The First 10 Podcast: Recent Episodes
Conor McCarthy
Starting a business can be challenging and if you build it, the customers won’t necessarily come. Conor McCarthy, entrepreneur and coach, interviews business builders on their First 10 Customers to find out who they were, how they found them, how they talked to them, and what effect they had on their business. From idea validation to market traction, The First 10 Podcast describes what the path of selling to the First 10 Customers (and beyond) looks like.
"The goal of this podcast is to help business builders learn some best practices when they go looking for their first 10, to expose the things worth doing and the things that might be dead ends and ultimately cost time and money. We should all be recycling these days, and when it comes to understanding your customers and how you talk to them, there's a ton of value that my guests have shared that is worth repeating." – Conor McCarthy.
Welcome to the final episode of season 4 of The First 10 Podcast, and what a season it has been! This season, we have heard from an array of inspirational serial entrepreneurs who have created multiple businesses who kindly took the time to openly and honestly share their biggest learnings, challenges and wins with us.
Helping business builders is at the heart of this podcast, and valuable golden nuggets of advice come with each new episode. So, to close off this season, we will be doing a re-cap with each of our guests to learn their top tips for someone just starting out and hoping to obtain their first ten customers. So, grab a pen and paper and let this refresher masterclass begin with our entrepreneurial experts Andy Mackin, Jakob Greenfeld, Shane Melaugh, Daniel Vassallo, Rob Walling, Dave Parker, Brian Casel, Brennan Dunn and Corey Haines.
Connect with the First 10 season 4 guests:
Andy Mackin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackinconsultancy
Jakob Greenfeld: https://jakobgreenfeld.com/
Shane Melaugh: https://ikario.com/about/
Daniel Vassallo: https://dvassallo.com/
Rob Walling: https://robwalling.com/
Dave Parker: https://www.dkparker.com/
Brian Casel: https://briancasel.com/
Brennan Dunn: https://rightmessage.com/
Corey Haines: https://www.swipefiles.com/Nick Loper: https://SideHustleNation.com
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://www.conormccarthy.me/work-with-me
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Check out my podcast partners!
Buzzsprout:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931
Otter:
https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16
Calendly:
https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1e
This podcast was produced in partnership with podlad.com
‘’In a start-up, you can’t move slowly because your competition is not moving slowly.’’ – Rob Walling.
On this bonus episode of the First 10 Podcast, I have something a little different for you. I asked Rob Walling, serial entrepreneur, investor, author, and host of the popular podcast ‘Startups for the Rest of Us’ , if I could reshare the audio from a Youtube video he posted entitled "Top 10 Avoidable Mistakes SaaS Startups Make". When I saw this video, I knew I had to share it. Its short, and stuffed with classic (and not so classic) pitfalls to avoid when building your SaaS.
Rob truly is a wealth of knowledge in building great businesses. Through his widespread books, recordings, articles, and discussions – Rob has guided thousands of start-up founders and continues to do just that through vlogs on his MicroConf YouTube channel. I'm grateful to Rob for letting me share this content, and of course, subscribe to his YouTube channel (link below!)
Grab a pen and the nearest notebook as Rob shares his no-nonsense, fluff-free guide on successfully building your start-up, revealing the top 10 avoidable mistakes SaaS start-ups make.
Resources:
My original episode with Rob: https://www.conormccarthy.me/podcast-episodes/finding-people-who-care-with-rob-wallingThe original YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jjb7fPV6PQ
Connect with Rob Walling:
https://robwalling.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/MicroConf
https://twitter.com/robwalling
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robwalling/
https://microconf.com
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Check out my podcast partners!
Buzzsprout:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931
Otter:
https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16
Calendly:
https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1e
Produced in partnership with podlad.com
Welcome back to the final episode of season four, and what a season it has been – but it’s not over just yet! Joining me to wrap up this serial-entrepreneur season is founder and chief side hustler of Side Hustle Nation, Nick Loper.
Have you ever had the itch to get a side hustle going!? If so, you will love this episode! If you have ever researched how to start your own side business, chances are high that you’ve come across Nick’s go-to website, www.sidehustlenation.com. Through his website and books, Nick guides start-up and seasoned entrepreneurs from all corners of the globe to make extra money, amplify their power and security, and create a business they love.
In this episode, Nick talks us through his impactful career throughout his college days, how he pivoted through business ventures and what it means to be expert enough when launching a business. Nick also shares his wine-ing road into the virtual assistance world, reveals his take on filtering through business ideas, and discusses whether social media is necessary when kickstarting your entrepreneurial journey. Key points throughout this episode include:
- An introduction to Nick Loper.
- Early pitching days and mastering door-to-door sales.
- Entering the world of internet marketing.
- Finding inspiration from failures and pivoting into a new career.
- Standing out in a crowded space.
- The beginning of Side Hustle Nation.
- The ups and downs of an entrepreneurial journey.
- How curiosity is key in business and the importance of gathering feedback.
- Why entrepreneurs should focus on niching down.
- Introducing sales and marketing to first-time entrepreneurs.
- Do you know where your customers hang out?
- Overcoming imposter syndrome sirens and embracing social media.
- Nick’s business book recommendations.
- Nick’s advice for finding your first ten customers.
Connect with Nick Loper:
https://www.sidehustlenation.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickloper/
https://twitter.com/nloper
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
Nick Loper Books:
https://www.amazon.com/Nick-Loper/e/B009N31662
The Go Giver by Bob Berg.
https://thegogiver.com/
The Millionaire Fastlane by MJ DeMarco.
https://www.themillionairefastlane.com/
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman.
https://www.oliverburkeman.com/books
Check out my podcast partners!
Buzzsprout:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931
Otter:
https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16
Calendly:
https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1e
Produced in partnership with podlad.com
"When people are actively looking for a product like yours, and you're not marketing it, you are actually doing an act of disservice. You are starving them of something that they need, that they could use. By not marketing, you're putting a ceiling on your potential." – Corey Haines.
Are you currently creating or marketing a product in the SaaS space? If so, you will love and learn so much from this week's episode with SaaS marketing expert Corey Haines. Corey is a marketer, entrepreneur, podcaster, investor, and soon to be an author who is on a mission to help people and their products, services, and content get the recognition that they truly deserve.
Corey is the mastermind and creator behind the popular Swipe Files and has consulted with numerous start-ups on growth and marketing, including SavvyCal, Evercast and Holloway, to name but a few. Throughout this episode, Corey shares his go-to research methods, the importance of live customer experience feedback, marketing cheat codes, and reveals his three tried and true methods guaranteed to bring your first customers through the door. Key points throughout include:
- An introduction to Corey Haines.
- Obtaining Swipe Well's first customers and the creation of Swipe Files.
- Communicating with potential buyers on social media platforms.
- Dripping marketing: striking the right amount of marketing ahead of product launching.
- The key to mapping out appropriate marketing methods.
- Overcoming the fear of marketing.
- How avoiding marketing is an act of disservice.
- Methods for understanding your customer's needs.
- The power of asking why and the benefit of running polls.
- Navigating through career challenges and failures.
- Advertising conversion: does it really work?
- Corey's business book recommendations.
- Lessons to be learned from activating a landing page.
- Corey's advice on obtaining your first ten customers.
"You do need marketing. You have to treat it as an investment, something that's going to pay dividends later." - Corey Haines.
