I was recently interviewed for the Marketer of the Day Podcast, hosted by Robert Plank.

In this episode, we dig into some core marketing principles that I use and teach, and discuss how they relate to the system covered in my new book, Read This Or Die.

00:00 Intro
00:43 Nerves
01:48 Ray's Unique Selling Position
03:15 What's something unique that you've written copy for?
04:58 Where do people fall short in the copywriting process?
07:23 The importance of storytelling
09:38 "Well, you've got it...Now what?" (The pain of Parkinson's Disease)
12:03 The missing chapter
12:40 DBS
13:51 Any surprises?
16:17 Are you exploiting this?
17:54 Copywriting's role in the life-changing process
20:37 Have I missed anything?
24:00 Where do they go?
24:26 On that quote...


Links

Read This Or Die - Click to order your copy of Read This Or Die, and claim your free, 6-video mini-course that I created to accompany the book.

Marketer of the Day with Robert Plank - Get Daily Insights from the Top Internet Marketers & Entrepreneurs Around the World. Thank you to Robert for granting me permission to use this week's audio.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/624

This week, my friend and coauthor of Read This Or Die, Jeff Goins, joins me on the show for an in-depth conversation about the book, the collaboration, and the writing process.

[00:00] Intro - A Face For Radio
[03:50] Getting familiar with your own book
[07:15] Where is your Vulnerability-Meter?
[10:59] Describe our working relationship?
[12:08] Am I your first?
[14:56] What do you want the reader to get from this book?
[15:43] Wakeup call from my wife...
[17:00] How real change happens
[19:34] The sales letter of the same name
[24:49] Did you trust the process?
[28:08] The 3 Rays
[31:43] Why the denial?
[37:40] Facing the hard truth
[39:18] The ideal outcome for the reader

Links

Click Here to order your copy of Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life

Get The Transcript and Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/623

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

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I was recently interviewed on The Cliff Ravenscraft Show about my new book, Read This or Die.

Since this book is, by necessity, so deeply personal, this interview was equally personal and somewhat challenging to get through. However, I felt that it encapsulated the message of the book so well, I asked for Cliff's permission to use the audio on my own show.

My sincere thanks to Cliff Ravenscraft (a.k.a. The Mindset Answer Man) for making this episode possible. If you're not familiar with Cliff's work, I recommend you take a look at the links below.

Links

Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself To A Better Life - The book releases on May 23, 2023. If you're reading this before that date, you can still claim a valuable free gift for pre-ordering your copy. 

Cliff Ravenscraft - This is the main site for the Mindset Answer Man, Cliff Ravenscraft. I am a huge fan of Cliff's work, his outlook on life, and his passion for helping others. You'll find Cliff's notes (hah!) on this episode at this link.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/622

This episode is definitely "off the cuff", but does have a clear inspiration. I've been listening to more intimate, less polished podcasts and started kicking around the idea of doing a secondary, more intimate, less polished podcast of my own.

I hope to gauge my audience's interest in such a thing based on feedback from this episode...then proceed as planned regardless of the results.

Have a comment to share about this idea? See the contact info near the bottom of this post.

Links

Train With Cliff Podcast - This is one of the inspirations I mentioned in the episode - definitely worth checking out.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This week, I have a potentially unpopular answer to a very popular question: How do I upgrade my clients?

The serial-refunders, the constant complainers, the manipulators...and of course, people who are downright rude to you and your team. How do you avoid them? Even more to the point: How do you get the kind of clients you actually want?

[00:00] How do I upgrade my clients?
[00:46] You're not going to like this answer, but...
[01:48] My $5,000 problem
[03:08] What your company avatar should look like
[04:13] It starts at the top (with you and me)

How You Can Help?

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript And Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/620

How much "Authenticity" is too much? How much of your personal life should you share with your clients or followers?

The answer depends on what kind of clients you want to attract, and that's what I'm talking about in this week's episode.

[00:00] How much is too much?
[00:23] Are you business deals transactional?
[00:50] Or are they relational?
[01:47] A real dilema
[02:48] Here's the difference
[03:40] My advice: Charge more, Work less
[04:14] You set a higher price, AND...
[05:17] I'm rebuilding my business to be E.P.I.C.
[06:21] The truth about scalability
[07:19] How to build an E.P.I.C. business of your own
[08:36] I'm seriously considering this

Links

Interested in building your own Easy, Profitable, Interesting, and Carefree (EPIC) business? Send an email to ray@rayedwards.com with the subject "Epic Business" and let's chat.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Transcript and Video

https://rayedwards.com/619

A friend of mine recently gave me a not-so-subtle reminder that I am blessed to have a schedule full of things that I have chosen to do. She did this on the heels of me explaining to her how busy I was... "I have to spend 3 days in a studio recording my audio book, I've got to prepare for two upcoming workshops, I have to fly to Orlando for a mastermind meeting," and so on.

She reminded me that I was complaining about things that many people are praying for.

I am blessed to have a publisher who believes in my new book and has allowed me to record in my own voice.

I am blessed to have people willing to travel to Spokane to learn from me.

I am blessed to be part of a Mastermind group that allows me to learn from people I admire.

Same schedule...Different perspective.

That's what this week's episode is all about.

[00:00] I'm quitting...
[01:02] What's wrong with saying I'm busy?
[01:37] Be impeccable with your word
[02:40] My wakeup call
[03:46] Complaining about blessings
[06:29] My energy, my fault
[07:08] Read This Or Die

Links

Copywriting As A Million Dollar Business Workshop - There's still a chance to join me for one of these upcoming, life-changing, empire-building workshops. Click the link for details and availability.

Read This Or Die - Find my new book wherever books are sold, or even better, click the link and get a free video course that goes along with it. 

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript And Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/618

You might be thinking, "Why the 180, Ray? Haven't you been pitching A.I. as an incredible new tool? Aren't you marketing your own copywriting A.I.?"

I still believe A.I. is an incredible tool - And yes, I'm very pleased with my company's A.I. software - BUT, as I said when I first started in this business, you must be more than just a copywriter.

That was true then, but now...it's absolutely critical.

If you're counting on copywriting alone, you're not only eligible for a quick replacement, you're also doing a disservice to your clients (the ones you'll likely be losing soon).

[01:01] “The amount of money we receive will always be in a direct ratio to the demand for what we do, our ability to do it, and the difficulty in replacing us.” - Earl Nightingale
[01:45] It's already happening...as predicted
[02:10] Our Copywriting A.I. (ClarityScribe)
[02:37] You MUST be more than a copywriter to compete with other copywriters
[04:07] Understanding the context
[05:17] To be competent you must study (the right people)
[05:49] Understanding the history of this business
[06:53] My point: Understand the whole process
[08:21] Find a "working" mentor

Links

Copywriting as a Million Dollar Business - Join me live in Spokane for this life-changing workshop - In person (this month) and virtual (next month) options available while they last.

Lex Fridman Podcast - "Conversations about the nature of intelligence, consciousness, love, and power."

ClarityScribe - The A.I. software my company has developed specifically for copywriting.

Bob Bly - Brilliant copywriter!

Digital Course Academy - If your goal is to create a digital course, here's where to start.

Membership Experience - Want to create a membership experience that makes people stick around month after month? Stu can teach you how.

How You Can Help

I'm humbly and blatantly asking for your help in promoting my new book, Read This or Die.

This week's podcast explains why I'm so passionate about the book, how it helped save my life, and why I believe it will help others who are searching for answers to seemingly insurmountable problems.

[00:00] What is my new book?
[01:51] Am I cured?
[02:41] What's in it for the reader?
[03:11] Preorder and get the course
[03:44] More than a million views
[04:33] Why I'm asking for help
[05:17] My Podcast A-List

Links

Read This Or Die - Click to preorder your copy of my new book today and get a free 6-part video mini-course to help walk you through the process that saved my life.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/616

My Parkinson's symptoms are not something I can hide. I can't keep them under control just because I'm in public, or on a Zoom meeting, or on a stage...They are something I share with everyone I meet, whether I want to or not.

But my diagnosis was the genesis of other struggles. The kind that can be hidden. Struggles we feel we must endure alone; perhaps because we've convinced ourselves that no one else will care, or understand...or because we're ashamed, or sometimes because we don't really even understand our own problems.

For me, I came to the realization that my symptoms (the ones the world could see) were not the true cause of my fear and uncertainty for my future. My biggest struggles were internal. Once I understood that, I knew I could make real, lasting change. I knew I could improve my life in spite of my doctors telling me that it would only get worse.

My affliction may be incurable, but the way I think is certainly not. That is something I can change...Something that can be cured. But how?

That's what this week's episode is all about.

Links

Read This or Die: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life - Preorder your copy today and receive a free, 6 video mini-course.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/615

Most people are stuck in "The Loop" because somehow they think they’re going to get a different result in their life by doing the same thing they’ve been doing, only doing it harder and faster.

The Loop gives no rewards for effort. No matter how hard you work at it, you always end up back at the same place. You only break out of The Loop by making intensely different decisions. By taking a completely different path. That's the message of this week's podcast

Getting out of The Loop requires you to step outside of your comfort zone. This is almost always uncomfortable, and all growth comes outside your comfort zone. The comfort zone is where dreams go to die.

Receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease initially threw me into a dark, scary loop. Breaking out of that loop required effort and some new tactics (which I documented in my upcoming book, Read This or Die), but in the end, I broke free from it. 

To be able to experience it in the future, you must be able to imagine it now.
This is true anytime you’re trying to create a new reality for your future.
Whether it be a new career or new business, or a new relationship, or living in a new city, or a different home…

If you want something radically different in your future, you have to do something radically different in your present. And that can be scary.
I can promise the first steps will probably not be easy. But you don’t need “easy”. You just need “worth it”.

What big, scary, uncomfortable decision have even thinking about lately? If it keeps coming to mind, it is likely the one decision you need to make in order to change your life. The one decision you need to create that new life you really want.

Most of us are quite skilled at thinking about the scary decisions, and coming up with all the things that might go wrong. I suggest a different experiment this time around… I encourage you ask yourself, “What if this went incredibly right?”
What would that make possible?

Links

Read This or Die - Pre-order Ray's new book, "Read This Or Die" and get a free video mini-course, valued at $197

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/614

The latest earnings statistics still show an obvious gender bias in Corporate America, but why do we so often see this same phenomenon in the entrepreneurial space? How can women, running their own businesses and setting their own rates, be getting paid less than their male counterparts?

That's one of the big questions I had for this week's guest, Dawn Apuan. She is a successful entrepreneur who does amazing work, and charges accordingly.

Tune in as we explore the costly practice of undervaluing one's self - and how women are seemingly more susceptible to it. 

Links

DawnApuan.com
Dawn on Instagram

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript And Video

https://rayedwards.com/613

For those who have wondered, this post will explain what I work on and how I function as a “million-dollar writer.” It is my hope this will stimulate you into taking the required steps to earn significantly more income than you do now. After I spell out how I manage to create a million dollars in revenue, I'll give you a simple 3-step roadmap to increase your own income.

(By the way, even though I am describing the life of a writer, virtually all of what I'm about to share will work for any freelancer or business owner.)

Links

My Copywriting As A Million Dollar Business April Workshop - Want to work on building your business together, live and in person? There are a few seats remaining for my upcoming workshop this April. These seats will sell out - Click Here For Details and Availability. 

Read This or Die - Click to preorder my soon-to-be-released book, Read This or Die.

Notes From This Episode

This subject seems slightly impolite to write about. Like many, I was taught from my earliest years that it is impolite to talk about politics, religion, or money. I routinely violate all three of these directives, however, so this is not new territory for me. Let’s begin…

I am not writing to boost my own ego. I am writing to answer a very frequently-asked question: “How does a writer make a million dollars?”

This is a great question, because the industry income average for freelance writers is just under $5,000 per year.

When someone asks me how, as a writer, I make a million dollars, they may not actually express it, but what they really want to know is: “How does a guy who writes ad copy, who has never published a book I've even heard of… how does that guy make a million dollars?”

And of course, ultimately, the real question burning in their heart is: “Could I do that? Or even half that?” That’s what people really want to know and that’s what I want to share with you.

Before I get to the tactical stuff like:

• How do you get paid?
• What are your rates?
• How do you get clients?

It’s imperative that I share 3 Prosperity Principles for Writers.

PROSPERITY PRINCIPLE #1: YOU MUST DISCOVER YOURSELF

Many writers and other creatives have a not-so-secret fantasy. They labor intensely for years on a masterpiece, hoping that an influential publisher or literary agent will “discover” them, and they'll be catapulted to fame and fortune.

That's a nice fantasy, but with one problem: it doesn't happen that way. It never does, or at least almost never. Okay, rarely it happens. But you're more likely to be struck by lightning on the same day you win the Powerball, than you are to be “discovered” in this way.

You must discover yourself!

You must identify what makes you different, what “special sauce” you add to this common craft (writing) that makes you a distinctly differently voice on a common subject. In what way are you a player with a unique, unduplicable advantage? We spend 3 full days answering this question definitively in our Dreamstorm Workshops, using our Core Thesis Process; obviously, if you don't already know the answer to this question, you'll need to spend some time on it,

PROSPERITY PRINCIPLE #2: YOU MUST PROMOTE YOURSELF

To succeed, dear Reader, you must realize you are not actually in the “writing business.” You are in the business of You, Incorporated.

It is your unique personality, and the fascinating persona you share with the world, that shapes how that world sees you. Done right, this can make you an irresistible character to whom people are attracted as their chosen and trusted authority. Done wrong, this can break the ties between you and your readers.

Specifically, instead of promoting and advertising your highly-developed craftsmanship as a writer, you must be in the business of promoting you. You cannot rely on word-of-mouth, or critical acclaim, or impersonal ad campaigns. You must conscientiously promote yourself, and intentionally craft the way customers perceive you.

If you have interest in knowing HOW it is I do all this, and want to see the detailed steps I take, let me know your interest in the comment section. Enough interest expressed will generate a new post on this “Implementation” phase. But for now, on to…


PROSPERITY PRINCIPLE #3: YOU MUST GET OVER YOURSELF

You might be disappointed to learn that your dream of being a purely creative being whose hands are never “sullied” by crass commercialism or “manipulative” marketing are mere fantasy. This may be hard to swallow, but you need to get over yourself in this regard.

So, let me get the disappointing stuff out of the way right upfront:

1. This approach may require a readjustment of what you think of as “craft.” The kind of writing I do is very specific: direct response copy. This is copy meant to result in a sale. It’s copy that moves the reader to buy. Personally, I find the craft of writing sales copy to be endlessly fascinating and fun. While you may not choose to write sales copy (arguably the most lucrative kind of writing available to the average writer), you may also have to spend a little less time writing poems about the secret lives of elves.

2. My approach is not an “instant income” strategy. This whole system of “writing as a business” has taken me a few years to figure out and build up. I am able to pass on some hard-won lessons (like those in this post), which I believe may considerably shorten your learning curve. You can go faster than I did. But it’s still not instant. And I'm constantly learning new things. You and I are very much works in progress.

3. There is more than one way to achieve a million-dollar income as a writer. For instance, there is a writer (whose name you would not recognize) who writes 3-4 books a year and gets paid $300,000 – $400,000 for each book. He's a ghostwriter. You’d be shocked to learn how many New York Times best-selling books with famous names on the covers were actually written by this one ghostwriter. Another writer I know raked in a million dollars last year writing content, white papers, and annual reports for big corporations. As I said, my way is not the only way. But it is worth noting that though the kinds of writing differ, the basic ideas I share here apply to every wealthy writer I know.

4. In my experience, a million-dollar writing business means you're selling more than “just” writing. You will probably find it necessary to offer products and services that are not strictly writing (but which you would not be able to sell without your foundational work as a writer). It's the rare writer who can merely write and cash checks (our ghostwriter friend notwithstanding). I'll dive more deeply into this in the next section.

5. This whole endeavor requires me to use a four-letter word that will shock and offend some people. But I feel the use of this word is required to communicate the force of my argument. The four-letter word is: w-o-r-k. Work! Ya gotta put in the effort!

This is a glimpse “behind the curtain,” and you may or may not like what you see. Then again you may find it encouraging to know there is a proven path to prosperity as a writer, and you don't need a fat contract from a big publisher to pull this off. You can simply decide, and then go do it.

“The miracle of the seed and the soil is not available by affirmation; it is only available by labor … the greatest form of maturity is at harvest time. That is when we must learn to reap without complaint if the amounts are small and to reap without apology if the amounts are big … you must either get good at sowing in the spring or begging in the fall. The soil says: don't bring me your need, bring me your seed.” — Jim Rohn


HOW I GET PAID

The first thing to know is I “fudged” a little on my income – it wasn’t really $1 million last year. The actual number is closer to $1.2 million.

The second thing to know is I didn’t get to keep most of it. Where did it go? A lot of places:

• The IRS and the State of Washington got their portions, of course.
• Then there are payroll taxes, Social Security, etc.
• Employee salaries.
• Affiliate commissions.
• Vendors and independent contractors.
• Other business expenses.
• There are the medical expenses related to my little neurological disorder.
• Plus we finished paying off all consumer debt, which at its height topped $400,000.(I’m actually embarrassed by this. I learned a lot through the mistakes which landed me in so much debt – perhaps I’ll share more about that journey in a future post.)

So, you can forget asking me for a loan. I didn’t sock a million into the bank. But I’m not complaining – the Edwards household did, and still does, quite well.

With all that out of the way… here’s where the money actually comes from. How I get paid.

Product Sales

Product sales are far-and-away our biggest source of revenue. These include high-ticket items ($1,000 and up) sold mostly via PLF-style launches, advertising, purchased solo email campaigns, and organic website traffic.

