Ray Edwards Show

Have you heard the phrase, “Information is power?” Well, it's not true. It's not even close to being true. The idea that “information is power” is misleading, and causes many people to create roadblocks to their own success. And it's about more than just the distinction that “information applied is power” – even that variation […]

The single most important thing you can do to boost your social media engagement is right better headlines. If you don't get the click, you certainly don't get engagement.

Old-fashioned headline templates are no longer enough. You need a smarter, stickier strategy. In today's episode I give you a sample from our brand-new copywriting course-I'll share five amazing tricks for perfect social media headlines.

Tip Of the Week

COPYWRITING COURSE NOTE: You may be wondering, "Hey Ray, where's that link to your copywriting course?" Well, this episode was recorded a few weeks ago… and this week I got a nasty case of laryngitis that really threw us off schedule. As soon as I get my voice back, we will open up the course. Sorry 'bout the delay!

Spiritual Foundations No Other Gospel But This

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul continuously refers to the gospel as "the gospel of grace" or "the gospel of peace".

In fact, he had to defend himself against those who accused him of preaching "too much grace". These people wanted to put God's church back under the law, just to "keep things in balance".

Paul was so persecuted about this that he had to offer a defense for his grace teaching in the book of Romans. Many accused him of promoting a gospel that would cause licentiousness… Or license to sin. To which Paul responded:

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" Romans 6:1-2

Interestingly, the very Gospel that Paul preached, the "Gospel of Grace", is the one seen by many in the church today as the aberration. Paul warned against this, both in his day and for our day:

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8 NKJV)

These days, many persecute those who preach the gospel of grace using the same verse. Ironically it was against the very same kind of "anti-grace" people that Paul originally wrote this verse.

My point: there is only one gospel, and that is the gospel of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The radical, scandalous, wipes the slate clean, your sins are forgiven once and for all, past present and future, liberating gospel of grace.

If you're not being persecuted for the same things which Paul is persecuted and criticized about, perhaps you're not preaching the same gospel Paul was preaching.

Feature Presentation: 5 Tricks For Perfect Social Media Headlines

1. Use Numbers
2. Keep It Short
3. Use the "Rubberneck Effect"
4. Shocking Juxtapositions
5. Promises, Promises

Will you put these headline tricks to work, and post a link to your most shared Social Media content?

May I Ask A Favor?

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Go ahead and subscribe now, and give us your star rating and review on iTunes. We will definitely mention you on this show.

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If you don't already get the email newsletter, sign up for that and get the new free video: "3 Keys to Change the World and Make Your Business Grow."

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or LinkedIn.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript.Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

 

The single most important thing you can do to boost your social media engagement is right better headlines. If you don't get the click, you certainly don't get engagement. Old-fashioned headline templates are no longer enough. You need a smarter, stickier strategy. In today's episode I give you a sample from our brand-new copywriting course-I'll […]

Want to know the secret to writing well? Write a lot. Want to know the secret to writing a lot? Write fast.

Not only does writing fast help you write better, it also allows you to make more money (if your income is dependent upon your writing). In this episode…

The O.D.E.S.S.A. Secret To Writing 10X Faster (And Better)

Tip Of the Week

Today we are releasing the first in a free video series called, "Magic Words That Make You Rich" (hat tip to  Ted Nicholas). You can watch the first video by clicking here, or in the image below. In it, I will share the secrets of writing captivating headlines… plus the master framework I use to write copy for my world-famous clients. You can start using it yourself, today.

Spiritual Foundations No Ifs Ands Or Buts

Do you believe that God is all-powerful? Do you believe that Jesus Christ has saved you and made you his own? Do you believe his promises to heal you, to prosper you, to bless you? Do you?

I find that many believers seem to have a lot of "ifs, ands, or buts" when it comes to what they believe God can and will do for them.

• "Yes, I believe God can heal me, if he wants to."
• "Yes, I believe God will restore my family, and it will take a lot of work on our part to make it happen."
• "Yes, I believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today, but only for a few people and only in extraordinary circumstances."

These beliefs sound reasonable. But they carry an inherent flaw, and that is they are not biblical. Let's explore..