COMING SOON! Join the waitlist to get your hands on Corey's forthcoming marketing handbook Founding Marketing HERE. We do not doubt that this book will feature on many guests’ recommended lists in future First 10 podcast episodes.
"Without promotion, something terrible happens. Nothing! – PT Barnum.
Connect with Corey Haines:
https://www.coreyhaines.co/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-haines/
https://twitter.com/coreyhainesco
https://www.swipefiles.com/
https://www.defaultalive.fm/
https://www.swipefiles.com/foundingmarketing
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick
Wondering how best to grow your audience or perhaps, how to fund your next trip to Ireland? If so, this week's podcast is a must-listen for you! This week, joining Conor on the show is special guest and serial entrepreneur Brennan Dunn. Brennan is the co-founder of RightMessage, a platform for online businesses to enhance their automated segmentation and website personalisation. In this episode, Brennan walks us through his fascinating leap from consulting into SaaS, launching and selling his project management tool Planscope and the accidental beginning of his thriving community, Double Your Freelancing, where he advises 50K + freelancers and agencies across the globe.
Conor and Brennan unpack so much, including the secret to building with your audience, effective communication and truly understanding your customer's needs. Brennan also reveals what worked well when starting a new business from scratch. Main points throughout the discussion include:
- An introduction to Brennan Dunn.
- The rise of an accidental business.
- Being personable and building connections with your customers.
- The practice of creating evergreen content.
- The art of conversational copywriting: write as you speak!
- Utilising the voice of customer data.
- Re-evaluating a career and starting a new venture from scratch.
- What worked well: Brennan's proven business stepping-stone.
- Why you should borrow an audience.
- The key to real-time product positioning.
- Communicating directly and effectively with customers.
- How to elevate your customer testimonials to new heights.
- Brennan's advice for obtaining your first ten customers.
Connect Brennan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennandunn/
https://doubleyourfreelancing.com/
https://twitter.com/brennandunn
https://rightmessage.com/
https://createandsell.co/
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
https://copyhackers.com/
Book: The Brain Audit by Sean D'Souza
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brain-Audit-Customers-They-Dont/dp/0473175045
https://www.robfitz.com/home
Check out my podcast partners!
Buzzsprout:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931
Otter:
https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16
Calendly:
https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1e
Produced in partnership with podlad.com
This week, joining the podcast is special guest, serial entrepreneur, and the king of shiny objects, Brian Casel. Brian is the founder of Zip Message, a popular video messaging tool for async conversations, which launched at the beginning of 2021. Brian recently sold and exited some of his earlier businesses, including Audience Ops and ProcessKit. Brian firmly believes that with each business opportunity came great learnings and experiences, which he has carried forward to get him to where he is today.
Get ready to dive into an episode filled with fascinating insights and advice as Brian brings us on his journey from freelancing to fearlessly launching and running multiple businesses. In this episode, Brian offers brilliant advice for business start-ups as he openly shares how to talk to your customers, tactics on building an audience, how to master sales calls and how to approach the awkward conversation of pricing. Key points throughout the discussion include:
- The leap from freelancing to building businesses.
- The joy of obtaining your first customer.
- Building an audience through networking.
- Mastering sales: how to get the most out of sales calls.
- Customer observation: learning from customer pain points.
- Curiosity is key: questions to ask your customers.
- Attracting your ideal customer base.
- Increasing brand awareness and speaking directly with potential customers.
- The benefits of asynchronous communication.
- How to discuss pricing with potential clients.
- Assessing and filtering through business ideas.
- Book recommendations for business builders.
- Brian’s advice for obtaining your first 10 customers.
‘’I went through this long list of businesses. I would never have landed on Zip Message if I didn't learn things from Process Kit. I never would have landed on Process Kit if I didn't learn a ton from Audience Ops and Audience Ops came from what I learned from Restaurant Engine. I wouldn't have landed on those ideas unless I had gone through that experience.’’ – Brian Casel.
Connect with Brian Casel:
https://briancasel.com/
https://briancasel.com/podcasts
https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancasel/
https://twitter.com/CasJam
https://zipmessage.com/
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
Book: The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick.
http://momtestbook.com/
Book: The Cold Start Problem by Andrew Chen.
https://www.coldstart.com/
Podcast partners
Buzzsprout:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931
Otter:
https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16
Calendly:
https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1e
Produced in partnership with podlad.com
’If I don’t understand the cost of selling the product, how to price and how to monetize it, I’m kind of screwed. Right? And that’s why 70 to 90% of startups fail, they start with that first bucket, and they don’t look at the second bucket.’’ – Dave Parker.
Each week on the podcast, we are joined by inspiring business builders who openly discuss their entrepreneurial journey with us, sharing how they obtained their first customers and revealing what worked and what didn’t throughout the growing process. This week, listeners are in for a double treat as joining Conor on the show is tech guru and five-time founder, investor, coach, and author Dave Parker. Dave was formerly the VP of Programs at UP Global (Startup Weekend & Startup America) which Techstars purchased.
So much ground gets covered in this episode. We learn how to think about value, the importance of understanding your revenue model, and how to perfect your pricing. Dave has helped numerous founders across the globe achieve startup success and is a library of knowledge when it comes to launching a viable business. Not only does Dave offer golden advice for startups, but Dave also gives us the inside scoop of what it is like to reach the finishing line of exiting and selling a company. Key points throughout the discussion include:
- An introduction to Dave Parker.
- The first-time founder experience.
- Leveraging salesforce to grow your business.
- The reality of striking viral co-efficient.
- Finding the lifetime value of a product.
- What is a business model?
- The role of maths in business.
- Understanding revenue models and the importance of keeping your eyes on the numbers.
- Scaling for exit: an insight to selling a business and why you should always seek help when selling.
- The advantages of knowing your market and creating competition.
- Establishing product market-fit and traction.
- Dave’s advice for obtaining your first 10 customers.
Resources:
https://www.fearless.fund/
Book: Trajectory: Startup – Ideation to Product/Market Fit by Dave Parker.
https://www.dkparker.com/books/
Book: Mergers & Acquisitions – From A to Z by Andrew J. Sherman
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mergers-Acquisitions-Andrew-J-Sherman/dp/0814413838
Connect with Dave Parker:
https://www.dkparker.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveparker/
https://twitter.com/daveparkersea
https://www.facebook.com/DKParkerLLC/
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Check out my podcast partners!
Buzzsprout:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931
Otter:
https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16
Calendly:
https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1e
Produced in partnership with p
‘’The biggest risk is not can you build this? The biggest risk is that no one cares. So how do you validate that someone will care? And how do you validate that someone will be willing to pay for what you are selling?’’ – Rob Walling.
Calling all bootstrap founders! Joining us on today’s masterclass on launching and growing a business is special guest Rob Walling. Rob is an admired serial entrepreneur, investor, author, and host of the popular podcast ‘Startups for the Rest of Us’. Since 2005, Rob has guided thousands of startup founders through his widespread books, recordings, articles, and MicroConf discussions.
In this episode, Rob kindly lends us his time to openly share his experience of finding people who care when starting and growing a business. Rob also reveals how to communicate with your customers and unpacks the magic within collecting customer feedback. This episode may seem short and sweet but trust us when we say it is stuffed with brilliant insights and actionable nuggets of advice for you to take away straight from the master of startups. Key points throughout the discussion include:
- An introduction to Rob Walling.
