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.

Just like anything worth doing, there is a way to market that just works. There are rules. Today's podcast shows you what they are.

Choices of a businessman

In this week's podcast episode:

  • The disciplines of marketing.
  • The “Secret Weapon” system for using GTD with Evernote.
  • Are you trying too hard?

Tip Of The Week

The “Secret Weapon” system for using GTD with Evernote.

Spiritual Foundations

Let God Do the Work

We often try to do ourselves what God has already done for us.

…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13

Stop trying to do it on your own, and let God do what He wants!

Feature Segment: Ray Edwards's 13 Natural Disciplines of Effective Online Marketing

Almost all marketing is dreadfully weak and ineffective, unfocused, and irrelevant. Or it's hype-filled, pushy, and repulsive. Stop that. Learn to “market like water”.

The 13 Natural Disciplines:

1. Abandon branding as a primary outcome and seek response. Branding is inherent.
2. Always track everything with ruthless precision.
3. Within the context of your values – results rule.
4. Always make an offer.
5. Always seek a trackable, profitable response.
6. Always give a reason for immediate response.
7. Ask only for one response at a time.
8. Tell them exactly what to do next.
9. Use strong copy. It will sound like “junk mail”.
10. Kill your darlings.
11. Always followup in the short term.
12. Always followup in the long term.
13. Keep detailed customer files and study them carefully.

Special Announcements

  1. I’m attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. It is nearly sold out.  Get a ticket while you can!
  2. I was written up by Eric T Wagner on Forbes.com recently. You can check out the article here.
  3. My new book is nearly ready – more to come!

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 also find the podcast on Stitcher.

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

Do you have any discplines you would add? Share your ideas and tactics below in the comments.

 

Direct download: REP046.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 2:23am PDT

What if your marketing worked like a machine – automatic, tireless, regardless of whether you show up today or not, and with predictable results? Today's podcast shows you how.

coffee and business strategy

In this week's podcast episode:

  • How to market like a machine.
  • A “move it to the top of the stack” book recommendation.
  • Is it okay for Christians to be rich?

Tip Of The Week

Move this book to the top of your reading stack. Work the System by Sam Carpenter.

We must study the mechanical minutia of our tasks if we are to excel. This means observing: looking down and analyzing the sub-systems of our lives…to see our selves as mechanical devices that can be made to be super-efficient. The next step is to spend the majority of our time perfecting each of our sub-systems, one by one.

Here’s a happy thought: Study and then perfect your systems as a main focus and you’ll find yourself in select company and therefore flying faster and higher than a huge percentage of the competition. Make More. Work Less.

Lots of people work hard to become expert at what they do, but what great heights will be achieved by becoming expert at a flawed process?

Sam Carpenter

Spiritual Foundations

Is it okay for Christians to be rich?

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

Feature Segment: How to Market Like a Machine

No business can survive without a systematic approach to marketing.

“Systematic” means well-defined, carefully followed procedures that produce predictable results.

A true Marketing System consists of the following things: predictable processes that produce large quantities of good prospects, clients, and customers for your business. Your marketing system must provide these prospects efficiently (without a lot of hands-on work from you) and affordably (as in, it costs less to get a customer than the revenue that customer produces).

Violate any one of these rules and you're in trouble, one step away from the Taco Delmar Phenomena.

Here are the components of a good Marketing System:

1. Product Success Formula: TG + CDP/HAS(YCS )+ THM + WTS
2. Media that is efficient, affordable, they already use
3. A compelling message
4. An irresistable free offer
5. Multi-step automated short-term follow up systems
6. Multi-step long term follow up
7. Tested conversion process

Special Announcements

  1. I’m attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. It is nearly sold out.  Get a ticket while you can!
  2. I was written up by Eric T Wagner on Forbes.com this week. You can check out the article here.
  3. My new book is nearly ready – more to come!

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 also find the podcast on Stitcher.

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

How strong is your marketing system? Share your ideas and tactics below in the comments.

 

Direct download: REP045.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:17am PDT

I recently wrote here on the blog about some new productivity “tweaks” with which I have been experimenting. Today's podcast is a report on the results.

business concept on wall

In this week's podcast episode:

  • A “field report” on my latest productivity experiments.
  • An alternative to mindmaps.
  • How to get free of those “guilty feelings”.
  • Stu McLaren on hiring the right people.

