Rock Your Brand Podcast

Today I’m going to share a few highlights from our latest Friday Jam session, and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s always one of the highlights from my week, and I enjoy hanging out with some awesome people and answering questions that will help them grow their businesses. If you want to be a part of our Take Action Crew head on over to takeactioncrew.com, it’s totally free, and you can join us every Friday to ask me a question or just hop on to say hello. I’d love to have you there. Let’s dive right in! 

Let’s Talk Live Streaming & Video Content 

My favorite part about Friday Jam sessions is that it always feels like there is a theme in regards to the questions. Even though it’s not planned at all. One of the most popular subjects this week was around live streaming and video content. So, I’m excited to answer a few questions that can hopefully help you if you’re looking to live stream or create video content. 

What You Need to Know About Live Streaming 

The first step to live stream is to decide what you need to learn to make it possible. For starters, you’ll need to know what type of equipment and software are essential to make it successful. You’ll also need to learn how to structure a live stream and identify all the different elements and steps you should take before you get started. 

My best advice on this subject would be not to overcomplicate the process. Once you decide what you’re going to speak about on your broadcast, just get started and don’t overthink it too much. It’s as simple as using your phone to record. It’s time to take the barrier to entryway down and just do it. People care most about the content that you’re creating, so don’t stress about the equipment and software too much. You can always get fancy later, but for now, just get started and create some traction. 

The Best Time to Start Creating Video Content Is Now 

If you’re already created a bunch of content on your website, start creating videos now. All you need is a tripod and the camera on your phone, and you’ll be ready to start recording.

The editing side of things doesn’t need to take a lot of time. In fact, I recommend keeping it real and raw. Just be yourself and get going! 

Give people the type of content they are coming to your website. And always be sure to create a hook at the beginning of each video to tell them why they are showing up to watch your video and why they should stay. It helps draw them in and give them a reason to keep watching after the intro.    

Note: If you’re already rockin’ and rollin' with the content side of things, you may want to take the video creation slow so you can keep building momentum writing content. However, it’s still good to get started now. It doesn’t matter if you only have a few people watching your video content. Eventually, people will notice that you’re committed. You’ll be surprised at how many people want to come along for the ride and support you along the way so you might as well start now! 

Get Started Creating Your Website Today 

I’ve received lots of questions about hosting platforms and when the best time is to launch a website. So, I’m going to answer a few of those below, and I hope they help you on your journey to starting your own website. 

Four Web Hosting Tips to Get Your Started 

I like to stick with what I know, so for me personally, I use Hostgator for all my websites. I am comfortable with the platform, and it's an interface I enjoy using, so there is no need to change a process that works so well for me.

  1. Buy Your Domain Independently - I never buy my domains directly from Hostgator. Instead I buy them through GoDaddy.  If you purchase a domain directly through your hosting provider it can be difficult to get it moved to another platform if the time ever comes when you want to switch. So just be sure to keep it independent so you can move it anywhere that you’d like. 
  2. Use a Separate Email Platform -  I’ve tried all the email platforms. For the best results, I use Convertkit. It’s super easy to use and has simple deliverability for your email subscribers if you’d like a free trial head over to brandcreatosr.com/convertkit. 
  3. Limit the Number of Tools You Use - It can be overwhelming with so many platforms vying for your attention. Keep it simple, clean, and easy to use. Just stick with the basics, and you should be set to go. 
  4. Opt For a Self-Hosted WordPress Site - This just means that you’ll work directly with a hosting website and download your WordPress site from there. It gives you total control over your site, and you can switch your hosting provider anytime that you’d like. 

When You Should Launch Your Website 

First and foremost, you need to commit to the market that you’re going into. Just start writing content and get started now. The most important thing you should focus on is the traffic and building out our email list.

You can always add lead magnets or products at a later date once you’ve got a decent amount of traffic coming in and people subscribing to your list.

The Power of Pinterest 

I have been loving Pinterest in the last few months. In fact, my daughter and I will be hosting a live training in a few days digging into the strategy we’ve implemented. When I first started using Pinterest, I wasn’t gaining much traffic because I wasn’t using an effective method. Since then, my daughter has come in and helped us out. Now we’re gaining traction like crazy. 

Our Pinterest training is currently in Brand Connect, however, since signups aren’t currently open we decided to go ahead and offer a pop-up workshop this coming week to teach you all about how to implement Pinterest for your business and how you can create evergreen content that will drive traffic to our website. 

