RAINMAKER.FM: Recent Episodes
RAINMAKER.FM
Everyone feels fear when faced with uncertainty — especially when starting a new business. But if you have the right mindset — and framework — you will find your own success. Starting a new business endeavor can be one of the most stressful events of your life. So many things to do and so many... Listen to episode
Are you in a creative rut? Well don’t worry, this episode is filled with great ideas to help you repurpose your content. We all get in a creative rut from time to time. Sometimes we are afraid of doing something new. Or maybe we have difficulty convincing others of our creative ideas. In this 32... Listen to episode
LinkedIn is rolling out a lot of new features for marketers; including video. If you are looking for creative ways to connect on LinkedIn, then this episode will inspire you. LinkedIn is one the oldest social media platforms on the web. However, it has not always been easy for marketers to create meaningful engagement through... Listen to episode
To blog or not to blog, that is the question … we’ll debate on this episode. Blogging is considered an essential tool in the content marketer’s toolbox. But is it worth the time? With so many options available for online ad buys and social media engagement, does having a blog really help you grow your... Listen to episode
Eric Enge — founder of Stone Temple Consulting — shares his insights on using content marketing to dramatically grow a service business. It takes a lot to grow a service business. You are constantly juggling client work against promoting and selling your service, all while trying to run your business. It is not easy. But... Listen to episode
An intimate interview with Rand Fishkin – Founder of Moz – on the perils and positives of being a tech entrepreneur. One of the most influential technology companies in SEO is MOZ, founded by Rand Fishkin. From the beginning of the business, he faced enormous challenges. But over the years he and the team at... Listen to episode
How you think about your business matters. And in this episode, we delve into the growth mindset you will need to succeed. Brandon Bruce, COO of Cirrus Insight (one of the fastest growing companies in America), joins the show to share his experience on growing a successful technology company. Brandon’s company has been through a... Listen to episode
Guest blogging is a great way to grow your audience, if you know the right way to do it. To all the people that blindly send us a request to guest post on our show, I have an answer for you … NO. But that cold answer comes with a lot of caveats; primarily because... Listen to episode
Podcasting is very popular, but not everyone can make money doing it — unless you know how. Obviously we are huge fans of podcasting — a technology that dates back to the beginning of the commercial web. But while podcasting has grown in popularity, not everyone can make money — let alone a living —... Listen to episode
Facebook made significant changes to the way marketers organically reach their customers. Does this mean free traffic from Facebook is over? On January 11, 2018, Facebook announced major changes to the way information is shared in user’s feeds. This announcement has caused great concerns for many online marketers that had counted on organic traffic from... Listen to episode
Scott Gerber, author of Superconnector, shares his insight on building — and maintaining — world-class membership communities. Building a shared community of interest can be an amazing way to propel your brand — if you do it the right way. Unfortunately, too many brands and online businesses do it poorly. In this episode, we discuss... Listen to episode
Annie Cushing (@annielytics) discusses how to avoid the most common mistakes with Google Analytics. At the heart of online marketing is data. And while it is important, it can often be confusing to understand and hard to act on. Lucky for you, we have a true expert in the field of Google Analytics joining the... Listen to episode
Google AMP represents a fundamental change to website development. But should you implement it? Google Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) is a unique method for displaying mobile content on Google. But as every expert will attest, implementing Google AMP is not easy. On this episode, we dive into the reasons for implementing AMP, along with the... Listen to episode
A smart and simple framework that will help you achieve your online goals! The start of a new year often brings with it the thoughts for the future; ensconced under numerous goals we provide for ourselves. But the key to achieving any goal, no matter how large, is following the right framework that leads you... Listen to episode
In this very special year-end show, Katy and Sean cover the big changes in online marketing for 2017 and what to look for in 2018. Online marketing continues to evolve at a fervent pace; with so many innovations and trends emerging it can be hard to know what matters. To help guide you, Katy Katz... Listen to episode
A behind the scenes discussion on how — and why — you should create a digital marketing agency. In 2017, the team behind Copyblogger.com launched a digital marketing agency … after 11 years of writing about, and teaching, content marketing to others. In this episode, we interview Brian Clark and Ed Bardwell to discuss the... Listen to episode
