Podcast – Ray Edwards

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Even with the often overwhelming amount of skills required to run a successful business, I still maintain that Writing is the one to rule them all...but, why? Before I answer, let me point out the fact that I'm calling this a "skill", not a "talent". Talents are innate, whereas skills can be learned. This is an important distinction to note because it is a common misconception that great writers are born, not made. I do agree that this skill is easier to develop for some, tougher for others, but nonetheless, whatever your starting point, you can intentionally improve your ability to write persuasively, and THAT is an incredible skill to possess. Listen and I'll explain it all in less than 5 minutes.

Key Insights

Why am I sure that Writing is the most important skill?
Writing is the engine that drives your business
Robert Caro's book The Power Broker is an incredible example of writing skill (and care, and dedication)
Having the "Gift of Gab", or ability to drop witty quips on social, is not the same as persuasive writing
Share valuable information that intentionally leads people to your product or service
Improve your skills next week (9/23) at the free Words Into Wealth Challenge
Get people to pay you to help them by helping them first.
Develop this skill and it will pay you back for the rest of your life
VIP tickets for the challenge are available for only $47 - Click Here To Get Yours

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/666

Links

The Words Into Wealth Challenge starts Monday, 9/23. I guarantee this will improve your ability to write persuasively, and I'll show you how to use AI to multiply your productivity while maintaining your creativity, personality, and voice (that's the part that nearly everyone is getting wrong). The Challenge is 100% Free, but I am offering a VIP upgrade for only $47. VIP's get an extra hour with me each day, live via Zoom, to get ALL of their specific questions answered. Even at this low price, I'm still offering a money-back guarantee. Details Here.
The Power Broker: The amazing Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Robert Caro. Check it out Here

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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What would you do if you found yourself over $100 Million in debt at the age of 62? Would you just wait to die, and let the living deal with the aftermath...Or would you start digging yourself out of the hole? In this episode, I want to share the story of Karl Eller. It's a quick story with a powerful message about possibilities, and not giving up. It's also a great reminder about the thing we mostly see as a handicap, age, and how it can give us an incredible power - Experience. Key Insights

Karl started work at an outdoor advertising company
After learning and building for 16 years, he sold his company to Gannett - the company that owned USA Today
He spent 3 years running Columbia Pictures
While looking for something to do, Karl and a small group of investors decide to get into the convenient store business
He built Circle K to be the 2nd biggest chain of convenient stores in the world, second only to 7-11
Circle K began losing money, eventually costing Karl his entire personal fortune (over $500m), and leaving him $100M in debt.
Karl headed back to Arizona where he purchased a small outdoor advertising company
In 5 years, he was able to sell that company to Clear Channel Communications for over a billion dollars

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/665

Links

Karl Eller on Wikipedia

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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I've known this week's guest for many years...Long enough to have seen her go from financial struggle, to now having a day's revenue that surpasses what used to be her annual income. How did she do it? One of the big "secrets" involves a struggle that I see in nearly every class I teach, or mastermind I participate in: Facing the fear of "high-ticket offers". Most people seem to have settled on an arbitrary number that defines the value of their product or service as they see it. Any significant amount above that number seems impossible. They'll sell products for less than a hundred bucks with the hopes of maybe selling something special for $500 (or whatever arbitrary number they have chosen). Anything higher than their magic number causes panic. I can almost hear the objections: "But Ray, I don't have anything that I could offer for more than $500. That's a primo price for me." That's what you have decided, but Anita has some ideas that may change your mind. Key Insights

When a medical emergency put the primary earner out of commission, Anita had to make a change
Understand the value ladder, prioritize high ticket offers, and focus on delivering results to attract high ticket clients and build a successful business (pretty much the inverse of what most people are doing)
Hard work isn't the key to making more (thank God...we only have so many hours in a day)
Understand the 4 levels of wealth
Focus on level three and level four activities for wealth creation, create high ticket offers, have fun in business, and understand terminology in online communities to maximize success and avoid financial issues
Focus on serving your past self, acknowledge progress, invest in self-education, surround yourself with high-level thinkers for personal and business growth
Learn how to target millionaires, create high ticket offers, and attract the right buyers to build a successful business and attract clients with higher expectations.
Learn how to use copywriting and entrepreneurial skills to create high ticket offers and virtual events
Collaborate with partners to expand your audience
Craft engaging content that leads to buying decisions.

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/664

Links

Elite Entrepreneurs Events Masterclass - Come join Anita and me for this FREE masterclass and discover how to Unlock 6 & 7 Figure Months (and then days) with High-Ticket Offers & Virtual Events
VIP Upgrade for Elite Entrepreneurs Events Masterclass - If you're joining us for the masterclass, I strongly suggest you upgrade to join us in the VIP room. This gives you the chance to interact, ask questions, and get answers! (only $47)

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Some businesses seem to be stuck on the Struggle Bus. They putter along as far as they can go until...Poof. The ride is over. The business is no more. Why is this? How can it be so easy for some and seemingly impossible for others? I believe there are 5 things you must recognize and control if you want to ditch the struggle and enjoy success - And that's what I'm sharing with you on this week's episode.

5 Momentum Makers That Move Mountains

Mindset - This is not some new-aged hooey. Your mindset determines who you are, and who you are capable of becoming. You must nurture it if you want to be successful (and have the ability to enjoy that success)
Mastery of a High Value Skill - Commit to the path of Mastery - Be hard to replace!
Mechanism - What is the "tool set" you use to get the work done.
Marketing - Marketing is NOT selling or promotion. Marketing is the act of intentionally influencing the beliefs of your niche through content that you create, that aligns with your offers
Money - The result of amplifying the problem you solve for your people, and the pain you relieve.

Video and Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/663

Links

Words Into Wealth Challenge: Discover How Words Create Wealth, Changing Your Words Can Change Your Income, and How Using AI the Right Way Can Help You Do It 100X Faster. This Challenge beings Monday, 7/29. Click Here for the full schedule and details.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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I've certified many copywriters who hold degrees in professions not associated with writing – Physicians, attorneys, engineers... In fact, I've had relatively few students with any professional writing experience. If you've ever thought about trading your current career for a writing career, but the transition seemed impossible, my guest this week may inspire you to follow your heart. Camille Pardo abandoned her "draining" teaching career to pursue a profitable passion – Copywriting. Camille has had this passion for writing since childhood, but those around her encouraged her to choose a career that was more practical. That's understandable since the odds of your child being the next J. K. Rowling are slim to none. Why not point them in a direction that leads to a more practical and sustainable career? Listen to Camille Pardo share the story of leaving her practical, sustainable teaching profession, and becoming a successful, work-from-anywhere, full-time copywriter.

Key Insights

An early passion for writing was squelched for the sake of practicality
Entering the respectable, dependable, and always-in-demand profession of teaching
The book that changed her path (okay, it was probably more than the book, but I'll take partial credit)
Leaving a career when you're in your 30's - What will your family and friends think?
Can copywriting satisfy the desire to be a great storyteller, or is it all Open Rates and Clicks?
Certification required work - was it worth it?
Dealing with month one's discouraging, zero-dollar income
How (and why) to Show up and Serve
"There's something really cool about going all in."
How Camille can help you improve your emails (link below)

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/662

Links

Become a Certified Copywriter - Ready to start your own writing journey? My accelerated Certification Program is the fastest way to a profitable new career in writing. Great copywriters are in demand! Learn how to properly use the latest AI tech to enhance your productivity. Plus, get a chance to experience my private Mastermind, live in Spokane, WA (details here) - This opportunity disappears 7/4/24, so don't wait!
Camille's 7-Step Guide to Writing Better Emails - Want more opens? More clicks? Camille's guide is easy-to-follow and full of excellent advice. Grab it now!

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Who are you, and why are you here? That’s the question my podcast guest, Graham Cochrane, is helping us answer today. “Most of us,” Says Graham, “are living a life crafted by other people: family, social media, societal expectations, etc. We’ve conformed to the patterns of everyone around us without even meaning to.” Graham shows how to truly create YOUR life of freedom, joy, and meaning—on your terms, not someone else’s. During this conversation, he walks us through his simple five-part framework, and you will discover how to create the life you’ve always wanted.

Key Insights

Wake up from the world’s sleepy autopilot way of living
Leave behind a legacy that others will want to emulate
Stick to a set of values as you navigate the big decisions in life
Determine what your ideal life looks like (in your work, business, relationships, finances, health)--and chart a path to get there
Dismantle harmful mental scripts and limiting beliefs that have kept you stuck (potentially for years)
Figure out what your dreams really are (or perhaps dream for the first time)

Video and Transcript

Links

Rebel: Find Yourself by Not Following the Crowd - The upcoming book from Graham Cochrane. Like I said, this guy is the real deal and I can't wait to get my hands on this book. There are some great reasons to preorder - Check Them Out Here

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Many technological advances come with a healthy dose of fear, and that has definitely been the case with AI - especially with writers and artists. "Why would someone pay me when they can just ask an AI to generate something for them at virtually no cost?" This week, I have an answer...one that gives me the right to gloat a bit. Since the beginning of the A.I. craze, I have maintained that A.I. is a tool...An extremely powerful tool that works best when wielded by a skilled artist. On this episode, you'll hear about an "A.I. Artist" who is making $1,500 an hour using this tool - and he's completely upfront about who (or what) is doing the heavy lifting.

Key Insights

A.I. will help us, not hurt us (IF we use it correctly)
My earlier email from the Daily Ray (details below)
Use A.I. as your "Unfair Advantage"
The article about the titular artist (linked below)
Why didn't the company just use the same tools the artist used?
"We don't care how he makes it. We only care that the end user enjoys our game." (let that soak in)
Sign up for our upcoming free workshop about building your writing business

Transcript and Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/660

Links

Yahoo News Article: On which this episode was based
Writing Business Roadmap: This FREE Online Class is hosted by Ray Edwards, who writes and creates marketing campaigns for top leaders like Michael Hyatt, Amy Porterfield, Stu McLaren, Donald Miller, Jeff Walker, Tony Robbins, and many more. Ray will “pull back the curtain” and reveal how to run your own writing business, based on the proven systems and tools that he uses himself. Register now and get a free BONUS report: 10 Copywriting Packages You Can Sell to Clients (and pricing strategy & suggestions)
The Daily Ray: Every day, my goal is to send you something that you're glad you took the time to read. Subscribe at the bottom of this page (No spam...unsubscribe anytime if you're not a fan)

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Economic "Tough Times" are here, but not yet fully here. What can you do to protect yourself and your business? I've got some wisdom to share from someone who's been through tough economic times before...Me. This week, I'll give you the 7 moves you should make right now to not just survive, but thrive in this economy. I make no claims to be a financial expert, and I'm not handing out any investment advice or the like. What I'm sharing today are 7 things that I'm doing to prepare for a tougher economy which seems to be looming ahead.

Some of these are so simple that you may be tempted to skip them...don't. I'm doing everything I can to make sure that my business continues to thrive while weathering any storms that lie ahead, including each and every one of these steps:

Recognize the season - For the world, for you, and for your business
Check the Basics of your business - Know the state of your List, Traffic, Conversion, and Retention
Gather Your Assets - Get an accurate read of what your assets really are
Go Premium - Shift to premium offers for premium clients
Be Essential - Put yourself in your client's shoes...could you live without you, or would you get cut?
See the Opportunity in Adversity - Sounds bad, but it's not. People struggling need help. Provide them the help that you are able to render.
Guard Your Mind - Disconnect from the news, the social sewers, and as much negativity as possible. Be conscious of what you're feeding your brain. Worry solves nothing.

Click Here For The Video and Transcript

Links

The One Person, $1-Millon Virtual Workshop: Registration closes soon for this unique, three-day virtual workshop meticulously designed for coaches and consultants, online educators, membership owners, or budding entrepreneurs like you. We're here to guide you in scaling your business to a One-Person $1-Million per year operation, without the need for additional employees or stress.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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I want to talk to you about the incredible power of writing. The power of storytelling. And how it can help you connect with your divine purpose. Yes, even if the writing you do is marketing or sales copy. That’s the subject of this week’s podcast episode. In the podcast, I propose the idea that we writers are, in a sense, prophets. And as prophets, we are tasked with spreading a message of love, hope, and purpose to the world … through our work. I know it’s a little “out there” - but it’s short.

Books that inspired me to become a writer (a storyteller)
Writers create Worlds
We should transport our readers, viewers, and listeners to somewhere good
I literally copied people's work...but not to steal - to learn
Regardless of the business you're in, you're telling a story
Writing is not a job...it's a noble calling
Whatever you're writing, do it as an act of devotion
Your words have power

Transcript and Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/658

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Let me preface this by acknowledging that most people (myself included) cannot instantly, and completely "disconnect" for two weeks. In my case, I had a full two years of notice, and it still wasn't easy. Back in 2022, my wife and I decided to actually take the trip we'd been talking about taking for decades: A trip to the Netherlands. We purchased a non-refundable, non-transferable, two-week package for the two of us. I was committed. No turning back. Like any driven entrepreneur, I had concerns about how well my business would run without me. 14 days of being off-the-radar...How could I possibly plan for every scenario? How could I deal with all of the "what if's" that were consuming my thoughts? Short answer...I couldn't. I had to trust that my business, my team, and my normal life, would all be waiting for me when I returned. And, guess what...I'm back, everything is intact, and I am much improved. I (and probably you, to some degree) have an addiction to staying connected. For the first week of our trip, I had to stifle my little bouts of anxiety until I could completely let go, and be fully present with my wife, her family, the amazing people I met, and my unusual surroundings. My memories of this adventure are clear – unclouded by "doom scrolling", work check-ins, and phone calls. This internet-free clarity allowed me to jot down a few observations that I thought were worthy of sharing. That's what I have for you on this week's episode.

5 Things I Learned After Being Unplugged For 14 Days

Endless striving does not produce more freedom - It produces more bondage
The best, intentional marketing campaign is simply to help people
The best way to get a bigger vision of the world is to "get out in it"
Recreation re-creates us
Writers will save the world

Transcript of this Episode

rayedwards.com/657

Listen to get the complete breakdown of each of these observations. I'll be back next week with another fresh episode.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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This week's episode is Part 3 of my Writer's Rewind Series, and it's all about why your copy isn't performing the way you think it should. There's a reason it isn't converting, and most likely, it's one (or more) of the 5 reasons I'm about to give you. Listen to learn what they are, and how to fix them.

5 Reasons Your Copy Is Failing

Failure to understand the "P" in the P.A.S.T.O.R. Framework
Not doing enough research
Not dealing with competing solutions
Your not getting the offer right
Not enough editing, revising and rewriting your copy

Transcript of This Episode:

https://www.rayedwards.com/656

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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This is part 2 of the "Writer's Rewind" series. I'm devoting this month to covering some of the fundamentals of great copy, and in the case of this week's episode, why copy itself is so fundamentally important to the success of your business, regardless of what that business is. This episode was originally released almost a decade ago (the day I celebrated my 50th birthday). I must admit, I was pleased that none of this content is "outdated". All the reasons I gave to support my claim are no less true today than they were then.

Five Reasons Why Copywriting is the Most Important Skill For Any Business

It costs nothing, but returns can be huge
It can generate instant cash infusions
Copy builds stabilized income streams
Write once, profit indefinitely
Copy provides strategic positioning

Links

The Membership Experience - Part 2 of Stu McLaren's once-a-year training workshop is happening later today (4/8/24). If you're seeing this on that day, count yourself lucky and grab your free seat. This is must-see training for anyone who is interested in creating recurring revenue for their business. It's live at 3 p.m. Eastern, and I highly recommend watching the live stream if possible. Stu typically has "bonus content" that doesn't make the replay, but if the replay is all you can get, take it!
Get the transcript for this episode

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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This week’s podcast is a refresher on the core basics of writing persuasive copy (and everything is copy — it’s not ONLY sales pages and emails). If you can write effective sales copy, you can literally write your own paycheck. There really should be no such thing as a “broke copywriter”. And there should be no such thing as a business owner or entrepreneur who is NOT a copywriter. By definition, good copywriters can create money out of thin air. So this leads to a very important question: why does copy so often fail? Fear not, Grasshopper. I have the answer… There are universal psychological triggers that help you sell more effectively. Certainly, there are universal principles to writing persuasive sales copy. After all, as John E. Kennedy taught us, copywriting is mere “salesmanship in print”. You can hardly “swing a cat” these days without hitting a copywriter who has a “formula” for writing copy. Most of these formulas are actually quite good. BUT… The formula I'm going to share with you today is intentionally based on these universal principles (which many of the cocky young yellow belts in the copywriting dojo are not even aware of). Thus … back to you “PASTOR-ing” your customers. Most people associate the term “pastor” with the preacher at church. While this is certainly true in most cases, the original meaning of the word “pastor” was actually “to shepherd”. And what does the shepherd do? He or she cares for, feeds, and protects the flock. Now, before we go any further, I should address the habit that some marketers have of referring to their customers as their “herd”. It seems to paint an unflattering picture. That kind of imagery is not what I am invoking here. The actual role of a shepherd is a loving, caring, and protective one. In fact, Jesus, who called himself the “Good Shepherd”, actually laid down his life for his flock. I am certainly not suggesting any religious overtones for your copy: what I am suggesting is that you adopt the same loving, caring, and protective role as you write copy for your prospects and customers. And, as you might've guessed, P.A.S.T.O.R. is also an acronym for pieces of your copy. Here is the explanation:

"P" is for PROBLEM
"A" is for AMPLIFY
"S" is for STORY and SOLUTION
"T" is for TRANSFORMATION and TESTIMONY
"O" is for OFFER
"R" is for RESPONSE

I’ll promise you this: If you apply the mindset of being a shepherd to your readers, and you follow the sequence of the P.A.S.T.O.R formula, my prediction is you will experience more sales, more profits, and more happy customers… more often.

Links

Read This Or Die - Click to check out my new book, Read This Or Die, where I show you the sales letter I wrote to myself (that saved my life.)
Complete Transcript - Visit the show notes page for a complete transcript of this episode

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Who else wants to reduce your financial stress and create a stable source of income from your business? This is the way: shift to a membership-based business model.

I know what you might be thinking: “Geez, Uncle Ray… that sounds complicated, and anyways… ain’t everybody sick of all the subscriptions?”

My answers are: it doesn't have to be complicated, and I can prove it to you. And yes, we are all tired of subscriptions… except for the ones we love. The ones you will only cancel when someone pries them from your cold, dead fingers. Like my Chewy.com subscription (my pugs LOVE their Chewy.com treats)... or my Paramount+ (because.. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds).

You and I need to wise up, and start building recurring revenue streams NOW - cause the coming year is gonna get all kinds of crazy.

My guest this week is the world’s #1 expert in creating recurring revenue for virtually ANY business, Stu McLaren. Key Insights

Why recurring revenue should be the goal of any business or entrepreneur (duh!)
The "death" of TicToc in the US? What would happen to the nearly 7,000,000 businesses that depend on it?
Every business has vulnerabilities - a membership with stable, recurring revenue gives you the ultimate insurance policy
The 4 types of memberships - Product based (e.g. Dollar Shave Club). Service based (e.g. car washes, massage therapy) Knowledge based (helping people solve an ongoing problem, or master a skill. e.g. guitar training) Community based (uniting people with common interests)
Two things that make your members stay: Consumption and Results
If you think your business doesn't fit this model, it's time to shift your mindset. Ask yourself, "How can I continue to serve my customers?"
Stu's live, once-a-year membership training starts April 4th. (Link below)

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/653

Links

The Membership Experience: This is Stu McLaren's live, once-a-year training and it's absolutely free to attend. If recurring revenue is what you're after, but have no idea where to start - This is where to start!

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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On last week's episode, I boldly declared, "Writing gets you everything you want." This week, I'm giving you some proof of how that has been true in my life. You may already be thinking, "But Ray, you're a writer...of course writing has been important in your career." The thing is, the proof I'm offering today has nothing to do with writing jobs. I wasn't hired to be a writer, but my writing is what got me hired, kept me working, got me promotions, and many other opportunities I would not have gotten otherwise. Okay, enough of the preamble, let's get to the proof...

Key Insights

Where I came from (and why I didn't want to stay there)
My early marketing lessons - promoting family businesses
Writing increased my value in the radio business - it made me less expendable
Clients loved me because I wrote ads that made them money
My pitch for a six-figure job was written with the same sales-letter tactics I use today
My writing made me a sought-after talent in my industry
My long (50+ pages) pitch for a job with Citadel Broadcasting made me more than a half million dollars in personal income (not bad for a non-writing job)
My writing has allowed me to meet, learn from, and even teach many of my mentors
Subscribe to The Daily Ray for valuable tips, interesting observations, and occasional offers

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/652

Links

Subscribe to The Daily Ray

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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This week, I'm answering some of the most common questions I'm receiving from listeners, viewers, and readers. Since they keep coming up (some for many years), I feel that my answers will be helpful to more than just those who took the time to ask. If I missed anything (or Heaven forbid, you disagree), feel free to leave a comment, or reach out to support@rayedwards.com.

Key Insights

What do I do in this economy? This question doesn't always end with "economy"...It could be any number of this's...this election year, this time of civil unrest, this whatever... Be aware of what's happening in the world around you, and make sure you're playing both the short-term and long-term game. Do the work you're being paid for today, and plant the seeds for the income you will reap in the future.
What if I don't like my business anymore? - Remember this: You should never make long-term, life-altering decisions based on a current "bad season" in your work. In other words, be sure you actually don't enjoy what you're doing, and you're not just reacting to some current, emotion-fueled unpleasantness. At the end of the day, you don't need anyone's permission to do something else (unless you have a spouse...then you probably want to bring them into the loop).
How do I build my business the right way? - Life is not a flowchart. There is no step-by-step plan I can hand you for this. And yes, I teach people proven business plans, BUT, at the end of the day, the "right way" is "their way". That's why most of the time, I teach those plans in an interactive format (like my upcoming workshop) so I can answer the questions that help attendees translate what they learn into their plan.
If you could only give me 1 piece of advice to guide me through building my own business, what would it be? - Writing is the way to get everything you want in life. I'm not exclusively talking about copywriting. Tune in for my complete breakdown of why that's my answer.

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/651

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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You create content to build an audience...not the other way around!

This week, I'm proposing that you create your content for an audience of one, and my guest, Jody Maberry, is living proof that this strategy works. There are only two ingredients to this recipe:

Do content that you're passionate about.
Show Up.

It's as simple as that. And, if you have any doubts about your abilities or my advice, perhaps Jody's story will boost your confidence in both. Key Insights

You don't need a big audience to launch
Jody started his podcast for park rangers with an audience of zero
Read Kevin Kelly's book: 1,000 True Fans (linked below)
Jody built another podcast literally for 1 specific person
Do consistent production about content you're passionate about
Don't concern yourself with audience size - be consistent. Show up!

Youtube And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/650

Links

1,000 True Fans: An excellent book by Kevin Kelly
JodyMaberry.com: Visit to learn more about today's guest, Jody Maberry
In The Front Row: Jody's podcast that was literally created for 1 person (his son)
Dry Creek Wrangler on YouTube: A great example of how passionate content beats fancy production (even if he's not your cup of tea, check out his number of subscribers)

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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I very often get some form of this question: "Is 58 too late to ____?" The number is arbitrary, and this line of questioning can go on and on... Am I too old? Am I too fat? Am I too thin? Am I too shy? Am I too...whatever. This week, I'm giving you my best answer to all of those questions.

Key Insights

Many people are asking if it's "too late"
What is your purpose?
Purpose drives persistenceRaving fans beat satisfied customers
Build your personal brand based on who you really are
Not being everybody's cup of tea is the whole point
Personal branding gives you the power to leave a lasting impact on others
Personal branding allows you to be a category of one
Use the Social Media Amplification Effect
Personal branding brings you continuous growth
Great platform from which you can start a coaching or membership program

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/649

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Many Christians are culturally programmed to feel guilty about wealth, but is poverty God's plan for us? No!

Today I propose that God wants you to prosper in all things that are good, including business (and I have the verses to prove it).

We are engaged in a spiritual battle
Poverty is spiritual warfare
Read I Thessalonian's chapter 4, beginning with verse 9
"Brotherly Love" is a core concept of our faith
Relationships based on love and unity create an environment where poverty dissipates
We can overcome the chains of poverty and help free others as well
Live with integrity and win trust
These principles apply whether you're a Christian or not

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/648

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Uh oh...January 1 has come and gone. Is it too late to make plans for a better New Year? Of course not. Regardless of how far along Earth may be in its journey around the sun, you are free to implement these 7 P's that will make for a more prosperous future.

Prepare - physically, mentally, emotionally for the things you know are coming up in your life and in your business. You know what needs to be prepared, just do it.
Propose - The more offers you make, the more money you make
Promote - Your customer never knows as much about your products as you do - Promote what you're selling more often
Prove - Have your clients be your preponderance of proof
Promise - Promise the results you KNOW you can deliver
Produce - Produce the results you promise
Preeminence - Be so good at what you do that you become a category of one

Video and Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/647

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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This week I'm giving you a simple, 5-step process to help make 2024 the best year your business has ever had. Of course, I said "simple"...not easy. The toughest pill for most business owners to swallow is this: You probably need to stop doing 20-50% of what you're doing right now.

In other words, take a look at 2023 and figure out what things gave you the least ROI. What things took the most of your resources and returned anything less than "worth it". That's the prep work...Listen to get my 5-step plan.

Key Insights

Stop doing the things that don't produce a good return on your time and efforts
Plan Your Year
Plan your time off (commit!)
Plan for the things you can't control (holidays, etc.)
Plan your content schedule
Plan your promotional schedule
Setup accountability and guidance for you as the leader (e.g. a coach or mentor)

Links

The Copywriting Academy Live 2024 - As a listener of my podcast, you have earned a free invitation to experience my flagship training, live, with no investment other than your time and attention. The Copywriting Academy Live happens January 3-6, 2024. If that date has not yet passed, I strongly advise you check this out.

