The Recognized Authority: Recent Episodes

The Recognized Authority

The Recognized Authority: the podcast that guides Invisible Experts on the journey to becoming a Recognized Authority in your field, so you can:

👉 increase your impact

👉 command higher fees

👉 work with better clients

This podcast features interviews with successful consultants who are willing to share the ups and downs of their story to inspire and educate our listeners.

We also interview marketing and sales experts who have a message or lesson that is relevant for a B2B professional services audience.

We'll cover all aspects of business developement, sales, marketing and lead generation with advice, tips and in-depth analysis specifically aimed at independent consultants & specialized consulting firms.

Topics include developing a unique point of view, how to create your product ladder, building your audience, how to make more time for your consulting business, building your podcast funnel, confessions of a million dollar consultant, the compound effect of content, you don’t need to be unique to stand out, earning and holding attention, don’t overthink your content, bland content and burnout, making video marketing easier, how to build a strategic narrative, how content can save your business, using case studies to build trust, why positioning is crucial to your business, and lots more.

Previous guests include Alan Weiss, Marcus Sheridan, Mark Schaefer, David C. Baker, Ron Baker, Evelyn Starr, Michael Zipursky, Jonathan Stark, Geraldine Carter, Mike Clay, Sara Dunn, Louis Grenier, Anne Janzer, Philip Morgan, Rochelle Moulton, Norbert Schwarz, Heather Steele, Douglas Squirrel and many more.

👉 Learn more at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/podcast

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Misspellings for searches: Alistair, Allister, Alister, Alasdair, Alisdair, Alister, MacDermott, The Recognised Authority. The correct versions are Alastair McDermott & The Recognized Authority 🤗

Ever wondered how to elevate your business podcast to world-record levels? Today's episode is a special one: a cross-post of my recent appearance on The Marketing Book Podcast, hosted by Douglas Burdett.

We dive into key insights from my book, "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Business Podcast." Learn how to plan your show, achieve top-tier audio quality, and secure your spot as a sought-after guest on other podcasts. Bonus: Find out why I might just be in the Guinness World Records!

Douglas is a master at the craft of podcasting, and he's a very funny guy too. He reads every book that he has on his show - and you can tell! I strongly recommend heading over to The Marketing Book Podcast for more great interviews and book recommendations.

We get into the meat of it: from identifying your core business goals to engaging a specific target audience. Douglas and I explore different podcast types that generate sales and leads, and share examples for educational and co-host podcasts.

When it comes to gear, we hold nothing back. Hear why I'm not a fan of a particular microphone that's making the rounds. We also discuss the pros and cons of adding video to your podcast, and why opting for a dedicated hosting service makes all the difference.

We wrap up by examining podcast marketing—how to craft a compelling call-to-action, pick your guests wisely, and nail your episode titles and show notes for maximum impact. Plus, I'll share some book recommendations that have been important for me in growing my business.

Would you like to have a podcast that is an authority-building, lead-gen machine? Hit play now, and make sure to check out The Marketing Book Podcast for more deep dives into the world of marketing.

🎙️+📺 SHOW: The Recognized Authority is the podcast & YouTube show that helps experts & consultants on the journey to becoming a recognized authority in your field, so you can increase your impact, command higher fees, and work with better clients.

📲 | SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://rec.nz/ytsubscribe

🕮 - NEW BOOK: Alastair's new book "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Business podcast" https://rec.nz/book

🎓 COACHING: Find out more about working with Alastair: https://rec.nz/coaching

🚨 - FOLLOW Alastair and The Recognized Authority ON SOCIAL MEDIA... 👇

👑 - LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairmcdermott

👑 - TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WhatStrategy

👑 - FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheRecognizedAuthority

👑 - INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/WhatStrategy

💻 - WEBSITE: https://TheRecognizedAuthority.com

Do you have a livestream or podcast, but struggle to get traction? Or have you been dreaming about starting one, but feel overwhelmed by the technical hurdles? This conversation is for you.

On this practical episode of The Recognized Authority, Brendan McAdams sits in the coaching chair with host and content strategy coach Alastair McDermott. They discuss Brendan's new livestream show and work on planning the show and troubleshooting roadblocks.

You'll discover practical tactics to enhance your audio, video, and content quality so your expertise shines through.

Alastair's candid insights will give you confidence to hit record whether you’re looking to improve your current show or gearing up to start a new one. You'll also learn how to make your livestreams more engaging and shareworthy - from choosing the right equipment to crafting questions that uncover fascinating personal stories.

We all know high-quality audio and video are crucial for influencing how our expertise is perceived. But did you realize even simple improvements to your home studio acoustics can make you sound more authoritative? Alastair shares his hard-won advice for sound treatment on a budget.

What about the nagging feeling your content sounds dated shortly after you publish it? Alastair provides thought-provoking feedback on Brendan's working title and how it could imply fleeting relevance rather than evergreen value.

And have you struggled to transform your interviews into snackable social media clips? You'll hear Alastair's systematic process for repurposing content across platforms, saving you tons of time while extending your reach.

If you feel your livestreaming efforts aren't having the impact you hoped, this candid conversation is packed with practical tips to quickly level up your game.

👉 Interested in getting coaching help like this? Learn more about coaching with Alastair

Key Insights:

Quality audio/video makes you seem smarter, more important and more likable.
Start with the best gear you can afford and upgrade over time. Audio quality is most important.
Live streaming forces you to publish content and avoids procrastination/perfectionism.
Having a show that works even with a small audience is powerful.
Interviews with ideal clients build relationships, even if no one listens.
Keep format simple - avoid overproduction. Done is better than perfect.
Evergreen content stays relevant long-term. Timely hooks imply ephemeral value.
Personal stories and journeys make for great content. Help experts showcase accomplishments.
Repurposing content for different formats and platforms extends reach and impact.

Episode Overview

Planning and Strategy (00:00 - 15:00): identifying the primary and secondary target audiences, determining the best format such as interview, solo, or hybrid, and how the title implies ephemeral "news" content rather than evergreen value.
Production Quality and Tools (15:00 - 35:00): how to achieve high audio, video, and lighting quality even on a budget. Key tips include prioritizing audio over video quality, using dynamic microphones, and acoustic treatment for "echoey" rooms. Tools and platforms for multi-channel live streaming, integrating pre-recorded content, and how live streaming improves consistency by avoiding perfectionism traps.
Content Format and Optimization (35:00 - 60:00): optimizing the content, including structuring questions to get guest stories, celebrating expert accomplishments, and repurposing clips across platforms.
Process and Implementation (60:00 - 90:00): specifics around identifying strong clips from long-form interviews, a systematic process for clip creation, and how to optimize clips for different social platforms.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, join us as we explore how to create compelling livestreams that showcase your expertise.

🎓 COACHING Find out more about working with Alastair rec.nz/coaching

Is Your Problem-Solving Actually Solving Problems?

Many business leaders, including myself, have battled with ineffective decision-making processes.

In this episode of The Recognized Authority, author Irma Parone joins host Alastair McDermott and shares her eight-step model to tackle business challenges head-on.

We candidly discuss the ripple effect of our choices, from the often-underestimated consequences of inaction to the profound impact of customer satisfaction and employee retention.

Tune in to this episode and discover how you can better prepare for problem solving.

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉https://therecognizedauthority.com/time-management-to-drive-profitability👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🎙️+📺 SHOW: The Recognized Authority is the podcast & YouTube show that helps experts & consultants on the journey to becoming a recognized authority in your field, so you can increase your impact, command higher fees, and work with better clients.

📲 | SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://rec.nz/ytsubscribe

🚨 – FOLLOW Alastair and The Recognized Authority ON SOCIAL MEDIA… 👇

👑 – LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairmcdermott/

👑 – TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WhatStrategy

👑 – FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forconsultants/

👑 – INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/WhatStrategy/

💻 – WEBSITE: https://therecognizedauthority.com

In a world where social media is king, creating great content that represents your brand and that actually brings in leads feels like an uphill battle. Time constraints, unclear messaging, and the constant pressure to create new content and stand out leads to confusion and frustration. But what if there was an easier way?

In this episode of The Recognized Authority, Alastair McDermott and Josh Elledge discuss the complexities - and importance - of social media content creation.

From the importance of aligning content with business goals to the transformative nature of short video, this conversation is rich with practical tips and insights. You'll learn about the irreplaceable value of genuine human engagement, even in an age where AI tools are on the rise. Discover how to repurpose video calls, podcast episodes and other video content into shareable clips, and find out how to establish efficient workflows if you're juggling a busy schedule.

The dialogue also explores the merits of interviewing industry experts, the pivotal role of a robust content strategy, and the power of the "know, like, trust" principle. You'll hear personal experiences, including the utility of video calls for sharing expertise, the non-negotiable need for high-quality audio and video, and the strategic advantage of offering valuable insights to foster trust and attract clientele.

While AI's current capabilities in content creation have their limits, there's optimism about future advancements. You'll even get a glimpse of Alastair's offering, Authority Accelerator, a tailored solution for consultants, coaches, and B2B service providers, designed to help you create captivating microcontent that resonates with your audience.

Don't miss it: from strategy to execution, this episode ensures you walk away with actionable takeaways. Ready to master content creation and establish your authority? Listen in today.

Learn more about Authority Accelerator: https://therecognizedauthority.com/authority-accelerator/

👋 Hi, I’m Alastair!

🎯 My mission is to help YOU earn more by building authority! Commanding premium fees. Working less hours. Enjoying your work more.

🔥 And that's only the beginning. I will help you create content, build trust, and gain momentum that will generate a steady flow of strong, genuine, inbound leads you can turn on and off like a light switch!

🎙️+📺 SHOW: The Recognized Authority is the podcast & YouTube show that helps experts & consultants on the journey to becoming a recognized authority in your field, so you can increase your impact, command higher fees, and work with better clients.

📲 | SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://rec.nz/ytsubscribe

🕮 - NEW BOOK: Alastair's new book "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Business podcast" https://rec.nz/book

🚨 - FOLLOW Alastair and The Recognized Authority ON SOCIAL MEDIA... 👇

👑 - LINKEDIN: https://therecognizedauthority.com/linkedin

👑 - TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WhatStrategy

👑 - FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forconsultants/

👑 - INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/WhatStrategy/

💻 - WEBSITE: https://therecognizedauthority.com

Ever felt the tug-of-war between short-term gains and long-term goals in your marketing? In this episode of The Recognized Authority your host Alastair McDermott chats with the Dan Holt about the essentials of content strategy.

Highlights include:

🎯 Strategic Foundations: Why a clear brand strategy is non-negotiable before any channel activity

⚖️ The Delicate Balance: Juggling immediate results with the need for long-term planning

⏳ Extended Vision: Why thinking in 10-year goals might just be your competitive advantage

🎨 Comic Relief: Discover how a simple marketing comic can outshine meticulously crafted content

🔍 The Specialist vs. Generalist Dilemma: Another perspective on this nuanced topic

Alastair and Dan also discuss why understanding human behavior is more essential than obsessing over digital marketing tools, and Dan shares his thoughts on the route to true authority.

🎧 Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or on your evening jog, hit that play button. And if you like what you hear, don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes of The Recognized Authority 🚀

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉https://therecognizedauthority.com/long-term-content-strategy👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🎙️+📺 SHOW: The Recognized Authority is the podcast & YouTube show that helps experts & consultants on the journey to becoming a recognized authority in your field, so you can increase your impact, command higher fees, and work with better clients.

📲 | SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://rec.nz/ytsubscribe

🚨 – FOLLOW Alastair and The Recognized Authority ON SOCIAL MEDIA… 👇

👑 – LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairmcdermott/

👑 – TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WhatStrategy

👑 – FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forconsultants/

👑 – INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/WhatStrategy/

💻 – WEBSITE: https://therecognizedauthority.com

In this week's episode of The Recognized Authority, I share how I can efficiently create high-quality content in just 2-4 hours per week. My focus is on producing content that resonates with my target audience across platforms like LinkedIn, podcasts, and live streams. I dedicate time blocks for content creation and leverage strategies like repurposing, delegation, automation, and batch creation.