Tip Of The Week

Not into mind mapping, but wish there was an easy way to outline your ideas? You have got to try Workflowy. It was made for the purpose.

Spiritual Foundations

Are you plagued by feelings of guilt, about regrets over what you should have done in a certain situation? Don't be…

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2

When Jesus came and paid the price for sin, that included all of our sins. Past, present, and future. That means is far as he is concerned, we have nothing to regret. A “guilty conscience” is not the work of our father in heaven, but is the work of the enemy-the devil. See Hebrews 9:14.

Lifestyle Business

Stu McLaren has wisdom to share on the subject of hiring-and on not being cheap.

Feature Segment: Results of My Productivity Experiments

Recently, I wrote on my blog a post about a new plan for improved productivity in 2013. I thought it might be useful to share the results so far. Works and all.

Here are the plans I wrote about, and a report on my observations

Productivity Philosophy.  If you are not familiar with the GTD philosophy, I encourage you to read David Allen's seminal work on stress-free productivity. A great augmentation to the GTD material is one of my favorite new podcasts and websites, Erik Fisher's “Beyond the To-Do List”. At this point, I would give myself a “brown belt” when it comes to GTD. My biggest challenge is keeping my inboxes to zero, and limiting those inboxes to the smallest number possible.

Planning. In keeping with my adherence to GTD, my planning is fairly simple. I have a weekly review session on Fridays, during which I collect all the inputs that have accumulated over the past week, and one by one clear them from my inbox.  So far I've done a pretty good job of keeping on top of my weekly reviews. I'd say I am at about 90% on this one.

Disciplined Tracking.  For business activities, I am developing a dashboard for my company in Excel to keep track of key metrics. Frankly, I've gotten so caught up in looking for the perfect dashboard, I haven't really started using one yet. That will change within the next three days, as I am forcing myself to pick some kind of tracking system. Even if it is  3 x 5 cards.

Productivity Tools. In the past, I have been a “tool junkie”. I have actually managed to not look at any new productivity tools since the beginning of the year. That may not sound like a big deal to you, but it's a big deal to me.

Boundaries. This year, I am resolved to stick to my regimen of only answering email once a day, and the same for phone calls. I also intend to be “off the grid” three days a week for both email and phone calls. Still my biggest challenge. My name is Ray Edwards, and I am a recovering “yes man”.

Guarding My Heart and Mind. Toxic thoughts and emotions destroy us. Toxic thinking limits our potential for accomplishment. Toxic emotions limit our potential for happiness and fulfillment. In the new year, I will not allow negative thinking, language, images, or emotions to pierce the boundary of my sight or hearing. While I have improved in this area, I still have work today. Have watched a couple of things on television that, in retrospect, were a bit dark and cynical and viewpoint. It isn't possible to watch things like this and walk away unaffected.

Task Batching. I perform best when I batch similar tasks together and do them all at once. This is going pretty well for me, because it is exit become a habit of mine over the last few years.

Focus Blocks. “Focus blocks” are clearly defined blocks of time that I use to focus on one single task.  I can tell you this. It seems that making a declaration about a new habit is a surefire way to become a lightning rod for challenges and resistance to that habit.

Digital Fasting. I am a digital junkie. I love Facebook, Twitter, Google+, email, RSS feeds… you get the idea. That's why it's important to me to completely unplug frequently. My goal is to be completely free of email, voice mail, and Internet consumption… 100% free… at least one day a week. I have done pretty well, but frankly no where near 100%. This Sunday, I'm shooting for 100%.

Sabbath. One day each week, my intention is to be at complete rest. Same answer as the previous section.

The Positive No. I mentioned earlier that it is difficult for me to say “no” to people. This year, my default response to every request made of me will be, at least initially, “no”. I had a few chances to practice this, but I still wouldn't counted as one of my core disciplines. Yet.

Income Producing Activity Hours. I have identified the activities which are most likely to result in producing revenue for my company: speaking, writing, marketing and advertising, and creating new material or trainings. There are a few other income-producing activities, such as networking, sales calls, and developing JV relationships. I am creating carefully protected and intricately planned “focus blocks” for these activities. These are among the first activities to be scheduled in my calendar. This one has worked out surprisingly well so far.

Writing Time. This is in my top tier of income producing activities. It is also in my top tier of spiritually fulfilling activities. Therefore, this is one of my very highest priorities, and will be one of my most protected assets in the new year.