“Day with Ray”

Consulting This is where I meet with a single client (or their team). I require this meeting before Private Client Copy Engagement. The “Day With Ray” costs $15,000 if you come to me in Spokane, WA, or $20,000 plus private air charter if I come to you. What do we do in such a meeting? It depends on the client (everyone is different, so there is no template for this). I grill the client for the first hour or so, and generally this will lead to a discovery of the 1-3 most powerful “levers” we can pull in their business to increase revenue and profits, while providing the business owner with less stress and more peace of mind.

Private Client Copy Engagement

After a long period of protesting that I was no longer writing for clients, I am finally giving in to market demand. I am accepting a very few assignments wherein I personally run the copy project and write the copy. This is prohibitively expensive for the client, and if you have to ask, you can't afford it. Also, I require that all Private Clients pass a rigorous application process, and agree to my admittedly unreasonable demands (100% compliance with my advice, 100% commitment to running my copy as written, 100% commitment to testing and tracking, payment of a percentage of gross sales to be made quarterly, and acceptance of my total lack of availability for “chummy chats,” psychological counseling, and babysitting sessions). I charge a minimum of $150,000 payable up front. Maximum four clients per year, booked well in advance.

Royalties

These are payments on gross sales of Private Client projects. They also include royalties on co-created projects and revenue share deals. This is becoming a more significant percentage of my company revenue. Please do not contact us looking for me to do your marketing for free and offering me a percentage. I only do these deals when I know the person well, know the company and market well, and when it is my idea.

Group Coaching

Group coaching has been lacking in my portfolio of services until recently. Experiments thus far show it to be fun and profitable, as well as extraordinarily valuable to participants. These are online groups of up to 20 people at a time, who receive coaching and feedback from me once per week for a finite period (usually 6-12 weeks).

Workshops

I host a few small group workshops that focus on a single theme or outcome each year. Participants pay a premium fee ($5,000 – $10,000) and must qualify through application. These consist typically of three intense and productive days that can significantly alter the course of the client's business and life for the better.

Private Masterminds

Small group Mastermind Alliances involve a strict application process, membership requirements, and required compliance to meeting attendance and participation.

Affiliate Commissions

We generate commissions through the recommendation of products and services we ourselves use. This accounts for about 7% of our company revenue each year, but nearly 18% of our annual profit. Why is it so profitable? All we do is promote the product. We don’t actually do any work, creation, or customer support.

REIC Membership

This is our newest offering. Members receive a printed newsletter each month with my best (and freshest) thinking, a monthly video training, a live Q&A once per month, and more. We are launching this in September 2017. Those methods fairly well sum up how I earn my income.

HOW I GET CLIENTS

My marketing system is not immediately obvious to most. It is complex, carefully thought out, and rigorously tested. I am constantly experimenting. Every “thing” we do is designed to point to all the other “things” we do.

Client Attraction vs. Client Pursuit

Client attraction is foundational. Long ago I decided I did not wish to “chase” business, but prefer instead to let business chase me. So, I have carefully designed a ubiquitous system for attracting a steady flow of possible clients and customers from many different streams. This adds up to a large flow of potential business at various levels of engagement and investment, all swimming (upstream if necessary) to me. Some of the “pools” from which I attract business include:

• Podcasting. This is one of the most intimate mediums available. Podcast listeners have me literally “in their head” for an hour per week (or more, if they binge-listen… and many do just that from our library of nearly 300 episodes). This is a curiously powerful medium. Numerous customers have listened to 1-3 episodes and proceeded directly to a $5,000 – $10,000 purchase.

• YouTube channel. This is a new, experimental marketing tool for me. I have been enjoying playing around with the possibilities, and have now settled on a strategy going forward. Look for a slight shift in focus on my YouTube channel in the coming weeks. The goal, as with all third-party media, is to move people off third-party properties like YouTube (and Facebook, and Twitter, etc.) and onto my email list.

• Social media. While many claim direct money making power through social media, my approach is to use it to attract and build a bond and relationship with my tribe, and then move them from social media to the media I own, i.e., my email list.

• Printed newsletter. Already mentioned once, this is not only a product but also a marketing tool. Since the largest primary segment of my audience is made up of writers (meaning, presumably, they’re also readers), having a print newsletter is vitally important. Print media carries more impact than electronic media. This is not something I'm guessing at. According to this Millward Brown study, brain scans demonstrated the same message presented to the human subject printed on paper lights up more areas of the brain than the electronic equivalent. More areas of the brain lighting up equals more engagement.

• Speaking. This is a way that I accomplish a number of objectives: for instance, I like to travel. I want to travel to exotic places. So, I have a speaking engagement next month in Hong Kong, primarily because I've never been there. This will also afford me the opportunity, as do all speaking engagements, to establish personal contact with a new group of people, perhaps add them to my mailing list, and maybe generate a few clients along the way. Speaking automatically grants you a certain amount of gravitas and authority. As far as generating clients, this is an indirect benefit of speaking. I do not hock or pitch my services from the stage. I do, however, strategically communicate that I am available to be hired by the right people, and that I have products available for people who are not ready to hire me. Perhaps I'll write more about this at a later time.

• Books. Both physical and Kindle versions of my books are available. I currently have three books that are relevant to my business as a copywriter and marketer, and by the end of next year I plan to have no less than 10. The current books are How to Write Copy That Sells, Moneywords, and Just Get Started. These books generate a certain kind of prospect or client. They are engineered to do so, and also provide valuable content. And, as with speaking, having a book in hand conveys on the author a certain amount of authority and credibility which cannot be gained in any other way.

• Guest posts/appearances. From time to time I guest-post on the blogs of other people. I also appear on other people's podcasts as a guest interview. Once upon a time, I did this indiscriminately and would post or appear anywhere asked. The demands on my time have become so overwhelming I now have to choose more carefully. Each decision whether to appear on a podcast or write a guest post is a tactical decision designed to support my overall business strategy. For more on my thinking about this, see this book with my friend Tom Schwab, Podcast Guest Profits.

That, in a nutshell, is how I get new clients. I admit it is condensed and leaves out a lot of details. The subject deserves a book of its own. The above will get you started and will have to do until I write that book.

HOW I RUN MY WRITING BUSINESS

This is not an exhaustive description of methodologies and practices for running a business, but a brief overview of some key principles that I believe help keep my business lean and growing.

Minimal staff. Once upon a time, I wanted no staff at all. This came after having been responsible for hundreds of people in my corporate position in radio broadcasting. But I finally realized I was limiting my growth by not hiring employees for my personal writing business. So now we have a few full-time employees and a number of independent contractors. We try to keep the staff as minimal as possible, but no smaller than needed. I have seen more than one friend destroy their own business by over-hiring. I'm determined not to make this mistake.

Remote workers. Rather than limit my pool of prospective employees to people who live in my hometown, we simply look for the best people for the job. This means we have hired staff from all over the place. In the US, we have workers on our team in Tennessee, Colorado, California, and elsewhere. For more on how to orchestrate a remote workforce (because there are some unique challenges), I highly recommend the book Remote: Office Not Required, by Jason Fried.

Employees vs. Contractors. I am not offering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. You should seek the services of a qualified professional to answer those questions. I can tell you that in my experience there is a difference between an employee and contractor in terms of mental attitude and dedication to the job. This is not to say that contractors don’t have a place. In my work as a freelance copywriter, I am, after all, an independent contractor. However, the person who is a full-time employee in your company can devote 100% of their working efforts to you. You must see that makes a difference. I'm not saying one is better than the other; I'm saying there's a place for both.

Client Selection. Anytime I'm going to be personally interacting with clients, such as on a copywriting or marketing project, I use a selection process. The prospective client will have to convince me that I want them as a client. This may sound arrogant, but it is not meant to be so. It actually serves all parties concerned. If I do not have good chemistry with the client, if our working styles do not match, or if we have mismatched expectations, that is a recipe for discord and upset. Contentious, negative, or sketchy people do not make the list. And if they do somehow sneak in, once we discover these fatal flaws, they are invited to go elsewhere. Immediately.

PRIORITIZING PRODUCTIVITY

I place priority on stewarding my most valuable non-renewable resource – time – as if it is treasure. Because it is treasure. Thus productivity gets priority.

My Morning Success Ritual. This is vital to my most productive days. While I don't manage to get this all in every day, I'm getting better at it. My goal between is to achieve 95%+ compliance with this ritual every day. The days when I follow this MSR, starting the minute my feet hit the floor out of bed, are invariably my best days (most productive, most joyous, most satisfying). Probably because the most important things were done first – like prayer, reading, meditating, journaling, exercise, etc. And they are done when I'm still in the “NDZ”: No Distraction Zone (meaning no email, no voicemail, no phone calls, etc.)

Writing. The first thing I must do each day after my MSR is complete (and after I have showered, driven to the office, etc.) is WRITING. I am primarily a writer. You can always tell who the writers are – they’re the ones who are writing. This is my #1 Revenue Producing Activity (RPA). At this point my phone is off, I have still not checked email, not checked voicemail, etc. Still in the NDZ. I write for a large block of time at the beginning of the day — often 4 hours. NOTHING gets to interrupt the writing — including (especially) the clients for whom I may be writing.

Fortress of Solitude. This is the most important and perhaps the most controversial piece of advice I can give you. You must construct for yourself a “fortress of solitude”. While I do not pretend to be Superman, I do take inspiration from the Man of Steel's secret hideaway. The Fortress of Solitude is the place Superman goes to be in absolute solitude. A place of silent contemplation. This is the place he goes to think, to learn, to plan, to rejuvenate. Some of the ways in which I've done this are:

I never answer incoming business calls. They’re always screened, dealt with, and if I really need to speak with the person a call is set for Call Day.

I have only one day per month that I make phone appointments (Call Day). I make all phone appointments on that day. If that date cannot work for a person seeking a phone conversation with me, my assistant will schedule them for the next month. I schedule all my interviews on one day per month, grouped together so that I can take care of this task all in a single day.

My daily schedule is relatively free from appointments. This creates large blocks of time for me to do what I do best, and what is most important for generating revenue in my business: writing, creating content, and recording (either audio or video). For more details on why I resort to these extreme measures, please see No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs, by Dan Kennedy.

Rest. In order to deliver the very best work to my clients and partners, and to still leave room in my schedule for rejuvenation (sleep, family time, time with God, and time to just plain relax)… I have to guard my time vigorously. And I have to be on guard against what Dan Kennedy calls “Time Vampires”. They will suck the life out of you.

I Don’t Check Email, and I Only Get One Email Each Day. My auto-check feature in Apple Mail is turned OFF. I only get email when I press the “Check Mail” button. I check it once per day, Monday thru Thursday. Usually around 4 pm Pacific. All my email is screened by my assistant, who compiles the relatively few messages I must read or respond to. She sends those to me in a single email at the end of each day. This is one of my policies that tends to be unpopular with those who are “urgency addicts”, and who want me to have a constant email discussion about all manner of things with them. I refuse to sacrifice my highest valued commodity (time) for the sake of what usually amounts to trivia. I suggest you adopt the same policy.

I Avoid Meetings Like the Plague They Are. Any meeting that lasts longer than 15 minutes is probably too long. Not always, but most of the time. Any project that requires multiple meetings each week is probably in trouble. Long meetings = inefficiency at best, and postponement of the inevitable at worst. (As a sidebar: frequent short meetings are just a disguised way of having long meetings. HEAR ME: if you have “meeting-itis”, either you just want an excuse to talk about work instead of doing it, or something is wrong with the project … something another meeting won't solve).

Phone Meetings / Conversations. Same as in person meetings, only worse. Conversations and phone meetings should be 15 minutes or less and have a predetermined purpose and ending time. These all take place on aforementioned Call Day.

Instant Messenger. Any Flavor. (I’m looking at you, Slack). Just say no. The only time I use it is when I have SCHEDULED events on Skype or Zoom (usually interviews). I am NEVER “just available” to be interrupted. (If I was, that would mean that I was either doing something unimportant or that I was doing NOTHING. If I'm doing something unimportant… WHY? And if I'm doing NOTHING, it's a PLANNED nothing and it's important that this not be interrupted!).

I HATE TEXT MESSAGES. The end.

Office Hours. Yes, I have an office outside my home. I lease currently. I'm considering buying an office building. I keep regular business hours most of the time: Mon – Thurs, 8 am – 5 pm Pacific.

By the way, my office phone is answered by a LIVE HUMAN (not some stupid voicemail torture device) Monday – Saturday, 8 am – 6 pm Pacific time. Why do I have the phone covered even when I am out of the office? Because other members of my team keep different hours… and because emergencies DO happen, and I like to be available if a TRUE emergency arises. My phone team knows how to reach me in those cases.

WHY THE EMPHASIS ON NOT BEING INTERRUPTED?
Interruptions cost you dearly.

As a writer, I know that allowing myself to be interrupted by a client or vendor (“Hey Ray – got a minute to talk about the new logo?”) can seem harmless… but it isn't. That interruption costs me (a) the state of “flow” I was in while working, maybe impossible to recover, (b) the time of the interruption itself, and (c) the time it takes me to get back into the “zone” with what I was working on… minimum 20 minutes, maybe longer.

I can't afford to let that happen.

My clients and customers can't afford for me to let that happen.

I once had a client who loved to call me at 11 pm at night and talk for two hours. I tried to tell him I worked set hours and was available at those times, but he didn't seem to understand. When our first project was finished, I fired him. His dysfunction did not automatically become my problem. Be warned – people will WASTE your time if you let them. Will you let them? Be polite, be loving… but don't be a victim.

In the end, if you guard your time, you are being most respectful of other people. Think about it: if you allow yourself to be interrupted, or your time wasted when you should have been doing something else… who suffers? Your clients. Your customers. Your family (“Sorry honey, I have to stay late because I wasted 2 hours today listening to the web team make excuses…”).

You're not serving anyone by being a poor steward of your time.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Here’s the 3-step plan I promised you to help increase your own income. It’s quite simple:

1. Choose just one of the practices I listed above – the one that excites you the most.
2. Put that practice to work in your own business, and use it until it begins to produce results.
3. Now pick a new practice, add it to your daily/weekly/monthly routine, and repeat the process. (Don’t stop doing the new “thing” you started in Step 1. Keep doing all the activities, and as you add them one by one, you will likely see a corresponding surge in income. I am not promising you any income results, just sharing what has worked for me. Your mileage may vary.)

If this post has struck a chord with you, please let me know in the comments, and ask any specific questions you have. I’ll endeavor to answer as transparently as possible.

Finally, if you did find this post useful, I pray that you put it into action. So, here's my question for you: What ideas from this post will you implement and what results do you hope to see?

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get the Transcript and Video

https://rayedwards.com/612

Kevin Rogers spent years on the road doing stand-up comedy. Now he makes his living as a direct-response copywriter. I had a chat with Kevin about his journey from playing comedy clubs with the likes of Chris Rock and Billy Gardell, to writing launch promotions for high-dollar clients.

There are many parallels between comedy and copy. Tune in as I explore them with someone who's been successful at both. 

Is it necessary to drop a bunch of cash on social media ads in order to get targeted names on your list? Absolutely not.

Buying ads isn't as complicated as some would lead you to believe. In fact, I may even offer some guidance on how to do it the right way in a future episode, but I think it's wise to start with the resources you already have at your disposal; specifically, your website. 

This week, I want to clearly define the purpose of your website, the purpose of your list, AND how those things work together to aid in the purpose of your business - making sales.

[00:20] Grow your list with your existing traffic
[00:42] Rule #1: The purpose of your website is to grow your email list
[01:55] Example 1: My site
[03:02] Example 2: Ben Settle
[03:28] Example 3: Tim Ferris
[04:08] Rule #2: The purpose of your list is to sell stuff to the people on the list
[04:57] Rule #3: The best way to make sales is to email the people on your list...every day
[05:36] What about Spam complaints?
[06:10] What do you say in your emails?
[06:31] The Story Formula (Hook, Story, Lesson)

Links

BenSettle.com - Want to up your email game? Pay attention to this man.

Tim Ferriss - I've been a fan for many years. This is another great example of a site that's focused on getting you opted in.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

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Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/610

Megan Hyatt Miller is coauthor of the book, Mind Your Mindset, which she wrote with her father, Michael Hyatt. She is also the President and CEO of Full Focus. 

Megan is a perfect example of balancing business success with a successful personal life. It's seemingly a rare story - But, does it have to be?

Listen to find out how to retrain your narrator, overcome the fears that are holding you back, and maintain a healthy margin between your business and personal life.

• [00:00] Intro - Who is Megan Hyatt Miller?
• [00:56] What was the genesis book
• [02:52] The fear that could have ruined everything
• [06:02] The stories we tell ourselves
• [09:21] The science of mindset
• [11:53] Training your narrator
• [13:42] Give me a real example
• [18:32] It's not all business
• [20:46] You can't solve a problem you don't think you have
• [24:09] Maybe you can have it all
• [26:40] The self-coaching tool
• [29:27] What's the goal with this book?
• [30:30] Where to get it

LINKS

Mind Your Mindset - Click to get your copy of Mind Your Mindset: The Science That Shows Success Starts With Your Thinking. This affiliate link includes 3 incredible bonuses for my listeners and viewers:

1. Mind Your Mindset audiobook ($26.99 value)
2. ​Self-Coacher Desk Tool ($9.99 value) — 50% off with promo code.
3. ​Mind Your Mindset Reading Guide ($19 value)

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/609

I've got 7 questions that every entrepreneur, every content creator, every personal brand, every business that does business on the internet, must be able to answer in order to succeed. 

And I'm no exception. I want you to understand how things have changed, and how my company has responded to meet those changes head on (and why YOU should, too).

I felt this information was urgent enough to warrant a special, bonus episode for this week.