I stress the importance of understanding your audience, planning relevant themes, aand selecting the right formats - for me that's writing and video. I'm prepared to create content anytime with my always-ready video setup. While AI editing tools aren't ideal yet, I automate and delegate other tasks like editing human can handle better.

Key tips I share include repurposing video clips across platforms, utilizing audio for text content, and considering viewing formats like vertical video. Batch creation, AI brainstorming, documented workflows, effective guest workflows, checklists and SOPs are other efficiencies I recommend. The goal is to focus on strategy while leveraging content to establish authority and attract an audience. Accept imperfections, repurpose wisely, and publish regularly.

Join me for actionable insights on streamlining your process to efficiently produce high-quality content that engages your audience!

In the episode:

0:06:12 - High-Quality Awareness Content: Why bother creating high quality content?
0:07:07 - Boosting Reach and Inquiries: The link between consistent content and increased visibility and leads.
0:10:34 - Crafting a Tailored Content Strategy: The basics of creating a strategy that resonates with your audience.
0:13:24 - Prioritizing Audio and Video Quality: Understand the importance of a quality video setup and its impact on audience engagement.
0:18:04 - Video Repurposing: Harness your video content's potential by repurposing it effectively.
0:20:03 - The Rise of Vertical Video: The trend of vertical videos and their prominence on platforms like YouTube shorts, Instagram, and TikTok.
0:21:22 - Video as a Prime Content Format: Explore my preference for video and its amazing repurposing opportunities.
0:21:54 - AI Tools for Content Brainstorming: Potential of AI in content brainstorming.
0:26:32 - Smart Repurposing and Batching: Learn techniques for maximizing content output efficiently.

Resources & Links:

Authority Accelerator service: Designed to supercharge your content creation process with just an hour a month.
How to Sound & Look Good: When you’re on video calls or podcasting, you need to look and sound good - this free ebook provides you with useful tips to do just that!

🎙️+📺 SHOW: The Recognized Authority is the podcast & YouTube show that helps experts & consultants on the journey to becoming a recognized authority in your field, so you can increase your impact, command higher fees, and work with better clients.

📲 | SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://rec.nz/ytsubscribe

🕮 - NEW BOOK: Alastair's new book "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Business podcast" https://rec.nz/book

🚨 - FOLLOW Alastair and The Recognized Authority ON SOCIAL MEDIA... 👇

👑 - LINKEDIN: https://therecognizedauthority.com/linkedin
👑 - TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WhatStrategy
👑 - FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forconsultants/
👑 - INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/WhatStrategy/

💻 - WEBSITE: https://therecognizedauthority.com

Are you struggling to make an impact with your content? Do you feel like you're stuck at the starting blocks?

There is an intricate blend of art and science behind effective content creation. In this episode of The Recognized Authority, host Alastair McDermott speaks with Florian Heinrichs about the significance of content generation for consultants and thought leaders.

They discuss the fundamental process of aligning your content with the buyer journey - a straightforward adjustment that can massively impact how effective your content is.

They also discuss:

💡 an innovative approach to generating content ideas and repurposing content,

🌟 how to showcase your expertise,

🌱 cultivate a following, and

🌐 broaden connections via content.

Listen today to gain valuable insights into your content creation strategy.

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉https://therecognizedauthority.com/effective-thought-leadership-content👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🎙️+📺 SHOW: The Recognized Authority is the podcast & YouTube show that helps experts & consultants on the journey to becoming a recognized authority in your field, so you can increase your impact, command higher fees, and work with better clients.

📲 | SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://rec.nz/ytsubscribe

🚨 – FOLLOW Alastair and The Recognized Authority ON SOCIAL MEDIA… 👇

👑 – LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairmcdermott/

👑 – TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WhatStrategy

👑 – FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forconsultants/

👑 – INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/WhatStrategy/

💻 – WEBSITE: https://therecognizedauthority.com

Discover how to do simple but effective marketing on this episode of The Recognized Authority Podcast with our guest, Camille Moore.

Camille and Alastair discuss the fundamental principles of marketing, understanding your audience, creating a persistent presence, and providing educational content, all wrapped in an authentic persona. They discuss the importance of microscripts, storytelling, and repetition on social media.

Camille discusses her huge success on TikTok, offers valuable insights into building authority, her take on the Dunning-Kruger effect, and how to redefine your approach to success.

Listen in to learn how to apply these simple but effective marketing principles in your business.

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉https://therecognizedauthority.com/marketing-the-simple-way/👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🎙️+📺 SHOW: The Recognized Authority is the podcast & YouTube show that helps experts & consultants on the journey to becoming a recognized authority in your field, so you can increase your impact, command higher fees, and work with better clients.

📲 | SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://rec.nz/ytsubscribe

🚨 – FOLLOW Alastair and The Recognized Authority ON SOCIAL MEDIA… 👇

👑 – LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairmcdermott/

👑 – TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WhatStrategy

👑 – FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forconsultants/

👑 – INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/WhatStrategy/

💻 – WEBSITE: https://therecognizedauthority.com

In the often lonely journey of running a business, mastering your mindset and self-talk is critical. In this episode of The Recognized Authority we explore this connection between mindset, self-talk, and success in challenging circumstances with extreme adventurer and former professional rugby player Damian Browne. Host Alastair McDermott and Damian discuss the transition from professional rugby to extreme adventuring, Damian provides a look into the inspiration he derives from ultra-endurance athletes, his deep-rooted dedication to improving as an athlete, and his eventual decision to embrace extreme adventures as a full-time career. They discuss the remarkable challenges he has faced along the way, including a medical evacuation during a cross-Atlantic expedition and the continuation of his journey solo against the odds. They dig into the importance of controlling self-talk for fostering a positive mindset, and how physical processes can access positive states of mind. Damian talks about managing the intricate balance between performance and safety during his expedition, and touches on practical aspects like learning how to live with discomfort. He is deeply self-aware, and is brutally honest with us about the mistakes in planning his most recent trans-Atlantic mission. Alastair and Damian discuss the critical need for external guidance and the role it plays in pushing oneself beyond conventional boundaries. Damian shares his new venture - Iron Mind Institute - aimed at encouraging individuals to embark on physical, mental, and emotional challenges that unleash their untapped potential. Tune in to this insightful episode and start your own journey towards a better mindset and personal growth!

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉https://therecognizedauthority.com/mastering-your-mindset/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🎙️+📺 SHOW: The Recognized Authority is the podcast & YouTube show that helps experts & consultants on the journey to becoming a recognized authority in your field, so you can increase your impact, command higher fees, and work with better clients.

📲 | SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://rec.nz/ytsubscribe

🚨 – FOLLOW Alastair and The Recognized Authority ON SOCIAL MEDIA… 👇

👑 – LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairmcdermott/

👑 – TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WhatStrategy

👑 – FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forconsultants/

👑 – INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/WhatStrategy/

💻 – WEBSITE: https://therecognizedauthority.com

Have you ever thought about starting a podcast, but not sure where to begin?

This episode of The Recognized Authority offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a podcast strategy coaching call. Host Alastair McDermott coaches video expert Nina Froriep through various aspects of her podcast strategy and launch plan.

Discover how podcasting can establish you as a thought leader and authority in your field. Alastair and Nina discuss how to provide value through entertaining and educational content that caters to audience interest.

Learn the strategies of content repurposing and the power of leveraging interviews to create not only podcast episodes but also a plethora of other valuable content assets for wider distribution.

They also discuss how sponsorship can add credibility to a podcast, and explore the significant impact of high-quality guests on the success of your podcast. Learn the vital role networking and connections play in securing high-profile guests, while also exploring the different categories of guest you can invite to your podcast.

Alastair touches on essential technical aspects such as audio sound leveling, automated transcriptions, and microphone selection, all aimed at elevating the professional quality of your podcast.

Tune in to this episode of The Recognized Authority to gain valuable practical knowledge and kickstart your podcast planning journey

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉https://therecognizedauthority.com/podcast-strategy/👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🎙️+📺 SHOW: The Recognized Authority is the podcast & YouTube show that helps experts & consultants on the journey to becoming a recognized authority in your field, so you can increase your impact, command higher fees, and work with better clients.

📲 | SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://rec.nz/ytsubscribe

🚨 – FOLLOW Alastair and The Recognized Authority ON SOCIAL MEDIA… 👇

👑 – LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairmcdermott/

👑 – TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WhatStrategy

👑 – FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forconsultants/

👑 – INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/WhatStrategy/

💻 – WEBSITE: https://therecognizedauthority.com

Can experts monetize content? Can they do it when they don't have a large audience?

In this episode of The Recognized Authority, Alastair speaks with Sheryl Plouffe, host of the Cash in On Camera podcast, and founder of Scalable Business Accelerator.

They discuss realistic and effective approaches to monetize content through strategic relationships, turning them into prospects, partners, and platforms that maximize your revenue.

They discuss monetization strategies in the B2B space, and discuss the importance of quality over quantity.

An expert content platform can be effective when promoting your own high-value services, and to build relationships for strategic collaborations. Tune in today to discover how you can get more from your content.

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉https://therecognizedauthority.com/maximizing-revenue-with-expert-video-and-podcast-content👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🎙️+📺 SHOW: The Recognized Authority is the podcast & YouTube show that helps experts & consultants on the journey to becoming a recognized authority in your field, so you can increase your impact, command higher fees, and work with better clients.

📲 | SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://rec.nz/ytsubscribe

🚨 – FOLLOW Alastair and The Recognized Authority ON SOCIAL MEDIA… 👇

👑 – LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairmcdermott/

👑 – TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WhatStrategy

👑 – FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forconsultants/

👑 – INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/WhatStrategy/

💻 – WEBSITE: https://therecognizedauthority.com

In this episode of The Recognized Authority, Alastair McDermott chats with award-winning social media trainer and strategist, Louise McDonnell.

Louise outlines a six-step strategy to enhance sales and lead generation, giving us an actionable roadmap to success.

Alastair and Louise also discuss the importance of planning, website and social media optimization, captivating content creation, audience targeting, and complementing organic reach with paid promotions.

This episode is jam-packed with practical tips that can help you use social media as a tool for business growth.

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉https://therecognizedauthority.com/6-steps-to-drive-sales-on-social/👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🎙️+📺 SHOW: The Recognized Authority is the podcast & YouTube show that helps experts & consultants on the journey to becoming a recognized authority in your field, so you can increase your impact, command higher fees, and work with better clients.

📲 | SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://rec.nz/ytsubscribe

🚨 – FOLLOW Alastair and The Recognized Authority ON SOCIAL MEDIA… 👇

👑 – LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairmcdermott/

👑 – TWITTER: https://twitter.com/WhatStrategy

👑 – FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/forconsultants/

👑 – INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/WhatStrategy/

💻 – WEBSITE: https://therecognizedauthority.com

Sharing your knowledge, and building relationships with industry leaders. Podcasting is one of the most effective, and efficient, ways to build authority. But like any channel, the devil is in the detail - you have a lot of strategic decisions to make around format, content, audience and promotion.

In this episode, Adam Schaeuble and Alastair McDermott discuss podcasting strategies to build authority, the pros and cons of different podcast formats, and how to turn listeners into clients.

They also discuss the why and how of audience engagement, how to create more shareable episode assets, and how to grow your podcast audience through advertising.

“The number one mistake that almost every single podcaster makes around audience engagement is that we put content out there and then we sit back and wait for the engagement to happen. That's a huge mistake. I am a big believer in initiating engagement.” -- Adam Schaeuble on The Recognized Authority podcast

“When we talk about growing more, we have to look at two buckets. One bucket is new listener acquisition. The second bucket is keeping our current listeners listening. It's just like having customers: you don't want to just put all your attention on getting new customers and then ignore the people that are already paying you.” -- Adam Schaeuble on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Sign up for the free 7 day email course on becoming a recognized authority at: TheRecognizedAuthority.com 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/winning-clients-with-podcasting/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

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We know that video content is engaging, builds trust, and is a fantastic way to demonstrate subject matter expertise. Video even has substantial advantages in the social media algorithms. And despite all that, most of us are still procrastinating over creating video. Why is that, and how can we change it?

