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My Digital Marketing Journey

My Digital Marketing Journey

By Joseph

We're all on a Journey - even us Digital Marketers. And our journeys need to be shared. So, if you're in Digital Marketing as a passion, career or even just a side-hustle, this is the place for you.

There's always so much going on in my head and I need to get it out there for people. Tips and hacks and life lessons and all the good things that I've learned after creating my side hustle, then agency and eventually building up to a 6-figure income being a digital marketer. Thank you for being part of My Digital Marketing Journey.

PLEASE FAVORITE THIS PODCAST NOW!
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Currently playing episode

How to Add Additional Income Streams Using Referral Marketing

My Digital Marketing JourneyJan 29, 2020

00:00
13:54
Get a Second Set of Eyes On Your Work (Avoid Looking Like an Idiot)

Get a Second Set of Eyes On Your Work (Avoid Looking Like an Idiot)

www.easysmma.com In this episode I have you some major tips for saving face in front of clients and making sure you don't lose out on revenue by missing simple errors. And I tell you about some pretty dumb stuff I've done. -Joseph
Mar 04, 202017:10
Local SEO in 2020 Series Part 3

Local SEO in 2020 Series Part 3

www.easysmma.com/local In this episode we wrap up our talk about the amazing recent local SEO workshop I attended. Lots of great stuff on Google my business and matching authentic search and 10th. Also we cover building quality location pages, verole of citations and aggregators and how to build a rich local presence.
Feb 19, 202027:19
Local SEO in 2020 Series Part 2

Local SEO in 2020 Series Part 2

www.easysmma.com In this episode I start breaking down some amazing local SEO information, including how to fight spam and companies keyword stuffing their Google my business listings, reporting fake listings, the map pack and also ranking sub businesses.
Feb 12, 202018:36
How to Earn Money While Learning New Digital Marketing Skills

How to Earn Money While Learning New Digital Marketing Skills

www.easysmma.com In this episode I give you a lot of tips and tricks and examples of what I've done to earn money while learning new skills. You can use the same tactics even if you're working on skills that you've literally never done before. There's a lot here, so let's get into it.
Feb 10, 202019:47
How to Know Which Website Hosting Company Is Right For You

How to Know Which Website Hosting Company Is Right For You

www.easysmma.com/a2 In this episode I talk all about website hosting. what to look out for, who you should use, when you don't even need web hosting at all. Will get into my personal recommendations and also a couple companies you can use if you're looking for the highest premium hosting. WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, etc. Let's get into in.
Feb 08, 202029:36
Powerful Questions You Must Ask Before Starting a Digital Marketing Agency

Powerful Questions You Must Ask Before Starting a Digital Marketing Agency

www.easysmma.com In this episode we talked about what it really takes to win in digital marketing and smma. The questions you need to ask yourself, the truth about starting a business and who should get the heck out of this industry.
Feb 06, 202018:41
How to Add Additional Income Streams Using Referral Marketing

How to Add Additional Income Streams Using Referral Marketing

www.easysmma.com In this episode we dig into one of my favorite ways to generate additional passive income, referral marketing. We talk about building relationships with actual people in your community who will pay you a commission month after month for sending them new business.
Jan 29, 202013:54
Listener Question: SMMA Courses, Applying Digital Marketing Skills and a Massive Rant

Listener Question: SMMA Courses, Applying Digital Marketing Skills and a Massive Rant

www.easysmma.com In this episode I go on a massive rant about learning digital marketing skills, smma courses Jordan Steen AKA Cereal Entrepreneur and how to apply everything you're learning to actually start making money right away. It's jam-packed. Let's get into it!
Jan 25, 202027:52
Use Systems, Not Hype to Achieve Your Agency Revenue Goals

Use Systems, Not Hype to Achieve Your Agency Revenue Goals

www.easysmma.com In this episode I show you how to rely on systems and not hype to build revenue for your smma. We talk about how to get very clear goals and how to break those down into what actually needs to happen for you to get the cash you need to live the lifestyle you want. This is a jam-packed episode. Let's get into it!
Jan 24, 202018:19
How to Guarantee Monthly Recurring Income - Monthly Client Retainers

How to Guarantee Monthly Recurring Income - Monthly Client Retainers

www.easysmma.com Inthis episode I break down how to reduce your stress by having ongoing relationships with clients that make you money every single month. We talk about what services to upsell a client to and how to build your business.
Jan 23, 202018:31
2 Ways You Can Use Video Today to Improve Your Local SEO

2 Ways You Can Use Video Today to Improve Your Local SEO

www.easysmma.com In this episode I give you two quick and easy ways you can use video to rank your business or your client's business on Google for your most valuable search terms. I've used these methods myself and they work.
Jan 22, 202009:48
My Favorite Free SEO Tool for Building Amazing Backlinks