Video and Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/646

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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In this week's episode, I'm talking about a single, magic word that has the power to reduce your stress and give you more time to do the things that matter to you. What is this "Magic Word" ? "No" People seem to have no issue asking for our time, our attention, our money, etc. But for some reason, we often feel bad about saying no. It makes us feel like we're not doing our part, or being negative, or a bad person. "No" is just a response. It's neither good nor bad, but learning to use it can have a huge impact on your life. Key Insights

Saying "no" doesn't mean you're a negative person with a negative attitude...it's just a response
No need to make up excuses. This is a complete sentence: "No."
Using the word "because" in your response can lead to less pushback
Saying No to things you don't want to do gives you more time to say yes to the things you do want to do

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/645

Links

The Copywriting Academy Live: Kick off 2024 with radical change and massive progress. Join me for The Copywriting Academy Live virtual event, January 3-5. We'll get your copy finished and ready-for-launch, plus you'll master some incredible tools that will make you more productive than ever before.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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It's almost that time of year... Time to declare big changes for 2024! And then abandon those declarations in a few short weeks. I'm not trying to be negative, but the reality is: It's hard to make significant changes in ourselves. Only 3% of people stick to their big resolutions. But why? That's what we'll take a look at in this week's episode. Change is possible...and it can be much easier than you think. Key Insights

Change happens when the pain of not changing is greater than the difficulty of making the change.
The fear of not changing is often overshadowed by immediate gratification, making it difficult for people to prioritize long-term consequences over short-term pleasure.
To change, you need to make the future pain of not changing more real than the current pleasure.
People don't change unless they associate significant pain with not changing and take ownership of their ability to change.
Some people can learn to love pain through conscious choice and association with pleasure.
Choose activities that you enjoy to make change easier.
Enjoy the process of pushing yourself to achieve your goals, not just the end result.

5 Steps For Real Change

Decide what it is you want to do
Get clear on why it's important to you
Figure out how you're going to get to the outcome
Associate massive pleasure to the process of getting there
Associate massive pain to not doing the process

Links

The Copywriting Academy Live - Kick off 2024 with radical change and massive progress. Join me for The Copywriting Academy Live virtual event, January 3-5. We'll get your copy finished and ready-for-launch, plus you'll master some incredible tools that will make you more productive than ever before.

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/644

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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The P.A.S.T.O.R. Framework® is the formula I use to craft every piece of sales copy I write. It is also the most "borrowed" piece of knowledge that I've ever taught. I've seen it shared in countless blog posts, videos, and forums around the net (often without proper attribution, but that's okay...I guess). The thing is, to really use this formula effectively, you need to learn a little more than just what each letter of the acronym stands for. This week, I'm diving deeper into each step of the process with a P.A.S.T.O.R. "mini" Masterclass. Listen carefully, put these concepts to work, and you WILL sell more of your stuff.

Key Insights

A review of the PASTOR Framework®
Diving Deeper ... Talk to your "Right-Fit" client
KNOW Your Person as well as possible, then talk to THEM, not to a group - Describe THEIR problem
Describe the Pain as they perceive it
What's going to happen if the problem (the Pain) goes unsolved?
Show them what's possible when the problem is solved
Tell them the story of Why they should listen to
Describe your experience...tell the story of how you discovered the solution
Show the transformation that happened for you (AND share the stories of others when you have them)
Paint the picture of possibility - What would their life look like once your product has solved their problem
Always focus on the benefits - Even if the offer
Reframe the objections as questions...and answer them
What are the reasons they should act Right NOW?
Explain the cost of waiting
Don't forget to actually ASK for the Sale

Video and Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/643

Links

AI Marketing Academy Live - “Master the Power of AI to Multiply Your Income, Influence, and Impact … In 3 Short Days.” If you're looking at this prior to 1/3/24, you still have a chance to sign up. How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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I have previously claimed that Writer's Block does not exist. That was true for me at least...until recently. What happened? How could my seemingly endless well of ideas and words suddenly run dry? This week I'm sharing the cause, and the cure.

Key Insights

Expressing my gratitude for you in this season of thanks
Suddenly self-conscious
Age is NOT a handicap in this arena. There is value in your wisdom
Accept who you are and embrace your imperfections
Be a source of positivity online and in the world
Your influence and impact will live longer than you

Links

How To Write Copy That Sells - Get your FREE copy of my bestselling book (just pay shipping)

YouTube and Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/642

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Building your business and your brand requires a particular set of skills. I want to talk about those skills (one in particular), but also issue a reminder about your other brand...the one built by others. Your shadow brand. What is it, and how do you manage it?

Key Insights

What's the best, must-have skill for creating cash flow and building wealth?
AI has made it easier to build a business with less human help, but at a certain level you must start hiring people.
The harder you work, the more money you make... Not True - That philosophy can destroy you
To achieve true wealth, you must create assets that generate income
You must learn to communicate strategically and influentially
Use your writing to build your personal brand - Do not just hand this job over to AI...use AI as a helper, not an author
How to take control of your Shadow Brand (make it intentional)
Build a personal brand based on the Real You
Embrace your Authentic Self - keep your quirks intact to build a personal brand that people connect with and recognize
Copywriting is the number one skill when it comes to building your brand (Everything is copy)
A.I. can help make you more productive, but you MUST understand the fundamental principles of good copy in order to use it correctly

Links

How To Write Copy That Sells - Get your free copy of my most popular, bestselling book (just pay shipping)

Transcript and Video

rayedwards.com/641

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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"People Pleasing" is NOT the way to build a brand. You might build a BIG list that way, but you won't build a QUALITY one. Your list, your followers, your subscribers...They need to know the real you if you want to build a meaningful connection. (You know, the kind that brings in revenue for your business.) Your message must align with your brand. My guest this week is known as "the People Displeaser" (a.k.a. Nick Pollard), and he has done exactly that.

Nick and I will discuss his journey, and how being authentic with his audience has helped him build a list of actively engaged, loyal followers.

Key Insights

Nick Pollard's recent video on TikTok has over 1.8 million views (and climbing)...but why "that" one?
Don't worry about the size of your email list, focus on the depth of your relationship with your subscribers.
Maintaining a high list engagement with a 50% open rate, even without marketing to them, shows the importance of having a targeted and interested audience.
Nick's engagement with his audience's list is HUGE. That's a result of building a strong connection with his audience which paves the way for successful marketing.
The key to building engagement with your audience is being honest and authentic from the start.
Nick had rapid list growth, going from 1,500 to over 11,000 subscribers, thanks to a little bit of luck, and a viral video.
The content that performs the best is when the creator is being authentic.
Nick believes that high engagement on social media comes from sharing only what truly matters and resonates with the audience, rather than bombarding them with irrelevant content. (Don't force it!)

Video and Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/640

Links

NickPollard.com - How to Stop Being a People-Pleaser, Quit Lying to Yourself About How Miserable You Are, And Finally Build a Life of Freedom Where You Don’t Come In Last Place.
CopyCrew.net - Unlimited Copywriting for online business. Fast, effective, and 100% Guaranteed. A copywriting subscription to grow your business.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Check out this incredible conversation I had with my fellow word-nerd, Molly Rouse-DiCioccio. Molly has an amazing insight as to (as she puts it) "why people do stuff". Once you understand the psychology of your audience, the right words become obvious. And, of course, if you're a copywriter that can "connect", you can charge appropriately (6-figures in the case of the project we discussed), and are free to work from wherever.

Molly's fascination with human behavior and psychology drives her passion for marketing and helping people with marketing psychology, influence, persuasion, and mental triggers
The importance of copywriting skills (and where to learn them)
How Molly used the PASTOR formula to write a proposal that secured a $120,000 deal
Language is powerful! Mastering it is important not just in copywriting, but also in ALL communication
"It's better not to speak at all unless what you're going to say expresses compassion, inspiration, or mutual benefit."
Mind your mental state: Don't write when you're angry
AI is a powerful tool to give you a start, but human understanding of how words are perceived and the psychological impact is still crucial.

Links

WhyPeopleDoStuff.com What makes people listen to you? To trust you? Buy from you? Contact you? What makes YOU stand out more than anyone else? - Check out Molly's site to answer those questions.
Start Your Own Writing Business - Check out some free training, and a special offer from Ray.

Watch the Video and get the Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/638

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments?Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Amanda Foust is a shining example of someone who turned their passion into a profitable business. Her love of writing inspired her to learn a skill that she's used to build TWO successful businesses — Copywriting. She'll explain how important copywriting has been in BOTH of her businesses (including the one that has nothing to do with writing). Because, as she puts it, "I just don't know how you sell otherwise."

Key Insights

Thank God for teachers
Understanding the importance of framing and presentation in copywriting is crucial for success
Focus on finding "the whos" (the right people) to help, rather than getting caught up in the details.
Amanda became a certified, high-performance coach after being inspired by receiving coaching in college.
Give us some numbers...Amanda talks about the growth of her company, Homegrown, going from part-time work to achieving six-figure earnings and retiring their husband within five years
Knowing how to write good copy (or partnering with someone who can) is crucial for success
AI-generated copy still needs human help to be more than mediocre
Coaches help people navigate imposter syndrome, loneliness, and lack of clarity by focusing on time management, productivity, and finding meaning in their work
Creating a community for learning is more effective than just offering a course
AI For Copywriters can help improve your marketing and learn to use AI as a tool to amplifiy your own voice, not replace it

Links

Wake Up To Your Life - Want to learn more about Amanda's coaching and other services? Check out her brand new site

Video and Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/637

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Many entrepreneurs start their journey out of necessity. An unforeseen set of circumstances gives them the push, and then it's sink or swim. My guest this week was facing some major family and financial challenges. She fought through the fear and built a successful, 6-figure business in less than a year...That's a story worth paying attention to. Listen and learn from my conversation with Anita Anello.

Key Insights

Anita's career success and achievements left her feeling unfulfilled, questioning if there was more to life than just titles, money, and accolades, emphasizing the need for a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Be impeccable with your word and build a reputation of reliability and trustworthiness.
Everything Is Copy - Anita discovered the importance of copywriting through the idea that "everything that we say and do is all copy."
Build your business around the deep desires in your heart and be rewarded with freedom.
Anita's passion lies in helping other successful women of faith who have reached a pinnacle in their careers and have a God-sized idea inside of them, guiding them towards fulfilling their potential.
Creating a movement of women who champion each other, meet each other where they're at, and have no tolerance for complainers or those who don't take responsibility for their lives.
Anita and her husband were able to pay off over $40,000 of debt in just a four-month period, demonstrating their commitment to financial stability.
Anita's journey of finding work-life balance and being present for her kids while still making money and pursuing her interests is inspiring.
"Being a person of Integrity is one of my core values...whatever you say you're going to do, that's it because all I have are my words."
Anita's list of necessities for her family's survival and thriving included not just financial aspects, but also time, health, and other non-monetary factors.
Overcoming challenges and declaring one's accomplishments can empower individuals to walk confidently in their journey, leaving a ripple effect for generations to come.

Links

TheRippleAffect.net - The place to connect with Anita Anello, and "Turn Your Corporate Skills into a Consulting Business You Love"

Video and Transcript

rayedwards.com/636

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Ever have that dream of waking up and finding that your most recent video got hundreds of thousands of views while you were sleeping? I have. I have yet to experience this personally, but that's exactly what happened to my guest, Matt Wolfe. In this conversation with Matt, we'll talk about his sudden boom (9 years after launching his channel) - What caused it? How have things changed? What opportunities has it made possible? Matt is a passionate student of A.I. and it shows in his videos. We'll discuss the importance of creating the content you're passionate about, what role A.I. (and humans) play in the future of content creation, and why Matt thinks the human brain is not yet obsolete.

[00:00] Matt and I discuss his popularity increase after chat GPT became public, his journey of creating videos, gaining traction, and finding success with AI-related content.
Overnight success? Hardly. Matt started his YouTube channel in 2009, focusing on WordPress and teaching people how to build websites
Matt discovered that his videos about AI gained more popularity than his marketing content, leading him to shift his channel's focus. One of his A.I videos has now hit 1.2 million views.
[04:36] Matt shares his 14-year journey to success and how he is monetizing his business.
Matt created his website, futuretools.io, to organize and access useful tools he discovered. This site now serves as an A.I. resource for thousands of visitors each day.
Lots of copycat sites have emerged since Matt's launch of futuretools.io, but that doesn't bother him. He originally built this site as a resource for himself and not as a business model.
Matt sees himself as an enthusiastic user of AI technology rather than pretending to be an expert. He believes (and I agree) that has played an important role in his success.
Matt's revenue streams include: affiliate links, featured listings, sponsorships, a weekly newsletter, a YouTube channel, and a podcast.
[12:35] Will A.I. take over content creation? Matt believes that real people creating content on YouTube will always win because the audience connects with a genuine creator.
[19:46] Creating authentic and passionate content that resonates with you is more valuable than focusing on data-driven strategies, spammy content, or trying to please the algorithm or audience.
Be real...Let your personality shine through in your content. Focus on creating content that excites and interests you.
[22:56] Use AI as a tool to enhance content creation
Feedly is an AI-powered RSS feed reader that allows users to find and filter articles and news on specific topics.
[27:54] What about AI's potential to create fake content and undermine the credibility of video and photographic evidence
What does Matt think about AI replacing jobs?
[33:19] Do we still need people? Of course. But not for everything... AI will potentially replace manual labor jobs, but humans will adapt and find new ways to add value.
[36:47] Where to find Matt...and when do we get the new podcast?

Links

futuretools.io : Matt's site that "Collects & Organizes All The Best AI Tools So YOU Too Can Become Superhuman!"
Matt's YouTube Channel : Definitely worth subbing and binging

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript and Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/635

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I can think of no more valuable skill than the one that conveys the importance, uniqueness, value, and necessity of everything else you have to offer - Copywriting.

Feel free to try and convince me otherwise...but guess what skill you'll need to do that?

Copywriting is fundamental to any business because it's how you communicate who you are and why people need you. Any transaction begins with communication, and the quality of that communication dictates everything that comes after.

This week's episode is about recognizing that EVERYTHING is copy - Not just sales pages and ads. Social media posts, emails, videos, podcasts...even conversations are copy. Use the techniques and triggers that have been used for millennia to improve ALL of your interactions.

You'll also learn how you and I can be "study buddies", working through Jeff Walker's Product Launch Formula together. I've bought PLF every year since 2005 because it works, and it gets better every iteration.

We'll soon be launching the updated, AI version of Copywriting Academy using PLF blueprints. Listen to find out how you can get a behind-the-scenes look at our launch, step by step.

Key Insights

The one high-value skill to rule them all: Copywriting
AI does NOT eliminate the need for human copywriters
Everything is copy - not just sales pages and ads
Jeff Walker's Product Launch Formula changed everything in 2005
Get free access to the PLF Masterclass Here
Emails require stellar copywriting skills to get opens and responses
Social Media Posts are copy - Treat them as such. Be intentional!
Your website builds trust and drives conversions, and...it's copy.
In-Person interactions can be "Conversational Copy"
Get PLF using my link, and we'll go through it together
Soon, we'll be launching the updated, AI version of Copywriting Academy. Get behind-the-scenes access to my own, PLF-Powered launch, step by step. A "vlogumentary" that shows you how my team and I put PLF to work.

Links

Product Launch Formula Masterclass - Your once-a-year shot at getting thousands of dollars in practical, actionable, launch education. Learn the key elements of Product Launch Formula directly from its creator, Jeff Walker. These videos come down this week, so DON'T Wait!

Video Of This Episode (Youtube)

https://youtu.be/UIiLyWApXGE

How You Can Help

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

Questions or comments?
Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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

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This week we review the fundamental differences between marketing and selling, and how to properly execute both.

Plus, I introduce you to two of my students, Jason and Melanie Crane. We'll talk about their entrepreneurial journey as a husband and wife team, they're challenges, and how you can achieve success without sacrificing your marriage.

I'll also tell you how you can learn the same fundamental sales system that we use for each and every product and service we sell (Product Launch Formula), absolutely free of charge.

Key Insights

Marketing and Selling are NOT the same thing
Marketing is where you connect with your audience and let them buy in to your worldview, philosophies, and ideas - Marketing is preparing your audience to buy from you.
The offer is critical. Get it right, or nothing else works. It must be made irresistible to the audience.
Building a list through lead magnets and email marketing allows for sequential communication and increased chances of making a successful sales offer.
Building a relationship with customers and being perceived as a helper, rather than someone trying to sell, can amplify your business and foster connections.
Sacrificing personal relationships for the sake of success can lead to negative consequences and the breakdown of marriages.
Creating or joining a Mastermind group can provide a supportive and motivating environment for personal and professional growth.
Being part of a supportive community can be transformational in achieving your goals and overcoming challenges.
Making the process of improving a marriage fun (even integrating dance in Jason and Melanie's case) can help engage both partners and create a positive experience.

Links

Free PLF Masterclass - Get the fundamentals of Product Launch Formula, taught by its creator, Jeff Walker. This is my sales system. It's what my company uses every time we launch a new product or service. If you want to sell online, this is the way. These free Masterclass videos are only available for a few days, so get them while you can
BAM Prosperity - Visit Jason and Melanie's site to learn more about how to build a business without sacrificing your personal relationships

How You Can Help

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

Questions or comments?
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A lot of people are asking this question when it comes to "Content Marketing":

How much is too much?
At what point do you saturate your readers, listeners and viewers with so much knowledge that they are no longer interested in buying what you're selling?

In this week's episode, I'll give you a solid answer to that question...free of charge.

Key Insights

Giving away valuable content for free in content marketing can help build trust with potential customers and lead to future sales.
The success of a marketing strategy can be measured not just by immediate revenue, but also by its ability to position your brand in the marketplace and generate long-term results.
People often don't do what they know because they either don't know how to do it, don't like doing it, or find it too overwhelming. That presents an opportunity for content marketers to provide guidance and support in the form of courses, coaching, and other revenue-generating services.
7 steps do doing this right
Step 1 - Know your audience and the problem they want to solve
Step 2 - Give the FULL Answer
Step 3 - Teach your whole process
Step 4 - Illustrate the value - Show what your process is worth when you put it to work
Step 5 - Ask your audience, "Why aren't you doing this?"
Step 6 - Offer to do it with them.
Step 7 - Repeat
Providing valuable knowledge and illustrating the value of your process can help build trust and demonstrate the worth of your content.
In my latest book, Read This Or Die, I share how I used my skills as a marketer and copywriter to write a sales campaign that helped me overcome the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and change my life.
Marketing is about changing mindsets and sharing your beliefs, values, and worldview, not selling products or services.
Next week, we'll talk about the selling process

Links

Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself To A Better Life There's still time to be part of my upcoming bookclub and workshop - and get your free video mini-course when you purchase the book (click the link for details)

Video and Show Notes

https://www.rayedwards.com/632

How You Can Help

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

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My weekly podcast has been my #1 source for new clients since the beginning of my business. Why? Because it has helped me to build a connection with the right people. Listeners get a dose of my knowledge and personality and then decide whether they should move on, or stay for more.

Those who aren't a fit for my style get naturally filtered out. So, the podcast doesn't just get me more clients - It gets me better clients...My right-fit clients.

This week, we're talking about the golden opportunity you have that didn't exist when I was getting started: YouTube.

I've got 7 compelling reasons why you should start your YouTube channel, NOW.

Key Insights

Putting your own podcast on YouTube is a great way to build a loyal following and attract high-paying clients, as it allows you to create an emotional bond and forge connections with your audience.
YouTube is the number one podcasting platform and has invested heavily in video podcasts, making it the ideal platform for connecting with clients and customers.
New viewers can discover your show organically, so don't miss out on the opportunity to build an audience by consistently creating content.
Having a YouTube video podcast can provide opportunities for lateral marketing and niche audience targeting.
A YouTube video podcast allows you to reach new clients in different genres.
YouTube is now offering a complete ecosystem with ad-free videos, music, and podcasts, giving creators the opportunity to attract new viewers and listeners and potentially earn ad revenue.
Get a complete Video Podcasting for Copywriters course at https://www.rayedwards.com/vidpod

Links

Video Podcasting for Copywriters - This is the top-of-market course lead by the great Diana Gladney

Video and Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/631

How You Can Help

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

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In this economic reality, you must bring your A-Game when it comes to marketing.

No more outdated websites...No more ignoring your "Shadow Brand", or your reputation on social media. You must strive to be Iconic in your market.

This week, we're talking about how my son and I are marketing the local coffee shop we co-own together, Revel 77.

Key Insights

The importance of stepping up your marketing game in the current economic reality and moving away from ugly marketing strategies.
Ugly websites no longer sell, as the competition now includes big players like Disney and AI technology, but this also means more opportunities for those who can create high-quality content.
Your website is not enough to attract customers, you need to provide a valuable experience and build trust before asking for a purchase.
Your online reputation, or "Shadow brand," is crucial for attracting customers, so it's important to provide the information they need to make a favorable decision about your business.
Revel 77 Coffee in Spokane, WA enjoys having control over their coffee product by roasting it themselves, allowing them to tailor it to their customers' preferences.
Build a sophisticated website and marketing hub to capture traffic and cater to the specific audience of your coffee shop, ensuring customer satisfaction and differentiation from competitors like Starbucks.
You must think about sales copy, photography, video, writing, and your brand, but the good news is you can watch us do it with our own business.
Revel 77 Coffee in Spokane, WA roasts their own beans, and if you want to order their delicious Morning Muse roast, click the link in the description.

Links

Revel 77 Coffee - Get the meticulously crafted flavor profile of your choice delivered to your door - Roasted in-house by our resident coffee genius, Sean Edwards.

Video And Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/630

How You Can Help

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

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This week, I'm laying some groundwork for an upcoming series about building your own 1-person business.

A 1-person business isn't new territory for me - I ran a successful one for many years before I started building my team... BUT - The tools that are available now (specifically the AI-Powered ones) have made doing this on-your-own incredibly easy. You can now build your business by yourself, without neglecting every other aspect of your life...And it's AMAZING.

Let's talk about what's possible... And why YOU CAN (and SHOULD) do it NOW.

Key Insights

Building a one-person business that allows you to work only with people you want to work with, and on your own schedule, is not just a dream, it can be a reality.
The internet is "The Great Leveler", removing all barriers and providing equal opportunities for success.
Optimists generally have better lives, with more money, freedom, happiness, and better relationships, while pessimists have a more realistic vision but often end up less happy, wealthy, and with lesser relationships.
The internet removes gatekeepers and allows anyone, regardless of age, to create a million-dollar business.
The internet has leveled the playing field, allowing anyone to start a business and connect with potential customers, regardless of their social status or background.
Understanding that you are the brand allows you to be your authentic self and stand out in a way that is unduplicable.
There is an audience out of the 8 billion people on this planet that can only resonate with your unique perspective and personality, so be authentic and comfortable in being yourself.
Don't worry about the market being saturated, there is still room for you to start your 1-person business.

Links

Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself To A Better Life - Click to find out how you can get a free gift when you order my new book: A 6-part mini-course where I personally walk you through the life-changing process outlined in the book.
ClarityScribe - The most powerful AI-Powered copywriting tool on the planet. Try it for free (no credit card required)

How You Can Help

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

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In this episode of The Ray Edwards Show, we ponder on the balance between niching down and maintaining personal authenticity in a brand.

While specialized services and products offer a greater focus, personal charisma gives your brand its unique charm.

But which one should prevail? Let’s find out.

Key Points

Defining your personal brand does not mean you have to stick to one specific niche.
While services should be hyper-focused on a niche, personalities should be diverse.
Ambition and products being pushed by vendors often cause the overwhelm and confusion in branding.
Everybody has their unique thing to sell, but none of them should dictate your brand’s direction.
To succeed, your business and personality need to resonate with each other authentically.
Implement a strategy, set goals, and use the necessary tools for effective branding.
Also, consider having a guide and companions to help you along the way, but remember that it will take time.
Always keep being true to yourself and share your true passions with your audience.

Links

[Austin Kleon - Show Your Work]
[Mike Kim - You Are The Brand]
[Work With Ray]

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/628

How You Can Help

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

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This week is another Q&A with Ray episode where I offer my answers to these questions:

How do I get more people to open my emails?
Can I use copywriting on social media without seeming sleazy?
Are old-school sales pages dead?

Those are some great questions, to which I believe I have some helpful answers.

If you would like to win a free, signed copy of my new book, Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life, check out the link below to get the code I mention in the podcast.

I'll be doing more prizes in future episodes, so make sure you're subscribed to my YouTube channel for an even better chance to win.

[00:00] Intro - More Q&A
[00:22] Question 1: How do I get more people to open my emails?
[03:25] Question 2: Can I use copywriting on social media to make sales (without seeming sleazy)?
[05:37] Question 3: Are old-school sales pages dead?
[07:51] Win a free, signed copy of Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life

Links

Read This Or Die - Learn more about my new book, Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life

Get the Video and Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/627

How You Can Help

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

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In case you're not familiar with Lee Cockerell, here's a quick snippet from his bio:

Lee Cockerell is the former Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World® Resort. “As the Senior Operating Executive for ten years Lee led a team of 40,000 Cast Members and was responsible for the operations of 20 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping & entertainment village and the ESPN sports and recreation complex in addition to the ancillary operations which supported the number one vacation destination in the world.”
When it comes to team-building and leadership techniques, Lee has one of the best resumés on the planet.

A few weeks ago, I received a note from Lee saying that he had read my new book, Read This Or Die, and enjoyed it so much that he purchased multiple copies to send to friends and family. To receive a note like that from someone I respect and admire was both humbling, and inspiring.

Lee also extended me the honor of being a guest on his Creating Disney Magic podcast (linked below), which is where this week's audio comes from.

[00:00] Intro/explanation
[00:14] Welcome back to the show
[00:45] How Read This Or Die impacted Lee
[02:39] The missing chapter
[04:11] It's about the reader's challenges...not Ray's
[05:44] Changing your input/output
[06:55] Your wife's review (The Cranial-Rectral Extraction Method)
[10:04] No need to wait for disaster
[12:42] A lesson in brain science
[13:48] A trip to Galaxy's Edge
[15:25] More about "The letter"

Links

Creating Disney Magic Podcast - Lee Cockerell shares his wisdom and experience from his time as the Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World. Along with host Jody Maberry, Lee discusses how you can apply lessons in leadership, management, and customer service to create magic in your organization.

LeeCockerell.com - The best place to get in touch with Lee. Learn more about his training, speaking, and mastermind group.

How You Can Help

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

Questions or comments?
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In this Episode of the Ray Edwards Show, I'm going to show you exactly how I'm using AI every week in my workflow. How I am using AI in my business to make more money with less work, and produce better copy (meaning copy that converts better). And how you can do the same thing.

This episode is specifically made for business owners who want to write copy for their own business. Even if your business is a copywriting business – there is plenty of opportunity for all of us. These are the days of limitless opportunity.

But you certainly don't have to be a copywriter-for-hire to use this same workflow. This will work for any online business, including personal brands, authors, speakers, coaches, and course creators.