In this episode, Alicia Henderson and Alastair McDermott discuss why we should be creating video for LinkedIn, what types of video are working great right now, and how to flip the script to create better video.

They also discuss the four stages of video production, whether portrait or landscape is better, and how TikTok can help us produce video for other platforms like LinkedIn & Instagram.

“Everybody should have 3-5 content pillars that they're talking about all the time. It may seem that you're beating a dead horse talking about the same thing, but people want to hear it. The more you talk about the same topics, the more they will see you as an authority.” -- Alicia Henderson on The Recognized Authority podcast

“We're showing behind the scenes, or how we work with our clients, or that business can be fun. I'm not saying you have to get up on there and start dancing. What I am saying is if you're building a personal brand you should incorporate your personality.” -- Alicia Henderson on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Sign up for the free 7 day email course on becoming a recognized authority at: TheRecognizedAuthority.com 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/leveraging-linkedin-video/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Building your authority means publishing — that horribly clichéd phrase "putting yourself out there". For many people, that feels like you are exposing yourself to criticism, possibly even ridicule. But part of building authority and trust is just that, the willingness to take that risk and share even in the face of potential criticism. So how do we deal with this? How can we build our own confidence so that, in turn, we can build our authority?

In this episode, Anthea Armar and Alastair McDermott discuss mindset in business, how to separate yourself conceptually from a business that is based around your personal expertise, and why confidence & clarity is essential to your business.

They also discuss how to deal with perfectionism, what it means to have competition, and why it's okay if things don't work out the way you expected.

“Being perfect goes against what leadership is: you're role modeling behaviour. By you trying to show up perfect, it sets the bar so high for anybody trying to follow you that it becomes unreachable, and instead of inspiring people, you demotivate them.” -- Anthea Armar on The Recognized Authority podcast

“Just take action. Whatever happens, you will still be okay. [If it fails] you're in a position to actually learn from it and realise what could have gone better, and that shapes your character, and that's what builds your confidence.” -- Anthea Armar on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Sign up for the free 7 day email course on becoming a recognized authority at: TheRecognizedAuthority.com 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/mindset-confidence-marketing-yourself/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Guesting on other people's podcasts is one of the quickest & most effective ways to build your authority and connect with a new audience. If you're interested in learning how to get booked on podcasts, then we have a masterclass in podcast guesting for you here!

In this episode, Dustin Riechmann and Alastair McDermott discuss a five step framework to podcast guesting, how to find the right shows to pitch, and what you need to say to get the "yes"!

They also discuss the importance of knowing your purpose before guesting on a podcast show, why you don't want to go too big too soon, and why it's important to know your target market first.

“A guest list is one of my favorite strategies also because it's evergreen, because every week they're having a new expert on there. Once a month check the last four episodes see if there's someone that you pull over in your prospecting bucket. You get credibility and a lot more higher response rate if you've been on the podcast.” -- Dustin Riechmann on The Recognized Authority podcast

“The beautiful thing about podcast guesting is I can see my target market and where they're hanging out, and which shows they're listening to. Then I can show up there, share what I know, share my stories, and it becomes a great marketing channel.” -- Dustin Riechmann on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Sign up for the free 7 day email course on becoming a recognized authority at: TheRecognizedAuthority.com 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/get-booked-on-podcasts/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Selling is the single most important part of any business. It's the lifeblood as it leads directly to revenue and cashflow. But sales is a challenge for everyone, especially for experts who are introverts and hate the thoughts of being seen as pushy and "salesy". It feels incredibly difficult to sell yourself and your services when you're an introvert.

In this episode, Leah Neaderthal and Alastair McDermott discuss the steps that introverts can take to make selling your services easier and more natural, how to determine your value, and how to create a "painkiller statement" that will help you get more clients.

They also discuss the importance of financial, professional & emotional profitability, how you can "learn" to sell, and the three key elements to helping your business to grow.

“When you ask the right questions to uncover not just what they want, but why it's important - what's at stake if it fails - when you can ask questions like that, then you can provide that type of clarity you help your clients essentially feel seen. That's one way to provide value and demonstrate your authority without just giving away your smarts.” -- Leah Neaderthal on The Recognized Authority podcast

“I had to find a way to get clients that really fit me. And what I discovered is that you can learn how to get clients, you can build great relationships, and you can use that to have a thriving consulting business, even if you are more introverted.” -- Leah Neaderthal on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Sign up for the free 7 day email course on becoming a recognized authority at: TheRecognizedAuthority.com 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/getting-clients-when-you-hate-selling/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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The funnel is the backbone of sales, both online and offline. It can be very easy to get overwhelmed by technology and options when setting up your sales and marketing funnels, but fundamentally they can be quite simple.

In this episode, Marianna Carlini and Alastair McDermott discuss how to create a simple but effective sales and marketing funnel, the different types of funnels you can choose from, and what funnels are appropriate for high-end offers.

They also discuss mistakes experts make when setting up their funnels, how to connect with your audience, and why it pays to repeat yourself on social media.

“Talk about what you offer as much as possible. Every context, every opportunity you have, just talk about it because the more people hear about what you do, the more they will remember.” -- Marianna Carlini on The Recognized Authority podcast

“You don't really know how well it's going to work. Even if you did your customer research, until it's out there, you don't really know what's going to happen. That's why starting with the simplest option can save you a lot of headache and time in the long run.” -- Marianna Carlini on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Sign up for the free 7 day email course on becoming a recognized authority at: TheRecognizedAuthority.com 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/creating-sales-funnels-that-convert 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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"Building a personal brand" is often used as a euphemism for "building authority". But is it really the same thing? What does it mean when we say we are building a personal brand?

In this episode, Elizabeth Harr and Alastair McDermott discuss what a successful personal brand looks like, the 4 key elements of a personal brand strategy, and the signature styles that you can choose from when developing your personal brand.

They also discuss tips for people who are finding it tough to create content, why reducing cognitive load on the consumer is important, and why research is key to building authority.

“The personal brand strategy is really a roadmap centered around four things: the definition of who you are and where you're going to lay a stake in the ground as an expert, the tools that you're going to need to make that personal brand visible, the skills required, and then actually implementing it.” -- Elizabeth Harr on The Recognized Authority podcast

“The hallmark of a successful personal brand, is one that can take a complex subject matter and explain it simply. Succinctly and simply.” -- Elizabeth Harr on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/build-a-successful-personal-brand/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Building a business is time-consuming, and as business owners we often feel the pressure of "hustle culture". Is it possible to be successful without sacrificing quality time with your family?

In this episode, Justin Breen and Alastair McDermott discuss the power of networking at a high level, how to find the right partners, and how to build a successful company while still putting your family first.

They also discuss what it means to be a global company, why it's not always about ROI, and how being grateful and thankful helps to uplift you and your business.

“It's really fascinating when you find the right people. You create value for the people who get it, and then they create value for you. And then you actually take action and build something. It all starts with mindset, which attracts the right people. That's really the foundational cornerstone.” -- Justin Breen on The Recognized Authority podcast

“Podcasts and shows are transformational and transactional platforms for entrepreneurs and consultants. Getting on shows like these, I argue, for people like us is as important if not more important than being in Wall Street Journal or USA Today.” -- Justin Breen on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/building-a-business-through-collaboration 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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How to Deal with Scarcity Mindset

The "R-word", is starting to appear more often in my social network timelines, and has come up in conversations I've had with my coaching clients recently.

Recession is a real fear. But that fear can have a toll on our brains, a real cost. The scarcity mindset can impair our decision-making and lead us to make choices that actually lead us into more scarcity. It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. So how do we deal with it?

I spoke with my friend Al McBride about this, and when I realized the value of the conversation, I asked him if I could hit record.

This is our conversation as we explored the topic of scarcity mindset and how to deal with it practically. It's recorded live with no editing or scripting, so you get to hear our raw, unfiltered take on this topic.

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/deal-with-scarcity-mindset/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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LinkedIn is a vitally important social network for most of us in the B2B space. All the stats show that engagement on LinkedIn is growing rapidly: our clients and prospective clients are spending more time there, more content is being published, more events being attended, and more business conversations are happening. But that also means there's more competition — so you need to do things the right way to grow your audience and stand out in the crowd.

In this episode, Krista Mollion and Alastair McDermott discuss how to massively grow your network on LinkedIn, why being an expert commenter is important, and what you need to do to turn attention into sales.

They also discuss the important details in your LinkedIn profile, why getting people to follow you is important, and how to stay focused on your ideal customer avatar.

“I like your dog, but I don't want to see six posts about your dog. Make sure that five of those posts are teaching me about your service. Give me tips on how I can get better at podcasting, how I can monetize my business, how I can lose weight, how I can stop smoking, and I will pay you back by buying something from you sooner or later.” -- Krista Mollion on The Recognized Authority podcast

“LinkedIn is a redistribution channel. Social media is not the end goal. The end goal is to get them to follow you back to wherever you want them to go. You're going to the city to get people and take them back to your beautiful woodside cottage.” -- Tracy Hazzard on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/grow-your-business-on-linkedin/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Last chance to join Authority Labs. 1 seat remaining.

The next iteration of the Authority Labs mastermind group is starting next Tues 27th Sept.

Authority Labs is a high-touch group program aimed at helping experts & consultants - like you! - to build authority rapidly. There is one seat remaining in this cohort.

In this episode, I interview Rene Morozwich, one of the original members of the group. I asked her about her experience being part of the group to give you a flavour of what it's all about, and walk you through some of the details of the program

Please listen to see if it’s something that might be a good fit to help move you forward in building your authority.

If you're interested in learning more, let's get on a quick 15-20 min Zoom call. There's no hard sale pitch - I just want to help us figure out if the program is a good fit for you, and if you're a fit for the group!

Book a call before Tuesday here

As consumers, we love to binge on content. Netflix discovered this a few years ago and started releasing entire seasons of TV shows in one go.

Podcasters know this because we get messages from listeners saying things like "Hey, I found your show at the weekend and just listened to 35 episodes". (It's astonishing, but it really does happen!)

YouTube creators know all about it, and try to make it so that it's not just one video, but their entire channel that is bingeworthy."

In this episode, Tracy Hazzard and Alastair McDermott discuss what makes some content bingeworthy and other content NOT, why some creators' approach is far more effective, and why podcasts are particularly bingeable.

They also discuss why blogging is still hugely valuable, the connection between deep expertise, curiosity, and curation, and how to use curation to help your audience find the content relevant for them.

“When somebody is a deep expert, they curate really well within their area, they're choosing guests and topics really well, the way they ask their questions narrows in on the most valuable takeaways. That's their binge factor.” -- Tracy Hazzard on The Recognized Authority podcast

“If we show care for others and we're putting our audience first, we're putting what's in your best interest first. If I do that, then I build trust faster than me saying "I'm an expert, I'm an authority". I don't have to say that, if I'm out there putting out things that are useful to you.” -- Tracy Hazzard on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/create-bingeworthy-content/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Creating & publishing content is time consuming. And yet it's an essential step in building authority. But if our target audience never sees our content, all that time and effort goes to waste. How can we ensure our audience sees our content?

In this episode, Justin Simon and Alastair McDermott discuss content transformation, why & how to repurpose your content in a way that saves time, and frees you up to create more content, work on client projects, or simply take some time away from the office.

They also discuss how you can build your audience, how niching down helps build authority, and the channels you can use to distribute your content to your audience.

“We prioritize time to create content without blinking an eye. But when we think about distribution, it's almost always an afterthought.” -- Justin Simon on The Recognized Authority podcast

“You will learn what it means to create a good post, and what that means for your audience. You'll only know by doing it, like I've learned what my audience likes, and what they don't like, by posting. I've tried different formats, and I have learned my voice. But I was only able to do that by posting consistently.” -- Justin Simon on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/repurpose-distribute-your-content/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Values are what we stand for, the principles or philosophy we live by. But for many businesses, their values don't mean a whole lot.

In this episode, Jeff Large and Alastair McDermott get into the weeds on business values, discussing why they're important, how they can help you build a good foundation for success, and why they don't work.

