How to be a Successful Business Author Today Featuring Wendy Keller
Wendy Keller is an award-winning former journalist, a respected literary agent, an author, a speaker, and an acclaimed book marketing consultant.
Wendy is a prominent advocate for authors taking a vibrant, active role in promoting their work.
Keller Media is a literary agency that helps authors succeed by advising on cutting-edge marketing strategies, advanced book promotion practices, and the best-known use of media, social media, and paid speaking.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can become a known expert so that you have a platform for your book.
Wendy and I discuss:
- Her experience with book publishing, particularly for non-fiction books [02:30]
- The influx of young people in the business [04:04]
- How her business has become referral driven [05:10]
- How she helped someone through paid speaking [06:08]
- How to be a successful business author today [07:27]
- Strategies to leverage your business book [08:44]
- The importance of having a published book rather than self-publishing [11:16]
- How the consumers will find you [13:35]
- Learning to sell your expertise through writing a book [16:47]
- The power of proper marketing [15:43]
- Classifying which self-promoter you are [20:15]
- Her experience with community and being part of the community [22:53]
Learn more about Wendy at https://kellermedia.com
Submit a Book Proposal here: https://kellermedia.com/query
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
Automate Your Marketing Featuring Jason Resnick
Jason Resnick is a marketing automation expert, founder of NurtureKit, and a recovering web developer.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to engage your clients with email.
Jason and I discuss:
- How Jason hones his unique skills at the intersection of digital data and human behavior[06:06]
- Understanding human behavior relevant to email marketing[08:18]
- Learning the methodology to develop expertise[13:00]
- How to identify the motivation of your ideal client [14:37]
- Knowing your ideal clients through motivation and emotion [18:09]
- Learning the methodology to develop expertise [12:59]
- Identifying ideal clients [14:37]
- The difference between email automation and simple automation [17:50]
- His experience as part of online communities [22:44]
- The importance of community [24:49]
Learn more about Jason at https://nurturekit.co/stp
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Gentle Business Revolution Featuring Sarah Santacroce
Over a decade of running a successful LinkedIn Consulting business inspired a yearning in Sarah Santacroce to create a global movement that encourages people to bring more empathy and kindness to business & marketing.
As a ‘Hippie turned Business Coach’, Sarah has written two books, hosts the Humane Marketing podcast and works with heart-centered entrepreneurs to question their assumptions when it comes to marketing and give them permission to market their business their way, the gentle way!
Sarah shares a fresh perspective and doesn’t shy away from calling things out that no longer work for many of us when it comes to the current marketing model. Her clients sometimes refer to her as ‘the female Seth Godin’.
In todays’ episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to market to the generation that cares
Sarah and I discuss:
- How Sarah made the transition to Humane Marketing [02:54]
- What Sarah did differently in her new business [05:56]
- How the principle of Humane Marketing may apply to consultants [08:54]
- How people will resonate with you [15:38]
- How much time your business needs to develop a Humane Marketing approach [17:33]
- The marketing concept of the Chinese bamboo tree [19:50]
- Building connections and relationships in the community [20:52]
- The definition of “community” [23:29]
- The 7 Ps of Humane Marketing in Mandala form [24:25]
Learn more about Sarah at https://humane.marketing/one-page-marketing-plan/.
Learn about the Humane Marketing Community at:
http://www.humane.marketing/circle
Get Sarah’s Marketing book here:
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Power of Group Coaching Featuring Dominique Mas
Dominique Mas is the Head of Coaching and Curriculum at Medley and the Founder of Group Coaching HQ.
Passionate about creating engaging growth opportunities for individuals and groups, she creates a unique learning environment using LEGO, visual thinking, and assessments in her trainings and coaching engagements.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn the power of bringing people together with a common purpose.
Dominique and I discuss:
- How Dominique got into group coaching [02:19]
- Learning to do more of what you love and still get paid what you’re worth [06:45]
- Finding a balanced approach to building your business [08:32]
- Dominique’s group coaching [12:37]
- Aligning our unique set of skills and experiences with needs in the marketplace [17:39]
- Being part of a community [18:57]
Dominique holds a Masters’ in Educational Leadership and Change, and coaching certifications from the NeuroLeadership Institute and the ICF (PCC). She is also a Hogan Certified Coach.
She is a surfer and adventurer, and she lives a peaceful life in Brooklyn, NY with her partner, the artist Swissipino and Professor the awesome dog.
