Notes in the Margin

Ben Settle is a copywriter and a semi-professional bum. He works about 10-minutes a day writing his daily email and then goofs off for the rest of the day. Ben discusses with Vicky why the world needs more supervillains, not superheros, on this week's episode. He also shares his thoughts on why your personal mission is so important as well as why arrogant clients are good clients!

Key Takeaways:

[1:15] Who is Ben?

[4:00] Why should you be a villain?

[8:10] What's Ben's most important business principle?

[9:15] Ben thinks accountability groups are stupid.

[10:05] When you have an important mission in your life, your path becomes clearer and easier to follow.

[13:35] The best villains are super patient. They understand it takes time to build something meaningful.

[16:20] How does Ben handle the naysayers?

[18:00] Ben wants people to disagree with him.

[20:40] You can work with arrogant clients, but you cannot work with people who are both arrogant and ignorant. If you find someone like this, run!

[21:35] What are Ben's thoughts on needy people?

[23:40] How do you get over being needy?

[31:00] Ben offers some advice for new copywriters trying to break into the space.

[34:00] Who's Ben's all time favorite villain?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Bensettle.com

Vicky and Joe sit down to discuss time management! Dan Kennedy has ten very useful techniques that will help you get things done in a reasonable amount of time. Vicky discusses these ten things and her love for lists (among other things) on this week's show. If you're interested in trying to claw back your time, then do not miss this episode!

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] Vicky and Joe found a...foot in their garden. (It wasn't a human foot).

[2:25] Do you believe 'you don't have time'?

[5:10] Dan Kennedy can boil the whole 'saving time' thing down to ten useful techniques.

[6:00] Vicky loves lists, but Joe mocks her for it.

[8:25] Are you interested in Vicky's victory planner? Drop her a line and let her know you want it!

[14:15] Not on call? Turn your darn phone off!

[16:45] Meetings should always, always have a purpose.

[19:45] Those rags to riches stories aren't more special than you. They're just marketed better.

[23:15] Stop reacting to stuff!!!

[25:10] Use your 'wasted time' smartly.

[27:30] Dan Kennedy has what he calls the Tickler File System, but what is it?

[29:40] Use or buy those shiny new technology gadgets consciously. Don't use it mindlessly just because it's new and everybody else is doing it.

[31:45] You might not want to use all ten of these techniques, but hopefully one or two of them will help you regain control of your time and life.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs by Dan Kennedy

Vicky and Joe talk about those sucky time vampires and how you can stake them right in the heart and banish them forever! Time vampires will often distract you and take you away from what's truly important in your life. Don't let them walk all over you because once you open the door, they just keep on coming back!

Key Takeaways:

[2:15] How does Vicky get stuff done?

[4:40] Vicky works out what her hourly rate is.

[6:00] Ignore how the 'gurus' work out your hourly rate. Let's talk about your real hourly rate.

[10:00] Vicky reads the hourly wage formula out loud!

[12:30] When you know how much your time is worth, you are more conscious of how you spend your time.

[13:05] How do you destroy time vampires?

[14:35] The vampires who ask you, 'Got a minute?' will keep coming back to your door.

[17:10] People will treat you exactly how you allow them to treat you.

[19:55] The next time vampire is the 'thrival' vampire.

[21:55] Watch out for the drama llamas.

[26:15] Just say no! You're not being rude or petty for setting boundaries.

[31:00] Tune in next week as Vicky walks you through Dan Kennedy's top 10 management techniques!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

No B.S. Business Success Book by Dan Kennedy

Vicky and Joe discuss why having a scarcity mindset can be so toxic for you and your wellbeing. Have you ever been so poor where money was the only thing you could think about? Well, those thoughts help you get off your butt and take action, but they can have awful consequences if you have this scarcity/survivor mode for too long. In fact, you could find yourself struggling much more to achieve your goals and even getting burned out faster!

Key Takeaways:

[2:05] The world is not filled with terror, misery, and pain. FYI.