Lee Odden from TopRank Marketing shares his insights on the intersection of PR and online marketing In the past, traditional PR held a unique role — usually independent of the marketing department. But now, the role of PR has evolved — forming a symbiotic relationship within the online marketing framework. But while PR has evolved,... Listen to episode
An in-depth discussion on the intersection of search, social, and the open web, and how you can prepare for the future. Search and social marketing are a cornerstone of online marketing. But as the open web changes with the growth of Google, Facebook and Amazon, how should online marketers react? In this 34 minute episode,... Listen to episode
Tony Wright from WrightIMC shares his insight and tactics for protecting your online reputation when it matters most. Reputation management is an important part of online marketing management. And with so many online avenues for people to respond to, protecting your online reputation can be difficult. But if you follow the guidelines outlined in this... Listen to episode
A power-house round table discussion with three of the most influential women in online marketing. Being successful in any industry takes a lot of hard work and luck. But sometimes, it takes a lot more. While the online marketing space has a large number of women professionals, the challenges and issues they face to succeed... Listen to episode
Many online marketers are frustrated with social media as a sales driver. But if you approach it the correct way, it can have huge impact. For many online marketers, social media is a great way to engage with customers. However, when it comes to driving tangible financial results, it can often fall short. But before... Listen to episode
Have you ever considered selling your online business? If so, then there is a lot to consider, and this episode gives you the details you will need to know. At some point, every online entrepreneur has flirted with the idea of selling their web-based business. But selling a business can be a real challenge, especially... Listen to episode
Struggling with how to sell the benefits of your online products? Then this episode will help. In marketing, we often hear the phrase “sell the benefits, not the features.” The truth is that it is hard to find the right benefit unless you know what your customers actually want to buy. In this 15 minute... Listen to episode
Thinking about using chatbots for your online business? Then you will want to listen to this episode. Chatbots are growing in popularity – providing an entirely new and cost effective way to automate communications with customers and prospects alike. But like any new innovation, they have their limitations. But for the smart online marketer, chatbots... Listen to episode
An interview with Jonny Nastor and Jerod Morris, creators of The Showrunner. Podcasting is growing in popularity. More than 24% of US adults listen to at least one podcast per month. And if you ever wanted to start a podcast, or just looking for tips on how to grow your podcast audience, then you will... Listen to episode
A comprehensive review of the tactics and strategies you need to create an engaging community site. Building an online community is hard work. But it doesn’t have to be, if you have the right blueprints to guide your efforts. In this episode, we take a probing look at what it takes to build, grow, and... Listen to episode
Negative reviews can have disastrous consequences for your business, unless you are prepared. Recently, a Dallas jury awarded a wedding photographer a $1 million judgement against a couple she claimed made defamatory and malicious statements following a dispute about wedding photographs. But while this photographer prevailed in court, her business is no more. No matter... Listen to episode
Online entrepreneurs must overcome many factors to succeed online. But one challenge stands out the most. This is part 4 of a 4-part summer series of short, inspirational, and thought-provoking concepts to help you succeed online. Jessica and Sean will return to their normal programming schedule starting in September 2017.
Ever wonder how all those online experts became famous? This episode reveals their secrets. This is part 3 of a 4-part summer series of short, inspirational, and thought-provoking concepts to help you succeed online. Jessica and Sean will return to their normal programming schedule starting in September 2017.
This episode helps you address the most important question of being an online entrepreneur – Why does it matter? This is part 2 of a 4-part summer series of short, inspirational, and thought-provoking concepts to help you succeed online. Jessica and Sean will return to their normal programming schedule starting in September 2017.
Being an online entrepreneur can be stressful, but this one technique can make a huge difference. This is part 1 of a 4-part summer series of short, inspirational, and thought-provoking concepts to help you succeed online. Jessica and Sean will return to their normal programming schedule starting in September 2017.
