Ray Edwards is a sought-after Copywriter, Author, Speaker, and Communications Strategist. His clients include Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, Jeff Walker, Robert Allen, and more. On this show, Ray helps you start, run, and grow their Internet-based businesses. The show includes interviews with well-known experts like Michael Hyatt, Jeff Goins, Dan Miller, Cliff Ravenscraft, Michael Stelzner, Amy Porterfield, Don Miller, and many others.
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.
Building your business and your brand requires a particular set of skills. I want to talk about those skills (one in particular), but also issue a reminder about your other brand...the one built by others. Your shadow brand. What is it, and how do you manage it?
Key Insights
What's the best, must-have skill for creating cash flow and building wealth?
AI has made it easier to build a business with less human help, but at a certain level you must start hiring people.
The harder you work, the more money you make... Not True - That philosophy can destroy you
To achieve true wealth, you must create assets that generate income
You must learn to communicate strategically and influentially
Use your writing to build your personal brand - Do not just hand this job over to AI...use AI as a helper, not an author
How to take control of your Shadow Brand (make it intentional)
Build a personal brand based on the Real You
Embrace your Authentic Self - keep your quirks intact to build a personal brand that people connect with and recognize
Copywriting is the number one skill when it comes to building your brand (Everything is copy)
A.I. can help make you more productive, but you MUST understand the fundamental principles of good copy in order to use it correctly
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.
"People Pleasing" is NOT the way to build a brand. You might build a BIG list that way, but you won't build a QUALITY one.
Your list, your followers, your subscribers...They need to know the real you if you want to build a meaningful connection. (You know, the kind that brings in revenue for your business.) Your message must align with your brand.
My guest this week is known as "the People Displeaser" (a.k.a. Nick Pollard), and he has done exactly that.
Nick and I will discuss his journey, and how being authentic with his audience has helped him build a list of actively engaged, loyal followers.
Key Insights
Nick Pollard's recent video on TikTok has over 1.8 million views (and climbing)...but why "that" one?
Don't worry about the size of your email list, focus on the depth of your relationship with your subscribers.
Maintaining a high list engagement with a 50% open rate, even without marketing to them, shows the importance of having a targeted and interested audience.
Nick's engagement with his audience's list is HUGE. That's a result of building a strong connection with his audience which paves the way for successful marketing.
The key to building engagement with your audience is being honest and authentic from the start.
Nick had rapid list growth, going from 1,500 to over 11,000 subscribers, thanks to a little bit of luck, and a viral video.
The content that performs the best is when the creator is being authentic.
Nick believes that high engagement on social media comes from sharing only what truly matters and resonates with the audience, rather than bombarding them with irrelevant content. (Don't force it!)
NickPollard.com - How to Stop Being a People-Pleaser, Quit Lying to Yourself About How Miserable You Are, And Finally Build a Life of Freedom Where You Don’t Come In Last Place.
CopyCrew.net - Unlimited Copywriting for online business. Fast, effective, and 100% Guaranteed. A copywriting subscription to grow your business.
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.
Check out this incredible conversation I had with my fellow word-nerd, Molly Rouse-DiCioccio.
Molly has an amazing insight as to (as she puts it) "why people do stuff". Once you understand the psychology of your audience, the right words become obvious.
And, of course, if you're a copywriter that can "connect", you can charge appropriately (6-figures in the case of the project we discussed), and are free to work from wherever.
Molly's fascination with human behavior and psychology drives her passion for marketing and helping people with marketing psychology, influence, persuasion, and mental triggers
The importance of copywriting skills (and where to learn them)
How Molly used the PASTOR formula to write a proposal that secured a $120,000 deal
Language is powerful! Mastering it is important not just in copywriting, but also in ALL communication
"It's better not to speak at all unless what you're going to say expresses compassion, inspiration, or mutual benefit."
Mind your mental state: Don't write when you're angry
AI is a powerful tool to give you a start, but human understanding of how words are perceived and the psychological impact is still crucial.
Links
WhyPeopleDoStuff.com What makes people listen to you? To trust you? Buy from you? Contact you? What makes YOU stand out more than anyone else? - Check out Molly's site to answer those questions.
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.
Amanda Foust is a shining example of someone who turned their passion into a profitable business. Her love of writing inspired her to learn a skill that she's used to build TWO successful businesses — Copywriting.