Learn more about Dominique at http://groupcoachinghq.com and https://bit.ly/GCHQ-MN
Brief Description of Gift
$200 off the winter cohort of Group Coaching HQ
How to Get the Free Gift
Add smashing the plateau in the referral box on the application form
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
How to Become a Speaker, Consultant, Coach and Author Featuring Rebecca Ahmed
Rebecca Ahmed is a TEDx speaker, business consultant, and an Energy Leadership Index™ Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), which is an exclusive training in human energy and how we can experience, express, and expand it in ourselves and others. Rebecca is also a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to leave your corporate career and build a successful business model with your expertise.
Rebecca and I discuss:
- What caused Rebecca to become an entrepreneur [02:04]
- How Rebecca decided on her business model [04:15]
- How Rebecca found her niche [05:51]
- What works well for business development [08:37]
- How to build your business as a speaker [09:12]
- How Rebecca became a TEDx speaker [10:19]
- Pivots due to COVID [13:41]
- How to find like-minded people [16:14]
- Rebecca’s forthcoming book [19:17]
Learn more about Rebecca at www.energeticimpact.com and www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-ahmed-802a9514
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
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How Your Consulting Income Can Exceed Your Last Salary Featuring Amy Rasdal
Amy Rasdal traded her corporate job for consulting 15 years ago and makes more money than most executives.
Amy works and plays every day. Amy founded Billable at the Beach® to liberate 6-figure earners by helping them build 6-figure consulting businesses.
Amy is passionate about helping others find the freedom and flexibility to live the life of their dreams, without sacrificing the career they’ve spent so long building.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can build a high-earning consulting business.
Amy and I discuss:
- Amy’s new book [02:09]
- Why you need to focus on revenue first [02:52]
- Why selling is very personal [04:39]
- What struggling consultants need to do differently [10:27]
- How Amy structures her time [14:58]
- What consultants need when it comes to community [24:41]
Learn more about Amy’s book, “Land a Consulting Project NOW!: Build a life of freedom, flexibility, and inspiring work running your own 6-figure business,” at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1B4Y7D8 and learn more about Amy at https://www.billableatthebeach.com.
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
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How to Put an End to Your Limiting Beliefs Featuring Dr. Jayne Gardner
Dr. Jayne is a Business Strategist helping entrepreneurs eliminate their people problems by installing an employee-focused culture.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to deactivate the primal wound that is limiting your beliefs and causing your success to plateau.
Jayne and I discuss:
- The primal wound that the Gardner Method deactivates [02:21]
- The impact of primal wounds on challenging transitions [06:43]
- Steps you can take to deactivate your primal wounds [10:06]
- Patterns of multiple primal wounds [17:56]
- When therapy might be needed [19:59]
The Gardner Method is a personal growth system for identifying, processing, and permanently deactivating the primal wound that we all carry unconsciously in our work life.
Deactivating this emotional control over us raises leaders’ Emotional Set Point, improving employee engagement while raising the happiness level of all people they touch in their personal and business lives.
Learn more about Dr. Jayne at https://drjaynegardner.com, jaynegardner@gardnerinstitute.com, https://twitter.com/jaynegardner https://www.facebook.com/jayne.main1, https://www.facebook.com/drjaynegardner, https://www.instagram.com/drjaynegardner
Brief Description of Gift
Discount for any offerings on Jayne’s website
Coupon Code
drjayne25
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
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Why Continuous Experimentation Leads to Marketing Success Featuring Caelan Huntress
Caelan Huntress started his career as an acrobat in the circus, earning and maintaining the attention of an audience as a street performer. He applies those lessons to marketing, where he earns and maintains the attention of a demographic.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn why continuous experimentation leads to marketing success.
Caelan and I discuss:
- What he tried that didn’t work [03:33]
- How consultants can position themselves as quickly as possible after a job exit [04:23]
- Why you need to separate your market research from your sales [13:10]
- Finding your niche [16:04]
- What is working online and what is hype [19:33]
Caelan is an American digital nomad living in New Zealand and has spent ten years running an online business while traveling the world with his young family. Caelan is a dynamic speaker, trainer, and business coach, who combines his skills as a theatrical performer and technical geek to make compelling virtual experiences.