A revealing look at the emerging marketing trends of 2017, and what you need to do to be prepared for them. Note: Our apologies for any audio issues on this episode. 2017 is shaping up to be an interesting year for online entrepreneurs; from major advancements in SEO to the rise of chat bots interacting... Listen to episode
We all face challenges when building and growing an online business. And in this episode, we give you practical advice on how to meet and overcome them. Most online businesses face two types of challenges; running their business and growing it. Both challenges present unique issues. And in this episode, we cover a few of... Listen to episode
If you have ever considered writing a book for printed publication, then you must listen to this episode. Somewhere, in the far recesses of your mind, you may have contemplated writing a book. I know I have. There is something special about being a published author. Being a published author can help you instantly gain... Listen to episode
Every online business faces competition for its product or service. But competition does not have to be a bad thing, if you look at it the right way. Online entrepreneurs tend to think of their products and services as unique. So unique that they don’t always worry about their competition. The truth is we all... Listen to episode
Finding the right people to join your growing online business is not easy. But, with a little effort, you can create a compelling offer that does not require you to spend a lot. Many people are becoming more selective in how they approach their career. For an online business this can be a challenge, especially... Listen to episode
It can be intimidating hiring contractors or employees for your online business. But it doesn’t have to be that way if you know how to do it. At some point as your online business grows, you will need outside help. And making that transition from a “soloprenuer” to running a team can be a little... Listen to episode
Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown from GrowthHacker.com join us for an in-depth look at how you can grow your online business. We have all been there – that point where you think all you need to grow your online business is a whole bunch of visitors. And while visitors are important, there is a lot... Listen to episode
PPC advertising can seem intimidating. But the truth is, it doesn’t take a lot to generate significant results … if you know what to do. Sean Dolan, from PushFire, joins us for an engaging conversation on how you can use PPC advertising to grow your business. We cover a range of topics and discuss practical... Listen to episode
Do you struggle with how to price your online products? Well, this episode will help. Pricing your product or service can be a challenge. Too cheap and you can’t make your rent, too expensive no one will buy. So what do you do? Pricing does not need to be a huge challenge … if you... Listen to episode
The Amazon publishing ecosystem is a great way to build your online audience — if you know what to do. Search and social media play an important part in growing your online audience. But what about Amazon? Even if you don’t sell physical goods, Amazon can play a vital role in helping you build your... Listen to episode
Running an affiliate marketing program can be tricky, especially when selling digital goods. So is it worth it? As online entrepreneurs, we are always on the lookout for ways to increase sales online. But what about affiliate marketing? Should it be in our marketing mix? At Rainmaker Digital, affiliate marketing has been an important part... Listen to episode
Email marketing has been the bedrock of online marketing. But with so many options available, can it still perform? Listen in and find out. Ask any online marketer about email marketing, and they will tell you it is the foundation, and driver, of their online sales. But with so many other communication channels available –... Listen to episode
Sure, getting traffic from search engines is important. But is it worth investing time in SEO to get that traffic? When you ask most digital entrepreneurs about SEO, you generally receive a mixed response. Some will say that traditional SEO no longer matters; too many changes from search engines, too much competition, and too little... Listen to episode
When it comes to creating a profitable online business, there are many options to consider. But is WordPress the right way to go? As some of you know, we are pretty big fans of WordPress. But is it the best way to start? And if you are committed to using WordPress, can you build a... Listen to episode
Are you looking for smarter ways to engage people in your online business? Then you will want to listen to this episode. With so many options to engage your website visitors and customers, you might be wondering which ones to focus on. Well have no fear, because in this new year, there is a way... Listen to episode
If you think that innovation is derived from a deep understanding of your customer, think again. In Clayton Christiansen’s new book – Competing Against Luck – he tackles the long held belief that innovation comes from understanding the customer. But based on his research, that thinking is wrong! His theory is that real innovation comes... Listen to episode
This week’s guest is a self-learner. She aspires to help people’s small businesses succeed beyond their wildest dreams by making social media marketing plain and simple to understand and implement. She is Laura Roeder, and she is a Digital Entrepreneur. In this episode, Laura walks you through her journey as a digital entrepreneur: How being... Listen to episode