She'll explain how important copywriting has been in BOTH of her businesses (including the one that has nothing to do with writing). Because, as she puts it, "I just don't know how you sell otherwise."
Key Insights
Thank God for teachers
Understanding the importance of framing and presentation in copywriting is crucial for success
Focus on finding "the whos" (the right people) to help, rather than getting caught up in the details.
Amanda became a certified, high-performance coach after being inspired by receiving coaching in college.
Give us some numbers...Amanda talks about the growth of her company, Homegrown, going from part-time work to achieving six-figure earnings and retiring their husband within five years
Knowing how to write good copy (or partnering with someone who can) is crucial for success
AI-generated copy still needs human help to be more than mediocre
Coaches help people navigate imposter syndrome, loneliness, and lack of clarity by focusing on time management, productivity, and finding meaning in their work
Creating a community for learning is more effective than just offering a course
AI For Copywriters can help improve your marketing and learn to use AI as a tool to amplifiy your own voice, not replace it
Links
Wake Up To Your Life - Want to learn more about Amanda's coaching and other services? Check out her brand new site
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.
Many entrepreneurs start their journey out of necessity. An unforeseen set of circumstances gives them the push, and then it's sink or swim.
My guest this week was facing some major family and financial challenges. She fought through the fear and built a successful, 6-figure business in less than a year...That's a story worth paying attention to.
Listen and learn from my conversation with Anita Anello.
Key Insights
Anita's career success and achievements left her feeling unfulfilled, questioning if there was more to life than just titles, money, and accolades, emphasizing the need for a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Be impeccable with your word and build a reputation of reliability and trustworthiness.
Everything Is Copy - Anita discovered the importance of copywriting through the idea that "everything that we say and do is all copy."
Build your business around the deep desires in your heart and be rewarded with freedom.
Anita's passion lies in helping other successful women of faith who have reached a pinnacle in their careers and have a God-sized idea inside of them, guiding them towards fulfilling their potential.
Creating a movement of women who champion each other, meet each other where they're at, and have no tolerance for complainers or those who don't take responsibility for their lives.
Anita and her husband were able to pay off over $40,000 of debt in just a four-month period, demonstrating their commitment to financial stability.
Anita's journey of finding work-life balance and being present for her kids while still making money and pursuing her interests is inspiring.
"Being a person of Integrity is one of my core values...whatever you say you're going to do, that's it because all I have are my words."
Anita's list of necessities for her family's survival and thriving included not just financial aspects, but also time, health, and other non-monetary factors.
Overcoming challenges and declaring one's accomplishments can empower individuals to walk confidently in their journey, leaving a ripple effect for generations to come.
Links
TheRippleAffect.net - The place to connect with Anita Anello, and "Turn Your Corporate Skills into a Consulting Business You Love"
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.
Ever have that dream of waking up and finding that your most recent video got hundreds of thousands of views while you were sleeping? I have. I have yet to experience this personally, but that's exactly what happened to my guest, Matt Wolfe.
In this conversation with Matt, we'll talk about his sudden boom (9 years after launching his channel) - What caused it? How have things changed? What opportunities has it made possible?
Matt is a passionate student of A.I. and it shows in his videos. We'll discuss the importance of creating the content you're passionate about, what role A.I. (and humans) play in the future of content creation, and why Matt thinks the human brain is not yet obsolete.
[00:00] Matt and I discuss his popularity increase after chat GPT became public, his journey of creating videos, gaining traction, and finding success with AI-related content.
Overnight success? Hardly. Matt started his YouTube channel in 2009, focusing on WordPress and teaching people how to build websites
Matt discovered that his videos about AI gained more popularity than his marketing content, leading him to shift his channel's focus. One of his A.I videos has now hit 1.2 million views.
[04:36] Matt shares his 14-year journey to success and how he is monetizing his business.
Matt created his website, futuretools.io, to organize and access useful tools he discovered. This site now serves as an A.I. resource for thousands of visitors each day.
Lots of copycat sites have emerged since Matt's launch of futuretools.io, but that doesn't bother him. He originally built this site as a resource for himself and not as a business model.
Matt sees himself as an enthusiastic user of AI technology rather than pretending to be an expert. He believes (and I agree) that has played an important role in his success.