• [00:00] Intro (this may be a mistake)
• [01:27] Work
• [01:34] 7 Questions every entrepreneur must answer
• [01:51] Question 1: Are you prepared for ...?
• [03:00] Question 2: Do you have a systematic (repeatable) approach for marketing?
• [03:25] Question 3: Is your business a leach?
• [03:39] Question 4: Are you already using A.I. in your business?
• [03:53] Question 5: Are you creating 50-100 pieces of content each day?
• [04:11] Question 6: Is your Shadow Brand killing your business online?
• [04:37] Question 7: Is your marketing dynamically controlled by A.I.?
• [05:11] What qualifies me to give you this advice?
• [07:15] Here's what I've learned over decades of doing this
• [09:54] I blame Gary V.
• [12:33] The abundance mindset
• [13:33] Over a million views
• [14:39] But...I've tried that
• [16:54] The problem *most* people have
• [18:56] Your competition just got better
• [21:17] This is not a trend...
• [24:47] 20:1
• [27:30] What else we're doing
• [30:20] Elysium Writer
• [35:09] If there's ONE thing to improve in your business, it's this... 
  
  

Watch This Episode on Youtube

https://youtu.be/H-HkZxEv4tU

Links

Click Funnels - This is the system we have used to build multiple, 7-figure sales funnels. (affiliate link which does not affect the price you pay)

ElysiumWriter.ai - Members of our coaching program have early access to this powerful A.I. which has been designed with my own, proprietary framework to deliver incredible copy that converts. 

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.

Questions or comments?

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

"If I only knew then what I know now." Who hasn't had that thought?

Since time travel is not yet an option, this week we'll examine something more practical: 

What would your future self be asking you now?

In this episode, I have 5 questions that can help you become the future self you want to be.

[00:00] Intro
[00:17] If you could go back in time to talk to your younger self, what would you say?
[02:04] Discipline is Destiny (Ryan Holiday)
[02:53] If we know what to do, why don't we change?
[03:57] Change can happen in an instant
[06:02] Read This or Die
[06:53] Question 1: What is your average day like?
[12:17] Question 2: Who do you spend the most time with?
[16:42] Question 3: What is your fuel?
[20:38] Question 4: What do you think about the most?
[23:00] Question 5: What is the story of your life?

Links

Read This or Die - Ray Edwards (Available for Pre-Order now!)

Discipline is Destiny - Ryan Holiday

Mind Your Mindset - Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. 

Questions or Comments?

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Transcript and Video

https://rayedwards.com/607

Learn how to overcome "The Resistance" - The things that are slowing your productivity, raising your anxiety, and ruining your carefully crafted work plan.

Three simple, life-changing steps are waiting for you in this week's episode.

[00:00] - What do I mean by "the resistance" (friction)
[01:52] - Eliminate Self-Created Resistance
[06:37] - Permission Based Resistance
[11:16] - Externally Produced Resistance

Links

TextExpander - If you have to type it more than once, templatize it

The War of Art - by Steven Pressfield. I highly recommend you read this book (at least) once.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/606

Is it possible to intentionally become the person you wish to be? The best version of yourself you can imagine?

It's not only possible, it's how it's done...with intention, and commitment.

This week, we'll talk about what it takes to become "the possible you".

• [00:18] Abandoning resolutions
• [00:51] Set impossible goals
• [02:10] But, I don't know how to do that
• [03:01] What you've been doing doesn't work
• [04:25] You have to believe you deserve it
• [05:54] Construct your new identity
• [07:31] What is your identity?
• [11:31] Operating as your future self
• [13:50] Expect (and see) miracles
• [16:40] About my DBS
• [18:30] Mastermind meetings
• [20:11] No amount of money will ...
• [21:15] Some tasks to help you succeed

Links

- Be Your Future Self Now: The Science of Intentional Transformation Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Hay House

- Mind Your Mindset Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller

- Dr. Joe Dispenza

- The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/605

Have you ever tried to make a significant change in your life? Something that requires effort and commitment? Have you ever failed to achieve that change?

Most of us would answer yes to that question (the honest people), but what if I told you there is a real reason why this happens? A universal truth that applies to any major change in your life, be it fitness, finance, productivity, etc.

The fact is, you can't just "Dabble in Discipline", you must Move in Mastery.

I'll explain exactly what I mean by that in this week's episode.

• [00:12] We usually know what to do, but don't do what we know
• [00:43] Dabbling in discipline
• [02:12] How you do anything, is how you...
• [03:25] So, what can you do about it? (Hustle mode)
• [04:52] Productivity Porn
• [05:14] The 80/20 Rule
• [09:06] In summary...
• [09:33] How to Move The Needle this weekend

Links

The Sales Page In A Weekend Challenge - This starts within hours of the release of this podcast, so if you're fortunate enough to be here early, get signed up now!

You'll learn how to use the latest A.I. to generate the foundation of a good sales page, then how to go from good to GREAT - Get a high-performing, professional grade, money-making sales page completed this weekend!

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/604

Some say that YouTube is unfriendly territory for newcomers, but have you really missed the boat? Is it too late to build an income-generating channel? My guest this week, Sean Cannell, says "saturation is a myth". YouTube still rewards great content for those who have the right recipe...and he's got the facts, figures, and cases studies to back it up.

Listen to this inspiring interview with someone who has over 1,000,000 subscribers, 100,000,000 video views, coauthored the book YouTube Secrets, and who has coached numerous clients in building their own, successful YouTube channels.

[00:00] Who is Sean Cannell?
[01:12] The dangers of comparison
[04:30] YouTube Secrets
[05:21] Psychology and Community
[11:15] How did you grow your company?
[20:00] Let's hear the vanity numbers
[22:30] Is YouTube still the place to start?
[31:35] It takes courage! Where do you get that?
[41:45] How do we deal with negative people in our lives?
[51:05] Saturation is a myth - Supply and Demand is real
[57:58] How to find Sean 

LINKS

Think Media on YouTube - Start here for incredible free content to get things going

Video Ranking Academy - Ready to level up? Join Sean Cannell's Video Ranking Academy. Use this private link to get the best price.

YouTube Secrets- Get the brand new 2nd edition of this Must-Read book for any aspiring YouTuber.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/603

Every year people make resolutions or set goals for the coming year. Most will abandon all these aspirations before the month of January is over. Why does this happen?

Because their “resolutions” and “goals” were nothing but WISHES. And wishing doesn’t make it so. What makes things happen? DECISIONS and COMMITMENTS.

In this episode, I'll give you 5 Decisions That Can MULTIPLY your RESULTS 10X This Year.

[00:00] Intro- The problem with resolutions with goals

[00:50] 1. DECIDE to learn from and value the past. Past especially the “FAILURES”. If you don’t have any failures from last year, you probably didn’t try anything very ambitious. And if you do have failures, don’t let that get you down. Because having failures means you have data from which you can learn.

[01:17] 2. DECIDE to change your Emotional “Thermostat”. Raise your emotional standards. This ONE SINGLE DECISION can change your life. When you raise the vibration of energy you carry, you increase The amount of charisma and influence you possess, the respect you command, and the results you produce.

[01:58] 3. DECIDE WHO you want to be in the future, and measure progress ruthlessly. To go where you’ve never been, you have to so things you’ve never done. To break the habit of being “just me” and seeking to be extraordinary.

[02:30] 4. DECIDE to get Focused, Remove BLOCKS, and experience BOTH kinds of FLOW: ”Deep Flow” and “Recovery Flow”

[05:39] 5. DECIDE to CLARIFY your values, your purpose, mission, vision, and goals so that all is in alignment , all can be Systemized, and all can be optimized. The Molders of Meaning and Life are the WORDS we use, and the STORIES we tell with these words - CHANGE YOUR WORDS, CHANGE YOUR WORLD.

Links

My Exclusive 3-Day Live Event - Are you tired of setting goals that you never seem to achieve? Are you ready to take your business to the next level, but not sure how to get there?

Then join us for our exclusive three-day workshop in Spokane, Washington, where you'll learn how to design your destiny using our proven and tested method for clarifying, committing to, and constructing a plan for getting 10 times the results this year.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/602

This week's episode was recorded Christmas morning, 2022. I wanted to have a comfortable, intimate setting to relay some positive thoughts and exercises for the new year, so I chose to record at my kitchen table.

My premise is this: We can't be happy all the time, that's a delusion and an unrealistic expectation...BUT, we can have much less time being unhappy than we currently do - by a long shot.

There are ways you can manage your emotions and get some control over what makes you joyful. As we head into 2023, I have an excellent journaling exercise that will help you do just that.

[00:17] Intro - Planning my best year ever
[00:58] Brain surgery update
[01:18] Perception of problems
[02:27] Being a rational optimist
[03:14] Happiness from within
[04:07] Realistic expectations
[04:50] Be mindful of your thoughts
[05:15] Your emotional "home base"
[07:04] Get free of emotional addiction
[07:32] The power of gratitude
[08:37] Emotions are signals
[10:32] Writing exercise
[11:26] My Crisis of Confidence

Links

Your Best Year Ever - Michael Hyatt

How You Can Help

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https://rayedwards.com/601

OpenAI's ChatGPT software is producing such impressive, original copy, it has many copywriters concerned for their future. 

I understand the concern, but that doesn't change the fact that it's here, and it's getting better every day.

Earlier this week I taught a class on how copywriters can use this new technology to increase their productivity to levels never before possible...To easily add 10k a month to their bottom line by serving more clients. 

This class was seen by some as promoting the very tool that is out to get them. They were not happy with me. 

I hope they eventually (quickly) realize that this tech is here to stay, and it can be an incredible tool for writers. Either use it to better your business, or let it roll over you.

This week's audio was taken directly from that class. It's a live demonstration of the power of ChatGTP. In it, I give copywriters 10 ways to use this tech to generate more revenue (easily 10k a month) for their business. Enjoy.

[00:00] Intro - The Controversial Class
[01:07] The Death of Copywriting, or The Start of the Gold Rush
[02:58] Realtime demonstration
[07:44] A.I. can be your ally
[18:21] 10 ways to make 10k
[18:28] #1 Write Faster
[19:18] #2 Start an Agency
[19:40] #3 Write Sales Pages
[19:54] #4 Ghostwrite Books
[20:39] #5 Write Email Copy
[21:03] #6 Write and Publish on Medium or Substack
[21:15] #7 Improve Websites
[21:52] #8 Create Youtube and Podcast scripts
[22:05] #9 Write SEO Copy
[22:27] #10 Write a Newsletter

Links

ChatGPT - Get your free account and start using this tool.

Ray's Holiday Bundle -Get access to my Copy Academy Coaching Program for a record low price. This price includes access to my new A.I. training course for copywriters, as well as beta access to my upcoming A.I. copywriting app, and VIP tickets to our live event in Nashville next year (Summer 2023)

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Get The Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/600

The entrepreneurial journey is full of highs and lows…and yes, I acknowledge that the same could be said of any job - BUT, it’s somehow different when you’re running the show.

There is potential for higher highs, lower lows, and you're ultimately responsible for all of them.

In this episode (taken from The Cliff Ravenscraft Show) Cliff and I discuss how to deal with this reality from the perspective of a business owner...How to achieve equanimity and maintain a positive attitude at least 99% of the time (nobody is perfect).

[00:18] Intro - Special episode with Cliff Ravenscraft
[01:40] The messiness of the entrepreneurial journey - Avoiding burnout
[05:59] A conversation with Cliff and Ray
[09:22] Focusing on the right things
[11:44] Entrepreneurial Isolation
[12:42] Read this, or die
[19:45] Have you ever felt your business wasn’t giving you the freedom you were looking for?
[22:22] Where does joy come from
[24:26] Cliff’s word of the day: Equanimity
[33:08] Man’s search for meaning
[36:00] Your mental “home base”
[45:38] Handling the highs and lows
[52:13] The cat comes out of the bag, live, online
[55:52] The value of a coach
[57:24] Cliff wraps it up

Links

CliffRavenscraft.com - Cliff's home base

Free The Dream Course - Cliff's flagship course that gives you the techniques, tools and strategies that will allow you to Live the Life of Your Dreams…

TrainWithCliff.com - Find Cliff's commentary on Viktor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning, here.

Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor Frankl's must-read masterpiece

Order My New Book On Amazon - Read This or Die!: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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https://rayedwards.com/599

Having to constantly chase down new leads is an exhausting and stressful way to keep revenue flowing.

Wouldn't it be better to have new clients seek you out? To attract new business instead of chasing after it? 

There are several ways to make this happen without a huge (or even a small) advertising budget. 

This week's episode features a segment from 2013 entitled "How to Attract Business". It's been almost a decade since I first suggested these tactics and they're all still valid. In fact, I still use each and every one.

Thanks to CDRC Bryan Switalski for suggesting that we revisit these powerful tactics.

[00:19] Intro - Where this week's episode comes from
[01:23] Your desperation stinks
[03:16] Here's "the secret"
[03:54] Step 1 - Create massive value
[06:36] Step 2 - Positioning and Authority
[09:50] Step 3 - The Hub and Spoke system
[11:06] Step 4 - Traffic, lead, and conversion system
[12:38] Step 5 - Create a Path
[13:57] Recap and implementation ideas

Links

RayEdwards.com - While you're here, take a moment to check out the resources I've made available to you, and get signed up for my daily newsletter which is filled with "WEIRD COPYWRITING TIPS, TOOLS, And TACTICS That Will Bring You More Traffic, Conversions, And Sales..."

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/598

This week, I invite you to tune out the continual stream of fear mongering and "doom and gloom" stories, and consider this: By every measurable statistic, life on Earth is better now than it ever has been.

Yes, we still have problems that need solving...
No, we're not perfect...but we're better than ever.

This week, I'm giving you 5 reasons why now is the best time to be alive.

[00:22] My premise: Things are better, and can get better still.
[04:35] Why pessimists are fools, and optimists have a better life
[06:40]Reason 1: Things are better than ever
[07:25]Reason 2: The internet
[09:47]Reason 3: Anybody can do anything
[12:40]Reason 4: We can change our peer group
[15:15]Reason 5: You can no longer escape your past
[16:55] So...What do we do now? 
[18:42] The most profitable way to do business
[20:24] Grow in the structure of good mental health
[22:49] The 20:1 ratio (give 20x's more than you ask)
[24:42] Use your modern brain
[27:24] Have an intentional mindset

Links

Factfulness: 10 Reasons Why We're Wrong About The World by Hans Rosling

Watch One of Hans Rosling's Ted Talks on YouTube

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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https://rayedwards.com/597

This week, I'm covering 10 rules for living a richer life, whether you're a writer or not.

A rich life is not limited to (but can certainly include) money. My goal is a "richer life" - as in, a more satisfying experience on this planet.

These are thoughts which I have adopted as beliefs. They have served me well, and will continue to do so as I strive to be better at following them.

Try them for yourself, and I am certain you will see positive changes and ultimately, a richer life.

[00:00] Intro - The rich writer's life?
[01:13] Rule #1: Know what you believe, and why
[02:05] Rule #2: Keep promises to yourself, and then to others
[02:36] Rule #3: Respect the value of time
[03:05] Rule #4: Feel your feelings...but don't wallow in them
[04:07] Rule #5: Speak only when your words improve upon silence
[04:18] The Daily Ray email newsletter
[05:08] Rule #6: Don't worry
[05:34] Rule #7: Motion precedes motivation
[06:22] Rule #8: Laugh at yourself...but not all the time
[06:35] Rule #9: Live deep
[07:22] Rule #10: Get your satisfaction from the process
[09:01] Everyone should write
[10:10] Resolutions? Why wait...
[11:00] My personal guide
[13:28] My personal creed
[14:26] Get personal coaching every month

Links

ThisIsMarketingSchool.com - Each month, get coached by me, and my team of certified coaches. We'll pull back the curtain so you can see what's going on behind the scenes in my business, as well as some of our wold-class clients. We share the best practices, templates, funnels, and marketing methods that have brought us more than $500,000,000 in sales. We don't just hand them over...we show you how to put them to work for your business.

Watch This Episode On YouTube

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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https://rayedwards.com/596

What do you do when your copy isn't converting the way you think it should?

Trust me, the best copywriters in the world write the occasional dud...You put it out there, and it just falls flat.

There are 5 common reasons your copy isn't converting, and on this week's episode, I'll explain how you can fix them all.

[00:52] Reason 1: Failure to understand the "P" in the P.A.S.T.O.R. Framework
[02:01] Reason 2: Not doing enough research
[02:46] Reason 3: Not dealing with competing solutions 
[03:49] Reason 4: Your not getting the offer right
[04:45] Reason 5: Not enough editing, revising and rewriting your copy

RayEdwards.com  - We're making major updates to my main site. It not only looks great, but there are some valuable FREE resources waiting for you here.

And, you are one step away from accessing the ONLY personal coaching that gives you the help you need to sharpen your copy skills and your grow your business.

Get Coached EVERY MONTH By Me and My Certified Coaches. We will show you what to do in your market, for your product or services … to make more money and increase your profits.

Here Is What You Get When You Enroll In the Copy Academy Coaching Membership RIGHT NOW!

• Individual Private Copy Coaching Every Month
• ​Monthly Group Mindset Coaching
• ​Monthly Group Copy Critiques
• ​Monthly Group Q&A Calls
• ​Monthly Marketing Templates with Video Tutorials
• ​ My Signature Copywriting Training Courses: Copywriting Academy & Sales Copy System
• ​Full Access to My Digital Vault and Archives (Value over $21,000!)
• ​Access to Our VERY ACTIVE Private Circle Community
• ​ BONUS: Two Free Tickets To Our Next Live Event in 2023 (Dates and Location TBD)

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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https://rayedwards.com/595

A couple of weeks ago, we did an episode devoted to the copywriting purists in the audience...A copywriting Q&A.

That episode generated a lot of positive feedback, so this week, we're doing another round of questions submitted by some of our listeners. If you are (or want to be) a copywriter, I think you'll find some worthwhile knowledge inside.

If you have a question, leave a comment below. I'm not sure when the next Q&A episode will be, but it largely depends on the quality and quantity of questions we receive...so don't be shy! I read every comment here and on the socials.

• [00:50] Question 1: How do I deal with "scope creep" when working for local clients?
• [06:50] Questions 2: How do I know what to charge to do some "minor touchups" on someone's copy?
• [11:20] Question 3: What's your favorite ad campaign of all time?