This week’s guest is a visionary strategist for the digital age. She helps brands reach the next level by leveraging digital opportunities to drive meaningful results. She is Shama Hyder (aka the “Zen Master of Marketing”), and she is a Digital Entrepreneur. In this episode, Shama walks you through her journey as a digital entrepreneur... Listen to episode
This week’s guest specializes in helping small business owners and bloggers take their businesses to the next level. He wants to assist others in creating a strategy for long-term success. He is Seth Spears, and he is a Digital Entrepreneur. In this 34-minute episode, Seth walks you through his journey as a digital entrepreneur: How... Listen to episode
This week’s guest aspires to help you get your money right. He wants to assist others in taking back their purchasing power. He is Jarmar Dupas, and he is a Digital Entrepreneur. In this 35-minute episode, Jarmar walks you through his journey as a digital entrepreneur: The moment that got his ears “buzzing,” which got... Listen to episode
This week’s guest is obsessed. She has a burning passion for creating freedom in not only her life but also in the lives of others. She is Raubi Perilli, and she is a Digital Entrepreneur. In this 32-minute episode, Raubi walks you through her story as a digital entrepreneur: Why she learned to trust her... Listen to episode
What do advanced sports analytics have to do with digital commerce? Well, everything — at least when it comes to the story of Ed Feng and his site The Power Rank. In this 31-minute episode, Ed shares a number of lessons he has learned in his half decade as a digital entrepreneur: Why he’s so... Listen to episode
Sarah Morgan may rub some people the wrong way with her dedication to naps, her casual approach to online interaction, and the occasional curse word in an email. But make no mistake: she’s serious, works hard, and has found a way to create a lucrative digital business that keeps her, above all, entertained. In this... Listen to episode
This week’s guest on The Digital Entrepreneur remains wholeheartedly enthusiastic about captaining her own ship … even if, in her words, it’s a “rowboat” compared to the larger vessel for which she is an Executive VP. She’s spent the better part of this decade teaching savvy business owners how to boost their marketing skills, and... Listen to episode
This week’s guest on The Digital Entrepreneur is all about vitality. His focus is educating dog owners on natural practices that prevent pet illness effectively and sensibly. He helps people who want the best for their animals. He is … Will Falconer and he is a digital entrepreneur. In this 40-minute episode, Will and I... Listen to episode
This week’s guest on The Digital Entrepreneur is focused. Her focus is on creating a one-on-one relationship with every one of her customers. How? She’s doing so by utilizing Twitter to personally connect with her target customers. And those connections have driven the growth of her online business. In this 32-minute episode, Kayla Hollatz and... Listen to episode
This week’s guest on The Digital Entrepreneur wants to hug you … even if you hate him! He founded one of the world’s most popular online resources for marketers and business owners, hosts one of the world’s most influential social media and marketing podcasts, and is the author of several exceptional books. He is... Listen to episode
This week’s guest on The Digital Entrepreneur is determined. His goal is to help five billion people with their efforts to grow a business. How? He’s doing so by sharing as much content as he possibly can, and by providing valuable services to purpose-driven companies. He strives to be wealthy, not just in material things,... Listen to episode
This week’s guest on The Digital Entrepreneur is motivated. And he’s not just motivated to achieve his own goals, he’s motivated to help others achieve theirs as well. He’s uncovered two big secrets to getting more of the right things done. One is putting his back up against the wall. The other takes place every... Listen to episode
The freedom of digital entrepreneurship means something different to all of us. For Andrea Vahl, it has meant the freedom to be unafraid of being different, and build a business that shines a light on her talents. And she loves helping other people do the same. In this wide-ranging 36-minute episode, Andrea and I discuss:... Listen to episode
What are you trying to chase down right now in your business? This is a question my guest on this week’s episode asks himself constantly. And he’s here to share some wisdom that will help you chase your it down faster and better. In this 50-minute episode, Chris Ducker and I discuss: His speaking role... Listen to episode
This week, we talk to a man who describes himself as unable since birth to settle for how things should be.” He s a proud dad, a husband, and an online entrepreneur who loves creating, marketing, and selling cool things online. And he’s learned that simplicity and depth are the keys to consistently working on what... Listen to episode
Joanna Penn was a self-proclaimed “cubicle slave” who had a nagging feeling that she “should” be happy with her life, even though she wasn’t. So many digital entrepreneurs face similar feelings on their path to freedom. How did Joanna get from there to where she is now as a very successful, bestselling author entrepreneur? In... Listen to episode