[00:00] My workflow for creating this podcast (and who this will work for)
[03:13] Step 1 - Research the topic most on the minds of my viewers/listeners
[04:17] Step 2 - Put my research into a working document
[04:35] Step 3 - Write my "Human Generated" outline of the episode
[05:10] Step 4 - Run my text through ClarityScribe
[06:31] Step 5 - Read the A.I. generated text out loud (seriously...do this)
[07:56] Step 6 - Record the video version for YouTube
[10:03] Step 7 - Polish up the video (See link below for TimeBolt)
[11:47] Step 8 - Run the audio through ClarityScribe's Podcast module
[12:18] Step 9 - Put the video through Opus Video AI (link below)
[12:55] Step 10 - Load Podcast post on YouTube, the blog, and socials
[13:27] Step 11 - Launch The Video

Links

ClairtyScribe - The ultimate copywriting A.I. not only generates copy for my podcast, but also parses the finished audio to create show notes, a verbatim transcript, social posts, and emails.

TimeBolt -This is what I use to "clean up" my videos. Removing any dead spaces, bad takes, and various stumbles. (affiliate link)

VidIQ - I use this software to analyze my channel and get the insights necessary to keep my content focused, and relevant to what my audience expects. (affiliate link)

Opus Clip -This incredible software will analyze your long form videos and create sharable highlights.

Jeff Walker - The inventor of the "Product Launch Formula" coaching program. You can find many of these principles and techniques in his book, called Launch!

My Content Creation Checklist - A summary of the process described in this episode in pdf format

How You Can Help

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

Questions or comments?
Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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

Get The Transcript and Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/625

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I was recently interviewed for the Marketer of the Day Podcast, hosted by Robert Plank. In this episode, we dig into some core marketing principles that I use and teach, and discuss how they relate to the system covered in my new book, Read This Or Die.

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

Read This Or Die - Click to order your copy of Read This Or Die, and claim your free, 6-video mini-course that I created to accompany the book. Marketer of the Day with Robert Plank - Get Daily Insights from the Top Internet Marketers & Entrepreneurs Around the World. Thank you to Robert for granting me permission to use this week's audio.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/624

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

Links

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

Get The Transcript and Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/623

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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I was recently interviewed on The Cliff Ravenscraft Show about my new book, Read This or Die. Since this book is, by necessity, so deeply personal, this interview was equally personal and somewhat challenging to get through. However, I felt that it encapsulated the message of the book so well, I asked for Cliff's permission to use the audio on my own show. My sincere thanks to Cliff Ravenscraft (a.k.a. The Mindset Answer Man) for making this episode possible. If you're not familiar with Cliff's work, I recommend you take a look at the links below.

Links

Read This Or Die: Persuading Yourself To A Better Life - The book releases on May 23, 2023. If you're reading this before that date, you can still claim a valuable free gift for pre-ordering your copy. Cliff Ravenscraft - This is the main site for the Mindset Answer Man, Cliff Ravenscraft. I am a huge fan of Cliff's work, his outlook on life, and his passion for helping others. You'll find Cliff's notes (hah!) on this episode at this link.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/622

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This episode is definitely "off the cuff", but does have a clear inspiration. I've been listening to more intimate, less polished podcasts and started kicking around the idea of doing a secondary, more intimate, less polished podcast of my own. I hope to gauge my audience's interest in such a thing based on feedback from this episode...then proceed as planned regardless of the results. Have a comment to share about this idea? See the contact info near the bottom of this post.

Links

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

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments?Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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This week, I have a potentially unpopular answer to a very popular question: How do I upgrade my clients? The serial-refunders, the constant complainers, the manipulators...and of course, people who are downright rude to you and your team. How do you avoid them? Even more to the point: How do you get the kind of clients you actually want? [00:00] How do I upgrade my clients? [00:46] You're not going to like this answer, but... [01:48] My $5,000 problem [03:08] What your company avatar should look like [04:13] It starts at the top (with you and me)

How You Can Help?

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript And Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/620

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How much "Authenticity" is too much? How much of your personal life should you share with your clients or followers? The answer depends on what kind of clients you want to attract, and that's what I'm talking about in this week's episode.

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

Links

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

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Transcript and Video

https://rayedwards.com/619

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A friend of mine recently gave me a not-so-subtle reminder that I am blessed to have a schedule full of things that I have chosen to do. She did this on the heels of me explaining to her how busy I was... "I have to spend 3 days in a studio recording my audio book, I've got to prepare for two upcoming workshops, I have to fly to Orlando for a mastermind meeting," and so on. She reminded me that I was complaining about things that many people are praying for. I am blessed to have a publisher who believes in my new book and has allowed me to record in my own voice. I am blessed to have people willing to travel to Spokane to learn from me. I am blessed to be part of a Mastermind group that allows me to learn from people I admire. Same schedule...Different perspective. That's what this week's episode is all about.

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

Links

Copywriting As A Million Dollar Business Workshop - There's still a chance to join me for one of these upcoming, life-changing, empire-building workshops. Click the link for details and availability. Read This Or Die - Find my new book wherever books are sold, or even better, click the link and get a free video course that goes along with it.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript And Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/618

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You might be thinking, "Why the 180, Ray? Haven't you been pitching A.I. as an incredible new tool? Aren't you marketing your own copywriting A.I.?" I still believe A.I. is an incredible tool - And yes, I'm very pleased with my company's A.I. software - BUT, as I said when I first started in this business, you must be more than just a copywriter. That was true then, but now...it's absolutely critical. If you're counting on copywriting alone, you're not only eligible for a quick replacement, you're also doing a disservice to your clients (the ones you'll likely be losing soon). [01:01] “The amount of money we receive will always be in a direct ratio to the demand for what we do, our ability to do it, and the difficulty in replacing us.” - Earl Nightingale [01:45] It's already happening...as predicted [02:10] Our Copywriting A.I. (ClarityScribe) [02:37] You MUST be more than a copywriter to compete with other copywriters [04:07] Understanding the context [05:17] To be competent you must study (the right people) [05:49] Understanding the history of this business [06:53] My point: Understand the whole process [08:21] Find a "working" mentor

Links

Copywriting as a Million Dollar Business - Join me live in Spokane for this life-changing workshop - In person (this month) and virtual (next month) options available while they last. Lex Fridman Podcast - "Conversations about the nature of intelligence, consciousness, love, and power." ClarityScribe - The A.I. software my company has developed specifically for copywriting. Bob Bly - Brilliant copywriter! Digital Course Academy - If your goal is to create a digital course, here's where to start. Membership Experience - Want to create a membership experience that makes people stick around month after month? Stu can teach you how.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript https://www.rayedwards.com/617

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I'm humbly and blatantly asking for your help in promoting my new book, Read This or Die. This week's podcast explains why I'm so passionate about the book, how it helped save my life, and why I believe it will help others who are searching for answers to seemingly insurmountable problems. [00:00] What is my new book? [01:51] Am I cured? [02:41] What's in it for the reader? [03:11] Preorder and get the course [03:44] More than a million views [04:33] Why I'm asking for help [05:17] My Podcast A-List

Links

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

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/616

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My Parkinson's symptoms are not something I can hide. I can't keep them under control just because I'm in public, or on a Zoom meeting, or on a stage...They are something I share with everyone I meet, whether I want to or not. But my diagnosis was the genesis of other struggles. The kind that can be hidden. Struggles we feel we must endure alone; perhaps because we've convinced ourselves that no one else will care, or understand...or because we're ashamed, or sometimes because we don't really even understand our own problems. For me, I came to the realization that my symptoms (the ones the world could see) were not the true cause of my fear and uncertainty for my future. My biggest struggles were internal. Once I understood that, I knew I could make real, lasting change. I knew I could improve my life in spite of my doctors telling me that it would only get worse. My affliction may be incurable, but the way I think is certainly not. That is something I can change...Something that can be cured. But how? That's what this week's episode is all about.

Links

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

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Most people are stuck in "The Loop" because somehow they think they’re going to get a different result in their life by doing the same thing they’ve been doing, only doing it harder and faster. The Loop gives no rewards for effort. No matter how hard you work at it, you always end up back at the same place. You only break out of The Loop by making intensely different decisions. By taking a completely different path. That's the message of this week's podcast

Getting out of The Loop requires you to step outside of your comfort zone. This is almost always uncomfortable, and all growth comes outside your comfort zone. The comfort zone is where dreams go to die. Receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease initially threw me into a dark, scary loop. Breaking out of that loop required effort and some new tactics (which I documented in my upcoming book, Read This or Die), but in the end, I broke free from it. To be able to experience it in the future, you must be able to imagine it now. This is true anytime you’re trying to create a new reality for your future. Whether it be a new career or new business, or a new relationship, or living in a new city, or a different home… If you want something radically different in your future, you have to do something radically different in your present. And that can be scary. I can promise the first steps will probably not be easy. But you don’t need “easy”. You just need “worth it”. What big, scary, uncomfortable decision have even thinking about lately? If it keeps coming to mind, it is likely the one decision you need to make in order to change your life. The one decision you need to create that new life you really want. Most of us are quite skilled at thinking about the scary decisions, and coming up with all the things that might go wrong. I suggest a different experiment this time around… I encourage you ask yourself, “What if this went incredibly right?” What would that make possible?

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Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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The latest earnings statistics still show an obvious gender bias in Corporate America, but why do we so often see this same phenomenon in the entrepreneurial space? How can women, running their own businesses and setting their own rates, be getting paid less than their male counterparts? That's one of the big questions I had for this week's guest, Dawn Apuan. She is a successful entrepreneur who does amazing work, and charges accordingly. Tune in as we explore the costly practice of undervaluing one's self - and how women are seemingly more susceptible to it.

Links

DawnApuan.com Dawn on Instagram

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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For those who have wondered, this post will explain what I work on and how I function as a “million-dollar writer.” It is my hope this will stimulate you into taking the required steps to earn significantly more income than you do now. After I spell out how I manage to create a million dollars in revenue, I'll give you a simple 3-step roadmap to increase your own income. (By the way, even though I am describing the life of a writer, virtually all of what I'm about to share will work for any freelancer or business owner.)

Links

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

Notes From This Episode

This subject seems slightly impolite to write about. Like many, I was taught from my earliest years that it is impolite to talk about politics, religion, or money. I routinely violate all three of these directives, however, so this is not new territory for me. Let’s begin… I am not writing to boost my own ego. I am writing to answer a very frequently-asked question: “How does a writer make a million dollars?” This is a great question, because the industry income average for freelance writers is just under $5,000 per year. When someone asks me how, as a writer, I make a million dollars, they may not actually express it, but what they really want to know is: “How does a guy who writes ad copy, who has never published a book I've even heard of… how does that guy make a million dollars?” And of course, ultimately, the real question burning in their heart is: “Could I do that? Or even half that?” That’s what people really want to know and that’s what I want to share with you. Before I get to the tactical stuff like: • How do you get paid?• What are your rates? • How do you get clients? It’s imperative that I share 3 Prosperity Principles for Writers. PROSPERITY PRINCIPLE #1: YOU MUST DISCOVER YOURSELF Many writers and other creatives have a not-so-secret fantasy. They labor intensely for years on a masterpiece, hoping that an influential publisher or literary agent will “discover” them, and they'll be catapulted to fame and fortune. That's a nice fantasy, but with one problem: it doesn't happen that way. It never does, or at least almost never. Okay, rarely it happens. But you're more likely to be struck by lightning on the same day you win the Powerball, than you are to be “discovered” in this way. You must discover yourself! You must identify what makes you different, what “special sauce” you add to this common craft (writing) that makes you a distinctly differently voice on a common subject. In what way are you a player with a unique, unduplicable advantage? We spend 3 full days answering this question definitively in our Dreamstorm Workshops, using our Core Thesis Process; obviously, if you don't already know the answer to this question, you'll need to spend some time on it, PROSPERITY PRINCIPLE #2: YOU MUST PROMOTE YOURSELF To succeed, dear Reader, you must realize you are not actually in the “writing business.” You are in the business of You, Incorporated. It is your unique personality, and the fascinating persona you share with the world, that shapes how that world sees you. Done right, this can make you an irresistible character to whom people are attracted as their chosen and trusted authority. Done wrong, this can break the ties between you and your readers. Specifically, instead of promoting and advertising your highly-developed craftsmanship as a writer, you must be in the business of promoting you. You cannot rely on word-of-mouth, or critical acclaim, or impersonal ad campaigns. You must conscientiously promote yourself, and intentionally craft the way customers perceive you. If you have interest in knowing HOW it is I do all this, and want to see the detailed steps I take, let me know your interest in the comment section. Enough interest expressed will generate a new post on this “Implementation” phase. But for now, on to… PROSPERITY PRINCIPLE #3: YOU MUST GET OVER YOURSELF You might be disappointed to learn that your dream of being a purely creative being whose hands are never “sullied” by crass commercialism or “manipulative” marketing are mere fantasy. This may be hard to swallow, but you need to get over yourself in this regard. So, let me get the disappointing stuff out of the way right upfront: 1. This approach may require a readjustment of what you think of as “craft.” The kind of writing I do is very specific: direct response copy. This is copy meant to result in a sale. It’s copy that moves the reader to buy. Personally, I find the craft of writing sales copy to be endlessly fascinating and fun. While you may not choose to write sales copy (arguably the most lucrative kind of writing available to the average writer), you may also have to spend a little less time writing poems about the secret lives of elves. 2. My approach is not an “instant income” strategy. This whole system of “writing as a business” has taken me a few years to figure out and build up. I am able to pass on some hard-won lessons (like those in this post), which I believe may considerably shorten your learning curve. You can go faster than I did. But it’s still not instant. And I'm constantly learning new things. You and I are very much works in progress. 3. There is more than one way to achieve a million-dollar income as a writer. For instance, there is a writer (whose name you would not recognize) who writes 3-4 books a year and gets paid $300,000 – $400,000 for each book. He's a ghostwriter. You’d be shocked to learn how many New York Times best-selling books with famous names on the covers were actually written by this one ghostwriter. Another writer I know raked in a million dollars last year writing content, white papers, and annual reports for big corporations. As I said, my way is not the only way. But it is worth noting that though the kinds of writing differ, the basic ideas I share here apply to every wealthy writer I know. 4. In my experience, a million-dollar writing business means you're selling more than “just” writing. You will probably find it necessary to offer products and services that are not strictly writing (but which you would not be able to sell without your foundational work as a writer). It's the rare writer who can merely write and cash checks (our ghostwriter friend notwithstanding). I'll dive more deeply into this in the next section. 5. This whole endeavor requires me to use a four-letter word that will shock and offend some people. But I feel the use of this word is required to communicate the force of my argument. The four-letter word is: w-o-r-k. Work! Ya gotta put in the effort! This is a glimpse “behind the curtain,” and you may or may not like what you see. Then again you may find it encouraging to know there is a proven path to prosperity as a writer, and you don't need a fat contract from a big publisher to pull this off. You can simply decide, and then go do it. “The miracle of the seed and the soil is not available by affirmation; it is only available by labor … the greatest form of maturity is at harvest time. That is when we must learn to reap without complaint if the amounts are small and to reap without apology if the amounts are big … you must either get good at sowing in the spring or begging in the fall. The soil says: don't bring me your need, bring me your seed.” — Jim Rohn HOW I GET PAID The first thing to know is I “fudged” a little on my income – it wasn’t really $1 million last year. The actual number is closer to $1.2 million. The second thing to know is I didn’t get to keep most of it. Where did it go? A lot of places: • The IRS and the State of Washington got their portions, of course. • Then there are payroll taxes, Social Security, etc. • Employee salaries. • Affiliate commissions. • Vendors and independent contractors. • Other business expenses. • There are the medical expenses related to my little neurological disorder. • Plus we finished paying off all consumer debt, which at its height topped $400,000.(I’m actually embarrassed by this. I learned a lot through the mistakes which landed me in so much debt – perhaps I’ll share more about that journey in a future post.) So, you can forget asking me for a loan. I didn’t sock a million into the bank. But I’m not complaining – the Edwards household did, and still does, quite well. With all that out of the way… here’s where the money actually comes from. How I get paid. Product Sales Product sales are far-and-away our biggest source of revenue. These include high-ticket items ($1,000 and up) sold mostly via PLF-style launches, advertising, purchased solo email campaigns, and organic website traffic. “Day with Ray” Consulting This is where I meet with a single client (or their team). I require this meeting before Private Client Copy Engagement. The “Day With Ray” costs $15,000 if you come to me in Spokane, WA, or $20,000 plus private air charter if I come to you. What do we do in such a meeting? It depends on the client (everyone is different, so there is no template for this). I grill the client for the first hour or so, and generally this will lead to a discovery of the 1-3 most powerful “levers” we can pull in their business to increase revenue and profits, while providing the business owner with less stress and more peace of mind. Private Client Copy Engagement After a long period of protesting that I was no longer writing for clients, I am finally giving in to market demand. I am accepting a very few assignments wherein I personally run the copy project and write the copy. This is prohibitively expensive for the client, and if you have to ask, you can't afford it. Also, I require that all Private Clients pass a rigorous application process, and agree to my admittedly unreasonable demands (100% compliance with my advice, 100% commitment to running my copy as written, 100% commitment to testing and tracking, payment of a percentage of gross sales to be made quarterly, and acceptance of my total lack of availability for “chummy chats,” psychological counseling, and babysitting sessions). I charge a minimum of $150,000 payable up front. Maximum four clients per year, booked well in advance. Royalties These are payments on gross sales of Private Client projects. They also include royalties on co-created projects and revenue share deals. This is becoming a more significant percentage of my company revenue. Please do not contact us looking for me to do your marketing for free and offering me a percentage. I only do these deals when I know the person well, know the company and market well, and when it is my idea. Group Coaching Group coaching has been lacking in my portfolio of services until recently. Experiments thus far show it to be fun and profitable, as well as extraordinarily valuable to participants. These are online groups of up to 20 people at a time, who receive coaching and feedback from me once per week for a finite period (usually 6-12 weeks). Workshops I host a few small group workshops that focus on a single theme or outcome each year. Participants pay a premium fee ($5,000 – $10,000) and must qualify through application. These consist typically of three intense and productive days that can significantly alter the course of the client's business and life for the better. Private Masterminds Small group Mastermind Alliances involve a strict application process, membership requirements, and required compliance to meeting attendance and participation. Affiliate Commissions We generate commissions through the recommendation of products and services we ourselves use. This accounts for about 7% of our company revenue each year, but nearly 18% of our annual profit. Why is it so profitable? All we do is promote the product. We don’t actually do any work, creation, or customer support. REIC Membership This is our newest offering. Members receive a printed newsletter each month with my best (and freshest) thinking, a monthly video training, a live Q&A once per month, and more. We are launching this in September 2017. Those methods fairly well sum up how I earn my income. HOW I GET CLIENTS My marketing system is not immediately obvious to most. It is complex, carefully thought out, and rigorously tested. I am constantly experimenting. Every “thing” we do is designed to point to all the other “things” we do. Client Attraction vs. Client Pursuit Client attraction is foundational. Long ago I decided I did not wish to “chase” business, but prefer instead to let business chase me. So, I have carefully designed a ubiquitous system for attracting a steady flow of possible clients and customers from many different streams. This adds up to a large flow of potential business at various levels of engagement and investment, all swimming (upstream if necessary) to me. Some of the “pools” from which I attract business include: • Podcasting. This is one of the most intimate mediums available. Podcast listeners have me literally “in their head” for an hour per week (or more, if they binge-listen… and many do just that from our library of nearly 300 episodes). This is a curiously powerful medium. Numerous customers have listened to 1-3 episodes and proceeded directly to a $5,000 – $10,000 purchase. • YouTube channel. This is a new, experimental marketing tool for me. I have been enjoying playing around with the possibilities, and have now settled on a strategy going forward. Look for a slight shift in focus on my YouTube channel in the coming weeks. The goal, as with all third-party media, is to move people off third-party properties like YouTube (and Facebook, and Twitter, etc.) and onto my email list. • Social media. While many claim direct money making power through social media, my approach is to use it to attract and build a bond and relationship with my tribe, and then move them from social media to the media I own, i.e., my email list. • Printed newsletter. Already mentioned once, this is not only a product but also a marketing tool. Since the largest primary segment of my audience is made up of writers (meaning, presumably, they’re also readers), having a print newsletter is vitally important. Print media carries more impact than electronic media. This is not something I'm guessing at. According to this Millward Brown study, brain scans demonstrated the same message presented to the human subject printed on paper lights up more areas of the brain than the electronic equivalent. More areas of the brain lighting up equals more engagement. • Speaking. This is a way that I accomplish a number of objectives: for instance, I like to travel. I want to travel to exotic places. So, I have a speaking engagement next month in Hong Kong, primarily because I've never been there. This will also afford me the opportunity, as do all speaking engagements, to establish personal contact with a new group of people, perhaps add them to my mailing list, and maybe generate a few clients along the way. Speaking automatically grants you a certain amount of gravitas and authority. As far as generating clients, this is an indirect benefit of speaking. I do not hock or pitch my services from the stage. I do, however, strategically communicate that I am available to be hired by the right people, and that I have products available for people who are not ready to hire me. Perhaps I'll write more about this at a later time. • Books. Both physical and Kindle versions of my books are available. I currently have three books that are relevant to my business as a copywriter and marketer, and by the end of next year I plan to have no less than 10. The current books are How to Write Copy That Sells, Moneywords, and Just Get Started. These books generate a certain kind of prospect or client. They are engineered to do so, and also provide valuable content. And, as with speaking, having a book in hand conveys on the author a certain amount of authority and credibility which cannot be gained in any other way. • Guest posts/appearances. From time to time I guest-post on the blogs of other people. I also appear on other people's podcasts as a guest interview. Once upon a time, I did this indiscriminately and would post or appear anywhere asked. The demands on my time have become so overwhelming I now have to choose more carefully. Each decision whether to appear on a podcast or write a guest post is a tactical decision designed to support my overall business strategy. For more on my thinking about this, see this book with my friend Tom Schwab, Podcast Guest Profits. That, in a nutshell, is how I get new clients. I admit it is condensed and leaves out a lot of details. The subject deserves a book of its own. The above will get you started and will have to do until I write that book. HOW I RUN MY WRITING BUSINESS This is not an exhaustive description of methodologies and practices for running a business, but a brief overview of some key principles that I believe help keep my business lean and growing. Minimal staff. Once upon a time, I wanted no staff at all. This came after having been responsible for hundreds of people in my corporate position in radio broadcasting. But I finally realized I was limiting my growth by not hiring employees for my personal writing business. So now we have a few full-time employees and a number of independent contractors. We try to keep the staff as minimal as possible, but no smaller than needed. I have seen more than one friend destroy their own business by over-hiring. I'm determined not to make this mistake. Remote workers. Rather than limit my pool of prospective employees to people who live in my hometown, we simply look for the best people for the job. This means we have hired staff from all over the place. In the US, we have workers on our team in Tennessee, Colorado, California, and elsewhere. For more on how to orchestrate a remote workforce (because there are some unique challenges), I highly recommend the book Remote: Office Not Required, by Jason Fried. Employees vs. Contractors. I am not offering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. You should seek the services of a qualified professional to answer those questions. I can tell you that in my experience there is a difference between an employee and contractor in terms of mental attitude and dedication to the job. This is not to say that contractors don’t have a place. In my work as a freelance copywriter, I am, after all, an independent contractor. However, the person who is a full-time employee in your company can devote 100% of their working efforts to you. You must see that makes a difference. I'm not saying one is better than the other; I'm saying there's a place for both. Client Selection. Anytime I'm going to be personally interacting with clients, such as on a copywriting or marketing project, I use a selection process. The prospective client will have to convince me that I want them as a client. This may sound arrogant, but it is not meant to be so. It actually serves all parties concerned. If I do not have good chemistry with the client, if our working styles do not match, or if we have mismatched expectations, that is a recipe for discord and upset. Contentious, negative, or sketchy people do not make the list. And if they do somehow sneak in, once we discover these fatal flaws, they are invited to go elsewhere. Immediately. PRIORITIZING PRODUCTIVITY I place priority on stewarding my most valuable non-renewable resource – time – as if it is treasure. Because it is treasure. Thus productivity gets priority. My Morning Success Ritual. This is vital to my most productive days. While I don't manage to get this all in every day, I'm getting better at it. My goal between is to achieve 95%+ compliance with this ritual every day. The days when I follow this MSR, starting the minute my feet hit the floor out of bed, are invariably my best days (most productive, most joyous, most satisfying). Probably because the most important things were done first – like prayer, reading, meditating, journaling, exercise, etc. And they are done when I'm still in the “NDZ”: No Distraction Zone (meaning no email, no voicemail, no phone calls, etc.) Writing. The first thing I must do each day after my MSR is complete (and after I have showered, driven to the office, etc.) is WRITING. I am primarily a writer. You can always tell who the writers are – they’re the ones who are writing. This is my #1 Revenue Producing Activity (RPA). At this point my phone is off, I have still not checked email, not checked voicemail, etc. Still in the NDZ. I write for a large block of time at the beginning of the day — often 4 hours. NOTHING gets to interrupt the writing — including (especially) the clients for whom I may be writing. Fortress of Solitude. This is the most important and perhaps the most controversial piece of advice I can give you. You must construct for yourself a “fortress of solitude”. While I do not pretend to be Superman, I do take inspiration from the Man of Steel's secret hideaway. The Fortress of Solitude is the place Superman goes to be in absolute solitude. A place of silent contemplation. This is the place he goes to think, to learn, to plan, to rejuvenate. Some of the ways in which I've done this are: I never answer incoming business calls. They’re always screened, dealt with, and if I really need to speak with the person a call is set for Call Day. I have only one day per month that I make phone appointments (Call Day). I make all phone appointments on that day. If that date cannot work for a person seeking a phone conversation with me, my assistant will schedule them for the next month. I schedule all my interviews on one day per month, grouped together so that I can take care of this task all in a single day. My daily schedule is relatively free from appointments. This creates large blocks of time for me to do what I do best, and what is most important for generating revenue in my business: writing, creating content, and recording (either audio or video). For more details on why I resort to these extreme measures, please see No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs, by Dan Kennedy. Rest. In order to deliver the very best work to my clients and partners, and to still leave room in my schedule for rejuvenation (sleep, family time, time with God, and time to just plain relax)… I have to guard my time vigorously. And I have to be on guard against what Dan Kennedy calls “Time Vampires”. They will suck the life out of you. I Don’t Check Email, and I Only Get One Email Each Day. My auto-check feature in Apple Mail is turned OFF. I only get email when I press the “Check Mail” button. I check it once per day, Monday thru Thursday. Usually around 4 pm Pacific. All my email is screened by my assistant, who compiles the relatively few messages I must read or respond to. She sends those to me in a single email at the end of each day. This is one of my policies that tends to be unpopular with those who are “urgency addicts”, and who want me to have a constant email discussion about all manner of things with them. I refuse to sacrifice my highest valued commodity (time) for the sake of what usually amounts to trivia. I suggest you adopt the same policy. I Avoid Meetings Like the Plague They Are. Any meeting that lasts longer than 15 minutes is probably too long. Not always, but most of the time. Any project that requires multiple meetings each week is probably in trouble. Long meetings = inefficiency at best, and postponement of the inevitable at worst. (As a sidebar: frequent short meetings are just a disguised way of having long meetings. HEAR ME: if you have “meeting-itis”, either you just want an excuse to talk about work instead of doing it, or something is wrong with the project … something another meeting won't solve). Phone Meetings / Conversations. Same as in person meetings, only worse. Conversations and phone meetings should be 15 minutes or less and have a predetermined purpose and ending time. These all take place on aforementioned Call Day. Instant Messenger. Any Flavor. (I’m looking at you, Slack). Just say no. The only time I use it is when I have SCHEDULED events on Skype or Zoom (usually interviews). I am NEVER “just available” to be interrupted. (If I was, that would mean that I was either doing something unimportant or that I was doing NOTHING. If I'm doing something unimportant… WHY? And if I'm doing NOTHING, it's a PLANNED nothing and it's important that this not be interrupted!). I HATE TEXT MESSAGES. The end. Office Hours. Yes, I have an office outside my home. I lease currently. I'm considering buying an office building. I keep regular business hours most of the time: Mon – Thurs, 8 am – 5 pm Pacific. By the way, my office phone is answered by a LIVE HUMAN (not some stupid voicemail torture device) Monday – Saturday, 8 am – 6 pm Pacific time. Why do I have the phone covered even when I am out of the office? Because other members of my team keep different hours… and because emergencies DO happen, and I like to be available if a TRUE emergency arises. My phone team knows how to reach me in those cases. WHY THE EMPHASIS ON NOT BEING INTERRUPTED? Interruptions cost you dearly. As a writer, I know that allowing myself to be interrupted by a client or vendor (“Hey Ray – got a minute to talk about the new logo?”) can seem harmless… but it isn't. That interruption costs me (a) the state of “flow” I was in while working, maybe impossible to recover, (b) the time of the interruption itself, and (c) the time it takes me to get back into the “zone” with what I was working on… minimum 20 minutes, maybe longer. I can't afford to let that happen. My clients and customers can't afford for me to let that happen. I once had a client who loved to call me at 11 pm at night and talk for two hours. I tried to tell him I worked set hours and was available at those times, but he didn't seem to understand. When our first project was finished, I fired him. His dysfunction did not automatically become my problem. Be warned – people will WASTE your time if you let them. Will you let them? Be polite, be loving… but don't be a victim. In the end, if you guard your time, you are being most respectful of other people. Think about it: if you allow yourself to be interrupted, or your time wasted when you should have been doing something else… who suffers? Your clients. Your customers. Your family (“Sorry honey, I have to stay late because I wasted 2 hours today listening to the web team make excuses…”). You're not serving anyone by being a poor steward of your time. WHAT TO DO NEXT Here’s the 3-step plan I promised you to help increase your own income. It’s quite simple: 1. Choose just one of the practices I listed above – the one that excites you the most. 2. Put that practice to work in your own business, and use it until it begins to produce results. 3. Now pick a new practice, add it to your daily/weekly/monthly routine, and repeat the process. (Don’t stop doing the new “thing” you started in Step 1. Keep doing all the activities, and as you add them one by one, you will likely see a corresponding surge in income. I am not promising you any income results, just sharing what has worked for me. Your mileage may vary.) If this post has struck a chord with you, please let me know in the comments, and ask any specific questions you have. I’ll endeavor to answer as transparently as possible. Finally, if you did find this post useful, I pray that you put it into action. So, here's my question for you: What ideas from this post will you implement and what results do you hope to see?

