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Have you ever thought about becoming a podcaster? More and more people are finding out that a podcast COULD be just the right platform for their message. With all the marketing platforms available today, it can be confusing, intimidating, and overwhelming to find the right way to build your brand support. Over 112 million people listened to podcasts last year! You never know---maybe podcasting is in YOUR future!

My guest today is Dave Jackson, who is an award-winning podcaster since way back in 2005. He has over 3000 podcasts under his belt with more than 3.2 million downloads. Dave founded the School of Podcasting and he's here to share his expertise with us.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• Starting a podcast helps people get to know you and see you as an expert
• "I can't do a podcast because I don't like the way my voice sounds"
• Why most people think it costs a lot of money to get started in podcasting (it really only costs $100-300 to get started!)
• How to make sure your podcast gets "out there" where people will hear it
• Find out who your show is for, where they are, and then make friends with them
• How to make money with your podcast
• Other benefits to a podcast beyond making money
• Sponsorships: how they can work for you
• The biggest mistakes new podcasters make:
• • Not building a following
  • Focusing too much on the technology
  • Thinking you must have an interview for EVERY show
• How to make a monologue podcast episode work for your target audience
• How to figure out the timing and frequency of your podcast
• • Count on a 4:1 ratio of total time to actual show minutes
  • The frequency of your show depends on your audience and your purpose
• What statistics can tell us about your podcast: how many downloads you have, where your audience comes from, and if they listen through your website or an app
• How Dave blended his love of teaching, creativity, and geeky stuff to begin podcasting
• Dave's words of wisdom for aspiring podcasters: "Until you put it out there, you won't know if it's good or not."
• Dave's book, speaking opportunities, and the School of Podcasting

Resources:

www.schoolofpodcasting.com

Is your business truly different—or are you really doing just "the same old thing" as everyone else? What do your customers really think about you? The truth may surprise you! These are questions that every entrepreneur has to face with honesty and reflection. My guest today is here to share his advice and expertise about these topics and much more!

Chris Brogan is an expert at branding and social media. I just LOVE having him on the show because of his knowledge and his wealth of experience. He is always on the leading edge and can help us grow our businesses. His blogs are thought provoking and he generates compelling emails and books. Chris is the CEO of Owner Media, providing the strategies and skills for modern businesses. In addition, he is a much sought-after public speaker and the NY Times bestselling author of nine books. He's working on his 10th book and has just started a brand-new podcast. Let's jump into the conversation with Chris!

What you'll hear in this episode:

• How we talk about our businesses: we are either "just like everybody else" or caught up in our own self-image problems
• Your brand happens either by design or by default
• How to "put a wrapper on YOUR candy bar"
• Don't try to emulate someone else
• Business leaders need to know how to talk about their businesses
• Chris' key piece of advice: Make your buyer the hero
• The next big thing? More personalized email
• Why practicing what you say is important
• The depressing truth about your website
• Platforms and tools---Should I automate?
• Chris' new podcast: Making the Brand—Customer Experience with Chris Brogan
• • Ep. 1—Using video for communicating
  • Ep. 2—A wearable marketing platform
  • Ep. 3—Talking artificial intelligence with the chief scientist from Honeywell
• How artificial intelligence will impact even small businesses in the future

Resources:

www.chrisbrogan.com

Find Chris on all social media sites!

Have you ever wondered why some businesses are able to survive and thrive as the markets change and yet others become irrelevant and ultimately fail? The key is really in finding ways of building innovation into the very DNA of your company and also into the leadership within the company. This means that you really have to listen and you also need to remain curious and ask questions. Highly successful businesses are both agile and flexible and they provide products that the market truly wants. This means that you really need to continue making enhancements to your products and services and also to your business operations, to best serve the needs of your customers. Listen in today to find out more.

Consumers today are really too savvy to be sold, so you need to build your business by providing real value. Today's amazing guest, Jeffrey Gitomer, who is a global authority on sales and customer loyalty, is going to be talking about how you can grow your business by sharing value with your customers. He is the author of a number of books including The Sales Bible- The Ultimate Sales Resource, which includes the 10.5 Commandments of Sales Success. Jeffrey is the real deal- he writes about sales skills and techniques and his advice comes directly from his own experience in the trenches, so listen in to find out what he has to share with you on the show today.