Links

The Man In The Hathaway Shirt - A highly successful campaign by the legendary David Ogilvy which perhaps inspired The Most Interesting Man In The World campaign.

How You Can Help

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https://rayedwards.com/593

It was such a pleasure to welcome my son, Sean, back to the show. When the pandemic hit, it quickly became apparent that Sean would need to devote more time to our bricks and mortar coffee shop that we purchased together in 2017.

In this weeks episode, I want Sean to explain what it was like to keep the business afloat amidst the shutdowns and restricted operations we faced here in the state of Washington. We both learned some valuable, life and mindset-altering lessons and I think some of those are universally beneficial to any business owner/leader.

• [00:00] Who is this Sean guy?
• [03:44] When the ship hit the sand
• [06:38] Restricted operations
• [07:51] A completely different point of view
• [09:02] What's the motivation?
• [12:07] Dealing with the politics and human nature
• [15:25] Differences for online vs. bricks and mortar businesses
• [20:47] What's changed at Revel?
• [27:45] As marketers, we ignore our customers...
• [29:05] These tactics work in the "real world", too
• [31:49] Spiritual transformation
• [32:41] The success bottleneck is here
• [34:01] Who's in control
• [38:46] Lessons from Desmond
• [43:46] If it doesn't work here...
• [45:21] Back to business

Links

A Rare (soon to be impossible) Opportunity To Work Directly With Ray Edwards - Click here to book a One-On-One with Ray

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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https://rayedwards.com/592

Are you making progress toward being the person you wish you were?

Most of us have more than one area of our lives we would like to improve, and most of us even know what we need to do to get there (or at least, get closer).

So what's the hold up? You're about to find out.

This week, I want to talk about our greatest addiction. It's not drugs, food, or anything of the sort, but it's real, and it is probably the source of your stagnation.

The good news? It's fixable. Click below to listen.

• [00:00] Here's what's going on
• [01:00] The quote that spawned this episode (@mindset.therapy)
• [02:01] Just hear me out (Even if you think you've already heard this)
• [03:14] Yeah, but are you DOING it?
• [04:33] Okay, Okay... I'll listen... But what is "It"?
• [04:45] Our greatest addiction
• [06:43] How does this relate to your business?
• [07:01] The truth about dopamine
• [13:00] Why are we addicted?
• [14:51] What is an emotion?
• [19:04] It's a breakable habit
• [20:57] Depression and Anxiety
• [23:18] Think about it until you can feel it
• [23:39] Have a plan
• [24:51] Ready?

Links

@mindset.therapy - Check out their instagram

A Rare (soon to be impossible) Opportunity To Work Directly With Ray Edwards - Click here to book a One-On-One with Ray

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/591

This week, I'm getting back to the core of what I teach by answering questions submitted by copywriters. I encourage you to leave any questions of your own (or corrections/additions to the answers I gave) in the comments on this page.

• [00:00] Intro
• [00:56] Question 1 - Should I be worried about A.I. taking my clients?
• [05:01] Question 2 - Do I need to use contracts?
• [07:30] Question 3 - Did I write this, or did I steal this?
• [10:40] Question 4 - What's the best formula for a subject line?

Links

Click Here for Your Final Opportunity to Work Directly With Ray Edwards to Build Your Million Dollar Freedom Business

Get My 100 Best Subject Lines (In the show notes for this episode)

Copyscape - Online plagiarism checker

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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https://rayedwards.com/590

The term "quiet quitting" predates the pandemic by more than a decade, but has become commonplace since 2020.

So, what is it? Quiet Quitting is when you decide to the absolute bare minimum of what is required to keep getting a paycheck...No more aspirations of "moving up the ladder", just "acting your wage", as they say.

When the pandemic forced so much of the workforce to work from home, outside of the constant supervision of the traditional workplace, it became a lot easier to quietly quit.

This week, I want to talk about where your life-impacting decisions (like quiet quitting) come from, and which part of your brain is calling the shots.

Links

Click Here for Your Final Opportunity to Work Directly With Ray Edwards to Build Your Million Dollar Freedom Business

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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https://rayedwards.com/589

That is the question that keeps coming up:

“Is Ray retiring?”

It’s my own fault. It’s because I said (in yesterday's email) that “this is your last chance to work with me personally.” For 98% of those reading this email that remains true, but I am absolutely not “retiring“.

And I AM NOT shrinking the goals for my company. Quite the contrary, we have significantly increased our goals. My reasons for continued growth, and scaling up, are very different than they were three years ago, however.

Listen to this week's episode to get the whole story, where you will discover…

• Why my team and I attended FunnelHacking Live (hint - it was only partly to receive our “2 Comma Club” Award - and even that not for the reasons you might suspect.)
• How you can get a copy of the exact Funnel through which we processed nearly $1.8 million in sales to earn that award. We will even help you customize it for your own business, if you qualify.
• Why today's economy makes it possible for you to achieve business growth in 12 months which took me 12 years.

• The two surprising “universal truths“ about all businesses (no matter what business you are in, or think you’re in). These two truths should change the way you approach everything about marketing your business.

• And the 5 Areas of Strategic Focus you must master … if you want to not only survive, but actually thrive in the coming economic meltdown.

All this (and more) in today's podcast.

Links

Work With Ray Edwards to Build Your Million Dollar Freedom Business

Video

A video version of this week's episode is available by Clicking Here

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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https://rayedwards.com/588

This week's entire episode is devoted to an incredible tool for copywriters (although, I'm quite certain it was not built exclusively for us) - Notion.

Notion is one of those things I was "sort of" familiar with... I knew it was some sort of workspace management system, but I had no idea how much it could be tailored to copywriting and content creation until I got a look at how Cliff Ravenscraft was using it.

I'm not easily impressed these days, and I certainly don't feel the need to learn a new app just because it's popular. This app, however, is worth some effort. I invited Cliff to share with us how he's using Notion to quickly create and manage incredible content that serves his listeners and clients.

• [00:00] Intro
• [01:17] A thousand hours so far
• [01:52] Not bad for an amateur
• [04:03] The value of journaling (they're not for posterity)
• [05:11] Don't trust your biological brain
• [06:41] How do you use Notion?
• [10:14] This sounds like a lot of work
• [11:33] Where do I tap?
• [12:11] How did you go from a Google Doc to Notion?
• [17:31] Let's see it work
• [22:32] Notion as a CRM
• [24:50] Ultimate email follow up
• [29:11] Copywriters: Pay attention
• [30:10] Client homework
• [33:35] Imagine the level of service you can provide
• [34:16] The learning curve...
• [36:40] Notion for speakers
• [39:46] Applying knowledge (not just collecting it)
• [41:03] A final demo (keeping things private)
• [42:37] You are a media empire
• [43:25] Okay, one final show off

Links

https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/ - Visit Cliff's site

https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/podcast - Cliff's podcasts

https://notion.so - Here's where to get started with Notion

https://tinywow.com/ - Convert PDF's to JPG's (and much more)

https://otter.ai - Transcription service

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/587

If you're not familiar with Jennifer Allwood, let me introduce her with this quote from her site, JenniferAllwood.com :

I teach Christian women how to build a business online using social media, top-notch strategy and a proven framework all while keeping their faith and family top priority

https://jenniferallwood.com

I've admired Jennifer's work for some time now, so when I was asked to be a guest speaker in her private mastermind group, I was honored.

For those who ask for episodes that are "all about copy", this fits the bill. Jennifer and her group asked some great questions and I think you'll find value in my answers.

If you'd like to know more about Jennifer Allwood and her new program, Better Way, check out the Links section below.

• [00:12] Intro
• [01:01] What is copywriting?
• [02:05] How did you get into this business?
• [04:00] Everything is copy
• [05:30] The P.A.S.T.O.R. Framework
• [17:19] Are women more prone to...
• [18:55] A heart-lead seller
• [20:20] Teach them long division...then sell them a calculator
• [23:04] How is it working for you?
• [23:23] The power of One-to-One selling
• [26:04] How does PASTOR work with social media?
• [30:04] Copy for Facebook...vs Copy for Instagram
• [30:30] Can I be an exceptional communicator...but a bad seller?
• [32:10] What should marketers not do
• [33:50] This is what you meant to say
• [35:35] Bio Copy
• [38:10] Writer's Bl*ck (we don't use that term)
• [41:25] Accidental copy
• [42:11] It's perfect enough!
• [43:09] Any trends?
• [46:51] When and how do I hire a copywriter?
• [49:34] Tell me about certification
• [52:48] Offering Risk Free Guarantees

Links

Which Revenue Stream Is Right For you? - This is Jennifer Allwood's quick and easy quiz to help you determine which of the 8 kinds of revenue streams she teaches will work best for you.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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https://rayedwards.com/586

That is an intentionally provocative title, but I assure you it's not clickbait.

Give me a quick 7 minutes and I'll explain why I believe the answer to that title question is an emphatic, "Yes!"

A Note About This Episode:

The audio from this week's podcast comes from a recently released YouTube video of the same title. If you prefer video, you'll find it here.

• [00:12] Intro ... Are you serious?
• [00:53] Do you own a business...or a job?
• [01:49] What's a true marketing system?
• [02:21] The simple fix
• [03:19] Discipline = Freedom
• [03:45] We all have challenges
• [04:31] One of these can change everything
• [05:24] Doctor's advice
• [05:35] The priorities have shifted...the goals have changed
• [06:27] A great next move

Links

Certified Direct Response Copywriter - Learn how and why to become a CDRC, AND Join me and my crew of Certified Writers in a sea of your perfect clients next month at Funnel Hacking Live.

ClickFunnels - This is our primary revenue-driving machine. I highly recommend you check it out.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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https://rayedwards.com/585

Listen to this week’s podcast to learn how Click Funnels (and the upcoming Funnel Hacking Live) actually saved me from brain surgery.

My neurologist was telling me it was time to give in and have the brain surgery  … but my heart was telling me a different story. To go to the event, I had to say NO to brain surgery - and to do that, I had to actually get better.

• [00:00] Intro - Is it true?
• [08:34] How does this relate to you?
• [10:14] Are you stuck in the loop?
• [12:11] Here's an example
• [12:41] You must be able to imagine it now
• [14:15] You probably have the answer already
• [14:42] Murphy's Law is a crock of $#!*
• [15:14] Ray's Law - think about it this way
• [15:28] A note about CDRC and FHL

Links

Certified Direct Response Copywriter - Learn how and why to become a CDRC, AND Join me and my crew of Certified Writers in a sea of your perfect clients next month at Funnel Hacking Live.

ClickFunnels - This is our primary revenue-driving machine. I highly recommend you check it out.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/584

Let's start this week's encouraging podcast with some discouraging facts from our friends at the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• 22% of business startups fail in the first year
• 50% of new businesses fail within the first five years
• 97% of online businesses fail within the first five years

Did you catch that last one? Ouch!

I've been doing business online for nearly two decades. Is it just luck that I've beaten the nearly insurmountable odds? I don't think so.

This week, I want to share 7 Power Beliefs for business owners that I believe are your ticket to the 3% club of successful, sustainable businesses.

• [00:00] Intro
• [03:57] There is a payback for doubling down on small habits that change your future
• [05:23] Scale your business by doing the unscalable (while you can)
• [06:56] It is important to invest in assets, attention, and people
• [09:58] There is less competition and more opportunity than ever before
• [12:41] There is free land right now and you should grab as much of it as you can
• [15:15] If you're creating and building during a recession, you're 2-5 years ahead of everybody else
• [15:42] Start now, with whatever you have

Links

Certified Direct Response Copywriter - Learn how and why to become a CDRC, AND Join me and my crew of Certified Writers in a sea of your perfect clients next month at Funnel Hacking Live.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/583

If you're a new copywriter, or perhaps find yourself in a slump, your immediate question is likely: How do I get clients, now?

This week, I'm sharing some methods that have consistently worked for me and I'm certain can work for you as well. Bonus - These client-getting methods are not exclusive to copywriting!

[smart_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/rayedwards/REP582.mp3" artist="Ray Edwards", title="Get Clients Now" background="default"]

• [00:00] Intro
• [00:48] Method Number 1 : The Open Agenda Method
• [04:40] Method Number 2: The Life Light Method
• [07:37] Method Number 3: The Zero Resistance, Client Creation Process
  • [09:06] Contact
  • [09:30] Converse
  • [10:27] Connection
  • [11:10] Contribute
  • [12:35] Confront & Coach
  • [17:38] Collaborate
  • [18:12] Commitment
• [19:38] The secret weapon of getting clients now
• [22:00] Funnel Hacking Live

Links

Certified Direct Response Copywriter - Learn how and why to become a CDRC, AND Join me and my crew of Certified Writers in a sea of your perfect clients next month at Funnel Hacking Live.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Get The Transcript

Click here for this week's transcript

When I say, "change your words, change your world", it isn't just for the sake of marketing - it's a fact.

This week's episode is about the importance of language. From the way we express ourselves in person and online, to our most private internal dialogue, the words we choose are critical. They truly shape our view of reality.

Quick note: Much of this content was inspired by an interview with Robin Arzón I heard on Rich Roll's podcast (linked below). I highly recommend you add it to your must-listen-to list.

• [00:00] Intro - Linguistic Alchemy / Dirt into wealth
• [02:48] See the world through a different set of eyes
• [03:11] Letting the world see my reality
• [05:02] If we can't trust each other...
• [05:28] What stops us from telling the truth?
• [06:13] Success is not hard - Here's the formula
• [07:25] My policy: Radical Honesty
• [07:54] Plateaus are launchpads (things I learned from Robin Arzon)
• [09:48] Turn your doubts into defiance
• [10:36] Turn your fear into fury
• [12:11] Own your voice - be fully you

Links

Rich Roll's Podcast - A very inspiring interview with Robin Arzon

The Copy Academy - We put six figures on the books last month. Visit The Copy Academy to see exactly what we did. Not many people out there willing to share the real numbers, so take advantage while you can!

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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https://rayedwards.com/581

No matter how bad things get, there are almost always things you can do to improve yourself and your situation. This week, I'm giving you 14, easy to understand rules that will help you do exactly that.

Disclaimer: "Easy to understand" doesn't always mean easy to follow, but my belief is that if you make the effort, you will be rewarded. If you attempt some or all of these rules, I would love to hear about your results. How has your life changed? I will read and respond to every comment, so please share.

• [00:00] Intro - Let's define success
• [02:19] 14 Rules for Success in Tough Times
  • [02:26] Commit to mastery of the most important skill: clear persuasive Communication (with self, then others)
  • [04:25] Let your word be your bond
  • [05:29] Don’t take anything personally
  • [07:25] Don’t assume anything
  • [10:27] Always do your best
  • [11:14] Be skeptical, but listen and stay curious. Ask specific questions
  • [14:13] Ask yourself daily “Is this who I really want to be?”
  • [15:25] Eliminate small discomforts before they become too large to eliminate
  • [16:10] Spend the most possible time with people who hold you to a higher standard
  • [21:36] Ruthlessly avoid Time Vampires (and Emotional Vampires)
  • [24:54] Remember you have EXACTLY what you’re willing to TOLERATE
  • [26:55] Be certain that profound change CAN happen in an instant
  • [28:12] Keep in mind the obstacle is not IN the way, the obstacle IS the way
  • [29:39] Remember you are one decision away from changing your entire life
• [31:16] How to master rule number 1

Links

The Copy Academy - We put six figures on the books last month. Visit The Copy Academy to see exactly what we did. Not many people out there willing to share the real numbers, so take advantage while you can!

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

How You Can Help

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https://rayedwards.com/580

This week's podcast comes from a meeting I hosted recently entitled, "Ask Ray Anything". The original intent of this meeting was to answer questions related to my Accelerated Certification Program, but I made the last-minute decision to make it a complete free-for-all...A true, "Ask Ray Anything" meeting.

The end result: A lot of great Q&A that I felt would benefit more people if I shared it here.

• [00:00] Intro / What is the purpose of this meeting?
• [02:58] Why the world NEEDS you right now
• [03:42] Lesson 1: Communicate Value
• [04:28] but...what about the recession
• [04:59] How I had one of my best times during one of the worst times
• [07:47] What to do right now
• [09:22] Yes, buying luxury items does help others
• [09:52] Want to give more? Earn more.
• [10:33] Prosperity with purpose
• [10:54] The ideal business
• [12:58] What is a CDRC and why should you be one?
• [17:26] Joe's CDRC experience
• [18:14] Why go to Funnel Hacking Live?
• [20:44] Q&A - How do you get affiliates to promote your stuff?
• [28:23] Q&A - P.A.S.T.O.R. formula for blogging
• [30:21] Q&A - What you SHOULD be asking me
• [37:23] Q&A - How do you amplify pain when you're selling a luxury item?
• [41:00] Q&A - Do pastors make good copywriters?
• [43:30] Q&A - How much is it?

Links

Become a Ray Edwards Certified Direct Response Copywriter - Apply now at https://rayedwards.com/sidehustle

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/579

If you're an entrepreneur, I'd be shocked if you didn't own at least two books on the subject of time management. I'd be even more shocked if you own a time management book that I haven't read.

I've been fascinated with this particular subject since my high school days. That's quite a few years ago (decades in fact), so it seemed unlikely that anyone could completely change the way I manage my time at this stage of the game.

Then along came Richie Norton, and his book, Anti-Time Management, did exactly that. It's a brilliant new perspective on a topic that is nearly as old as the sundial.

In this week's episode, I talk with Richie about how to "Reclaim Your Time and Revolutionize Your Results with The Power of Time Tipping".

Links

https://richienorton.com/

How You Can Help

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https://rayedwards.com/578

This week, I wanted to tackle a huge question: "Is this the end?"

Spoiler Alert: No. It isn't.