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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Kevin Rogers spent years on the road doing stand-up comedy. Now he makes his living as a direct-response copywriter. I had a chat with Kevin about his journey from playing comedy clubs with the likes of Chris Rock and Billy Gardell, to writing launch promotions for high-dollar clients. There are many parallels between comedy and copy. Tune in as I explore them with someone who's been successful at both.

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Is it necessary to drop a bunch of cash on social media ads in order to get targeted names on your list? Absolutely not. Buying ads isn't as complicated as some would lead you to believe. In fact, I may even offer some guidance on how to do it the right way in a future episode, but I think it's wise to start with the resources you already have at your disposal; specifically, your website. This week, I want to clearly define the purpose of your website, the purpose of your list, AND how those things work together to aid in the purpose of your business - making sales.

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

Links

BenSettle.com - Want to up your email game? Pay attention to this man. Tim Ferriss - I've been a fan for many years. This is another great example of a site that's focused on getting you opted in.

How You Can Help

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

Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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https://rayedwards.com/610

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Megan Hyatt Miller is coauthor of the book, Mind Your Mindset, which she wrote with her father, Michael Hyatt. She is also the President and CEO of Full Focus. Megan is a perfect example of balancing business success with a successful personal life. It's seemingly a rare story - But, does it have to be? Listen to find out how to retrain your narrator, overcome the fears that are holding you back, and maintain a healthy margin between your business and personal life.

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

LINKS

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

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

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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https://rayedwards.com/609

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I've got 7 questions that every entrepreneur, every content creator, every personal brand, every business that does business on the internet, must be able to answer in order to succeed. And I'm no exception. I want you to understand how things have changed, and how my company has responded to meet those changes head on (and why YOU should, too). I felt this information was urgent enough to warrant a special, bonus episode for this week.

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

Watch This Episode on Youtube

https://youtu.be/H-HkZxEv4tU

Links

Click Funnels - This is the system we have used to build multiple, 7-figure sales funnels. (affiliate link which does not affect the price you pay) ElysiumWriter.ai - Members of our coaching program have early access to this powerful A.I. which has been designed with my own, proprietary framework to deliver incredible copy that converts.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. Questions or comments? Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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

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

What would your future self be asking you now?

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

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

Links

Read This or Die - Ray Edwards (Available for Pre-Order now!) Discipline is Destiny - Ryan Holiday Mind Your Mindset - Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller

How You Can Help

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

Questions or Comments?

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

Transcript and Video

https://rayedwards.com/607

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Learn how to overcome "The Resistance" - The things that are slowing your productivity, raising your anxiety, and ruining your carefully crafted work plan. Three simple, life-changing steps are waiting for you in this week's episode.

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

Links

TextExpander - If you have to type it more than once, templatize it The War of Art - by Steven Pressfield. I highly recommend you read this book (at least) once.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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https://rayedwards.com/606

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Is it possible to intentionally become the person you wish to be? The best version of yourself you can imagine? It's not only possible, it's how it's done...with intention, and commitment. This week, we'll talk about what it takes to become "the possible you".

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

Links

Be Your Future Self Now: The Science of Intentional Transformation Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Hay House - Mind Your Mindset Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller - Dr. Joe Dispenza - The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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https://rayedwards.com/605

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Have you ever tried to make a significant change in your life? Something that requires effort and commitment? Have you ever failed to achieve that change? Most of us would answer yes to that question (the honest people), but what if I told you there is a real reason why this happens? A universal truth that applies to any major change in your life, be it fitness, finance, productivity, etc. The fact is, you can't just "Dabble in Discipline", you must Move in Mastery. I'll explain exactly what I mean by that in this week's episode.

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

Links

The Sales Page In A Weekend Challenge - This starts within hours of the release of this podcast, so if you're fortunate enough to be here early, get signed up now! You'll learn how to use the latest A.I. to generate the foundation of a good sales page, then how to go from good to GREAT - Get a high-performing, professional grade, money-making sales page completed this weekend!

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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https://rayedwards.com/604

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Some say that YouTube is unfriendly territory for newcomers, but have you really missed the boat? Is it too late to build an income-generating channel? My guest this week, Sean Cannell, says "saturation is a myth". YouTube still rewards great content for those who have the right recipe...and he's got the facts, figures, and cases studies to back it up. Listen to this inspiring interview with someone who has over 1,000,000 subscribers, 100,000,000 video views, coauthored the book YouTube Secrets, and who has coached numerous clients in building their own, successful YouTube channels.

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

LINKS

Think Media on YouTube - Start here for incredible free content to get things going Video Ranking Academy - Ready to level up? Join Sean Cannell's Video Ranking Academy. Use this private link to get the best price. YouTube Secrets- Get the brand new 2nd edition of this Must-Read book for any aspiring YouTuber.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/603

YouTube Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Following and Making Money as a Video Influencer

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Every year people make resolutions or set goals for the coming year. Most will abandon all these aspirations before the month of January is over. Why does this happen? Because their “resolutions” and “goals” were nothing but WISHES. And wishing doesn’t make it so. What makes things happen? DECISIONS and COMMITMENTS. In this episode, I'll give you 5 Decisions That Can MULTIPLY your RESULTS 10X This Year.

[00:00] Intro- The problem with resolutions with goals [00:50] 1. DECIDE to learn from and value the past. Past especially the “FAILURES”. If you don’t have any failures from last year, you probably didn’t try anything very ambitious. And if you do have failures, don’t let that get you down. Because having failures means you have data from which you can learn. [01:17] 2. DECIDE to change your Emotional “Thermostat”. Raise your emotional standards. This ONE SINGLE DECISION can change your life. When you raise the vibration of energy you carry, you increase The amount of charisma and influence you possess, the respect you command, and the results you produce. [01:58] 3. DECIDE WHO you want to be in the future, and measure progress ruthlessly. To go where you’ve never been, you have to so things you’ve never done. To break the habit of being “just me” and seeking to be extraordinary. [02:30] 4. DECIDE to get Focused, Remove BLOCKS, and experience BOTH kinds of FLOW: ”Deep Flow” and “Recovery Flow” [05:39] 5. DECIDE to CLARIFY your values, your purpose, mission, vision, and goals so that all is in alignment , all can be Systemized, and all can be optimized. The Molders of Meaning and Life are the WORDS we use, and the STORIES we tell with these words - CHANGE YOUR WORDS, CHANGE YOUR WORLD.

Links

My Exclusive 3-Day Live Event - Are you tired of setting goals that you never seem to achieve? Are you ready to take your business to the next level, but not sure how to get there? Then join us for our exclusive three-day workshop in Spokane, Washington, where you'll learn how to design your destiny using our proven and tested method for clarifying, committing to, and constructing a plan for getting 10 times the results this year.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

https://rayedwards.com/602

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This week's episode was recorded Christmas morning, 2022. I wanted to have a comfortable, intimate setting to relay some positive thoughts and exercises for the new year, so I chose to record at my kitchen table. My premise is this: We can't be happy all the time, that's a delusion and an unrealistic expectation...BUT, we can have much less time being unhappy than we currently do - by a long shot. There are ways you can manage your emotions and get some control over what makes you joyful. As we head into 2023, I have an excellent journaling exercise that will help you do just that.

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

Links

Your Best Year Ever - Michael Hyatt

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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https://rayedwards.com/601

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OpenAI's ChatGPT software is producing such impressive, original copy, it has many copywriters concerned for their future. I understand the concern, but that doesn't change the fact that it's here, and it's getting better every day. Earlier this week I taught a class on how copywriters can use this new technology to increase their productivity to levels never before possible...To easily add 10k a month to their bottom line by serving more clients. This class was seen by some as promoting the very tool that is out to get them. They were not happy with me. I hope they eventually (quickly) realize that this tech is here to stay, and it can be an incredible tool for writers. Either use it to better your business, or let it roll over you. This week's audio was taken directly from that class. It's a live demonstration of the power of ChatGTP. In it, I give copywriters 10 ways to use this tech to generate more revenue (easily 10k a month) for their business. Enjoy. [00:00] Intro - The Controversial Class [01:07] The Death of Copywriting, or The Start of the Gold Rush [02:58] Realtime demonstration [07:44] A.I. can be your ally [18:21] 10 ways to make 10k [18:28] #1 Write Faster [19:18] #2 Start an Agency [19:40] #3 Write Sales Pages [19:54] #4 Ghostwrite Books [20:39] #5 Write Email Copy [21:03] #6 Write and Publish on Medium or Substack [21:15] #7 Improve Websites [21:52] #8 Create Youtube and Podcast scripts [22:05] #9 Write SEO Copy [22:27] #10 Write a Newsletter

Links

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

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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https://www.rayedwards.com/600

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The entrepreneurial journey is full of highs and lows…and yes, I acknowledge that the same could be said of any job - BUT, it’s somehow different when you’re running the show. There is potential for higher highs, lower lows, and you're ultimately responsible for all of them. In this episode (taken from The Cliff Ravenscraft Show) Cliff and I discuss how to deal with this reality from the perspective of a business owner...How to achieve equanimity and maintain a positive attitude at least 99% of the time (nobody is perfect).

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

Links

CliffRavenscraft.com - Cliff's home base Free The Dream Course - Cliff's flagship course that gives you the techniques, tools and strategies that will allow you to Live the Life of Your Dreams… TrainWithCliff.com - Find Cliff's commentary on Viktor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning, here. Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor Frankl's must-read masterpiece Order My New Book On Amazon - Read This or Die!: Persuading Yourself to a Better Life

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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https://rayedwards.com/599

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Having to constantly chase down new leads is an exhausting and stressful way to keep revenue flowing. Wouldn't it be better to have new clients seek you out? To attract new business instead of chasing after it? There are several ways to make this happen without a huge (or even a small) advertising budget. This week's episode features a segment from 2013 entitled "How to Attract Business". It's been almost a decade since I first suggested these tactics and they're all still valid. In fact, I still use each and every one. Thanks to CDRC Bryan Switalski for suggesting that we revisit these powerful tactics.

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

Links

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

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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https://rayedwards.com/598

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This week, I invite you to tune out the continual stream of fear mongering and "doom and gloom" stories, and consider this: By every measurable statistic, life on Earth is better now than it ever has been. Yes, we still have problems that need solving... No, we're not perfect...but we're better than ever. This week, I'm giving you 5 reasons why now is the best time to be alive.

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

Links

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

Watch One of Hans Rosling's Ted Talks on YouTube

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there. Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

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https://rayedwards.com/597

Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think

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

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

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

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

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

Links

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

Watch This Episode On YouTube

How You Can Help

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https://rayedwards.com/596

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How You Can Help

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

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https://rayedwards.com/595

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    Now is not the time to hide in a bunker...waiting for the impending economic doom we hear about every day.                       What you should be doing is turning your knowledge and skills into a business built around your own personal brand.

That's what we're talking about in this week's episode.

         **[00:00]** Intro - Turning your knowledge, wisdom, and experience into a business

[01:27] There's a storm coming...Batten down the hatches?
[02:29] Being a personal brand
[03:55] How we're transitioning at Ray Edwards International, Inc. [07:55] But if I build a personal brand, I can't scale, right?
[08:46] 3 Reasons to build a personal brand
[08:57] Reason 1: It's the fastest way to create income
[10:31] Reason 2: You can build a citadel to protect your clients
[11:20] Reason 3: Customer-funded acquisition of market share
[14:09] Whats a brand?
[15:50] Closing with a quote

         Links     ***https://rayedwards.com/*** - Check out the brand new rayedwards.com. There are plenty of valuable resources, free for the taking.

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

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                   Get The Transcript      **https://rayedwards.com/594**

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

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

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

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

Links https://youtu.be/ua5VfCVsDYo Tony Robbins Vintage Infomercial https://youtu.be/L8nt94LCyqY The Most Interesting Man In The World The Man In The Hathaway Shirt - A highly successful campaign by the legendary David Ogilvy which perhaps inspired The Most Interesting Man In The World campaign.

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

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Get The Transcript https://rayedwards.com/593

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links @mindset.therapy - Check out their instagram

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyscape - Online plagiarism checker

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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That is the question that keeps coming up:

“Is Ray retiring?”

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

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

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

Why my team and I attended FunnelHacking Live (hint - it was only partly to receive our “2 Comma Club” Award - and even that not for the reasons you might suspect.)
How you can get a copy of the exact Funnel through which we processed nearly $1.8 million in sales to earn that award. We will even help you customize it for your own business, if you qualify.
Why today's economy makes it possible for you to achieve business growth in 12 months which took me 12 years.
The two surprising “universal truths“ about all businesses (no matter what business you are in, or think you’re in). These two truths should change the way you approach everything about marketing your business.
And the 5 Areas of Strategic Focus you must master … if you want to not only survive, but actually thrive in the coming economic meltdown.

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

Links Work With Ray Edwards to Build Your Million Dollar Freedom Business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://otter.ai - Transcription service

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

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

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

https://jenniferallwood.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Note About This Episode:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Did you catch that last one? Ouch!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

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

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https://rayedwards.com/580

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links https://richienorton.com/

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

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

Spoiler Alert: No. It isn't.

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

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

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

But, how bad are things, really?

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

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

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

What Dave Ramsey says about the Housing Market (VIDEO)

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

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

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

capitalism.com - Ryan Moran

Unique Ability - Dan Sullivan

The Big Leap - Gay Hendricks

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

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The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level

Unique Ability® 2.0: Discovery - Define Your Best Self

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then, I read the book.

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

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

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

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

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

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The Secret Society of Success: Stop Chasing the Spotlight and Learn to Enjoy Your Work (and Life) Again

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How You Can Help

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links Dr. Gus Vickery's website

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links * SaraAnnaPowers.com * Anna Powers on Instagram * Anna Powers on Facebook

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Permission to Prosper: How to be Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Truthfully, our best ideas come from other ideas.

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

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

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

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

Click here to sign up

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

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

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

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Life Force: How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life & Those You Love

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See if this sounds like anyone you know…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://michaelhyatt.com/ - Michael Hyatt

https://acuff.me/ - Jon Acuff

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

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

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

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

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

For instance, when:

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

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

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

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

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

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

8 Questions You Should Answer In Every Sales Page You Create [08:54] 1. Who are you, and why should I trust you? 2. What do you have that can help me with my problem,? 3. Do you understand my problem in the pain it causes me? 4. How does your problem solution help me? 5. What makes your solution different than everyone else’s, and why should I buy it? 6. How can you assure me this will work? What happens if it doesn’t? 7. How much is your product, and is the speed and effectiveness of your solution with enough to justify my paying your price? 8. How do I get started, how do I pay you, and what happens then?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[00:35] The law of wealth attraction
[02:21] It's not about making money
[03:19] Here's why...(The Protestant Work Ethic)
[04:15] Who works a billion times harder than you?
[04:47] The best economic system....ever
[06:10] The Effort-Income Link
[08:36] If you're new...
[09:07] Attracting wealth and money
[10:22] Impartation and Activation for 2022
[14:33] It is a new economy
[17:23] The money magnet
[24:00] Two quick stories to wrap up
How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Get signed up for the class By Clicking Here.

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

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

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

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

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

Get signed up for the class By Clicking Here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links Permission to Prosper - Ray Edwards

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

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

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

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

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

And of course, I'll discuss the title of this week's episode: The Creator Economy.

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

Links How To Take Smart Notes - Sönke Ahrens

Building A Second Brain - Tiago Forte`

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Domains of Life You Should Improve * [07:52] Faith * [08:51] Fitness * [10:11] Family * [10:48] Finances * [12:28] Friends * [12:38] Fun * [12:59 Fulfillment

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

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

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

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

Here's the short answer - Do it now!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links From This Week's Episode $100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No by Alex Hormozi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A surprising call from an old friend got me thinking …

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

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

Decisions about whether to keep the job you have …
Or decision about whether to accept the new job you've been offered…
Maybe you're thinking about starting your own business…
Or you might even be considering whether to move to a different city (or country) …

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

About every part of your life.

Don't let this freak you out.

It's actually a good thing.

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

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Look, let's be real.

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

Think of all the crazy stuff that has happened.

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

I surely did not.

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

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

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

It was not so for me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Jeff’s book, you will learn

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

In our conversation, Jeff and I dig deep into:

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

Links From This Episode Jeff's Podcast https://readtoleadpodcast.com/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tune in to learn:

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

Links from this episode

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

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

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

Here's what we cover in this episode:

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

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

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

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

Here's what we cover in this episode:

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

Resources: Links mentioned on today’s show:

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

A Few Essential Copywriting Books by the Original Masters:

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

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

Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone

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

Spiritual Foundations The Lord is my light and my salvation- so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. Psalm 27:1-3 (NIV) Tip Of The Week I am a big proponent of dictating instead of typing, mainly because I can’t type very well. But I can speak pretty fast. I was frustrated with my iPad pro’s Magic Keyboard because it would not allow me to dictate. There’s no button for it. Tapping the little globe keyboard icon does not help, because as far as I can tell, you’re not supposed to use software keyboards in conjunction with this actual hardware keyboard. I found the secret. Simply tap the Control key twice in succession and up pops your dictation window. You’re welcome.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feature Presentation: “The Single Best Business to Start (If You Need Money Now)” While thinking about this idea of the “ideal business”, I ran across an article by John Forde at AWAI. I will link to the article in the show notes. (https://www.awai.com/2009/05/is-copywriting-the-worlds-best-business/)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feature Presentation

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

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

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

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

5 Phases of a Prosperous Business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spiritual Foundations

"The wicked flee though no one pursues,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Proverbs 28:1, NIV

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

Feature Presentation 5 reason why now is your time:

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

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

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

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This week, I'm asking you to do some self-reflection (check yourself, before you wreck yourself.) I'm offering you 5 "Failure Factors" that can paralyze entrepreneurs if left unchecked.

The good news is this: Even if you see some, or all of these factors in yourself, there is a simple solution. That's what I'm giving you in this week's episode.

Spiritual Foundations

"In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait expectantly."

Psalm 5:3, NIV

How is it possible to stay spiritually centered in a world prone to chaos? This verse from Psalm gives us a pretty good recipe: Start your morning by speaking God - Then LISTEN for His voice throughout the rest of the day.

Tip Of The Week Here's an app that fixes a recurring, expensive problem for many of us: Forgetting to cancel things we're not using. You may even see the charge pop up and think, "Oh yeah, I need to cancel that.", but the subscription rolls on for a few months until you actually do it.

Truebill takes care of this in a simple, almost magical way. It keeps track of all your subscriptions and allows you to cancel unwanted ones with a single click. Amazing!

Feature Presentation This week, I'm breaking down 5 factors that can be dream-killing kryptonite for entrepreneurs:

Drifting (You MUST NOT drift. You need an intentional destination)
Complaining (If you're complaining about things that are not in your control, stop it. If you're complaining about things you can control, stop it...and fix the thing that you're complaining about.)
"Victiming" (It might give you some quick pain relief, but this fixes nothing)
Comparison vs. Creation (Don't worry about who's doing it better, keep creating! The more you create, the better you will get)
Procrastinate vs. Publish (You're not perfect. You're content will not be perfect. Don't let striving for perfection lead you to producing nothing.)

Links From This Episode Write an Email Series That Sells - My free workshop that happens on July 8, 2021. This is a live, cohort-based workshop that will teach you how to create must-open subject lines and how to sell using stories. If you want a sample of how effective this style of learning is, just sign up and show up...no investment required.

Truebill - No more forgotten free-trials or hidden subscriptions. Track them all and cancel with a click.

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

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In this week's episode I want to talk about what I believe to be the future of online education - Cohort Based Learning. This isn't a new concept, but it IS revolutionary. After all, a revolution is simply a return to the beginning. Cohort-Based learning fills in the missing pieces that we sacrifice when we're not in a physical classroom: The interaction, the community, the time constraints, the accountability...those are all invaluable educational tools that are stripped away with traditional digital courses.

This Cohort-Based format is why, after over a decade of teaching, I had my first 100% successful completion rate. Not completion as in "people showed up and listened to me lecture them"...Completion as in, they showed up and DID THE WORK they came to learn how to do.

Whether you're the teacher or the student, this is the format that will get you the results you're looking for. I'll break down all the why's in this week's episode.

Spiritual Foundations

"A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich."

Proverbs 10:4, EIV

Is this God's warning to us that unless we toil our life away we will have nothing? No. This is God's reminder to work diligently - Do the right work, at the right time, in the right way.

Tip Of The Week My tip this week is to get your Inbox organized with the help of Sanebox.

Sanebox uses advanced AI to organize your email, keeping only the right stuff in your inbox. I know the email client or website you use probably has filters and rules to organize your email, but you likely don't use them and even if you do...Sanebox does it better. Click here to learn how.

Feature Presentation This episode was inspired by two things: A course I recently taught, and an amazing article by Wes Kao.

Before I get started, let me say that I don't think traditional, prerecorded digital courses are going away. This is still an on-demand world and there will be those who prefer the self-paced, self-study route...especially if it's a subject that they're kind of interested in. However, for most serious students who have made the commitment to learn AND implement the material, I believe the cohort model is supreme.

Okay, enough disclaiming...back to my two reasons for choosing this topic.

The 100% Success Rate in the title isn't click-bait. It is a fact, and it was a first for me...literally. This was the first time that EVERY student not only learned the material, but also put it to use and produced a quality product that they were satisfied with. Don't get me wrong, I'm accustomed to seeing some success, but not this level...not everyone. Imagine if you owned a gym and on January 2nd, you got that huge wave of new customers who were determined to get in shape. Only, instead of quitting in a matter of weeks (or days), they all put in the work and actually achieved their goals. Buying a digital course is like joining a gym...it's the easy part. Doing the work is a different story.

The results achieved in that class made me rethink my entire system of educating. People don't want a gym membership...they want the transformation. The cohort environment forced them to interact, to write, to revise, to be engaged - To do the work.

If you're a course creator, you need to become intimately familiar with this format. This is what most of your students will be looking for. If you deliver can deliver what they want, your course completion rate, customer satisfaction rate, reviews, testimonials and revenue will be dramatically amplified.

I want to acknowledge the author of the article I quoted extensively in this week's podcast, Wes Kao. I highly recommend you take a few minutes and read it in its entirety.

Links From This Episode Write an Email Series That Sells - My free workshop that happens on July 8, 2021. This is a live, cohort-based workshop that will teach you how to create must-open subject lines and how to sell using stories. If you want a sample of how effective this style of learning is, just sign up and show up...no investment required.

Sanebox - The most advanced Inbox organizer I've ever used.

In Online Ed, Content Is No Longer King—Cohorts Are - Future - Brilliant article by Wes Kao - a MUST READ for anyone who creates digital courses.

