Are you trying to grow your business but struck with marketing? Are you tired of feeling like your ads are just floating out there without giving the results you expected? Facebook ads expert Michelle Esau from Lift Up Landscapers shares different marketing strategies you can use to grow your business. She talks about Facebook ads, targeting strategies, and clears up the misconceptions contractors have about marketing.

In this episode, they talk about:

• The best way to target Facebook ads for contractors

• Why simply posting pretty pictures of ponds and boosting the post without a strategic approach doesn't give good results

• Michelle's approach with Facebook ads – casting a wide net with the ads at first and monitoring data to refine targeting

• Determining an ideal customer avatar and testing different strategies and offers

• Some common misconceptions contractors have about marketing

• Copywriting and how can it help contractors

• When it is good or bad for a contractor to bring marketing in-house after an agency has helped them grow

• Using AI tools like ChatGPT for copywriting and its limitations

• What does a discovery call look like for Michelle's marketing agency, and how does it help determine if a campaign will provide a positive ROI

• About the LCR Summit, where Eric is speaking

• Details of Michelle's CRM system Highlevel

Mentioned:

Michelle Esau on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftuplandscapers/?__d=11

Michelle Esau on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.esau.92

Links to resources:

Stop struggling with sales! Transform your business with Eric's FREE list of Contractor Sales Secrets and start moving in the right direction. Click here to download it: Contractor Sales Secrets

Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

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Today, we have YouTube sensation Lucas Bretz from LRB Aquatics on the show. Lucas is doing aquariums differently and with great success. He discusses the importance of embracing natural processes in aquarium maintenance and shares his unique approach to natural, no-filter aquarium maintenance.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Importance of building a connection with the audience in online content

• Lucas' experience with aquariums with no filters using a natural approach

• Using substrate, plants, and occasional water changes in no-filter tanks

• Importance of embracing natural processes in aquarium maintenance

• The benefits of natural environments without sterilization for fish health

• Different fish breeding techniques

• Hatching fish eggs using marbles and leaves in the aquarium

• How easy it is to care for no-filter aquariums if air is moving in the tank

• Using one big air pump to move air tubes around a fish room instead of many small pumps

• Tips and advice for aquarium maintenance and caring for different fish and plant varieties

Mentioned:

LRB Aquatics Website: https://lrbaquatics.com/

L.R. Bretz (@lrbaquatics) on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lrbaquatics/

LRB Aquatics on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN5Rvi2XN59p2_Bsl1y8KsA

Links to resources:

Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

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Personal branding is a powerful way for contractors to grow their business and attract more clients. In this episode, personal branding expert Isaac Mashman talks about personal branding, and how it can help you with your business. He discusses how personal branding is more than just logos, shares tips and strategies for personal branding, and how contractors can tie their personal brand to their business.

In this episode, they talk about:

• How can personal branding help contractors

• Balancing personal branding and business branding

• The importance of branding and legacy for a business

• Tips for choosing handles and usernames for personal branding and online presence

• Isaac's personal branding manifesto

• The value of a business owner's involvement in a business's branding and marketing

• Should the owner of the business appear in marketing videos

• How can contractors build a strong personal brand for themselves

• Things to consider when naming your child and how can it help with personal branding

• Common mistakes people make in branding

• Tips for contractors for personal branding and how they can tie their personal brand to their business

Mentioned:

Isaac Mashman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaacmashman/?hl=en

Isaac Mashman on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isaacmashmanofficial/

Isaac Mashman on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/isaacmashman

Personal Branding book by Isaac Mashman: https://www.amazon.in/Personal-Branding-Manifesto-Fame-Influence/dp/0578320959

Mike Rowe: https://mikerowe.com/

Links to resources:

Stop struggling with sales! Transform your business with Eric's FREE list of Contractor Sales Secrets and start moving in the right direction. Click here to download it: Contractor Sales Secrets

Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

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Eric sits down with Thorsten Muck, the CEO of Oase Living Water. The two talk about Thorsten's journey to Oase, the challenges and successes he's experienced in his seven years as CEO, merging with other companies, and how COVID-19 affected them. Thorsten also shares insights into his life running a global business and talks about the tendency of water features getting forbidden due to water scarcity and why he is against it.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Thorsten's career journey and how he got into the water features industry

