Check out Alina Bonn's experience working as a team member, which set her up to start her own agency serving 7-8 figure consulting firms.

Like any other type of marketing, podcasting is constantly shifting and evolving, and that requires us to continue experimenting and trying new things. More than any other medium, podcasting lends itself to effectively building authority and creating massive reach, especially when the right pieces are in place.  How do we decide what to experiment on? What are some of the most important tactics that need to be on our podcast launch checklist? In today’s episode, I’m joined by fellow video podcast producer, agency owner and host of The After Hours Entrepreneur, Mark Savant.  We have an in-depth conversation about where podcasting is headed, and how to continue delivering value, authority and curiosity as it evolves. 

The marketing world hasn’t been able to categorize a service that isn’t just strategy like consulting or just done-for-you like an agency. There isn’t enough in the public consciousness around a service that combines strategy with implementation.   How we market ourselves affects how people perceive the value of this service.  How can we sell hybrid consulting-agency offerings to a marketplace that doesn’t quite understand this new category, and who will own this new space?  In this episode author, thought leader and Business Growth Specialist, Dan Kuschell talks about positioning ourselves in an emerging marketing service category, and why a lot of marketing advice is outdated in today’s world. 

Anyone who makes a living with the content in their heads and hearts has to overcome internal obstacles to unlock their full potential.  There’s so much we have to deal with when we are the product, especially when it comes to leaning into our backstories. Thought leaders steer away from talking about the setbacks, challenges and failures they’ve experienced in the past, but when we go into our work without our whole selves, we impact our effectiveness.   We think we can’t talk about the stuff that defines our identity, but those are often the things that make us more human, more relatable and more compelling.  How do we overcome the reluctance to own our backstories? Why is this so critical in thought leadership work?  In this episode, I’m joined by Executive Performance and Transition Coach, Leadership Consultant and author of Transition on Purpose, Dennis Volpe. He shares the power of leaning into our stories, and why it makes us more effective at what we do and how we market ourselves. 

People who launch podcasts are often so focused on the downloads their shows can generate they miss out on the real opportunity.   This mindset leads us away from our Clear and Compelling Idea, and the people who will actually take the action that hits our goal for the podcast.  A narrow focus on downloads also goes against the true purpose of podcasting. We should leverage the medium as a vehicle for converting people’s beliefs over time, not a platform for quick monetization.   Whether we’re looking to get in front of more of our ideal clients, or sell our coaching programs and services, the goal is always going to dictate the metrics that matter.  How do we make sure we’re launching podcasts that support our business goals? How are podcasters using different formats and feeds to get more granular with their podcast goals?  In this episode, I’m joined by agency owner, podcast producer and podcast host, Jeff Large. We discuss how to break the downloads-focused mindset, and why it’s critical to set the right expectations before launch. 

The trap many salespeople fall into is trying to grow by doing more of what’s worked before, instead of letting an external force dictate their next phase of growth. Tapping into an area where demand is already flowing and lining it up with our skills can be an effective way to successfully break into a niche. Once we’ve identified this space, we can get more ROI by reaching our ideal clients through a psychographic profile, instead of a demographic or industry profile.  By creating content that speaks deeply to who we can get results for, we can position ourselves to cut through the noise and attract the right people.  How do we identify a space with a new demand that we can take advantage of? Where can we find ideas for the kind of content our ideal clients will respond to?  In this episode, CEO, speaker, author, and business coach Bruce Eckfeldt shares the strategy he used to break into the cannabis space, and the downsides of going to the market with a broad message. 

If you’re an emerging thought leader with the ability to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses, a paycheck or retainer isn’t the only way to monetize a highly valuable skillset.  There are multiple ways we can capitalize on our marketing, sales and operations skills so we get the most revenue and highest quality of life out of them. From joint venture deals to rev share agreements and consulting deals, it’s worth looking for those opportunities and maximizing them when they come our way.   How can we structure these types of deals so that the incentives are lined up correctly and set up for long-term success?  In this episode, entrepreneur, digital agency owner and podcast host Darrell Evans shares how we can create long-term mutual value in our client engagements. 