- When is the right time for building an audience?
- The art of selling: warm VS cold leads.
- Business development and the magic of customer feedback.
- The early day selection process: unlocking product-market fit.
- Smashing sales as an introvert.
- The key to capturing clients and communicating effectively.
- Sustainable marketing in a tech-savvy world.
- How to avoid an unprofitable business.
- Book recommendations for business builders.
- Rob’s top two sales techniques for obtaining your first 10 customers.
- Why a landing page is a must!
- The rhythm of business growth from beginning to take-off.
Connect with Rob Walling:
https://robwalling.com/
https://twitter.com/robwalling
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robwalling/
https://microconf.com
https://www.startupsfortherestofus.com/about
https://tinyseed.com/
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
Book: The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick.
http://momtestbook.com/
Book: Traction by Gabriel Weinberg.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/Traction
Book: How the World Sees You by Sally Hogshead.
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/how-the-world-sees-you
Book: Fascinate by Sally Hogshead.
https://www.howtofascinate.com/store/books
Check out my podcast partners!
Buzzsprout:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931
Otter:
Have you ever heard that to grow your business, you must think big? Well, what if we were to tell you that's not always the case. Joining Conor on today's episode is special guest Daniel Vassallo. Daniel is a master of taking small bets and has a fascinating story to share.
Daniel's professional career was a roaring success as he worked for the globe's largest e-commerce retailer, Amazon. However, despite the promotions, benefits, and attractive six-figure salary, Daniel decided to take the bold plunge from his desirable full-time role into the unknown realm of self-employment on a mission to strike a more sustainable work-life balance.
In this episode, Daniel reveals his small bets portfolio strategy, openly shares his learnings from failure, and explores the benefits of aiming for low-hanging fruit. Daniel also unpacks the randomness and unpredictability of business and reminds us how success is never a guarantee. Key points throughout the episode include:
- An introduction to Daniel Vassallo.
- Developing muscle for uncertainty.
- The journey of self-employment and exploring future opportunities.
- Daniel's inspiration generator for choosing suitable projects.
- The key of knowing what to pursue and what to avoid.
- The importance of making small bets and not over-investing.
- Finding work-life compatibility.
- Validating ideas and growing through failures.
- The role of randomness and chance in business.
- Finding inspiration amongst the wins.
- Converting a hobby into a stream of income.
- How small wins can make a massive difference.
- Why analysing your customers buying patterns is vital.
- The steppingstones to success: why visibility and credibility are essential.
- Daniel's advice on obtaining your first 10 customers.
Connect with Daniel Vassallo:
https://dvassallo.com/
https://dvassallo.gumroad.com/
https://twitter.com/dvassallo/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielvassallo/
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
Book: Hollywood Economics by Arthur De Vany.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollywood-Economics
Check out my podcast partners!
Buzzsprout:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931
Otter:
https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16
Calendly:
https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1e
This podcast was produced in partnership with podlad.com
Are you ready to ignite an idea, fire up your business and transform your life!? If so, you will love soaking up today's episode with entrepreneur expert Shane Melaugh. Shane Melaugh has founded multiple seven-figure companies, including Thrive Themes, and is currently building his cultivating personal development community, ikario.
Shane's personal story is fascinating. His mission via ikario is to share his life experiences with as many people as possible to help them break free and transform their lives into beautiful success stories. In this episode, Shane openly shares how his life transitioned from constraints, struggles, and an overwhelming sense of failure to finding freedom, wonderful success, and ultimately, unlocking a better life. Throughout the discussion, Shane explores the importance of building on what already exists, reveals a brilliant tool for filtering through business ideas, and highlights why we shouldn't overlook self-care and personal development. Key points within this episode include:
- How to organically grow a loyal customer base.
- Understanding marketing techniques to reach new audiences.
- The power of personal interaction when building a business.
- How to identify and meet your customers needs.
- Sell before you make it! The benefits of testing your existing audience.
- A brilliant tool for filtering new business ideas.
- Napkin Maths – how to determine the feasibility of a business plan.
- Becoming comfortable with saying no.
- The ikario story: unlocking potential through self-development.
- Why self-care should never be overlooked.
- A book recommendation for becoming a better entrepreneur.
- Shane's advice on obtaining your first 10 customers.
"Hustle and grind 24/7 till you make it is the worst way to try and make it. If you don't have rest in your life and you're not strategic about having high-intensity focus and then deep rest, you're just basically cutting yourself off at the knees because you're hampering your own ability to learn and make progress." – Shane Melaugh.
Connect with Shane Melaugh:
https://activegrowth.com/about/
https://activegrowth.com/podcast/
https://ikario.com/about/
https://twitter.com/actigrow
https://www.youtube.com/user/imimpact
https://www.linkedin.com/shane-melaugh
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
Book: So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport.
https://www.calnewport.com/books/so-good/
Check out my podcast partners!
Buzzsprout:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1389931
Otter:
https://otter.ai/referrals/ETRNKY16
Calendly:
https://calendly.grsm.io/ilev18qxpn1e
This podcast was produced in partnership with podlad.com
Indie makers and marketplace shakers, this episode is a must-listen for you! Joining the podcast today is the prolific innovator and creator Jakob Greenfeld. Over the last two years, Jakob has successfully launched over fifteen software products and is the host of The Business Brainstorms podcast and creator of The Opportunities newsletter.
In this episode, we learn about Jakob’s journey from becoming a physicist to testing out the road of entrepreneurship with his bootstrapped products. Jakob gives us great insight into the early days of his workings, framework, and product launching tactics. Jakob also shines a light on taking shots on goal, the importance of authenticity, sharing your origin story and how to increase your business visibility. Key points within this episode include:
- An introduction to Jakob Greenfeld.
- The importance of hooking customers with your origin story.
- Preparation and patience in business.
- Building an online audience.
- Market response and first product sales.
- The downfalls of a product launch.
- Why we should never underestimate newsletters.
- The benefits of growing a sustainable community.
- The power of authenticity and being personable.
- Increasing your online visibility.
- Jakob’s advice on obtaining your first 10 customers.
‘’In the long term, it all boils down to just putting your brain out there and hoping that like-minded people find you.’’ – Jakob Greenfeld.
Connect with Jakob Greenfeld:
https://jakobgreenfeld.com/
https://twitter.com/jakobgreenfeld
https://businessbrainstorms.com/
https://indieopportunities.com/
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
Book: How to be a capitalist without any capital by Nathan Latka
https://book.nathanlatka.com/
Book:
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work by Michael E. Gerber
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses
Book: Superfans by Pat Flynn
https://patflynn.com/book/superfans/
Trends.vc Newsletter
https://trends.vc/
Andrew Wilkinson – Co-founder of Tiny
https://twitter.com/awilkinson
Harry Dry – The Kanye Story
https://thekanyestory.com/
Pieter Levels – 12 start ups in 12 months
https://levels.io/12-startups-12-months/
Produced in partnership with podlad.com
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Check out my podcast partners!
- Buzzsprout
- Otter.ai
- Calendly
Welcome back to season four of The First 10 podcast. Kicking off this season’s debut episode is special guest Andy Mackin. Andy is the proud CEO of the Mackin group, based in Cork and operating globally. The Mackin group consists of two renowned companies Mackin EHS a health, safety, and environmental service provider, and Mackin Talent, a talent management solutions provider.