It’s not enough to just be doing content and email marketing anymore. Those are merely the prerequisites to join the game. To have a chance at succeeding, you must be doing more — and in this episode of The Digital Entrepreneur, we discuss what that looks like in the present and near future. In this... Listen to episode
Joanna Wiebe of Copy Hackers joins us this week on The Digital Entrepreneur to offer up a handful of simple copywriting hacks that work especially well for digital products. Joanna knows a thing or two about copywriting for digital products. Not only is she a digital entrepreneur herself, but her company has worked with some... Listen to episode
Are you thinking of launching a membership site built around education? Do you already have one, and are looking for ways to take it to the next level? If you answered Yes to either question, then this episode will be for you. In this 28-minute episode, Jerod Morris is joined by Pamela Wilson, the Executive... Listen to episode
This may come as a shock, but Brian Clark is going to start publishing articles on a site other than the ones he owns. Find out where, his reasoning, and why this isn’t what you think it is. In this 26-minute episode, Brian Clark and Jerod Morris discuss: Brian’s decision to syndicate articles on Medium... Listen to episode
What is the biggest difference between a perpetually aspiring digital entrepreneur, who has all the ideas in the world … and a successful digital entrepreneur, who actually goes out and gets things done? Sonia Simone, Chief Content Officer and Founding Partner of Rainmaker Digital, says there are two factors; and the first one is the... Listen to episode
It might be time to adjust how you’re approaching your social media strategy — especially if your approach is focused solely on top-of-the-funnel activities like building awareness. However you’re currently approaching social media, this week’s guest has some insight that will help you get more out of the time and money you’re investing in social... Listen to episode
On this week s episode, we expound on the topic of WordPress product development by picking Brian Clark s brain on the topic. He’s spent the last decade developing themes, plugins, and now, of course, the Rainmaker Platform. So he has some lessons to share … In this 30-minute episode, Brian shares his insight on: The point... Listen to episode
Virtual Reality (VR) has been theorized and fantasized about for decades, perhaps even longer. Many of us have considered it a part of some still-off-in-the-distance future. But what if we told you … that the future is now? In this 26-minute episode, Brian Clark and Jerod Morris discuss: Our own personal (and very different) journeys... Listen to episode
Chris Lema knows plenty about creating successful digital products. He’s been doing it himself, and coaching others on the underlying process, for years. In this episode of The Digital Entrepreneur, we get some insight from Chris on the importance of starting your product development with the problem. Chris joins us on this episode via an... Listen to episode
When you inject paid advertising into a content marketing strategy, the fundamentals that helped you succeed with content marketing don’t go out the window. In fact, your ad strategy and your content marketing strategy will be more similar than you think. That is the topic of this week’s episode of The Digital Entrepreneur. In this... Listen to episode
If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times: don’t build your online business on rented land. From the world of online course marketplaces we get yet another example illustrating why this is so important. In this 14-minute episode, Brian Clark and Jerod Morris discuss: What the recent decision by Udemy means for... Listen to episode
Do you need a mobile app that is separate from your website? If you’ve built an audience online, you’ve probably pondered this question a time or two. The answer (still) hasn’t changed. In this 25-minute episode, Brian Clark, Jerod Morris, and Chris Garrett discuss: Whether Brian’s analysis from 2013 still holds true Why the future... Listen to episode
This is the fifth episode in our 5-part series on the essential elements of the modern marketing website. In it, we dive into the importance of testing and tracking when it comes to making the best decisions about the future of your digital business. In this 27-minute episode, Brian Clark, Jerod Morris, and Loryn Thompson... Listen to episode
This is the fourth episode in our ongoing series on the essential elements of the modern marketing website. Today we take the next step after access, and break it down by using free online courses as the perfect lead magnet for digital entrepreneurs. In this 22-minute episode, Brian Clark and Jerod Morris discuss: How free... Listen to episode
Robert Bruce and Chris Garrett join Jerod Morris on this week’s episode to discuss some real-life examples of what we discussed on last week’s episode. In this 37-minute episode Jerod, Robert, and Chris discuss: The evolution of the New Rainmaker strategy to sell the Rainmaker Platform The power of repurposing Why creating a logged-in course... Listen to episode
The modern marketing website offers more than static information, more that useful content -- it offers an experience. Access is what the experience is all about.