Be Your Own Copywriter - This is my new Cohort-Based course that will not only teach you how to write engaging copy that transforms your readers, viewers, members and followers into customers - BUT also helps you get the work done, in class - with support from me, my team of coaches, and your fellow cohorts. When you finish this live course, you will have every piece of copy you need to launch or re-launch your product, written, reviewed and ready for launch.

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

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Tik Tok may have started as a platform built for teens and tweens to post dancing videos and the like, but that is NOT what it is today.

These days, it's a viable platform for marketing yourself and your business. But wait...there are plenty of those, why would you need another?

Because, unlike most of the other big players, Tik Tok does not require you have a huge following before giving you exposure to their users. It's a viral-video machine and if you know how to put the right ingredients in, you can see growth at a speed that no other platform offers.

My guest this week is a Tik Tok pro named Bryan Switalski. Bryan knows the viral-video recipe and he's got some great tips on how you can get started, TODAY.

Spiritual Foundations Looking for some free business advice? Why not check in with the number-one business consultant I'm aware of...God! I know that some feel the need to keep those world's separate and that God has bigger fish to fry than helping you with business problems (or your football team's victory), but...I have evidence to the contrary.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

James 1:5, NIV

There is a great example of God's desire to partner with human beings to accomplish his purposes, and we'll dive into that in this week's episode.

Tip Of The Week My tip this week is for an app called Boosted.

This app is for those who want to create slick-looking videos for social media, without being a pro (or without paying a pro). You can quickly crank out impressive video that is formatted appropriately for whatever platform you choose. They also have a huge stock library of free videos. If you find one that fits your brand, you can actually have a video that uses pro-grade footage and impressive graphics in a matter of minutes. Definitely worth a look!

Feature Presentation Tik Tok is huge with its millions of users. It's also hugely misunderstood by many entrepreneurs who have dismissed it as a place for kids to hang out. The platform was definitely focused on and built by the young, but much has changed. Millions of adults (your customers) are spending an incredible amount of time on Tik Tok, AND (this is where it gets really good for you) - YOU can have a video that gets thousands, even MILLIONS, of views, WITHOUT being a celebrity, or having a huge following.

Bryan Switalksi is a StoryBrand Certified Guide & Business Coach who will share a (very recent) story of how one of his clients "blew up" overnight by posting the right kind of video. This is a highly motivating, take-action episode that will eliminate some of the myths associated with Tik Tok. If you've ever thought "I wish I would've gotten on _________ earlier.", then here's a chance at redemption.

Links From This Episode Boosted - Generate professional looking videos, sized appropriately for all the major platforms, with just a few clicks.

Bryan Switalski - Learn more about Bryan and his services at https://www.leverageclarity.com

Bryan's Free Tik Tok Guide - This is a GREAT RESOURCE to get started with Tik Tok and Bryan is providing it for free.

Be Your Own Copywriter - This is my new Cohort-Based course that will not only teach you how to write engaging copy that transforms your readers, viewers, members and followers into customers - BUT also helps you get the work done, in class - with support from me, my team of coaches, and your fellow cohorts. When you finish this live course, you will have every piece of copy you need to launch or re-launch your product, written, reviewed and ready for launch.

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

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I’ve got a couple of big, epiphany inducing, points to share in this week’s episode, and I can’t wait for you to jump in.

The first is a personal revelation that I’ve had that will be impactful for anyone who makes or takes a digital course: Cohort-Based Learning.

If you sell (or plan to sell) a course, there’s something you need to know: It won’t work for everyone...because not everyone works.

It can be frustrating to share your best content (content that was life-changing for you) with someone who does nothing with it. You’re giving them the power to achieve their goals, but they choose not to use it.

While there is no universal cure for that scenario, I will say that the recent cohort-based courses I have taught have been my most productive...ever. In fact, in the course we just finished, EVERY STUDENT completed the course with their work finished, reviewed and ready to roll. They were ALL satisfied because they had something valuable to show for their efforts (and their investment).

It seems counter to the on-demand world that we live in, but Live Content and Collaboration are HUGE learning tools that I intend to put to use as much as possible in my business.

We’ll dive into that a little in this podcast, but I intend to do an entire episode devoted to this system (and HOW to do it), coming soon.

The second big takeaway this week comes from my friend, Jonathan Milligan, and has the honor of being this week’s Feature Presentation.

Spiritual Foundations This week, I want to discuss the perils of prosperity. I do not subscribe to the Prosperity Gospel, which roughly means that if you’re a good Christian, Jesus will reward you with a Rolex watch or other such material things. Hogwash.

However, this does not mean that I find the pursuit of wealth to be evil or immoral. If your aim of building wealth is so that you can lord it over other people, I believe there is something spiritually unhealthy about that, but money itself is not evil.

“...the distortions of something good must not cause us to think that the thing itself is evil.”

Wayne Grudem

Money itself is a good thing and gives us many opportunities to glorify God.

My challenge to you is this: Over the next week or two, find ways to use your money to glorify God...without just giving it away (at least not yet). Think about that and then put it into practice. I'd love to hear what you came up with, so feel free to comment below.

Tip Of The Week My tip this week is for an app, and… sorry, Android users, this one is IOS only.

If you’ve ever needed to remove the background from a photo for use in online content and had minimal success with complicated apps, like Photoshop, you must try Pixel Cut. This app can magically accomplish the task I just described and rather than me telling you how impressed I am, I think it’s best you just see it in action. Check it out at https://pixelcut.app.

Feature Presentation Jonathan Milligan's latest book, Your Message Matters, is an important read for anyone who has the Why would anyone want to learn from me? mentality that’s keeping them from getting started.

This is the biggest sticking point I’ve witnessed in wannabe entrepreneurs. Before they even get to the other popular show stopping excuses - The “but I don’t have” list… (But I don’t have a website… But I don’t have an email list… But I don’t have any followers… etc.) They first struggle with, “Why me? Why would anyone want to learn what I know, and why would they choose to learn from me?"

If you’re in that position, please understand that I’m not trying to minimize your feelings. I had the same doubts initially, but guess what… I was wrong. And, so are you.

In this week’s feature presentation, Jonathan and I discuss some of the big points from the book, like, “How to rise above the noise and get paid for what you know.”

Links From This Episode Get Jonathan Milligan's book, Your Message Matters, here (U.S. residents can get a free copy at that link)

Be Your Own Copywriter - This is my new Cohort-Based course that will not only teach you how to write engaging copy that transforms your readers, viewers, members and followers into customers - BUT also helps you get the work done, in class - with support from me, my team of coaches, and your fellow cohorts. When you finish this live course, you will have every piece of copy you need to launch or re-launch your product, written, reviewed and ready for launch.

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

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Successful entrepreneurs are typically go-getters, but too much go-getting can cost you everything you're supposed to be working for.

This week, I'm giving you 5 reasons why taking time off can not only help you realize your dreams, but also give you the time to enjoy them.

Spiritual Foundations

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)

In this week's Spiritual Foundations, I'll be breaking down this verse from Proverbs. Specifically, what it means to be hasty.

Tip Of The Week This week's tip: Go shopping for Apps (that you've already paid for). Think about the apps that you've purchased that haven't made it through your various phone migrations. There's a good chance some of those apps have evolved over the years and may be even more useful than when you originally purchased them. Android or IOS, it doesn't matter. Check your purchased history wherever you get your apps and do some "shopping".

Feature Presentation Here are 5 reasons you need to take more off. If you want to dive deeper into each one, click above to listen to this week's episode, or check out the transcript below.

Being diligent is not necessarily about hustle.
Busy does not equal productive.
Productivity is single measure - not a recipe.
Sprints are unsustainable.
Music only works because of the space between the notes - called RESTS.

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

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My guest this week has a solution to a problem that most of us are probably guilty of: We read a book and acquire some great knowledge, but never put it to use.

I can't give you an exact total of self-improvement and business related books I've read, but I'm certain it's a three digit number. Yet, there is so much I've learned that never made it to common practice in my life.

Bryan Kelly's system aims to help you unpack, digest and implement the knowledge from books using what he calls the WIT framework:

Writing
Imagery
Talking

Links https://getstrokeofgenius.com/ - Join the waiting list here.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankellynow - Bryan Kelly's LinkedIn profile.

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

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One of the most important keys to writing copy that sells is being able to write copy quickly. Frequently the faster writer will get the jobs slow writers miss out on. And many times opportunities in the market place exist only for a short window - to take advantage of those you must be able to write copy quickly.

Today we will share five copy hacks you can use to boost your speed up to 5000 words per day.

Spiritual Foundations

Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

do not trust your own cleverness.

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,

for they will surely sprout wings

and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Proverbs 23:4-5

Tip Of The Week Scan old photos, sharpen, enhance, colorize, tag, share, and more with Photomyne.com

Most of us who are old enough to remember the Regan administration have old photos that we've yet to digitize. We say we'll get to it...but we don't. I'm certainly guilty of that, but it's mainly because I haven't liked my choices. Either do it myself...one photo at a time on a flatbed scanner, OR trust a stranger to do it for me.

Photomyne.com has made this process a lot faster and easier. It's definitely worth a look for those of us who still have photo albums full of floral wall paper, huge sideburns and plaid bell-bottoms.

Feature Presentation Any writer can boost their output to 2X or 3X whatever they’re writing currently. Some will be able to go as high as 5,000 words per day. Here are five hacks that can help you get there…

Pre-writing and outlines
Dictate don’t type.
Use time block scheduling
Write first, edit later
Set goals and track word count.

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

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I'm a big believer in systemizing tasks for repeatable results, BUT…can you systemize creative processes? Absolutely! In fact, I have a method that will help you generate consistent, strategic content that WILL get you noticed AND boost your bottom line. That's what I'm breaking down in this week's episode.

             Spiritual Foundations

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

Proverbs 14:4

Many entrepreneurs struggle with decisions regarding investing; whether the investment be in employees, equipment, services, etc. You may ask yourself, “Is it worth this extra hassle?” This verse from Proverbs reminds us that in order to have abundance, we need the strength of the ox, which, of course, comes with its share of poop.

Tip Of The Week Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor. This tip is not intended to be taken as medical, or psychological advice. If you need that sort of help, seek a professional.

Now that I have that out of the way, here's a tip to help you with anxiety and depression:

For one week, try these five steps:

Turn off all notifications (phone, tablet…anything that winks, blinks, buzzes, etc.)
Check e-mail and messages only ONCE per day
Remove social media apps from your phone and other devices
Only use social media for advertising and promotion (Use it for output, not input)
Avoid all newscasts and reporting (If it's a big deal, you'll hear about it)

Odds are you won't try this digital detox, but IF you do, I truly believe it will make a world of difference in your outlook, productivity and overall happiness. If you try it, please share your result.

Feature Presentation When we look at the way businesses use social media, there are a few noticeable trends:

The Post And Pray Method – A.K.A. Random Acts of Marketing. Unfortunately, a lot of businesses live in this zone. There's no real strategy here. You're basically throwing out posts, tweets, videos, etc. and hoping you get some positive attention (which usually doesn't happen).
The Post And Pay Method – Again, not a real strategy, but simply throwing money at various social media platforms in the hopes something will bloom. Essentially, this is the same as the first method, but you burn cash in the process.
The Post And Profit Method – This is what you should be aiming for AND it's what I'm breaking down in this week's episode.

Tune in to the episode (or check out the transcript below) and I'll share this process AND explain why it works.

The key is delivering consistent, microcontent (entertaining and easily consumed) to your audience. I've laid out everything you need to know right here. Check out that link and you'll also find out how you can get help from me and my team in generating AN ENTIRE YEAR'S worth of content for your business – I'm talking about INTENTIONAL content. The kind of content that grows your business, engages with your audience and gives you Brand Presence (not just Brand Awareness).

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

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Am I worried about copywriters being replaced by AI robots? The answer is no...at least not if you don’t want to be replaced. In this episode, we'll get into how any copywriter can benefit from A.I. copy, and avoid being replaced by a robot.

Spiritual Foundations

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

II Corinthians 9:8 NLT

God always provides what we need (not necessarily what we want). Sometimes he sends a check just in time, and sometimes he sends creativity to find the right solution to our challenges.

Tip Of The Week This week's tip is about an app I recently discovered. Here's a summary of their app description: Record videos with confidence. Script, shoot, style, and caption like a pro. BigVu gives you a teleprompter on your phone. You can keep your eyes on the camera while reading your script with ease as it scrolls up the screen. Cut videos in a snap by just selecting the words where you want to start and end.

BigVu caption maker automatically transcribes your video into a storyboard with subtitles perfectly in sync with your narration. Spice up your presentation by highlighting keywords on your subtitles with bright colors, or adding image or video overlays. Brand your video with your logo & titling. Style your video with your brand logo, lower 3rd titling, commercial free music backgrounds, and a biz card animated outro with your business contact details. You'll find BigVu right here: https://bigvu.tv/

Feature Presentation Are copywriters being replaced by AI? Should you be worried about this? Yes, if you are robotically cranking out copy. “If you can be replaced by a robot, you will be.” We have to up-level our game!

Any copywriter can benefit from AI copy, and avoid being replaced by a robot. Here are 5 keys to making that true for you…

KEY 1- Move beyond templates and “mad-lib copy”. AI is ALREADY doing that - often better than you. You’ve got to bring that spark of creativity and write BREAKTHROUGH copy.

KEY 2 - Practice your CRAFT. Make time to write - not just hack together swipe files. You must enjoy the process. The AI phenomena will wash out those for whom this is “just a job”.

KEY 3 - Use AI yourself to crank out transactional copy and “vomit drafts” - and use the time saved to try creative approaches your weren’t able to get to before.

KEY 4 - Be a testing fanatic. Use Google’s built-in testing features, or Optimizely, or similar products to get serious about testing: post titles, video and podcasts titles, email subject lines, YouTube video titles, copy, description and thumbnails. Optimize for BOTH SEO and conversion.

KEY 5 - Renew your passion for copy - or move on. This is, in the best case, art. In the less than best case - it's hacking.

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

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My guest this week is best-selling author and all-around superstar, Jon Acuff.

I've been following Jon for a long time now, and his new book, Soundtracks, is one I can recommend without hesitation. In fact, I've read it twice, and as you'll hear in our conversation, it's already had an impact in my life.

He has managed to beautifully pinpoint and simplify the process to change the way you think…or, more accurately, to take control of the recurring thoughts that influence your life, whether you realize it or not...Your soundtrack.

Links From This Episode Soundtracks - Get your copy of Jon's book

Jon Acuff's official website

Jon's Podcast - If you want to hear a sample of Jon's new book, Soundtracks, check out Episode 12

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

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If you run a service based business, a troublesome client is almost inevitable. For instance, a client may demand a refund even when you have delivered exactly what you promised. And if they paid with a credit card, they don't necessarily need your permission to take that money back.

On this week's podcast, you'll meet entrepreneur, Allie Bjerk, and there is a lot to be learned from her story.

Allie explains why and how she made the transition from a service-based business to a knowledge-based business. And, how she was able to quickly generate enough revenue to cover a $6,000 chargeback from a problem client.

Links From This Episode Allie Bjerk - As the creator of one of the fastest-growing marketing programs available today, Allie has taught hundreds of entrepreneurs how to scale their businesses quickly and limitlessly in the most streamlined and wildly successful marketing strategies to date in her program Tiny Offer™? Lab.

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

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Not so long ago, I found my To-Do list had exceeded 100 items. None of the items were unimportant; they all needed to be completed and the sheer number of tasks was intimidating.

This week, I'm giving you precise instructions on how to work your way through an Overwhelming number of tasks.

Links From This Episode Getting Things Done - This book by David Allen is an incredible resource for learning task management and, well...getting things done. Highly recommended reading.

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

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There are would-be entrepreneurs all over the world struggling with this question...I mean, would it be smart to sit this out for a while?

This episode gives you a quick and direct answer to that question.

How You Can Help

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

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"If anybody is going to change this, it has to be me. No one is coming to save me."

That's a quote from my guest this week, Dawn Apuan, and it turned out to be a powerful (and profitable) epiphany for her.

Dawn never saw herself as the entrepreneurial type until her family had the rug yanked from beneath their feet.

Not so long ago, she and her husband both lost their jobs...they had a new baby to take care of AND were forced to move to a new city for LESS money.

Somewhere amidst all the chaos, Dawn decided to take control. She didn't want to put her baby in a childcare facility while she spent her days working for low pay.

You'll get the full story of her rapid climb to a six figure copywriting business in the podcast, but here's a spoiler: She made the right choice.

Links From This Week's Episode Dawn Apuan: https://dawnapuan.com

TCA Live: https://trainwithray.com - Get your ticket for The Copywriting Academy Live 2021 (April 7-9)

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

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This week's episode contains a bit of a rant, but I think it's a rant most of us should hear.

There's a sea of negativity in this world, and at the center of that sea is a giant vortex with an ever-expanding mouth, trying to pull you under…to suck you down the drain.

I know that sounds like a negative outlook, but here's the thing…You shouldn't be part of that sea in the first place!

Every human I know (and I know me better than the rest of them) is guilty of falling into these traps…stressing about the parts of the world they don't have the power to change while real opportunities for growth and prosperity are right in front of them.

Let's have a serious talks about how to eliminate this; how to acknowledge the fact that we can't solve every problem (for me, Parkinson's Disease comes to mind.)

Life is about solving the problems you can and not getting paralyzed by the ones you can't.

This pandemic has taken much from many, BUT it has created new opportunities that have never existed before…it's created needs to be filled. Why not focus on those needs and HELP people? You will prosper greatly and improve the world.

Links From This Week's Episode https://trainwithray.com – Get your ticket for The Copywriting Academy Live 2021

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

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The title of this week's episode is the title of John Lee Dumas's new book which I strongly suggest you add to your library.

John is the host of the award-winning podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire, and has interviewed more than 3,000 successful entrepreneurs. This book is the result of JLD sorting through all of that wisdom and boiling it down to 17 common steps that each of these entrepreneurs have taken on their path to success.

It is rare that I read a business book that I feel will still be relevant and valuable for decades, but that's exactly what I believe about John Lee Dumas's book, The Common Path to Uncommon Success.

Links From This Week's Episode https://uncommonsuccessbook.com – Get your copy of JLD's new book here. https://www.eofire.com/ – John's podcast, Entrepreneurs on Fire

https://trainwithray.com – Get your ticket for The Copywriting Academy Live 2021

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This week's episode content was actually borrowed from my YouTube video of the same name. Even if you've already seen the video, these are some great, money-making ideas that deserve a review.

Feature Presentation So you want to be a writer for hire, but those high-paying gigs you hear about seem a bit out of your reach. Keep in mind that, just like any worthwhile career, you gotta start somewhere. Here are seven ways you can get started making money as a copywriter that ARE within your reach:

Creating Content for Others
Affiliate Marketing
Social Media Marketing Copy
Copy Editing and Proofreading
Ghostwriting
Podcast Show Notes
YouTube Descriptions

Tune in to the episode to get the full explanation of these often overlooked rapid-revenue generators.

Links From This Week's Episode https://trainwithray.com - Here's your invitation to join me for The Copywriting Academy Live, April 7th-9th. This intense, 3-Day workshop will teach you how to write the words that sell WITHOUT the sleaze. You can get the world's premiere Copywriting training for 1/10th the cost of the in-person event - AND you'll get the same knowledge. Click the link for details.

https://youtube.com/rayedwards – If you're not subscribed to my YouTube Channel, click the link and fix that. Be sure to enable notifications so you never miss a video!

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If you're considering writing a book, you need to check out this week's podcast.

Chandler Bolt, CEO of Self-Publishing School, is THE Authority when it comes to self-publishing and he's my special guest this week.

By the way, “self-publishing” doesn't have the same minor league connotation it did a few years ago. There are many situations when it's simply the smarter choice.

Chandler and I discuss how to be an authority by being an author and how your new book can have a major impact on your business.

Bio:

Chandler Bolt is an investor, advisor, the CEO of Self-Publishing School & SelfPublishing.com, and the author of 6 bestselling books including his most recent book titled “Published.“.

Self Publishing School is an INC 5000 company the last 3 years in a row as one of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the US.

Chandler is also the host of the 7 Figure Principles Podcast and the Self Publishing School Podcast. Through his books, podcasts, YouTube channels, and Self-Publishing School, he’s helped thousands of people write a book that grows their income, impact, and business.

He’s currently spending his time scaling Self Publishing School, a company he’s built from 0 to $20M+ in 5.5 years. In 2020, Self Publishing School hit #1,944 on the INC 5000 as one of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in America.

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There are so many ways to make your marketing complex.
Funnels, upsells, cross-sells, JVs, multivariate testing, challenges, tiny offers with a value ladder of upsells…

Sometimes the best way to sell a horse is with an ad that says “Horse for sale”.

But that kind of clarity only comes when you know your perfect client. Your “right fit client”.

And you must know their language.
The POSITIVE and NEGATIVE “triggers”.
It’s like your RFC has a codebook …. And you need to know that codebook inside-out.

               Spiritual Foundations How To Be Blessed

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. *Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)* Tip of the Week This week's tip is simple: Get on Clubhouse!

I know there have been a few come-and-go platforms in the social media world, but this one looks like it's here to stay – already over 100 million users!

What's different about Clubhouse? It's “Social Audio”. This is a place where you can host, or participate in, discussions on a particular topic. Live, audio only discussions – A great place to teach, learn and network with your people.

Visit JoinClubhouse.com for more information on how to get started.

Feature Presentation This week's episode is a good one to listen to multiple times because there is a lot to unpack: Who is your “Right Fit Client” – AND – Have you learned their language?

That second point is the one that seems to get screwed up the most. Your RFC has certain triggers that they respond to – both positive and negative. It's like they have their own codebook…a language that they recognize and respond to. Once you decipher that code, writing copy that makes them react becomes almost trivial.

In next month's Copywriting Academy Live, we'll focus on how to build this Messaging Codebook for your Right Fit Client – AND – how to keep building it, block by block. When we're done, you'll have your first, high-performance Sales Page, and you'll have the ability to easily generate subsequent offers using your Messaging Codebook. You'll know what to say and how to say it.

TCA Live is only a few weeks away. Get signed up now so I can get your materials in the mail (Yeah…materials – This is a workshop, not a seminar. Be ready to be productive and profitable!)

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

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This week's episode is a conversation I had with the great Lee Cockerell, former VP of Walt Disney World and a master of creating that Disney Magic.

Lee is one of our favorite people to learn from. I say "our", because my company invested in The Cockerell Academy which has benefitted our entire team.

Lee teaches entrepreneurs and business leaders that you don't have to be Disney-Sized to make magic. Excellence, like so many other things, is a state of mind and learning that it is within reach will motivate you to be better.

Learn more about The Cockerell Academy by clicking here.

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

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My book is now officially available for purchase. For now, you can get it the Kindle or Nook version for only .99¢

Even though this book is one of my biggest accomplishments and, I believe, will enrich the lives of those who read it, I still felt weird doing a monologue podcast about my own writing.

Instead, I got permission to borrow some audio from my friend Dan Miller's podcast.

Dan recently interviewed me about the book and definitely did not softball me any sales copy disguised as questions. He really dug into the "why" behind this book and that's what made me want to share it here.

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ATTENTION: We interrupt these show notes to bring you this important announcement:

You have a chance to train with me for free starting this Friday! This Friday, February 12th, we're starting the Get Clients Fast 5 Day Challenge. Five days of free, live training to get clients, fast!

This IS 100% FREE OF CHARGE.

Live training will be about one hour per day. This will be fun, interactive and ultimately profitable if you follow the steps. Click here to join the challenge and I'll see you live starting this Friday!

And now...back to the show

How can you reframe an overwhelming list of "have to's" into an exciting list of "get to's"? That's what we're talking about in this week's episode.

Spiritual Foundations

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

In the past I would often wonder what to pray about. Well, it's clearly stated in the verses above: everything. I think these are the things we worry about and stress over even though they are beyond our control. If you can reach the point of release where you can let go of the things which you can do nothing about, I think you will find yourself much less stressed. Let God do the things that only God can do.

Tip of the Week My tip this week is for my new book Permission to Prosper. It doesn't get officially released until February 16th, 2021, but you can preorder it by clicking here. Also, if you'd be kind enough to preorder, I'll make sure you get a free copy of the audiobook as soon as it's released!

Feature Presentation So how does one transform stress and anxiety into peace and increase? This is another example of "change your words, change your world". It's about looking at "have to's" as "get to's".

I recommend starting out by writing down your list of have-to's. The example from the podcast was, "I have to increase revenue for my company." That sounds stressful...it sounds heavy. Perhaps overwhelming. It's a have-to that I and probably every other business owner has had on their list at some point.

Truthfully, I've had to deal with that one quite a few times in my career and one day it hit me: We have incredible resources now that we didn't have when I first addressed this "have to". Not so long ago, I didn't have social media platforms to potentially reach millions of new customers for free.

This revelation changed my outlook on things. You and I have ever-increasing opportunities to grow our revenue...we don't just "have to", we "get to". Now, it's important to notice the "revelation" part of this story. I didn't simply pick a new word and poof everything changed. I had an epiphany that made "get to" a more accurate way of describing the process. You need to ask yourself what you need to do to make that true for you. I promise you this is a better, more rewarding, exciting and less stressful way of tackling your list.

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

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You want to write copy that converts, but how can you do that?
Remember this: Before conversion comes connection. You need to connect with your audience before you start pitching them. In this week's episode, I'm giving you three ways to do exactly that.

Spiritual Foundations Do Not Boast About Tomorrow.

“… we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Many verses of the Bible seem a little vague (hence all the various denominations of Christianity), but this one is crystal clear.

As a believer, I find comfort in this verse during the bad times. If I don't see the good in what is happening in my life, I simply need to remember that the story isn't over. In other words, in the end, I will see the good.

Tip of the Week My tip this week is for a free app called Threads that is available for both IOS and Android.

This is the tool to use when you want to add close captioning to your Instagram stories (which, for the record, I do on a daily basis right here).

Why closed captioning? Because not everyone scrolls through Instagram Stories with the volume up and having the text on the screen entices them to either turn it up or read it. How do I know this to be true? Because my engagement has increased since I began using it.

If you're posting videos on IG, I highly recommend you get this app.

Feature Presentation 3 Ways To Write Copy That Connects

I don't just write copy, I teach others to write copy and often my students and I review some of their material that flopped. In almost every case, the basic problem is the same: They failed to connect with the reader on a personal level. Their words were...just words.

First connect. Then convert.

Here are three ways to get it right:

1. Pay attention to what your market is talking about.

Whomever your intended audience is, do your homework and get to know them. Try to learn not only the relevant joys, pains and everything in between, but also learn their specific language well enough to echo it back to them in your copy.