They also discuss why podcasts work for business, what you should consider when planning your podcast, and mistakes to avoid.

“Eight to fifteen episodes in, they're asking why don't I have more traction? But what we miss is you didn't do a good enough job at the beginning. If your foundation isn't strong enough to stand on its own, it's going to be a lot harder when you get to the promotion phase.” -- Jeff Large on The Recognized Authority podcast

“Be authentic. Don't try to be something you're not. Figure out those values, figure out what is important to you, what actually makes you light up, when do you feel like you're thriving as a human. Try to pursue those types of things and just be yourself to a degree. Because if your foundation isn't straight, it's going to be really hard to be successful with the rest of it.” -- Jeff Large on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/aligning-values-and-business/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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If you're like most consultants & experts, you can spend significant amounts of time creating new presentations, editing slides and documents. Yet often your hard work goes to waste when you decide not to use them. There is a better way.

In this episode, Carol Cox and Alastair McDermott discuss why you should create a signature talk, a simple framework to use for a signature talk, and how to repurpose your talk for different speaking engagements.

They also discuss why sharing your personal story, vulnerabilities and imperfections is important, and how to avoid the expert trap to go from expert to thought leader.

“Thought leadership is your area of expertise, your specialization, because that gives you your foundation. What do you want to see changed? The third element is your personal story, your personal journey, why does this matter to you? Then there's the fourth emotional courage to dig deep, and to share the vulnerability, the imperfections.” -- Carol Cox on The Recognized Authority podcast

“A signature talk is the foundation of what you want to be known for, the high level lessons and takeaways that you want to share with your audience. We use this framework so you're not starting with a blank document when you're creating your presentation, then you can repurpose it for different formats of speaking engagements.” -- Carol Cox on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/creating-a-signature-talk/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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It can be exhausting to be a self-employed consultant. Often you're working more hours than you did when you worked your last corporate job. You are hustling to complete client work, fill your sales pipeline, and create content that meaningfully differentiates you from your competition.

In this episode, Louise Courville and Alastair McDermott discuss what it means to create a category of one, how to avoid being a commodity, and how frameworks can help you attract clients & build reputation.

They also discuss the importance of taking a stand against something, why to use a unique marketing mechanism, and how accountability can help you be more productive.

“How do you differentiate your message from everybody else? That's creating your framework. We pull the framework out and we usually make it into an alliteration or an acronym. We want it to be memorable and repeatable and portable.” -- Louise Courville on The Recognized Authority podcast

“The last part is the solid point of view that is different than everybody else's. You have to take a stand against something, and for something.” -- Louise Courville on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/creating-a-category-of-one/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Publishing is a crucial part of building authority, and there are myriad formats and platforms to choose from, including social networks, podcasts, and email.

Today's on-air coaching call features Judson Rollins, a pricing consultant who helps cargo transport providers increase their margins & grow their bottom line.

Judson and Alastair McDermott discuss how he can use podcasting, YouTube and email to build his authority and grow an audience.

Alastair gives Judson some strategies and tips to get more visibility and maximize the value of his podcast.

“Take a point of view! Don't... don't go with what everyone else is saying, don't try to be middle of the road. There really is no room to be the same voice that everyone else is being, it just doesn't work.” -- Judson Rollins on The Recognized Authority podcast

“History repeats itself and humanity keeps making the same mistakes over and over. Even as business people, the more we understand about history, the more we understand about humanity, the better we can serve our fellow humans.” -- Judson Rollins on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/coaching-podcasting-social-media/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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One of the best parts of running your own expertise-based business is that you get to choose the business model & strategy that you use. But with so many options available it can be hard to figure out the best way for you.

In this episode, Monique Mills and Alastair McDermott discuss how to start a consulting business, how to think about innovation, and how to price expert services.

They also discuss why sales is just a conversation, how acceleration is important, and why you should remain consistent with publishing valuable information even when you're not getting a lot of engagement.

“Remain encouraged because every time you post everyone is not going to respond or engage with it. Remain consistent as you share valuable information that's entertaining and informative.

Because if no one knows what your message is or is even aware you exist, it doesn't matter what service you provide or how smart you are.” -- Monique Mills on The Recognized Authority podcast

“Sales is just having a conversation. There's nothing icky about it. Stop trying to push your product. Start with just trying to understand and know people.” -- Monique Mills on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/business-innovation/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

The consulting marketplace is very crowded. Standing out from the crowd is essential if you want to avoid being lumped in with other providers, being seen as a commodity. But how can you differentiate when you are offering similar services?

In this episode, Austin L. Church and Alastair McDermott discuss how to position & package your offer in a different way so that you are differentiated from your competitors.

They also discuss the most effective way you can build trust with an audience, why you should use your clients' language to frame the problem, and the correlation between your pricing and the clients that you attract.

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/differentiate-your-consulting-services 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

What does it mean to be radically authentic?

In this episode, Gill Moakes and Alastair McDermott discuss how radical authenticity can help you stand out in business, how to figure out the captivating part of who you are, and how to share that with others.

They also discuss how to be intentional about what you say and publish, how to make content creation easy for yourself, and how that can lead to business success.

“Radical authenticity is an absolute non-negotiable if you want to be successful in business. It's the one thing that will always allow you to stand out. No one else can be you as long as you are being absolutely authentically true to yourself. When we share that, that's the captivating part of who we are.” – Gill Moakes on The Recognized Authority podcast

“When it comes to growing a business, we consume so much conflicting advice that we almost become paralyzed. With this tsunami of advice that floods over us, we get so overwhelmed that we lose the ability to make decisions for ourselves. We want every single thing we choose to do in our business to be externally validated, or to be proven before we even try it.” -- Gill Moakes on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/radical-authenticity/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Demand generation is the new buzzword in marketing, challenging the status quo. But is demand generation really different, and is it superior to lead generation?

In this episode, Chris Walker and Alastair McDermott discuss why demand generation is important, how it is fundamentally different from other approaches to marketing, and how you can implement demand generation even as an independent consultant.

They also discuss the "dark social" and why attribution in marketing doesn't work, how to create content that gets you customers immediately, and how to use social comments to test content ideas.

“As an independent consultant most of your customers are not thinking about whether or not they need you. How do you get into the space where you're under consideration and educating those people from not knowing that they even understand the problems or the opportunities are whether or not you exist, to then wanting to come and work with you? That's the difference that unlocks business growth.” – Chris Walker on The Recognized Authority podcast

“Take that information and put it out on the internet for free. A lot of people think once the information is out there "no one's going to want to work with me" because they have the information. The funny thing is the information is a commodity, somebody's gonna give it to them - it's just whether or not it's going to be you.” -- Chris Walker on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/creating-demand/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Getting noticed by the right people - for the right reason - is what marketing is all about. But getting noticed isn't easy when there's an entire internet competing for attention. So how do we do it?

In this episode, Jim James and Alastair McDermott discuss why and how to get noticed, the practical elements of PR, and what are the elements of viral content.

They also discuss how to curate a book from podcast interviews, why listening first is such an important part of the process, and how to get in alignment with your audience.

“I think that one of the qualities of an authority is they stand out, and conformity rarely helps anybody to stand out. You have to be willing to take a little bit of risk, do something that shows that you're passionate about the subject.” – Jim James on The Recognized Authority podcast

“Many people start talking about themselves before listening to what other people are interested in. It's the social equivalent of going to a party and not even asking someone else's name but just saying "Hi, my name is Jim, let me tell you about me".” -- Jim on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/get-noticed-through-effective-communication/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Creating and publishing content is essential to getting visibility and building authority. But content creation can be hugely time consuming, from writing initial outlines and drafts to actually writing long form content, or recording, re-recording and editing! Is there a way to work smarter, not harder?

In this episode, Jaclyn Schiff and Alastair McDermott discuss content transformation: why and how to repurpose your content in a way that saves time and energy, and frees you up to create more content, work on client projects, or simply take some time away from the office!

They discuss the fundamental differences between various content formats, why it's important to reorder a conversation, and how to use content curation to create high quality aggregate content.

“You're doing it for business purposes: to build brand awareness and to market yourself. That means thinking how do I position this, what can people benefit and learn from, how do I position it so that it will grab their attention?” – Jaclyn Schiff on The Recognized Authority podcast

“Fundamentally we want to do more with our content because our audience, the people we're trying to reach, they are never in just one place.” -- Jaclyn Schiff on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/content-creation-work-smarter-not-harder/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Point of view is something that can distinguish you from the crowd.

It’s important, perhaps even essential, in building your authority and personal brand.

It’s also one of those concepts in marketing that is frustratingly hard to define: it seems to incorporate perspective, tone, voice, positioning, branding, and – above all – opinions.

In this episode, Alastair McDermott takes a practical approach to developing a point of view, and talks about how you can use it to distinguish yourself from your competition, stand out from the crowd, and build your personal brand.

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode - including the Point of View worksheet that you can copy and edit for yourself - in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/point-of-view/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

If you've done any research on marketing your consulting business, you'll almost certainly have come across the advice to start an email newsletter or list. It's a relationship with your audience that you own directly, without the interposition of a third party platform. You'll often hear the phrase "don't build on rented ground" in relation to social platforms, and email is an answer to that. The mantra for many marketers is "build a list!"

In this episode, Dylan Redekop and Alastair McDermott discuss how to grow an email newsletter, the different types of incentives we can offer subscribers to join the list, and why giving away value for free is crucial.

They also discuss how to create a nurture sequence to welcome and prep new subscribers, how to use email courses, quizzes & challenges to increase signups, and why the welcome email is so important.

“When people sign up to our newsletters it's important for us to keep in mind that the inbox is a very personal space, and so when we are invited there we need to be really considerate of that.

We need to make sure that we're sending something that is worth sending and they will get value in receiving.” – Dylan Redekop on The Recognized Authority podcast

“When something like Elon Musk buying Twitter happens, it'd make me a little bit nervous if that was my only source of engaging with my audience.

But since I have grown an email list, I've taken those people and I've brought them into my own ecosystem where I can communicate with them, regardless of the platform I'm using.” -- Dylan Redekop on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/how-to-grow-a-newsletter/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

In this episode, I speak with Olympic gold medalist Joe Jacobi about performance in sport and business.

This conversation takes a slightly different road from other episodes, as we talk about the relationship between success and identity, why energy is crucial for performance & capacity, and the importance of connecting with nature.

We also go a little tactical, discussing how to why course correction is crucial to performance, and how a coaching intervention won an Olympic gold medal.

“I've been on a start line of the Olympic Games where I've seen athletes who were so confident they believed in what they were doing, and they didn't have a good race. I've also seen athletes lacking confidence that went on to win a medal.” – Joe Jacobi on The Recognized Authority podcast

“If I told you a course correction would actually get you a gold medal at the Olympic Games, most people would say "You're crazy, that doesn't make sense! That's not the story of LeBron James or Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan - just gritty and resilient and being better and stronger. That's not how sport works."

I'm here to tell you it can work like that.” -- Joe Jacobi on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/performing-at-the-highest-level/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Creating and publishing content is a cornerstone of the authority building process. Audio podcasts are one of the options we have to do just that, and there are many choices we can make around podcasting that will impact on how much it helps us build authority.

In this episode, Megan Dougherty and Alastair McDermott discuss how to plan your podcast strategically in order to build your authority, how you can use podcasts for research, and how guesting on other people's podcasts fits into your authority building mix.

They also discuss why starting your podcast with a short run initial season is a good idea, the dynamics of conversational interviews, and how to grow your podcast audience.

“I think the networking and that relationship cultivation element of podcasting can't be overstated. "Hey, will you be on my podcast?" is this really natural opener to a relationship and you get so many touch points in the process to make a good impression, and so many reasons in the future to follow up again.” -- Megan Dougherty on The Recognized Authority podcast

“According to the data, yes, your podcast should be on YouTube. A shocking number of people listen to podcasts on YouTube, they just put the videos on plays in the background, they listen to it while they're going about their day.” -- Megan Dougherty on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/building-authority-with-podcasting/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Proposals are an essential part of winning business, but writing a consulting proposal is often a hugely time-consuming and frustrating process.