In my opinion, there is a place for Pinterest in most businesses. Just just be sure to do your research before you start posting to make sure there are people searching for your niche within the platform. It’s a great place for “how-to” articles and recipes.

Keep in mind that if you opt to use a scheduler, it will slow your reach. And make sure you know what you want to be done first before you hire a VA or another software to help you. 

General Website and Email Questions 

How to Bring in Additional Traffic to Your Website

Make sure that you don’t take on too many projects at once. Pick a couple of ways to drive traffic to your site and focus on those to start. If you’re making videos for Facebook, try and repurpose them for YouTube so you can get the most life out of them as possible.

Like I mentioned earlier, I recommend focusing more on Pinterest over Instagram. There is more engagement, and you’ll definitely see more traffic come to your site in the long run. 

 How to Grow an Email List for a Physical Product

You’ll need to start by grabbing people’s attention, who actually want a physical product. To find these people, I recommend doing a giveaway of your product or an accessory if you don’t have the physical product readily available. For example, if you’re selling a physical fishing reel, you could do a give away for a fishing pole.

I always give away something that can be purchased on Amazon and will just ship the winner their prize directly, so I don’t have to worry about the shipping cost. I would also recommend giving a discount code off your product for everyone who doesn’t win the giveaway, so they still feel like they got something out of it. 

Keep in mind that it may not be the best use of your time to build out an email list for a physical product. It takes a lot of time to nurture the list before you’re able to convince a large number of buyers to purchase your product. Check out Pinterest ads if you’re looking for another way to get the word out about your physical products. 

Benefits of the Yoast Plugin

It’s a great tool for people to use who are under the 25,000-page view mark. It’s good in the beginning to make sure you’re getting reassurance that you’re optimizing the best way possible. However, once we’ve gotten past that point with any of the brands we personally work on, we want to get past just checking boxes. 

How to Organically Rank in Google

We have two brands we’ve created within Brand Creators.  Within five months, we were getting between 8,000-10,000 page views on both sites. So you can rank fairly quickly if you follow a strategy. I would suggest getting started with Pinterest immediately to get traffic quicker, so you don’t have to wait a few months for organic Google traffic. But still, focus on blog content, so just do both side by side. 

Turn a Blog Post into a YouTube Video

It’s super simple. Create bullet points for the topics you want to cover. What is the message and lesson that is taught within the blog post? Always start with your hook and go over the number of points you want to cover after your intro. 

Don't create a script instead do it freestyle, so it comes across more natural. Map out the points but start your intro explaining what you’re sharing and get them started. If you’re cool with being on camera, just jump on and get started. You can do it!

As always I am here for you, I believe in you, and I’m rooting for you.

Now it’s time for you to take action and go rock your brand!

4 Take-Aways From Today’s Episode 

  1. Let’s Talk Live Streaming & Video Content (1:30)
  2. Get Started Creating Your Website Today (6:09)
  3. The Power of Pinterest (17:00) 
  4. General Website and Email Questions (27.18) 

 

 

 

Direct download: RYB835_copy.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

I had the opportunity to interview Matt Giovanisci, and I’m excited to share a few highlights from our interview with you. Matt started a niche website 15 years ago called Swim University, where he posts a lot of “how-to” content related to pool maintenance. 

 

I came across the website a while back and used it in a case study for Brand Creators Academy. I also mentioned Swim University, and it’s success in a recent podcast a few weeks ago. I received an email from Matt after the podcast was published, offering to come on as a guest to tell his story and answer any questions that I have.

 

I’m happy that he was able to join us on the podcast and can’t wait for him to share with you all the ins and outs of his business, how he’s found success, and a few things that didn’t work out so well along the way. 

 

Let’s dive right in and learn a few things from Matt about the process of how he got started and has since built multiple successful businesses. 

How Swim University Was Born 

Swim University has over 5 million visitors a year. As a seasonal website, we get over 1 million visitors each month between May-July and between 300,000-500,000 visitors during the other months of the year.

 

When I was 13, I got a job at a local pool supply store where I worked my up to become a manager before I graduated high school. 

 

Over the next several years, I worked for a couple of other pool supply companies before pursuing a job at a web design company. I had taught myself how to code and design websites, but after a few months on the job, I realized that’s not what I wanted to do, so I went back to the largest of the three pool companies I had worked at in the past and become their marketing director. 

 

Around this same time, I decided I wanted to build a website where I could teach people how to maintain their own pools. I knew all about affiliate marketing and AdSense, so I figured it was time to get started. I built the site for Swim University in 2006. I got a logo created to add to my site and still use the same one today.