Learn more about Caelan at https://caelanhuntress.com/coaching and https://marketingyourselfbook.com/freechapter and https://stellarplatforms.com/case-studies
Brief Description of Gift
Free chapter of the Marketing Yourself for subscribing to the Stellar Platforms Newsletter
URL for Free Gift
https://marketingyourselfbook.com/freechapter/
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
Be an Agile Leader Featuring Chuck Mollor
Chuck “Charlie” Mollor is founder, CEO, executive coach, and advisor at MCG Partners, an organization that specializes in leadership and talent optimization, aligning business and people strategy for maximum results.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to be an agile leader and build a business that is modeled to serve your clients and you well.
Chuck and I discuss:
- Chuck’s career and personal journey [02:27]
- How Chuck specialized [06:59]
- What led Chuck to write his book [10:01]
- Techniques he recommends for agile leaders [11:30]
- Examples of agile leaders [13:52]
- How to choose the right business model [17:25]
Chuck is the author of his new and best-selling book, The Rise of The Agile Leader: Can You Make the Shift?, Amazon’s #1 best-selling book on management. As a recognized expert in leadership effectiveness, a former Harvard Business School executive coach, and a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Chuck specializes in coaching and advising senior, global executives and leadership teams through times of rapid-growth, M&A, and change.
Learn more about Chuck at www.mcgpartners.com, www.chuckmollor.com
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
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How You Can Find Resources for Exponential Opportunity Featuring Mark Monchek
Mark Monchek is the Founder and Chief Opportunity Officer of Opportunity Lab, a strategy and facilitation consultancy helping mission-driven organizations grow thriving, resilient businesses that create abundance for everyone they touch.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can find the resources for exponential opportunity.
Mark and I discuss:
- The blurring of the lines between employees and consultants [03:42]
- How to think about your resources and your value [05:10]
- An exercise to develop a generosity mindset [7:49]
- How consultants and coaches can leverage their resources [14:55]
- His own future opportunity [18:30]
Mark is the author of the Amazon nonfiction bestseller Culture of Opportunity: How to Grow Your Business in an Age of Disruption.
Mark has worked with leaders from Google, Apple, JPMorgan Chase, General Electric, Goldman Sachs, Adorama, TerraCycle, Feltsberg, The New York Times, Wharton School of Business, New York University, Columbia University, NBC, Time Warner, and the United Nations.
He’s been featured in Real Leaders, The Better Business Book, the Organization Development Review Journal, Lifetime Network, WPLJ, WCBS, Newsday, Working Women Magazine, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
Mark has a passion for helping leaders grow organizations that are catalysts for a better world and believes that a strategy only works if you take every part of a business into consideration.
He uses innovative but tested facilitation techniques to help leaders and teams identify their gaps and blind spots, lean into their strengths, and amplify their impact in a changing marketplace.
Learn more about Mark at https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmonchek/, https://opplab.com/
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
Get Colleagues to Tell Your Story the Way You Want to be Known Featuring Dr. Cindy McGovern
Dr. Cindy is best known as the First Lady of Sales™. She is an internationally renowned business and motivational speaker and Wall Street Journal’s best-selling author.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to get your colleagues to tell your story the way you want to be known.
Cindy and I discuss:
- Why she decided to write “Sell Yourself” [02:10]
- How Dr. Cindy describes her own impact [04:57]
- Where to start creating your framework for your story [07:05]
- Key strategies for turning your story into new business [10:29]
- Mistakes consultants make when packaging their brand [12:21]
- Techniques to help colleagues present the right message about you [14:03]
- Things you can do to stay top of mind with your referral sources [16:12]
- Why you need to ask for referrals [19:14]
Dr. Cindy has inspired thousands by getting them to think differently about sales, selling, and success, both in their professional and personal lives. She helps take the ‘ick’ out of sales by helping people to embrace their inner 5-year-old.
Learn more about Cindy at https://drcindy.com/.
How to Create Multiple Revenue Streams Featuring Hannah Smolinski
Hannah Smolinski is a CPA and the founder of Clara CFO Group, a virtual CFO agency providing small businesses with financial clarity and profit maximization strategies.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to turn your expertise into multiple active and passive revenue streams.
Hannah and I discuss:
- Hannah’s career [00:40]
- How Hannah found her business model [05:31]
- How Hannah developed a recurring revenue model [07:03]
- Her various revenue streams [13:04]
- How Hannah started selling digital offerings [16:19]
- The impact of Hannah’s business on her work/life integration [20:19]
Hannah’s experience working for one of the world’s largest accounting firms inspired her to make corporate expertise accessible to small business owners through fractional CFO services. She also hosts a YouTube channel with over 36,000 subscribers and uses the platform to help small businesses achieve financial success.
