The Anomalous Educator podcast

Measuring your web site's traffic is essential if you want to keep your site visible and relevant in this fast-paced, ever-changing online world. 

Data-driven marketing using Google Analytics may just give you the competitive edge your business deserves. 

Welcome to Anomalous Educator, where each week award-winning entrepreneur Ray Blakney, sets out to explore the world of education and online business with the help of successful professionals. 

If you're an educator, entrepreneur or someone who wants to improve people's lives whilst having your own freedom, then this podcast is for you. 

In this episode, I speak with Jeff Sauer. Jeff is an internationally renowned whizz-kid when it comes to collecting data. He's a digital marketing speaker, professor and Google Analytics consultant. 

Jeff is a firm believer in data-driven marketing, that's why he's the Founder of Data Driven U, a platform that provides Google marketing skills training and certification programs, and developed a world-class marketing curriculum that is currently taught in Universities. 

Named as one of the top 25 most influential PPC Experts, Jeff's award-winning work has been featured in many industry publications and "best of" lists. In 2012, Jeff was also named the CIO of the Year in Minneapolis, St. Paul, for emerging companies.

In this episode, Jeff and I deconstruct the often confusing concepts behind data collection and Google Analytics. Jeff gives some tangible steps you can take to know more about your online website, and how utilising your data is as simple as A, B, C. 

Also featured in this episode:

• The initial stages of Jeff's online data-driven marketing career
• What is Google Analytics?
• Why you should start an online business, now!
• How to pinpoint the best business route for you
• Finding your audience and building your brand
• Breaking down your data – what does it all mean?
• How to effectively utilize your data
• How to configure Google Analytics to work for you
• Why reading your data can help with troubleshooting
• Is chocolate a vegetable?

Links:

Data Driven U: Website

Data Driven U: Courses

Jeff Sauer: LinkedIn

But a common mistake beginner entrepreneurs make is wasting valuable time and effort on little aspects that don't matter, like colour schemes, logos, and add-ons that have little significance. 

So what should you be spending time on when it comes to building your website?

Welcome to Anomalous Educator, where each week, award-winning entrepreneur Ray Blakney, sets out to explore the world of education and online business with the help of successful professionals. 

In this episode, I speak with the owner and creator of Thrive Themes, Shane Melaugh. Thrive Themes offers Wordpress themes and tools for business websites that focus on converting clicks to sales. 

Shane started his first online business selling online courses, which is a bit ironic if you know his backstory. He struggled quite a bit in school and had a hard time focusing. It wasn't the end of his school days that he had a teacher that gave him personal attention and encouragement. It was then that he saw the power of specialized lessons and the impact teachers can have.

Shane and I discuss the significance of your business website when it comes to making online sales. He gives us valuable insights into how to build a sales-focused website and what things not to waste much time and effort on. 

Also in this episode:

• Why Shane loves teaching even with a traumatic school background
• How he was able to ace English exams without reading the books
• How he uses martial arts in his teaching concepts
• Why business websites should be marketing-driven
• Why less is more when designing your website
• Why you should study copywriting
• Why your first website will suck, and why that's ok
• How failure is a part of the business process

Links:

Shane on LinkedIn

Thrive Themes

Thrive University

Wordpress

Buy the Ca$hvertising Book Shane recommends

Educators are often time-poor, and for those wanting to increase their income, starting an online business might not seem feasible. What if you could slowly build a profitable side business and teach simultaneously?

Welcome to the Anomalous Educator, where each week award-winning entrepreneur Ray Blakney, sets out to explore the world of education and online business with the help of successful professionals.  

If you're an educator, entrepreneur or someone who wants to improve people's lives whilst having your own freedom, then this podcast is for you.

In this episode, I had the privilege of sitting face-to-face with the online educator and entrepreneur, Seonaid Beckwith. 

Seonaid, (pronounced "Shona"), is the British English teacher and founder of Perfect English Grammar, the highly successful online English teaching site that provides downloadable resources, courses and materials for students. 

Seonaid has a Master's degree from Cambridge University in English and Linguistics and has taught English to foreign students for many years. Her students cover a wide spectrum of skill levels and occupations, from entrepreneurs, children and doctors to university students and even busy grandmothers.  