In this episode, Reuben Schwartz and Alastair McDermott discuss how to create a stress-free consulting proposal, what elements are essential in the proposal document, and why presenting the proposal is such an important part of the sales process.

They also discuss how you should think about proposals (and why proposals are not brochures), how to use options and pricing curves, and where you can find proposal templates and resources.

“If you do the proposal right it doesn't feel like a necessary evil, which is what it used to feel like to me. It's kind of fun, almost like getting warmed up for the game. It's not something that you have to loath or be stressed out about.” -- Reuben Swartz on The Recognized Authority podcast

“When I started out, I was excited but also terrified and stressed out about how I supposed to write the proposal. I've subsequently learned that it happens to a lot of people, because I don't think we equip folks with the right way of thinking about proposals, and it turns it into this unnecessarily stressful event.” -- Reuben Swartz on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/stress-free-consulting-proposals/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Books have long been associated with authority and thought leadership. "He wrote the book on it", "She wrote the book on it" - that's how we describe a true expert in a field. "Consultant, author and speaker" is the byline for many thought leaders, and even the word "author" is the major part of authority. But writing a good, valuable, and useful book is a difficult, time-consuming process. Or is it?

In this episode, Steve Gordon and Alastair McDermott discuss why a book is the gold standard of authority building, why outlines are so crucial, and how to write your book in 30 days.

They also discuss the mistakes most authors make when writing, how to use a book as a referral tool, and how a podcast can help create strategic relationships.

“I had to write several more books to figure out what I was doing that allowed me to write them so fast. We started refining that process, and now our clients are getting them done in about 90 days. That's about 30 days of dedicated writing, 30 days of getting it ready to publish and publishing it, and 30 days of promotion and launch.” -- Steve Gordon on The Recognized Authority podcast

“As an expert who does really complicated and intangible things for your clients, a book is a great way to let them sample ahead of time. They experience what it would be like to work with you, because they're interacting with your thinking.” -- Steve Gordon on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/write-a-book-in-30-days/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Bonus Episode: Becoming a Recognized Authority - Alastair McDermott with Tamara Howard

To celebrate reaching 70 episodes, I have a special bonus episode for you!

I was recently on Tamara Howard's podcast The Better Way to Strategic Marketing where we had a conversation about authority and specialization.

Tamara is a super interviewer, and she has graciously allowed me to "re-pod" that interview, so here is the episode in full!

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode and links to Tamara's podcast, website and social profiles in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/bonus-becoming-a-recognized-authority 👈👈

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

A key person of influence is someone who is able to separate themselves from the market, to command the lion's share of attention, and is able to charge a price premium. They are one of the few names mentioned whenever it's connected to a particular subject.

In this episode, Chris Do and Alastair McDermott discuss how you can become a key person of influence, why sharing the "secret sauce" is so important, and why it's better not to have a viral hit too early.

They also discuss how to create a hundred-day content strategy, the two types of YouTube channel you can create, and why you should specialize externally but generalize internally.

“Is there a benefit to sharing your work? If we don't share, if we don't write, if we don't produce content, how else will people discover you?” -- Chris Do on The Recognized Authority podcast

“When you have a viral hit and you've barely started to make content, you're still finding your voice. And a lot of people are showing up to see you still in that learning phase.

To me, it's better that you practice in relative anonymity. It'll give you more confidence, you'll find your voice, and you'll find the thing that you want to do.” -- Chris Do on The Recognized Authority podcast

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/be-a-key-person-of-influence/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

We often start out working on execution, implementing projects for clients after they've decided on strategy. Our former guest David C. Baker talks about this as "working with your hands". But we can have more impact, be more profitable, and enjoy our work more if we can shift back a step to the strategy phase, selling our expertise rather than the output of our "hands".

In this episode, Kevin C. Whelan and Alastair McDermott discuss why and how to make the shift out of selling implementation, a different approach to working with subcontractors & clients, and why Kevin sees being a fiduciary as crucial to his business.

They also discuss the pros and cons of using affiliate links, how to establish credibility in a niche, and how to think about choosing a different business model.

“Optimizing for trust is the biggest thing. It's easy to do when you're not financially incentivized by where they spend their money.” -- Kevin Whelan on The Recognized Authority podcast

“Your one to one work creates your methodology. Once you have it defined, you can then start to split off pieces of it and sell those independently of your one to one engagement as products, memberships and subscription products.” -- Kevin Whelan on The Recognized Authority podcast

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/sell-expertise-not-your-hands/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Even just contemplating niching down your business can feel absolutely terrifying. That's why I think it's so important to hear from people who have done it successfully, and learn about the massive rewards that they are seeing.

In this bonus episode, ReeJade Richmond and Alastair McDermott discuss how ReeJade niched down her consulting business to focus specifically on memberships, how she saw results incredibly quickly, and the huge rewards that have come from the tighter focus.

A massive thank you to ReeJade for allowing me to record our Zoom conversation, and giving permission to publish it.

If you are interested in niching down and specializing your business, reach out and connect, I'm happy to get on a call with no obligations and let's see if I can be of help!

We're also starting a mastermind group in the next few weeks, so if you'd like to get some peer support and feedback on your journey, you can learn more about that here:

https://therecognizedauthority.com/group

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/specialization-case-study-reejade 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

As independent consultants, our approach to publishing content is often haphazard and inconsistent: the topic depending on what issues are top of mind, and the schedule based on our client workload. One way to ameliorate that is to create a content marketing plan: some guiderails to help us stay on track.

In this episode,Heather Chavin and Alastair McDermott discuss what a content marketing strategy looks like for an independent consultant, how thinking of it as a funnel can be useful for content ideation, and why time management is key to successful content production.

They also discuss how to dig deeper into your client's problem and symptoms to create content ideas, how to analyse what's working in your content strategy, and why being number 1 is so important.

“The ability to craft the time to stop and reflect, and move into problem solving mode or move into development mode is really important.

Otherwise, just expect more of the same. Tomorrow will be just like today.” -- Heather Chavin on The Recognized Authority podcast

“We're willing to pay more for number one. We're willing to trust number one more because other people have told us number one is number one, right? Social proof is built into it.

If you want to cut through the noise, you need to be number one for the person who's looking for you.” -- Heather Chavin on The Recognized Authority podcast

👑 Learn more about the Authority Labs mastermind group programme: https://therecognizedauthority.com/group 👑

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/creating-your-content-marketing-strategy 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Podcasting is a hot topic, and you heard before on this show and others why you should consider both guesting on podcasts, and even starting your own podcast. But where to start?

In this episode, Jonathan Baillie Strong and Alastair McDermott discuss how to approach podcasting as an authority building platform. They talk about different formats of podcasts, how a podcast mini-series can be very effective at building authority in a specific niche, and how to create a podcast funnel for your business.

They also discuss podcast guesting, how to ensure hosts actually consider your guest pitch, and how to use video to promote podcasts.

“If you don't catch people's attention immediately with video, people tend to drop off.

The same thing doesn't really apply to podcasting.

When people listen to podcast episodes, they tend to listen to them all the way through.” -- Jonathan Baillie Strong on The Recognized Authority podcast

“Podcasting lends itself well to B2B, because a lot of B2B products and services are complex to understand, and have a lot of nuance to them.” -- Jonathan Baillie Strong on The Recognized Authority podcast

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/building-your-podcast-funnel/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

If you're a consultant who wants to build authority, you need to do that through content creation. That involves writing and speaking. Publishing words, videos, or podcasts.

Every consultant who walks this path hits the same problem: lack of time. How do you find the time to deliver high pressure client projects, create content, and build a pipeline?

In this episode, Faheem Moosa and Alastair McDermott discuss how consultants can build a sales pipeline while you're also working on projects, understanding where your time goes, your productivity and priority management.

They also discuss how to make and deliver a Big Promise to your clients, how to partner with them rather than be a service provider, and how to start thinking like a business owner.

“The biggest mistake consultants make is not learning sales and marketing.

The world changes, industries change, politics change, technologies change.

Your business has to respond, and that requires sharp marketing & sales.” -- Faheem Moosa on The Recognized Authority podcast

“It's totally up to you if you want to do everything yourself. But if you have a goal of growing your business, and you feel that it's going to take 80 hours a week to do that, then it's prudent to hire somebody to take care of the lower yielding tasks.” -- Faheem Moosa on The Recognized Authority podcast

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/make-more-time-for-your-consulting-business 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Effective marketing is difficult to get right, and independents like us have a lot to juggle when marketing ourselves.

Hubspot says that the biggest determinant of effective marketing is your audience. If we're not properly targeting our ideal clients, we might as well not be marketing at all.

In this episode, Dan Sanchez and Alastair McDermott discuss how to start building an audience, what types of channel to target, and how the different types of content can work for each channel.

They also discuss Dan's two channel rule, how to use long form and short form content synergistically, and how to use content to save time.

“Have one channel for short form content, one channel for long form content. Short form would be like LinkedIn, Twitter, Tik Tok, long form would be blogs, podcast, YouTube videos. Being okay with being all in on just two mediums is probably the best thing you can do as a solopreneur or independent consultant.” -- Dan Sanchez on The Recognized Authority podcast

“Get more out of your content, use your content to save you time. Whatever your long form channel is, use it to answer questions. Keep a list of all the questions you get, write the best possible answer that you can without customizing it for the client.” -- Dan Sanchez on The Recognized Authority podcast

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/building-your-audience/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Growing a consulting business to seven figures seems an impossible goal for many independent consultants, but it is possible, and my guest today is the Million Dollar Consultant himself, Dr. Alan Weiss.

Alan is a polarizing character, probably the most polarizing figure in the consulting industry. During this conversation I ask him about his provocative and contrarian style, and he explains his perspective and why he likes to poke people.

At the same time, even those who aren't fans of that style have to acknowledge the huge contributions he has made to the industry through his publishing. His contributions to the body of knowledge are remarkable.

In this episode, Alan Weiss and Alastair McDermott discuss building authority through publishing, why to choose a contrarian position, and how to grow a consulting business.

They also discuss how to reframe a conversation with clients, why confidence is essential to success in consulting, and the importance of long-term relationships.

“I poke people, because people need to be poked! If you're on a plateau, that plateau erodes: the only way to be successful is to continue to grow. The secret to continued growth is innovation.” -- Alan Weiss

“How do I differentiate myself? I'm going to disagree with common practice. The readers hated it, wrote letters to the editor. I was so naive, I called to apologize. He said to me: they read it. That was an eye opener.” -- Alan Weiss

“There is something worse than no business. It's called bad business. Not all clients are good clients. There are some clients you just don't want to take on. And there are clients you have taken on that you need to fire.” -- Alan Weiss

“You have to walk into a client's office as a peer. They might have a larger office, they might have a $3 million or $30 million budget, they might have 1000 people working for them. But you are the expert.” -- Alan Weiss

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/million-dollar-consultant 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Everyone is talking about how we should create more content. Write more blog posts, write more LinkedIn articles, start a podcast, do more video on social. But when we actually start creating this content it seems to be hugely time consuming for very little return on our efforts.

In this episode, A. Lee Judge and Alastair McDermott discuss the compound effect of creating content over time, and creating a body of work that builds your authority and personal brand.

They also discuss why and how you should capture your content in a way that you're comfortable with, how to get more from your content, and how to automate in a personal way.

“Content is a way to be ever present. Create good content and schedule it to go out over time. Then even while you're sleeping, you're meeting with clients. Your content's out there working when you're not.” -- A. Lee Judge

“You're competing with people who are not afraid to use a camera, they're not afraid to publish what they think. That's what you're competing with and it's your choice. You can choose not to compete, but the fact is that your competitors are out there and they're being seen.” -- A. Lee Judge

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/compound-effect-of-content/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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"Embrace what makes you different"

"Stand out from the crowd"

"Have a distinct point of view"

"Find your 'Blue Ocean'"

Everyone is telling us that we need to show how unique we are, how we are different from our competitors. Is that really what we need to do?"