[2:45] Stop immersing yourself in bad news.

[3:50] People have really unrealistic expectations because of romantic comedies and what's portrayed in movies.

[5:45] Vicky asks you, dear listener, an important question!

[7:45] Having a single-minded fixation on something like money can really destroy your decision-making skills.

[13:05] Scarcity is a good short-term mindset, but when it comes to long-term, it's horrible for you and your willpower.

[18:40] If you meet someone really needy, perhaps put yourself in their shoes first before judging.

[19:10] So, what's the solution if you're in a scarcity mindset?

[20:30] Draw a large + symbol on a piece of paper. In each of the four squares/quadrants, write down urgent, not urgent, important, and not important categories and assign tasks to them. Realistically, you want to prioritize doing important, but non urgent things.

[23:30] Nothing is permanent. ''That's just the way it is" is not a good excuse for why you can't change.

[27:55] Being more generous can help you get out of the scarcity mindset.

[30:45] Do you think in terms of abundance or scarcity?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

The Diamond as Big as the Ritz by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Hidden Brain Podcast - Episode 65: Tunnel Vision

Vicky and Joe discuss why being a celebrity is important. Now, if you believe celebrities don't have any influence on you, then you're sadly mistaken! Celebrities are seen as leaders in the industry, whether you like it or not. This is why it's important for you to become a mini celebrity in your own niche. Not only do you make more money, but you are also seen as a leader.

Key Takeaways:

[1:30] Follow your passion and money will come? Really? Well, Vicky is really passionate about cheese and gin. Where's her money?

[4:35] Hello to the stalker on the train! Thanks for saying hi!

[6:25] Also, hello Sarah!

[8:35] So, now that Vicky is a mini celebrity, what advice does she have about gaining 'celebrity' status? Why is it important in business?

[11:05] The public is obsessed with celebrities, which means being a celebrity sells.

[15:30] Celebrities also define trends. Celebrities are seen as leaders.

[16:30] Business niches have celebrities too!

[21:40] When you're famous in your niche, you can make a lot more money!

[23:35] How do you become a celebrity in your niche?

[26:15] Remember, if you're waiting for peer approval, you're never going to get it.

[28:40] Turn yourself into a celebrity. Find what makes you different and leverage it!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

James Daniel is an award winning copywriter. Although he does a variety of fantastic work, James discusses direct mail copywriting and how you can stand out from the crowd and send eye catching pieces to your potential customers and clients. James believes writing in a conversational style is the best (and proven!) way to get your message across.

Key Takeaways:

[1:50] James has been a copywriter for 12 years. He's learned some lessons about dealing with clients.

[3:15] People don't like corporate speak, even if they're working in corporate!

[3:55] The conversational approach always works best.

[7:45] We're all human beings. Your writing needs to talk to your audience like human beings.

[12:55] On a tight budget? James has some advice for you!

[18:00] You have got to be everywhere in your marketing.

[19:30] James walks you through the things he has to consider when trying to sell and market hearing aids.

[25:15] If you're not writing this stuff down, go back and do it now!

[30:10] What advice does James have for those who are just starting out or on a very small budget?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

By the time this episode is released, it will be Vicky's birthday. Yay! Birthdays! Today, Vicky and Joe discuss the harmful 24/7 entrepreneur hustle mentality which is, frankly, very damaging to one's well being. There's nothing in the world that's worth the pain of stress. If something stresses you out, kill it as quickly as possible!

Key Takeaways:

[0:50] It's Vicky's birthday!!!

[1:25] The reason for Joe's sexy porn voice is because he has a cold.

[2:45] Let's talk about stress!

[5:05] The first lesson is you're not an octopus.

[5:30] Stress can turn into physical symptoms and nothing is worth the pain of stress.

[9:25] Stress is not funny, yet we treat it like it's 'no big deal'.

[12:35] Having to hustle 24/7 is so damaging. Working yourself to death is not sexy.