Andy is a wealth of business knowledge and has so many fascinating stories to share, along with valuable advice and tips on succeeding in business. Andy openly shares insights from the beginning of his entrepreneurial voyage, explores the power of discipline and consistency, and reveals the importance of building and nurturing your network. Andy also breaks down the superpower that is relationships and why the value of Relationships Matters is at the core of everything his dynamic global company does. Key points within this episode include:
- An introduction to Andy Mackin.
- The voyage from the Irish Navy into entrepreneurship.
- Trusting business instincts and taking the leap.
- The key to building clientele.
- Becoming comfortable with business directing and networking.
- The vital skills of discipline and consistency in business.
- The importance of personal connections and business relationship management.
- Expansion and growth in business.
- The Mackin Group company culture.
- The impact of gratitude and business reflection.
- Andy’s advice on obtaining your first 10 customers.
‘’Time is a valuable commodity, but I don't think it can be shared more positively or impactfully than spending time with people.’’ – Andy Mackin.
Connect with Andy Mackin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackinconsultancy
https://twitter.com/andrewmackin
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
https://www.first10podcast.com
https://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
Business Networking in Ireland
https://bni.ie
Book recommendations:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shoe-Dog-Phil-Knight
Twelve and a Half by Gary Vaynerchuk
https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Half-
Produced in partnership with podlad.com
Check out my podcast partners!
Buzzsprout
Otter.ai
Calendly
Season 4 of The First 10 Podcast will focus on serial entrepreneurs, and this episode is a short message about why.
I want to shed a light on the people who have chosen the entrepreneurial path, again and again, to see what it was about them that enabled them to pivot their business, or drop a failing or undesirable business and pick up elsewhere, or spot new opportunities in a familiar space and launch products that found traction and fit a customer need. From the outside, the tenacity, drive, and imagination to start again can look like something reserved for the very few, and I hope that this season of the podcast will show you ways you can adopt a serial mindset.
A recap of some of the incredible wisdom shared by my array of guests this last season.
Show Notes
Work with me - https://www.conormccarthy.me/work-with-me
Link for review on Apple Podcasts
Website contact form
Leave a rating for this podcast
The First 10 things I Wish I Knew are here.
Like anyone who works for themselves, I have a litany of things I learned the hard way.
All of them have taught me things that now are a part of my subconscious judgement when making decisions.
They help me be less wrong in the future.
In speaking with founders on The First 10 Podcast about how they found their first 10 customers, I have discovered that some of these mistakes and failures are universal.
The only way to learn from your mistakes is to reflect on them and the only thing to do with your failures is to juice them for all they are worth.
Don’t let them leave the building without picking their pockets.
Here is a shortlist of 10 (more) things I’ve learned along the way that might help you improve your decision-making process and general judgment.
It’s easy to look back at our mistakes and wonder how things might have gone differently, if only. There is only so much value to be had in that mode of thinking. The moment has passed, the decisions were made and paths were taken.
Here is a list of 10 things I’ve learned along the way that might help you improve your decision-making process.
Listeners are in for a treat with this final episode of the season featuring prolific freelancer Tom Hirst. Tom is a WordPress developer, business owner, author, creator, mentor, and Twitter guru. Tom has a passion for helping others get ahead by sharing his experience and learnings with people from all corners of the globe, guiding them to become better freelancers through his newsletter, courses, books, and mentorship programmes.
In this jam-packed episode, Conor and Tom dive into the world of freelancing, discussing how to generate leads, pricing your work, and marketing yourself consistently. Main points covered throughout the episode include:
- Tom’s introduction to becoming a freelancer.
- Obtaining new clients through your network.
- How a personal website generated new leads.
- Discovering your unique selling point and standing out from the crowd.
- Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable.
- Tapping into SEO and the importance of learning the basics.
- Identifying your ideal customers.
- Pricing your freelance services & pricing mistakes freelancers can make.
- How to market yourself consistently.
- Healthy competition – your competitor is not your enemy.
- Embracing social media and overcoming the fear of sharing in public.
- Advice on building your personal brand.
- Why authenticity matters.
- Tom’s tips for finding your first 10 customers.
Connect with Tom Hirst:
http://www.tomhirst.com/
http://www.tomhirst.com/products/10-steps-to-becoming-a-better-freelancer/
http://www.tomhirst.com/mentorship/
http://twitter.com/tom_hirst
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
http://www.first10podcast.com
http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
Book: Hourly Billing Is Nuts by Jonathan Stark
https://jonathanstark.com/hbin
Produced in partnership with podlad.com
If a life coach and a business strategist had a baby, you would get Darrah Brustein. Darrah is a four-time founder, author, connector, and coach at Mind Your Own Business, a community for service-based business owners focused on maximising their profit and impact.
In this episode, Darrah discusses her steered transition into coaching, how to go above and beyond for clients, and building a business that does not run you. Main points covered throughout the show include:
- An insight into Darrah's entrepreneurial journey.
- The importance of existing relationships when acquiring new clients.
- How to build authentic, meaningful, and long-lasting relationships.
- Nurturing trust with your clients and demonstrating you care.
- Providing value to your contacts.
- Delivering an outstanding service and fulfilling your client's needs.
- The power of networking - how to create broader connections through introductions.
- A valuable template for winning e-mail introductions.
- Darrah's transition into coaching and staying true to intent.
- Identifying work alignment & success.
- Learning to trust your gut intuition.
- Advice for finding your first ten customers.
Darrah is a prolific author and Forbes contributor and has interviewed many renowned experts, including Daniel Pink, Shaquille O'Neal, Kat Cole, Bobbi Brown, and Seth Godin, to name but a few.
Connect with Darrah Brustein:
http://darrah.co/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/darrahbrustein/
http://www.instagram.com/darrahb/
Mind Your Business Community - https://darrah.co/myb
Diving Deep with Deepak & Darrah - http://darrah.co/divingdeep
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
http://www.first10podcast.com
http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
Article – How to make e-mail introductions where everyone wins
http://darrah.co/blog/email-intros?rq=email
Book – Super Connector by Ryan Paugh and Scott Gerber.
http://www.amazon.com/Superconnector-Networking-Building-Business-Relationships-ebook/dp/B071WJVN62
Book – Give and Take by Adam Grant
http://www.adamgrant.net/book/give-and-take/
Produced in partnership with podlad.com
Matt Olpinski is a successful UI + UX designer and developer who teaches thousands of freelancers how to get more clients, raise their rates, and create a better life for themselves.
In this episode, Matt discusses in depth how to operate as a freelancer. Matt shares how he accidentally fell into the world of freelancing and how you can find clients through your personal network by letting people know what it is that you do. Matt also reveals how he transitioned from being a full-time freelancer to running his agency and how he built his own lively community – The Freelance Institute. Key points covered throughout the episode include:
- Matt’s leap into full-time freelancing.
- Communicating with clients and delivering value.
- Learning from conversations and evolving through feedback.
- Useful resources for operating your business.
- Freelance transformation - the shift from freelancing to running an agency.
- How to position yourself and scale your business.
- Finding the right people to work alongside.
- How to develop and grow a thriving community.
- Advice on finding your first 10 customers.
- Unlocking the power within your personal network.
Matt holds over ten years of industry experience and has worked with renowned world-class brands such as Facebook, Coca-Cola, PayPal, Porsche, and Google, to name but a few.