Matt's revenue streams include: affiliate links, featured listings, sponsorships, a weekly newsletter, a YouTube channel, and a podcast.
[12:35] Will A.I. take over content creation? Matt believes that real people creating content on YouTube will always win because the audience connects with a genuine creator.
[19:46] Creating authentic and passionate content that resonates with you is more valuable than focusing on data-driven strategies, spammy content, or trying to please the algorithm or audience.
Be real...Let your personality shine through in your content. Focus on creating content that excites and interests you.
[22:56] Use AI as a tool to enhance content creation
Feedly is an AI-powered RSS feed reader that allows users to find and filter articles and news on specific topics.
[27:54] What about AI's potential to create fake content and undermine the credibility of video and photographic evidence
What does Matt think about AI replacing jobs?
[33:19] Do we still need people? Of course. But not for everything... AI will potentially replace manual labor jobs, but humans will adapt and find new ways to add value.
[36:47] Where to find Matt...and when do we get the new podcast?
Links
futuretools.io : Matt's site that "Collects & Organizes All The Best AI Tools So YOU Too Can Become Superhuman!"
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.
I can think of no more valuable skill than the one that conveys the importance, uniqueness, value, and necessity of everything else you have to offer - Copywriting.
Feel free to try and convince me otherwise...but guess what skill you'll need to do that?
Copywriting is fundamental to any business because it's how you communicate who you are and why people need you. Any transaction begins with communication, and the quality of that communication dictates everything that comes after.
This week's episode is about recognizing that EVERYTHING is copy - Not just sales pages and ads. Social media posts, emails, videos, podcasts...even conversations are copy. Use the techniques and triggers that have been used for millennia to improve ALL of your interactions.
You'll also learn how you and I can be "study buddies", working through Jeff Walker's Product Launch Formula together. I've bought PLF every year since 2005 because it works, and it gets better every iteration.
We'll soon be launching the updated, AI version of Copywriting Academy using PLF blueprints. Listen to find out how you can get a behind-the-scenes look at our launch, step by step.
Key Insights
The one high-value skill to rule them all: Copywriting
AI does NOT eliminate the need for human copywriters
Everything is copy - not just sales pages and ads
Jeff Walker's Product Launch Formula changed everything in 2005
Emails require stellar copywriting skills to get opens and responses
Social Media Posts are copy - Treat them as such. Be intentional!
Your website builds trust and drives conversions, and...it's copy.
In-Person interactions can be "Conversational Copy"
Get PLF using my link, and we'll go through it together
Soon, we'll be launching the updated, AI version of Copywriting Academy. Get behind-the-scenes access to my own, PLF-Powered launch, step by step. A "vlogumentary" that shows you how my team and I put PLF to work.
Links
Product Launch Formula Masterclass - Your once-a-year shot at getting thousands of dollars in practical, actionable, launch education. Learn the key elements of Product Launch Formula directly from its creator, Jeff Walker. These videos come down this week, so DON'T Wait!
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.
This week we review the fundamental differences between marketing and selling, and how to properly execute both.
Plus, I introduce you to two of my students, Jason and Melanie Crane. We'll talk about their entrepreneurial journey as a husband and wife team, they're challenges, and how you can achieve success without sacrificing your marriage.
I'll also tell you how you can learn the same fundamental sales system that we use for each and every product and service we sell (Product Launch Formula), absolutely free of charge.
Key Insights
Marketing and Selling are NOT the same thing
Marketing is where you connect with your audience and let them buy in to your worldview, philosophies, and ideas - Marketing is preparing your audience to buy from you.
The offer is critical. Get it right, or nothing else works. It must be made irresistible to the audience.
Building a list through lead magnets and email marketing allows for sequential communication and increased chances of making a successful sales offer.
Building a relationship with customers and being perceived as a helper, rather than someone trying to sell, can amplify your business and foster connections.
Sacrificing personal relationships for the sake of success can lead to negative consequences and the breakdown of marriages.
Creating or joining a Mastermind group can provide a supportive and motivating environment for personal and professional growth.
Being part of a supportive community can be transformational in achieving your goals and overcoming challenges.
Making the process of improving a marriage fun (even integrating dance in Jason and Melanie's case) can help engage both partners and create a positive experience.