Her combined love for teaching English and travelling has taken her across the world, including Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and most recently London, where she resides today.

While Seonaid openly admits that she is incredibly jet-lagged, this conversation is still captivating. She discusses how her online teaching business developed and what it really takes to reach a million website hits per month, even as a busy mom. 

We look at why starting small is great for full-time educators and the valuable free time Seonaid gets from her business venture.

Also featured in this episode:

• Seonaid's introduction into the English teaching world
• How you can make it big online by taking your time
• How just five hours a week can build your business
• What are Keywords?
• How you can transition from online adverts to downloadable courses
• Why third party platforms can give you more freedom
• Why you shouldn't feel guilty for earning your worth

Links:

Perfect English Grammar: Website

Seonaid Beckwith: Instagram 

Teachable: Website

Book: 'A' and 'The' Explained: A learner's guide to definite and indefinite articles (Perfect English Grammar) (Volume 1) 

Starting an online teaching business is an amazing accomplishment that you should feel proud of. To make sure you're reaping all the benefits of your business, its essential to take control of your finances. 

But if accounting has never been one of your strong suits, where do you begin?

Welcome to Anomalous Educator, where each week award-winning entrepreneur Ray Blakney, sets out to explore the world of education and online business with the help of successful professionals. 

If you're ready to learn more about the accounting side of running an online business, then this is the episode for you.

In this episode, I speak with Meryl Johnston, founder and CEO of Bean Ninjas, an accounting company that caters to digital entrepreneurs, influencers and online businesses.

Meryl started Bean Ninjas with her partner four and a half years ago because she wanted to do bookkeeping and financial services for non-traditional businesses. 

She was an avid surfer growing up, but when she realized being a professional surfer wasn't in the cards for her, starting a business was her Plan B.

In our conversation, Meryl details the five financial components she says are essential to focus on when you're running a non-traditional business like selling online courses. 

By following her detailed advice, you can take the stress out of handling your finances and focus on other aspects of your business. 

Also within this episode:

• How Meryl chose the name Bean Ninjas
• How her childhood let Meryl to want to run a business one day
• How Meryl and her partner started a business with $1000
• Why Meryl prefers Xero
• How to get your first clients through networking
• The 5 components in Meryl's financial framework
• The difference between a Balance Sheet and a PNL
• The future of Bean Ninjas

Links:

Meryl on LinkedIn

Bean Ninjas

Xero Accounting Software

Teachers, Educators and even entrepreneurs have a wealth of untapped value and knowledge. What if you could easily turn that knowledge into cash, by creating info-products that consistently sell themselves?

Welcome to Anomalous Educator, where each week award-winning entrepreneur Ray Blakney, sets out to explore the world of education and online business with the help of successful professionals. 

If you're an educator, entrepreneur or someone who wants to improve people's lives whilst having your own freedom, then this podcast is for you. 

In this episode, I speak with the ex-copywriter that turned a simple marketing hobby into a million-dollar company, Neil Napier.

Neil began his career in engineering, which quickly became turned upside down after the 2008 recession lost him his job in bank software development. It was during this time that he was introduced to the life of copywriting, which paved the way to a more marketing centred line of work.

Neil Napier is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Kyvio. Kyvio is an all-in-one marketing platform that helps info-product creators sell more by turning their knowledge into profits while alleviating technical distractions. Their easy to use platform allows users to create membership websites, sales funnels, lead generation funnels, and more.

In this episode, we talk about why teachers should value the amazing skills they have, how creating info-products can generate a sizeable income and the ultimate tips on how to market these info-products so you can help people all over the world.

Also featured in this episode:

• How Neil became an Info-Product expert
• Dissecting the incredible profit margins of Info-Products
• The opportunities being your own boss can bring
• Why teachers have so much hidden value
• How your past students hold the key to success
• How to collate your materials into a sellable product
• Why you need to invest in selling your idea and product
• What are Invisible courses?

Links:

Neil Napier: LinkedIn

Kyvio: Website 

Neil Napier: Facebook

Have you ever wanted to turn your lessons into an eBook? Or maybe you have an amazing idea for a children's book based on your teaching experiences? Whatever the inspiration may be, it is possible to turn that idea into a lucrative eBook online. 