• Different companies Thorsten worked with before joining Oase

• What does a day in life look like for Thorsten as CEO of Oase

• Different companies Oase has married over the years

• When hackers attacked Oase and encrypted their data in 2022 and how they recovered from that

• About the new pump technology that Oase is developing and its benefits

• The company's decision to pull back from the US market in 2008-2009

• Merging Oase and Atlantic Water Gardens to create a unique blend of US and European pond styles

• Their plans to teach European customers the playful American style of pond building

• Thorsten's journey of improving his health and changing lifestyle

• The importance of water features for animals and the environment and the need to preserve them

Mentioned:

OASE Living Water Website: https://us.oase.com/

Links to resources:

Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

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We all make assumptions every day without even realizing it. And sometimes, most of the assumptions we make have a bad connotation. So, while assumptions can get you in trouble, Eric discusses the flip side of it—the power of assumptions. He sits down with Slayer and Tyson to talk about how assumptions can be good too and explores the power of assumptions.

In this episode, they talk about:

• The meaning and definition of assumptions

• Is making assumptions good or bad

• Eric's experience of assuming things about a client and how it turned out

• How making assumptions without proof can lead to problems

• How to avoid making assumptions without proper information when interacting with clients

• The importance of being aware of your assumptions and challenging them

• Stories when they made assumptions about people that turned out to be wrong

• How assumptions have impacted businesses and the lives of people

• Ways to improve at making assumptions and learning from experiences

• The power of assumptions and how they are part of human nature

Links to resources:

Stop struggling with sales! Transform your business with Eric's FREE list of Contractor Sales Secrets and start moving in the right direction. Click here to download it: Contractor Sales Secrets

Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

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At first, Jason was skeptical of underground suction grid technology. He thought it's not going to work. It's going to clog up. It's going to be a maintenance nightmare. But after testing it in his pond for five years, he found it worked well. Eric is at the water garden expo and sits down with Jason Steele and Mark Yori to discuss undergravel suction grid technology.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Undergravel suction grid technology – Jason's introduction to it and why he implemented it in his pond designs

• How Jason's perspective on pond maintenance changed after using underground suction grid technology

• The criticisms Jason received about undergravel suction grid technology from other pond builders

• The shortcomings of pond maintenance processes like muck-out pumps and muck-out gear, etc

• The benefits of advanced pond filtration systems

• How has undergravel suction grid technology worked out long-term in Jason's pond

• Recommendation of filtration system for a customer who is considering a pond but is worried about costs

• Different pond filtration methods that Jason has tested to improve pond care without annual cleanings

• The challenges faced by manufacturers in marketing products as practically maintenance-free

Mentioned:

Jason Steele on Ig: Jason Steele (@steelesland)

Links to resources:

Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

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Today's guest, Brian Fitzsimmons from Fitz's Fish Ponds, has built a successful business of building ponds and breeding and selling koi fish, but these days, he is focusing his energy on something else. He is going to take on Eric as part of the finsNfury charity boxing match on August 17th for Brian Barczyk's Legacy Aquarium. Tune in to find out Brian and Eric's preparations and predictions for the fight and how you can support their efforts.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Brian's journey to Japan to select koi fish to bring back to the US

• Brian's experience of transporting koi fish from Japan to the US for the All American Koi Show

• Details of Fitz's Fish Ponds Koi Fest happening on August 24th in Milford, NJ, and how it has grown bigger over the years

• What makes a good koi fish for awards

• Importance of having photogenic koi fish for shows and events

• Fins N Fury boxing charity event for the Legacy Aquarium on August 17th

• Reactions from friends, family and colleagues about Eric and Brian's decision to participate in the boxing match.

