Ray Edwards Show
Ray Edwards is a sought-after Copywriter, Author, Speaker, and Communications Strategist. His clients include Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, Jeff Walker, Robert Allen, and more. On this show, Ray helps you start, run, and grow their Internet-based businesses. The show includes interviews with well-known experts like Michael Hyatt, Jeff Goins, Dan Miller, Cliff Ravenscraft, Michael Stelzner, Amy Porterfield, Don Miller, and many others.

If your business is struggling right now, or you need more cash flow, you might think it's ridiculous for me to say there's something better than new customers. But there is, and that's what we'll cover in this week's interview with Jim Palmer.

working women hand writing

In this weeks podcast episode:

  • Jim Palmer shows us explains what is better than new customers.
  • Stu McLaren: “You should start spying on people”.
  • How to achieve effortless success.

That’s all coming up…

Tip Of The Week

I have long been recommended to you a program called Evernote. Recently, a new version of this software has been released. They have succeeded in making a great thing even better. The main features of Evernote that I like:

  • Capture anything – save your ideas, things you like, things you hear, and things you see.
  • Access it anywhere -Evernote works with nearly every computer, phone and mobile device out there.
  • Find things fast. Search by keyword, tag or even printed and handwritten text inside images.

Lifestyle Business With Stu McLaren

Stu McLaren explains why he has been spying on people.

Spiritual Foundations

God's plan for you and your business is not that you work so hard that you make yourself sick, destroy your mental health, and wreck your family. His kind of success is effortless, and he has already done the work when he died on the cross:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:2–3

This doesn't mean that you simply sit on the couch and wait for things to fall into your lap. It does mean that as you work, you can be relaxed and free from anxiety and fear. He has already provided every blessing you need in life. So how do you get those blessings? It's simple: believe, and rest on the Lord's promises.

You might pray something like this: “Lord, I rest in the work that you have done on my behalf, and I thank you that you are already making good things happen for me. So I will stop all my stressing, struggling, and attempts to control circumstances in order to get what I want. I'm simply receiving what you've already provided.”

Feature Segment: Interview With Jim Palmer

There is something that is better than new customers-and you might be surprised to discover what it is. That's just one of the nuggets we will reveal in this interview with Jim Palmer. Listen to the podcast audio for the entire interview. And be prepared to take notes!

Listener Questions

Only one listener question this week, this one from Todd Liles of Service Excellence Training. Todd wants to know how he can get his podcast listed in iTunes.

Special Announcements

  1. I’m attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. If you do business online, you MUST attend this conference that helps you “get noticed in a noisy world.” It’s being put on by Michael Hyatt and Ken Davis. My friends Stu McLaren and Carrie Wilkerson are speaking. I’m also looking forward to meeting  Jeff Goins, Cliff Ravenscraft, Pat FlynnJohn Saddington, Michele Cushatt, and Andrew Buckman. Unlike most conferences, there’s not a single speaker I’m not excited to hear and to meet. Get a ticket while you can!
  2. Our exclusive Las Vegas workshop is more than half-full. If you're interested in participating, you will need to contact my office immediately.
  3. My next podcast will be on the topic of “How to Make the New Year Your Best Year Ever”. If you have a question about that, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a good way for you to promote your own website, because I will be happy to link to your site in return for you asking a question.

Would you like to have me speak at your event? Click here to visit my speaking page and get details on my availability.

Your Feedback

Do you have an idea for a podcast you would like to hear? Do you have a question that you like to ask me? Please send me an email.

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher by clicking the logo:

Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy “request line” at (509) 713-2679

Direct download: REP041.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:52pm PST

Powerful Tornado

When it seems the economy around you is in turmoil and chaos, is it still possible to thrive? If so, how do you do that?

In this weeks podcast episode we will cover:

  • The results of “asking the listeners”. Changes you can expect in the podcast.
  • Stu McLaren: “Doing the work up front”.
  • Is God the source of evil?
  • Plus, “How to Thrive In a Turbulent Economy”

That’s all coming up on today’s episode…

Tip Of The Week

A couple of episodes ago, I advised you to ask your customers what they really want. I proposed using a survey-which is exactly what I did. Here are the results of my survey about how you think I could improve this show. The suggestions were:

  • Add more listener participation and questions.
  • Change the ending music to match the beginning music.
  • Share  concrete copywriting tactics.
  • Get more specific about dollars.
  • Make the show tighter.