Show highlights:

• How Jeffrey managed to gain his insight.
• Why New York is the ultimate sales training ground.
• Building your business relationships immediately after signing the contract.
• Becoming a relationship builder in your business.
• Giving out information in such a way that it will eventually turn into money.
• Why people actually want to do business with their friends.
• The real reason why people are buying so much online today.
• Being real in order to overcome barriers and engage people.
• How to really tune in to what it is that you're selling.
• Getting your customers to pick you and also to talk about it on social media.
• Training people and empowering them to think rather than to just do.
• Being interesting and getting right to the point when selling.
• Ways of finding the link to really connecting emotionally with your customers.
• Overcoming the fear of rejection when selling.
• What Jeffrey sees for the future.

Resources:

Jeffrey's Website

One of the biggest challenges brands today are facing is to remain relevant to their market. If you feel like your company is losing ground with your customer, then it is time to innovate your marketing strategy. You can sustain your success by being creative in your strategy and by engaging your customers on a personal level. Companies are so comfortable doing the same old thing, that many are ignoring the huge potential of Social Media marketing campaigns. Consumers today want to know that there are people behind a product. Give your market the chance to know you online, and build up your personal brand.

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed? Do you even know where to start? My guest today is an expert, and you know I only bring you the best! Mark W. Schaefer can help you fight through uncertainty, learn the strategies you need, and then help you break out of your comfort zone. Mark writes one of the Top 5 Marketing Blogs and is the author of 6 books. He is an Entrepreneur and Startup Advisor that is paving the way for companies to engage on Social Media. The Media world is always changing, and Mark makes it his mission to stay current on media trends in order to keep you relevant. He has launched a surefire method to track your marketing success, and he even hosts a podcast all about new marketing tools and strategies.

Are you prepared to begin your marketing innovation journey? Start with Mark..

More to learn in this episode:

• Marketing today is a mysterious world, but Mark takes the intimidation out of it.
• Nothing about marketing has changed. Focus on honest connections.
• The "halo effect" still works.
• Classic brands are struggling because they are not reinventing themselves.
• The brand of the future is not an accumulation of ads.
• All about content marketing. Is it still the king?
• Why audio and video are taking over marketing.
• The enigma of Twitter, and the new edition of Mark's Twitter book.
• How to build up your brand and becoming known in your field.

Resources

Mark's Online Hub

https://www.businessesgrow.com/

Most businesses believe their revenue is increasing. That may be true, but as the saying goes, "Nothing happens until you sell something." Selling has changed drastically in recent years, and you need to learn new skills to succeed. Consumers are savvier than ever before. In fact, they really don't want to be sold anything. How can you begin to shift your strategies to fit this new savvy market? It is time to innovate your approach. My guest today, Ian Altman, is going to help you do just that.

Ian uses current data and market behavior research to develop strategies that any business can use to get their message out there so it does not fall on deaf ears. If you are seeking rapid growth, you have to boost your revenue and you have to make the sale. Instead of selling to your customers, you need to sell beside them. Ian's approach is called "Same Side Selling," and is emphasizes results and value rather than the service or product. Using some easy mindset shifts, you can begin to open an honest conversation with your ideal customer about their needs. Once you know what problems your customers are facing, your business can then come alongside them to solve those problems.

Ian's strategies are simple and elegant and easy to apply to any industry. Growing and innovating is really as simple as learning a few new skills. Using Ian's work, you can do just that! Listen to find out more.

Also in this episode:

• How Ian got his start in sales and was able to grow the value of several businesses early on.
• How can we put buyer and seller on the same side?
• There are a ton of books on sales, but Ian's is the first written from both a buyer's and a seller's perspective.
• Disarming the client is really powerful.
• Selling mistakes, and fundamental challenges we need to overcome.
• Define your customer's "elevator rant."
• Entice, disarm, and discover.
• Lowering your price is an easy trap to fall into, but you do not have to lower!
• Focus on results.
• When you are creating a new product, make sure you know why someone would need it.
• How to effectively measure your business meetings using Same Side Quadrants.