We're dealing with unpleasant realities at this time. Tune into the news, and you hear things like:

• Recession
• Inflation
• High Interest Rates
• the Labor Market
• the Great Resignation
• Bear Market
• Supply Chain Shortages
• War in Europe

It's important to realize that the news media is in the business of selling fear. I don't mean to vilify the media...Fear is what we buy the most of, so that's mostly what they sell.

But, how bad are things, really?

Let's take a few minutes to break down where we are, how we got here, and what's next. 

• [00:00] Intro / Declaring your independence
• [02:05] It's not that bad
• [02:54] The news sells fear (As they say, "If it bleeds, it leads.")
• [03:50] What really happened
• [05:50] The housing market (according to Dave Ramsey)
• [07:09] For those under 35...
• [08:20] Tips on beating inflation
  • [08:47] Get a side-hustle - Tax advantages for owning a business (legal, moral, ethical ones)
  • [09:21] Copywriting - the BEST side-hustle
  • [10:30] Can I train others to do what I've done? (case study: Dawn Apuan)
• [18:30] You can do this on your own (it just takes longer)
• [19:23] We're taking applications now - visit https://rayedwards.com/sidehustle

Links

Become a Ray Edwards Certified Direct Response Copywriter - Apply now at https://rayedwards.com/sidehustle

What Dave Ramsey says about the Housing Market (VIDEO)

How You Can Help

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https://rayedwards.com/577

This week's episode is not a puffed-up pep talk (although there maybe some motivational side effects). When I say THIS is the time to become an entrepreneur, I mean it...And I have 7 great reasons that back it up.

• [00:00] Intro / Why now?
• [01:00] Let's define "entrepreneur" (Ryan Moran)
• [02:05] No retreat!
• [02:19] Seven reasons why...
  1. [02:22] Now is the time to re-form the habits that shape your future. (Think if you had saved $500 a month 20 years ago). Right habits are NECESSARY for SURVIVAL ... but don’t live in SURVIVAL MODE! “Act to survive, form habits to thrive.”
  2. [03:13] Build your business to scale, and begin to lay the foundation now with un-scalable actions. (You are more “Scalable” than you think!)
  3. [05:52] Invest in assets, attention and people - all are on sale. “Invest in acquisition of attention today, be wealthy tomorrow.”
  4. [08:27] There is less competition, because people behave like sheep; when they fear, they huddle. “When the tide goes out, we instantly see who was skinny-dipping.”
  5. [10:44] There is a land-grab available, and it won’t last. “Those who make the widest and deepest deposits of their best ideas and value will win the long game.”
  6. [14:10] During recession, if you are creating & building, you are 2-5 years ahead of everyone else. “Rational optimism is the ultimate advantage, and it is both attractive and contagious.”
  7. [15:17] Start now, where are you are, with what you have. It is impossible to drive a car that is parked in the garage.

Links

Ultimate Independence Day Bundle - I've given you 7 reasons why now is the time to become a millionaire entrepreneur - Now I'm offering you the tools.. My entire digital vault of tools are available right now for $197. This package is valued at over $21,000 (I've detailed all of that here) - The only caveat: This goes away forever at 11:59 p.m., July 4th.

capitalism.com - Ryan Moran

Unique Ability - Dan Sullivan

The Big Leap - Gay Hendricks

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Not only can you start a business that actually prospers during recession, but you can do so for less than a $100 investment.

In this week's episode, I'll explain what that business is, why recession actually increases demand for it, plus a few pitfalls to avoid and some shortcuts to take.

• [00:00] Show open - What is it?
• [01:49] Here's 3 reasons why a copywritng business is perfect for a recession
  • [02:18] Businesses are your customers (They NEED you!)
  • [03:46] Operating cost is virtually nothing
  • [04:33] "Geo-arbitrage"
• [06:49] Linguistic Alchemy
• [07:50] How I started in this biz
• [08:09] I can write, but...now what?
• [10:02] Getting steady work
• [11:12] The "foolproof plan"...that doesn't work.
• [12:25] Seminars, and why you need them
• [13:34] Certified by yours truly
• [15:23] The first brick wall most new copywriters hit
• [16:00] Why new copywriters feel they have no credibility in the marketplace

Links

Become a Ray Edwards Certified Direct Response Copywriter - Click to apply and schedule a one-on-one meeting. This meeting is not a sales call! This is an opportunity to evaluate each other and see if this is a good fit. I do not sell my credibility, you must earn it - And that starts with us discussing your goals, expectations and level of commitment.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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How should entrepreneurs view economic recession? Is it "brace for impact", or "full speed ahead"?

I've lived through enough periods of recession to know this:

Any entrepreneur can USE the recession to proposer. You just need to keep these 10 principles in mind…

• [00:19] What's happening?
• [02:23] Always be making offers
• [02:47] Always give a reason why for immediate action
• [03:07] Always be clear and directive in what you write
• [03:40] Always track and measure with ruthless accuracy
• [04:10] Always use zero cost brand building via social media
• [04:45] Always use strong sales copy
• [05:24] The fortune is in the follow up
• [06:14] Always make your ads look like mail order
• [06:50] Results decide
• [07:16] Use pigheaded discipline, delegation, automation, and elimination to develop marketing habits

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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My guest this week is Tim Schurrer, author of The Secret Society of Success.

First of all, I must admit that when I saw that title, I was a little leery...Secret society? Really, Tim?

Then, I read the book.

In case it isn't made obvious by the fact that he's my guest this week, this book has an incredible message and it deserves a spot in your library (and in your brain).

• [00:00] Intro - Who is Tim Schurrer
• [03:41] What's the book about?
• [06:05] Defining success
• [07:39] "...nobody there has your back. "
• [09:02] Success is in the assist
• [09:55] How do we find the balance?
• [11:22] The Tim Cook example
• [13:12] We get to choose how to show up
• [14:23] One life at a time
• [17:24] Missed the goal...now what?
• [19:08] Reader feedback
• [20:35] Writing a bestseller...
• [22:46] Are you content doing the work?
• [24:08] A great model for moving forward
• [24:53] Perfect timing

Links

Get a copy of Tim's book, The Secret Society of Success

Want a sneak preview? Get the first two chapters for free at http://secretsocietyfree.com/

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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I'd like to preface this by acknowledging that America is not officially in a recession, and that things may not get as bad as some of the typical sources of gloom and doom would have us believe.

There are, however, some facts that can't be denied. As we continue to recover from the costs of the pandemic and the threat of war still looms over us, things will no doubt get worse in some sectors. The fear that the fearmongers are spreading is not completely unfounded.

This week, I'd like to remind you of some facts to counter those fearmongers. Not just a motivational speech, but some valid observations from someone who has lived through unpleasant economic times before...me.

• [00:00] Intro - The fear
• [00:54] Past recessions
• [02:34] What now?
• [03:46] Your most valuable asset is...
• [04:26] Being me...
• [06:52] Culture and clarity
• [07:55] Your community
• [08:52] Courage

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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If you have a goal of building a successful online business, I know of no better way to quickly build a reputable, memorable, brand, than by writing a book.

This isn't some tidbit I picked up somewhere - I've experienced this personally. My book, How to Write Copy That Sells, has sold about 30,000 copies since it was released in 2016. That's certainly not enough book sales for me to retire on, but the amount of business that book has generated for my company has resulted in millions of dollars in revenue.

This week, I'm giving you 5 good reasons why you MUST write a book.

• [00:00] Intro - Who is Ray Edwards?
• [01:30] Five good reasons to write a book
  • [01:44] Reason 1 - To be an Authority
  • [02:07] Reason 2 - A useful, bestselling book is the Ultimate sales letter for your company
  • [02:30] Reason 3 - Your bestselling book should become the hub of your digital business
  • [02:51] Reason 4 - Free publicity (and a whole lot more)
  • [03:01] Reason 5 - Your bestselling book is the key to getting speaking gigs (on podcasts, stages, etc.)
• [03:23] The fast track to building your personal brand
• [03:44] You don't get rich selling your book...
• [04:09] What kind of book?
• [05:43] How do you write a useful, bestselling book?
• [07:20] The best of both worlds
• [08:00] What does it take to have a bestseller?
• [08:40] What a book proposal really is, and how I got one
• [09:33] Who is Jeff Goins?
• [09:57] How I got my book deal (with a $150k advance) / Bestseller Bootcamp

Links

ProsperousWriter.com - Learn more about the upcoming Bestseller Bootcamp - Jeff Goins and I are going to walk you through the process of creating your book proposal (a.k.a., a business plan for your book), provide you with the exact proposal that we submitted to get my 150k book deal, and give you all the templates and tools necessary to do this for your own book. In fact, we'll be working on your proposal, live, in class.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Last week I shared the story of how I recently received a $150,000 advance from a publisher for an upcoming book. Furthermore, I suggested that you can do the same...If you have the right idea and follow the right process. That episode raised a lot of interest (and a bit of skepticism). How can this be possible?

There's a simple reason why this is possible for you: Publishers want to make money. Someone is at work right now sorting through various manuscripts and proposals looking for the next "big thing". Ideally, they get an idea so profound, that it goes beyond just a book. Perhaps it's big enough for a series of books, or training programs, or a Netflix miniseries...An idea that generates cash for their company.

Reality check: Most of the content people submit to publishers aren't the next "big thing"...They're not a thing at all. They're crap. Either the idea simply isn't worth sharing, or perhaps it was simply not presented well.

This week, Jeff Goins and I continue our conversation; diving deeper into the process of going from "big idea" to bestseller.

• [00:00] Intro and...why Fresh Complaint?
• [02:03] How do you come up with an interesting idea?
• [03:21] Start with your argument
• [03:57] Writing a book is a democracy
• [06:04] The Big Idea Formula
• [06:28] The subtle art of...
• [07:20] The title follows the idea
• [10:29] The headline is the LAST thing you write
• [12:00] Opening the kimono
• [13:15] Writing is a democracy...Not a committee
• [14:33] How does an idea succeed?
• [15:29] The War of Art
• [17:04] Be provocative
• [18:51] Books generate more than just sales
• [20:52] Books are still relevant
• [22:09] A timeline of our upcoming book (so far)
• [23:38] About the process
• [26:34] Don't just start writing...have a plan
• [27:11] Bestseller Bootcamp (https://prosperouswriter.com)

Links

ProsperousWriter.com - Walk through the exact process Jeff used to get this deal done

FreshComplaint.com - Jeff's boutique agency that turns big ideas into bestsellers

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Get The Transcript

Coming soon...

Is it possible to get $150,000 check for a book that has yet to be written? Absolutely. I know this because that's exactly what I experienced thanks to my friend, and this week's guest, Jeff Goins.

Jeff and I discuss the process of going from idea, to proposal, to publishing deal.

NOTE: For a more in-depth discussion, check out our other conversation HERE.

• [00:00] Intro: How it all started
• [01:09] Coming up...
• [01:53] How to get 150k for a proposal
• [03:54] Jeff's "reinvention"
• [05:55] "Every good marketer struggles with honesty."
• [11:00] Removing the masks
• [15:49] The characters we play
• [18:30] What is a bestseller?
• [20:10] Does "bestseller" still matter?
• [25:46] After the splash...
• [30:07] What the current system rewards
• [33:27] How to you get Both? The big splash and longevity...
• [38:38] What it takes to sell
• [39:55] A note to the listener
• [40:27] What's next for Jeff?

Links

ProsperousWriter.com - Walk through the exact process Jeff used to get this deal done

FreshComplaint.com - Jeff's boutique agency that turns big ideas into bestsellers

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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In today's world, there is no shortage of fuel for negative thinking, and none of us are immune to it.

The good news is that you can minimize your negative thinking by making a conscious decision to control the one thing you should always be in control of: your attitude.

The message of this week's episode is not "think good things and good things will magically happen." The message is about finding opportunities in bad situations. "What does this make possible?", as my friend and mentor, Michael Hyatt, would ask.

Sometimes there are business opportunities...finding new ways to serve others. Sometimes, there are opportunities to change the circumstances for the better.

Whatever the case, stewing in your own misery is never a solution. Even worse, that attitude tends to spread to those around you (more surplus fuel for negative thinking).

Listen to this week's episode and then do some self-analysis.

• What are the things that fuel your negativity?
• What do they make possible?
• What are some positive ways you can affect them?

It's not always the easiest path to take, but it's always the better one.

• [00:00] Be a positive thinker...not a fantasy optimist
• [01:25] Noticing the negative
• [03:55] Be unreasonable
• [05:43] Your beliefs dictate your actions
• [08:04] Rational Optimism
• [11:20] Your excuses are valid
• [12:49] Your attitude is 100% your fault

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Last week I promised to share with you, 9 income streams for copywriters. In the interest of overdelivering, this week I present to you...11 income streams for copywriters.

Not all of these may be in your wheelhouse, but I'm fairly certain you'll get some new ideas from my list. The point I'm trying to make with this episode is this - Building multiple sources of revenue is a smart play for any entrepreneur. Tune in to find out how to do it.

• [00:00] Why do you need this?
• [01:38] Income Stream 1 - Books
• [03:31] Income Stream 2 - Workshops
• [05:21] Income Stream 3 - Product Sales
• [07:13] Income Stream 4 - Private Masterminds
• [08:35] Income Stream 5 - Affiliate Commissions
• [09:56] Income Stream 6 - Private Client Copy Engagements
• [11:09] Income Stream 7 - A "Day With You" Consulting
• [12:48] Income Stream 8 - Recurring Membership
• [13:43] Income Stream 9 - Group Coaching
• [15:24] Income Stream 10 - Newsletters (printed)
• [16:50] Income Stream 11 - Royalties

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Oh sure, the copywriting guy thinks that copywriting is the best side hustle ever...What a surprise, right?

I understand if you think I'm biased (perhaps I am), but I'm bringing 7 solid reasons to back this claim up.

In this week's episode, I'll tell you why copywriting is the best side hustle, ever!

• [00:00] Lots of great ideas
• [01:19] Copywriting is the core
• [02:27] 3 examples of companies that "get it"
• [05:08] 7 Reasons Why
  • [05:18] Reason 1: Freelance your way to freedom
  • [06:10] Reason 2: Build a 6-figure income with no capital
  • [06:44] Reason 3: You deserve the freedom
  • [07:14] Reason 4: Work whenever/wherever
  • [08:05] Reason 5: Never work for a jerk again
  • [08:36] Reason 6: Stop worrying about money
  • [09:16] Reason 7: All you need is copywriting skill and the internet

Perhaps you are someone who would be described as successful by the people who know you. If that success is in business, maybe your world is filled with luxury accommodations, gourmet meals, and exotic vacations. If you're a successful parent, perhaps one of your children is now attending Stanford and you have another that's heading off to Harvard next fall.

Whatever the extent of your achievements happen to be, there is likely at least one area of your life that seems to trip you up...One thing that you simply can't muster the motivation necessary for success.

This week, I want to tell you why you continually fail at that thing...and how to finally fix it.

• [00:21] Problem areas
• [00:52] My own issues
• [02:08] The reason we fail
• [05:20] What's the common thread?
• [06:03] Here's the answer
• [07:52] You CAN take control (try this exercise)
• [11:31] Your mental state

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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This week's episode is definitely a departure from my regular content, but it's an important message that I wanted to share. I know that most of us are ready to move on and quit discussing Covid-19, but there is a problem: Many people who were infected are still experiencing symptoms like lethargy, sleeplessness, lingering coughs, rashes and other unpleasantries which they don't even realize are part of the Covid-19 aftermath.

My guest this week is Dr. Gus Vickery, M.D. Dr. Gus been my trusted physician for many years and has some pretty remarkable observations to share which could be lifechanging for some.

IMPORTANT: Nothing you hear in this podcast, or the content you read on this page should be considered medical advice. Dr. Gus is an M.D., but he's not your M.D. You may have other physiological issues which make these treatments ineffective, or perhaps even harmful. If you're interested in employing some of the treatments he suggests, please consult your physician first.

Links

Dr. Gus Vickery's website

For links to the theraputics mentioned in this episode, visit https://rayedwards.com/564

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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If you've listened to me for very long, you know that I believe your thoughts, as in the the things you think about from day-to-day, determine pretty much everything in your life: Your relationships with family and friends, your business success, even your relationship with God.

Is it possible to control the things you think about? Can you actually change your "natural response" to situations? My guest this week, Jody Moore, says yes, you can.

Jody Moore is a Life Coach, the host of the Better Than Happy podcast, and the author of the book of the same name, "Better Than Happy". You can learn more about both her book and podcast at https://jodymoore.com.

Tune in to the conversation and learn how being more intentional with your thoughts can change every aspect of your life for the better.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Last week, I claimed it's possible to change everything, break free, and live. This week, I'm welcoming someone who exemplifies that message - My friend, Anna Powers.

Anna invested a great deal of time and money to earn her law degree, then decided to shift from that rather prestigious professional identity to that of a copywriter.

In this episode, Anna and I discuss her reasons behind that career move, and the tactics she used to make it happen.

Links

• SaraAnnaPowers.com
• Anna Powers on Instagram
• Anna Powers on Facebook

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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It seems that millions of people were previously too busy to notice that they weren't satisfied with their life...Specifically, the way they make their living.

Now that the pandemic has forced so many of us to pause and reflect, what do we do if we're lacking a sense of fulfillment? What if we know we're not doing the thing we were meant to do? Is it too late to change?

I believe that it's still possible for you to live the life you were put here to live, and this week, I want to show you how.

• [00:00] Intro - The Great Reset
• [01:23] We are officially The Creator Economy
• [01:43] Brandon Sanderson
• [03:23] Seclusion and reflection - How they changed lives
  • [04:43] Mike Kim
  • [05:21] Joel Comm
  • [06:07] Mike Stelzner
• [06:35] Three gates
  • [07:15] The Gate of Dreams
  • [09:21] The Gate of Decisions
  • [11:46] The Gate of Disciplines
• [14:37] Life cycles
• [19:02] Working together

Links

• Mike Kim's book You Are The Brand
• The Functional Futurist, Joel Comm
• The latest from Social Media Examiner's Mike Stelzner

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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The pandemic has forced tens of thousands of small businesses to close their doors. Now, in the midst of our recovery, another term from the history books threatens to manifest itself in the present day - world war.