Learn more about Hannah at https://www.youtube.com/c/claracfogroup, https://claracfo.com, and hannah@claracfo.com.
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
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Caring About Our Clients is Good for Our Business Featuring Craig Lomax
Craig is a leadership development coach. Prior to his career as a coach, he co-founded and directed Rock-N-Water, an adventure camp in California, for thirty years.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn why caring for your clients is good for your business.
Craig and I discuss:
- Craig’s smart dog [02:33]
- Craig’s career transition [04:25]
- How Craig changed his way of interacting when he started his business [06:23]
- How Craig addressed the challenges of pride and insecurity [10:19]
- Craig’s advice for someone transitioning from employment to coaching [21:10]
Craig and his wife of over thirty years have three adult children and one smart dog.
In his spare time, Craig is a mental health advocate and suicide prevention trainer.
Learn more about Craig at www.craiglomax.com and contact Craig at craig@craiglomax.com.
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
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How to Sell Expensive Intangible Services Featuring Steve Gordon
Bestselling author and marketing expert Steve Gordon gives you the blueprint for writing your own Million Dollar Book in days–not months or years–and shows you how to use your book to boldly win the best clients and command premium fees.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how a book can help you sell something that is very expensive and completely intangible that your clients don’t understand.”
Steve and I discuss:
- How Steve became an expert in how to write a book [02:36]
- A simplified process to create a book [06:02]
- When a new consultant should think about creating a book [10:05]
- The importance of narrowing your focus [12:33]
- Recognizing your unique, opinionated worldview [15:01]
- How a book leads to sales [17:09]
Learn more about Steve at https://unstoppableceo.net/,
https://writeyourmilliondollarbook.com/,
https://apply.writeyourmilliondollarbook.com/
Brief Description of Gift
The Million Dollar Book
URL for Free Gift
Themilliondollarbook.org/smashing
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
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How to Grow Fast When the Opportunity is There Featuring Jess Dewell
Jess Dewell charts courses for resilient growth-oriented companies. She is a consensus builder, culture advocate, and operational executive with more than two decades of business experience.
Sometimes you simply require a little help to spark that business motor into a rip-roaring mode of priority-setting, problem-solving, and goal-attainment to maximize effort.
Working closely with Jess, you learn to ask the right questions and think effectively on your feet.
Jess is nationally recognized for her understanding that the interplay of constraints and growth is where achievement happens.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to get out of your own way when communication is lagging, and people are spread too thin.
Jess and I discuss:
- What Jess is proud of in her career [03:27]
- Helping clients succeed [06:15]
- The kinds of roles Jess plays [09:08]
- How Jess’s career evolved [11:55]
- Her ideal client [18:04]
- What it takes to be successful as a consultant [20:11]
- Holding a weekly retreat to work on your business [24:19]
Learn more about Jess at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadewell/ or
Get Jess’s Business Management report here.
Choosing Courage Over Fear Featuring Diana Acuna
Diana Acuna has spent the last 20 years in SaaS, helping companies evaluate and implement software solutions across a variety of industries.
Despite having success throughout her career, deep down she was afraid to be herself and afraid of what other people thought, so she became a perfectionist.
She had focused on the external factors that would progress her career rather than the internal struggles that were holding her back.
One day she decided to choose courage over fear and realized that expressing her feelings, opinions, and emotions wasn’t going to kill her.
In fact, the opposite was true. People engaged and responded positively.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how improving your emotional intelligence can drive lasting change in your career and your life.
Diana and I discuss:
- Choosing courage over fear [03:26]
- What happens when you share your struggles [07:57]
- How you feel about sharing your vulnerabilities [09:55]
- Techniques for sharing sensitive information [11:59]
- Diana’s likes and competencies [16:46]
- Integrating employment and entrepreneurship [18:52]
Today, Diana is a speaker and coaches professionals on how to improve their emotional intelligence so they can drive lasting change in their careers and lives.
Learn more about Diana at https://dianatalks.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianaacuna/.
Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
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How to Create Hype with a Secret Society Featuring Michael Schein
Michael F. Schein is the Head Hype Artist at MicroFame Media, a company that specializes in making idea-based businesses famous in their fields.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn one of the success secrets used by the world’s greatest self-promoters.