When your website delivers the right piece of content at the right time to the right person — and in the right format — you create experiences that pull people in and increase your chances of compelling registrations and driving sales. In this 33-minute episode, Brian Clark and Jerod Morris discuss: Why responsive design is... Listen to episode
Today, we begin our five-episode series breaking down the elements of the modern marketing website. We begin with an element that remains incredibly powerful, despite still getting overlooked far more than it should. In this 25-minute episode, Brian Clark and Jerod Morris discuss: Some impressive to stats to remind you of email’s omnipotence Why email... Listen to episode
Danny Margulies went from “wantrepreneur” to digital entrepreneur. First, he taught himself how to succeed as a freelancer. Then, he turned those lessons into a basic online course that taught others how to succeed as well. In January of 2016, his online course generated over $25,000 in revenue. (And that s not even the best month... Listen to episode
What are the essential elements that a website must have to create a user experience that leads to successful digital commerce? We introduce them in this week’s episode. In this 19-minute podcast, Brian Clark and Jerod Morris discuss: Why email still isn’t dead The important benefits of adaptive content (and why mobile responsive is no... Listen to episode
Are all entrepreneurs really digital entrepreneurs? A recent research paper posted this idea. We decided it would be the perfect jumping off point for the newest show on Rainmaker.FM: The Digital Entrepreneur. In this 20-minute episode, Brian Clark and Jerod Morris discuss: The big idea for this new show How we define the term “digital... Listen to episode
The dream of building a business around digital products and services is as old as the Internet itself. Unfortunately, the early days of “digital commerce” were overpopulated with snake oil promises and “Online Cash Machine” hype. Fortunately, things have changed: Sales of ebooks exceeded $5 billion in 2014 Online education is now a $15 billion... Listen to episode
In case you missed it, the company formerly known as Copyblogger Media is now Rainmaker Digital. This rebrand has been in the works for a while, and it became more obvious in the last year or so that we had outgrown our own company name. Even back in 2010 when we formed the company, I... Listen to episode
“Storytelling” and “empathy” have become business buzzwords, which is either hilarious or sad depending on your perspective. These two words, however, are at the root of what it means to be a human being. And yes, these two words are also the key to effective marketing of any kind. When you add in a strongly... Listen to episode
It s taken a while, but the startup world is starting to recognize the power of building an audience before building a product. That s music to our ears. That s the way our company grew out of a one-man blog. Back in 2012, while chronicling how that happened, I coined the term minimum viable audience, effectively tying... Listen to episode
Last week we talked about the concept of native commerce as a way to create content, build an audience, and ultimately find out what people will actually buy. It s about creating a unique experience for the right type of person, but how does that happen? I realized shortly after last week s episode went live that... Listen to episode
This podcast began with the mantra “media not marketing.” In other words, valuable online content does the job that marketing is supposed to do, but instead of people avoiding it, they seek it out. Once you have an audience, you can intelligently determine what people want to buy. Not with random ideas and guesswork, but... Listen to episode
Copyblogger.com started it all on this particular crazy portion of the journey. It s constantly evolved over the years, and it s about to take another giant step forward. When you strip away the fact that Copyblogger has historically been the mothership platform for our company, you realize that it s essentially a membership site with free and... Listen to episode