Welcome to Anomalous Educator, where each week award-winning entrepreneur Ray Blakney sets out to explore the world of education and online business with the help of successful online professionals. 

If you are curious about what the process of making and selling an eBook entails, or just want to hear from an experienced entrepreneur who has done that very thing, then this episode is for you.

In this episode, I speak with Jodie Cook, an entrepreneur and co-author of The Clever Tykes series. Jodie is from the UK was featured on Europe's 30 under 30 list in 2017. She's also an international powerlifter and can most likely lift me over her head.

Jodie and her husband came up with the concept for Clever Tykes, a book series that teaches entrepreneurial ideas and concepts to kids, while on holiday, and decided to start the process to make it into an actual book series that went on to sell over 100,000 copies. She shares with us the many lessons she learned along the way.

Listen to this episode to learn more about writing, publishing, and outsourcing work while developing a book for print or an eBook.

Also in this episode:

• Why having a great team is essential
• Why teaching social mobility to children is important
• How Jodie was raised to be an entrepreneur "by accident"
• The media portrayal of entrepreneurs and business people
• Why professional editors are worth their weight in gold
• How the eBook publishing process can be complicated on Amazon
• The UK market vs. the US market
• How to get started on your own eBook

Links:

Jodie's website

The Clever Tykes

Jodie on Twitter

Do you want to get fitter but don't quite have the time? Our lives are busier than ever, and every hour we have is precious. Whatever your schedule looks like, it is possible to create a healthy fitness routine that works for you.

Welcome to Anomalous Educator, where each week award-winning entrepreneur Ray Blakney, sets out to explore the world of education and online business with the help of successful professionals. 

If you're an educator, entrepreneur or someone who wants to improve people's lives whilst having your own freedom, then this podcast is for you. 

In this episode, I speak with Andy Fossett the co-founder and CEO of GMB Fitness, the online fitness company that has taught thousands of people to enjoy exercise and live healthier, more fulfilling lives. 

He's also an accomplished martial artist, specialising in Taido, and a former English school teacher and currently lives in Japan. 

The GMB Fitness path wasn't completely linear. 

In 2010, Andy and his two business partners, combined their experience in martial arts, gymnastics, coaching, and physical therapy to help people achieve a feeling of physical confidence through their internationally renowned, easy to follow online health and fitness programs.

In this episode, we take a look at how Andy went from English teacher to start a multimillion online fitness business. We discuss how you can overcome your lack of fitness guilt and the tips and tricks you need to stay fit around a busy schedule.

Also in this episode:

• From Karate Kid fanatic to fitness teacher
• Learning a new language in a foreign country
• The value of YouTube to convey messages
• Why people want fewer push-ups and more cool stuff
• How trial and error can formulate a better business
• Why you should accept that you don't have time
• How starting small can lead to big benefits
• The desk routine that works
• The Two Buckets – Experience vs Newbies
• Learning to crawl, literally

Links: 

Andy Fossett: Website 

GMB: Website

GMB: Youtube

The Desk Routines: https://gmb.io/exercise-routine-at-your-desk/

Facebook is not just for keeping tabs on your old high school friends. In fact, advertising on social media can be several times more effective for marketing your business than television and radio, at a fraction of the cost.

Welcome to Anomalous Educator, where each week award-winning entrepreneur Ray Blakney sets out to explore the world of education and online business with the help of successful online professionals. 

If you have an online education business and haven't started advertising on Facebook yet, or have no idea how to begin, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I talk with Lucas Lee-Tyson, creator of growthcave.com and a college student who handles over $150,000 worth of client's advertising every month while maintaining his grades and studies. 

Lucas was interning for an agency who was outsourcing their campaign management when he quickly realized that with a little research, he could learn out handle client accounts himself. 

He began his business by listing his services on Upwork, a freelancing platform. He garnered clients by pricing his services low and earning positive reviews. 

Although he no longer relies on Upwork for building his clientele, he highly recommends it to those just starting out.

Lucas and I discuss all the ways you can use Facebook to market your online business, like using their free Facebook pixel on your website. 