1. God can, "if" he wants to. In the book of Exodus, God gave us one of his names: "I Am the Lord Who Heals You." When asked if he was willing to heal, Jesus said, "I am willing." When asked if he was able, the Lord said, "all things are possible for the one who believes."
2. When it comes to God "and" something else to intervene in our lives, God's grace  (his unmerited favor) "is sufficient". We don't need to add anything to it. Our part is simply to receive.
3. When it comes to God and "butts", there are no "gotcha" clauses. Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow". He said "come to me, you who are weary and heavy laden"… He said we will "lay our hands on the sick, and they will recover"… He said we "are the righteousness of God"… And that our faith "has been counted to us as righteousness". We all have the same Holy Spirit, the same father God, the same elder brother, Jesus Christ.

God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love him, and who are called according to his purposes. That's you, and that's me. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Feature Presentation: The O.D.E.S.S.A. Secret To Writing 10X Faster (And Better)

Want to write 10 times faster, and write better in the process? Use the following steps of the  O.D.E.S.S.A. method to speed up your writing, and improve its quality at the same time.

• Outline
• Dictate
• Edit
• Share
• Speak
• Apply

Will you try the O.D.E.S.S.A. method, and report back here with your results? Include a link to what you wrote!

May I Ask A Favor?

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Go ahead and subscribe now, and give us your star rating and review on iTunes. We will definitely mention you on this show.

We are also BACK on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

If you don't already get the email newsletter, sign up for that and get the new free video: "3 Keys to Change the World and Make Your Business Grow."

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or LinkedIn.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript.Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

 

Want to know the secret to writing well? Write a lot. Want to know the secret to writing a lot? Write fast. Not only does writing fast help you write better, it also allows you to make more money (if your income is dependent upon your writing). In this episode… The O.D.E.S.S.A. Secret To Writing […]

Have you ever written a blog post, one you thought was going to be brilliant, only to read it afterward and realize it falls flat? Have you ever gone back through your library of past posts, and occasionally wondered, "How did I write something this boring?

If so, don't despair. I think all of us who write experience this phenomenon. The good news is you can resurrect "dead" blog posts. In this episode, I will describe 5 quick ways you can jumpstart  a dead blog post.

Tip Of the Week

The Grommet. Grommets are products with purpose invented by people with stories. Find something thoughtful, inspiring, innovative, or useful.

NOTE: Next week, we start releasing free material as we get ready to open up our copywriting course! To get on the VIP Early Bird Notification list, so you don't miss anything, click here.

Spiritual Foundations The Reckless, Dangerous, and Rebellious Prosperity Gospel

I'm always a little amused when I hear a criticism leveled and those of us who believe God intended man to prosper and be in good health, especially when it sounds like this: "Oh, so you believe in the prosperity gospel?"

The term itself is used with derision. Another form of this question is, "Don't tell me you're one of those 'health and wealth gospel' believers?"

I always want to reply, "Would you prefer a sickness and poverty gospel? Do you think Jesus came not to give us life, and life more abundantly, but rather sickness, and death more quickly?"

Of course, I don't reply this way because I do understand that most people who say these things are speaking out of true conviction. They believe their criticism of the so-called "prosperity gospel" is valid, that the "prosperity gospel" distorts the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I do agree that the gospel of prosperity and health is reckless, dangerous, and even rebellious.

It represents the reckless love of God for us as humans and his children.

It is dangerous to the spirit of religion, the same spirit that led the Jewish leaders of Christ's day to nail him to a cross.

It is rebellious, in the same way the Romans felt this rabble-rouser Jesus was rebellious. The gospel of prosperity, of health, of wealth, and peace for all mankind is dangerous and rebellious … against the system of the world.

And that is exactly why we must embrace it. That is why the Apostle John wrote, "I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. " (3 John 1:1)

One of the most damning criticisms of the prosperity gospel is: what are we to make of people who live in Third World countries, who have no real chance of prosperity? If God really wants everyone to prosper, how could he allow such conditions to exist? I suspect that His response would be, "How can you? I left you in charge."

Ultimately, when the full Kingdom is consummated on the earth, every injustice will be set right, every person who is lost anything will be repaid seven times what they lost, and all of us will be made whole, well, and will lack nothing. That Kingdom reality is already here, but not in its fullness, and our current assignment is to bring more of that Kingdom reality to all those around us, and to every place we go.

It doesn't matter that it makes us uncomfortable, it is still our assignment.