In coaching and consulting, we quickly discover that the biggest hurdles to success are internal. We see the effect that limiting beliefs have on our clients’ ability to implement the strategies, tactics and advice that will get them what they want.   Getting better results requires our clients to change what they do and what they believe about what they do. It’s very hard to create any meaningful change if they are still clinging to the wrong set of beliefs. Our marketing and the system we use to help them get results need to address those beliefs.  What are the most common limiting beliefs our clients have? How do we get them to buy into the Point of View that will get them results?  In this episode, I’m joined by agency coach, speaker, trainer and founder of Anchor Advisors, Brad Farris. He shares how he deals with client limiting beliefs at different stages of the client relationship. We also discuss the methods Brad has used to become MicroFamous in his space, and the importance of data in our businesses. 

The basis of any strong community is a feeling of safety and belonging, and an environment that allows people to be transparent and authentic. As thought leaders we often overlook that this sense of safety comes from the values of the community, and who we leave out of it by intention.  When we are crystal clear on our values, we’re able to organically attract people who buy into them, and also naturally repel the people who don’t fit in with those values. It takes courage to own our leadership and the values of the community we want to create, but it’s necessary. Without the foundation of a strong value system, a community and culture can’t sustain itself long-term. How can we lead our communities more effectively by putting our values at the center of everything we do? How can we keep a sense of community afloat without live events?  In this episode, I’m joined by CEO of the Real Estate Investment Network Ltd and host of the Everyday Millionaire podcast, Patrick Francey. We talk about what it takes to build a community and a culture that is led by values, and why that’s an important part of thought leadership. 

As more people enter the remote workforce, the people we’re going to hire on our teams are going to be younger. Because they come from a different generation, determining whether they are a personality and cultural fit requires us to adapt how we interview them and what we need to be looking for.  When our teams are completely virtual, what works in-person doesn’t always translate to a remote environment. What are things we need to put an emphasis on in our leadership and team culture? How can we gain insight on how our younger team members think and what they value? In this episode, founder and CEO of The DUDEAgency, Chris Martinez shares insights on running a remote agency and leading a younger workforce. 

The psychology of live events facilitated emotional and impulsive buying, but 2020 has made this impossible, forcing businesses and thought leaders to shift the way we sell. Even before the pandemic, businesses that were based on selling at live events were struggling.  Because it’s now easier for people to buy products online, the peak emotional state that causes much of the selling at events is gone.  In a world where people are buying from their devices, how we sell and what we sell has to be packaged for the internet. This is the time to reinvent what we do, instead of waiting to resume what we did before. How we sell, and even how we measure success in our work and our marketing has to change.  What does it take to still be effective without the in-person aspect of events? How has 2020 shifted the meaning of a day’s work? In this episode, CEO of Thought Leadership Leverage, Peter Winick returns to talk about how this year has impacted how we sell our products.

Speaking on a stage is one of the most important street cred indicators in thought leadership. Even though people aren’t going to events physically, the speaking space hasn’t slowed down. In fact, speaking has actually ramped up in the virtual space over the last 6 months. Thought leaders have the opportunity to play in global speaking space where people aren’t limited by location, and even a chance to get out in front of the competition when live events do return.  Virtual and hybrid events have become the new way to get in front of people, and anyone who’s able to capitalize on this time of experimentation has a real chance to overtake other thought leaders.  Where is money in events going right now and how can we get our content out to more people? What are the credibility indicators that companies are looking for when it comes to when it comes to who they choose as speakers?  In this episode, I’m joined by the founder of Markman Speaker Management, Steve Markman. He shares what we need to be doing right now to align with the new normal in speaking. 

For speakers, thought leaders and associations who give value and connect with people through events, 2020 has put them in a weird spot. Because people haven’t been able to gather in the normal sense, the biggest concern is driving value to people, and creating a sense of community within new parameters.  Thought leaders have to rethink several things, particularly how to get in front of people and get their message out without conferences, networking events and on-stage speaking engagements.  What opportunities can we leverage in this new world? How can thought leaders maintain their effectiveness when the world of events has shifted? In this episode, CEO of Thought Leadership Leverage, Peter Winick returns. We discuss how 2020 has impacted live events and how the players in this world have responded.