30 Day Challenges. I love new ideas, and I love trying them out. So much so, that I have tended, in the past, to try out many different ideas in a single week. Therefore, in the new year, each month I plan to adopt one “30 Day Challenge”. A single new habit, activity, or discipline. I will post each month's 30 day challenge publicly, and at the end of the 30 days report on my experience. . Hardest one of all for me to keep. My Challenge this month was to journal daily. We're on day 16 of the month, and I've written in my journal four days

My plan going forward is to become more disciplined about my new habits, and not to simply give up. That's the mistake I think most people make when it comes to resolutions, or adopting any new discipline.

Special Announcements

  1. I’m attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. It is nearly sold out. The purpose of the conference: to help 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. I was written up by Eric T Wagner on Forbes.com this week. You can check out the article here.

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 also find the podcast on Stitcher.

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

What Are you doing to be more productive in the new year? And how are your New Year's resolutions coming along? Share your ideas and tactics below in the comments.

 

Direct download: REP044.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 9:48pm PDT

Ever have a day where you feel like you just didn't get anything done? Now imagine getting entire day's work done in two hours. Sound impossible? You won't feel that way after you listen to today's podcast.

way to success

In this week's podcast episode:

  • How to do a days work in two hours.
  • A counterintuitive marketing book recommendation.
  • How (and why) it's possible to achieve effortless success.
  • Stu McLaren on the importance of being intentional.

And a few surprises, too…

Tip Of The Week

This week I have a rather counterintuitive book recommendation. One of the best marketing books I've ever read (twice now) is Rick Warren's The Purpose-Driven Church.

Spiritual Foundations

As new creations in Christ, we are supposed to be “at rest”. Our life is not supposed to be about striving and working hard, but about receiving. Yes, I am saying that God will do a lot more for us than we could ever do for ourselves. And that he actually wants it to be that way.

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest…
Hebrews 4:9-11

This is a promise from God, and it echoes the Old Testament story of the promised land. In ancient Israel, there was an actual land that the people were given as a promise from God.This land was, in God's own words, to include houses that had already been built, vineyards that had already been planted, and wells that had already been dug. Everything was already done for the children of Israel. As believers under the provisions of the new covenant, our “promised land” is to simply rest in what Christ accomplished for us at the cross. In the passage from Hebrews, we learned that God desires that we would enjoy His rest. That we would be blessed, provided for, and healed as we receive from him. Through no efforts of our own.

Lifestyle Business

Stu McLaren shares his thoughts on the importance of being intentional.

Feature Segment: How to Get a Day's Work Done In 2 Hours

Here's the overall checklist for doing a days work in two hours. There are 3 phases to this method: Plan, Prepare, Perform. For a detailed explanation… listen to the podcast!

Plan

  • Make your “List of Three”, “Fantastic Five”, and your “Weird Time List”.

Prepare

  • Wake up one hour earlier.
  • Have a quiet time.

Perform

  • Work on your “List of Three” before you do anything else.
  • Use the “F.I.T.” Method.
  • Take a 10 minute break, and move immediately to the “Fantastic Five”.
  • Now take a 30 minute break, and go about your day as usual. Relax.
  • Use your “Weird Time List” to “grout your day”.

Special Announcements

  1. I’m attending the Platform Conference in Nashville. It is nearly sold out. The purpose of the conference: to help 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. Tomorrow I will make a special announcement about a brand-new event.

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 also find the podcast on Stitcher.

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

What tips can you offer that would help get an entire day's work done in just two hours? Share your ideas and tactics below in the comments.

 

Direct download: REP043.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:53pm PDT

Today I want to share five weird tactics that, when used correctly, almost guarantee more success.

Be better 3rd degree

In this week's podcast episode:

  • The five weird tactics.
  • The power of the uncommon conversation.
  • My first book recommendation of the new year.

That’s all coming up…

Tip Of The Week

For refreshing, unusual, and inspiring look at the writing life I recommend Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.

Spiritual Foundations

Speaking plainly is a shocking and radical way of communicating.

Jesus said you should “let your yes mean yes, and your no me no.”  Speaking the truth so plainly is disarming and incredibly persuasive. Try it.

Feature Segment: 5 Weird Tactics Make The New Year Your Best Year Ever

  1. Do less.
  2. Say no.
  3. Stop multitasking.
  4. Stop setting goals.
  5. Pray

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. Next week I will make a special announcement about a brand-new event.

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: REP042.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 10:01pm PDT