Jesus modeled for us the behavior of a person in full relationship with the Father, and with the Holy Spirit. He healed every person who came to him for healing. He paid his bills-for the first part of his life by working at a trade and having a business, in the years of his ministry he paid his taxes by finding money in the mouth of a fish. If I suggested that you pay your taxes in a similar way, because you have faith in God, I would be branded as some sort of heretical "prosperity preacher". So be it.

Here's what I know: Scripture says that we are to be in good health, and to prosper in all things, even as our soul prospers. I believe it all starts with "soul prosperity"; with our mind, will, and emotions being in perfect alignment with those of the Lord. This is only possible through the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit. The more we can experience that reality, the more the reality of material wealth, and physical health, will be ours.

So don't be discouraged by criticisms about the "prosperity gospel". And don't be discouraged by the fact that you don't see everything you want to see in this regard-yet. Know that God's promises are true, he never lies, he is never late, he never fails to deliver.

You are blessed immeasurably by the Creator of the universe. You are promised there will come a day when you will live in your perfected body the way it was intended to be originally, that you will suffer no illness, that you will not weep any longer, and there will be no lack of money, food, love, safety, or anything else you need. If that isn't true health and wealth, and I don't know what is.

Feature Presentation: 5 Ways To Jumpstart Your Dead Blog Posts

You've written a blog post, and it feels to you is though it has fallen flat. Or perhaps you're looking through your back catalog and found some old posts that really did fall flat. They got no engagement, very few if any comments, and you just feel overall it could've been better. Is there an easy and simple way to jumpstart these "dead" blog posts-shock them with the paddles, so to speak, and get their heart beating again? Absolutely! Here are 5 ways you can jumpstart a dead blog post…

1. Headlines. Exchange that old, plain-Jane, boring headline for one that invokes emotion, uses power words, is controversial, cutting, inflammatory, or creates great hope. Go crazy and brainstorm many different headlines for your old, dead blog post. Sometimes all a post needs to bring it back to life is for someone to actually read it.
2. The Lead.  Just like a good novel or movie, a blog post needs to start in the middle of the action. It needs to capture the imagination of the reader right away. If you've written a piece that just doesn't seem to have life in it, after you've readjusted the headline, consider rewriting the "lead" (the first few sentences or paragraphs) that set up the rest of the post. Instead of relating dry facts or a boring thesis statement, perhaps you could tell story, share a personal experience,  or ask some penetrating and thought-provoking questions. Simply ask yourself, "How can I make the beginning of this post more outrageous, more imaginative, more inspiring, or even into something that would evoke more skepticism?"
3. Subheads.  Often, long blog posts die a quick death because people simply cannot wade through the wall of text that confronts them. This is why we break up our writing online into shorter paragraphs; it makes it easier for people to scan, and it looks as though it will be easier to read. One of my favorite devices for keeping people reading a post is to use mini-headlines or "Subheads" to string the main part of the story together throughout the text.
4. Images.  I'm talking about pictures here. Actual pictures. If you can find a photo that perfectly illustrates the point you're trying to make, or one that is representative of the idea you're trying to convey, then by all means use it. Make sure you use a photo that you have the rights to use (either by the photo through a stock photo service, one you have otherwise obtained a clear license for, or a photo you took yourself). Do be careful not to use cliché photos: if you're writing about how to negotiate, for heaven's sake please don't show photo of two men in business suits shaking hands! You can be more creative than that. One great source of unusual but creative photos for this purpose is a stock photo website called Unsplash. Many thanks to my friend Mike Kim for pointing this resource out to me.
5. Enhanced Content.  Offer an enhanced version of the content in your blog post. This might mean creating an audio file to accompany it, making a short tutorial video to go along with the blog post, or creating a checklist, infographic, or cheat sheet that can be downloaded. This enhanced content should add to the value of the post by making it readily implementable. Amy Porterfield does a great job of this on her blog. Not only is this something that is fairly easy for you to do, it can definitely increase the size of your email list if you use the approach that Amy uses, asking for an email exchange for the download.

Using any one of these five jumpstart tactics should infuse your blog post with new life; using all of them is almost guaranteed to "resurrect the dead". Your assignment: put one or more of these tactics to work and apply them on your blog. This is something you could do today and begin to see the results immediately. Will you?

Which of these 5 "jumpstart tactics" will you  put to work on your blog today? Post a link!