Those are the top suggestions we are implementing, starting with this episode. I hope you like what you hear.

Lifestyle Business With Stu McLaren

Stu McLaren explains why it's worth doing the work up front, and doing it well.

Spiritual Foundations

Recently, I inadvertently started a bit of a tiff on Facebook. I posted the following:

If you think you are sick because God has some purpose in it… reconsider. Sickness does not come from God. According to John 10:10, evil is the work of the enemy, who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy”. Jesus, on the other hand, comes so that we “may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). He also came to “destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).

It's simple. God is good. The enemy is bad. Good things come from God, and evil things do not. It's helpful if we keep the difference in mind – it'll help us not attribute the work of the enemy to God!

The reason this is important, is because when Jesus rose from the grave and conquered sin and death, he ushered in a new and better covenant for all of us who follow him. We no longer live under fear of punishment, for Jesus has taken the punishment on our behalf. He has covered us in his grace-literally, “unmerited favor.”

God does not send evil into your life-not to teach you a lesson, not to improve your character, and certainly not to punish you. If you follow Jesus, you believe in him, you confessed to measure Lord and Savior… you are unpunishable.

Feature Segment: How to Thrive In a Turbulent Economy

Yes, there is chaos in the marketplace. The economy can be described as turbulent.  But that doesn't matter. There is no reason for you, my entrepreneurial friend, to fear the storm. Bedrock principles will keep you on course. Here are seven keys to thriving even in a turbulent economy…

  1. Faith. You will receive what you believe. Carefully guard where you are placing your faith. It makes a difference.
  2. Foundations. Most people crumble when their core values are challenged-because they never made those values a conscious decision.  Most of us simply inherit our values and beliefs from our family and friends. Make yours a choice. Don't just know what you believe, know why you believe it.
  3. Family. After your connection to your Creator, the most important link to your ultimate success is your family. Even if you have no family, as it is traditionally understood. I explain what to do if you don't have any family living, or none that you are connected with, in the podcast audio. So make sure you listen to the show itself.
  4. Friends. How you relate to friends-even how you define that word-is of vital importance to how effective you will be in the world. Especially in the world of business.
  5. Focus. What you focus on expands. If your constant focus is on the negativity and the chaos of the environment around you, expect to see more of the same. Take responsibility for what goes on inside your head.
  6. Finances. Business is a game won (or lost) by the numbers. The rules are simple: make money, save money, spend as little as possible.
  7. Fun. Make it a goal to be more joyful than all of your companions. Joy is magnetic, and draws people to you. It has the added benefit of drawing cheerful people to you, helping eliminate the “Eeyore Factor” from your life.

Listener Questions

  1. Martin Hurley
  2. Jeff Davis
  3. Beaumont Miles
  4. Jim Siverts

Special Announcements

  1. I’m attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. If you do business online, you MUST attend this conference that helps you “get noticed in a noisy world.” It’s being put on by Michael Hyatt and Ken Davis. My friends Stu McLaren and Carrie Wilkerson are speaking. I’m also looking forward to meeting  Jeff Goins, Cliff Ravenscraft, Pat FlynnJohn Saddington, Michele Cushatt, and Andrew Buckman. Unlike most conferences, there’s not a single speaker I’m not excited to hear and to meet. Get a ticket while you can!
  2. Our exclusive Las Vegas workshop is more than half-full. If you're interested in participating, you will need to contact my office immediately.
  3. My next podcast will be on the topic of “How to Make the New Year Your Best Year Ever”. If you have a question about that, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a good way for you to promote your own website, because I will be happy to link to your site in return for you asking a question.

Would you like to have me speak at your event? Click here to visit my speaking page and get details on my availability.

Your Feedback

Do you have an idea for a podcast you would like to hear? Do you have a question that you like to ask me? Please send me an email.

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher by clicking the logo:

Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy “request line” at (509) 713-2679

Direct download: REP040.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 2:00am PST

Sprinter leaving starting blocks on the running track. Explosive start.There is no need for you to struggle for many years before enjoying success. While it sometimes happens that way, that is not a requirement. Nor is it necessarily a sign of worthiness.