 

At the time, I used an alias, Matthew Stevens, since I was writing all the articles myself and making all the video tutorials I included on my site. I had a job opportunity to work with Martha Stewert’s team on a project related to Swim University, and at that time, I decided to change my name on the site to Matt Giovanisci. My boss eventually found my site, and I was fired. 

 

I spent two additional years at another company (non-pool related) before they had to let me go due to the condition of the company’s financial situation. I knew it was coming a couple of months in advance and decided at that moment that I would make Swim University my full-time job if I did get laid off. It had been a side hustle for over seven years up until this point.

 

How Swim University Become Matt’s Full-Time Focus 

 

At the time, I was making around $10,000 or so a year from affiliate links and ads that I had on my site. Most of them were from pool companies and other related products that I had sold directly because I wanted to make sure all the content on my site was relevant to pool maintenance. 

 

 I was getting somewhere around 25,000 visitors a month, and my goal was to make $40,000 a year from Swim University. 

 

After I lost my job, I spent an entire year dedicated to growing Swim University. I focused on publishing content, creating YoutTube videos, graphic design, infographics, and dabbled in a few other projects along the way, and by the end of the year, I was making over $40,000 a year, and it’s just grown from there over the years.  

Matt’s Defining Take Action Moment 

 

I was in a band back when I had just purchased the domain for Swim University. At the time, I talked a lot about the website and how I was going to make it a huge success. After a couple of years, one of my friends in the band finally told me to stop talking about it and just go out and do it. He told me that he didn’t think I’d ever actually make it work.

 

I thrive off negative motivation, so this was just the fuel I needed to get started. I was shamed into starting Swim University in a sense. If I’m told I can’t do something or it’s a stupid idea, it gives me the motivation to see things through and prove that person wrong. So I’m grateful to my friend for giving me the drive I needed to finally get started.

 

My single guiding star is I will never work for anyone else ever again. I’ve come to realize that everyone has their own area of expertise, and for many managing a team isn’t one of them, and I just dont ever want to work under anyone ever again.

 

However, in the pursuit of working for myself, I’ve learned useful skill sets that would keep me from ever being unemployed in the future if I ever needed something to fall back on. 

 

Note From Scott: The skills that you’ve learned, whether in a previous job or learning to start your own business, can be used in future ventures.

Guiding Principles Matt Follows 

I’ve come to realize that in every venture I’ve taken on, I’ve had to learn new skill sets to get me to a level of success. For Swim University, I had to forcefully learn to create “how-to” content that goes above and beyond anything else out there. I’m not a natural-born business person have spent years learning how to improve my skills. I don’t ever do anything just to make money. Instead, I focus on things I enjoy doing and learning new things. 

 

By paying extra attention to details it makes my content stand the test of time. For me, the code for Swim University’s website was really important. I paid attention to all the micro details and created all the code myself. I wanted to make sure that everything was up to high-standards and creates a positive experience for anyone who visits. Every year, I go in and update the content to keep it fresh and up to date.

How I Create Content For My Website 

 

Personally, I enjoy editing content more than free form writing. When I have to sit down and write an article, I start by writing the first draft, editing it, and then going back in to add in-jokes, reorganize paragraphs to better fit the story arcs, and taking it to a whole new lever before I deem it complete. 

 

How I write content is similar to how I build a website and always pay attention to the micro details.

 

It took me many years to find someone to help write content for my website. I didn’t think anyone out there could write articles good enough for Swim University, especially if they didn’t have as much experience as me in the pool space. 

 

I now have an editor who manages all the content for Swim University, and I answer to her. She sets the rules. Our other team members include a videographer, graphic designer, and a customer service manager. I keep my team lean, and it works great for us. 

How I Get Eye Balls on My Content

 

One of the reasons Swim University does so well is because it’s fast and lean. I know how to format articles using the proper tags, how to do data schema, and have done the research to know what Google wants the data format to be like. 

 

I make sure to find a balance of giving the robots want they want while creating content that people will be interested in reading. 

 

If you want to have a successful business, make sure that you’re website is easy to load, maneuver, and the content is structured in a way that Google can easily read. 

The Most Important Elements of a Blog Post 

 

  • How quickly it loads (WP rocket is a great free plugin)
  • Basic Formatting (in my opinion popups are distractions and slow down a site) 
  • Each paragraph should be 2-3 sentences max
  • H2 tags should be descriptive and keyword friendly
  • The focus should be on answering a question and not the length of a post
  • Make it creative and entertaining to encourage people to keep reading

 

The fundamentals are most important, so there’s no need to go out and complicate things. My goal for every piece of content that I write is to make it bookmark worthy. I want it to be so good that someone wants to save it to read later or shares it with someone else. 