In this episode, Belinda Weaver and Alastair McDermott discuss how to shine the spotlight on your business, yourself, and your clients so you become more chooseable to your ideal client.

They also discuss repurposing your existing content, how to connect with your clients like Velcro, and how to use transparency to build rapport and trust.

“When we make a purchasing decision, what we want to know is that the business can solve the problem that we have and have done so before for other people, and we also want to know we're going to enjoy the experience of working with them.” -- Belinda Weaver

“If I have to choose between a business that will tell me exactly what happens next and I have a clear sense of how the project will go, or a business that tells me none of that, I'm going to choose the business that gives me the roadmap. Because it makes me feel safer, more certain, and that's a very powerful trigger.” -- Belinda Weaver

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/you-dont-need-to-be-unique-to-stand-out 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Attention is a currency, something we all spend on those who entertain us, and those who help solve our problems. In a cluttered, noise-filled world, getting your ideal client's attention focused on your content is difficult, creating content that will hold their attention even more so.

In this episode, Ian Brodie and Alastair McDermott discuss how you can earn the attention of your ideal buyers, and how to incorporate humour in a way that is congruent with your personality and style.

They also discuss what makes an effective lead magnet, how to inspire curiosity, and how fun is just another form of value.

“I think we get into problems when we think in theory. Don't do it in abstract, think about your actual clients. If there might be some things you could do that would damage your credibility with a real client, don't do those. But put it into real context.” -- Ian Brodie

“You need "long attention" if you're thinking about becoming an authority. People specifically paying attention to you and what you're saying, because that's going to increase your perceived expertise, build a relationship with them, they'll see you as the kind of expert they want to work with. ” -- Ian Brodie

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/earning-and-holding-attention/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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We know that creating and publishing content is a key part of building your authority - you've heard it from many guests on this podcast. But yet it's still difficult to find the time to create that content. And even after we create it, we still need to deal with our perfectionism and other fears that hold us back from hitting the publish button.

In this episode, Teodora Ema Pirciu and Alastair McDermott discuss the difficulties in creating good content, why we shouldn't fear repeating ourselves, and how to avoid overthinking it all.

They also discuss tailoring the different types of content for each social network, what keeps people from repurposing content, and where to find great content for your LinkedIn posts.

“Many people are overthinking it. Every piece of text, every video, every tweet, and every LinkedIn post that you write is content, it's not like you have to create something fancy to start producing content. You're already producing content.” -- Teodora Ema Pirciu

“What keeps people from repurposing content is that we rush to produce more and more new content. We think "it doesn't make sense to repeat myself", but people need to hear the same thing more than once.” -- Teodora Ema Pirciu

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/dont-overthink-your-content/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Special bonus episode: Bland Content and Burnout with Craig Burgess

This is a special bonus episode of the podcast, and it’s very different from our usual interview episodes. It’s a behind the scenes look at an impromptu conversation between Craig Burgess and I.

This is the first time I ever spoke to Craig and I thought our conversation was really interesting, and might be useful for someone out there to listen in. When we started chatting we had no intention of publishing this publicly, but as you'll hear in the recording I ask Craig for his permission to share it at the end because I thought it was might be of value to you.

The intention of the call was to talk about content creation and burnout, and we hit record about 5 minutes into the conversation as just as Craig explains to me what he wants to ask me about.

It's not amazing quality because we recorded our call on Zoom rather than the recording studio that I normally use, because it was originally intended for broadcast.

It’s a longer episode at just over an hour, and if you prefer the interview format episodes, feel free to skip this one.

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉https://therecognizedauthority.com/bland-content-and-burnout/👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Building a personal brand is advice we hear a lot, but it's not always clear what that means, why it's important, or whether it's something we can approach in a deliberate way.

In this episode, Mark Schaefer and Alastair McDermott discuss why personal branding is overtaking corporate branding, the four key steps to building your personal brand, and the mistakes that a lot of people make along the way.

They also discuss entertainment value in business content, why an 18 month mindset in personal branding is essential, and how to look for qualitative and quantitative measures of success.

“Don't be confused, don't be overwhelmed. Just get focused, pick one thing. Don't be afraid. Don't be overwhelmed by the competition. What's going to bring you joy? What's going to ignite you, when you create this content? That's the minimum standards for your content.” -- Mark Schaefer

“Increasingly, the company brand is the personal brand. That's what people want to know: "Who is this person? What do they stand for? How do they treat their people?"” -- Mark Schaefer

“Be aware of qualitative measures of success: someone asking you a question, an invitation to be on a podcast, people sharing your content more often, commenting, leaving reviews. That's a signal that it's working. You're becoming known.” -- Mark Schaefer

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/build-your-personal-brand/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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As consultants, we often think about having a single core offer - usually a high ticket offering. But it's not always a good fit for a lot of our potential clients, and there are some clients who are willing to pay more to get more. So how should we approach creating a product or services ladder?

In this episode, Chris Lema and Alastair McDermott discuss how to think about product ladders, including the three key offers you can include in your ladder.

They also discuss how content marketing is about telling a story, how to use frameworks to tell that story, and how Chris got it wrong about mattresses!

“Different people need different products, even when they're all saying "I need a hotel" or "I need a car". As service practitioners, who have high ticket offers, we act like everybody is the same. Do you have a "more for more" offer for people who want more? Do you have a "less for less" offer? You deliver less, they pay less.” -- Chris Lema

“All content marketing is about helping someone progress from A to B. But in order to get them over the hump of inactivity, to willing to do something, you have to tell them a story.” -- Chris Lema

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/create-your-product-ladder/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Video is the medium of choice for many, and the social platforms encourage and even incentivize us to upload videos directly. But so many consultants and experts are reticent to use video for marketing.

Video seems complex, expensive and time consuming to produce, and requires "a particular set of skills"... or does it?

In this episode, Nina Froriep and Alastair McDermott discuss how to make video marketing easier, including practical steps you can take to look better on camera, reduce filming time and have less editing work afterwards.

They also discuss the importance of framing, why to use a series of short "tips" videos, and what equipment you really need to make great videos.

“People are making video a lot more complicated than it needs to be. I want you to focus on your marketing strategy. The video part is a mechanical thing like writing an email, it should be just as easy to create a video.” -- Nina Froriep

“I love the month-long challenges because by the third week whatever isn't working with your workflows or the way you're creating the videos is going to fall apart. And so you're forced to address all the things that you aren't addressing.” -- Nina Froriep

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/making-video-marketing-easier/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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As experts, we hear the advice that we should have a distinct - maybe even unique - point of view that comes through in our work, when we speak, and when we write. But what does it mean to have a point of view? Do you need to sound like Alan Weiss or Gary Vee when you write?

In this episode, Tom Critchlow and Alastair McDermott discuss how to develop your unique point of view as an expert, and how to implement it in practice.

They also discuss publishing, both in terms of books, the value of blogging, and the value of writing with a single reader in mind. Tom tells the story of how he made several course-corrections or pivots over the lifetime of his consulting business.

“Sometimes developing a point of view isn't as much developing a new point of view, as much as recognizing which bits of your current opinions are distinctive or interesting or resonate with people.” -- Tom Critchlow

“Writing has been the tool with which I've refined and crafted a point of view on all kinds of things.” -- Tom Critchlow

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/developing-a-unique-point-of-view/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Storytelling has been the topic du jour in marketing over the past couple of years. We all know we should use stories more in business, but what does that actually mean from a practical standpoint?

In this episode, Guillaume Wiatr and Alastair McDermott discuss a practical approach to using stories in business, the seven elements of a strategic narrative, and how to develop your origin story.

They also discuss the four different strategic narratives that can be used in your business, as well as further resources that can help you implement stories in a practical way.

“Most people think storytelling & narratives are about communication and marketing - and that's true. But it's also a very narrow understanding: a narrative runs your whole business. If you're a solo entrepreneur, the narrative that you tell yourself about why you're doing this job is extremely important.” -- Guillaume Wiatr

“The CEOs & founders are faced with the challenge of changing people's buying behavior. You can't just do that by just telling a bunch of stories. You have to frame your buyer's reality into a new narrative.” -- Guillaume Wiatr

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/build-a-strategic-narrative/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Book publishing has changed dramatically over the past couple of decades. Traditional publishing no longer has a monopoly on distribution, and authors can thrive independently. Hybrid publishing models are springing up. What does it all mean for experts who write a book?

In this episode, Melissa G. Wilson and Alastair McDermott discuss the new world of publishing, what's different about thought leadership books, how a series of books can be trademarked, and how to use books to build an audience.

They also discuss the importance of book covers, how to use Amazon to research ideas, and the reason why you should study fiction when writing nonfiction.

“The worst advice is write a book and then go to somebody for help. It would be like going into a hoarder's home, they take everything outside, then they say "this is all the throwaways", it's painful. So the most important thing is to spend time outlining.” -- Melissa G. Wilson

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/the-new-publishing-world/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Writing articles for your website or social media is hugely time consuming, and it's so difficult to find the time when you're already working long hours on client projects. But you need to make the time. Here's why.

In this episode, bestselling author & renowned speaker Marcus Sheridan and Alastair McDermott discuss how writing articles, answering client questions, and giving away "proprietary" secrets saved his business. The internet has changed the sales process forever, and we need to adapt to this new reality.

They also discuss how to become a better leader by asking questions, how to sound more authoritative, and why you should publish pricing information on your website.

“I realized that if I focused on the questions that nobody else wants to answer I can actually get gains really fast.” -- Marcus Sheridan

“I started seeing the patterns, I started to recognize the types of content that do better than others, and I continued to focus in on those.” -- Marcus Sheridan

“I was going to go out of business, so I don't have time to sit there and say "I don't have time". So instead of watching Game of Thrones, what did I do? I sat there and pecked away at the keys every night, I slept six hours instead of eight hours.” -- Marcus Sheridan

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/content-can-save-your-business/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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The business of independent consulting can be challenging, no more so than for a change management consultant in the healthcare industry in the midst of a pandemic!

In this episode, Molly Angel and Alastair McDermott discuss what it's like to run consulting projects in challenging times. Molly shares why she hired a business coach for her business despite having an MBA herself, some big mistakes she's made, and why it's important to loosen your grip on the reins in some circumstances.

They also discuss podcasting for consultants, and how to create an abundance of content ideas for your writing.

“I am very blessed to have a creative group around me who are my sounding board, a writers room that I can ping things off of. We'll have an hour-long call, where we'll throw out lots of different topics and we just kind of riff from there. And every single week we do this, it's a wealth of content.” -- Molly Angel

“People would say "You've got an MBA, why do you need a business coach?"

I ask "Do you think I can truly be objective about myself? I don't think so."

I credit my business coach with being the person who got me fixed in the right direction first, which was "figure out the money".” -- Molly Angel

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/running-a-consulting-business/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Last week, David C. Baker talked about the importance of research. In this week's solo episode, Alastair McDermott speaks about how research fits in with the Journey to Authority, and explains the Authority Maturity Model. If you are interested in growing your expert business and becoming an authority, this is for you.

On Thursday Alastair will be running a live webinar for consultants and experts on the topics covered in this episode, learn more at https://therecognizedauthority.com/webinar

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/the-journey-to-authority 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

➡️ LinkedIn ➡️ Twitter ➡️ YouTube

Running a consulting business can be exhausting. How can we make consulting easier to sell, easier to price, and easier to predict?

In this episode, David C. Baker and Alastair McDermott discuss the business of consulting, including why research is crucial in positioning and standing out from your competitors, how to deal with the fears of niching down, and how to expand your services in a tightly specialized business.

They also discuss how to create a marketing plan for a consulting business, why we are always "leaving money on the table", and what keeps David on his toes in business!

“Research is a huge part of differentiation. Doing proprietary research and making that available to your clients is the only thing I know of that cannot be replicated easily.” -- David C. Baker

“What drives most consultants forward is that they're terrified of no longer learning something every day. Take that urge and keep looking at the same things a little bit differently, try to notice even deeper patterns.” -- David C. Baker

“Part of the definition of good positioning is that you have an identifiable, reachable target. If you're struggling with that, then you need to revisit your positioning.” -- David C. Baker

➡️ Learn more about Authority Labs: https://therecognizedauthority.com/authority-labs/

➡️ Learn more about the webinars: https://therecognizedauthority.com/webinars

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/the-business-of-consulting/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Selling consulting services is often selling the invisible and intangible. How can we better demonstrate the value of our services to prospective clients?