Michael and I discuss:
- How he uses his “Secret Society” concept [03:20]
- How to start a “Secret Society” [08:59]
- The rise in interest in communities [13:51]
- The unique value Michael offers his “Secret Society” [17:14]
- When Michael started his “Secret Society” [20:09]
- The results Michael has observed from participants [21:46]
- Michael’s ideal client [26:05]
Learn more about Michael at http://microfamemedia.com, https://www.hypereads.com/list, https://twitter.com/MichaelSchein1, and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfrancisschein/.
Thank you to our sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://community.smashingtheplateau.com
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How to Sell Your Expertise and Have Space for Your Family Featuring Holly Hester-Reilly
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to sell your expertise when it’s new to the market and have space for your family.
Holly and I discuss:
- How her career evolved [03:03]
- What caused her to focus on product initiatives [04:33]
- Working as an employee vs. an entrepreneur [05:17]
- The hurdles transitioning into entrepreneurship [06:10]
- Finding solutions for financial tracking and staying motivated [06:45]
- How you know when it’s time to get help [07:33]
- Responding to a hefty price tag for help [09:09]
- How Holly realized she needed a method to stay motivated [09:39]
- Using a mastermind to stay motivated [10:13]
- What it’s like to sell your expertise when it’s new to the market [12:05]
- How Holly determined her content marketing process [14:06]
- Where Holly distributes her content and why she chose those channels [14:47]
- What portion of her time Holly devotes to content marketing [15:51]
- What process Holly uses to build her network [16:18]
- What advice Holly has for experts selling ideas that are new to the market [17:40]
- Looking to the future, what Holly wants to be well known for [18:27]
Holly is a former Columbia University research scientist and has spent the last 15 years leading product initiatives at startups, high-growth companies, and enterprises like FalconX, MediaMath, Shutterstock, The Lean Startup Co, Unilever, Capital One, and Weight Watchers.
Holly also teaches at NYU Stern School of Business as well as public and private workshops and has spoken about building high-growth products for events such as Lean Startup Summit Europe, ProductTankNYC, Parsons School of Design, and INDUSTRY: The Product Conference.
Learn more about Holly at www.productsciencepodcast.com.
Thank you to Our Sponsor:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
https://smashingtheplateau.com/openhouse
How to Build an Authority Business Featuring Rochelle Moulton
Rochelle Moulton turns independent consultants into authorities. The author of The Authority Code: How To Position, Monetize And Sell Your Expertise, she has been called “an emotional Red Bull” for her balance of inspiration and practical advice.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to go from expertise to authority, along with big financial benefits.
Rochelle and I discuss:
- Some of the differences between experts and authorities [03:18]
- Patterns that emerge from experts that effectively market their authority [08:54]
- The most important sales target when you market your authority [11:24]
- How taking a stand can generate risk in your head [14:23]
- How long it may take to build a financially successful authority business [19:11]
- Business model differences between experts and authorities [20:55]
Learn more about Rochelle at https://rochellemoulton.com/.
Thank you to Our Sponsor:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
How to Use an Easy System to create Video Content Featuring Vikram Rajan
Vikram Rajan is the co-founder of Videosocials, a video blogging system for lawyers, accountants, consultants & coaches.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can use an easy system to create video content to increase your word-of-mouth referrals.
Vikram and I discuss:
- What he learned about marketing to a niche [06:47]
- Understanding the pain points of your niche [07:59]
- Why is content creation an important marketing activity when you are selling your expertise [10:03]
- Why a system is important for creating content [15:59]
- How to identify a good system for your business [17:23]
Vikram is also the founder of Videosocials’ VIP service: Video Interview Podcast management for those who want to “just show up at show time!” And have all the time-consuming, annoying stuff done for them.
Learn more about Vikram at www.Videosocials.net.
Why Your Vision Needs to be BIG Featuring Natalie Ledwell
Dame Natalie Ledwell is a bestselling author, host of the podcast, Not Over, Just Different, co-host of the cable TV show WAKE UP, and founder of Mind Movies, the hugely successful and revolutionary online Personal Development company that has reached over 10 million people worldwide.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to identify your niche and create a BIG vision to turn it into reality.
