8SecondRule

We all know this slowdown and the focus on online platforms is partly artificial and temporary, but what can we do about it? Well, while your social calendar is suffering, why not fill that time with useful brand building activity that can put you way ahead of the competition when we get back to the real world and have to face the new reality? Here are some great suggestions on how you can do just that! 

You've got a message. It matters. The more voices the world hears from, the stronger we become. Now is the time for you to build that family around your message, brand, or cause that can move you to the next level. 

There are literally hundreds of social media sites. I know. Crazy, right? Most of us are only familiar with a dozen or so. They all seem so different and intimidating, but the truth is, the concepts behind them are almost always the same, and if you can master these three things, you'll be able to grow an audience on any social media platform with a little research, a lot of hard work, and some creativity. Here's a link to the free resource from this episode. https://influencermarketinghub.com/social-media-sites/

I've known Kelly K for almost 30 years, and about four years back, he came to me to write a book and help him launch his speaking career. We did another one in 2019, and without it, the pandemic would have been a huge struggle for he and his family as his speaking engagements dried up! Here's him in his own words, sharing everything about the ghostwriting experience, and the benefits of having a book as a source of revenue, and authentication for your brand! 

Ever been to a garage sale? Watched storage wars, or Antiques Roadshow? What about American Picker? While it may seem like a pipedream to make dumpster filler into dollars, but it's not. Of course there's a learning curve, and it's not the easiest business to be in, but it is one that can be started for $0, and make you instant profits! 

Could you spare a few moments to talk about our lord and savior bitcoin? I'm exaggerating of course, but crypto enthusiasts have become a pariah of the social media world. A few years ago, however, I stumbled across a cool site that let me write fiction for crypto currency and made  a bunch of cold hard cash, telling crazy stories to strangers for a living! Here's how I did it....

The one where I become a social media "guru" (Yeah, I know, cheesy right, but that's how we rolled back in the day) so, you done making fun? Cool come on in and hear the story! 

My friend and LinkedIn coach Deanna Russo has a story to share all about how she grew her network from a few hundred to more than 10k in 18 mos, and then expanded that to 20 in less than two years after that! Not bad, so, tune in to hear her tips on growing your network organically and building an audience for yourself in the process! 

Theater companies fail. Mine was no different. They're notoriously hard to keep in business and after 30 years, through four different ownerships, and half a dozen locations, and two name changes, it just wound down. But, what happened next fueled my journey for the next decade of my life. Hear all about it in this episode. 

So, maybe you got one chance at bat in your dream role, but after you failed, did the universe put you back behind the plate for a second go round? It did for me. Here's the first half of how that went. 

Have you ever had your big break? I mean like, actually gotten not just a great job, but THE job you'd wanted? Well, I did. It was the best feeling ever. I loved it. It honestly didn't feel a lot like work, until things went south and I was forced to face some hard truths about myself and my business. On this episode I tell you all about how I became a professional theatrical director and what happened after that. 

Have you ever reinvented yourself? Done something new? Walked away from a job without a new one? Well, I've done it several times, and it's always been a growth experience, so here is part one of my story. The one where Mark builds fences. 

What is SEO and where can I get some? Well, you have come to the right place today. I've got Mark Asbell and expert in SEO and internet marketing with a decade of experience. He's going to share some important principles for small business and solopreneurs. Sneak preview, he's going to say some stuff you've heard before, but didn't known it was SEO!!! Come on, you need to get optimized. 

Now that almost every major social network is using hashtags, it's probably time we all started learning their benefits and how to use them to build our audience. I'm going to share what I've learned about how they work, how to choose them, their benefits and uses. 

Do you use pictures in your posts? Cool! That's good to do, but how are you doing it? Do you know that you can direct the audience's attention with a picture, use color psychology to make them feel a certain way about your posts, or that's there's one thing you should be sharing pictures of more than anything else? Well, then step right this way, because Shani O from Art Bard is going to tell all! 

So, how do you deal with jerks? You know, those people that want to steal your thunder, make you feel small, bully you? Yep, even happens to me. So, I'm sharing a few stories of recent occurrences in my life and a couple of others. I also want to talk about how to build a "jerk free" brand that makes it possible for you to function without becoming the jerk in someone else's story. This is EPISODE 48!! I made it! Now what? 