Help them feel understood, appreciated, justified , safe and vindicated.

Okay, there is a lot going on in that sentence, but it isn't complicated. It goes back to remembering whom you're talking to.

For instance, I've never been in combat, but I've written some powerful copy for our combat veteran heroes. How could I do that if I've never experienced the battlefield? I took the time to listen to their stories...to make an emotional connection, to empathize as much as possible.

Be interesting especially when you’re talking about boring things (be different by not being the same)

It would be great if every story we had to tell were filled with action heroes, narrow escapes and surprise endings, but that ain't so.

You have to find a way to make the story interesting even if the subject isn't. There was a time when no one would have considered making a funny car insurance commercial. What's funny about car wrecks? Nothing. But, put a caveman in a suit and tie and now you've got my attention.

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

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Can you imagine opening the lid to your toilet, only to discover a snake? What would you do? Here’s what my wife did…OK relax. My wife did not find a snake in the toilet. But this little exercise reveals the subject of today’s podcast…Using story-based emails and subject lines to capture your reader's attention.

There is more noise than ever before in the marketplace, and therefore there’s more competition to get emails opened and read. You’ve got to have something really powerful to hook people's attention. Nothing beats a great story. We’ll explain how to use story-based subject lines and email copy in this episode.

Spiritual Foundations Do Not Boast About Tomorrow.

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

James 4:13-15

I don't think this means that we shouldn't set goals, but I think it does mean we need to have the humility to admit we cannot predict the future...that sometimes, God simply has a different plan.

Feature Presentation Story Based Email Copy That Gets the Click

One of the cardinal rules of writing is the importance of learning to “show and not tell”. So instead of saying “he had searched the room from top to bottom”, you might say instead, “He systematically begin taking things out of the top of the closet and throwing them on the floor. Boxes, shoes, sweaters...then he moved to pulling clothes from the hangers and throwing them on the floor. He proceeded to empty the drawers of the dresser, his face growing more and more puzzled the longer he searched."

Notice how the second version conveys a lot more drama and emotion. That’s what stories can do for any copy, and especially for email. Don’t say “this is very interesting” – you make it very interesting by telling a story about it.

Three subject line examples:

sent the email TEMPLATE by mistake – and our open rates went crazy…
when she opened the email, she screamed…
She found a snake in the toilet! (and THEN…)

Each of these subject lines paints a very different scenario. Each of them begged you to fill in the blanks in your imagination about what happens next. And that’s exactly what you want to occur whenever you send an email. You want the subject line to induce so much curiosity, the recipient has to read the email to find out what happens next.

But keep in mind, then you have to deliver. You have to give them something that satisfies the set up in the subject line.

It’s the best of all possible worlds when you tell me a true story that beautifully illustrates the point you’re trying to make in the email copy. Because the next thing you’re going to do is ask the reader to click through to get… “The rest of the story”…And to maintain your credibility you have to be telling the truth.

Take that headline about sending the email template, for example. True story. One of our best testing email open rates for a case when we sent an email with the subject line: “insert subject line here”.We even got tons of replies to that email. Not something you should do on purpose, and probably would not have worked as well the second time because it was an honest mistake. But that’s just a point. It was true, and it contained an element of story.

Start telling the story in the subject line, continue it in the body of the email, and have the reader click through to get the rest of the story on your landing page (or in your podcast, for instance)…

Are there “new rules” for copywriting? Undoubtedly. We are living in a different time now. We’re going to be spending some time going into these new rules during our Copywriting Academy Live event which takes place April 8th and 9th. This is a totally live, but virtual workshop. We’re going to spend these two days writing your copy together. You should register now, while the price is still just $197 per ticket – because at the end of this week (January 31) the price goes up. Get all the details by going to https://rayedwards.com/tcalive.

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

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I think of Entrepreneurs as Kingdom Builders - and I don’t think of kingdoms in some domineering, benevolent tyranny sense - but in the sense of the “King’s Domain”. Who is the King? For me the King is our Creator. The Kingdom of God that I know is one of peace and mutual benefit. That describes a good way to live, and it describes a good way to do business.

But hang on - This episode isn't about the spiritual Kingdom. It's about the earthly Kingdom I would choose for my business to emulate - The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. I have some incredible, almost surreal memories from there (surreal because there is no other place like it on Earth). So how does such a mega-company provide such an inimitable, fanciful atmosphere full of employees (cast members) who seem genuinely enthused to be part of the experience? Lets find out, shall we?

Today we talk with the former vice president of Disney's Magic Kingdom, 26-year Disney veteran, Dan Cockerel. He has some fascinating insights about the culture of YOUR kingdom.

Feature Presentation
10 X growth is what we discussed last week... and it cannot be additive, it must be multiplicative. Instead of going into specific tactics and techniques, I think it's important to first focus on the primary driver of everything we do in our company, which boils down to our culture. And I know no one more qualified to talk about “kingdom cultures” in the realm of business than Dan Cockerel.

Dan was, for a very long time, in charge of the Magic Kingdom at Disney. His book is called "How's the Culture in Your Kingdom?”. Dan took some time off the ski slopes in Breckenridge to chat with me about company culture - how important it is, and how to create “magic” at any size company. I stress "any size" because most of us don't have the resources that Disney has at their four-fingered white gloved fingertips. Dan's brilliant advice - Don't spend time getting your people motivated - hire motivated people and treat them like gold.

Links From This Episode Dan's Book - "How's the Culture in Your Kingdom"

Event that can drastically change your life for the better: The Copywriting Academy Live

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This really could've been entitled, “what I have learned after doing 500 episodes of this podcast.” But that seemed like a boring title.

Then I realized that around episode one marked the year my business made just over $100,000. After 500 episodes – a little over 9 years or so – our company revenue is somewhere between 1 million to 1.5 million per year.

That's roughly 10X. And now we're looking at how to 10X again. We can't do it by working harder – we have to do something completely different.

 I will share a few thoughts on that as we go, but there is definitely one Master Skill that is key to every step of your business growth. That Master Skill: Copywriting.     Unless you're totally new to this podcast, you probably know that writing great copy is my passion. In fact, I wrote this book which is an excellent place to start if you intend to master this skill.

Most of the copy I write is aimed at business growth…pretty much all of it in fact. But how do words make your business grow? If copywriting is the weapon, what is target?

Back in the 90's, I discovered a book that taught me many valuable (literally life changing) concepts. It taught me there are 3 ways (and only 3 ways) to grow your business:

1. Get more customers.
2. Get each customer to spend more with each purchase.
3. Get customers to buy more often.

You can learn more about this book and the brilliance of Jay Abraham in this video.

Succeeding at any of those three goals will grow your business, but if you succeed at all of them, even just a little (think 10% each), you're talking exponential business growth.

The key to doing all this is being able to write the appropriate copy for each stage. That’s why we’re having the Copywriting Academy Virtual LIVE Video Workshop, April 8-9. (Tickets are just $197 for a very limited time – price increase January 31.)

If you attend this workshop, you will not only gain some powerful, proven, business growing skills, BUT you will also get your copy finished, polished and ready for deployment. All the details on this are right here.

How to Write Copy That Sells: The Step-By-Step System for More Sales, to More Customers, More Often

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This one is for the entrepreneurs who are weary, tired, longing for things to get “*back to normal*”… who possibly are coming out go the holidays not rested and revived, but even more discouraged.

Now, don’t get me wrong. This is not what EVERYONE is feeling. SOME people are energized, excited, and on FIRE! SOME saw their revenues climb instead of fall in 2020 …. SOME saw their profitability SOAR …While others would label 2020 as “difficult” at best, or a “total disaster” on the other end of the scale. Regardless of where you call on this scale, and what your “business problems” might be, you’ll find some encouragement here.

SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS
First - a caution. Don’t kill yourself making a killing.
You’re not in competition with ANYONE. You’re not “behind”.
Grace Over Grind, my friends, in the words of Shae Bynes.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:28-30

TIP OF THE WEEK
I’ve got a couple of tips for you this week - First, check out Jennifer Allwood’s podcast last week, Episode 199, called “Friend, You Are Not Behind”.

Second, check out the “30 Days of Hope Challenge” with my friend Andy Mason. YOU’RE NOT BEHIND! You can still join this source daily encouragement by clicking here.

Third, would you like a shoutout on this podcast, and for us to pray over your business? Just write us a review and give us a star rating on Apple Podcasts - go to RayEdwardsPodcast.com and be sure you let us know you did this so we can mention you. After you’ve posted your review, you can just email us at support@rayedwards.com.

Here are a couple of our most recent reviews

  OUR FEATURE PRESENTATION

It is possible, by making this one decision, to transform every business problem into profit - even if the problem is YOU!

The key decision: DECIDE to use cognitive reframing to produce positive results from almost any situation.

How you think about the “problem” is usually the actual PROBLEM you are NOW facing.

3 ways to transform problems into profit Transformation 1: Wisdom profit. You learned a lesson, got smarter, got wiser. That’s valuable.

Transformation 2: Character profit. You built character - perseverance, patience, faith.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:2-5

Transformation 3: Ask Transformative questions to reframe how you see the problem. 1. What can I learn from this?

What’s great about this problem?
What is not perfect yet?
What am I willing to do to make it the way I want it?
What am I willing not to do to make it the way I want it?
What does this make possible?
How can I enjoy the process?

Links From This Week's Episode Jennifer Allwood Episode 199: Friend, You Aren't Behind - Jennifer Allwood

30 Day Hope Challenge - Heaven in Business Recalibrate your year with clarity and confidence.

Leave us an honest review on I-Tunes here. Don't forget to email us at support@rayedwards.com and let us know you left your review so we can give you a shoutout on the show!

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What a great guest to help ring in the new year- Mark Timm!

This guy has created more than a dozen successful businesses and I'm sure there's more to come. Just reading his story is a great motivator for those planning to enter the entrepreneurial ranks in 2021.

Of course, Mark credits much of his success to the mentors who shaped him, one of whom is Kevin Harrington of Shark Tank fame and coauthor of Mark's book, Mentor to Millions: Secrets of Success in Business, Relationships, and Beyond

Mentor to Millions: Secrets of Success in Business, Relationships, and Beyond

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This week's episode is a little different from the usual format. It was recorded with a live audience on Facebook. I've missed the instant interaction I get from a live broadcast, so I intend to do these live broadcasts every Friday morning at 7 a.m. Pacific.

To be clear, these live broadcasts will not be replacing the podcast; they will be separate shows. I chose to showcase the Facebook broadcast this week for two reasons:

First and foremost, it's useful content that I think will benefit you.
To officially invite you to join me live Friday mornings at 7 a.m. Pacific

The podcast content is a streamlined version of the live broadcast, but if you want to watch it as it happened, check out the comments and add your own - you can do so by clicking here.

Feature Presentation Here's what we're diving into in this episode: 3 Unpopular Rules for Optimizing Your Life:

Don't take on other people's problems
There is no simple answer to complex questions
Don't trade short term pleasure for long term pain

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

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2020? My best year ever? Yes! And I've got the proof in this week's episode.

             Spiritual Foundations

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians [4:11]-13

Most people, whether they are followers of Jesus or not, have heard at least a portion of these verses typically in a triumph over adversity context.

It was of course written by the apostle Paul (kind of the Rambo of the apostles) and is an excellent verse to keep in mind as you process the events of this year.

Tip of the Week My tip this week is that you do a Psycho-Spiritual Inventory and analyze what you want going in your brain.

It's human nature to want to ingest information and there is certainly no shortage of that these days. I'm challenging you to actually inventory what you are ingesting and draw some sort of conclusion as to whether it is helping or hindering your development as a person.

We've all heard the saying, “You are what you eat”, but I'm suggesting “You are what you think.” is much more accurate.

Feature Presentation Do I really have 12 reasons why 2020 is my best year ever? No…I actually have more, but I picked my top 12 to share with you in this week's episode.

I've developed the deepest connection I have ever had with God.
I have experienced the deepest connection and growth I have ever had in my marriage.
I am convinced that I am already as prosperous as I could have ever dreamed, and there’s no way for me to become more or less prosperous.
I grew in my ability to adapt to unexpected events outside my control.
I honed the power of unshakeable faith & extraordinary effort.
I discovered the power of growing through constraints.
As a team, we removed every system, practice, habit, and person that was causing friction and slowing our manifestation of our purpose and vision.
I became a true student/beginner/learner again and began a “long-game” learning practice.
We created a true marketing SYSTEM that works even when I don’t.
We found our team’s core strengths, their “Zone of Genius” and aligned those with each person’s work, so everyone is working on what ONLY that person can do best.
We created a vision and a plan to DOUBLE our growth in 2021.
I learned that I am capable of enduring much higher levels of discomfort than I ever thought possible – and to actually ENJOY THE PROCESS!

Those are all true statements. Could I come up with some reasons as to why 2020 is the worst year of my life? Probably…but why would I do that? How would it serve me?

I choose to feel gratitude rather than despair – AND I can do so while still remaining true to myself. Doing so makes me better in literally every aspect of my life.

Links From this weeks Episode 6 Figure Small Group Intensive (December 17th-19th)

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

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Do you still think LinkedIn In is just a job posting site?

These days, it's much, much more - and John Nemo explains how to put it to good use for your business in this week's episode.

Spiritual Foundations Jesus never promised that life would be easy. On the contrary, Jesus said that we would have trials.

Sometimes, we may wonder if God is truly concerned about our situation. It may feel as though he’s not listening, or even that He is not going to help us. Not matter how bad it gets, whether we go through health scares, or huge losses, or business problems… God is with us.

Joshua 5:13-14 says,

“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come."(NIV)

Joshua was about to take the city of Jericho. The manna had stopped. Being very human, Joshua asked the angel of the Lord whose side he was on. “Are you for us?” The answer: neither. The angel was there to do the will of the Lord.

Think...He is not on “sides” of human arguments, industries, businesses, nations or even sport teams. God is working to accomplish His will in the lives of everyone.

In your situation, pray about what is God’s will for your life and understand that God does not have anything against you. The enemy would love for you to believe that God is angry with you and therefore has abandoned you; especially when you see others prosper or the wicked blessed.

No, whether you see it or not, the Bible says that the “Father is always at His work” (John 5:17, NIV). God is working for your good. His will for you IS your highest good. Even when you can’t necessarily see it - yet.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

Tip of the Week This week's tip is a concept that I use to make sure that I complete the important stuff every day: The power of 3.

Each Sunday, decide your Big 3 for the week, the 3 things that MUST get done this week. Then, at the end of each day, give yourself the Big 3 for TOMORROW. In Donald Miller’s words, “pass yourself a baton”.

Feature Presentation So many people have yet to shake off LinkedIn's reputation of a resume` website. These days, it can be a powerful tool from getting clients.

My friend John Nemo literally wrote the book on using LinkedIn to generate revenue. It's called LinkedIn Riches and you can get it for free right here.

John gave me a live demonstration of The Nemo Method and, as many genius things are, it's dead simple!

You can get the in-depth version in John's book, but the nutshell version is this: You find someone that you feel could benefit from your services and introduce yourself - Not bulk email...not a link to a lead page... Just a simple formula for an introduction and a pitch straight to their inbox.

LinkedIn has not only made it easy to get in someone's inbox, but they've also provided powerful tools to really make a personal connection - like dropping a quick video introduction in their inbox.

As I said, the book will take you on the deep dive, so be sure and grab it - AND John's other resources for online marketing can be found right here.

Links From this weeks Episode John Nemo's LinkedIn Riches! (Get your free copy there)

6 Figure Small Group Intensive (December 17th-19th)

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

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Emotions are habits and that's great news, because habits can be changed.

Before I go any further let me clarify...Obviously, not all emotions are habits. Some emotions are genuine responses to your present, personal situation, but those are not what I'm talking about today.

I'm talking about the emotional defaults - the mood you naturally gravitate to.

For instance, we all know someone who seems to be grumpy most of the time. It might fluctuate a little, but "grumpy" seems to be their default state regardless of the circumstances.

On the other end of the spectrum, we all know someone who seems to be perpetually happy...sometimes annoyingly so.

So is that just how it is? Some people are generally angry and there's nothing they can do about it? I'm proposing that people can in fact change their general disposition by acknowledging the underlying emotions and dealing with them.

People who are generally angry will look for reasons to be angry. And with the endless supply of 2020 news, they don't have to look very hard.

If you tend to live in this zone of frustration and anger, you should make an effort to focus on different things. Try to avoid the things that irritate you the most and focus on things that inspire you or bring you joy. I'm not suggesting you bury your head in the sand and ignore the world around you, but rather to recognize the things that are negatively influencing your mood and try not to dwell on them.

This is not meant to be an easy, quick-fix. Longterm, deeply engrained habits are never a quick fix. They take work to change, but they are changeable.

The main point is this: Don't just decide that you "identify as angry" and that's your fate. Treat this like any other lifestyle change. Stop fueling your mind with things that aren't healthy for you. Make a conscious decision to change your mental habits in the same way you would for physical habits. (Less cupcakes, more carrots... Less news, more music)

Once you succeed, you might find that those perpetually happy people aren't so annoying after all.

Links From this weeks Episode 6 Figure Small Group Intensive (December 17th-19th)

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

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What's worse than having a job you hate?

Having a job you don't like.

In other words, having a job that is in no way fulfilling, but you tolerate it because you need the paycheck.

Is there a better option? Oh yes!

My friend and best-selling author, Dan Miller, has the solution in this week's episode.

Spiritual Foundations Whatever work we're doing, there is a perspective that will make it better, richer and more meaningful (even if it's not what we want to be doing). The scripture that taught me this comes from the Apostle Paul in the book of Colossians:

Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord.

Colossians 3:23-24 CSB

Tip of the Week My tip this week is for what could be our final 6 Figure Small Group Intensive, December 17th - 19th.

It's not too late to lay the groundwork for your 6 Figure Business before the end of the year. These groups are limited to 8 entrepreneurs because of the intense focus and personalized attention required to build your highly customized action plan.

The goal: 6 Figure Business, in six months or less!

If you're ready to work with me to build your new business, or adapt your existing business to make it more profitable, click here to get started.

Our Feature Presentation My guest this week is my friend and New York Times best selling author, Dan Miller. His book 48 Days to the Work You Love is celebrating its 20th anniversary and should be required reading for anyone who feels like they have missed their calling in life.

As Dave Ramsey put it, “Few categories of our lives define us and grow us spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and as people. Our work is one of those defining areas. Sadly, a ‘j-o-b’ is what most people settle for. But as Dan Miller so powerfully points out in 48 Days to the Work You Love, a calling lights up your life.”

The wisdom Dan shares in the interview goes beyond occupation. We discuss Dan's perspective on life during the pandemic, the challenges and opportunities it has brought and how he still plans ahead to navigates these uncharted waters (or as every third commercial I hear says, "uncertain times").

Links From this weeks Episode Dan's Book - 48 Days to the Work You Love: Preparing for the New Normal

6 Figure Small Group Intensive (December 17th-19th)

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I don't typically release my podcast on Sunday, but this is no typical podcast. This week my special guest is Chris Ducker, author of Rise of the Youpreneur and Virtual Freedom.

When I first started my entrepreneurial journey, I was a bit leery of personal branding...Would I be better off with the Acme Copywriting Academy, or is it better to stick my name on everything?

I believe in almost every case it's best to be your brand and I credit Chris Ducker with teaching me many of the tactics I've used to build mine.

So...Why the Sunday Release? Like so many others, Chris's annual live event, The Youpreneur Summit, was cancelled due to the pandemic. As Chris puts it in the podcast, he wanted to do something to bring people together and teach his "Build, Market, Monetize" process - which he'll be doing online, for free, starting tomorrow (Monday, 11/16/20).

I take no joy in Chris's (or anyone else's) event being canceled, but this does make things a bit more accessible for those of us in the US as the live event takes place in London.

Adding some of Chris's wisdom to your arsenal is a smart move and since he's offering this 3 day bootcamp for free, I suggest you jump on it.

Links From This Week's Episode Profitable Personal Brand Bootcamp - Build Your Audience. Monetize Your Expertise. Become Future-Proof. Click the link to save your seat.

November 16-18, 2020
7pm GMT (London) | 11am PST (Los Angeles) | 2pm EST (New York)

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

Rise of the Youpreneur: The Definitive Guide to Becoming the Go-To Leader in Your Industry and Building a Future-Proof Business

Virtual Freedom: How to Work with Virtual Staff to Buy More Time, Become More Productive, and Build Your Dream Business

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If you’re staring down the holidays, have a stack of bills, and the balance in your savings and investments accounts keeps getting lower...And if you’re wondering how long the COVID lockdowns will last, and there’s way too much month at the end of the money...This episode is for you!

If you’re able to write decent copy - even if you’re not a professional copywriter for hire... I have 7 income streams you can tap into right away...

Spiritual Foundations The Whole Armor of God I got a timely reminder about one of our great rest resources - my friend Ben Greenfield posted this today...

“One of my favorite incredibly powerful Bible passages, Ephesians 6:10–18, lists seven distinct pieces of spiritual armor. Armor that can equip you to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. When I’m spiritually struggling, know that I’m entering into a situation in which I will encounter significant temptations, or am about to embark on travel away from my family and Christian support network, I often imagine adorning myself with each of these seven pieces of armor.”

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Tip of the Week Register for our upcoming massive free training (12/1/2020, 12 p.m. EST):

How to Apprentice With Me to Become a Six Figure Writer
How to Quickly Cut Your Teeth in the MOST Lucrative form of Writing So You Can Start Making Money Almost Immediately! With a few basics, many of our students have started bringing in money within 1 week, some did it in just a few HOURS!
How to Attract the Perfect Clients Who Send You Regular Work You Can Complete In Less Than One Hour a Day
The one thing you need to pick and stick with to get a hoard of the best clients chasing you down, practically begging you to take their projects (and their money).
How to Multiply Your Income Dramatically In a Simple Way Almost EVERY "Guru" Overlooks or Ignores
You'll have so much work you'll either have to put people on a months-long waiting list or start saying "NO" to even the most interested clients because you'll be TOO busy.
PLUS - One Person WILL WIN $1,000 CASH During This Workshop!

Click here to save your seat at the live workshop, December 1st at Noon EST

7 Income Streams For Copywriters Can you write copy? Then check out these 7 income streams most copywriters overlook...

Content writing: It's not all sales copy…people need blog posts, articles, scripts for their videos, etc.
Affiliate marketing: This one seems a little obvious, but it's often overlooked. If you have products you use and enjoy, why not share those with your list and your social media followers? They won't pay any extra and you could end up with a nice stream of revenue.
Social media marketing: There are many marketers out there who need help with their social media content. (not just their ad campaigns…their content)
Copy editing and proofreading: Even the best writers can be blind to their own mistakes. Many pay good money for an extra pair of eyes.
Ghost wiring: I have students who make their living almost exclusively ghost writing for others.
Podcast show notes: You may find some of your favorite podcasts don't have posts to support their episodes. Apparently you find value in show notes (because…here you are) so why not write up some samples and send them to the creator offering to do them for past and future episodes?
YouTube video descriptions: Similar to number 6, only this is for video. There are tens of thousands of videos (conservative estimate) that could benefit from a well written description. A channel that is producing high quality videos may gladly pay for some help with the text.

Links From This Week's Episode Ben Greenfield Fitness

The Big Money Writer Workshop

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

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You didn’t see it coming. And 2020 maybe put you on your nose. This is the part where you turn the tragedy into triumph, the trials into treasure, and move from victim to victorious!

Spiritual Foundations Your Misery Is Not Meaningless

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
English Standard Version

Normally this is where I would pontificate on the verses above, but this week I will give that honor to John Piper. This is an excerpt from his sermon on this subject with a link to the entire sermon following.

Not only is all your affliction momentary, not only is all your affliction light in comparison to eternity and the glory there. But all of it is totally meaningful. Every millisecond of your pain, from the fallen nature or fallen man, every millisecond of your misery in the path of obedience is producing a peculiar glory you will get because of that.I don’t care if it was cancer or criticism. I don’t care if it was slander or sickness. It wasn’t meaningless. It’s doing something! It’s not meaningless. Of course you can’t see what it’s doing. Don’t look to what is seen.When your mom dies, when your kid dies, when you’ve got cancer at 40, when a car careens into the sidewalk and takes her out, don’t say, “That’s meaningless!” It’s not. It’s working for you an eternal weight of glory.Therefore, therefore, do not lose heart. But take these truths and day by day focus on them. Preach them to yourself every morning. Get alone with God and preach his word into your mind until your heart sings with confidence that you are new and cared for.

John Piper - Full sermon text here

Tip of the Week My tip this week is for an app I recently started using called Thinkup.me. This is the number one app for affirmations and motivations and it's available for both iPhone and Android.

What stops you from achieving goals or becoming who you want to be?Build your self-improvement program to develop the motivation and the positive mindset you need to succeed, using positive affirmations in the most effective way.

7 Steps to Transform a Tragic 2020 Into a Terrific 2021 1. Process 2020: Wins, Losses, Learning
2. Release and Redeem the Emotions
3. Prioritize
4. Energize
5. What do you want to Eliminate, Delegate, Automate
6. Set Goals, Actions
7. Schedule habits, routines, reviews, assessments

Links From This Week's Episode The Six Figure Small Group Intensive - Ready to join Ray and 7 other entrepreneurs on a mission to build a 6 figure business in 6 months or less? Click the link to schedule a one-on-one chat with Ray. Seating is extremely limited for these events!

November 12-14: 3 seats remaining
December 17-19: 4 seats remaining

A Song for the Suffering (with John Piper)

Thinkup.me - An app for iPhone and Android that allows you to create your own affirmations and motivational messages.

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

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Something a little different for this week's podcast…

It's been months since I've done a live stream and the timing felt right for this one. For those who want the raw, visual live stream, you can watch it here.

Whichever medium you choose, I would love to hear your feedback. You can leave a comment here. If this message was helpful to you and you feel it may be helpful to others, I encourage you to share it.

Spiritual Foundations

“Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.

Genesis 12:1

Truthfully, this week's podcast could fall completely under the Spiritual Foundations heading, but even if you and I believe in differently, perhaps you will still receive the hope within the message.

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

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"Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash is life."

As a business owner, nothing could be more true...According to the US Department of Labor and Statistics, the number one reason 95% of businesses close their doors is quite simply running out of money.

In this week's podcast, I'll give you seven ways to create steady cash flow.