Matt’s New WordPress Plugin - Lasso 

I’ve been working on a new plugin that I’ve actually had on my own site for over four years. It makes it possible to select a specific keyword in your article and add an affiliate link to all instances of that particular keyword. It also allows you to create a display box that shows all the information for your affiliate products and makes them stand out.

 

Note from Scott: Head over to brandcreators.com/lasso to check out the details of Matt’s new plugin and all the awesome features it has to offer. 

Now is the Time to Get Started

 

If you have a business idea or something you’d like to try out, start now. You’ll learn as you go along, and at first, it’ll be a huge learning curve. But you’ll learn, grow and improve as time goes on. Stop measuring everything you do. Instead, be present and enjoy the moment. 

 

If you want to connect with me or check out any of my latest projects, head over to moneylab.co.

Wrap Up With Scott

Hopefully, what Matt shared with you today has left you feeling inspired and motivated to go out and take action. I love Matt’s story as it’s similar to mine in a sense. We both started out learning a trade and went out and used those experiences to go out and create something of our own.

 

When you take action you’ll see the best results and will improve new skill sets that you learn along the way. Remember, consistency pays off. It takes time but is definitely worth it. 

 

Always be in the present, be a giver and give it you’re all. Life is too short not to do something that you love and are passionate about.

 

Remember, I’m here for you, I believe in you and I’m rooting for you 

 

It’s time for you to go out and take action

 

Now go rock your brand!

4 Takeaways From The Episode

  1. How Swim University Was Born (9:04)
  2. Matt’s Defining Take Action Moment (26:45) 
  3. Guiding Principles Matt Follows Today (32:30)
  4. Now is the Time to Get Started (56:39)

 

Direct download: RYB834.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

What does it take to get people’s attention on Pinterest? How can you use strategies that will draw people in and keep coming back to your brand? If you are ready to put in the work and see your brand grow, you’ve come to the right place! I thought I had a good handle on my Pinterest approach but I was surprised to find that there were a few key factors that I was missing. Thankfully, my 24-year-old daughter shared her Pinterest expertise with me and now I get to pass on that information to you! Make sure you have pen and paper ready - you are going to need it for this informative episode! 

Why you need evergreen assets 

If you’ve been around the Rock Your Brand community for very long, you know that I get fired up about helping business leaders like you create a future-proof business. In my experience, one of the best ways to set up your business for long-term growth is by creating and cultivating evergreen assets. Evergreen assets are things like, a YouTube channel, an email list, an Instagram account, a blog, or a Pinterest account. While working with my daughter, Alexis, I learned that I was not using Pinterest to the fullest extent that I could - so she showed me how to up my game! Now it’s time to pass on some of those lessons and tips to you. 

Tips you can use to maximize your efforts on Pinterest 

Don’t leave all of your Pinterest strategies up to guesswork, learn how to make the social media platform work for you! Here are a few helpful tips that I’ve picked up recently - I hope you get some of the same great results that I did! 

  • Create a “Business account” on Instagram. 
  • Create 10 “Boards” with keywords. 
  • Add pins to the boards that aren’t just yours, pin resources to the boards. 
  • Create pins for your own blog posts and make them look fresh and new. 
  • Add pins to the bottom of each of your blog posts with an image that is a “Pinterest size.” 
  • Add pins to your “Best of” boards. 
  • Pins other people’s pins to your boards. 

To get a full breakdown of each of these tips that I’ve shared above, make sure to tune into this episode - you don’t want to miss a minute! 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] My introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:00] Creating evergreen assets. 
  • [8:00] How I become a believer in using Pinterest to advance my brand. 
  • [10:30] Breaking down the numbers. 
  • [19:00] Tips you can use to make the most of your Pinterest efforts. 
  • [25:15] Recapping some helpful Pinterest best practices. 
  • [28:00] Closing thoughts. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: RYB833.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

 

Are you ready to take your brand to the next level of growth? What do you need to focus on right now to get started? How do you push through the challenges and take action? If you need a little push in the right direction - you’ve come to the right place - it’s time for another Friday Jam Session here on the Rock Your Brand Podcast! On this episode, you’ll get to sit in on a Friday morning session of my Take Action Crew conversations - this is where I take on questions as they come to me live from followers like you! Make sure to learn more about the Take Action Crew in the resource section at the end of this post! 