I pray we find a more productive way to solve the world's problems. Outside of prayer, I have no influence over what is to come; however, I believe that in the aftermath of whatever occurs, the economic recovery will largely be in the hands of you and me...The entrepreneurs.

I have a message for my fellow entrepreneurs: Now is not the time to quit. It's time for us to step up.

This week, I'm sharing some ideas and recommending a few books that support that theory.

• [00:00] Intro - What's going on and what should we do?
• [01:47] Don't quit now
• [02:36] Book recommendation 1: Entrepreneurs Will Save The World by Michael Hyatt
• [03:48] Book recommendation 2: Permission to Prosper by Ray Edwards
• [07:06] Book recommendation 3: The Vision Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt
• [08:03] Book recommendation 4: How Do You Kill 11 Million People by Andy Andrews
• [08:41] A harmless man is not a good man
• [09:33] Book recommendation 5: How to Write Copy That Sells by Ray Edwards

Links

• Entrepreneurs Will Save The World by Michael Hyatt
• Permission to Prosper by Ray Edwards
• The Vision Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt
• How Do You Kill 11 Million People by Andy Andrews

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Before we start discussing the 3 keys, we'd better take a moment to define success.

According to the great Earl Nightingale, success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal. That definition deserves some analysis.

"Progressive realization" tells me that, according to Earl, success is a process. I don't have to wait until I finally realize my worthy goal or ideal before I'm successful; I'm successful if I'm progressing toward it. In other words, it's not only the destination that counts, but the journey as well.

This week, I'm breaking down 3 keys to the progressive realization of your worthy goal.

Your One Big Why

Let's assume you've decided on a worthy goal. Before you start building your roadmap, you need to ask yourself a question: "Why am I doing this?" [03:38]

You Don't Need to Get it Perfect...You Just Need to Get it Started

Not starting until you get it perfect? What an excellent procrastination tool. There are more how-to videos and articles available to you than you could consume in multiple lifetimes. You can even get a feeling of accomplishment for learning something, even if you never implement what you've learned...you just move on to the next how-to. You can stay on this treadmill for life...never moving from where you started. [10:45]

You Need Results

Last week's podcast was devoted entirely to this concept - If you have a belief, there should be evidence of it in your life...some quantifiable results (even if they're not the results you expected). [13:36]

Links

• 5daysalespage.com -Learn my sales page framework, live and absolutely free of charge. This is the same framework that has generated over $400 million in sales for all kinds of products and services. If you believe an internet revenue stream would improve your life, here's your chance to act on that belief and get some results. Click here to sign up.
• Brooke Castillo - Brooke Castillo's Life Coach School
• Think Media - Want to improve your video content? Subscribe to this channel
• Diana Gladney - Highly recommended resource for video production and instruction.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Beliefs produce results. If you truly believe something, there will be evidence of that belief somewhere in your life.

Evidence of your beliefs comes in the form of results. If you believe that doing x, y and z will get you a thing that you desire, there will be results in your life that demonstrate you have acted on that belief. Often, those results won't be the desired outcome, but they still show that you took action.

So what happens when you believe you can change your life for the better, but self doubt keeps you from taking action? That's what this week's episode is all about.

• [01:21] Here's why I don't believe you
• [02:49] The product of beliefs
• [04:45] The point of this episode...
• [05:09] How do I believe?
• [08:29] There are two kinds of students...
• [11:02] You must understand this

Links

• 5daysalespage.com - Learn my salespage framework, live and absolutely free of charge. This is the same framework that has generated over $400 million in sales for all kinds of products and services. If you believe an internet revenue stream would improve your life, here's your chance to act on that belief and get some results. Click here to sign up.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Where do your best ideas come from? If you answered, "your brain", you're only sort of correct.

Truthfully, our best ideas come from other ideas.

We compile bits of information from books, videos, articles, blogs, conversations, etc., and through the convergence of those ideas, new ideas are formed.

This week's premise: You can build a system to intentionally create and utilize this convergence of ideas. In other words, you can make it happen...in fact, the idea for this week's content was generated by my own system.

A quick note before you dive in: Last weeks episode generated more questions than any podcast I've done in recent history. Many people had never considered the concept of systematically generating ideas, but it absolutely works.

These questions inspired me to demo my own system in an upcoming free workshop. I want to show you how this system works for me, how I built it, AND how you can build your own. It's spread out over 3 days, so the time commitment is manageable and the results will blow your mind. Again, this is a completely free workshop.

Click here to sign up

• [00:47] Systems thinking
• [03:09] Don't just be an information consumer
• [04:07] My content generation system
• [05:05] The software I use (Notion)
• [06:12] The way we get creative ideas
• [07:05] Start by deciding to do it
• [08:16] I'll show you how I built my system

Links

• Salescopysystem.com - Learn my system - I'll show you how it works, how I built it and how you can build your own in my free, 3-day workshop coming soon. Click here to sign up.

• Check out the new book from Tony Robbins here - Life Force: How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life & Those You Love

• Notion software for Windows and Mac

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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See if this sounds like anyone you know…

You need to generate some cash, so you come up with an idea. You set up your funnel, and your checkout...You calculate your possible conversions...Then you remember you need to write that pesky sales copy, so you slap it together. As you roll out, you realize you also needed thank you copy, follow up copy, stick copy, next offers, etc., and you tell yourself "Next time, I'll get it right." This happens because you lack a system.

A system is, according to the Oxford dictionary, “a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized framework or method”. Most entrepreneurs don’t have that. Neither do most copywriters.

A system will bring you less stress, more sales, more profit, and set you up for the next sale. A copywriting and marketing system can be the first step in turning your promotion into a business.

What Should Be In Your Sales Copy System?

• Right-fit client profiles
• Copy “chunks” proven to work
• A complete PASTOR filter brief
• Pre-promo content (blog, podcast, YouTube, social)
• "Inception” copy
• Interview scripts (for interviews on other media)
• Swiss Army knife Emotional Trigger checklist
• Sublist recruitment copy (opt-ins)
• Sublist indoctrination copy (opt-in emails)
• Email sequence framework
• Pre-launch alert copy
• Pre-launch content & copy
• Sales page copy
• Follow unto sales page for open cart copy
• Cart close copy
• Post sales followup
• Refund prevention copy
• Nurturing copy

Remember, the more you can "templatize" and chunk down, the better. As I have often said, I don’t like to start a project until I’m already 80% done.

System Checklist

• Review
• Proof
• Set up an A/B test on headlines and leads
• Test all breakage points
• After action review

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Having a "million dollar idea" may not have quite the punch it had in decades passed, but that million dollar milestone is alive and well. I mean, seven figures is a champagne-worthy occasion for most of us (the kind with a real cork), but realistically, how many of us can actually get there? What does it take to make a million bucks? That's what I'm talking about in this week's episode.

Here's the nutshell version: Decide what you want your life to be, structure your business around THAT (doing it in reverse, building your life around your job, will likely yield unwanted results.) Once you have a clear vision, select a mentor that can get you there. For the record, yes, I am one such mentor, but there are many. Choose someone whose style resonates with your vision...but choose someone. Could I have made it without a mentor? Maybe...But I know I my revenue would be nowhere near what it is today had I skimped on that part of the equation. Mentors provide speed, accuracy and safety. A good one will lead you down the path that they themselves have already blazed...Avoiding costly pitfalls along the way.

• [02:07] There are great opportunities right now...what do you do about it?
• [04:02] Who do you listen to?
• [05:15] The Great Reawakening
• [09:05] What makes a copywriter stand out
• [13:00] Your first client
• [14:08] I know it's possible
• [15:40] Where to start
• [16:07] Who are you, and why are you here?
• [16:43] Who do you serve best?
• [18:05] Building your platform
• [19:26] Measuring your platform
• [21:17] The invisible list
• [23:03] Making contact
• [24:11] Deepening the relationship
• [26:29] Starting price
• [31:46] About the Academy
• [36:23] The customers your want
• [37:35] Number one homework assignment
• [38:39] What does your business do?
• [38:51] Choose a model
• [39:42] Get a mentor

Links

https://app.mediakits.com/rayedwards - This site is a great tool to get an overview of your platform. You can check out mine at the link provided, and then create your own.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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I can't think of a time in my life where I have experienced significant growth, without significant effort. That's true for pretty much all of us. We all know that our growth (as humans, spouses, entrepreneurs, etc.) comes from doing the hard things, yet we so often focus on trivial things...tasks that we can check off of our to-do list to feel some sense of accomplishment, but in reality we're just procrastinating the important stuff.

This week, I'm challenging you to look at everything you do for your company, and ask yourself if YOU are the right person for the job.

How do you know you're not the right person? Simple...If someone else can do it, you're not the right person.

Entrepreneurs should be focused on the things that ONLY they can do. More than likely, those are the things that would grow your business the most - the hard things.

Tune in and I'll break down exactly how I'm putting this philosophy to use in my own company.

• [00:24] Choose the hard path
• [02:06] How we should be thinking
• [02:57] Optimistic lies
• [04:06] My commitment
• [04:57] A big question for entrepreneurs
• [06:01] Identify the weak points
• [06:46] Get it off of your plate
• [07:10] Tools of procrastination
• [07:58] Why do I do this?
• [08:48] What should you not be doing?
• [10:01] You're NOT to-do list
• [10:55] Your "Do-Dates"
• [11:55] One last thing...
• [15:02] Give me your feedback

Links

https://www.yearzero.io/ - August Bradley

https://michaelhyatt.com/ - Michael Hyatt

https://acuff.me/ - Jon Acuff

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Yes, I'm a professional copywriter, and yes, I think there are great reasons NOT to hire a professional copywriter...At least, not at first.

This week, I'm giving you 5 reasons why you should NOT hire a copywriter.

5 Reasons Why Every Business Owner Should Write Their Own Sales Copy

1. [00:42] Unless you can competently write your own copy, you cannot confidently hire a good copywriter. This is because you will not know how to distinguish between good copy and bad copy. If you don't know how to write copy to begin with, every time you hire a copywriter, you'll be gambling large sums of money, hoping you get a good result, and never knowing why you did or did not.
2. [01:18] Writing good sales copy requires you to know your buyers. You MUST develop deep, empathic knowledge about your customers, their problems, their desires, and their pain. There's no better way to do this than studying the people who buy from you. That is required to write good sales copy.
3. [02:02] Writing good sales copy also requires you to develop deep, accurate knowledge about your product. You must know its strengths and shortcomings with your customers, and how to articulate your product's features and benefits in a way that causes people to want to buy. If you do a good job of writing the copy, you will end up improving the product in the process.
4. [02:56] Nobody will care as much about the copy as you do. Because you are the risk-taking entrepreneur who's putting your neck out for this product, and for these people (your customers). There is no bigger stakeholder in the success of this enterprise than you. Therefore, no one will bring more sense of responsibility to deliver the best copy possible than you yourself.
5. [04:03] Nobody else will spend as much time, write as many revisions, tweak the copy as often , or as carefully, as yourself. You need to get in there and write the copy. And then rewrite the copy. And then test the copy. And then work to beat your control. Once you've gone through this process with one big product and project, you may be ready to turn this over to a copywriter. Do not be in a hurry to do so.

Of course, as I previously stated, I am a professional copywriter...Obviously, I feel there are times when hiring a copywriter is exactly the right thing to do.

For instance, when:

• You cannot get satisfactory conversion rates yourself.
• You can no longer improve your conversion rates.
• You are objectively just not good enough to write it yourself anymore.
• You simply don't have time to do it yourself anymore because you're too successful.
• They can beat your control. In other words, they can write copy that converts better than your own winning copy.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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How can a single page of writing change your entire life? That's what I'm proposing to you as the truth. Consider that IF my proposition is true, and you place this single page on your website, and you position it correctly, it can indeed change your financial destiny.

There is a formula for constructing these pages, it is not difficult to learn, and once learned and implemented it can be used to bring money to you almost at will.

And while money is not the answer to every problem, it is the only answer to some problems. Often, solving those few “money only” problems frees up your resources to solve the many others.

Christ taught us, “You cannot serve both God and money". There is no prohibition against serving God, while having money serve you. This episode is a rapid-fire guide on how you can use one of these magical webpages to become more of the master of your money and have it serve you. It all starts with attracting the money you need to solve the problems only money can solve in your life.

8 Questions You Should Answer In Every Sales Page You Create [08:54]

1. Who are you, and why should I trust you?
2. What do you have that can help me with my problem,?
3. Do you understand my problem in the pain it causes me?
4. How does your problem solution help me?
5. What makes your solution different than everyone else’s, and why should I buy it?
6. How can you assure me this will work? What happens if it doesn’t?
7. How much is your product, and is the speed and effectiveness of your solution with enough to justify my paying your price?
8. How do I get started, how do I pay you, and what happens then?

Is that all there is to it? Nope...not even close, BUT that alone can greatly increase your page's effectiveness. If you have a page that isn't converting well, see if the copy clearly answers each of those questions. If not, you might have just found a quick fix.

Want the in-depth, masterclass guide to creating a high performance sales page? I have a 5 Day Sales Page challenge starting in one week (1/17).

Visit 5DaySalesPage.com to get this deal for a one-time payment of only $97Just to be clear, that price isn’t just for the knowhow, it’s for FINISHING a ready-to-deploy sales page, live in our group. See the class schedule (and a few awesome bonuses I’m throwing in) by going to 5DaySalesPage.com.

Links

http://5DaySalesPage.com - Visit this site to join the 5 Day Sales Page Challenge for a one time payment of only $97. By the end of this challenge, you'll not only have the skills to create the ultimate sales page for your product, you'll have your page completed! Click the link for all the information (Hurry! The challenge starts in one week and we cannot accept late entries.)

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Can you attract money? I firmly believe that you can! And this belief doesn't stem from the "believe in it and it will come true" philosophy. This goes beyond wishful thinking and enters into one of my favorite topics: Mindset.

We all know at least one person who seems to attract disasters...someone who always has some bad news to catch you up on. I don't think this is because they were "born under a bad sign", or other such nonsense - I think they attract disasters because they are looking for them. If you seek the negative in everything, that's likely what you'll find.

Adjusting your mindset changes the way you view the world, and it changes the way the world views you. Your overall attitude about life will determine how people interact with you. This week, I want to talk about how you can change your mindset to attract wealth.

• [00:35] The law of wealth attraction
• [02:21] It's not about making money
• [03:19] Here's why...(The Protestant Work Ethic)
• [04:15] Who works a billion times harder than you?
• [04:47] The best economic system....ever
• [06:10] The Effort-Income Link
• [08:36] If you're new...
• [09:07] Attracting wealth and money
• [10:22] Impartation and Activation for 2022
• [14:33] It is a new economy
• [17:23] The money magnet
• [24:00] Two quick stories to wrap up

• How You Can Help

  Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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  Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

With only a few days left in 2021, I wanted to bring you a powerful message that's short, easy to digest, and could be extremely helpful with whatever problems you face in 2022. Of course, I don't know what those problems will be (for either of us), but I do know the way in which you view them, and ultimately deal with them, will affect your personal growth.

This week, I want to challenge you to think of the problems you encounter as puzzles. Instead of having an anger fueled meltdown, or a tearful self pity party, analyze the problem as though it were a puzzle - then, make a plan and deal with it in an intentional way. Will this make the problem an unexpected joy? No. That will likely not be the case, but it can result in positive growth in all aspects of your life...spiritually, emotionally, and even financially.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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"OK Boomer..." - A popular comment on the internet meant to insult someone by implying the entire Boomer generation just "doesn't get it."

I won't spend a lot of time breaking down the irony of how some of the modern generation, characterized as tolerant and accepting, can paint an entire group of people with the same broad brush (a crime which they often accuse Boomers of), but rather focus on the facts and figures...Boomers, and Gen-X'ers are raking in millions by marketing their knowledge online.

This week's episode is meant to be a kick in the pants to you Boomers and Gen-X'ers out there who haven't figured this out yet...People will pay for what you know. But that's not even the best part. Not only do they value your knowledge and experience (perhaps more so than your current employer), but it's never been easier to deliver it to them. The tools have been simplified, the costs have been minimized and the only thing standing between you and your own work-from-anywhere life is your commitment...and perhaps a little guidance.

Before you jump in, here are some more encouraging facts and figures: I don't have a huge youtube audience. I have a little more than 9,000 subscribers as I write this. That's probably more than your local high school gym can handle, but in the Youtube world, it's not an impressive figure. BUT - that audience generated 6 figures in revenue for my company this year. I'll explain how in this week's episode.

• [00:20] That's easy for you to say
• [01:09] It seems we've forgotten
• [02:39] An audience of interested people
• [04:17] Don't monetize your audience
• [05:50] Build your audience
• [06:23] How many do you need?
• [07:01] How do you start from nothing?
• [07:32] Accelerating the process
• [08:32] An example
• [10:02] The ultimate secret research tool
• [10:25] 1,000 true fans
• [11:51] Unique...is usually bad
• [12:38] Another BIG reason to start now
• [13:14] That's easy for you to say
• [14:00] How it really works
• [14:57] 2 challenges that made things tougher
• [16:10] What I always look for
• [18:42] You can do this

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

For years, I've touted Direct Response Sales Copy as the most lucrative niche a freelance writer can master to have a very high profit, virtually no overhead business. That is still true, but, when it comes to those who are writing copy to promote their own products, services and ideas, there is something much more powerful... Content.

This week's episode discusses the power of Content Marketing. Tying every piece of your content into a worldview that is always in integrity with your company's vision. When your audience understands and appreciates your vision, your sales copy doesn't need to be nearly as "salesy" because people know what to expect from your brand. They're already sold - you just need to deliver the message.