In this weeks podcast episode we will cover:

  • How to speed up your iPhone, and boost its battery life, without spending a dime. And, best of all, it only takes about 15 minutes.
  • Stu McLaren: pay me now, or pay me later?
  • December 21st, the Mayan calendar, the “Breaking of the World”… and you!
  • Plus, “How To Succeed Faster “

That’s all coming up on today’s episode…

Tip Of The Week

Michael Hyatt published a great blog post on how to speed up your sluggish iPhone. These three simple actions will not only speed up your phone, but also appear to boost battery life. Check it out.

Lifestyle Business With Stu McLaren

Stu McLaren explores the differences between maximizing transactional value, versus maximizing recurring transactions. Sounds boring, but isn't.

Spiritual Foundations

Entrepreneurs have a divine call and an important role in repairing “The Breaking of the World”.  Never apologize for your love of business, and your relentless pursuit of excellence. These are qualities planted within your DNA by God. Own who you are.

The people will curse him who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
Proverbs 11:26

Feature Segment: How To Succeed Faster

Success does not have to be a slow process.

The speed with which we attain our goals has more to do with what happens inside our head, than with what happens in our external circumstances. This episode is all about how to speed up the success process.

Here are nine ways you can accelerate your success.

  1. Know exactly what your “success destination” looks like.
  2. Reverse engineer the path to success.
  3. Model those who have done what you wish to do.
  4. Avoid the inevitable attractive distractions.
  5. Measure your progress in writing.
  6. Be accountable to someone.
  7. Get a coach-or coaches.
  8. Recalibrate on a regular schedule.
  9. Consciously select what you are not going to do.

Special Announcements

  1. I’m attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. If you do business online, you MUST attend this conference that helps you “get noticed in a noisy world.” It’s being put on by Michael Hyatt and Ken Davis. My friends Stu McLaren and Carrie Wilkerson are speaking. I’m also looking forward to meeting  Jeff Goins, Cliff Ravenscraft, Pat FlynnJohn Saddington, Michele Cushatt, and Andrew Buckman. Unlike most conferences, there’s not a single speaker I’m not excited to hear and to meet. Get a ticket while you can!
  2. Our exclusive Las Vegas workshop is half-full. If you're interested in participating, you will need to contact my office immediately.
  3. My next podcast will be on the topic of “How To Thrive In A Turbulent Economy”. If you have a question about that, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a good way for you to promote your own website, because I will be happy to link to your site in return for you asking a question.

Would you like to have me speak at your event? Click here to visit my speaking page and get details on my availability.

Your Feedback

Do you have an idea for a podcast you would like to hear? Do you have a question that you like to ask me? Please send me an email.

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher by clicking the logo:

Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy “request line” at (509) 713-2679

Direct download: REP039.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:28pm PST

Stressed man hanging up the phoneToday, I share how to get better clients who pay you more money for your products and services. At one point in my career, I would take on as many as six simultaneous projects, and work as much as 80 to 100 hours a week. That is simply crazy. There is a better way, and in this episode I’ll show it to you..


Other points of interest in this weeks episode:

  • How to read your customers minds, and know exactly what they want.
  • Are you living a life that just “happens to you”? Or are you happening to life? Stu McLaren gives us the answer.
  • In our spiritual foundations segment, will answer the question: does God care even about my small problems, like the pimple on the end of my nose? How could he have time for our tiny little problems?

That’s all coming up on today’s episode… so fasten your seatbelt… and let’s roll.

Tip Of The Week

One of the best ways to find out what your audience wants from you is to ask them. I suggest using a tool like Survey Monkey for this purpose. In fact, I'm going to demonstrate this suggestion in practice, by asking you how I can improve this podcast. Click here to take the survey

Lifestyle Business With Stu McLaren

Stu McLaren challenges us, by asking: are you living a life you designed, or are you living a life that happens by accident?

Spiritual Foundations

My blood pressure used to go up every time my phone rang. Why is this person (any person) calling me? Don't they know how busy I am? I’ve got news for you… that attitude is a sickness.