Matt’s Freelance Institute is a community for freelancers and remote workers, where you can receive the best freelancing advice by talking directly to experienced freelancers, including Matt in a private community focused on helping you learn the business of freelancing.
Connect with Matt Olpinski:
http://mattolpinski.com/
http://madebymatthews.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mattolpinski/
The Freelance Institute – A community for freelancers and remote workers.
http://mattolpinski.com/community/
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
http://www.first10podcast.com
http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
The Blueprint by Brendan Dunn
http://brennandunn.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17607204-the-blueprint
Useful business tools:
A proprietary business communication platform:
http://slack.com/
A visual collaboration tool:
http://trello.com/
A community platform for creators:
http://circle.so/
Produced in partnership with podlad.com
Robbie Swale is a leadership coach who has built a successful practice of empowering clients to unlock their potential to thrive in their career, work, and life paths. Robbie’s clients include entrepreneurs, investors, theatre directors, and even other coaches.
In this episode, Robbie shares his coaching journey, discusses getting comfortable with talking about money, the importance of honesty, and how we can improve our practices from learning through conversations with others. Key points throughout the episode include:
- Being authentic and not compromising values.
- Obtaining the first 10 customers.
- Robbie’s professional false starts and his coaching pathway.
- Learning and experiencing by doing.
- The benefits of feeling and embracing resistance.
- An insight into Robbie’s enrolment process.
- Getting comfortable with money and learning to sell your services from the get-go.
- The practice of looking at the bigger picture and end goal.
- The key approach of honesty and simplicity.
- The value of referrals, the gift of a session, and planting seeds.
- Tips on how to develop your coaching skills.
- The Coach’s Journey and creating for your community.
- Advice for finding your first 10 coaching customers.
Robbie also hosts The Coach's Journey program and podcast which is dedicated to supporting coaches to take their business to a new level, creating work that supports them to live an extraordinary life, whatever that means for them.
Connect with Robbie Swale:
http://www.robbieswalecoaching.com/
http://www.thecoachsjourney.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/robbieswale
http://twitter.com/RobbieSwale
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
http://www.first10podcast.com
http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
War of Art bySteven Pressfield
http://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Winning-Creative-Battle-audio-cd/dp/1501260626
Coach Training Organisation recommended by Robbie
http://www.coachesrising.com/
The First 10 Podcast is produced in partnership with podlad.com
Copywriting queen Margo Aaron is a wealth of business knowledge. Margo has taught thousands of students how to sell ethically, market honestly, and how to use words to stand out and inspire action. In this jam-packed episode, Margo and Conor discuss the rollercoaster of freelancing, hard learnings, the power of relationships, and the art and science of getting people to care. Key points covered in the episode include;
- Margo’s business introduction and her shift into the world of freelancing.
- Preparation - setting targets and goals ahead of venturing solo.
- The value of building mentors and seeking advice.
- An abundance VS scarcity mindset.
- The power of relationships.
- An insight into how clarity is kindness.
- Trial by fire, a discussion on hard learnings.
- The key to perfecting your pitches and proposals.
- The art of listening and mirroring clients.
- Marketing advice for freelancers at the beginning of their journey.
- How great opportunities can arise from one-on-one conversations and word of mouth.
- Stepping into workshop selling and obtaining customers through mailing lists.
- Differentiating readers and buyers.
- Margo’s top tip for freelancers looking to obtain their first 10 customers.
Margo Aaron is a proud graduate of Emory University (BA), Columbia University (MA), and altMBA, where she earned the prestigious Walker Award.
Margo is also the co-host of the popular internet marketing and business talk show "Hillary and Margo Yell at Websites" (#HAMYAW). Several of Margo’s articles have gone article, her work has been featured in Thought Catalog, Entrepreneur, Thrive Global, Hubspot, Thinkgrowth, Growth Lab, Copyhackers, and Inc.
Connect with Margo Aaron:
http://www.thatseemsimportant.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/margoaaron/
http://twitter.com/margoaaron
Subscribe to Margo’s Newsletter http://www.thatseemsimportant.com/newsletter/
HAMYAW, Margo’s bi-weekly marketing and business talk show with co-host Hillary Weiss.
http://www.youtube.com/c/HAMYAW/channels
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
http://www.first10podcast.com
http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
Book recommendations:
‘’Ogilvy on Advertising’’ and ‘’Confessions of an Advertising Man’’.
http://www.amazon.com/David-Ogilvy
‘’My Life in Advertising’’ and ‘’Scientific Advertising’’ by Claude Hopkins.
http://www.amazon.com/Books-Claude-Hopkins
‘’The Art and Science of Getting People to Care: How to Stand Out, Tap Into Emotions, and Meet Customers on Their Level.’’ – Margo Aaron
http://www.scribd.com/audiobook/491281378/
Margo Aaron courses on Skillshare
Pete Shepherd is the 6”7’ founder of Human Periscope, co-host of The Long and the Short podcast, and a head coach of Seth Godin’s altMBA, an online leadership, and management workshop. Pete specializes in helping leaders around the globe to develop, grow and create great change by allowing them to see things they can’t.
In this episode, Pete and Conor discuss the various strands of being a freelancer, breakthrough moments throughout Pete’s early coaching career, and understanding how to acknowledge and move forward with imposter syndrome. Key points covered include;
- Pete’s transition from the corporate world into freelance coaching.
- The process of discovery and the skill set of curiosity.
- The Human Periscope – helping someone see what they can’t see just yet.
- Building experience and confidence in coaching, and acquiring the first 10 customers.
- Unpacking the nugget of pitching and pricing.
- Managing marketing and maintaining momentum throughout the freelancer cycle.
- Exploring social media; finding purpose and joy within your chosen platforms.
- An insight to imposter syndrome and the impact of dancing with the universal feeling.
- Practical advice for freelancers at the beginning of their journey.
For over 10+ years Pete has worked in leadership and culture helping thousands of leaders, executives and changemakers launch just as many projects, businesses, and experiments right around the world.
Connect with Pete Shepherd:
http://humanperiscope.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/petershepherd3
The Long and the Short Podcast: A podcast for curious people with Peter Shepherd and Jen Waldman.
http://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/
Pete Shelpherd’s blog – Noodle Scratchers
http://noodlescratchers.com/
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
http://www.first10podcast.com
http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
http://altmba.com/
Book recommendations:
The Prosperous Coach by Rich Litvin and Steve Chandler
http://richlitvin.com/book/
The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns
http://www.winwithoutpitching.com/the-manifesto/
The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander
http://rosamundzander.com/book-art-of-possibility.php
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
http://austinkleon.com/steal/
Jay Clouse is a writer, podcaster, and entrepreneur. Jay is the creator ofFreelancing School, which provides the training and community to help people make a living freelancing. With three courses, coaching, and community support, Freelancing School has the tools to help creatives thrive as business owners.
In this episode, Jay and Conor discuss the fundamentals to help freelancers earn more and the techniques for building a business to support personal lifestyle goals. Key points covered in the episode include;
- Introduction to freelancing and climbing the freelance ladder.
- Having control in your professional path.
- The stove of cash flow.
- Being comfortable with vulnerability and the power of asking.
- The value of relationships.
- The importance of effective communication and building trust.
- Engaging with your advocates.
- The benefits of themed days and calendar planning.