Take Apple for instance. They have spent decades carefully crafting their brand, but not just through ads. Every decision is carefully made staying consistent with their reputation. From the packaging, to the product colors, their customers know what to expect, so much so that thousands of them don't even need to see a sales page or television commercial...they just need the release date of the latest product and they're in. That's powerful.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This is an exciting week! On Thursday, 12/9/21, 5 p.m. Eastern, I'm offering a free Copywriter's Strategy class that will teach you everything you need to know to get a high profit, low overhead, writing business up and running for the new year.

This week's episode gives you an overview of the deep dive we'll be taking on Thursday's class. The topics I want to cover are better presented in a live, interactive format, so I encourage you to attend if you're reading this before the event.

I want you to have a complete understanding of every aspect of how to get started, how to scale and how to have your own writing business and your dream, work-from-anywhere, lifestyle. I'm teaching it all AND answering your questions, LIVE this Thursday.

Get signed up for the class By Clicking Here.

Links

COPYWRITER'S STRATEGY CLASS - This is my upcoming Free Masterclass that takes place live on 12/9. I'll teach you how to build your own, profitable writing business - with my help, or on your own...I'll cover all the bases. Don't miss this! Click the link to register

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This is an exciting week! On Thursday, 12/9/21, 5 p.m. Eastern, I'm offering a free Copywriter's Strategy class that will teach you everything you need to know to get a high profit, low overhead, writing business up and running for the new year.

This week's episode gives you an overview of the deep dive we'll be taking on Thursday's class. The topics I want to cover are better presented in a live, interactive format, so I encourage you to attend if you're reading this before the event.

I want you to have a complete understanding of every aspect of how to get started, how to scale and how to have your own writing business and your dream, work-from-anywhere, lifestyle. I'm teaching it all AND answering your questions, LIVE this Thursday.

Get signed up for the class By Clicking Here.

Links

COPYWRITER'S STRATEGY CLASS - This is my upcoming Free Masterclass that takes place live on 12/9. I'll teach you how to build your own, profitable writing business - with my help, or on your own...I'll cover all the bases. Don't miss this! Click the link to register

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This week's episode is about America's next big crisis and how to prepare for it.

I'm not an economist, but I do study many experts and most of them are saying that America is headed for a crisis...a perfect economic storm brought on by lack of retirement savings and an aging population whose ability to work is diminishing.

"But Ray...aren't you usually the positive thinking, 'look on the bright side' kind of guy? What's with this fear talk?"

I AM a positive thinker...But I am not one who ignores reality. I don't think it takes an expert to know that millions of people exhausting their savings, borrowing against their home equity and exiting the market place is going to cause hardship in the not so distant future. BUT - There IS a bright side - One of the brightest I've ever seen! I'll share it with you in this week's episode.

• [00:51] The next problem we should be prepared for
• [01:28] Part One: The coming American Economic Crisis
• [02:43] The 3 forces fueling the crisis
• [05:55] My 5 Part Action Plan to prepare
  • [06:01] Eliminate debt
  • [06:34] Minimize taxes and expenses
  • [08:00] Diversify your income streams
  • [09:08] Define your MVP (Minimum Viable Prosperity)
  • [10:23] Maximize your ability to produce income
• [11:34] Taking advantage of new opportunities
• [13:05] Why start a business now?
• [14:21] Here's how you do it
• [15:22] Who are the most successful creators?
• [16:48] Mastering the greatest business skill
• [17:35] But...I'm not a salesperson
• [19:36] Earn while you learn
• [22:17] How to make it work
• [22:52] Get started right away

Links

Permission to Prosper - Ray Edwards

COPYWRITER'S STRATEGY CLASS - This is my upcoming Free Masterclass that takes place live on 12/9. I'll teach you how to build your own, profitable writing business - with my help, or on your own...I'll cover all the bases. Don't miss this! Click the link to register

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This week, there is much to discuss. Here in the US, Americans are getting set for Thanksgiving and the retail holiday that follows, Black Friday.

For the first time, my company is participating in Black Friday. Tune in and I'll give you the reasons why we are (and why you should be, too...even if you are exclusively online).

But that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I also want to make a very clear point: You are a writer...Even if you don't think you are. I'll teach ways to improve your persuasive writing by organizing bits of knowledge into blocks of information you can use to create original, compelling content.

And of course, I'll discuss the title of this week's episode: The Creator Economy.
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• [00:17] You are a writer
• [03:26] The numbers matter
• [05:28] What is marketing?
• [07:10] What is Black Friday
• [09:19] Using the calendar to join the conversation
• [11:47] Why you should have a Black Friday deal
• [14:16] But I don't have a retail store...
• [16:29] Paying attention to what's happening in the culture
• [17:35] Reaping the rewards from your ideas
• [20:05] Your backup brain
• [20:47] The magic notebook
• [24:44] Great sales copy is assembled...not written
• [28:36] Organizing your blocks in a meaningful way
• [31:32] Product Launches
• [34:25] Putting it to work for you
• [35:44] The Creator Economy
• [38:01] Capitalism in it's purist form
• [39:26] The transparency era
• [41:57] What's the point?

Links

How To Take Smart Notes - Sönke Ahrens

Building A Second Brain - Tiago Forte`

Our First Black Friday Deal - Get an incredible course (previously $500) to help you start your own, profitable writing business for only $7, through the end of Cyber Monday

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

We're nearing the end of 2021, but we still have almost 7 weeks left. That's 13% of the year still to come. Way too much time to start coasting to the finish line.

The last few weeks of the year, most people will disregard their goals and dismiss the rest of the year as though it's the last day of school. Not me. Yes, I will take time off from work and be with my family, but I’m also going to do things that lead me closer to my goals, not farther away from them.

Look, you can author a new story for yourself starting today. You can start living your best life, today. Or you can do what everybody else is going to do and defer your goals to some future date that will probably never get here. It’s up to you.

This week, I'll tell you the 7 domains of life you should always be working to improve, regardless of the date.

7 Domains of Life You Should Improve

• [07:52] Faith
• [08:51] Fitness
• [10:11] Family
• [10:48] Finances
• [12:28] Friends
• [12:38] Fun
• [12:59 Fulfillment

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Over the years, I have trained many professional copywriters, but the actual writing is only part of what I teach. In order for a student to be successful as a writer (or any entrepreneurial venture), they need to know how to launch, run and grow their business.

This leads to me getting asked various forms of this question numerous times each week:

"Should I start my business now, or wait until things are a little better?"

Here's the short answer - Do it now!

In this week's episode, I'll back that answer up with 5 great reasons to get started A.S.A.P. - Whether you're talking about launching a business, publishing a book, starting a podcast...whatever it is, NOW is the time.

DISCLAIMER: Before you jump in, let me tell you what has this on my mind in the first place. I've been attending Jeff Walker's latest masterclass. These are free sessions and YES, I do attend! I send notifications to my tribe about them because they're amazingly beneficial, free content. In fact, giving away content that is *actually beneficial* is one of the key principles of Jeff's program. It has been the main roadmap for my own business since I first bought it in 2005.

The reasons I list in this podcast are things that I believe are 100% accurate. They DO NOT require you to purchase anything - I would never release an "infomercial" for my product or someone else's unless I flat out stated that up front.

IF you are interested in following this roadmap that has generated over a BILLION dollars in revenue, then I encourage you to use my affiliate link. Yes, I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you), BUT more importantly, I will be working through the program with you if you purchase with this link.

Each year, I pay the small maintenance fee to get the latest version of PLF. I have done this since 2005. I don't do it because Jeff and I are buddies (he's doing just fine financially and doesn't need donations from friends). I buy it because I use it to make money - Every single year!

So this year, I'm inviting any members of my tribe (if you're reading this, that's you) to go through the program with me. After doing this every year for 16 years now, I'm more than qualified to help guide you across the finish line.

Okay...now that I've fulfilled my Full Transparency Guarantee, let's get on with the show!

Five reasons to launch now

• [05:07] Reason 1: The world has shifted to online.
• [06:07] Reason 2: The technology has never been easier
• [07:00] Reason 3: You don't need a following
• [11:22] Reason 4: There are plenty of examples to model
• [13:50] Reason 5: Access to help, support and community

Links

Jeff Walker's Product Launch Formula - Ready to launch? This is the latest and greatest version of PLF - The roadmap that I use in my own business. **Remember, purchasing with this link does not increase the price, but it does allow you to go through the program with me and other members of my tribe. I can't wait to help walk you through it. If you're a go-getter who just needs a path...this is THE one.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This week, I'm introducing you to someone who is helping to change lives - in particular, the lives of Christian entrepreneurs around the globe.

David Lee Martin is not only a student of mine, but he has become a great friend and respected colleague.

In our conversation, David and I discuss his early beginnings as a spiritually hungry adolescent, to his ministry, to his life as an entrepreneur.

David has many lessons to share (enough to create his own successful academy) and I think you will find great inspiration in his story, both as a Kingdom Entrepreneur and as a Christian in today's world.

• [00:51] Who is David Lee Martin?
• [02:10] Encountering the Holy Spirit while on an acid trip
• [03:23] Learning the tech to deliver the word
• [04:38] Realizing the possibilities
• [06:35] The big mistake many authors make
• [07:33] More on that...trip you took
• [15:29] One of but a few things (steeping into your purpose)
• [20:32] The Christian Creative Academy
• [24:41] The experience for students
• [29:32] Who is this for?
• [33:39] Closing advice...don't overcomplicate things

Links

https://christiancreative.academy - This Christian based academy teaches its members how to express the message God has given them and deliver it to others.

https://davidleemartin.com - David's blog and podcast

https://faithfulcreativebook.com - "Discover How Christian Authors, Artists, and Entrepreneurs Are Breaking the Mold & Making a Difference"

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

For this week's episode, I wanted to get back-to-basics and give you the nuts and bolts explanation of who I am and my philosophy of writing persuasive, direct-response copy.

I had done this already for someone else's podcast back in 2018 as a guest host. That someone was the great Jeff Goins, and he gave me permission to use that audio for this week's episode.

I have a ton of respect for Jeff and the work he puts out, so if you're not familiar with him, I recommend you check out his blog, best-selling books and podcast. You'll find the links below.

If you're a regular listener of my podcast, this week's content will seem familiar, but I encourage you to jump in for a succinct review of the copywriting process; specifically, the P.A.S.T.O.R. framework. This universal framework (to sell products, services, or even ideas) gives you a starting point for every piece of copy you'll ever write.

• [01:55] Get to know Ray
• [02:56] Ray's career in broadcast radio
• [04:19] What is Direct Response Copy?
• [06:45] The value of good copy
• [07:29] What is copywriting and why does it matter?
• [08:26] Everything is copy
• [09:38] The P.A.S.T.O.R. Framework
  • [10:24] P - Person, problem, pain
  • [12:47] A - Amplify the pain, give asperations
  • [14:30] S - Story, struggle, solution
  • [15:07] T - Transformation and testimony
  • [16:18] O - Offer
  • [17:30] R - Request a response

Links

https://trainwithray.com - If you're serious about becoming a stellar, in-demand copywriter, check out this page

https://goinswriter.com/hey - This is Jeff Goins's new podcast called Hey Creator which I highly recommend. While you're there, make sure you check out his blog and his best-selling books. This is the kind of stuff your entrepreneurial brain needs!

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

We're a couple of weeks into 4th quarter 2010 (October-December), but it's not too late to make more money in this last quarter than you've made so far this year.

No matter what your business, this week's podcast lays out a simple plan for you to CRUSH your goals for the year, rake in the revenue, and pile up profits. How great would it be to start 2022 with that amazing momentum?

• [00:45] Getting prepared for your 4th Quarter Miracle
  • [01:12] Put the past in the past
  • [02:39] Define your objective
  • [03:14] Calendar your plan
• [03:38] Ray's Unpopular Ruthless Rules of Revenue
• [04:09] How to make a great offer? (Alex Hormozi's book)
• [05:06] High profit offers
• [06:05] The O.P.E.N. Scale
• [09:00] Frictionless Path To Paradise
• [09:40] Two elements you need to add to your offer: Urgency and Scarcity
• [11:00] The more offers you make, the more sales you make
• [12:32] Operation Money Magnet
• [14:28] Action Plan (Commit to the challenge, create a Money Magnet offer, market your offer EVERY DAY on EVERY MEDIUM)
• [16:07] Read the mind of your marketplace...with your calendar
• [20:31] Crafting your copy (same offer...different clothes)
• [20:57] Join my free copywriting community on Facebook

Links From This Week's Episode

$100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No by Alex Hormozi

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This may blow a few minds, but I, Ray Edwards, direct response copywriting evangelist and educator, am telling you that Copywriting, alone...Is not enough. Today's sophisticated, high-paying client demands that you have more to offer.

This week, I'll tell you what other skills you must possess to thrive, AND give you an actionable checklist that will simplify the process of getting you (and keeping you) in high-demand.

[1:49] - The dirty little secret of the copywriting world (The title says it all.)
[5:40] - The Race to the Bottom - If you win, you lose...big time.
[8:17] - Becoming the brand of You (Mike Kim's book will make this abundantly clear - Link below)
[9:54] - Two fears you must overcome - Here's what happens when you finally get in the spotlight
[13:28] - Why you need an exit plan - Keep the end game in mind.
[16:32] - Coaching programs - In my humble (but accurate) opinion, these are the best ways to learn
[17:45] - Action guide checklist - A few questions to get you started.

Links From This Week's Episode

Last Week's Episode (538) - If you missed last week's episode, How to Create Products Out Of Thin Air (With a 99% Profit Margin), I suggest you check it out. It's the first of this 3-part series.

You Are The Brand This is the new book from Mike Kim I mentioned in the show. This should required reading for those wishing to create a brand built on their personality, ideas and reputation. I highly recommend it.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This week, I want to talk about writing as a business. Not just copywriting, but writing in general. From fiction, to how-to e-books, to blogging (yes, blogging is NOT dead - proof below), etc.

There are so many myths and misconceptions about this topic, that many people don't realize:

1. Yes, they can make a living as a writer.
2. It's not even that difficult to do.

Two bold claims...Can I back them up? Can I show you realistic ways this can be done? Tune into this week's exciting episode to find out! (spoiler alert: Yes. I can.)

Feature Presentation

My title may seem like clickbait (Products out of thin air? 99% profit margin?) - Until you realize that I'm talking about writing...putting words on "paper".

Your writing is a product and that is exactly how you should treat it. From conception to creation, you should have your ideal customer in mind...Who is this for? Who will this help?

In fact, I recommend using the same formula you use when you're writing sales copy - My P.A.S.T.O.R. framework.

Let's say you decide that you're going to write a how-to book on some topic that you're passionate about. I suggest the first thing you do is write the sales page for it. Write it as if your unwritten book were finished and ready to hit the shelves.

Why would you write a sales page for a product that doesn't exist? Because it outlines the reasons that it should exist. As you use the P.A.S.T.O.R framework to craft your copy, you are essentially giving yourself the list of promises that this book must fulfill. You will write a better book because of this.

Links From This Week's Episode

Maria Popova's Brainpickings - Think the days of making good money as a blogger are over? Not so. Maria Popova has incredible content and she is supported by her readers.

rayedwards.com - Head here to download my 6-Step Master Persuasion checklist that I mentioned in the show.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Odds are, you don't have Parkinson's Disease, and if you don't, is there a benefit to listening to this week's episode? Absolutely!

The truth is, we're all dealing with something - Either something big, bold and in-your face (chronic pain, degenerative diseases, injuries, etc.), or the subtle, waiting patiently in the background, definitively terminal condition that we all have in common - Life.

Whatever your situation is, I believe these ten directives will help you live a better life. Click below to listen and I'll break down all ten.

1. [4:31] Be a Rational Optimist - I don't believe the best will always happen, but I do work to make the best of whatever does.
2. [6:24] Consciously choose a philosophy of life and live in a state of non-contradiction
3. [8:17] Take 100% Responsibility for everything in your life. You're not in control of everything that happens in your life, but you are in control of how you respond to everything that happens in your life…100%.
4. [9:46] Be well, even when you're not.
5. [13:26] Pursue growth and contribution. If we don't feel that we're growing as a person, we begin to feel that we're dying.
6. [15:34] Trade your expectations for appreciation.
7. [19:54] Build daily rituals to control your focus, your physiology and your neurobiology.
8. [24:11] Do your best to stay awake - Stay out of the hypnotic trance that society puts us in.
9. [25:11] Live from your future to your present. Many people are living from their past which severely limits the possibilities of their future.
10. [27:20] Ask better questions.

For a transcript of this episode, visit https://rayedwards.com/537

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

A surprising call from an old friend got me thinking …

It seems almost everyone I know is being faced with big decisions.

Maybe you, too, are thinking through one of these "big decisions".

• Decisions about whether to keep the job you have …

• Or decision about whether to accept the new job you've been offered…

• Maybe you're thinking about starting your own business…

• Or you might even be considering whether to move to a different city (or country) …

If you are making any kind of decision, it's a good time to make all the decisions.

About every part of your life.

Don't let this freak you out.

It's actually a good thing.

It's a way to unleash lightning bolts of positive energy in your life.

Look, let's be real. 

These last couple of years have been very difficult for most of us. 

Think of all the crazy stuff that has happened.

There's a really good chance you did not see all of that coming.

I surely did not.

In today's podcast, I get gut-level real.

Many of my clients and friends in the world of business really did have their “best year ever” in 2020, and things are looking even better for them as we round out 2021.

It seems for many people I know the last couple of years actually bro have been charmed. No wonder they are so happy. Everything went their way. 

It was not so for me.

Behind the scenes, my life was turned upside down. And there were some very dark moments moments that are hard to talk about. But I feel it's important that we do talk about them. Otherwise I'm not being honest with you.

This is important, especially if you’re a leader of any kind. 

When you stop being honest, you stop being a leader.

We are about to start the fourth quarter of this year. These are 12 precious weeks that you and I can use as an excuse to turn our lives and our business is completely around. Or to turn them up to an all new level of enjoyment contribution and reward.