My Favorite Free SEO Tool for Building Amazing Backlinks

www.easysmma.com/theHOTH In this episode I break down my local SEO link building process, including the incredible free tool I use for backlink research. By the end of this episode, you're going to know how to do some high-quality, white hat link building that will rank your clients and make you look like a superstar. Let's get into it.
Jan 21, 202027:22
Which Website Platform is Best for SEO: Wix vs WordPress vs Squarespace vs Clickfunnels

Which Website Platform is Best for SEO: Wix vs WordPress vs Squarespace vs Clickfunnels

www.easysmma.com In this episode we talked about which website platform is best for SEO. Is it Wix or WordPress or Squarespace or even Clickfunnels? By the end of this podcast you'll know all the differences and which one's going to work best for you. So let's get into it!
Jan 19, 202029:55
Local SEO in 2020: What I Learned From the BrightLocal Roundup

Local SEO in 2020: What I Learned From the BrightLocal Roundup

www.easysmma.com/local . . . In this episode we go deep into all of the insights and Local SEO, local search that came up in the BrightLocal Round Table today. While a lot of things in SEO will never change, 2020 has some major new opportunities waiting for us. Let's get into it!
Jan 16, 202040:29
How I Doubled My Income. . . A Couple Times

How I Doubled My Income. . . A Couple Times

www.easysmma.com. . . Want to hear a real story about how this can happen? There are a lot of people talking about getting rich quick. That wasn't my experience. I found that we get rich over time by applying good habits, increasing our education and learning how to provide more and more value to the marketplace. In this episode I walk through my personal journey with you and let you know in very practical terms, what it took to double my dollars. You can do it to. This episode will help.
Jan 13, 202034:15
Why I started this podcast

Why I started this podcast

It's a new year and a perfect time to reflect on what we care about and why we're doing what we're doing. In this podcast I ask you some important questions about the journey you're on and share my unique story of why I started podcasting. Listen the whole way through because there's a lot here to think about!
Jan 04, 202019:51
Getting Organized for 2020: My 2 Favorite Tools

Getting Organized for 2020: My 2 Favorite Tools

www.easysmma.com In this episode we get into two of my favorite tools for scheduling and organizing your business. Learn how to guarantee that your minimum tasks will be taken care of every week, how to easily schedule out your social media posts months in advance, hold yourself accountable for success and how to save at least 4 hours a week. Tons a value. Let's get into it!
Jan 03, 202037:23
What Would You Do If You Already Had Enough Money? Do It Now!

What Would You Do If You Already Had Enough Money? Do It Now!

www.easysmma.com. . . It's my birthday! In this episode we talked about reflecting on what we've wanted and what we've got. We're going to go deep in this episode. You'll learn how to look for your real needs underneath the thing that you're saying you want. We'll look at how to take action on our true priorities instead of getting lost in distractions.
Dec 31, 201927:27
Update on the One Funnel Away Challenge: What's Been Amazing and What's Been Crazy Hard

Update on the One Funnel Away Challenge: What's Been Amazing and What's Been Crazy Hard

www.easysmma.com/funnel In this episode I give you a huge update and what's happened since I joined the one funnel away challenge. We talk about the biggest takeaways and marketing lessons I've learned as well as the big challenges of trying to take on such a huge project and work through the limiting beliefs. One of my more vulnerable podcasts! -Joseph
Dec 28, 201934:03
Where to Put Your Focus to Get Results (and How I Screwed Up!)

Where to Put Your Focus to Get Results (and How I Screwed Up!)

www.easysmma.com/a2 In this episode we talk about a sales technique that wins the client 90% of the time, how to know exactly what tasks to focus on and how I'm trying to recover from a big screw up. This is Joseph. Let's get into it!
Dec 24, 201930:41
How to Be Incredibly Efficient and Get Everything Done

How to Be Incredibly Efficient and Get Everything Done

www.easysmma.com In this episode we talk about how to get an incredible amount of work done using only 10 minute time slots. We also talked about being efficient and knowing when to stop. It's always better to be done than perfect! By the end of this podcast you'll have multiple powerful strategies to use your time better and have less stress in your marketing agency.
Dec 23, 201920:03
How Much Does it COST to Start a Digital Marketing Agency??