Natalie and I discuss:
- How she found her audience [02:26]
- Why personal development and mindset are her primary focus [03:15]
- How to wind down activities as you are launching something new [05:46]
- Why surrounding yourself with the right people is critical to your success [10:31]
- The importance of a BIG vision [15:03]
- How 50+ year old women can achieve success that fills their soul [16:45]
Learn more about Natalie at:
How to Find a Niche that Sells Featuring Andrew Kamphey
Andrew Kamphey had a very meandering career. He became a google sheets wizard and now sells a very lucrative niche offering based on his skills.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn the very simple process Andrew used to find his niche.
Andrew and I discuss:
- What caused his career to lead to google sheets [02:22]
- How Andrew created a business around his google sheets niche [10:55]
- How to persevere until you experience success [15:11]
- What Andrew learned about building a niche offering [19:25]
Learn more about Andrew at https://bettersheets.co.
How to Transform Content from Boring to Brilliant Featuring Tom Ruwitch
Tom Ruwitch is founder and Chief Story Officer at Story Power Marketing. Coaches, consultants, and other experts hire Tom to power up their stories because most dish out the same “blah, blah, blah” content, put prospects to sleep, and then feel fed up and stuck.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to transform content from boring to brilliant, turn marketing from frustrating to fun, and convert results from pitiful to profitable.
Tom and I discuss:
- Why he started Story Power Marketing [03:04]
- Why he decided to focus on expert-based businesses [05:13]
- Why relationships are so important [08:39]
- How storytelling distinguishes you as an expert [16:12]
Learn more about Tom at:
https://storypowermarketing.com
How to Build a Solo Marketing Strategy Business Featuring Eric Elam
Eric Elam is the founder and president of Elam Associates, a solo marketing agency focused on delivering customized marketing solutions for small and midsized companies.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to start and build a solo business in your field of expertise.
Eric and I discuss:
- His career journey
- How Eric went out on his own
- How long it took Eric to land his first client
- We’re all product of our past environments
- Why you need to invest in marketing during economic challenges
- How to listen for your ideal client opportunity
Eric’s 3 decades plus career traversed from corporate side marketer to consultant to ad agency executive, then on to his current solopreneur role. Eric resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife of 41 years, Cindy.
You can learn more about Eric at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elamassociates/
513-703-5334
How to Use LinkedIn to Build Your Consulting Business Featuring Marc Halpert
LinkedIn trainer Marc Halpert helps consultants and professional service professionals build their thought leadership with LinkedIn.
In todays’ episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to be viewed on LinkedIn as a resource providing high-quality, consistent ideas to your audience.
Marc and I discuss:
- How to increase your revenue [03:02]
- How often you should update your profile [07:28]
- How to get people to see your posts [09:40]
- Quantity vs. structure in your activity [13:19]
- Using non-text content [22:58]
- Marc’s vision for LinkedIn [26:11]
Marc W. Halpert is a self-described “multi-preneur.” Since leaving the corporate finance world in 2001, Marc has started 3 companies, all of which he still operates.
In 2010, Marc started his third concurrent company, connect2collaborate, to spread his LinkedIn and networking evangelism to train and coach others. In all his LinkedIn training and coaching, he offers professionals the opportunity to better explain their brand and positioning on their LinkedIn profile pages: who they really are and why them vs. the competition.
For several months, Marc ranked among the top 5 list for fastest growth in number of followers among global LinkedIn coaches and trainers (#1 in August 2020!). He attributes that standing to consistently high-quality curated material and original thought leadership he shares daily on LinkedIn.
As a personal LinkedIn coach, he advises and mentors professionals to tell “why they do what they do” (not “what”) as he works with them to renovate their LinkedIn personal and company profiles.
As a LinkedIn trainer, Marc has been recognized as a high-energy speaker at national and regional Conferences, instructor to sales/marketing and HR/training departments at large and small professional service firms and businesses, and trainer in specialized groups of professionals such as associations.
Marc is a frequent podcast guest, has authored numerous articles on the latest LinkedIn techniques for self-branding in national publications, both in paper and online. He blogs every business day with a LinkedIn Nugget.
His book, LinkedIn Marketing Strategies for Law and Professional Practices (2021 second edition, American Bar Association), helps all types of professionals learn to better market themselves using the tools in LinkedIn.
Learn more about Marc at https://connect2collaborate.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/marchalpert/, https://twitter.com/marchalpert, and https://www.facebook.com/connecttwocollaborate