- The impact of having to-do lists and task tracking systems in place.
- An insight into networking and joining dynamic communities.
- Jay’s top tips for freelancers.
Jay is also the founder of Unreal Collective, a community for founders, freelancers, and creators. The flagship product is a 12-week accelerator program.
Jay hosts Creative Elements, a podcast for creatives in the trenches of building their businesses, and upside, a podcast about start-up investing outside of Silicon Valley. You can connect with Jay on Twitter @jayclouse or sign up for his weekly newsletter for creatives.
Connect with Jay Clouse:
http://jayclouse.com/
http://twitter.com/jayclouse
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jayclouse/
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
http://www.first10podcast.com
http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
http://freelancing.school/
Creative Elements Podcast: http://jayclouse.com/podcast/
http://unrealcollective.com/
http://upside.fm/
Scott Perry is Creative on Purpose's Chief Difference-Maker and author of the Amazon top-sellers Endeavor and Onward. Scott is also the head coach for Seth Godin's Creative and Freelancer Workshops.
Scott has mentored and guided thousands of freelancers in helping them deliver work that is aligned with who they are and their key strengths, enhancing their own lives as well as the lives of others. In this episode, Scott shares with Conor his personal freelancing journey along with the key lessons he has learned throughout the adventure. Key points covered in the episode include;
- Scott’s freelancing journey from inception to now.
- The importance of doing work that fulfils and fuels you, rather than depletes and exhausts you.
- Freelancing joys, fraught and frustration.
- Good habits & intentions for freelancers to set in place.
- The importance of relationships especially when working independently.
- How Creative on Purpose came to light and scoring the first, not 10 but 11 clients.
- Defining your endeavour and finding your audience.
- The practice of stoicism – navigating and thriving through adverse & difficult experiences.
- Mistakes freelancers can make at the beginning and throughout their journey.
Scott is a husband and father, goes for a cemetery run every day, and quotes Marcus Aurelius more often than he should. For over thirty years, Scott has found and spread joy as a professional musician and guitar teacher while maintaining a happy marriage, home-schooling his sons, and paying the bills. The process Scott developed and employs is time tested and scientifically vetted.
Connect with Scott Perry:
http://www.creativeonpurpose.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeonpurpose/
Connect with First 10 Podcast host Conor McCarthy:
http://www.first10podcast.com
http://twitter.com/TheFirst10Pod
http://www.linkedin.com/in/comccart/
Resources:
http://www.akimbo.com/workshops
Book recommendations:
‘Endeavour’, ‘Onward’ and ‘The Stoic Creative’ by Scott Perry
http://creativeonpurpose.mykajabi.com/book-store
‘A Guide to the Good Life’ by William B. Irvine
http://www.williambirvine.com/books
‘How to think like a Roman Emperor’ by Donald Robertson
http://donaldrobertson.name/how-to-think-like-a-roman-emperor-the-stoic-philosophy-of-marcus-aurelius/
In this episode, Kat Elizabeth tells us of her path from musical theatre through to creating and scaling her own successful freelance business. We really get into the details here, and talk about audience building, the value of marketing processes, the importance of understanding your niche deeply, and about creating reliable frameworks so you can grow your freelance business.
Key topics:
- Planning, keeping that plan simple
- The compounding power of good content
- The importance of harmony over balance as a freelancer
Resources mentioned in this episode, suggested reading & social media handles:
- Kat's website
- Kat's Instagram
- Kat's YouTube Channel
- The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
- Crushing It by Gary Vaynerchuk
- The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Kats Portfolio and Email Copy Example
Calls to action:
- If you like what you hear on this podcast, make sure and sign up to get regular updates here
- Also follow me on Twitter here and LinkedIn here
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Preston Lee, founder of Millo, where he and his team help freelancers get more freelance jobs and grow their client list.
Key Points
- The skills you need to be a successful freelancer aren't taught in school
- Freelancers need to develop the habit of selling to avoid feat and famine cycles
- When starting out, don't be too picky about your clients. You are there to learn so take all the work you can get.
- Be careful of throwing in the towel on your day job to become a full-time freelancer when you start out. Starting as a side hustle can be a better approach.
Show Notes
Freelance To Founder Podcast
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Life Profitability by Adii Pienaar
Contact Details
Millo.co
SolidGigs
If you like what you hear on this podcast, make sure and sign up to get regular updates here.
Also follow me on Twitter here
Season 3 of The First 10 Podcast will focus on Freelancers, and this episode is a short message about why.
I know that a significant portion of my audience are freelancers and I wanted to focus on that industry for these upcoming episodes, to talk to freelancers who are making it work, who have found (or are finding) their first 10 customers, and discovering what they are doing so that you can learn from them.
A recap of some of the incredible wisdom shared by my array of guests this last season, as well as updates on a few things I'm working on.
Show Notes
First 10 Bootcamp
Freelancer Marketing Habit
Work with me - https://www.conormccarthy.me/work-with-me
Link for review on Apple Podcasts
Website contact form
Leave a rating for this podcast
White Mausu Subscriptions
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Brian Kenny, my co-founder on our new venture, Subscription Club. Subscription Club is simple eCommerce subscription management for your business that is branded beautifully and helps you to continue the relationship with your customers, digitally.
Show Notes
White Mausu (our first customer)
MiniCorp
Permission Marketing by Seth Godin
Contact Details
https://subscription.club/
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Steve McLeod, Founder of Barbary Software, the company behind Feature Upvote and Saber Feedback. He also hosts the Bootstrapped.fm podcast.
Key Points
- Your early customer avatar might not be your final customer avatar
- SEO takes persistence
- If you can, delegate.
- Cancellations are great feedback
- Talk to your customers as much as possible
Show Notes
Saber Feedback
Feature Upvote
Barbary Software
Traction by Gabriel Weinberg
Patrick McKenzie
Freelancer Marketing Habit
Contact Details
Saber Feedback
Feature Upvote
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Anita Moorthy, who is the host of the European Startup Show. The European Startup show is like the sister show to this podcast, where Anita interviews startups based in different parts of Europe to find insights that will help other fast-growing entrepreneurs. She interviews them on things like counter-intuitive strategies, growth channels, mistakes, and successes.
Key Points
- With idea validation, sometimes you need to balance intuition with data
- Story and narrative are powerful tools when raising funding
- Brand Building = Marketing + product + sales + customer service
- Finding investors often means finding someone who has already been thinking about the same problem you are solving, for a long time
Show Notes
Idea Validation Episode of the European Startup Show
Tessian Cyber Security
22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
Permission Marketing by Seth Godin
Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
Traction by Gabriel Weinberg
Contact Details
The European Startup Show
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Gary Fox, entrepreneur and founder of HostButlers, an AirBnb management company. Gary also runs the excellent Entrepreneur Experiment Community, bringing together business builders who care about creating the future they want to live in.
Key Points
- Make sure your business matches your personality
- Test, test, test your assumptions to remove bias that impedes you
- Don't hide behind your laptop
- Timing is critical for some ideas to succeed
- Bad customers are a huge drain on your business so let them go asap (80/20 rule)
- When you read, understand why you are reading
Show Notes
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
Contact Details
MrGaryFox.com
Entrepreneur Experiment Podcast
The Entrepreneur Experiment Members Community
Its time for a second solo episode! I have a few things to share that normally wouldnt make it onto the podcast, and one more ask to make!