We’ve been talking a lot about the benefits of the “logged in experience” when it comes to email list building and marketing automation. There’s even more to it than that. Birthday boy Jerod Morris joins me for this episode to talk about interesting things we’ve spotted in the endless content stream related to digital commerce.... Listen to episode
We know about the power of content marketing to build audiences, inform what products and services to develop, and ultimately connect the two together. And whether you call it blogging or not, text remains a cornerstone of the online content mix. Darren Rowse is one of my favorite people. He’s been an inspiration, a business... Listen to episode
Digital + Recurring Revenue = Win. Easier said than done, right? As we discussed last week, digital products and services plus subscription revenue are The Two Components of The Perfect Online Business Model. Let’s talk a little more about the subscription side of things. This week, author and entrepreneur John Warrillow joins me as co-host,... Listen to episode
Many dream of starting a profitable online business. And that dream is more attainable and legitimate than ever. As digital commerce becomes the norm instead of an outlier, more entrepreneurs are attracted to creating purely digital products and services. More importantly, your prospective customers want the convenience and on-demand access that digital allows. Digital allows... Listen to episode
The need (and desire) for on-demand education has intensified, and will only continue into the future. But can you really make a living from it? To further our ongoing discussion about online education as a viable career and business model for content creators and entrepreneurs, I brought in a special co-host today. It’s Sonia Simone,... Listen to episode
There’s a huge shift happening in the world of on-demand online education. It’s commercial enterprises and savvy small businesses that are filling the demand for courses and lessons, rather than the typical institutions of learning. I saw an interesting article in Fast Company recently about jobs of the future. One job description caught my eye... Listen to episode
Here’s the too long, didn’t listen version … Authority Rainmaker was awesome (if we do say so ourselves). Especially Henry Rollins. We’re launching a whole bunch of new shows on Rainmaker.FM. This is exciting. Robert Bruce is leaving the show. He makes Benedict Arnold look like Arnold from Happy Days. In this 34-minute episode Robert... Listen to episode
The biggest myth around about Millennials is that they don’t use email. Fact is, the average young person checks email more often than most older people. But that doesn’t mean Millennials are reading your email. Rather, there’s a good chance that your email is getting deleted unread, prompting an unsubscribe, or worst of all, marked... Listen to episode
Recent research shows that the human brain can detect confidence in your voice in 0.2 seconds — faster than the blink of an eye. And it’s confidence that influences the listener to give you attention and perceive authority. It’s an interesting finding, especially with the mainstream emergence of podcasting. We’ve already discussed how audio is... Listen to episode
It’s the new thing: 1. Start a podcast. 2. Attract an audience. 3. ??? 4. Profit! Sounds a lot like blogging in 2006. Problem is, with the exception of a few huge sites, it didn’t really work out that way for most bloggers. Which is why thinking in terms of content marketing and developing your... Listen to episode
The online education industry will rake in 107 billion in 2015. And with the sale of Lynda.com to LinkedIn for $1.5 billion, the commercial sector is leading and pulling away from traditional institutions in the “just in time” education market. People want online courses, and they’ll clearly pay for them. And if great content marketing... Listen to episode
One day we’ll look back at this period in history as the big swindle known as social media marketing. But on the upside, we’ll also view these times as the point where companies big and small realized the importance of owning their own home base and enticing prospects not only to visit, but to experience.... Listen to episode
The world of marketing is being turned on its head. Instead of messaging that promises an experience, effective marketing must itself begin the experience ...