In this episode, Kate The Case Study Copywriter and Alastair McDermott discuss how case studies can help convert your prospective buyers. They can learn how you have helped businesses like theirs to achieve measurable results, and help you differentiate yourself from your competitors.

They also discuss how Kate niched down her consulting business, and how she changed her target market after choosing the wrong option at first.

“Do not be afraid to niche down. The fear is "if I niche down, I'm going to lose all these clients", but the reality is when you niche down you gain more entry into the market than you ever could have before.” -- Kate The Case Study Copywriter

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/using-case-studies-to-build-trust/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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How do you give yourself the maximum chance of winning your ideal clients? What are the characteristics of clients that you are uniquely able to help? How do you know if your messaging is right?

In this episode, Emily Omier and Alastair McDermott discuss the differences between strategy, positioning and messaging, how to get more referrals, and how to make it easier for your clients to make a purchasing decision.

They also discuss being authentic, contrarian and developing a point of view.

“If you can't say what your product is in under eight words, you have a positioning problem.” -- Emily Omier

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/accelerating-revenue-growth/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

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🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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For consultants, traditional marketing can often feel like an inappropriate tool for the job. In fact, sometimes it even feels like we're screaming into the void. But what's the alternative?

In this episode, Michael F. Schein and Alastair McDermott discuss how to use hype to grab attention, create curiosity, and build a tribe of like-minded people. They cover some fundamental strategies to achieve your business goals, including lessons from rock stars, cult leaders and business "celebrities".

They also discuss working on your point of view, networking, and why doctors recommended bacon as part of a healthy breakfast!

“I went out and I learned everything there was to know about SEO and funnels and the latest social media tools, and it didn't help me much at all. What I realized is that people have things in the reverse order: marketing should be anything that gets you up to bat to make sales.” -- Michael F. Schein

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/marketing-is-for-morons/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

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🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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As a consultant, it can often be difficult to be seen as meaningfully different from your competitors. Every consulting firm has - or claims to have! - smart people, great methodologies and tools, and every website talks about how they can solve complex business problems in a variety of industries. So how can you stand out from the competition?

In this episode, Shannyn Lee and Alastair McDermott discuss why positioning is crucial to your consulting business, why people fear positioning, and how your perspective and ideology helps differentiate you from your direct competitors.

They also discuss how experimentation can help you find what energizes you, the different business models for consulting firms, and why they are happy to be a training organization!

“Positioning is fundamental business strategy, it affects everything that happens in the day to day of your organization. When you're well positioned, you're very clear about every move that you choose to make, or anything you choose to walk away from, and there are lots of benefits that happen as a result.” -- Shannyn Lee

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/why-positioning-is-crucial/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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In this episode reposted from Philip Morgan's The Self-Made Expert Podcast, Alastair and Philip discuss what the journey to authority looks like, why you should cultivate expertise, and how publishing develops your thinking.

They also discuss when authority matters, how you know if you have authority, and the importance of specialization in building authority.

➡️ Learn more about Authority Labs: https://therecognizedauthority.com/authority-labs/

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/journey-to-authority/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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LinkedIn can be a fantastic source of leads for consultants, but there's a lot of noise on the platform, especially since the start of the pandemic.

In this episode, Louise Brogan and Alastair McDermott discuss how to do lead generation on LinkedIn without spamming people or burning yourself out.

They also discuss Louise's specialization journey and how she niched down to just LinkedIn.

“That is where you get business on LinkedIn - you don't get it out on the newsfeed, you get it in the messaging inbox.” -- Louise Brogan

“Stop thinking of LinkedIn as a lead making machine, and start thinking of it as a place where you go to build a valuable network of contacts.” -- Louise Brogan

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/using-linkedin-for-lead-generation/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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When we first start our consulting business, very often we come in with a specific idea of how it's going to look, what our services are going to be, and how we're going to sell them. But the great advantage of being independent is the ability to change the rules, to choose a business model that suits us as an individual.

In this episode, Chris Williams and Alastair McDermott discuss the different business models that an independent consultant can choose, from high-ticket strategy projects, to coaching to group offerings, implementation projects and even hybrid options.

They also discuss how to have more fun and make more money in business! And of course, they talk about the importance of specialization!

“Folks, if you've not already figured it out by now: market specialization, niching down, picking out your avatar, your customer profile -- whatever you want to call it -- is so important.” -- Chris Williams

“You've got to own your expertise and believe it first, that's where that's where it all starts. And then all of a sudden you can get a vision for where it can go.” -- Chris Williams

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/choosing-the-right-business-model/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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There are different stages to growing a consulting business: the strategies you adopt when you're getting established can be different to those you use to scale later.

Several weeks ago I attended a marketing conference called The Uprising, an event run by Mark Schaefer. I spoke with many of the attendees and speakers. One of the people I met was Alisa Meredith, and when we spoke, she invited me to come on to her live stream to talk about growing a consulting business.

This is our conversation, which covers topics from referrals and positioning, to pricing and product ladders.

My thanks to Alisa for having me on her show, and allowing me to use it as a podcast episode here!

“In terms of the number of clients that I need, I'm standing under the Niagara Falls with a small glass I need to fill up.

If there's somebody next to me filling their glass, it's not going to hurt me.” -- Alastair McDermott

“If you're starting a consulting business, try to build up a nest egg of cash first. That gives you the power to say no to bad projects.

You've got to get yourself into the situation where you can say no to poor fit projects as quickly as possible.” -- Alastair McDermott

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/grow-your-consulting-business/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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The path to authority is a route to creating leverage and value beyond simply billing for your time. Authority allows you to work with clients who energize and inspire you, it allows you to stop pitching and instead have sales conversations with pre-sold clients and buyers.

In this episode, Rochelle Moulton and Alastair McDermott discuss Rochelle's new book "The Authority Code" where she outlines how to position, monetize and sell your expertise.

They discussed the importance of having a vision in finding your niche, building your authority and knowing your audience or customers.

“The limit to your price is the value that you create for your clients.” -- Rochelle Moulton

“You have to embrace your vision, not just for your authority, but for your business. Vision is where you get to be selfish, you get to say "this is what I want to do out in the world.”" -- Rochelle Moulton

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/position-monetize-and-sell-your-expertise/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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There is a direct connection between niching down and earning more money.

In this episode, Geraldine Carter and Alastair McDermott discuss positioning and specialization.

Geraldine outlines the direct connection between your specialized positioning and your ability to command higher fees.

They also discuss pricing new service lines, and how consultants tend to undercharge significantly.

“Underpricing is by far the number one pitfall when creating packaged services. When I work with my clients, and they tell me what they're going to charge for a certain thing, it's typically under by half, sometimes three times.” -- Geraldine Carter

“The more focused your position is in the marketplace, the easier it becomes for you to understand how to add value to your clients' businesses. You deeply understand where they get stuck, you start to see the patterns. You provide more valuable solutions faster, so your value goes up. And when your value goes up, your prices can immediately follow.” -- Geraldine Carter

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/charge-more-by-niching-down/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Podcasts are rapidly growing in popularity in the B2C and B2B worlds with Joe Rogan and Spotify leading the drive. There's a lot of advice about podcasting available online, but much of it is missing an important nuance that applies to experts and consultants who are on the path to authority.

In this episode, Joe Casabona and Alastair McDermott discuss the realities of starting a successful podcast, pitfalls you need to avoid, and how to demonstrate your expertise to your audience.

They also discuss how much production and editing is needed to meet the quality bar, and how to pitch yourself to podcasts as a potential guest.

“Your goal in establishing authority is to get people to know, like, and trust you. And podcasting is a pretty intimate medium. Most people are listening with headphones, maybe they're doing something else, but they're mostly listening to you. And so it's an easy way to establish that trust.” -- Joe Casabona

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/increase-your-reach-with-podcasting 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Most consultants have been told "you should write a book" at some point. But easy as that is to say, where do you start?

In this episode, Anne Janzer and Alastair McDermott discuss how to start writing your book, why writer's block isn't quite what people think it is, and how to think about success in relation to your book.

They also discuss how not to screw up your business emails, and why sharing failure is a generous act.

“Writing is a physical manifestation of deep thought, it's a chance to really dive down and think deeply. It gives you something that you're engaged with while you're thinking.” -- Anne Janzer

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/write-a-successful-book/👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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As authorities and experts in our specialist areas, we want our prospective clients to see us as competent, intelligent experts. But many of us are self-sabotaging and creating the perception of being less competent, less intelligent, having less expertise.

In this episode, Norbert Schwarz and Alastair McDermott discuss how audio and video quality exerts a disportionate influence on the perception of the speaker and data being presented.

Bonus: get your free guide to looking and sounding better on Zoom and webinars. Download for free at therecognizedauthority.com/thatsoundsgood

“What we found was very straightforward: if your audio sounds better you seem to be smarter, you seem to be more likable, you seem to be a better scientist, and even your research seems more important.” -- Norbert Schwarz

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/quality-audio-makes-you-sound-smarter 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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The world is getting louder, more chaotic and it becomes difficult to hear your own voice amidst the noise around us.

In this episode, Dr. Carmel Finnan and Alastair McDermott discuss the importance of storytelling in communication, and how it helps in building your brand.

They also discuss how listening can play a major part in breaking through the noise.

“When we feel heard - when we as human beings feel another person has truly witnessed what we have said and taken it in - we will give that person our attention.” -- Carmel Finnan

“Make it personal. The whole point of storytelling is to personalise our communication, to start talking to each other as human to human.” -- Carmel Finnan

“You're just a human being connecting with another human being. Use that as your guideline when you think of storytelling and when you think of communication.” -- Carmel Finnan

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/be-heard-in-a-world-of-noise/👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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"You should raise your prices" is advice you'll frequently hear on this podcast and elsewhere. But it's not that easy to implement.

In this episode, Ron Baker and Alastair McDermott discuss why pricing by the hour is a bad option, and why value pricing is better for the provider and for the client. They cover steps you can take to do value based pricing, and talk about the importance - and difficulties - of the value conversation.

They also discuss the recurring subscription model, which Ron calls "Value Pricing 2.0"!

“The value conversation is difficult because we've never been taught it, it's not part of the culture of how professionals work. We've always slid an engagement letter across the table with our hourly rate and hope the customer signs it.” -- Ron Baker

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/value-based-pricing/👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Marketing and branding are often conflated: the distinction can feel more like semantics. But there's a very real and easy to understand difference.

In this episode, Leo York and I discuss the primitive origins of marketing, how plants were the first marketers, and how and why color choice impacts how we think about brands.

We also discuss how experts can use the 3 Aristotelian modes of persuasion: ethos, logos and pathos, or the appeal to authority, the appeal to logic, and the appeal to emotion.

On a personal note, this was one of the most fascinating conversations I've had on the podcast so far, and I hope you enjoy it too!

Alastair.

“Animals showed up, and now plants have a problem because they can't move. So plants did an amazing pivot where they decided to start marketing to these animals to get an advantage, rather than to be just destroyed by them. ” -- Leo York

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/plants-were-the-first-marketers/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Being an independent consultant can sometimes be a tough gig - but there are things you can do to make life easier for yourself!

In this episode Michael Zipursky and Alastair McDermott discuss how to run a successful consulting business, including details on how to niche, how to increase capacity, and why you should raise your prices immediately. They discuss how selling consulting services is different, and why conversations are so important.

Michael also shares why you should act like a musician when it comes to content marketing, and how to develop a content plan.

“When you're dealing with an organization, there's going to be multiple decision makers, there's going to be budgets, there's going to be different allocations of resources, there's going to be just a lot more factors that go into play. And therefore you're going to require a conversation.” -- Michael Zipursky

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/run-a-successful-consulting-business 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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After an initial growth period of several years, it's quite common for a business to hit an inflection point where they start to level off or even start to struggle.