Jesus is the perfect model of what a human being led by the Spirit looks like. How they walk and talk and interact with other people. And Jesus always had time. He still does.

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them…
Matthew 19:13–14

I am not sharing this to judge anybody for feeling busy or stressed out. But it strikes me as remarkable that the Son of God always has time for us. He is infinitely available. We don’t have to wait in line.

There is a mindset that exists that I call the “poor little me” mindset. This is the line of thinking that leads you to say things like, “God is too busy, and this is only important to poor little me.”

This kind of thinking is focused on your own self-worth, or lack of it.

But the truth is, God is infinite.

He is instantly available to everyone of us-and he is interested in every detail of our lives. Scripture tells us that he even numbers the hairs on our head. Imagine that.

Whatever might be troubling you right now, it is not too big, and not too small, for Jesus. Nothing is impossible for him. And he has an infinite amount of time just for you

Ask him for help. Open your heart and let all your emotions out. He’s big. He can take it.

Approach him just like a little child approaching your father-the perfect father, the one without the shortcomings that earthly fathers have-and ask your daddy for what you need.

He’s ready to give it to you.

Feature Segment: How To Get Better Clients Who Pay More

As I mentioned earlier, when I was beginning to build my freelance business I took on too many clients and worked too many hours. This is chiefly because I was not selective about who my clients were, and did not think through how much they were paying me.

This key mistake took its toll. It affected my health, my attitude, and even my family relationships.

What’s worse, many of the clients I took on during this time were… well… jerks. It seemed that some of them existed only to torture freelancers.

These days, my business is totally different. I work well under 40 hours most weeks. .. and I make a lot more money.

I enjoy every hour that I do work. And I simply don’t tolerate cheap or annoying clients anymore. One  of the annoying variety occasionally does slip through under the radar, but once I detect them, I am very quick to chase them back across the border.

I have 9 suggestions that will help you attract and secure higher-quality clients, who pay you much higher fees than you currently receive. You may be surprised to learn this is easier than it sounds.

  • Suggestion 1: Decide in advance what you want your business and life to look like.
  • Suggestion 2:  Reverse engineer what kind of clients you need to make that happen.
  • Suggestion 3: Define your criteria of what constitutes a good client – in writing.
  • Suggestion 4: Identify the qualities that are evident in a bad client.
  • Suggestion 5: Commit yourself to never again except a bad client.
  • Suggestion 6: Develop a client screening process.
  • Suggestion 7: Script everything at first.
  • Suggestion 8: Confront with love and boldness; use brave communication.
  • Suggestion 9: Kill the monsters while they’re little.

Special Announcements

  1. I will be making an appearance onstage at James Malinchak’s “Big Money Speaker Bootcamp” December 6-9 in LA. I’m super-excited about this event! I don’t know if you saw ABC’s hit TV show, “Secret Millionaire”…  James was featured on the show. At the Boot Camp, he shares his strategies and tips on how to become a Big Money Speaker.
  2. I’m attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. If you do business online, you MUST attend this conference that helps you “get noticed in a noisy world.” It’s being put on by Michael Hyatt and Ken Davis. My friends Stu McLaren and Carrie Wilkerson are speaking. I’m also looking forward to meeting  Jeff Goins, Cliff Ravenscraft, Pat Flynn, Ken Davis, John Saddington, Michele Cushatt, and Andrew Buckman. Unlike most conferences, there’s not a single speaker I’m not excited to hear and to meet. Get a ticket while you can!
  3. I am getting tremendous feedback about the “Big Idea, Big Plan” teleseminar I hosted last week with my “mystery guest”. Replay recording available for a short time.
  4. My next podcast will be on the topic of “How To Thrive In A Turbulent Economy”. If you have a question about that, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a good way for you to promote your own website, because I will be happy to link to your site in return for you asking a question.

Episode Resources

Here are links to resources  mentioned during this episode:

Would you like to have me speak at your event? Click here to visit my speaking page and get details on my availability.

Your Feedback

Do you have an idea for a podcast you would like to hear? Do you have a question that you like to ask me? Please send me an email.

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher by clicking the logo:

Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy “request line” at (509) 713-2679

Direct download: REP038.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 2:03am PST