Links
Free PLF Masterclass - Get the fundamentals of Product Launch Formula, taught by its creator, Jeff Walker. This is my sales system. It's what my company uses every time we launch a new product or service. If you want to sell online, this is the way. These free Masterclass videos are only available for a few days, so get them while you can
BAM Prosperity - Visit Jason and Melanie's site to learn more about how to build a business without sacrificing your personal relationships
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.
A lot of people are asking this question when it comes to "Content Marketing":
How much is too much?
At what point do you saturate your readers, listeners and viewers with so much knowledge that they are no longer interested in buying what you're selling?
In this week's episode, I'll give you a solid answer to that question...free of charge.
Key Insights
Giving away valuablecontent for free in content marketing can help build trust with potential customers and lead to future sales.
The success of a marketing strategy can be measured not just by immediate revenue, but also by its ability to position your brand in the marketplace and generate long-term results.
People often don't do what they know because they either don't know how to do it, don't like doing it, or find it too overwhelming. That presents an opportunity for content marketers to provide guidance and support in the form of courses, coaching, and other revenue-generating services.
7 steps do doing this right
Step 1 - Know your audience and the problem they want to solve
Step 2 - Give the FULL Answer
Step 3 - Teach your whole process
Step 4 - Illustrate the value - Show what your process is worth when you put it to work
Step 5 - Ask your audience, "Why aren't you doing this?"
Step 6 - Offer to do it with them.
Step 7 - Repeat
Providing valuable knowledge and illustrating the value of your process can help build trust and demonstrate the worth of your content.
In my latest book, Read This Or Die, I share how I used my skills as a marketer and copywriter to write a sales campaign that helped me overcome the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and change my life.
Marketing is about changing mindsets and sharing your beliefs, values, and worldview, not selling products or services.
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.
My weekly podcast has been my #1 source for new clients since the beginning of my business. Why? Because it has helped me to build a connection with the right people. Listeners get a dose of my knowledge and personality and then decide whether they should move on, or stay for more.
Those who aren't a fit for my style get naturally filtered out. So, the podcast doesn't just get me more clients - It gets me better clients...My right-fit clients.
This week, we're talking about the golden opportunity you have that didn't exist when I was getting started: YouTube.
I've got 7 compelling reasons why you should start your YouTube channel, NOW.
Key Insights
Putting your own podcast on YouTube is a great way to build a loyal following and attract high-paying clients, as it allows you to create an emotional bond and forge connections with your audience.
YouTube is the number one podcasting platform and has invested heavily in video podcasts, making it the ideal platform for connecting with clients and customers.
New viewers can discover your show organically, so don't miss out on the opportunity to build an audience by consistently creating content.
Having a YouTube video podcast can provide opportunities for lateral marketing and niche audience targeting.
A YouTube video podcast allows you to reach new clients in different genres.
YouTube is now offering a complete ecosystem with ad-free videos, music, and podcasts, giving creators the opportunity to attract new viewers and listeners and potentially earn ad revenue.
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.
In this economic reality, you must bring your A-Game when it comes to marketing.
No more outdated websites...No more ignoring your "Shadow Brand", or your reputation on social media. You must strive to be Iconic in your market.
This week, we're talking about how my son and I are marketing the local coffee shop we co-own together, Revel 77.
Key Insights
The importance of stepping up your marketing game in the current economic reality and moving away from ugly marketing strategies.
Ugly websites no longer sell, as the competition now includes big players like Disney and AI technology, but this also means more opportunities for those who can create high-quality content.
Your website is not enough to attract customers, you need to provide a valuable experience and build trust before asking for a purchase.
Your online reputation, or "Shadow brand," is crucial for attracting customers, so it's important to provide the information they need to make a favorable decision about your business.
Revel 77 Coffee in Spokane, WA enjoys having control over their coffee product by roasting it themselves, allowing them to tailor it to their customers' preferences.
Build a sophisticated website and marketing hub to capture traffic and cater to the specific audience of your coffee shop, ensuring customer satisfaction and differentiation from competitors like Starbucks.
You must think about sales copy, photography, video, writing, and your brand, but the good news is you can watch us do it with our own business.
Revel 77 Coffee in Spokane, WA roasts their own beans, and if you want to order their delicious Morning Muse roast, click the link in the description.