Mentioned:

Click here to purchase tickets and PPV fight card: https://finsnfury.vhx.tv/?campaign=eric

Fitz's Fish Ponds- https://www.fitzfishponds.com/

Fitz's Fish Ponds YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIzO41pTpqRxZBuanS7HwnQ

Links to resources:

Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

Do you believe there is a need to wake up at 5 AM every day to be successful? Today's guest, Johnny Buck, found this isn't sustainable long term. As an entrepreneur, athlete, and coach, he was burning the candle at both ends just to keep up. In this episode, he shares his decision to quit the 5 AM Club and take a more flexible approach to mornings and how it has impacted his life and work.

In this episode, they talk about:

• What is the 5 AM Club, and whether it is necessary for success

• The misconceptions around the 5 AM club

• What made Johnny quit the 5 AM Club and explore alternative approaches to productivity

• Johnny's background in combat sports and how it has shaped his journey as an entrepreneur

• The importance of work-life harmony versus work-life balance

• Balancing different priorities like family, fitness, work

• Dan Martell's Buy Back Your Time to optimize schedule and productivity

• Eric's upcoming amateur boxing match for a noble cause

• Quitting drinking alcohol and its impacts on physical and mental health

• Strategies for improving productivity and having an effective morning routine

Mentioned:

Johnny Buck on Instagram: Johnny Buck (@johnnybuck2)

The Johnny Buck Show: The Johnny Buck Show

Don't forget to cheer for Eric on August 17 for his boxing event available on Pay Per View: https://tinyurl.com/finsnfury-campaign-eric

Links to resources:

Stop struggling with sales! Transform your business with Eric's FREE list of Contractor Sales Secrets and start moving in the right direction. Click here to download it: Contractor Sales Secrets

Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

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Eric sits down with Cichlid legend John Niemans to discuss his encyclopedic knowledge of cichlids. They discuss John's experiences over 30+ years of keeping and breeding cichlids, lessons he's learned along the way, breeding and fishkeeping tips for different cichlid groups like Africans, New World cichlids, Asians, and more. If you're passionate about Cichlids, this episode is for you!

In this episode, they talk about:

• Different cichlid breeding behaviors — substrate spawning, mouth-brooding, etc

• Issues with growing fish in small tanks and buying stunted fish from stores

• The dangers of keeping cold-water Plecos in ponds in California

• Recommendation of Chris Biggs' YouTube channel about isopods

• The growth of local aquarium clubs like Aquascape Club and the events they hold

• John's past experiences with the Southern California Cichlid Association fish club

• Upcoming speakers and events from clubs like Coast Club

• The challenges of maintaining fish clubs long-term due to issues like politics and finances

• Breeding fish varieties, differences between wild vs domestic strains, and selection techniques

• Fish breeding experiences with Black Widows and Red Peacocks and the importance of selecting female breeders

Mentioned:

John's Website California Cichlids: https://californiacichlids.com/

Links to resources:

Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

As pond professionals get older, it's natural to start thinking about retirement. But leaving behind a career you've poured your heart into for decades is no easy task. Eric sat down with three industry veterans—The Pond Monster, Mark Gibson, and Mike Miller—to get their insights on aging in the industry and how to make an exit.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Aging in the pond industry and the challenges of exiting the business

• The importance of networking, education, and attending industry events

• Approaching well-known speakers and experts who are willing to share knowledge

• Having clear contracts that outline payment schedules, scope of work, and mechanic's lien language to protect against non-payment

• Budgeting and saving money, even when business is struggling, to maintain cash flow

• Earning respect through good work instead of expecting it to be given automatically

• Technological advancements in the pond industry over the years

• Good ways to exit the business and deciding whether to pass it to the family

• Challenges of succession planning and passing down the business to the next generation

• Advice for younger contractors just starting out in the industry

Mentioned:

Lloyd Lightsey, The Pond Monster - https://thepondmonster.com/

Mark Gibson's Website: https://www.greenthumblr.com/

Mike Miller's Website: https://www.pondliner.com/

Links to resources:

Stop struggling with sales! Transform your business with Eric's FREE list of Contractor Sales Secrets and start moving in the right direction. Click here to download it: Contractor Sales Secrets

Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett

The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/

You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:

http://helixpondfiltration.com/

TWT Contractor Circle

TWT Contractor Power Circle

And follow his adventures in the pond world at:

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok