The Jake Savage Podcast

When he was 22 years-old, Danny Wright co-founded a nonprofit that would go on to generate revenues of up to $6 million before he hit 30. Danny's met with and persuaded influential people from all walks of life (including celebrities and US Presidents) to support his mission. In today's episode, he shares some of his down-to-earth wisdom to help us be more persuasive in our everyday lives. Enjoy!

Side note: we need your help! We'd love to get your feedback on how we can improve the show. Live on our website now is a 2 min/10 question survey that will help us better get to know our audience. Your input is welcomed and would be greatly appreciated. If you're willing to help us, simply visit persuasionschoolpodcast.com/survey to participate. Thank you!

Guest bio:

Well-known as an entrepreneurial strategist, innovating the social entrepreneurship landscape and inspiring the next generation of leaders, Danny is a true renaissance man that has founded multiple organizations to positively change the world.

After graduating from Georgetown University, Danny co-founded GOOD, a collective of social impact organizations - most notable known for its non-profit arm GOODProjects - that touched the lives of over 1,000 people and raised more than $5 million under his leadership.

Danny now serves as the Chief Operating Officer of 1863 Ventures, a non-profit accelerator and VC firm working to create $100 Billion in new wealth by and for New Majority entrepreneurs. Danny is also the Founder and President of Wright Way Enterprises, a social impact consulting firm that specializes in strategic organizational planning, capacity building, development, and impact enhancement.

Danny has a vodcast, "GOODTalks", on WNET’s Chasing the Dream; and is a co-host the "Color Scheme" podcast. Danny is also an Entrepreneur in Residence at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business where he assists undergraduate and graduate students refine their business models and take their companies from a start-up to growth stage businesses.

If you've been listening to the show for a bit, you may have put together that I'm a "learn-by-doing" type of guy. I'll have an idea, go for it, screw up, improve slightly, try again, and repeat.

In today's episode, Alexa and I dive into how I used that exact process to launch a screen printing business and clothing brand when I was 21 years old. That season of life was packed with lessons on sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship, that I still use to this day! Although the business ultimately failed, it was an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything.

 Enjoy!

Side note: we need your help! We'd love to get your feedback on how we can improve the show. Live on our website now is a 2 min/10 question survey that will help us better get to know our audience. Your input is welcomed and would be greatly appreciated. If you're willing to help us, simply visit persuasionschoolpodcast.com/survey to participate. Thank you!

The question for today's Monday Q&A:

"I am a news anchor and meteorologist for a local TV station in [metro area], and I’m up for contract negotiations soon! I recently found out that they are offering me just a 1% raise—and after asking some former coworkers who are no longer in TV, I see that the offer is at/just below what one woman was making 6 years ago in this same position, who had 2 years’ experience to my now 10.

We are hiring an evening news anchor and I found out that salary is more than DOUBLE what mine is for the same job in the mornings! Because I anchor & do weather (part time), I have unique abilities that others in this role didn’t (and frankly not many in the country do). They have made it abundantly clear that they know I bring the team good ratings and the community has grown to know and love me.

They also mentioned in my review earlier this week that they plan on having me do weather for noon newscasts more frequently—using this other skill of mine much more. I need guidance on what I believe to be more than just “asking for a raise”. We are talking about tens of thousands of dollars discrepancy here to bring me into an acceptable range. My emotions are still very high after hearing this news—I feel more than slighted! Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any advice you may have!

Have a question you want answered on the show? Head to persuasionschoolpodcast.com and drop me a line! You can also DM me directly on Instagram: @itsjakesavage.

Side note: we need your help! We'd love to get your feedback on how we can improve the show. Live on our website now is a 2 min/10 question survey that will help us better get to know our audience. Your input is welcomed and would be greatly appreciated. If you're willing to help us, simply visit persuasionschoolpodcast.com/survey to participate. Thank you!

A couple of weeks ago, I watched Daymond John (one of the sharks on ABC's Shark Tank) call himself a guppy when compared to the real sharks of the world: girl scouts selling cookies.

I thought this was both hilarious and somewhat accurate, as I've many times found myself powerless when asked to buy girl scout cookies when inside of their shark tank: the grocery store parking lot.

So, I thought it'd be fun to interview an actual girl scout and chat with her about the art and science of persuasion! The insights provided by my guest, Carly Norins, are surprisingly helpful to both sales and everyday life. Enjoy!

Side note: we need your help! We'd love to get your feedback on how we can improve the show. Live on our website now is a 2 min/10 question survey that will help us better get to know our audience. Your input is welcomed and would be greatly appreciated. If you're willing to help us, simply visit persuasionschoolpodcast.com/survey to participate. Thank you!

In 2012, I landed in Istanbul with the intent to teach English there for 6 weeks. When I arrived at the address I had been given, the people there had never heard of me, had never known I was coming, and had zero plans to provide English classes to the community.

That month and a half made for a life-changing experience. In today's episode, I unpack my time there and share the life lessons learned from the vendors of the nearby Grand Bazaar. Enjoy!

Side note: we need your help! We'd love to get your feedback on how we can improve the show. Live on our website now is a 2 min/10 question survey that will help us better get to know our audience. Your input is welcomed and would be greatly appreciated. If you're willing to help us, simply visit persuasionschoolpodcast.com/survey to participate. Thank you!

The question for today's Monday Q&A: “Do you or did you have any personal mentors? How can I find one, especially during COVID when it’s harder to meet others?”

On today's episode, I talk about the mentorship I've received over the past few years as well as provide tips for getting someone to mentor you! I also provide a template question toward the end which I've pasted below. Enjoy!

Template question: “Given that you have a lot of experience here (or are well versed in the area), I wanted to ask you if you’d be willing to meet with me. I’ve currently got this one thing as a challenge and I think you might be able to help me overcome it. Would you be willing to meet for coffee? Or over zoom?”

Have a question that you want answered on the show? Head to persuasionschoolpodcast.com and drop me a line! You can also DM me directly on Instagram: @itsjakesavage.

Side note: we need your help! We'd love to get your feedback on how we can improve the show. Live on our website now is a 2 min/10 question survey that will help us better get to know our audience. Your input is welcomed and would be greatly appreciated. If you're willing to help us, simply visit persuasionschoolpodcast.com/survey to participate. Thank you!

Have you ever experienced that phenomenon where you hear about something for the first time and then all of a sudden start to see that thing everywhere? Most of us have. It feels like a crazy coincidence in the moment but it's actually not a coincidence at all. There's science behind why this happens and the science is even crazier than the "coincidence"!

In today's episode, special guest Donald Kelly unpacks this phenomenon and explains how we can use this science to identify new opportunities - both in our physical environment and in communications with others.

If you know me, you know I get excited by studying the psychology and neuroscience behind communication so this was easily one of my favorite episodes. I gained a ton of value from the conversation and I know you will too. Enjoy!

Side note: the survey I mention at the end of the episode can be found here: https://www.persuasionschoolpodcast.com/survey

Guest bio:

"Donald has a belief that “anyone” can sell if they have the desire. Early on in his sales career, Donald struggled with sales, but through the proper training and coaching, he became a top performing seller.

He has since taken it upon himself to “evangelize” the message of effective selling to struggling entrepreneurs, salespeople and anyone looking to improve their sales hustle.

Donald hosts a popular sales podcast called, “The Sales Evangelist”. The show has over 2.3 million all-time downloads and is listened to in over 150 countries. Donald and his podcast have also been mentioned in Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, INC, and HubSpot as a top B2B sales podcast. You can connect with him on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter @DonaldCKelly."

Many people see me up early on social media but not many people know that this used to be one of my biggest weaknesses. In fact, I was almost fired from two different jobs in the past because I'd routinely sleep in and be late for work. If I'd been my manager, I would've fired me for sure.

That changed about 5 years ago when I made a decision to build a new habit. In this episode, I explain both why I get up early as well as my philosophy behind it. Hopefully you'll find it valuable!

Enjoy!

Side note: the survey I mention at the end of the episode can be found here: https://www.persuasionschoolpodcast.com/survey

Our question for today's Monday Q&A: "How do you handle getting turned down often? Did you get better at it as time went on, or were you always naturally better at rejection?"

In today's episode, I provide 4 tips that've personally helped me in my journey of overcoming the fear of rejection. I also provide a challenge for you to get started on your own journey!

Have a question that you want answered on the show? Head to persuasionschoolpodcast.com and drop me a line!

Enjoy!

Side note: we need your help! We'd love to get your feedback on how we can improve the show. Live on our website now is a 2 min/10 question survey that will help us better get to know our audience. Your input is welcomed and would be greatly appreciated. If you're willing to help us, simply visit persuasionschoolpodcast.com/survey to participate. Thank you!

When it comes to winning others over, nothing is more important than making sure your audience feels heard. Executing on this, however, is far easier said than done!

In today's episode, I explain why "inverse charisma" can be more powerful than charisma. I also provide two action items to help you take the first steps in becoming a better listener; which will in turn help you to win more people over.

Enjoy!

Sources: thank you to Adam Grant for lending us the term, "inverse charisma", and BusinessInsider for providing the article on Benjamin Disraeli (https://www.businessinsider.com/charismatic-leadership-tips-from-history-2016-10)

Side note: we need your help! We'd love to get your feedback on how we can improve the show. Live on our website now is a 2 min/10 question survey that will help us better get to know our audience. Your input is welcomed and would be greatly appreciated. If you're willing to help us, simply visit persuasionschoolpodcast.com/survey to participate. Thank you!