How Much Does it COST to Start a Digital Marketing Agency??

www.easysmma.com/learn. . . In this episode we talked about how much it cost to start a digital marketing agency. You'll learn where to spend your money to get the best results, where to get it from, and how did not waste your start-up cash on anything unnecessary. There's a ton of value in this podcast and I'm going to blow out of the water some of the stupid myths the YouTube gurus are spreading around.
Dec 22, 201937:04
Getting Website Hosting Right - Everything you need to know to get started
Dec 21, 201928:08
When Things Get HARD (and they will)
Dec 20, 201929:44
Memories!: My First Three Clients, Building a Side Hustle, Learning From Mistakes

Memories!: My First Three Clients, Building a Side Hustle, Learning From Mistakes

In this podcast I take some time to reminisce and share with you the stories of my first three clients. How I got them and what I learned and what I would have done differently. We talked about learning new skills and really putting the nose to the grindstone. We also talked about learning from mistakes and making huge screw-ups into valuable growth experiences.
Dec 19, 201925:37
Battle of the Website Builders - WIX, Squarespace, WordPress and ClickFunnels

Battle of the Website Builders - WIX, Squarespace, WordPress and ClickFunnels

Which should you use?  Always one of the biggest questions for new digital marketers and side hustlers.  

Web design is a HUGE topic but a lot of it starts with choosing a website builder.  In this episode I go through the 4 heavy weights of web design, give you the pros and cons of each and tell you my personal recommendations.  

If you're going to do marketing for clients, you need to know at least a little bit of web design.  You can't skip it!  So dig into this episode with me and let's look under the hood and how these different platforms work and which is right for you.

Dec 18, 201920:56
Security, Storage and Speed: 3 Essential Plugins You Need After Installing Your Wordpress Site

Security, Storage and Speed: 3 Essential Plugins You Need After Installing Your Wordpress Site

Learn the  BIG 3!

Security, Storage and Speed: 3 Essential Plugins You Need After Setting Up Your Wordpress Site


I know a lot of my listeners are in the web design community - especially those that have migrated over to this podcast from the My Digital Marketing Journey Youtube channel (which you should definitely check out if you haven't already).


And, if you haven't already started offering web design - specifically custom Wordpress web design - to your clients, you are missing a huge opportunity.  As long as the internet exists, companies will need websites.  It's one of the easiest ways to start a relationship with a new client and there is no better established tool for building out customs websites than Wordpress.


With that said, there are a lot of things that can go terribly wrong with a website.  Hackers can take over your site, new updates or glitches can wreck hours of hard work or you could put in a ton of time building a beautiful site, only to realize it loads so slow that no potential customers are actually staying long enough to even see what your client has to offer.


That why today we're going over the 3 biggies - Security, Storage (meaning backups) and Speed.  These are all essentials and you won't want to miss this.


Let's get into it.



-------------------


Links for today's episode:


The best, fastest budget web hosting: www.easysmma.com/a2

Get the SEO Blueprint and master your first 3 months with a new client: SEOSideHustle.com

Dec 17, 201921:44
How Hard is It To GET STARTED with Digital Marketing?

How Hard is It To GET STARTED with Digital Marketing?

How Hard is It To GET STARTED with Digital Marketing?


*Have you been thinking about getting into Digital Marketing and want a preview of the road ahead?

*Did you already start your agency or side hustle and are wondering when things will start to take off?

*Have you seen a lot of get rich quick promises from the Youtube gurus and wonder why you're not getting the results they promised?


If you answered yes to any of these questions, we need to talk and we need to get into the truth about how hard it is (or isn't) to start making money with digital marketing.  I'm going to give you real answers, not any hype - both about the reality of this marketing world, where I've seen people failing and what I wish I would have done sooner.


Let's get started.


-------


This is Joseph at EasySMMA.com and SEOSideHustle.com and today we're going to get into the question of 'How Hard is it to Start Your Digital Marketing Agency or Side Hustle?'  


If you're not there already, check out my Youtube channel 'My Digital Marketing Journey' for more in depth tutorials and, if you want to quickly add a very valuable, money making skill to your arsenal, go to SEOSideHustle.com and check out my video course that walks you step by step through your first 3 months of doing SEO with a new client.  


Some of my story. . .


------------------------


Getting over the initial hurdles:

-Some people like Joe Soto say the only skill you need to work on at the start is getting clients.  And that does make sense.  However, it's a lot easier to sell clients on services if you actually know what you're talking about.  It's also a lot easier to sell if you have the right mindset.


*Seeing yourself as a success and believing you can have this.  Learn how to visualize and meditate and pray.


*Getting those first 2-3 clients - no matter how small.


*Getting results for those first clients.  Hint: It's totally worth it to spend the money on a consultation with an experienced marketer who can help you work out a plan for your new clients.  Jordan Steen, Kaylyn Parker


*At the start, you're working to learn more than working to earn but make sure you're still earning something to at least pay for courses and coaching.