I'm releasing a new course, called the Freelancer Marketing Habit in March. 30 days, 30 minutes per day, marketing your freelance services. Coaches, designers, consultants...whoever wants in. We are all in the marketing boat together.
In joining our community, you will get...
- Dedicated time to think creatively about your marketing strategy.
- Access to a supportive community of freelancers who foster accountability
- A 30-minute one-on-one session with me in addition to the daily calls, to talk about your marketing strategy.
- Techniques to improve your marketing capabilities
- Asynchronous email with me during the 30 days
- Workbooks, Frameworks, and Templates that I use every day
- Community feedback on your marketing approach
And you will become someone who…
- Has a bias to action, with the confidence to consistently ship
- Creates a marketing mindset that is more “speed up and slow down” than “stop and start”
- Focuses on the activities that contribute the most to your success, ignoring the non-essential
- Has the confidence to craft strong offers, with the right message, for the right audience
Simple and effective process
Step 1: Join on Zoom
Step 2: Commit out loud to the group what you will work on for the next 30 minutes, and why you chose that thing to work on.
- Lead generation
- Website update
- Proposal creation
- LinkedIn outreach
- Write content to drive traffic
Step 3: Begin! We work on mute with cameras on or off for 30 minutes
Freelancers trade their time for money, and one of the best ways to use that time is to invest in yourself. If this sounds like something you need, Check out my website conormccarthy.me for more details.
Show Notes:
Join the Freelancer Marketing Habit
Join the First 10 Bootcamp Waitlist
Podcast Reviews can be made here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-first-10-podcast/id1540063248
Also feel free to leave a podcast rating and review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/first10customers
My website contact form: https://www.conormccarthy.me/contact
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Craig Hewitt, founder of podcast hosting and analytics service Castos, and host of the Rogue Startups Podcast.
Key Points
- Your business is your customers. Your business is not your product.
- Convincing a customer that their current solution could be better is easier than trying to take them all the way through a brand new concept
- Don't be afraid to sell to people. If you have conviction in your heart that what you have is valuable to a specific person, go talk to that specific person.
Show Notes
https://twitter.com/CastosHQ
https://castos.com/
https://roguestartups.com/
Figma.com
SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham
The Great CEO Within
Who Not How by Dan Sullivan
Contact Details
https://twitter.com/thecraighewitt
https://www.craighewitt.me/
https://twitter.com/CastosHQ
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Tyler Gillespie, founder of Content Pros and Applause Labs, both of which he started, grew and sold, and who is now focused on Productised Mentor, a mentorship program to help people create scalable, high-margin service businesses.
Key Points
- Getting over one of the biggest hurdles of "No one else can write or design as good as me"
- "When you productize you provide the customer with a lot of confidence in the purchase.
- "There is no one way to productize your service. In a perfect world, it would move close to the experience of purchasing from Amazon "
- "Customers, once they trust you with one thing, are potentially going to ask you to do many other things. But that's where a lot of service businesses can get into trouble"
- Have clarity on your core avatar
Show Notes
https://mentor.productized.services/
https://designpickle.com/
https://www.freelancer.com/
https://www.upwork.com/
https://www.fiverr.com/
Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes
Contact Details
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerdgillespie/
https://www.productized.services/
https://mentor.productized.services/
I thought I would experiment and mix things up a little on this episode. This is a short solo episode to share some things that normally wouldn’t make it onto the podcast. The first is a mindset-related, then a short book review and then I also have an ask to make of you.
Reviews can be made here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-first-10-podcast/id1540063248
My website contact form:
https://www.conormccarthy.me/contact
To Sell is Human by Dan Pink
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Kareem Mostafa, founder of tribetactics, the done-for-you content platform, and also Chopcast, which helps you make your existing content work even harder for you.
Key Points
- "Whoever asks the questions, holds the power"
- Don't frame your project as "research", instead tell your potential customer it’s up and running
- Always be helping...it genuinely makes business sense
Show Notes
https://www.tribetactics.com
https://www.tribetactics.com/chopcast/features
https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/
https://www.huckletree.com
The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon
Predictable Revenue by Aaron Ross
From Impossible to Inevitable by Aaron Ross
Mark Wayshak's Sales Insights lab
Contact Details
kareem@tribetactics.com
https://twitter.com/mkareemo
https://twitter.com/tribetactics
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmostafa/
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Zach Weismann, who is the founder of MAG Collective. MAG is a collection of brand experts, designers, strategists and marketers that work with organizations of all sizes to create lasting social change and generate true social impact.
Key Points
- "Take advantage of your ecosystem"
- "You can get a customer with a decent-looking website and a bank account. and maybe not even both."
- "Be patient, try to communicate value clearly and succinctly, and don't underestimate the value of backward-looking networks and who you have worked with in the past."
Show Notes
Switch by Chip and Dan Heath
So Good They Cant Ignore You by Cal Newport
Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath
Contact Details
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachweismann/
https://www.magcollective.com/team
https://twitter.com/zachweismann
https://www.makedents.com/
If you like what you hear on this podcast, make sure and sign up to get regular updates here
Also follow me on Twitter here
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Ash Roy, who, amongst other things, is the founder of Productive Insights, a community which helps businesses leverage their online infrastructure with a view to maximising profit. It's a great resource for those looking to build their online authority, and grow their business with a ton of useful productivity strategies.
Key Points
- "Price is a signal"
- Empathy helps you step into your customers world and solve their problem not as you see it, but as they see it
- Content marketing is a conversation thats already happening between a buyer and a seller right now. The only question for you as a seller is - are you going to be a part of the conversation?
Show Notes
Seth Godin on Productive Insights podcast
Ash's 9 Step Framework for growth
Empathy Map
To Sell is Human by Dan Pink
The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman
James Clear on Productive Insights podcast
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Contact Details
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashroyhelps/
https://www.getmetodone.com/
https://www.productiveinsights.com/
www.YouTube.com/ProductiveInsights
If you like what you hear on this podcast, make sure and sign up to get regular updates here
Also follow me on Twitter here
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Ryan Doyle, who is the founder of Magic Sales Bot, a Saas product that helps people reach more prospects in less time using the cutting edge AI platform, GPT-3.
Key Points (min 3)
- "Find someone, today, that you can sell to"
- "Do it any simple, stupid way that you can...but just do it"
- "It's not a reflection of me, it’s a reflection of the execution of the idea and how it fits into this person's life at this point in time"
- “When you do sales, you have the opportunity to make people feel like they are a part of your journey”
Show Notes
Kevin Conti - https://twitter.com/kev_conti?lang=en
4 Hour Workweek - https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307465357
Fanatical Prospecting by Jeb Blount - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fanatical-Prospecting-Conversations-Leveraging-Telephone/dp/1119144752/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Fanatical+prospecting&qid=1609926262&sr=8-1
Contact Details
https://magicsalesbot.com/
https://twitter.com/Ryan___Doyle
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-doyle/
https://ryanpdoyle.com/
Calls to action:
- If you like what you hear on this podcast, make sure and sign up to get regular updates here
- Also follow me on Twitter here
- Check out my First 10 Bootcamp here
I didn’t plan on recording this episode but after people started giving me feedback on what they found most useful this Season, I thought it might be an idea to collect a digital hamper of the answers to the final question I ask all my guests. That question is: What would you say to someone just starting out to find their First 10?Also, in this episode, I mention my new Bootcamp, the First 10 Bootcamp. The goal of the Bootcamp is to help business builders find their First 10 Customers. I’ve been helping people start and grow their businesses for the best part of a decade now, and I’ve found that this early stage of the journey can be the most uncertain but is often the most rewarding if done right. The Bootcamp will teach you things like identifying your ideal audience and their real problems, describing your idea in a way that those customers want to hear, some marketing, a pinch of sales technique, and of course, the art of shipping your idea to the world. It's a 5 week program, where a group of like-minded business builders will meet once per week to learn how to understand and serve their customers with their ideas. It includes free 1-1 sessions with me, frameworks, templates...all the good stuff that goes into learning something new, and things that you can use again and again.