Spiritual Foundations

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’

Luke 14:28-30

If a business leader wants to get new clients, or sees a possibility of financial “boom times”, there’s the temptation to promise more, offer more, deliver more, overcommit, over SPEND, etc. Then if things don’t go exactly as planned, paying the price becomes a bigger drain on resources, staff time and more. Maybe more than you can handle.

Many a business has gone under because of this very phenomena. Jesus’s wisdom works for every part of life, so the question is - The next time you have a big business decision to make, or even a small one… will you hope that you escape paying the price, or will you follow Jesus and count the cost?

Entrepreneurial Spotlight This week, we're inviting you to cast the spotlight on an entrepreneur with an innovative idea or inspiring story (and yes...it can be you).

We see and hear daily reminders of businesses that have failed in this economy. All of us need to remember that millions of entrepreneurs around the globe are thriving in spite of the challenges brought by this pandemic.

Help us spread the good word! Send your Entrepreneurial Spotlight suggestion to support@rayedwards.com and we may feature them in a future episode.

Tip of the Week My tip of the week is a very timely and powerful book by my friend, Michael Hyatt.

Michael is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and his latest book, Entrepreneurs Will Save the World, definitely deserves a spot in your library.

Not only is this a small investment ($17.99), but it comes with $164 in bonuses:

Audio book version of Entrepreneurs Will Save the World ($24.99 value)
The complete "Mindset Advantage" video series ($99 value)
Employee to Entrepreneur Handbook: How to Have an Entrepreneurial Mindset in Your 9-5 ($29.99 value)
8 Traits Printables - Keep the 8 traits of the entrepreneurial mindset visible on your office wall or desktop ($9.99 value)

The book is officially shipping as of today (10/19/20) and you can order it here: https://entrepreneurswillsavetheworld.com/

7 Ways Copywriting Creates Consistent Cashflow Copywriting is more than sales letters. These are 7 ways that your copy can keep the cash flowing:

Increase New Customer Count
Increase Dollars Per Transaction
Increase Frequency of Transaction
Increase Lifetime of Client
Increase Referrals
Increase Leverage (ability to innovate and scale)
Increase Resiliency

We covered some specific examples in the podcast, but if you really want to delve deeper into these, I suggest you pick up a free copy of my book, How To Write Copy That Sells, by clicking here.

Links From This Week's Episode Michael Hyatt's new book can be found here: https://entrepreneurswillsavetheworld.com/

Ray's book, How to Write Copy That Sells is available for free by visiting https://rayedwards.com/FreeBook

How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you in this show.

We are also on Stitcher and Google, so if you're Team Android, feel free to find us there.

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

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How do you get what you want? The simple, two-word answer: Expect it.

That is, of course, the boiled-down version...we'll get into the specifics in this week's episode.

Spiritual Foundations

“If you think about it, people wake up in the morning, they begin to think about their problems, those problems are circuits, memories in the brain. Each one of those memories are connected to people

and things at certain times and places and if the brain is a record of the past, the moment they start their day they’re already thinking in the past."

Dr. Joe Dispenza

How did you end up being who you are?

In my opinion, you, me and the rest of us are the sum of our habits. Dr. Joe Dispenza gave a great talk about this back in 2018 and you'll find the video linked below. It's a great reminder that our habits control us...so we'd better control them.

Tip of the Week My tip of the week is an I-Phone app (sorry Android folks...if there is a good equivalent, leave us a comment) called Scan Plus.

Yep, I know...you have a scanning app or two already. This one is great because it not only converts your scan to a pdf, but also uses OCR to digitize the text and make it searchable.

Great for submitting official documents and general archiving, check out Scan Plus in the App Store.

How To Get What You Want As I previously stated, to get what you want, expect it...now here comes the fine print: That may literally require changing who you are - changing the habits that dictate so much of what you do.

It may not always be easy, but it's my belief that any pattern can be changed if you know the 7 mastery steps:

Understand and Appreciate Their World
You must figure out the driving force behind your habits.

Create a Base and Get Leverage
The P.A.S.T.O.R. framework doesn't just apply to advertising copy...The same process that motivates a consumer to buy can motivate yourself to change.

Destroy Any Negative Patterns
Whatever the problem you're trying to correct in your life is, you'll need to find the associated negative patterns that contribute to it, and interrupt them.

This one can be tough. It may require a change of environment, or often...changing the people you associate with.

Define the Problem in Solvable Terms
Acknowledging a negative habit is a great start, but it's just the beginning. You must define the problem in such a way that you can formulate a plan to alter or eradicate it.

Create an Empowering Alternative
Okay, you've audited your habits and marked a few counterproductive ones for deletion...You've applied the P.A.S.T.O.R. framework to motivate change...You've intentionally disrupted your negative patterns and devised a solution...NOW WHAT? Now you do the work! You replace your old, detrimental habits with intentional, productive new ones.

Condition The New Alternative
No matter how good the plan, it likely will not come naturally (if it did...you wouldn't be doing this exercise). You repeat this until it becomes the new norm...the new habit.

Connect to a Higher Purpose

Regardless of whatever spiritual beliefs you hold (or don't hold), connecting to a purpose that is bigger than yourself will be hugely beneficial. Maybe that higher purpose is being a better Christian, or maybe it's serving your community, feeding the homeless or volunteering for an organization that helps clothe underprivileged children.

I suggest creating a new environment and peer group that will support your plans for change. Having people counting on you AND appreciating your efforts is an incredible motivator.

Links From This Week's Episode All links referenced in this episode are available at https://rayedwards.com/487

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

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Ready to start your online business? On this week's episode we'll talk about the 3 things you need to get dialed in first. I'll also be introducing my brand new cohost.

Spiritual Foundations

“Sometimes we need a geography to usher our soul into spaciousness."

John Eldridge

John Eldridge is the author of a successful Christian book entitled Wild At Heart. The book speaks to the importance of getting out of the artificial world we've created and into the spaciousness of nature...camping, adventuring, journeying, etc.

I think many of us these days feel a bit cramped, especially with our current circumstances so I recommend you note only read the book, but also take the advice.

Tip of the Week This week's tip is to read John Eldridge's latest book, Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad

In Get Your Life Back, New York Times bestselling author John Eldredge provides a practical, simple, and refreshing guide to taking your life back. By practicing a few wonderfully simple practices—or what John calls “graces”—you can begin to recover your soul, disentangle from the tragedies of this broken world, and discover the restorative power of beauty.

Ask yourself:

Are you happy most of the time?
Do you feel deeply loved?
Are you excited about your future?
How often do you feel lighthearted?

After reading this book you will…

Learn how to insert the One Minute Pause into your day. Begin practicing “benevolent detachment” and truly let it all go.
Offer kindness toward yourself in the choices you make.
Drink in the simple beauty available to you every day.
Take realistic steps to unplug from technology overload.

These simple practices and others are ready for the taking. You don’t need to abandon your life to get it back. Begin restoring your life here and now. Your soul will thank you for it.

Starting an Online Business Today Online businesses are just as diverse as their brick and mortar counterparts, but regardless of whatever the business idea is that you're contemplating, there are three things that you must get in order to succeed while avoiding stress and overwhelm.

Intention Know what you want, why do you want it, and have a plan for getting it.

Focus Identify the key essential activities that will get you there. Schedule those - and obsessively ignore everything else. Turning out the noise in this season particularly is very important.

Margin Give yourself extra time for rest, recreation, reflection, and if possible to be in nature. This is key to avoiding stress, overwhelm and eventual burnout.

Links From This Week's Episode 6 Figure Small Group Intensive - This is an extremely exclusive event (only 8 people) for those who are serious about creating a 6 Figure Business in 6 Months or Less. If that sounds like you, click here to see if seating is available. This three day, travel-free event happens 11/5-11/7.

Entrepreneur Spotlight - I'm shining a light on Pat Flynn this week because of the consistent, valuable content he has been sharing on his Youtube channel during the pandemic.

Kris has been taking advantage of shelter-in-place time by practicing guitar and if you share that interest, he recommends you check out Active Melody's Youtube channel. This channel is a great example of Value First Marketing. Brian provides useful lessons every week for free with the option to expand on those with a premium membership.

John Eldredge's latest book, Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad.

Eric Pickersgill photography - This is the photographer whose name escaped me during the podcast. Eric has done some great photos depicting the loneliness we can experience even when we're surrounded by other people. He does this by removing the smartphones, tablets and various technology leaving his subjects staring with empty expressions at empty hands.

The "Water Bird Whistle" - Just for the sake of completeness and for those who were curious, here is the bird whistle (actually called a Warbler) Kris was referring to.

How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you in this show.

We are also on Stitcher and Google, so if you're Team Android, feel free to find us there.

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad

Rhode Island Novelty Water Warblers One Dozen

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How do we move forward in the “next normal” as 2020 is about to be the past? What does thriving look like in ANY economy? That’s what we’re talking about with John Meese in today’s episode.

Spiritual Foundations

"Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives."

(Titus 3:14 NIV)

I think this verse applies to us especially in these times. As entrepreneurs and business owners, what we're doing is not just about making money. Don't get me wrong, it definitely is about making money and that's fine, but it is also about providing for urgent needs.

Be encouraged! You are needed because you provide for the urgent needs of others...You are not living an unproductive life.

Tip of the Week My tip this week is very simple, but the effect on your life will be profound!

Batch your tasks. Put like tasks together.

A great example of this is email. I used to check my email several times throughout the day which was most definitely a distraction. I now do this one time per day. It may take 30 or 45 minutes, but I respond to what is necessary and move on.

This also works with content creation. For instance, I often record multiple podcasts in succession. I'm already setup to record...already "in the zone", so it makes sense to knock out more than one. Once I get a few weeks out of the way, it leaves some days on my calendar wide open, giving me the chance to create, or to recreate.

Remember recreation is re-creation. You're recreating yourself - your inner-child, your inner-joy, your spark that makes life feel good. You can't be running sprint all the time. Batch your tasks and leave some space for this recreation...enjoy the margin in your life.

An Interview with John Meese John Meese is on a journey that would inspire any entrepreneur. I met him several years ago when he was still working his first job out of college, making about 30k a year.

At the time, John had a new wife, new baby and was looking for a way to be an even better provider for his family.

He became a student of Michael Hyatt's Platform University as well as my Copywriting Academy...two things that helped him make his first 10,000 dollars online in one week selling his first digital course.

Apparently John made quite an impression on Michael Hyatt and was ultimately given the position of Brand Director and Dean of Platform University.

Even while playing such a huge role in Michael Hyatt's organization, John still found time to continue building his own brand and launched a successful software company, Notable Themes, which produces some high quality themes for Wordpress (such the one I use on RayEdwards.com)

Of course the path of an entrepreneur is not without obstacles. One of John's most recent ventures, a shared workspace for his fellow entrepreneurs in Columbia, Tennessee was shut down just 58 days after a successful grand opening due to Covid 19. The story of how John dealt with that situation is worth the listen to this week's episode.

John didn't just lay down and let the pandemic dictate his business's fate. He actually managed to take advantage of the situation.

He started contacting other well known entrepreneurs asking them if they would share their experience dealing with the pandemic.

Of course, with all the lockdown free time, he got lots of yeses. Check out the fruits of those efforts (some great podcasts) available right here. You'll find info on John's upcoming book, Survive and Thrive - How to Build a Profitable Business in Any Economy (Including This One), at the same spot.

How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you in this show.

We are also on Stitcher and Google, so if you're Team Android, feel free to find us there.

Questions about the show? You can text me anytime at 509-245-2670

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Eric Upton is one of my students with a success story that makes me smile.

In this conversation, Eric talks about how we crossed paths, about where his career has gone since that time, and what he feels is in store for the future. A true example of how it's possible to reinvent your work, your life, and even your world.

Spiritual Foundations

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

(Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV)

Eric describes the first major step of his journey like this, "Phoenix was not a place that we'd ever thought about going to, or moving to, or living in, but the more we prayed about it and looked into it, the more it became clear to us that [Phoenix] was where God was leading us..."

This exemplifies the verses above and is a good reminder to try to recognize God's plan ("plans to prosper you and not to harm you"). And yes, sometimes it may not be obvious. Sometimes you'll need to put in the work ("Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.")

Tip of the Week This week's tip is an addendum to last week's tip: Be intentional with Social Media.

Social Media plays two roles in the life of an entrepreneur. At any given time it can be either:

The driving force behind building your brand (creation)
An endless waste of time (consumption)

Now, I know that consumption can be part of a productive business strategy (e.g. reading what your audience or potential audience is saying about your business or industry. Gauging response to your latest campaign. Keeping an eye on your competition.); however, you know what I'm talking about when I say "endless waste of time" - The infinite scroll to see what catches your eye...not that finding out how your "friend" that you haven't seen since high school is coming along with the shed he's building isn't fun, but it's probably not going to advance your agenda.

This is why you must be intentional with social media.

I recommend you schedule separate times of day for consumption and creation. Decide when you will use social media as one of the most powerful (often free) tools in history and separate that from the time when you're just getting a thumb workout...clicking like on the latest Doug the Pug content.

An Interview with Eric Upton Ever asked yourself something like, "Isn't it too late for me to start doing this thing since I've spent so many years doing that thing?" I'm sure your internal dialogue is more eloquent, but you get the idea.

Even when transitioning into a career that you know will make you happier, you'll probably spend some time doing some soul searching (praying, talking to family and friends, etc.) before you make the move.

And then, after all of that self-reflection, conversations with those closest to you, prayers and everything else you've done to affirm your decision...it's still scary.

That's not a certainty for everyone, but for most of us, fear and anxiety are simply a normal part of this process. The key is how we respond to that fear.

As Eric put it in our conversation, "Operate in spite of fear...move toward boldness even with the fear that's attached to it."

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3 Pivots That Provide Prosperity

What does it mean to pivot?

The term “pivot” has become a buzzword referring to a significant business change -- ranging from mild to dramatic. A pivot is usually intended to help a business recover from a tough period, or survive after experiencing new competition or other factors that make the original business model unsustainable.

Today I give you “3 Pivots That Propel Prosperity”

Spiritual Foundations

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

(1 Peter 4:10 New International Version)

That's a powerful message even if you're not a religious or spiritual person.

Look at the practicality in that statement: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others..."

If we don't serve others in business, we will not succeed. Maybe you can find some short term success by exploiting others, but to succeed long term - your business must serve others.

Tip of the Week My tip this week is simple and you may find it bizarre, but here goes:

Delete social media apps from your phone

I know that may sound crazy to some, but I had a good reason to do this. I've been keeping an eye on my screen time lately and in doing so discovered that I was spending an alarming amount of time scrolling through Instagram, Facebook and a few other platforms.

Don't get me wrong. I'm still active on social media, I just don't want it to be the default way that I spend my time when I could be doing other things (like being with the people I'm with).

For the record, I kept Instagram installed because that service is designed specifically for mobile, but I only allow myself to scroll at specific times.

I'm only a couple of weeks into the experiment, but so far it has been great for me. My mind is quieter, I'm less "worked up" about things that aren't my business and life is much better.

3 Pivots That Provide Prosperity The pivots I'm talking about today are "Mindset Pivots" which can help bring you prosperity in any business.

You need to pivot:

From Dabblery to Mastery
From Sprint to Marathon
From Resolution to Repetition

From Dabblery to Mastery Okay, "Dabblery" is a word I'm pretty sure I made up, but I'll bet you can guess what it means. If you've been dabbling in social media promotions, dabbling with Youtube videos, dabbling with Facebook ads...or whatever else you're "dabbling" in - you need to stop dabbling and go for Mastery of a particular thing.

When you dabble in something, you're not putting all of your effort into that thing. You're not giving it concentrated focus - and on some level, you may be doing this to give yourself an out if it doesn't work for you. "Oh, I was just dabbling with that..I didn't expect much." Instead of "dabblery", pursue mastery - it will serve you better.

From Sprint to Marathon In today's business world, many people are in constant "sprint mode". They're sprinting from one project to the next...from one product to the next...from one platform to the next.

2020's economic oddities have caused a lot of sprinting as we try to figure out how to keep the wheels turning in the midst of all of the changes. I've done my fair share of sprinting this year, but I have committed to move back into the marathon mentality...to run the race with thoughtful preparation.

From Resolution to Repetition As entrepreneurs, we make resolutions all the time (not just in January). "That didn't work, I'll never make that mistake again", and yet, next month we make the same mistake.

I propose you stop making broad scope, grandiose resolutions and instead, start focusing on a few core habits that you can repeat day after day. Something like making a good, short post on social media every day isn't very exciting, sexy or particularly fun, but if you do it every day, it pays big dividends.

Lose the resolutions and pick a few things to practice in repetition. Remember, putting in the reps gets you the muscles.

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I get the opportunity to speak with dozens of entrepreneurs and small business owners every week. They share their victories with me ... and also their troubles. They're looking for solutions. Without question, the biggest problem I hear about these days is the virus. No, I'm not talking about COVID. I'm talking about the "mind virus”. The mind virus seems to be spreading like wildfire. It's a virus that can completely take your business - or even your life. The number one symptom of the “mind virus”? Fear. And fear can be sneaky - it often comes disguised as anger, self-righteousness, and it's most destructive form - paranoia. Conspiracy “theories”. “Us versus them" thinking. At a time when the world needs us to step up and lead, we need to remember to lead with compassion. We need to remember that what the world needs now is love. Fear kills the rational, thinking mind, and puts our thinking brain at the mercy of our so-called "lizard brain”. The lizard brain is not thinking, It is in “fight or flight” mode all the time. The lizard brain is not what we need to be using now. It doesn’t serve us at a time like this. There's a reason satan is depicted in the Bible as reptile. "Fear is the mind killer." - Frank Herbert What is the antidote to fear? Rational thought. In fact, in today's podcast episode I have concocted a five-part immunization against fear. And while this recipe may not make you 100% immune to fear, it will make you highly resistant. And even if you do catch a slight case of “the fears”, this five part recipe what have you back on your feet in no time. Want the recipe? Just listen to “The 5 Attitudes of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs” right now. Spiritual Foundations “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” - Matthew 11:28-30,The Message Tip Of The Week And here’s a tip... Upgrade your webcam setup with your DSLR and Ecamm Live Tutorials The 5 Attitudes of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs 1. The Attitude of Growth vs Static 2. The Attitude of Positive vs Negative 3. The Attitude of Progress vs Perfection 4. The Attitude of Grace vs Grind 5. The Attitude of FOR vs TO QUESTION: What do you think? Which of the 5 Attitudes challenges you most? Give me your feedback at rayedwards.com/482

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There are so many legal requirements for starting an online business–is it even worth the effort? That’s what one of my students asked me last week. So I decided to get an attorney to answer. But not just any attorney–you’re gonna love this guy!

To help you turn these ideas into action, click here to download this week’s free “key ideas” Worksheet.

Today you’re going to learn…

Why businesses need to get their agreements in writing.
Why businesses need to have a strategy for their “legal stuff.”
The mistakes businesses make that can sink their brands.
The legal mistakes business make with social media.

Show Sponsor:

Are you curious to know how I created a million-dollar writing business without being famous or having a New York Times bestseller? Would you be interested in knowing how YOU can duplicate what I did–only faster and while avoiding all the mistakes I made?

I’ve learned a few things about running a profitable writing business and I want to share them with you. That’s why I’m hosting a FREE masterclass: “The 3 Simple Secrets Of Building A Profitable Copywriting Business.”

Register for free at RayEdwards.com/3secrets

Ray’s Tip of the Week: (2:25) This week I want to tell you about a new tool I’ve been using to create my own sparkling water instead of buying TONS of sparkling bottled water.

Tune in to find out my favorite new “drink maker” tool.

Spiritual Foundations: (3:55) Do you pray for your business? Is that a selfish practice? I can’t find any evidence of this in the Bible. But God does talk about worry.

Tune in to discover…

What the Apostle Peter had to say about worry. He made it clear what God will do with all our worries–if we let Him.
The magic that often happens when we choose to pray despite our worries. Even though God already knows how we feel, He doesn’t want us to be shy and He often rewards us with this blessing while we’re in the act of praying.
How to build your faith and in God and how to apply His power in your business. You can get started with a simple daily task that works well in tandem with your daily prayers.

Feature Presentation: Bobby Klinck is not your typical lawyer. Sure, he went to Harvard Law School. But he’s not a stuffy curmudgeon. He’s a fully-fledged online entrepreneur who understands our kinds of businesses. Better still, he tells funny stories, makes fun of lawyers, tells “dad jokes,” uses pop-culture references, and even sneaks in the occasional poop emoji.

It’s not that he doesn’t think the “legal stuff” if serious. He just figures that having fun with it all makes it less daunting for entrepreneurs. And he’s right!

Tune in to discover…

(8:35) Why Bobby is “trying to give up” his regular law practice like a bad habit. How he got his law practice started almost by mistake and why he’s now moving 100% into the online space.
(10:40) How Bobby learned to network without networking. The surprising answer he gave to his life-coach that really pushed him to become a full online entrepreneur.
(13:25) How failing in his first online course launch got him hooked on online marketing. Now he’s an addict, even though he lost thousands in wasted Facebook ads on that launch and the only customer who bought refunded on day 29 of the 30-day refund period.
(18:30) Why taking a little time at the start of your business to get the “legal stuff” set up correctly can save you massive headaches down the road. Even though lawyers are often a pain to work with, they do play an important role in helping you stay out of trouble.
(19:35) Why relying on a faceless attorney service like Legal Zoom is a big mistake. But only relying on your friendly neighborhood attorney isn’t enough either. You’ve gotta find a specialist who knows how your style of business really works.
(22:40) Should you be a sole proprietorship, an LLC, an S-corp, a C-corp? Why getting this right from the start saves you all kinds of time and money.
(24:30) Which type of business you should have if you have hired help, like a virtual assistant or a social media manager. If you don’t have this type of business set up, you’re not fully protected.
(29:40) Why so many people think getting into online business is as simple as turning your computer into an ATM. There’s a whole lot more to it, and getting your business entity set up correctly is a better investment than buying all those online courses.
(31:05) How many rookie entrepreneurs put the cart before the horse. Why trying to harvest the grain before planting the seeds doesn’t work.
(33:15) The 3 policies every online entrepreneur should have on their website to protect themselves. It’s the boring lawyer stuff, but without it, you’re putting yourself at risk. (See this week’s worksheet).
(39:50) The 3 practices every online entrepreneur should get in the habit of doing, no matter what. Lawyers thrive on uncertainty and these practices keep you covered.
(48:00) How Bobby has moved from “no-name” lawyer to super-successful online entrepreneur. In just the past year his income has more than doubled and there’s no end in sight to his growth.

Resources: Links mentioned on today’s show:

Check out Bobby’s free training at YourOnlineGenius.com/academy.
Check out Bobby’s GDPR Kit at YourOnlineGenius.com/GDPR.
Check out Bobby’s fantastic legal templates at YourOnlineGenius.com/forms.

I’d love to hear from you. Tell me your biggest takeaway from today’s show on Twitter @rayedwards, on Instagram @rayedwards, and on Facebook too.

Today’s show was produced by Kris Edwards with show notes and worksheets by Doug Pew and Juan Lopez.

Until we meet again may you prosper in all things: health. wealth, and wisdom. Now go live your most prosperous life.

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This week I welcome my friend and former student Mike Kim to the show. He’s an amazing marketing strategist, consultant, and copywriter. His podcast, “Brand You podcast” is the #1 podcast on personal branding according to Apple.

Mike worked for years as the CMO of a big-time company before building his personal brand. One of his current marketing clients is none other than John Maxwell.

We’ve prepared a FREE worksheet for this week’s show to help you apply Mike’s suggestions and get started with your own personal brand. You can download it at RayEdwards.com/388.

Feature Presentation: Tune in to our off-the-cuff conversation to discover…

(1:32) How my well-intentioned yet dismal “flop” of a marketing contest helped get Mike on my radar. If it hadn’t been for that failure, we might never have met.
(3:32) The secret to avoiding super awkward icebreaker conversations with your favorite guru or expert. It’s the best way to get to know them before you actually meet in real life.
(4:30) Mike’s “introvert” secret to leveraging and mining relationships. This unique superpower of his is one of the biggest reasons for his remarkable success.
(6:45) Which artistic career Mike and I both dreamed about when we were kids. Mike even got the attention and some helpful tips from one of the most famous practitioners of this art form.
(10:02) The “Spider-Man” relationship strategy Mike’s been cultivating since childhood. How it’s helped him turn online business acquaintances into best friends.
(14:35) How falling asleep during church turned into a full-time songwriting career in his early 20s. The nagging question that took Mike from adolescence to a music ministry, and eventually to a career in marketing.
(20:06) How being worn out from life on the road led Mike to become one of the top experts in personal branding in 4 short years. It all started with a simple habit which became the hinge to opening doors all over the industry.
(23:05) The huge difference in how people in their 20s and people and 40s define a “personal brand.” Why Mike started to separate and re-categorize “influencers” vs “thought leaders.”
(27:10) Who should build a personality brand and who should be an influencer. Mike describes what he calls “the Holy Trinity of content” and how using them as the 3 legs of the platform stool is the best way to give substance to your brand.
(32:45) Why focusing on looking for and finding common ground with people is one of the best ways to build your personality brand. This works for all types of businesses, even the ones that seem boring or ordinary like the neighborhood furniture store.
(36:55) The Wikipedia test Mike uses when consulting hyper-polished, veneered, corporate marketing teams to help them realize why personality brands are so powerful. I bet this test works on you too. It worked on me!
(38:30) How the stocker in all of us contradicts our fear of posting something personal social media because it might be “off brand.” Mike calls us all out and shows the paradoxical principle of branding we need to learn from our actual online behavior.
(41:34) The easiest way to help people make the decision whether or not to follow you online. It takes courage, but it’s by far the best way to build your personal brand and a loyal tribe of hungry fans and followers.
(43:40) Mike’s best up-to-date advice about how to get started with your personal brand. There’s one crucial practice you must adopt. It’s the biggest hurdle for most people. But it provides an easy way to overcome the challenge and get started today.
(48:05) The 11th commandment, coined by Mike, that got him started with the discipline of building his personal brand. But it’s not a “quick” fix. It’s a year-by-year process he’s been using since 2014 to get where he is now.

Resources: * To learn more about Mike and follow what he’s doing, visit MikeKim.com. * To download the FREE worksheet for this week's podcast, go to RayEdwards.com/388.