If you would like to run on the track with me, so we can spread together and make more progress in the next 12 weeks than most people will make in the next 12 years, invite you to join us for our live workshop which is happening Tuesday, September 14, 2021.

In this workshop I'm giving you everything you need to do this 12 week sprint. I'm not holding something back, I don't have any "secrets" you need to pay for, this is 100% free, it's going to be a powerful training, we got a killer workbook created for you but you must sign up to get it so right now go to https://rayedwards.com/million 

If you want to be a leader, you need to develop a reading habit. 

“Leaders are readers,” says Jeff Brown, my guest on today’s podcast.

Jeff is the host of The Read To Lead Podcast, and the author of a new book called, not surprisingly, Read To Lead.

In Jeff’s book, you will learn

• Why you need to read like your career depends on it.
• The eight research-backed reasons reading will help you build your career.
• How to absorb a book into your bloodstream.
• Tips on creating a lifetime reading habit.

In our conversation, Jeff and I dig deep into:

• Why books still matter, and why you should develop an intentional reading habit.
• Why you should read physical books and not only audio or summaries.
• Why you should read books with views that oppose your own.
• Why reading contributes to higher income and more success.
• How to remember what you read.
• The startling simple math formula that will help you decide what to read next.
• How reading makes life more fulfilling,
• How you can find time to read - even if your life is “crazy busy”.
• How to read faster - almost instantly. (You can read a 200-page book in 2 hours).
• Do audiobooks “count” as reading?
• The “secret” service both Jeff and I use to organize and export our notes from Kindle.
• What we’re both reading now, and why.

Links From This Episode

Jeff's Podcast https://readtoleadpodcast.com/

Jeff's Book https://readtoleadbook.com/

About Jeff https://readtoleadpodcast.com/about/

How much of your thinking is by design? I don't mean that in the spiritual sense, but rather, by your design.

How much of your thinking is intentional? How much of it is YOUR thinking?

Is it possible that most of your life is being dictated by random bits and pieces of knowledge, unintentional habits, misconceptions, and various other noise that you no longer even choose to think? And if so…Can you fix it?

This topic isn't new to the podcast. In fact, there are several episodes where I have asserted that most of us are thinking thoughts that don't serve us…Thoughts we never intended to put on "Auto Pilot". I've also claimed that those repetitive thoughts can be removed and replaced with thoughts that do serve you.

But is any of that true? I mean, Dammit Jim…I'm a copywriter, not a neuropsychologist.

Lucky for us, my guest this week is a neuropsychologist.

Dr. Shannon Irvine holds a PH.D. in neuropsychology (the study of the relationship between behavior, emotion, and cognition), and is also a renowned business advisor with a passion for guiding entrepreneurs. When she says she can help you train your brain for success, it's not just a motivational pep talk - She's a bonafide expert in the science behind it.

Tune in to learn:

• How to Recognize "destructive programming" - The unintentional, negative thoughts are running a portion of your life.
• Why to Record those thoughts - As in, physically write them down. This isn't a meaningless exercise. Dr. Irvine explains the science behind this critical step.
• A great way to Refute those thoughts
• How to Replace them with positive truths

Links from this episode

https://drshannonirvine.com/ - Dr. Irvine's official site. Be sure to check out her Epic Success Podcast.

At some point in life, I think most people find that they are essentially living the same day, over and over. Going to the same job, talking to the same people, thinking mostly the same thoughts, feeling mostly the same emotions...Everything is just mediocre repetition; neither advancing nor improving. They have brief notions of making changes, but ultimately go back to their routine.

This week's episode details my personal journey through that scenario...And the diagnosis that snapped me out of it.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• Is the way you are setting your goals keeping you from reaching them?
• Is your attitude standing in the way of you being able to overcome your problems? 
• Be intentional about your goals. It is worth the effort to get the result. 
• Are you in the Matrix? Will you choose the blue pill or the red pill. Wake up to reality or stay in the illusion?
• Are you doing the same thing every day over and over again. Do you need to break this cycle?
• I signed up for Michael Hyatt’s Best Year Ever Program and this program was different, and it helped me make some decisions to change my life. 
• After starting it, I made 1 million dollars in my business, lost 67 pounds, paid off our debt. It woke me up and forced me to complete the past.
• Looking back at your past gives you the ability to learn, be aware and analyze what has happened and what I will do differently in the future.

Quote of the Day: “You don’t need easy, You just need worth it” — Jim Rohn

This week we're showcasing one of our highest reviewed episodes in the history of the show...And for good reason - It breaks down the process of starting a successful copywriting business into 3 simple steps.

Yep...You're (still) only 3 steps away from your work-from-anywhere, get paid to be creative, no-business-attire-required (or even pants for that matter) dream job.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• The definition of a “direct response copywriter” and who their best kind of clients are. Yes, every business needs good copy to sell their products. But that doesn’t mean you should try to work for just any random company… unless they use this specific style of marketing. That is, if you want to have good clients who don’t stiff you or undercut your every move.
• Why the kind of writing business I’m discussing today is the most profitable kind of writing business you can get into. Unless you’re the next J. K. Rowling or Stephen King, this is by far the most lucrative type of writing business on the planet – if you know how to leverage your copywriting skills.
• How to apply the required F.O.C.U.S. you’ll need to learn the craft of copywriting from a master teacher. If you follow this “one, and only one” method of learning, you’ll get to your goal much faster than the average rookie copywriter.  
• Why you need to become intimately familiar with the great original masters of copywriting. Without this knowledge, you’ll build your copywriting house on a foundation of sand, and you know what happened to the foolish man when the rains came tumbling down.
• How to get into the minds of the most winning copywriters of all time and internalize their methods for success. This practice is tedious and time-consuming. So much so that most copywriters never make it a habit, to their cost. If you make this a part of your routine, especially early on, you will have a massive advantage over the competition.
• What you should focus on before doing all the “normal” business setup practices. Focusing on these other business setup practices is an excuse that feeds your procrastination bug. If you want to sharpen up your skill, gain a positive reputation, and get to the money faster than most copywriters, you need to do this first.
• Why you need a copywriting mentor. How your mentor can open doors for you and get you on the fast track to notoriety, profitability, and a pipeline filled with the best kinds of clients.
• The only way to distinguish yourself in the marketplace and stand out from all the other so-called direct response copywriters. There are so many people who call themselves copywriters, but they don’t have the experience to back up their claims. When you follow this path to distinguishing yourself, you’ll truly stand out in a noisy world.
• How to build the single most powerful type of brand possible. Hint: you already have all the tools you need. You don’t have to take any courses or read any books. The answers are inside of you right now waiting to come out and build you a brand so powerful, you can use it to sell very expensive programs.
• The website platform I would use today if I was starting out. There are many options, but this one, which is not the industry standard, is the quickest, easiest, and most beneficial for beginners.
• How to use the 3 pillars of personal branding to grow your audience using social media and your website. This is how the game is played. This is marketing. Whether you’re against social media or not, this is what you have to do if you want to succeed.
• The best way to gain authority and establish expertise. It removes resistance and provides your customers with results in advance.
• How to get inside your customer’s mind on a regular basis and help them get to know you intimately. Starting this kind of marketing channel doesn’t have to be complicated. You can start today by pulling out your iPhone and hitting a couple buttons. But the potential for reach and influence is huge!

Resources:

Links mentioned on today’s show:

• Join my Copywriting Certification program to be mentored and certified by me by going to RayEdwards.com/cdrc.
• Check out Michael Hyatt’s amazing book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by clicking here.
• Get your podcast started with the amazing RodeCaster Pro by clicking here.
• Get your Audio Technica ATR 2100 microphone by clicking here.

A Few Essential Copywriting Books by the Original Masters:

• Breakthrough Advertising, Eugene Schwartz (BreakthroughAdvertisingBook.com)
• How to Write a Good Advertisement, Victor Schwab
• Scientific Advertising & My Life in Advertising, Claude Hopkins
• Robert Collier Letter Book, Robert Collier
• Tested Advertising Methods, John Caples
• Confessions of an Advertising Man, David Ogilvy

Sponsor

This episode of the Ray Edwards Show is made possible in part by The All-New Ray Edwards Enhanced Certified Direct Response Copywriter Program, where I help anyone who wants to make big money from their writing without getting a publisher or having a bestseller, and even if nobody knows who you are. Get my proven methods, systems, and even my endorsement – go to RayEdwards.com/CDRC2021

During today’s episode it is my goal to answer all your questions about starting your own writing business, especially in today’s new economy. Sometimes it seems like it’s a new economy every other day or so, but really there’s nothing to be frightened of. There is nothing new under the sun, after all-this has all happened before, and it will all happen again. 

Spiritual Foundations

 The Lord is my light and my salvation- so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.  Psalm 27:1-3 (NIV)  

Tip Of The Week

I am a big proponent of dictating instead of typing, mainly because I can’t type very well. But I can speak pretty fast. I was frustrated with my iPad pro’s Magic Keyboard because it would not allow me to dictate. There’s no button for it. Tapping the little globe keyboard icon does not help, because as far as I can tell, you’re not supposed to use software keyboards in conjunction with this actual hardware keyboard. I found the secret. Simply tap the Control key twice in succession and up pops your dictation window. You’re welcome.

Feature Presentation

Last week, we published a podcast making a strong claim that the very best business to start (especially if you need money now) is a freelance writing business. Chief among those reasons being that almost anyone can do this, and you can start it for basically no money (assuming you have a laptop or some other device that allows you to connect to the Internet). While that episode clearly spelled out why starting a freelance writing business is such a strong choice, I really did not get into how to do it. In an email follow-up, I asked if you had any questions about starting your own writing business. I expected to get a few questions…and did you ever exceed my expectations. Seems there are lots of questions about this idea of “writing as a business”. So in this week’s podcast episode, you get answers. When you listen you will find out:

• What if I don’t like the idea of writing sales copy?
• Does writing direct response copy mean I have to write spammy Internet junk mail?
• How long does it take to become good enough at direct response Copywriting to be able to charge for it?
• How much you can really expect to get paid as a competent beginner in this kind of business?
• Is it really possible to start this kind of business for free?
• How do you start charging for Copywriting if you’ve never been paid to do it in the past?
• How do I find clients as a Copywriter, when it seems the market is already saturated with Copywriters everywhere I look?
• What if you have a chronic illness which might make it difficult to commit to deadlines?
• If I am willing to invest in books or training, what do you recommend?

So grab your success journal and pen (or your iPad if you prefer), and get ready to take some notes. There’s plenty of meat in this one! It is possible to take your love of writing, and turn that into a lucrative full-time income – or even a full-fledged business of your own.

Sponsor

This episode of the Ray Edwards Show is made possible in part by The All-New Ray Edwards Enhanced Certified Direct Response Copywriter Program, where I help anyone who wants to make big money from their writing without getting a publisher or having a bestseller, and even if nobody knows who you are. Get my proven methods, systems, and even my endorsement – go to RayEdwards.com/CDRC2021

As we continue our recording studio makeover at Ray Edwards, International, I've been going through some past episodes, looking for those that stood out…episodes worth a second listen.

The one I found for this week seemed oddly prophetic. It was released about a year before the pandemic began and actually seems even more appropriate in 2021.

Don't take my word for it…listen, and hear for yourself.

Feature Presentation: “The Single Best Business to Start (If You Need Money Now)”

While thinking about this idea of the “ideal business”, I ran across an article by John Forde at AWAI. I will link to the article in the show notes. (https://www.awai.com/2009/05/is-copywriting-the-worlds-best-business/)

Forde argued in that article that he has a set of objective criteria for what makes “The Ideal Business” … and these reasons actually go back to an article written in the 1970's by financial guru Richard Russell.

Russell was the writer and publisher of “The Dow Theory Letters”, starting in 1958. Russell died in 2015. But as of the date of his passing, the Dow Theory Letters was the longest-running service continuously written by one person in the business.

So no, he wasn’t writing about copywriting as we know it. And yet – he was a master of the craft.

Anyway, with credit to John Forde and Richard Russell, here are the essential qualities of “the ideal business” for anyone to start.

1. “Sells the World.”
2. Enjoys Inelastic Demand”
3. “Cannot Be Easily Copied”
4. “Has Low Labor and Overhead Costs”
5. “Takes in Cash Billings”
6. “Is Free of All Kinds of Regulation”
7. “Is Portable”
8. “Satisfies Intellectual Needs”
9. “Leaves You With Free Time”
10. “Is Not Limited By Personal Output”

I have two more “reasons why” to add to the list… (these are my own additions.)

11. “Easily Profits Whether Markets Are Up or Down”.
12. “Is a Minimalist Business”.

Sponsor

This episode of the Ray Edwards Show is made possible in part by The All-New Ray Edwards Enhanced Certified Direct Response Copywriter Program, where I help anyone who wants to make big money from their writing without getting a publisher or having a bestseller, and even if nobody knows who you are. Get my proven methods, systems, and even my endorsement – go to RayEdwards.com/CDRC2021

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

This week, we decided to use some studio down-time to revisit our most downloaded, most commented episode, and strip it down to the meat and potatoes. The original episode, which you can find in its entirety here, focused on the importance of the order in which entrepreneurs should do things to successfully create a personal-brand based business.

Three years later, the out-of-sequentialism problem still exists and the solutions in this episode are still valid. Even if you heard the original, this condensed, straight-to-the-point version can help you stay on track as you start or grow your business.

Feature Presentation

The premise for today’s podcast: Every person listening to this show can and should build a prosperous personal-brand business by following 5 proven phases.  

If you get these phases out of order you will have problems. If you are frustrated with lack of traction in building your personal brand online, chances are you’re out of sequence.  

• If you want to start a platform-based, personal-brand business by taking your knowledge, your wisdom, your expertise, and your gifts and you can share them with people (the world) via the power of the Internet.
• You can establish your global reach for $50-$100 by creating a radio show (podcast), TV show (YouTube channel) and other various ways of having people communicate with you (social media).
• Many businesses have done just that.
  • Casey Neistat  started out with a video camera and making movies and had no audience, no following, and built a seven million follower YouTube channel. Part of his company was purchased by CNN for $25 million last year.
  • Peter McKinnon, a photographer, cinematographer, and videographer who lives in Canada has built a million subscriber YouTube channel.  
  • It’s not just YouTube channels, there are people in all social media markets like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You know the names of the people who rule these marketplaces, but you may not know the people in the niches that are getting wealthy serving a small, few thousand people in their particular niche.

“The internet and the ability to build a personal brand online is the great equalizer of all entrepreneurs.”  Ray Edwards

5 Phases of a Prosperous Business

1. Determine the meaning of life and the meaning of your business.
2. Define your mission, your vision, your goals, and your tasks.
3. Clarify your message. (Who you help, why they need you, what you do that helps)
4. Create marketing materials. (Marketing that is clear, repeatable, and sticky.)
5. Collect money.  (Give value first.)

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook - This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

You already are a personal brand, and as my friend Mike Kim says, you might as well be a better one. Personal branding isn't just for celebrities, public speakers, or internet gurus…It's for YOU! 

This week's episode will help you make big strides in your own personal brand, thanks to Mike's expert advice.

Feature Presentation

Throughout my years of consulting and training, I have encountered a common sentiment among many would-be content creators - "How can I succeed when so many others are already doing what I want to do?"

I get it...Most likely, you've already been inspired by content creators in your field of expertise. Perhaps you are even a devoted, multi-platform-following fan of some of them. Why would anyone choose your content over theirs? It's a one-word answer: You.

Your personal-brand is where your power lies...It's not simply a battle of Your Content vs. Their Content - It's a Battle of the Brands. The fact is, even though someone else may have more resources than you (more time, more money, more support staff, better equipment), your personality, your style, YOUR BRAND, can serve as an equalizer. It's the unduplicatable part of your content, and Mike Kim has the knowledge to raise your branding game to a new level.

Listen to the episode (or read the transcript linked below) Then, grab Mike Kim's book here.

Links From This Episode

You Are The Brand - The 8-Step Blueprint to Showcase Your Unique Expertise & Build a Highly Profitable, Personally Fulfilling Business. No matter where you buy your copy of Mike Kim's book, You Are The Brand, make sure you go to this official site to claim many awesome bonuses.

Norm McDonald's Moth Joke - I mentioned it, so I felt the need to throw this in.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook - This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

So many of us still have life "on pause" as a result of the last 18 months. Regardless of where you are or what restrictions you're still facing, it's time to press play...It's time to move forward. This week, I'm giving you 5 reasons to show you why Now is your time.

Spiritual Foundations

"The wicked flee though no one pursues,

    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

- Proverbs 28:1, NIV

Perhaps you're more familiar with the secular version, "Fortune favors the bold". In this economy, NOW is the time to be bold as a lion.

Feature Presentation

5 reason why now is your time:

1. This is the Digital Revolution - The one we've been talking about for a few decades now is essentially just starting for millions of people who were rocketed into an online lifestyle due to the effects of the pandemic. We don't know the official numbers, but the amount of people buying, meeting and learning online has increased by at least TEN TIMES.
2. This is the Wild West Economy, all over again (Fortunes will be made NOW)
3. Chaos Rewards Optimism - Things are chaotic right now, but chaos rewards optimism and reflects whatever you expect of it.
4. It's a new Inflection Point. Worldwide - More millionaires are being made now than ever in the history of the world economy.
5. Exponential Growth is Just Around The Corner - Incredible advances in internet infrastructure and other technologies are priming the economy for giant leaps.

Links From This Episode

Be Your Own Copywriter - This live, cohort-based, interactive learning experience is the most effective way to get the power of persuasive copywriting. This isn't a series of pre-recorded lectures - This is a virtual classroom environment where you get results - in class! Every piece of copy you need to launch your product, service, membership, course or offer will be completed by the end of this program. You'll learn how and when to deploy each piece, AND have your copy reviewed by expert copywriters and your cohorts. The doors close soon, so don't wait - click here to reserve your seat.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray's community on Facebook - This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.