Resources

Connect With Ian Online

https://www.ianaltman.com/

Twitter: @IanAltman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrowMyRevenueFans/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/661264/

I created this podcast to help you build innovation into your business from every angle, and that includes technology. Technology doesn't just help you grow your business, but it can also help you protect yourselves. Organizations big and small can fall prey to information hacks. After well-covered hacks like Equifax, business owners are now more aware than ever that they have to take internet security seriously. Small businesses might be tempted to think they aren't susceptible to an attack like the one on Equifax, but my guest, Adam Anderson, is here to tell you that simply isn't the case.

In his book, Small Business Cyber Security: Your Customers Trust You, Right? Adam breaks down just how important it is for small businesses to take internet security seriously. We will talk all about how you can keep your customer's sensitive information safe, as well as steps you can use to incorporate this technology into your company's DNA. Innovation at every level is important for your business to be successful. I am thankful for Adam's perspective and expertise, and I know you will have several action steps to take after our conversation today.

Show Highlights:

• Cyber crime has everything to do with behavior.
• 75% of small business workers have risky cyber security behavior.
• We need to change awareness within the organization.
• Stop spending money on devices you don't need.
• Outsourcing cyber security is only one step in protecting your business.
• 3rd Party Audits can be helpful.
• Stay current on what threats are out there.
• What works about backing up work and keeping data on the Cloud.
• Use 2 Factor Authentication or a complex password to protect your info.
• Ransomware is still a big issue.
• Make sure you keep your computer updated
• Take human error out of the equation.

Resources:

1 Password

https://1password.com/

Anderson Security Group

https://www.andersonsecuritygroup.com/onepercentedge

In order to build innovation into your business's DNA, it is important to always keep learning new skills and honing old ones. Everybody wants to learn and do better in their businesses. That's what sets The 1% Edge listeners apart! There is a world of information available to you via the internet, and it's time to take advantage of it. Whether you are stuck for ideas or just looking to get an edge in your industry, places like Udemy are a great place to start your search.

Today, I am chatting with a Udemy course creator and a web creator pioneer, Alex Genadinik. Alex is a verified Idea Man. His online content is high quality and high impact for people seeking to improve their business. In another life, Alex was a software engineer. He has generated over 100 mobile apps to support clients directly. In fact, his focus on his client or student is what makes Alex such a fabulous instructor.

We talked just about everything today! From starting up a business to creating online courses about Bitcoin, there's a little nugget of wisdom for everyone in this episode. If you are looking to see your business ideas in a new light, give Alex's perspective on life a try. All of his great ideas will inevitably create new ones of your own.

More in this episode:

• All about Udemy, where anyone can learn anything.
• How Alex comes up with ideas for his courses.
• You can actually use Bitcoin in your everyday life!
• How to scale your business and run your empire.
• Alex shares how he manages marketing trends.
• Learn all about Alex's apps designed to help businesses.
• Alex's first successful entrepreneurial endeavor.
• What's up next for Alex and his creative endeavors.
• Learn how to connect with Alex's online courses.

Links

Alex's Udemy Courses

https://www.udemy.com/user/alexgenadinik/

Alex's Website

http://problemio.com/

[email protected]

Mention you listen to The 1% Edge for access to free courses!

Have you experienced some really great customer service lately? Or have you been plagued by poor service and suffered the frustration that goes along with that? Well, we've decided to make today Customer Service Day and to dedicate a whole episode of the show just to the issue of Customer Service- or the lack thereof. The companies that get it right really reap the rewards, so why is it that so many companies get it wrong? Listen in now, to find out.

Today we have Shep Hyken with us on the show and he is a Customer Service Guru of note. He's also is a New York Times Bestseller and he is going to have some answers for us, about how to really get the Customer Service Edge right, so listen in to find out more.