Besides all Lucas's amazing social media marketing advice, he also shares some tips and tricks he uses to balance his thriving business while going to school. You can easily implement all his great tips to grow your online business.

Listen to this episode to learn all about how Facebook marketing works and how you can use it to your advantage. 

Also within this episode:

• How Lucas realized he could make money with Facebook ads
• How to use Upwork to delegate tasks you don't know how to do yourself
• How time batching can completely change your work ethic
• The 80/20 rule and how to use it 
• Why planning is so important in online businesses
• The 3 habits that changed Lucas's life
• How Facebook creates a buyer persona
• How to use Facebook ads on a small budget
• What's a Facebook Pixel and how to use it
• The power of remarketing

Links:

Growthcave.com Website

Lucas on Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Upwork

How do you go from teaching guitar lessons to running an online business while travelling all over the world? It's possible to turn your side hustle into your full-time income, and anyone with determination can do it.

Welcome to Anomalous Educator, where each week award-winning entrepreneur Ray Blakney sets out to explore the world of education and online business with the help of successful online professionals. 

If you dabbled with online courses and would like to dedicate more time and effort into it, so it generates more income, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I speak with Allen Matthews, creator of ClassicalGuitarShed.com, an online hub for learning and improving your classical guitar skills. Allen started out teaching private guitar lessons and eventually used online video tutorials as a way to give personalized instruction to his students.

When faced with a student who needed more personalized attention, Allen started filming detailed instructional videos and posted them on YouTube. He was surprised with the overwhelmingly positive response, which sparked the beginning of his website ClassicalGuitarShed.com

Allen and I discuss how success can be slow going with online businesses until you make the decision to dedicate more time and effort into growing it. As Allen immersed himself in the online world of teaching, he developed different goals and motivators for himself which began to pay off quickly. He shares these tips and advice with us.

Listen to this episode to learn how you can implement Allen's techniques to grow your online education business.

Also in this episode:

• How Allen went from private guitar lessons to online instruction
• Why teaching is so addicting
• Why setting goals is a game-changer
• How email lists are important to a new online business
• Why consistency is key for new businesses
• How surveys can be a huge tool in growing your subscribers
• How to set daily goals for yourself
• How to push through exhaustion
• How you can use lifetime subscriptions to jump-start your cash flow
• Other tips for growing your online instructional business

Links:

Classicalguitarshed website

YouTube

Allen on Linkedin

Allen on Twitter

In the business world, sales are without a doubt the most important skill an entrepreneur can have. 

Unfortunately, so many people are reluctant to learn. Maybe it's time to tap into your inner mogul and shed your fear of the big sell. 

Welcome to the Anomalous Educator, where each week award-winning entrepreneur Ray Blakney, sets out to explore the world of education and online business with the help of successful professionals.  

If you're an educator, entrepreneur or someone who wants to improve people's lives whilst having your own freedom, then this podcast is for you. 

In this episode, I get to the heart of how you can sell your products, with sales extraordinaire, Damian Thompson. 

Damian is the Founder & Chief Training Officer of Salesability and the Cofounder of LeadFuze and knows a thing or two about overcoming sales fear and aligning that within your business. 

He's a global entrepreneur and has lead sales teams in a dozen countries while also coaching business owners and sales professionals so they can reach their ultimate sales goals, which has resulted in hundreds of million dollars in new sales.

This animated conversation is right on the money for those online educators who want to engage in better salesmanship. 

Damian gets to the heart of why the word 'Sales' is looked down upon while considering the big mistakes teachers make when they start to do sales.

He also gives advice on how teachers can get over the stigmas and fear of sales so they can grow their own online business. 

Also featured in this episode:

• Damian's new addition – His outlook on what to expect
• How Damian came into the sales world and what he's learned
• Why the word 'sales' gets such a bad rep
• The one main skill all entrepreneurs need
• Why you should buy into sales 'hacks'
• What is 21st Century selling?
• How you can overcome the fear of sales
• Niching down – how you can be the ultimate problem solver
• Why Damian thinks 27 is the perfect age to live forever

Links:

Sales Ability: Website

Sales Ability: Blog & Podcast

LeadFuze: Website

Damian Thompson: LinkedIn

Damian Thompson: Email

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't