In this episode Evelyn Starr and Alastair McDermott discuss how this happens and what you can do about it. Evelyn uses the analogy of teen adolescence to help identify the signs your brand might be in this period, and how to course-correct so you can start scaling again.

They also discuss the perils of working on a project without direct access to the client.

“You are not the complete owner of your brand. Your brand exists in the minds of your audience. Every time you have an interaction with them, those experiences factor into their idea of what your brand is. Your brand is what they expect to encounter from you next time.” -- Evelyn Starr

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/how-to-tell-if-your-brand-is-in-adolescence 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

What does it mean to be a thought leader? What is thought leadership content, and how is it created?

In this episode Andrew Rogerson and Alastair McDermott walk through the actionable steps that you can take to create thought leadership content, from the strategic overview to research, writing the content and then repurposing it in multiple ways afterwards.

They also discussed the importance of well-structured executive summaries, and why Kate is writing a book to help experts get their ideas across more clearly.

“If you think thought leadership doesn't work I would say you're probably not doing it right.” -- Andrew Rogerson

“Content is the future. I don't know what other forms of marketing can provide that kind of response, particularly when we can't do in person networking and take you out to dinner!” -- Andrew Rogerson

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/create-great-thought-leadership/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Guesting on podcasts is a fantastic way to get your message in front of a new audience and build your authority. But the majority of pitches received by podcast hosts are terrible!

In this episode Mai-kee Tsang and Alastair McDermott discuss why most podcast pitches are bad, how podcast guesting is such a fantastic opportunity, and how you can create a "yes-worthy pitch" that is well received by the podcast host.

They also discuss how the advice to "put yourself out there" doesn't always work, particularly for people who have experienced trauma, and how you can take a trauma sensitive approach to visibility.

“The true power of podcast guesting, it is in the relationships, not how many podcasts you're on.” -- Mai-kee Tsang

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/create-the-perfect-podcast-pitch 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Consultants are not in the business of selling methodologies - you're in the business of solving a client's problem. You need to be laser focused on your client and on solving their problem.

In this episode Luk Smeyers and Alastair McDermott discuss why consultants say that they don't have time to do marketing, and how this is a fixable problem.

They also discuss what Luk terms the "vicious loop to hell", which is if you don't invest time, you will always be like struggling to survive, you will lose trust in yourself and confidence in growing your business.

“Technical firms are all about their technology, their features. Consultants are not in the business of selling methodologies. You're in the business of solving the client's problem.” -- Luk Smeyers

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/stand-out-as-a-consultant/ 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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The world of journalism and PR can feel nebulous to experts and consultants who don't interface with that world. But it can be a fantastic way to reach new clients and build relationships.

In this episode Kate Warwick and Alastair McDermott discuss how to develop your messaging and positioning to take advantage of PR.

They also discussed the importance of well-structured executive summaries, and why Kate is writing a book to help experts get their ideas across more clearly.

🗒️ Show Notes 🗒️

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here:

👉👉 https://therecognizedauthority.com/make-your-words-work-for-you 👈👈

✉️ Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

🎙️ Record a question or voice message for the show at TheRecognizedAuthority.com/question

⭐ Like what you heard? Please help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review

🤗 Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority:

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Most consultants love their work - but they don't love selling their work.

In this episode, Brendan McAdams and Alastair McDermott discuss how to qualify your prospective clients so that you can sell more effectively. We discussed the fundamental principles of sales that are often overlooked, and get into the psychology of why someone might not buy from you.

They also discussed what Brendan learned from marketing his first book, and what he's changing in the marketing of his second book.

Show Notes

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here: https://therecognizedauthority.com/improving-your-salescraft

Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority

On LinkedIn
On Twitter
On YouTube

Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

Like what you heard?

Help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts

Many consultants consider writing a book. It can be an invaluable marketing tool that can generate new business, demonstrate your expertise, and position you as the authority in your field. But from a business perspective, most books are a failure.

In this episode Rob Fitzpatrick and Alastair McDermott discuss how to ensure your book is actually useful to readers, which will result in better sales numbers and reach.

Rob also shared how to build a community around a book, and how not asking the right follow up question cost him $60,000.

Show Notes

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here: https://therecognizedauthority.com/write-useful-books/

Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority

On LinkedIn
On Twitter
On YouTube

Subscribe to the email list at TheRecognizedAuthority.com

Like what you heard?

Help share the podcast by leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts

Behind The Scenes: The Rebrand

This one is a little bit different - it's a behind the scenes look at the rebrand that we did recently for the podcast where we rebranded from Marketing for Consultants to The Recognized Authority.

This episode is a conversation with my friend - and former business partner - Alistair McBride. We wanted to dig into the logic behind the rebrand, the choices, decisions and processes that we used.

This might be of interest to you if you're thinking about rebranding, or you are looking for ideas for your personal brand and your business brand.

WARNING: This is not quite as actionable as our typical episodes, so if you're looking for something super actionable, skip this one. There'll be another one coming out on Monday, and we'll be back into the normal routine.

But if you're interested in seeing a bit behind the curtains, discovering the logic behind this change of name and logos then stick around, and you might find this interesting!

Show Notes

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here: https://therecognizedauthority.com/22

Connect with Alastair and The Recognized Authority

On LinkedIn
On Twitter
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Growing a consulting business is not easy, turning it into a business empire is a formidable challenge.

In this episode, Peep Laja and Alastair McDermott discuss how Peep grew his SEO consulting firm by niching down and creating high value content.

They also discuss how every company is becoming a media company for their niche.

Show Notes

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here: https://therecognizedauthority.com/21

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The Final Episode with Alastair McDermott

Marketing for Consultants will soon be no more.

In this short episode you'll learn why it's going away, and what's going to happen next!

We hope you'll stick around for the next stage of the journey!

Alastair & Aiko.

The Recognized Authority: Episode No. 20

therecognizedauthority.com/20

As a consultant, bespoke projects can sometimes get overwhelming as you have to customize the project specification and the delivery for every new project and client.

In this episode Alzay Calhoun and Alastair McDermott discuss how to productize your consulting services to leverage your time and maximise profits.

They also discuss how Alzay has used YouTube as a major channel in growing his business, and his tips for consultants who want to do the same.

Show Notes

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here: https://marketingforconsultants.com/mfcs1e18-create-the-best-buyer-personas/

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There's a thousand different articles and voices telling us how to create buyer personas, or ideal customer avatars, or ICAs, or one of a dozen other names. Often the recommendations of how to use these personas are contradictory.

In this episode, Adrienne Barnes and Alastair McDermott discuss how to create a buyer persona that's actually useful, and what to look out for along the way.

They also discussed the "jobs to be done" framework, the importance of having a business coach, and how to grow a consulting firm to $1MM in revenue.

Show Notes

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here: https://marketingforconsultants.com/mfcs1e18-create-the-best-buyer-personas/

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When you're trying to grow your consulting firm, there are a couple of inflection points you can hit that are difficult to push past. In this episode, Brad Farris and Alastair McDermott discuss how Brad now uses his extensive experience of buying agencies and creative firms to help owners to scale up without wanting to quit the business!

They also discussed specialization, raising prices and saying or writing things that other people couldn't say.

Show Notes

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here: https://marketingforconsultants.com/mfcs1e17-scale-your-consulting-business/

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It's not always obvious what intellectual property assets you have, or their value to you as a business. It could be a signature methodology, an audit process, or something as simple as document templates.

In this episode, Erin Austin and Alastair McDermott discuss how intellectual property can play a vital role in your business.

They also discussed what it takes to go from being General Counsel in a mega corporation to running a solo practice.

Show Notes

Access all the links mentioned in this episode in the show notes here: https://marketingforconsultants.com/mfcs1e16-leverage-your-expertise-with-intellectual-property/

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Bonus Episode! Transparency Report: Behind the Scenes Numbers

Normally I do interviews, but today I'm doing a solo recording sharing what I call a transparency update.

If you're open to it, think that it's good idea to share some numbers from your business. It can be good for accountability, it can be good to be authentic, and it can help with trust. I think there's a lot of positives to doing it.

I got this concept from Rand Fishkin & SEOmoz.

You can see the video of this episode on YouTube at youtu.be/YZ7jF4SFvjI

It can be difficult to reach out and connect wth new people on LinkedIn without coming across like a spammer. In this episode, Dana Lindahl and Alastair McDermott discuss how to use LinkedIn to win more clients through outbound and inbound lead generation.

They also discuss how working with your competitors can be a positive, and how podcasts can play a useful role in increasing trust with your prospective clients.

Show Notes

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Winning large projects as a solo consultant can be difficult. Partnering up with trusted peers allows you to pitch for bigger projects, smooth out the “feast or famine” rollercoaster, and allows you to brainstorm ideas with a knowledgeable colleague.

In this episode, Frank Hannigan and Alastair McDermott discuss how to get clients, do successful inbound marketing and have fun in business.

Show Notes

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Marketing isn't often thought of as a joyful activity - in fact, it's usually quite the opposite, being thought of as stressful, ineffective, or even worse in the minds of some consultants. In this episode, M. Shannon Hernandez and Alastair McDermott discuss how to approach marketing in a joyful way that makes it less of a chore. They also discuss why consultants don't love their business, and what you can do about that.

Show Notes

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The world of financial advice is dominated by large financial institutions in Ireland. Yet one independent financial advisor stands out as a trusted source of information. In this episode of Marketing for Consultants you’ll hear Paddy Delaney tell me how he used his podcast to grow his financial advisory business to six figures in 2 years..

Show Notes

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[Explicit Language Warning]

How can you stand out from the crowd when you are offering the same services as a thousand other consultants? Radical differentiation is the answer.

In this episode of Marketing for Consultants you’ll hear Louis Grenier describe the steps you need to follow to Stand The F*ck Out.

Show Notes

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Building your authority as an independent consultant is key to your success, getting inbound clients, and being able to charge higher fees.

In this episode of Marketing for Consultants you’ll hear Rochelle Moulton share a framework to build your authority.

Show Notes

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People use the word "remarkable" quite often in conversation, but I think we don’t give much thought to the literal meaning. Douglas Squirrel has done just that, and made it a deliberate part of growing his solo consulting business to over $1MM in revenue. In this episode we talk about how he built a reputation in a small community by delivering big results.

Show Notes

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Deciding how to specialize your business, and then actually implementing that decision are the two phases of specialization. In this episode, Philip Morgan and Alastair McDermott discuss the transition from generalist to specialized, and when specialization is less important. They also discuss when to use brand marketing rather than direct response marketing techniques.

Explicit Language Warning: note there are two very brief instances of explicit language - actually the title of a book - at 6m25s and 8m43s.

Show Notes

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You sometimes hear David vs Goliath stories in business, so when Wolfram Moritz told me how his 6-person firm beat a competitor with over 200,000 employees I wasn’t shocked but I had to know more about how they differentiated their firm.

In this episode, Wolfram and Alastair discuss vertical specialization and how to become the authority in a billion dollar industry.

Show Notes

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Sometimes it takes a kick in the teeth to realize you need to change something about your business. In this episode, Sara Dunn tells us about experiencing that frustration and how it motivated her to find her niche. She speaks with Alastair about the importance of specialization.

Show Notes

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It can be difficult to figure out how to find your first clients and sell to them at the right price. In this episode of Marketing for Consultants you’ll hear Richard Newton share his insights on how to run a successful consulting business, how to find clients, and why he has published 13 books and counting.

Show Notes

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As a business owner, simply getting things done can be difficult, but getting things done successfully while also care-giving is remarkable. In this episode, you'll hear from Heather and Alastair as they discuss how “superheroes” manage their time.

Show Notes

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Becoming an expert in your field takes a lot of work and effort. But if you want to be recognized as an authority, you need to do more. In this episode, you'll hear from Jonathan and Alastair as they discuss how to become that recognized authority.

Show Notes

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Niching Down Your Consulting Business sith Alastair McDermott

How to Make $1 Million/Year as a Solo Consultant: The Recognized Authority (formerly "Marketing for Consultants") Podcast Trailer