Company culture is a strategic long-term solution, and an ongoing evolving process that we can’t immediately see ROI from, but it’s the hidden factor that drives or diminishes our results. Communication builds the culture that we lead people into. What keeps us from effectively building our culture is speaking to and leading different people on our teams in the same way.  If we want a company that lasts the test of time, and continues to evolve, we have to take a long-term vision and learn to talk to each individual in a language that resonates with them.   Why does culture precede profit? How can we help clients see the value of strategies that don't give them instant results? In this episode, I’m joined by executive coach, founder of Orange Dot Coaching and host of the podcast, Profiles of Leadership, Steve Anderson. He talks about how to build a culture that sticks. 

The essence of driving change as coaches is delving into how someone communicates with and leads themselves, because that impacts how they show up in every area of their lives.  Our limiting beliefs and behavioral patterns are not situational, they are always present. They stem from our own self-image and self-communication, and amplify or get in the way of our self-leadership. Having the awareness to notice how we talk to ourselves is an important part of transforming our self-perception.  Why does coaching fall short when it doesn't consider a person’s inner communication patterns? How can we become more authentic by changing how we speak to and lead ourselves?  In this episode, communication expert and high-performance coach Jonathan Miller discusses mindful communication and how his own personal self-discovery led to his coaching practice. 

2020 has caused a massive upheaval in the world of events, but a lot of new opportunities are emerging as the industry explores new ways to deliver a great experience in a new world.  It’s even more critical now for events to deliver a win-win for speakers, sponsors, sales teams, organizers and attendees. That means going beyond the event logistics and pinpointing what ROI looks like for everything involved. Now more than ever, events are a platform for accelerating shortening the sales cycles, driving partnerships and networking.  What are the event trends that have emerged because of covid-19? How can we make sure virtual events can still be a platform for networking and relationship-building? Why should we opt for taking part in a virtual event instead of creating our own? In this episode, I’m joined by B2B Event ROI & Account-based Marketing Strategist, Michelle Nicole McNabb. We talk about what the developments of 2020 mean for speakers, authors, coaches and consultants. 

The podcasting industry is going to see a lot of change, from new formats to the entry of multi-million dollar publishers. Now more than ever, we have to see and treat our podcasts like entire businesses in their own right.  Our podcasts need to have specific intentions and goals, and we need to make sure they go in a direction that’s sustainable and gets us what we want.  How did our guest Tim Alison grow his successful podcast, Screw the Naysayers? What is the gap between old school business advice and entrepreneurship today, and why is this gap so dangerous?  On this episode, I’m joined by entrepreneur, business coach, author and host and executive producer of Screw the Naysayers, Tim Alison. He talks about his passion for helping small business owners, and why he believes the methods he used just 2 years ago to launch his show would bomb today.

As podcasts become more expansive, they’ve also become so crowded that it’s difficult to get noticed and build a loyal listener base. In such a space, doing something unexpected and radically different is how we attract new listeners. The best practice copycat approach won’t work in podcasting today.  We have to be able to deliver an experience that makes the audience create a new mental bucket to put us in, and we can only do this by not doing what podcasts are doing. What can we learn from the world of comedy podcasts? What can businesses learn from the narrative style of storytelling and adopt in their marketing? In this episode, I’m joined by podcast producer, co-founder of Podstarter and host of the Unexplainers and Canadian Politics is Boring, Rhys Waters. We talk about where podcasting is now, how it’s changed and where the medium is going.

As platforms like Facebook continue to drive down the results of organic traffic, LinkedIn has remained more consistent with what it takes to launch a personal brand, go to market and grow our reach.  It’s a platform that is well-suited to a strategy centered on valuable content and targeted outreach. Even as we scale our LinkedIn reach, this strategy can remain effective, and help us connect with people who want to pay for what we do.  What are the best practices for creating content on LinkedIn and outbound marketing efforts? Why is LinkedIn still so perfect for a purely content-driven strategy, not pay-to-play? What is the POSER Format for creating video content on LinkedIn? In this episode, high performance business mentor and coach Paul Higgings shares why he has doubled down on his LinkedIn marketing and getting 1 million views and 120 new clients in 8 months using his strategy.

When the world is in crisis, people and businesses are in crisis too. The ability to withstand adversity is one of the most important things we need to build into our operations. We do this by taking every path, strategic decision and approach in small steps, leaning into the purpose behind it and taking action.  Why do the small steps have such a high pay-off? What can both small businesses and enterprise level companies learn about marketing today? In this episode, growth strategist, author and speaker, Tony Guarnaccia talks about how businesses can build their resilience and the marketing lessons they can apply to achieve it.