[16:00] How much time does Vicky spend on her business?

[17:50] You're not a service provider, you're a trusted advisor.

[21:00] Get rid of your needy/ emotional vampire/ soul-sucking clients/ friends/ family/ people.

[22:45] You need a strong, lead-generating strategy. If you don't have this, close your doors and work on it!

[25:45] Stop inventing stuff to worry about!

[26:10] Vicky does a quick recap.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Vicky just came back from Cleveland and is completely knackered. Why did she go to Cleveland? To see Dan Kennedy, of course! If you don't know who he is, well, simply put, he's a genius who has been in the marketing/copywriting industry for the last 40 years. Vicky discusses some of the takeaways she learned while in Dan's presence and how it has made her re-think her business.

Key Takeaways:

[1:15] Vicky is exhausted! She just came back from Cleveland.

[4:15] Why did Vicky go to Cleveland?

[7:15] Don't wait around for permission. Just do it.

[7:50] Your business is to support your lifestyle, not the other way around.

[9:10] THERE'S A WASP in the room!!! Hold please!

[9:40] The Dan Kennedy event Vicky went to was not cheap and it was not convenient.

[11:45] Dan Kennedy has been doing this for a long time, like for the last 40 years, long time.

[14:40] If you've got the chance to go to an event like this, jump on it!

[17:55] Despite the fact that Vicky was at this conference, she still wrote her daily emails.

[19:40] If you want to reach Dan Kennedy, you have to fax him. Yes, fax him.

[22:15] Next week, we'll be talking about stress!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Dankennedy.net

Vicky and Joe discuss why free is for fools. When you price yourself on the range of 'free', your potential clients are also going to treat you like you're 'free'. For example, one of Vicky's inner circle members had the unfortunate event of experiencing a nasty potential client walk all over her. Busy people will pay for your time, because they understand you can never make up more time!

Key Takeaways:

[1:00] This episode is brought to you by...white wine!

[1:15] Vicky got interviewed for a radio show!

[3:20] So, what are Vicky and Joe talking about this week? Free stuff!

[4:30] One of Vicky's inner circle members has recently started charging people for proposal meetings.

[7:35] However, the inner circle member recently got criticism for this.

[10:35] So, this poor woman decided to meet with this charity for free and guess what? They showed up one and a half hours late to the meeting and the meeting itself took 2 hours.

[13:45] You can always make more money, but you cannot make more time.

[15:10] The key takeaway from this podcast is people will treat you the way you allow them to treat you.

[17:25] What kind of client is going to pay you a lot of money? People who don't have time!

[20:40] Also, price is elastic! People will pay whatever you ask for something they really want.

[24:10] Joe offers a pro life tip. It first begins with getting really drunk, and being in somebody else's house.

[25:55] P.S. Please don't listen to Joe.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Sheffieldlive.org

Vicky is back from Ireland and she's with Joe again! Today's discussion dives into introverts vs. extroverts. Do introverts run better businesses than extroverts? Do they sell better products? Do extroverts get paid more because of their more outgoing personality? Let's find out!

Key Takeaways:

[2:15] This week we're talking about personality types!

[2:50] There's a simple test you can take to determine whether you're an introvert or an extrovert.

[5:45] Vicky has friends who can just talk to anybody! How do they do it?

[7:30] As introverts, we watch extroverts and mimic them.

[10:25] Did being an introvert have a positive or negative effect on Vicky's business?

[12:40] Is there a real difference between an introvert and an extrovert starting their own business?

[13:05] There are more extroverts than there are introverts.

[14:55] Introverts seem to be more analytic and introspective.

[17:20] Even if you're an introvert, you can still be a great salesperson.

[19:40] Did you know David Letterman and Johnny Carson are introverts?

[20:35] Extroverts are more likely to take part in drugs and risky behavior.

[23:30] Sitting and watching people really helps build your empathy metre.

[25:45] Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Let Vicky know!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Tinyurl.com/superintrovert