We all do it, we try to hold onto things that maybe once served us well, but have ceased to do so. So, how do you know when it's time, and how do you get past that point? What's the solution? Well, I may not know your perfect solution, but I can recommend a few things you can do to find it. Come on, it's going to be okay, Mark's got you covered. 

Fewer than 10% of all companies do any customer service training. Shocking! SO, what can personal brand builders learn about attention based marketing from a customer care expert? Let's find out! Come on let's do this. You know you need it! 

I shared a bit about this a few episodes back in my new marketing paradigm, but I didn't have the stats to back it up, so I'm presenting them here, and discussing how to name a personal brand as well, so, if you're confused about what a personal brand is, and if you need one, tune in! Saddle up! It's bout to get fun in here! 

Do you want to crush your goals? Cool, well one of the first steps is to learn the difference between a goal (objective) a strategy, and the tactics you use to take it to completion! When you learn to build a three stage plan, you have a more measurable method of moving toward those objectives! ALRIGHT! WHO'S WITH ME???

Yes, it is only slightly humiliating, but I asked the man to rap (Which is how I first heard of him on Linkedin) so I had to do it. Anyway, if you've got a small following somewhere, and you'd like more engagement from them. Mr. Coralles Cachola, will share some valauble insight on how you can get that, keep growing, and build a personal, intimate community at the same time! PLUS HE RAPS A LINKEDIN POST! How gangsta is that. (sorry if that's cultural appropriation) EDIT: Zoom did its job and filtered out my beatboxing, I'm sorry, Maybe Cory will come back some time and we'll reprise that performance. 

This is a new idea I'm working on and it's gaining some traction. So, I'm presenting the basic idea right here, to start a conversation. Let me know what you think, I Believe this Will be a Wave of the Future

Yes, you heard me right. If you're willing to learn it there is a content production method that can produce the base product fo sharing in your Attention Based Marketing strategy, in one hour per month! Here's how you do it. 

You know what they are. You do. We've all had them in one part of our lives or another. I don't have talent, time, or things to say. But, all of these are easily overcome, even if they're true. I'll show you how you can turn your weaknesses into strengths in this episode, but, you're going to have to do some work, I won't pour it into your brain directly, you'll have to listen. Hit play. Now would be good. Still waiting? COME ON ALREADY!

Attention Based Marketing is what this show is all about. We've talked a lot about the specifics of what to share and how to share it, but let's take a longer look at the general framework you'll need to be successful in Attention  Based Marketing. I think you're going to love it! 

Too many times we become "thought followers" we join a "Club" and we accept wholesale, what the leaders of that club tell us. This may be political, or religious, or business, or even truly a "school" of thought in an educational setting. But what about your thoughts? Well, here's some ideas I've come up with to help me come up with my own ideas on the way things are, and ought to be. I hope they make you think. 

My goal was 1000 listens in the first month, and I very nearly made it, I'm happy with that! So, if you're interested in starting a podcast, or already podcasting and want to compare, or get some tips, this is the episode for you! ENJOY!

Did you realize how much of your activity, fan counts, likes, comments, and connections people can see on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook? Well, they can. This is both good, and bad. If you run a tight ship, it's all good. You have quality content, you're running good numbers, let them look! But it's also a great way to find, qualify and research your clients, I'll teach you all of this, if you'll just step right this way and hit PLAY!!!!

Of course, we all know you're going to sell, that's the basic premise of business, but there's sales, and then there's "sales" . I'm going to share my secrets of how I generate high 5 figures a year, off of nothing but my portfolio, resume and LinkedIn profile. PSST Hey, wanna buy a sales plan? Saddle Up, let's do this. 

You hear engage, engage, engage, and you're like, I'm engaging! Can't you see me being social, entertaining, educating, and enlightening? Sure, but what are you doing to turn that into conversations that lead to relationships? Here's how you can do exactly that. Ready? Saddle Up! 

We've talked about content until I'm red in the face, but in this episode, I'm going to lay out three ways you can use content in social to generate organic leads, and even sales, straight from your newsfeed, without turning your audience off! Yes, I'm serious. So, you want to learn this or what? Listen to this. 