Check out https://www.conormccarthy.me/first-10-bootcamp for more.
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Diana Chen. She is the Head of Content Strategy at Content Allies, a podcast host at Startup Happy Hour, a travel blogger at MVMT Blog and is also an entrepreneur, full-stack web developer, and former attorney.
Key Points
- "Go slower and build relationships first…focus on the long term"
- "The reasons why I think the way I do or react to certain things in certain ways has also helped me to better understand other people, and why other people think they way they do, and act the way they do"
- "The most important thing you can do is listen"
Show NotesContent Allies
Bernadette Jiwa's guide to writing your About Page
Brene Brown
Contact Detailshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dianadchen/
https://www.dianadchen.com/
https://www.startuphappyhourpodcast.com/
https://twitter.com/ddwchen
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Jamie Arredondo, who is a coach on many of Seth Godin's Akimbo Workshops, as well as running Bold and Open, helping entrepreneurs launch their projects, making them profitable and impactful from the first minute, without expensive investments or complicated strategies.
Key Points
- "We are not selling our skill, we are selling the final result for the customer"
- "Find the people for whom this is important"
- "Find the answer while practicing"
Show Notes
Akimbo Workshops
Getting everything you can out of all you've got - Jay Abraham
Double Your Freelancing - Brennan Dunn
Contact Details
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimearredondo/
www.boldandopen.com
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Kristen Dionne, who is a co-founder of Accomplice Content, a video content agency based in Halifax, Canada.
Key Points
- The first 10 people you meet aren’t going to be your first 10 customers
- Remember Rule #6!
- People want to feel like you are listening to them
Show Noteshttps://www.accomplicecontent.ca/
Rule #6
The Art Of Possibility by Benjamin and Rosamund Zander
Contact Detailshttps://twitter.com/AccompliceCSC
https://www.linkedin.com/company/accomplice-content-supply-co-/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-schnare/
Calls to action:
- If you like what you hear on this podcast, make sure and sign up to get regular updates here
- Also follow me on Twitter here
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Howard Gray, entrepener, educator, coach and founder of Wavetable.
Key Points
- Relationships tend to be undervalued when it comes to those first conversations
- Look closer than you want to
- Focus initially on the people who have a similar way of looking at the world
Show NotesThe Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick
Your music and People by Derek Sivers
Strategy is your words by Mark Pollard
Alchemy by Rory Sutherland
Contact DetailsWavetableTwitter
LinkedIn
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Jade Waterman, who focuses on helping businesses build a repeatable and scalable market.
Key Points
- Customer Discovery is hard work but it’s the only way to understand those you seek to sell to
- Always research the prospect
- Dig in and don't be afraid to ask the tough questions. Don't be afraid to take your questions several questions deeper.
Show NotesSpin Selling - Neil Rackham
Strategy is your Words - Mark Pollard
Lean Customer Development - Cindy Alvarez
Contact DetailsLinkedIn
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Rick Kitagawa, Founder of Kaiju Coaching, and Co-Founder of The Spotlight Trust.
Key Points
- Be curious about people
- If you are solving a real problem for people, you don't need a website
- Don't make assumptions about your customers
Show Notes
Ramit Sethi
Brene Brown (website)
Daring Greatly - Brene Brown
Dare To Lead - Brene Brown
The Charisma Myth - Olivia Fox Cabane
Contact Detailshttps://rickkitagawa.com/
https://spotlighttrust.com/
https://kaijucoaching.com/
https://twitter.com/RickKitagawa
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Adam Thomas, "Product Person" (also known as "The Honorable Adam Thomas" :) )
Key Points
- "Find ten people. Ten people who trust you/respect you/need you/listen to you…
Those ten people need what you have to sell, or want it. And if they love it, you win." - Seth Godin - Understand the questions your customers ask
- "Make a hypothesis, and build on it. Make it small. Experiment."
Show NotesAmy Hoy Stacking the Bricks, Sales Safari
A Testament of Hope - Martin Luther King
This is Marketing - Seth Godin
Never split the difference - Chris Voss
Never Eat Alone - Keith Ferazzi
Thinking in Bets - Annie Duke
Contact Detailshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/theadamthomas/
https://twitter.com/TheHonorableAT
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheHonorableAT
TW/LI/Youtube/Website, and get his email too!
Email: adam@theadamthomas.com
On this episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Carla Bredin, Founder of boutique spin studio Echelon and Wild Healthy Nutrition.
Key Points
- Feedback can be tough but valuable
- Who can I trust with my story to share with their people?
- Divert all your energy to those who are excited and want to engage with it
Show NotesEchelon
Wild Healthy
Bernadette Jiwa: Storydriven, Marketing a Love story
Seth Godin's Akimbo Podcast
Contact DetailsInstagram
LinkedIn
On this episode, I talk to Amir Bazrafshan, Founder at ApricotBox and owner of Apricot Video + Marketing.
Key Points
- Be clear about what you want your customers to know
- Seek closure, a decision one way or another
- "Market, message, media" from Dan Kennedy
Show Notes
Books Recommended:
Dan Kennedys Magnetic Marketing
Zig Ziglars Secrets of Closing the Sale
Amir's Contact Details
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amir-bazrafshan-a0843212/
https://twitter.com/Apricot_Amir
https://apricotbox.co.uk/
On this first episode of The First 10 Podcast, I talk to Brian Kenny , Founder of @MiniCorpHQ.
As Brian mentions at the end, do reach out to him. He is open to conversations and always willing to lend his smarts to new business ideas that come his way.
Key Points
- Have a "chameleon attitude" to sales and marketing. Think deeply about the people on the other side of the table.
- When it comes to the first conversations, do everything in your power to actually do them! Get over the internal barriers, use the "lollipop method", and do it again and again and again.
- Do your homework! When approaching people, use all the free info that's out there before you send that email
Show Noteshttps://minicorphq.com/
Hit refresh by Satya Nadella
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Bill Ackman
Audience (B2C and B2B) research tools:
https://www.apollo.io/
https://www.crunchbase.com/
Contact Details
https://twitter.com/bkenny
https://twitter.com/MiniCorpHQ
https://minicorphq.com/
Hello, and welcome to the First 10 Podcast!
We have all heard the saying "If you build it, they will come”. But when it comes to creating new businesses, the reality is more like "If you build it, they will probably do nothing.”
Every successful company that you can think of started with their first 10 customers. Those early believers in your idea are crucial to your success.
My goal for this podcast is to help you succeed in finding and creating those first customers. I hope you enjoy the show!
Get in touch at first10podcast.com or on Twitter @TheFirst10Pod