Links
Revel 77 Coffee - Get the meticulously crafted flavor profile of your choice delivered to your door - Roasted in-house by our resident coffee genius, Sean Edwards.
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.
This week, I'm laying some groundwork for an upcoming series about building your own 1-person business.
A 1-person business isn't new territory for me - I ran a successful one for many years before I started building my team... BUT - The tools that are available now (specifically the AI-Powered ones) have made doing this on-your-own incredibly easy. You can now build your business by yourself, without neglecting every other aspect of your life...And it's AMAZING.
Let's talk about what's possible... And why YOU CAN (and SHOULD) do it NOW.
Key Insights
Building a one-person business that allows you to work only with people you want to work with, and on your own schedule, is not just a dream, it can be a reality.
The internet is "The Great Leveler", removing all barriers and providing equal opportunities for success.
Optimists generally have better lives, with more money, freedom, happiness, and better relationships, while pessimists have a more realistic vision but often end up less happy, wealthy, and with lesser relationships.
The internet removes gatekeepers and allows anyone, regardless of age, to create a million-dollar business.
The internet has leveled the playing field, allowing anyone to start a business and connect with potential customers, regardless of their social status or background.
Understanding that you are the brand allows you to be your authentic self and stand out in a way that is unduplicable.
There is an audience out of the 8 billion people on this planet that can only resonate with your unique perspective and personality, so be authentic and comfortable in being yourself.
Don't worry about the market being saturated, there is still room for you to start your 1-person business.
Links
Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself To A Better Life - Click to find out how you can get a free gift when you order my new book: A 6-part mini-course where I personally walk you through the life-changing process outlined in the book.
ClarityScribe - The most powerful AI-Powered copywriting tool on the planet. Try it for free (no credit card required)
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.
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.
This week is another Q&A with Ray episode where I offer my answers to these questions:
How do I get more people to open my emails?
Can I use copywriting on social media without seeming sleazy?
Are old-school sales pages dead?
Those are some great questions, to which I believe I have some helpful answers.
If you would like to win a free, signed copy of my new book, Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life, check out the link below to get the code I mention in the podcast.
I'll be doing more prizes in future episodes, so make sure you're subscribed to my YouTube channel for an even better chance to win.
[00:00] Intro - More Q&A [00:22]Question 1: How do I get more people to open my emails? [03:25] Question 2: Can I use copywriting on social media to make sales (without seeming sleazy)? [05:37] Question 3: Are old-school sales pages dead? [07:51] Win a free, signed copy of Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life
Links
Read This Or Die - Learn more about my new book, Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life
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.
In case you're not familiar with Lee Cockerell, here's a quick snippet from his bio:
Lee Cockerell is the former Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World® Resort. “As the Senior Operating Executive for ten years Lee led a team of 40,000 Cast Members and was responsible for the operations of 20 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping & entertainment village and the ESPN sports and recreation complex in addition to the ancillary operations which supported the number one vacation destination in the world.”
When it comes to team-building and leadership techniques, Lee has one of the best resumés on the planet.
A few weeks ago, I received a note from Lee saying that he had read my new book, Read This Or Die, and enjoyed it so much that he purchased multiple copies to send to friends and family. To receive a note like that from someone I respect and admire was both humbling, and inspiring.
Lee also extended me the honor of being a guest on his Creating Disney Magic podcast (linked below), which is where this week's audio comes from.
[00:00] Intro/explanation [00:14] Welcome back to the show [00:45] How Read This Or Die impacted Lee [02:39] The missing chapter [04:11] It's about the reader's challenges...not Ray's [05:44] Changing your input/output [06:55] Your wife's review (The Cranial-Rectral Extraction Method) [10:04] No need to wait for disaster [12:42] A lesson in brain science [13:48] A trip to Galaxy's Edge [15:25] More about "The letter"
Links
Creating Disney Magic Podcast - Lee Cockerell shares his wisdom and experience from his time as the Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World. Along with host Jody Maberry, Lee discusses how you can apply lessons in leadership, management, and customer service to create magic in your organization.
LeeCockerell.com - The best place to get in touch with Lee. Learn more about his training, speaking, and mastermind group.
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.