May I Ask A Favor?

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Go ahead and subscribe now, and give us your star rating and review on iTunes. We will definitely mention you on this show.

We are also BACK on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

If you don't already get the email newsletter, sign up for that and get the new free video: "3 Keys to Change the World and Make Your Business Grow."

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or LinkedIn.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript.Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

 

Have you ever written a blog post, one you thought was going to be brilliant, only to read it afterward and realize it falls flat? Have you ever gone back through your library of past posts, and occasionally wondered, “How did I write something this boring? If so, don't despair. I think all of us […]

On March 27, my friend Michael Hyatt started a firestorm with a blog post entitled, How Much Business Is Your Profanity Costing You? 

One of the most heated debates I've witnessed online ensued. Many people offered the rationale that their profanity was either a way of bonding with their audience, or of using an NLP technique known as a "pattern interrupt" (allegedly getting immediate attention and thus making communication more effective). I think most of the discussion missed Michael's most important point.

I'm amazed that almost all of the hundreds of people who vented their opinion completely failed to see the most powerful business-based argument Michael put on the table. In today's show, I'll be Captain Obvious and show what you may have missed – plus I'll give you 5 reasons why your cussing isn't making you cool, it's costing you cash.

Tip Of the Week

Grammarly. Grammarly makes you a better writer by finding and correcting up to 10× more mistakes than your word processor.

Get VIP Early-Bird Access To The Copywriting Formula!

Our long-awaited Copywriting Course, The Copywriting Formula, will be released in a very short time – in fact, you'll have access to some great freebies from the course itself in just a couple of weeks. To get on the Early Bird Notification list, click here now.

Spiritual Foundations Think (and Speak) On These Things

What does the Scripture say about cussing? Well, first let's dispel a myth: the commandment that says we should not "take the Lord's name in vain" is not about cussing! However, that doesn't mean the Bible has nothing to say on this subject.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthyâ€"meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

Then there is this instruction from the Apostle Paul:

"Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." (Ephesians 5:4)

And this verse is particularly instructive:

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)

 

Feature Presentation: 5 Reasons Cussing Is Costing You Cash

On March 27, my friend Michael Hyatt started a firestorm with a blog post entitled, How Much Business Is Your Profanity Costing You? One of the most heated debates I've witnessed online ensued. Many people offered the rationale that their profanity was either a way of bonding with their audience, or of using an NLP technique known as a "pattern interrupt" (allegedly getting immediate attention and thus making communication more effective). I think most of the discussion missed Michael's most important point. In his post, Michael gave these 3 reasons to cut the cussing:

1. Profanity alienates people.
2. Profanity hurts your brand.
3. Profanity doesn't work.

But the most obvious potential loss, which most people who read the article missed, was this sentence: "I don’t always feel comfortable directing my audience to do the same. It’s just not worth offending them." In other words, your profanity might prevent Michael from recommending you to his 525,057 readers.

Another friend, Joel Comm, wrote a splendid article on this subject some time ago, about professional speakers cursing from the stage. Joel said, "If you are disrespectful of your audience, the impact of your message is going to be diminished."

I was so pleased that Michael started this public discourse on what I feel is an important subject. I was inspired to add my own thoughts. Here are my "5 Reasons Cussing Is Costing You Cash". None of them are "moralizing" – I covered that already in Spiritual Foundations – all are pragmatic.

1. Cussing costs you promotional opportunities from major influencers.
2. Cussing costs you personal recommendations from many more individuals. They may not be major influencers like Michael Hyatt, John Maxwell, Dave Ramsey, or Joel Comm… but if each person influences a circle of 250 people, and you have thousands in your audience… what is that costing you?
3. Constant, dramatic cussing erodes trust with most people. It's a simple logical equation for most: if you're willing to say such vile things in your professional life, what are you like on a personal basis? When the spotlight is not on you? When you're not being watched?
4. Cussing distracts people from the value of what you bring to the world. Instead of considering the purchase of your book, seminar, or training materials. the discussion becomes one about why you use the F-word so much. Is that really the kind of "pattern interrupt" you want to perform?
5. Cussing will cause some people to actively oppose the purchase or use of your books, live events, and materials. You may never know how deep this particular iceberg goes under the surface of the water.

If you are still determined that your use of profanity is "strategic" or "therapeutic" or "effective" for your audience, I urge you to consider this question: if you stopped using profanity, would anyone complain?