Show highlights:

• Customer service is really common sense but unfortunately, that's not so common.
• Why customer service in America today is not as good as it should be.
• The effect that the real rockstars of the Customer Service Industry have had on the rest of the industry.
• The importance of the leaders, in the Customer Service Industry.
• Walking in Walt Disney's shoes and stooping to excellence.
• How to be a leader in the Customer Service Industry.
• The need for correct and ongoing training, for great Customer Service.
• Creating a Customer Service Book.
• The concept of 'one to say yes, two to say no'.
• How technology is changing the framework for Customer Service.
• How to manage your Customer Service with a smaller business.
• How to deal with an online complaint about your business.
• A tip for problems with airlines.
• Shep explains about the online training that he has available. (Go to www.thecustomerfocus.com)

Are you a small business owner, with your entire nest egg tied up in your business? Are you living with the hope that you can sell your business when you retire and use the money to fund your 'golden years'? Have you considered that if your business doesn't actually have the value you that think it has, you could end up having to continue working until you drop, with nothing to leave to your heirs? This would be a huge wake-up call and it's something that really doesn't have to happen to you because it can be avoided. Today we have Justin Krane on the show and he's a Money Strategist for Business Owners. He can help you to understand the money side of your business, so listen in to find out how to save for your retirement, while still living a really good life for today.

Justin is not going to lecture you about cutting back and living a frugal life. He's all about going ahead and getting those shoes, eating sushi and living the best life, today- and still saving for the future. Justin has written a book called Money, You Got This, where he shares his every day, crazy, funny life stories while giving you a money lesson. Listen in now, to find out more.

Show highlights:

• Justin explains what he does, as a Money Strategist.
• Justin explains why he focuses specifically on small businesses.
• How Nine Eleven was a real turning point for Justin.
• How to gain clarity on what you need to do with your money if you're not a numbers person.
• Getting yourself into a space where you're not emotionally overwhelmed so that you are open to receiving information.
• Bringing others in, to do your 'heavy lifting', while you're doing something that you really enjoy.
• Many business owners are not clear on what their business really is, or how they actually make money.
• Are you in the Value Game, or the Commodities Game, with your business?
• Justin's advice for people who may be afraid to work with a Financial Advisor, or a CPA, because they don't know how to pick the right person.
• Creating Marketing Campaigns, to force you to budget, forecast and invest for the future.
• How to evaluate when to take a financial risk.
• Justin's favorite business models.
• What Prosperity Thinking is all about.

Link:

Justin's website: www.cashflowgift.com

Resource:

Book mentioned on the show: The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley

Are you struggling to grow your business and keep up with the times? Or are you wondering if it really is the right time for you to expand your business? If so, you can really learn a lot from today's guest, Eddie Yoon, a great thought leader who really knows about growth and sustainable success. He is the founder of Eddie Would Grow, which is a Think Tank and an Advisory Firm on growth strategies. Listen in now to find out what Eddie has to share with you today, to help you to bring innovation and growth to your company.

Eddie, who was born and raised in Hawaii, has written a book, called Super Consumers- A Simple Speedy And Sustainable Path To Superior Growth, which was published by Harvard Business and he has also written more than forty articles for Harvard Business Review, which include things like 'Make Your Best Customers Even Better' and 'Why It Pays To Be A Category Creator'. Listen in now, to find out how the creation of new categories in your business can really help it to grow.

Show highlights:

• Eddie discusses where he found the inspiration for Eddie Would Grow and he explains what it's all about.
• Eddie's take on why businesses fail to grow and keep up with the times.
• Where Eddie sees the Food Industry going to, in the future.
• Why Eddie thinks that most people just want to follow the leader in the marketplace.
• The number one factor that drove business growth, according to a study of 822 companies by McKinsey.
• How Eddie addresses struggling businesses that are rationalizing their numbers away.
• How companies can choose the right time to either acquire another business or to step back.
• The huge growth of the Video Game Market in the last eight years.
• What Eddie means by Super-Consumers and how focusing on them can really help you to make better decisions for your business.
• Is Artificial Intelligence really going to be a game changer?
• Where small businesses really have the advantage.
• The advantages of the new FDA approved technology that Amazon is working with, called MATS.

Links:

Eddie's website: www.eddiewouldgrow.net

Eddie on Twitter: @eddiewouldgrow

You can read the full show notes at www.susansolovic.com