In this Episode of the Ray Edwards Show, I'm going to show you exactly how I'm using AI every week in my workflow. How I am using AI in my business to make more money with less work, and produce better copy (meaning copy that converts better). And how you can do the same thing.
This episode is specifically made for business owners who want to write copy for their own business. Even if your business is a copywriting business – there is plenty of opportunity for all of us. These are the days of limitless opportunity.
But you certainly don't have to be a copywriter-for-hire to use this same workflow. This will work for any online business, including personal brands, authors, speakers, coaches, and course creators.
[00:00] My workflow for creating this podcast (and who this will work for) [03:13] Step 1 - Research the topic most on the minds of my viewers/listeners [04:17] Step 2 - Put my research into a working document [04:35] Step 3 - Write my "Human Generated" outline of the episode [05:10] Step 4 - Run my text through ClarityScribe [06:31] Step 5 - Read the A.I. generated text out loud (seriously...do this) [07:56] Step 6 - Record the video version for YouTube [10:03] Step 7 - Polish up the video (See link below for TimeBolt) [11:47] Step 8 - Run the audio through ClarityScribe's Podcast module [12:18] Step 9 - Put the video through Opus Video AI (link below) [12:55] Step 10 - Load Podcast post on YouTube, the blog, and socials [13:27] Step 11 - Launch The Video
Links
ClairtyScribe - The ultimate copywriting A.I. not only generates copy for my podcast, but also parses the finished audio to create show notes, a verbatim transcript, social posts, and emails.
TimeBolt-This is what I use to "clean up" my videos. Removing any dead spaces, bad takes, and various stumbles. (affiliate link)
VidIQ - I use this software to analyze my channel and get the insights necessary to keep my content focused, and relevant to what my audience expects. (affiliate link)
Opus Clip-This incredible software will analyze your long form videos and create sharable highlights.
Jeff Walker - The inventor of the "Product Launch Formula" coaching program. You can find many of these principles and techniques in his book, called Launch!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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
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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.
Direct download: REP611.mp3
Category:Podcast
-- posted at: 9:00am PST
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.
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:
Mind Your Mindset audiobook ($26.99 value)
Self-Coacher Desk Tool ($9.99 value) — 50% off with promo code.
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.
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...
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.
"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?
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!)
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How You Can Help
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Now is not the time to hide in a bunker...waiting for the impending economic doom we hear about every day.
What you should be doing is turning your knowledge and skills into a business built around your own personal brand.
That's what we're talking about in this week's episode.
[00:00] Intro - Turning your knowledge, wisdom, and experience into a business [01:27] There's a storm coming...Batten down the hatches? [02:29] Being a personal brand [03:55] How we're transitioning at Ray Edwards International, Inc. [07:55] But if I build a personal brand, I can't scale, right? [08:46] 3 Reasons to build a personal brand [08:57] Reason 1: It's the fastest way to create income [10:31] Reason 2: You can build a citadel to protect your clients [11:20] Reason 3: Customer-funded acquisition of market share [14:09] Whats a brand? [15:50] Closing with a quote
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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
https://youtu.be/ua5VfCVsDYo
Tony Robbins Vintage Infomercial
https://youtu.be/L8nt94LCyqY
The Most Interesting Man In The World
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
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.
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
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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"?
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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?
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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.
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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 12months which tookme12years.
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 onlysurvive, but actuallythrive in the coming economic meltdown.
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.
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)
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
[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.
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)
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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".
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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)
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.
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...
[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.”
[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!)
[05:52] Invest in assets, attention and people - all are on sale. “Invest in acquisition of attention today, be wealthy tomorrow.”
[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.”
[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.”
[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.”
[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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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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
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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
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
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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?
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
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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.
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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
The latest from Social Media Examiner's Mike Stelzner
How You Can Help
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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
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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.
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
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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
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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
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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.
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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
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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
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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]
Who are you, and why should I trust you?
What do you have that can help me with my problem,?
Do you understand my problem in the pain it causes me?
How does your problem solution help me?
What makes your solution different than everyone else’s, and why should I buy it?
How can you assure me this will work? What happens if it doesn’t?
How much is your product, and is the speed and effectiveness of your solution with enough to justify my paying your price?
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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. <!-- /wp:paragraph -->
[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 calendarto 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
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.
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.
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.