Yes, every platform is nuanced, yes, every type of content has rules. But, here's the thing, the same types of content may not work, but the same principles always will, and I'm going to teach those to you right here. Hey, where you going? Oh, you got all the social media audience you want? Cool, no? Then get yourself in here and saddle up! 

You're tied to the information, right? If the information is boring, your delivery has to be boring. If it's designed for one audience, it cannot be delivered to another audience, or does the message change when delivered by a different person, or delivered to a different audience? It should. Here's how you can learn to do just that in a nearly inexhaustible variety of ways. 

We talk a lot about being genuine, real, keeping it real, being authentic, but what if you're living a lie? What if you are trying to fill a role in life that just doesn't suit you? Maybe you're wearing coveralls to work, when you want to be wearing a suit, or the other way round. Maybe you're your own boss, but you'd rather work for someone else? Who ARE you, when you strip it all away? Do you hate your job, or yourself for becoming something you hate? Let's discuss what you can do about it! 

I know a lot of other content producers save up all their actionable advice for behind the paywall. I don't even have a paywall yet, it's coming, but trust me, the good stuff is always going to be up on the front counter, free happyhour advice for all! These are the three things I'd recommend anyone do to get ready for 2021 when it comes to your social presence, and your content marketing game. If you want attention, put these three things in place and watch what happens! So, get in here and listen! You need to hear this! 

Creative people create more, because they spend more time being intentionally creative, but you dont' even have to be that creative to create great content. On this episode, I'm going to give you the best ever content creation cheat sheet! You want that? Well, you're going to have to listen. I'm not going to do it for you! 

Burning need or desire, plus solution, plus a way of gaining publicity, equals business success. It's very similar to heat+fuel+oxygen=fire. I'm going to share a story today and talk about how I think your marketing could catch fire if you adjust these three elements. Let's blow this popsicle stand! Who's with me? 

AJ Craft is a former marine who learned to write as a military correspondence journalist. She has a hard hitting style that sets her apart and makes me laugh. I think you'll like her. If that's not enough, her website is called, Copyhooker.com and her tag line is, "Seduce them with your style. Pleasure them with your copy, and she's going to be sharing some tips for even non-writers to produce amazing written content! If You like her, come back and follow this link to take her course, mentioned in the episode. https://bit.ly/3r9Oa8r

Want to start a blog? You should. Here are some thoughts on the subject about how to get started, the benefits, and more! Ready? Let's do this! Also, I'm giving a Christmas gift to all of my listeners, in the form of my book Creativity, so, please, enjoy, with my  sincere wishes for a happy new year! https://payhip.com/b/MX5v

If you've wanted to make a podcast for a while, this episode and the one before it can serve as a very basic primer on how to start, produce, and even a bit about promoting your podcast. I cannot teach you to make a million dollars from it, except to say, do what I've done so far and multiply it by about 300,000. But, I can share what I know which is how to get started, cheaply, quickly and easily. You can do this! What are you waiting for, pull up a chair and pay attention! 

Some of you have expressed an interest in what I'm doing here, it seems to be working. So, I'm going to share my process so far, in as much detail as I  can and you are free to ask questions. I'm not super technical, so all of the tech questions can be answered by "The Anchor.Fm app" for the most part. In reference to this episode, it's taken 40 min total to record, produce and publish. Step right this way, I'll show you how you too can join the wonderful world of podcasting! 

Writing an attention getting first line, is an art form, and my guest on this episode is a master artist. Jessica Walrack is a professional marketing copywriter with a keen sense of the dramatic in her LinkedIn posting and today she's going to school me on writing headlines, don't miss it! 

So you heard you needed to be different, establish brand recognition, develop a "Unique Selling Proposition" right? But why? Why were you told? For the customers, so they can find you, right? But what if I told you it's actually a secret weapon that gives you the clearest advantage you can possibly have in business? Would you like to hear more? Buckle up, it's about to get interesting. 

David Munford works in a service department of a car dealership in Cleveland Tennessee, but back in August, he decided to start a podcast of his own. Since that time, he's reached an international audience and he's here to share some tips, and to tell you, JUST DO IT! (whatever it is) Got excuses, bring them on in, we'll burst your bubble.