*Bonus Tip: Don't take a ton of courses.  Take a couple and be very specific in what you're trying to learn.  Can be way better to take short courses that teach specific skill sets.


Also, this is that course I love for beginners: https://www.cerealentrepreneur.school/a/9755/W2dbhCJX

(That's an affiliate link, thank you!!)

Dec 16, 201926:37
3 Services You Can Add to Your Marketing Agency RIGHT NOW to Generate More Revenue

3 Services You Can Add to Your Marketing Agency RIGHT NOW to Generate More Revenue

*Are you struggling to create monthly recurring revenue for your agency?


*Do you wish you could charge higher monthly retainers in a way that is ethical and doesn't leave you feeling like you're taking advantage of business owners?


*Have you noticed that it's way easier to expand your services to an existing client than to find a new one?



If you answered yes to any of these 3 questions, you're going to want to stay tuned for this entire episode of My Digital Marketing Journey because I'm going to break down 3 services you can add to your agency today that will allow you to become more valuable to your clients so you can charge higher fees and build monthly recurring revenue.


Let's get into it NOW.



-----------


If you want more $$ ethically, you have to provide more value.  More than that, you have to step into a consultative role where every month you're unveiling new opportunities to your clients so they have reason to keep paying you.


So what services can you provide that add value to the relationship on a monthly basis?


1) Monthly consult calls.  30-60 minute calls 1 or 2 times a month.

-You go over their numbers with them (more on this in the second service)

-Help analyze their level of success with your program and establish goals

-Show new insights and ideas

-Use those insights and ideas to sell on new services

-Strengthen the relationship and build trust/authority


2) Track their analytics and provide valuable monthly reporting

-Again, you build this into your higher pricing - don't itemize it.

-Use platforms like Google Analytics, Reportz.io and BrightLocal.com  

Get a 14-day FREE Trial of BrightLocal here: http://bit.ly/BrightLocalCom

-You can roll cost of these platforms into your pricing

-Again, establishes your authority and expertise

-Tell the story behind the numbers


3) Simple SEO Services

-One of the best services to add on because it is so sticky and provides so much long term value.  Clients will keep you on for SEO for a long time where they may only use Facebook ads for a couple months.

-You can start with a very low price and still make profit

-Easily expandable

-Every business needs this.  It is the long-term viable marketing strategy.  Also leads into selling website services.


But what if you don't know how to do SEO?

-Most people don't - even those who charge a ton for it.  I recommend getting a course to learn the basic.

-Go to SEOSideHustle.com and check out the SEO Foundations Blueprint 

-low priced product that outlines exactly what to do for the first 3 months with a new client.




Dec 15, 201925:41
Side Hustle or Full-Time Agency? Which is Right for You?

Side Hustle or Full-Time Agency? Which is Right for You?

*Have you wondered if you should go all out on building an agency or stay as a side hustle?


*Do you feel pressured by all these Youtube ads and Gurus yelling at you to think you need to scale something to 6 figures in 3 months or you're a failure?


*Are you still trying to figure out what you really love in this industry and where you fit in?  Who you can serve?


If any of those questions apply to you, you need to watch this video.  Hi, this is Joseph with EasySMMA.com and JosephShields.co.  Today we're going to go over the great debate:


Side Hustle or Full-Time Agency???

Dec 14, 201916:18
My Origin Story - The Struggle to Have a Better Life

My Origin Story - The Struggle to Have a Better Life

I made a decision to really put myself out there today.  I'm looking back over the past 3 years and realizing all the things that brought me to where I am today.  If you've had your struggles too (and everyone has), you're really going to appreciate this one.  This podcast is an Origin Story.  It's kind of like in X-Men where we got to learn where all the characters came from and it freaks me out because now you're going to know me a lot more in ways I didn't really plan on revealing.  Starting a side hustle, growing a business, learning digital marketing - it's not easy and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or very innately talented.

Dec 13, 201915:04
The Day I Joined the ONE FUNNEL AWAY CHALLENGE

The Day I Joined the ONE FUNNEL AWAY CHALLENGE

This is not a hype-fest. I just made the crazy (for me) decision to join the OFA Challenge and I'm learning a ton that needs to be shared.  


In this podcast I get into:


-Why being in a course or challenge is VERY different than Youtube hopping (even though I love Youtube hopping)

-Why some courses confuse you more than help

-Using a system

-Having to work within time constraints

-Having clear goals set for you - by someone else who cares 

-Having a community of accountability (this needs an entire video by itself)

-The energy of working with masters of their craft and how it changes you

-Starting with FIRE, not READY

-Understanding the process - not just spit balling

Dec 12, 201918:23