being Pit Crew, so Vicky drafted in Misty to co-present this podcast. The two Master Bakers chatted, giggled, and roared with laughter as their five magnificent Bread Heads talked about the life-changing weekend they've just spent together in one of the most beautiful parts of the United States. No gin – just beer, wine, sun, and burritos.

Key Takeaways:

[1:00] The Breaking Bread attendees (as well as Misty) are all here to say hello!

[2:25] Everybody here has their action plan in tow as well as their three burning business questions answered!

[3:25] What was Terry's biggest 'ah-ha' moment?

[5:55] What was Lindsey's biggest 'ah-ha' moment?

[7:55] What was Steph's biggest 'ah-ha' moment?

[10:55] What was Chazz's biggest 'ah-ha' moment?

[14:00] What was Dom's biggest 'ah-ha' moment?

[16:45] It's highly recommended you come join us next time!

[16:50] What was Misty's biggest 'ah-ha' moment?

[17:55] What was Vicky's biggest 'ah-ha' moment?

[19:00] Although everyone here has extremely different businesses, they still all found ways to collaborate and share their experiences with one another.

[20:45] Let's end this podcast now with...Singing!

[21:30] Stay tuned for Breaking Bread...Portugal!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Vicky's new book!

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Breaking Bread Mastermind

It's rock and roll at The Dingle tonight as Vicky and Joe are drinking peppermint tea. The Dingle features heavily at the start of this episode, but the new staircase is totally relevant to your business. As is storytelling. Yep: we're on the storytelling train AGAIN and you'd better buckle up and listen in if you want to build the kinds of connections that create raving fans who pay you lots of money for what you do. Tune in to hear Joe's shock at discovering he's the sidekick in this podcast – and find out why they're talking about sidekicks at all. This quirk is easy to jump on – so pour us into your ears and get cracking.

Key Takeaways:

[1:35] The stairs are almost finished in the house!

[2:50] Sometimes, in your business or in your life, it can feel like you're not getting anywhere.

[4:55] We are diving into quirk number 3 today!

[6:10] Facts tell and stories sell!

[6:55] Why are stories so powerful?

[8:25] What stories should we be telling?

[12:15] Your story has to be REAL. Don't try to fake this.

[14:55] Whatever stories you tell, it has to make a connection with your audience.

[15:40] Stories share real experiences, not just facts.

[17:45]Who are the characters in your story?

[18:45] When sharing your client's story, who are the characters in their story?

[20:10] Richard Branson was told he'd never amount to anything.

[21:40] You don't need to have a rags to riches story.

[24:05] Share something about yourself that's intimate. You need to create a connection with your reader/listener.

[26:15] Save the date 26-28th of July! Join Vicky and Misty in Portugal next year!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Vicky's new book!

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Breaking Bread Mastermind

Neat gin? Again? Yep. And also interesting history lessons. Although it sounds like Vicky swallowed a Wikipedia page, she didn't. She's just a language nerd who goes off on Esperanto Safari – stay with us, because it's all relevant to how you can grow a more successful business. Yep, we're on Quirk Number 2, and Vicky and Joe explain why you need your own language, and how it'll help you gather more raving fans. This podcast also contains sheep, and roofs that aren't collapsing.

Key Takeaways:

[2:30] Handmade, custom oak staircases are actually really expensive. FYI.

[5:40] Today, Vicky is going to teach you how to speak Esperanto! (Not really).

[5:55] What is Esperanto?

[8:50] There are several thousands of people who learned Esperanto as their native language.

[9:55] There are people who have also learned Klingon just for fun!

[10:30] Vicky has a quick Star Trek tangent.

[11:25] Joe finds all this unofficial language stuff absurd.

[17:40] Do you have your own language? Well, you should. Vicky explains why.

[18:30] If you're forming or building a tribe, you want your people to feel a close connection with you.

[21:20] Create a very simple, yet very 'you' language that people can get behind and support.

[22:55] Really, really want to join the Breaking Bread mastermind? You might have missed your chance, but sending an emergency email might save you.

[23:35] Next, Vicky and Joe will be diving into the 3rd quirk successful business owners have!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Vicky's new book!

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Breaking Bread Mastermind