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This week I’m talking with the amazing Chris Hogan about his new book, “Everyday Millionaires.” Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Ray's Tip Of The Week Are you interested in making money every month automatically? Sound too far fetched? Introducing the Recurring Revolution! We’re working hard to implement a system just […]

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Are you interested in having guaranteed money in the bank every month? Then this week’s podcast is for you! I’m talking with my friend Stu McLaren, the founder of TribeWorkshop.com. Stu has become famous by helping entrepreneurs build low stress, high-profit businesses using recurring revenue. How does that sound? How would it feel to start […]

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What happened to Tiffany? What happened to Adriane? What happened to Sean? Where are they? Don’t worry, they’ll be back soon. We’ve all been traveling so much that we couldn’t find a time to get together in the studio. So we’ve batched a couple of fantastic interviews with 3 world class copywriters and marketers to […]

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Over the past few weeks, we’ve had a “shake-up” on the show. We had several weeks in a row of freewheeling discussion with two of my assistants, Tiffany and Adrian, and my son, Sean. To please the long-time listeners, some of whom aren’t thrilled with this new style of episode, we’ve decided to launch a […]

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Today it’s just my special guest and me. But never fear, Tiffany, Sean, and Adriane will be back very soon. For the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some interviews I did with great copywriters. I asked them to share their philosophies about how to write copy that sells. This week I’m interviewing David Garfinkel, […]

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NOTE: The title of today's episode is the work of Ben Settle, who promptly smacked my wrist for grabbing one of his old subject lines – and rightfully so. Ben is a friend – but we don't steal from our enemies. We certainly don't steal from our friends! So sorry, el Benbo. The slight was […]

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This week we’re taking off the gloves! My son Sean and I–along with Tiffany and Adrianne–get down and dirty in a heated discussion about Capitalism and Socialism. It all started with a controversial Facebook post I wrote about why I’m a proud Capitalist Pig… oink, oink! We’re also going to talk about… An online tool […]

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On today’s episode, I am interviewing Dr. Gus Vickery, a doctor in North Carolina and the author of the book, “Authentic Health.” As a part of his practice, he goes deep down in his patient’s history and blood work to find an individualized plan for them so they can live their healthiest life and possibly […]

Authentic Health: The Definitive Guide to Losing Weight, Feeling Better, Mastering Stress, Sleeping Well Every Night, and Enjoying a Sense of Purpose

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Today on the show, we talk about how to get clients now and the 3 pillars of building a copywriting business. We also do Q&A with Ray where my assistant, Tiffany, asks me some questions that you may or may not want to know the answers to. Click here to download or listen to this […]

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Just a sampling of comments on our last few podcasts… “You have ruined your podcast.” “I thought you were a Christian.” “You’re a complete f-ing a-hole.” And to be fair: “Best podcast you have ever done.” “This was a GREAT episode!” “Ray, I have always liked your show, but I love it now that you […]

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Today on the podcast we are talking about TV preachers, how people feed their delusions and the meaning of beauty. Also, we have some fun questions that my assistant, Tiffany, asks in our new Q&A section. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. 0:50- TV Preachers are still a billion-dollar industry. Why […]

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Let’s say I discovered a secret language pattern than could force people to buy whatever I’m selling. Would you wan to know this tactic? Would you use it? What if people bought stuff they couldn’t afford for no other reason tan your tricky marketing tactics? Would that make you evil … or them gullible? All […]

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Today’s podcast is completely different than anything I have done in the past. Today, you get to listen in as my Executive Assistant, Tiffany Laughter-Twining, and my Personal Assistant, Adriane Allred – interview me. They’re asking me all the toughest, most personal questions come from you, O Constant Listener. I somehow suspect they slipped in […]

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Today we are talking about marketing and specifically how we are marketing in our businesses and the meaning of life. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. This Episode is Sponsered by How To Write Copy That Sells You can get my book by just paying for shipping. Get it here: Rayedwards.com/freebook […]

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What’s the highest leverage skill you can learn in business? What if there was a skill you could learn that would allow you to: Create a new product or company from thin air? Create cash windfalls on command Convince others of your belief or cause Decide your income and make it real Become location independent […]

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This is episode 371 of The Ray Edwards Show. I get asked frequently, how I became who I am and why I believe what I believe. I read and form opinions from what I read, and I am very good at finding brilliant minds. So I am sharing some of my favorite books from some […]

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money

The Purpose Driven Church: Every Church Is Big in God's Eyes

Younger Next Year: A Guide to Living Like 50 Until You're 80 and Beyond

The Fountainhead (Centennial Edition HC)

Think and Grow Rich: The Original, an Official Publication of The Napoleon Hill Foundation

Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your Brain for Life

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

True Believer Thoughts on the Nature Of Mass Movements

Tribe Of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World

Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen

Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got: 21 Ways You Can Out-Think, Out-Perform, and Out-Earn the Competition

The Brain Warrior's Way: Ignite Your Energy and Focus, Attack Illness and Aging, Transform Pain into Purpose

The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

This Is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See

Undoctored: Why Health Care Has Failed You and How You Can Become Smarter Than Your Doctor

Financial Peace Revisited: New Chapters on Marriage, Singles, Kids and Families

Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook

The Complete Wallace D. Wattles: (9 BOOKS) The Science of Getting Rich; The Science of Being Great;The Science of Being Well; How to Get What You ... Harrison (novel) (Timeless Wisdom Collection)

How Do You Kill 11 Million People?: Why the Truth Matters More Than You Think

Launch: An Internet Millionaire's Secret Formula To Sell Almost Anything Online, Build A Business You Love, And Live The Life Of Your Dreams

80/20 Sales and Marketing: The Definitive Guide to Working Less and Making More

Tools Of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers

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This week I am talking to the 10-minute workday creator, Ben Settle. We discuss trolls, social media, and what is coming out in the future. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Here are the highlights from today’s episode: • Ben plans his year out 2 or 3 years ahead. […]

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Welcome to the Ray Edwards show and 2019! For the first podcast of the year, I am talking to Amy Porterfield. We tackle life coaches, how to overcome your emotions, how to accept B+ work and why, and how Amy is making significant changes in her business, and you can, too. Click here to download […]

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Today I am talking to the Mindset answer man, Cliff Ravenscraft. Cliff tells us how to make our resolutions stick. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Right now everybody is thinking about their New Year’s resolutions. A New Year’s resolution is just a goal or set of goals that you set […]

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We don't get to decide when things happen in our lives, like obstacles. We do get to choose what we do with those obstacles and what we make out of them. Perhaps these obstacles are the path to what you really want. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. In 1996, for the […]

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Think about the things in your life that you consider problems. What if these thing could actually be used to propel you forward in life and business? What if you could use the things that seem to be working against you and make them work for you instead? Click here to download or listen to […]

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Today I am talking to Dr. Douglas Pew of Symphonic Copywriting. Dr. Pew is one of my copywriting students. His story of the transition from a university professor to a successful copywriter is genuinely inspiring. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Dr. Douglas Pew www.SymphonicCoypwriting.com Hi, I'm Dr. Douglas Pew, the […]

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Yes, I’m quitting. I’m quitting all the things that make me stressed, unhappy — anything that makes me or others miserable. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations Jesus talked about serving God and serving riches, but he did not condemn money. Read what he said in Matthew 6:24. Feature Presentation […]

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Today I’m sharing 3 Things I Learned from Jeff Walker at LaunchCon. I just returned from a week in Orlando where we held our ESP Certified Copywriter Workshop. (Link: www.rayedwards.com/espcc) Shortly thereafter, we attended LaunchCon with Jeff Walker. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations Today’s Spiritual Foundation is about […]

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This week I am talking to Lee Cockerell. He is the former executive vice president of operations for the Walt Disney World resort. As the Senior Operating Executive for 10 years, Lee led a team of 40,000 cast members. He was responsible for the operations of 20 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, […]

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What if I told you that one thing can change everything? In fact, the only thing that changes everything is one thing. Find out how to make use of this one thing now. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations Some people who are super religious about foul language, and through […]

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What If I told you that you could get all the financial and list building benefits from doing a launch in just one hour? Well, you can. My guest, Pete Vargas, will tell you how. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations A lot of people think that if you […]

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Today on the show… Why Every Business Is a Writing Business. Even Apple has to use copy to make things sell- so do you, so do I. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations 2 Corinthians 5:16 New King James Version (NKJV) “16 Even though we have known Christ according […]

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Mistakes come in many forms. Some are humorous like the furniture store that unwittingly offered, “Free: one night stand, when you purchase a bed!” Or the church marquee that read, “Don’t let worries kill you, let the church help.” But other blunders, often the ones we commit ourselves, are anything but funny. Click here to download […]

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I’ve been thinking about what I would recommend as the best business to start today. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— […]

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Today on the show… The lazy way to riches – okay, so the title is designed to provoke you. “If work feels bad, you’re doing it wrong.” Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations Colossians 3:23-24 New International Version (NIV) 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your […]

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Today on the show… We all have a code of conduct. Do you know what yours is? Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread… Jesus said to […]

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Today on the show… Do you have a plan for Depression? I promise it has a plan for you Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. Proverbs 25:28 Feature Presentation “The Ultimate Plan To […]

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Today on the show… Lessons learned from one of the most influential people in my life – Jeff Walker. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. Proverbs 20:5 Feature Presentation “7 Lessons Learned […]

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In this episode, Sean and I talk about the mechanical television, Tesla, beaming electricity through the air and how important education is, and why you should pay for it. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Resources http://rayedwards.com/copymillion http://www.edwardscertified.com Subscribe to the show through Apple Podcasts and give us a rating and review. […]

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Starting in my online business, I tried to take the cheap way out at every turn. That was a mistake. A costly one. “Experience is not the best teacher. Other people’s experience is the best teacher.” – Andy Andrews from The Noticer “The most expensive training is trial and error, arrogant independence, and foolish frugality.” […]

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Belief is a powerful force in the human life. What drives you to do what you do? And what causes you to do the things you don't do? Placebo effect / Nocebo effect Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations Matthew 6:34 (NIV) Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for […]

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Any person can Turn Tragedy Into Treasure, Despair Into Delight, and Fear Into Power by Using the 7-Step Reality Remapping Technique. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Polish-American scientist and philosopher remarked that “the map is not the territory.” The 7-Step Reality Re-Mapping Technique 1. What is this and what does […]

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Does it sound crazy to pay $30,000 -to hang out with my friend? Why would I do that? Why expensive Masterminds, workshops, and training programs? Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Tip of the Week: The LUMAfusion video editing app for your iPad is amazing. 4K video, multi-track, multiple audio tracks, multi-camera […]

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I get this question, in some form or other, at least 3 times a week. It’s usually someone 50 or older, writing to me about why they can’t start a business online. It’s almost like they want me to sanction their excuses, “Am I too old?” “Is it too late?” “Isn’t this a young person’s […]

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Is it possible that by thinking a different way, you could experience life in a totally different way? Can you take control of your thoughts and eradicate depression and create joy? Today as I interview Cliff Ravenscraft, we discuss living the life of your dreams, what conferences to attend this year, and why you should stop […]

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Are you tired of feeling sick, broke or like you are a failure? Today we go through the 12 principles of Think and Grow Rich, how to focus on your one thing, talk about being decisive people like the Disciples, and how to to get the best audio quality in your podcast. Click here to […]

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How to compress decades of progress into months … and get INSTANT MOMENTUM. This is the key to rapid business success. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Tip of the Week Subscribe to and Comment on my YouTube Channel as we go for 5,000 subs …. and you can win prizes […]

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In this episode, I interview John Morgan-Bush. We discuss his book, War on Fear, and his life as a George W. Bush Impersonator. John explains the difference between living with daily debilitating fear, and practical fears, such as the awareness of danger. He also helps us understand how we can overcome our fears by choosing to […]

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I love to read. Books have been my primary source of education. Today I share 10 Books that changed my life. Also in this episode… if God is all powerful and all loving, why do bad things happen to good people? … what may be the perfect vlogging camera… and, of course, 10 books that […]

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Have you experienced a tragic loss? A devastating blow? A tough break? Have you had a setback? Even a minor inconvenience? When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011, it seemed like a devastating blow and a tragic loss. Today I want to share how you can beat Parkinson’s – or any other problem you […]

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If you want to build a purpose-driven, personality-based online business, blogging should be the cornerstone of your business. And I can think of no one better than Leslie Samuel to discuss this topic. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Tip of the Week: 3Ways to Be More Productive Instantly Start using […]

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Your belief determines your destiny. What you believe about anything determines what you receive, whether it's your life, your business, your personal performance or your identity. In this episode we're going to unpack why what you believe about yourself is more important than you may have ever suspected. It's not magic, it's just the logical progression […]

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What does it mean to be more persistent and why is it important? Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Tip of the Week: The ONE PLATFORM To Build Your Business Looking for a solution to your tech nightmare when it comes to running your online business? Here’s what we use and […]

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Have you ever struggled with missed deadlines, hurried work, increased stress, and lost opportunities because of procrastination? Imagine overcoming procrastination once and for all, so you restore joy for your work, strengthen your relationships, and grow your business. I once was a great procrastinator. My motto was, “Hey anything worth doing is worth putting off!” […]

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In our fast-paced and entertainment-saturated culture, it’s easy to let book-reading fall by the wayside. In fact, many studies show that after college, the average person only reads 3 more books for the rest of their life! And don’t be tempted to think that the reading of books is old-fashioned and no longer relevant. There […]

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Evolution 2.0: Breaking the Deadlock Between Darwin and Design

Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals

Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change Your Life

The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God

Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant

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On this week’s podcast, we discuss “To increase your performance, increase expectation.” Take note as we shine a spotlight on the 7 Lies That Are Destroying Your Life. If you’ve ever said, “there is nothing I can do, or I have mastered that, or I know that already,” be sure to listen and discover the […]

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Have you ever wondered if those AHA! Moments, Big Ideas, Eureka Breakthroughs just happen or if you can set yourself up to experience more of them? What if you could create an environment to generate Brilliant Ideas… On today’s podcast, I share how you can set yourself up for more AHA! moments by adding these […]

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Success comes with surprises — the ones we don’t like, we call problems. Doesn’t the Bible say to be content with what you have? A tip on how to say “No” to someone who won’t take “no” for an answer. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Tip of the Week How […]

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We’ve just come off two years where we crossed the one million mark in revenue. We’re working on year number three and it looks like a pretty sure bet we’re going to do it again. I’ve had a lot of questions and we’ve hosted a couple of workshops where we actually show people how we’ve […]

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If your self-worth comes from your bank account, you’re going to be a nervous wreck the rest of your life. You’d better find a different foundation to stake your life on. Today we discuss 15 slavery-inducing, life-murdering lies about money that you’ve probably been told. We also share 15 Liberating Truths About Money. “The truth […]

The Twelve Steps to Happiness: A Practical Handbook for Understanding and Working the Twelve Step Programs for Alcoholism, Codependency, Eating Disorders, and Other Addictions

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In today’s episode we discuss whether it’s more virtuous to give your products away for free, or to charge for your work. If a corporation is making 25% profit or more, eyebrows go up and there may be pressure to “give back.” Have you ever wondered about that language? It’s as if this implies they […]

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No, it’s not like I had a bag with $200 Million Dollars and left it at the bus depot. But today, I’m going to share with you what turned out to be the 3 Primary Lessons I Learned From Losing $200 Million Dollars. How to face your reality in relation to money. Uncover the well-kept […]

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Today I want to enter into an interesting discussion Ken MacArthur started on Facebook https://www.facbook.com/marketingtactics. Ken states, “Serious question, I’ve always been a skeptic. I have no problem under-promising and over-delivering, but I’ve always been hesitant to make a ‘Big Promise.’ Given the current state of the world I live in, I’m more inclined to […]

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Time is an interesting resource unlike any other. Any two people have differing financial resources, and differing skills and talents. We have different opportunities, different circumstances, and a different network of friends and acquaintances. But we all have the same number of hours in a day, week, month or year. When it comes to time, […]

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Today I want to cover some new directions for the company and how we’re going to be helping you in new and improved ways. Don’t worry, we’ll continue to focus on: Copywriting and marketing Building an online business Strengthening your spiritual life I don’t believe it’s possible to separate the two things, business […]

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Chris Ducker’s book Virtual Freedom is a best seller, he has employed over 450 full-time employees, and he has built multi seven-figure businesses. Chris is frequently featured in INC., Entrepreneur, Success, and Huffington Post. He’s the founder of youpreneur.com (a term he coined in 2014). Youpreneur.com is an entrepreneurial mastermind community that helps experts become […]

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Outsourcing is so hot right now. I blame Tim Ferriss’ book, The 4 Hour Workweek and Chris Ducker’s book, Virtual Freedom for starting the outsourcing phenomenon. In Tim’s book he tells you why you should do it and Chris tells you how to do it. In fact, Chris Ducker has a new book for entrepreneurs […]

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Today we discuss a unique method by which you can guarantee your business will always have a profit (even from day 1). You’ll never miss having a profit because you take your profit first. My guest is Mike Michalowicz. Mike is the successful entrepreneur behind three multimillion dollar companies. He is the author of The […]

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur: The tell-it-like-it-is guide to cleaning up in business, even if you are at the end of your roll.

The Pumpkin Plan: A Simple Strategy to Grow a Remarkable Business in Any Field

Profit First A Simple System to Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine

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Out of a hundred people who hear this, one of you will do this and you’re the one who will succeed. I have a question that I would seriously like you to think about. Are you important? Are you? This is a vital question and it speaks to something we call self-image. It’s popular to […]

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I have a proposal for you in today's episode: You have in your life what you tolerate. What you tolerate is what you receive in life. I already know there are a lot of people who are coming up with examples to prove me wrong. There are people saying, “Well I have a genetic disorder […]

Panasonic LUMIX GH5s Mirrorless Camera Body with 64GB Card and Accessory Bundle

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Today’s podcast is a lesson in the history of marketing online. I believe there is great value in knowing the history of our industry. Most of you in direct response internet marketing may not know we owe our careers to Ken McCarthy. Time Magazine credits Ken McCarthy with originating the idea of using click-through rates […]

System Secrets (Maximum Money in Minimum Time Online)

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Today I talk with the genius, the master, the go-to-guy, the king of all things LinkedIn…John Nemo. As one of the top promoters of Copywriting Academy, John Nemo joined me at my Joint Venture Mastermind at The Coeur d’Alene Resort in Alene, Idaho. No one knows the subject of LinkedIn like John Nemo. John transformed […]

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We’re talking about prosperity. That’s the word of the year with my company and with me. What does it mean to prosper? We know that it means to do well financially, but it’s so much more than that. It’s your health, your relationships, it’s the ways you are fulfilled in life (such as growing as […]

Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical & Financial Destiny!

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This week is a special edition of the podcast. It’s 100% Spiritual Foundations – so, if you’re not into that, you may want to skip this one. During today’s episode… * The one theme found throughout the Bible that applies to your goals, dreams, and desires. * One of the most familiar verses in Scripture […]

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Conventional wisdom tells us that success takes time…sometimes a long time. Well, I think we’ve been lied to, and I can prove it. In this episode I’m going to give you a set of tools that will put you on the pathway to a brand new you in seven short days, but as you’ll find […]

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Content marketing is a hot industry buzzword right now, and everyone seems to have a theory about what works. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time for theory, so in this episode I’m going to show what we do in our own content marketing…because it works. The key to successful content marketing […]

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If you’ve listened to this podcast for any length of time, you’ve undoubtedly heard us extol the virtues of Revel 77, our favorite coffee shop. So, when its existence was in jeopardy we stepped out and bought it. But that begs the question, “Why the heck did we do that?” In this episode we’ll attempt […]

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You can hardly open your email these days without seeing someone promising the super-secret key to insane business growth. I know that the title of this episode seems like over-the-top clickbait, but by the time we’re done you’ll see that it’s no exaggeration. This kind of extraordinary growth is happening right now to my friend […]

Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged

Launch: How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition

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All of us want a business that hums along, routinely churning out profits as if on autopilot, but how the heck do you do that? This week I’ve enlisted the help of the undisputed market leader to teach you practical steps to amplify, accelerate, and automate your profits. Amy Porterfield teaches business owners, educators, and […]

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Just like you, Marie Forleo started her business with nothing more than a laptop and a dream. Now she commands a socially-conscious digital empire that touches millions of people, and makes millions of dollars. In this episode we’re going to talk with Marie and get some little-known insight into how she created such a remarkable […]

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There’s a shift happening in the world of copywriting. People are beginning to recognize the wisdom that can be gleaned from studying the fundamentals of copy directly from the masters themselves. In this episode, we’re going to help you walk that path by introducing you to the most ripped-off copywriter alive. John Carlton is one […]

The Entrepreneur's Guide To Getting Your Shit Together

NIV, The Maxwell Leadership Bible, Hardcover

Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less

Simple Success Secrets No One Told You About (The Business Pro's Essential Toolkit Book 1)

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Your core beliefs control everything you do, from your attitudes to the actions you take each day. But how did you develop those beliefs? Did you thoughtfully choose them yourself, or were they handed to you over time from potentially unqualified sources? In this episode we continue to discuss the core beliefs we hold here […]

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Remember the good old days of email marketing when you could just send email to someone and they would actually look forward to receiving it? While it’s true that email marketing was different in the past, I believe there is a case to be made that we are in The Golden Age of email marketing […]

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What you believe controls how much success you’re willing to allow yourself to experience. Is it possible that by tweaking what you believe you could start to achieve things you once thought impossible? In this episode we're going to begin to examine and share some of our core beliefs, how they influence our business, our […]

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

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I just listened to an episode of Amy Porterfield‘s podcast, Online Marketing Made Easy. That episode shook me up (hah hah, the first Parkinson's joke of the episode). After hearing Amy speak so powerfully, I felt an overwhelming sense that I needed to say a few things publicly. Click here to download or listen to […]

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Stories have a way of sticking with us. The world of marketing is changing around us, and those businesses that don’t invite their customers into a heroic story will soon find themselves forgotten. If you’re tired of your marketing having the same affect as a monkey yelling into a bullhorn, then you’re listening to this […]

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

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You’ve heard and read me talking about this topic of prosperity for some time now. If you’re still reading, chances are you have at least cautiously accepted the idea that you, too, may prosper. At this point you may even be thinking, “Ray, you’ve sold me on this prosperity idea. But how do I start? […]

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Things can change so quickly in the online world it sometimes feels like a full-time job just trying to keep up. Which platforms are still relevant? What are the emerging trends I need to keep my eye on? In this episode my guest Mark Mason will tackle these questions, clear out the cobwebs of confusion […]

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It's the dark secret of many small business entrepreneurs – most are a couple of bad months away from total bankruptcy. I learned this lesson the hard way after generating hundreds of millions and having nothing to show for it. While I changed that over the last few years, I am still a work in […]

Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine

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We all have fears and beliefs that hold us back, but what we don’t usually have is a proven process that can destroy, once and for all, the limits those fears and beliefs place on us. This week I sit down with my friend Cliff Ravenscraft for an in-depth discussion on this very subject. We’re […]

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If you ask a room full of people with jobs why they go to work, what do you think their answer would be? Probably something like, “To pay the bills… because I have to… because I have an addiction to living indoors with plumbing…” If you ask entrepreneurs why they work, what will THEY say? […]

Psycho-Cybernetics: Updated and Expanded

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Where did you get your beliefs about money? Chances are they were not consciously chosen, and that they aren’t a well thought-out integrated “philosophy of money.” The most commonly held misconceptions about money are actually dangerous deceptions… contradictory beliefs in a reality that punishes those who try to navigate life based on contradictory tactics. In […]

7 Steps to Freedom II: How to Escape the American Rat Race

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth

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Most people have heard of a mastermind, but they don’t truly understand the power masterminds produce or how to correctly participate in one. Even fewer people know the five reasons you need a mastermind…that and more will be revealed in this week’s episode. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations […]

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This is a special “Bonus Episode” of the show, which consists exclusively of my interview with author Frank Viola, discussing his new book, There Must Be More. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Buy a copy of Frank's book, There Must Be More, by clicking here. How To Help Subscribe to […]

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Have you ever felt guilty about the amount of stuff you have? This is something Christian entrepreneurs deal with all the time. It goes something like this, “If you were a real Christian you would sell your stuff and give the money to the poor.” This mindset has led to some really messed up thinking […]

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This is our time. It’s time for the writers, the scribblers, the storytellers and teachers to take out those manuscripts, those Moleskins full of ideas, and those dreams of making a living as a writer and finally bring them to fruition. If you’ve followed me for very long, you know that I believe that the […]

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So here's the deal…you have a podcast and now you need listeners. By now you’ve discovered that it takes more than putting your show up on iTunes and expecting subscribers to just come out of the woodwork and become raving fans. One of the easiest ways to get those listeners is to have Apple, Google, […]

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Live video is a big deal these days, and it seems like everyone is doing it. It’s great for business. If you do it right. But if you’re like many people, you’ve never dipped your toe into the video pool. Maybe it seems too complicated, or you feel like it’s just too late to get […]

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Does any of the following sound familiar? You set goals but never seem to hit them…you never seem satisfied…you experience up’s and down’s, but always seem to live your life somewhere in the messy middle…you have that “someday I’ll be happy” mentality. If that’s you, here’s what I know about you, you aren’t productive, rich, […]

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As entrepreneurs, we have one mandate…get as rich as possible. How did you react when you read that? Did it make you feel uncomfortable and even a little squeamish? Money is not a “zero sum game” (meaning in order for me to win you have to lose) – it is quite the opposite. Money is […]

The Science of Success: The Secret to Getting What You Want

NKJV, Holy Bible: Holy Bible, New King James Version

It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be: The world's best-selling book by Paul Arden

Ultimate Guide to Google AdWords: How to Access 100 Million People in 10 Minutes (Ultimate Series)

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Hosting a live event is complex, expensive, risky, and stressful. Yet for some of us, live events seem like a necessity due to our business model. Even if you have decided that hosting a live event, seminar, or workshop is just too big a pain…Even if you have decided you have no interest in pursuing […]

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Everybody knows that to succeed online you need to build your emails list. Email is still the most effective selling tool online. Videos, webinars, and “the socials” don’t work without email. But building an email list is hard. Unless you know the secrets in today’s podcast episode. We’re going to share exactly how to build […]

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If you want to build an online business, or if you want to go online to promote your local, real-world business, you face the same challenge. There are a bajillion websites out there, so how do you stand out in a Sea of Sameness? It’s easy to wast time, money, and effort and get nothing […]

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Do you have a list of things that need to get done, but for some reason you never seem to get around to doing them? Sometimes it appears that everyone around you seems like a productivity genius…while you struggle to remember to feed the cat. Fear not intrepid listener, you don’t have to keep staring […]

Podcast – Ray Edwards: Recent Episodes

Ray Edwards