Do you think profanity adds anything positive to your message?

May I Ask A Favor?

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Go ahead and subscribe now, and give us your star rating and review on iTunes. We will definitely mention you on this show.

We are also BACK on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

If you don't already get the email newsletter, sign up for that and get the new free video: "3 Keys to Change the World and Make Your Business Grow."

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or LinkedIn.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

 

On March 27, my friend Michael Hyatt started a firestorm with a blog post entitled, How Much Business Is Your Profanity Costing You?  One of the most heated debates I've witnessed online ensued. Many people offered the rationale that their profanity was either a way of bonding with their audience, or of using an NLP […]

We often hear success stories of people who go from "rags to riches". We usually hear about the struggles they had when they started. What is uncommon is to hear about the struggles they still endure, and how they are overcoming them in the present moment.

I'm very excited about today's show, which is mostly a recording of a conversation between me and my friend Cliff Ravenscraft, also known as The Podcast AnswerMan. During this totally unscripted, off-the-cuff interview, you'll discover:

• How the TV show Lost helped Cliff become a leading voice in the world of podcasting.
• How investing in one specific training program changed the entire vector of Cliff's life, and career.
• Why success on the outside may not be an indicator of success on the inside (Cliff opens up and tells of his most recent struggle, and the incredible way he is gaining victory.)
• The story of a prayer that brought a miraculous answer in the most unexpected place, and literally transformed Cliff's life in the moment.
• How "selfies" can actually be selfless.
• Two books you absolutely must read if you want to change your physical health once and for all (and chances are you've never heard of either of them).
• Plus, a whole lot more wisdom from the man who helps so many take their lives "to the Next Level."

Tip Of the Week

Periscope. A competitor to the similar app Meerkat, Periscope turns your mobile phone into a TV broadcast studio – in your pocket. I've been playing with this ever since I was at Social Media Marketing World. I really think this is a revolutionary technology and we have only begun to see the ramifications it carries for the future. Jump in and play, the water is fine.

Spiritual Foundations The Secret of How to Lack Nothing

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." Psalm 23

I'm learning the deep lesson that if we believe God's Word is true, it literally means we lack nothing in this present moment. That is sometimes hard to accept, especially if we are sick, in pain, experiencing a broken relationship or home, have lost our job, or any of the myriad of hurtful challenges we deal with in day-to-day life.

Yet God's word says that we "lack nothing". How can this be?

God sees things from a different perspective than we do. He sees the whole picture. What may look like lack to us, he knows to be a temporary situation. God knows that He will ultimately tip the scales of justice in our favor, and that anything we feel we have lost will be restored to us.

God is good, all the time, no matter what. Ground your faith in the bedrock of that confession. Know that God is your friend. Believe it or not, that is the message of the book of Job.

How do we practice this idea that we lack nothing, especially when our circumstances tell us that we may lack everything? I believe the key is gratitude.

You Can't Pay The Bills With Gratitude… Or Can You?

When Jesus fed the 5,000 with only a little bread and a little fish, he prayed. But he did not ask for a miracle, groaning and pleading with his Father in Heaven. Scripture says he "gave thanks" and then had the disciples distribute the bread to the thousands of people present.

I don't think it's an accident that we're told he "gave thanks". He expressed gratitude for what he had and he stepped into an aspect of the Kingdom that allowed miraculous provision to flow from a seemingly insufficient supply.

That's how the Kingdom works.

Your level of prosperity will equal exactly the level of your gratitude. So give thanks for what you do have, and give no attention to what you feel might be lacking in this moment. Because you, my friend, lack nothing.

Feature Presentation: How Cliff Ravenscraft Transformed His Life

I actually had a page full of questions I was going to ask Cliff during our interview. I did ask the first question, but from there, the interview took on a life of its own. And I'm so glad it did. You will enjoy and be blessed by Cliff's story, as I was.

Have you ever experience a miraculous answer to prayer like Cliff did? I hope you'll share that story.

May I Ask A Favor?

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Go ahead and subscribe now, and give us your star rating and review on iTunes. We will definitely mention you on this show.

We are also BACK on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

If you don't already get the email newsletter, sign up for that and get the new free video: "3 Keys to Change the World and Make Your Business Grow."

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or LinkedIn.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.