What can digital media producers learn from “old” media and the people who’ve been creating it for decades? Almost everything. One of the recurring themes we talk about around this company is the critical importance of becoming the producer of your own media, building your own media asset, building your own audience. Why? On one... Listen to episode
In previous episodes, we’ve discussed the “why” of starting a podcast (or podcast network). In this one, we talk about the “how.” As many of you know by now, it has been almost two weeks since we launched this on-demand audio network called Rainmaker.FM. Thanks to you, things have gone pretty well in that time.... Listen to episode
Your email list is the most valuable asset for an online business. There’s a lot to consider when maximizing the number of people who sign up, but sometimes you have to also focus on getting enough people to see your opt-in the first place. Noah Kagan has spent over $2 million on Facebook ads while... Listen to episode
Back in 2005, I came up with the idea for Copyblogger, a site that taught people how to create text content and copy to sell products and services. Right … everyone knows that. But did you know a competing idea was to instead start a podcast? To say that would have been the wrong move... Listen to episode
I vividly remember the first time I heard Black Flag. It was in a kid named Mike Goodman s bedroom, and the record was called Damaged. That s how it was pre-Internet in suburban Houston. If it wasn t on the radio or MTV, it was invisible–unless some cool kid turned you on to something new (who probably... Listen to episode
What’s the reality of search engine optimization after the Google Hummingbird update? Can someone destroy your business with negative SEO? Did Google kill the concept of AuthorRank when it eliminated the Authorship initiative? For these types of questions, there’s no better person to ask than Danny Sullivan, founder of Search Engine Land and Marketing Land,... Listen to episode
Brian and I have been talking about his new email newsletter lately, and I thought it’d be interesting to have a similar conversation with someone in a completely different topical market. It’s about one person writing and curating a topic he knows and cares about, building a massive email audience over a period of four... Listen to episode
This week, Robert and I put on our commentary caps to take on subjects that have been in the news. Plus, we reveal what’s in the very near future for Rainmaker.FM (think big). The main story this week is all too familiar … short-cut marketers are the reason we can’t have nice things. Now, apparently,... Listen to episode
The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. ~ Mark Twain That Twain guy was pretty smart. But he had to rely on the intuition that comes from years of writing to choose the right word, and even then it was still a... Listen to episode
Today we tackle the eternal question: how do you get traffic to your curation site so you can build an email list? The answers may surprise you ...
This week we focus on the essential element of a smart content curation project, and what you must do before investing serious resources in driving traffic.
People appreciate content curation and will sign up by email ... if you make sure you're doing these five things well.
2014 was a pivotal year for Copyblogger Media. We … Launched a Pilot program for our Rainmaker Platform using a podcast Evolved the platform to version 2.0 during the Pilot phase Arrived at the 8-figure level for annual revenue, up 34% For an added twist, we tried things, observed, learned, and made changes on the... Listen to episode
Seth Godin is the author of 17 bestselling books. He’s the founder of email marketing pioneer Yoyodyne, and the charity-driven publishing platform Squidoo. And he’s the selfless dispenser of daily wisdom via the most popular marketing blog on the planet. But if you had to sum Seth up in one word, it might well be... Listen to episode
Michael Hyatt is the former Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the seventh largest trade book publishing company in the U.S. In fact, Hyatt has been involved in the traditional publishing business his entire working life. Not the typical profile of a do-it-yourself blogger, right? And yet, in 2012 when Thomas Nelson was acquired... Listen to episode
David Siteman Garland has discovered the secret to creating a popular and profitable podcast, as well as the successful online business it fuels.
In 2008, Pat Flynn was happily employed by an architectural firm. And then, like a lot of people in 2008, just like that … out of a job. It was the best thing that ever happened to him. Since that point, Pat has built a business that supports his family through blogging and podcasting. And... Listen to episode
You’d expect a guy who’s started five multi-million dollar businesses from scratch to know a thing about marketing that works. And then, of course, he’d write the book on it. In this case, the guy is Jay Baer, and the book is Youtility, a guide so useful for effective marketing it’s becoming a franchise unto... Listen to episode
It’s no secret that I’m a tireless advocate for the creation of original content to fuel business growth. My next online project, however, is based on … curation. You read that right. I’m starting a new site, and the centerpiece of my content strategy will be locating and making sense of the smartest articles, audio,... Listen to episode
Before you get down to business online, you need to find the topic(s) and market(s) that can support that business. And, after answering your questions on digital sharecropping and content curation, that’s exactly what Brian and I get into on this week’s episode of Rainmaker FM. Listen in and check out the seven-part process for... Listen to episode