Where do I start? 

Let’s face it - there is no perfect road map to life as an entrepreneur. Some leaders start their business early in their career, some take a few years to build up the courage to branch out on their own - that’s ok! The truth is, everyone has to decide when they are ready to flip that switch from inaction to action. If you haven’t taken that first step yet, what are you waiting for? There will never be a “perfect time” to start taking matters into your own hand - you just have to make that leap!

Finding the right partner

Have you considered taking the bold step of entering into a business partnership? What are some of the red flags you are looking for? Have you put together a pros and cons list yet? For many business leaders, there will never be the “right partner” they are better off calling the shots on their own. If you are considering entering into a business partnership I’d encourage you to take your time talking through the roles and responsibilities carefully. In much the same way you’d cautiously enter into a romantic relationship - a business relationship needs to be approached cautiously! 

What are you waiting for? 

I get it, there are a ton of reasons why now isn’t the best time to start your business - we are in the middle of a pandemic after all! When is the best time to start your business or that next project? If you wait until the conditions are just right, they will never come! From planning your next product to creating that next piece of content, you can’t let fear stand in the way. Do you have a game plan to move past the things that hold you back? What are you waiting for? Tune into this episode to hear more as I address tons of questions from leaders like you! 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] My introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:30] Kate’s question: If I were to take action today, where do I start? 
  • [4:30] Advice for kids who want to start a business. 
  • [8:00] Building a business to sell. 
  • [11:30] How to find the right partner. 
  • [13:00] Niching down too far in your target market. 
  • [15:00] A few networking tips. 
  • [19:15] Planing for the future. 
  • [24:45] Start with a physical product first? 
  • [32:00] Just start creating content! 
  • [37:30] Is there a good way to find local suppliers?
  • [42:30] Why the Brand Accelerator Academy people are awesome. 
  • [47:45] Closing thoughts. 

 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: RYB832.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

 



Looking back at your career, can you identify one person that made a huge impact on your trajectory? What was it that you learned from that individual that means so much? How will you pass that knowledge on to others? On this episode, I welcome my guest, Collin Castellaw - a professional shooting coach turned digital content expert.

Collin’s brand (Shot Mechanics) is one of the largest basketball training resources in the world. With a social reach of 800,000+ and over 100+ million-lifetime online video views, Shot Mechanics has empowered players from all over the world to unlock their full potential. 

In our conversation, Collin opens up about how he got started as shooting coach, why he approached a major rival for partnership, lessons he has learned along the way, and so much more. Have pen and paper ready, you don’t want to miss a minute of Collin’s powerful perspective! 

Providing value

What is your approach when it comes to building your business? For years I’ve followed the method of providing value as much as possible and then going in for an ask. Seeming to come from the same method, I wanted to get Collin’s take on building an audience. Collin was quick to point out that he was to bring people in because they could see the value for themselves. What can you learn from Collin’s story? Tune into this episode to hear more! 

Following the data 

Providing value and getting people’s attention is just the first step - next - how do you leverage that attention and turn a profit? What would be your approach to turning over 30,000 video views into profit for your business? Collin decided to put his time and energy into creating a training video that he would offer to his fans for just 99 cents! What sounded like a great deal ended up a HUGE flop. How did Collin recover from that flop and figure out how to move forward? Learn the answer and so much more by listening to this engaging episode! 

The big take action moment! 

For years I’ve been telling people to get off of the sidelines and to take action! It’s my belief that our lives are filled with take action moments but many of us are too scared to seize them. I hope you can see a bit of your story in Collin’s story and draw some inspiration from his ability to take action. Collin’s take action moment - where everything changed - was when he met and befriended his mentor, Adam. That relationship helped Collin see what he needed to change in his business and where he needed to grow as a leader - it made all the difference and it started with that bold action to reach out! Learn more from Collin’s story by listening to this episode - you don’t want to miss it! 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF ROCK YOUR BRAND

  • [0:03] My introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [5:00] I welcome my guest, Collin Castellaw. 
  • [7:00] Collin talks about his background. 
  • [14:00] How Collin created his YouTube channel and got started. 
  • [21:00] Looking at the data and optimizing an approach. 
  • [28:00] Process over products. 
  • [33:30] Collin’s big take action moment. 
  • [36:00] Video breakdowns of celebrity athletes. 
  • [41:30] The big project that Collin is really excited about. 
  • [52:00] Shifting from Shot Mechanic to Players TV. 
  • [55:30] Closing thoughts.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: RYB831.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:24am EDT

 



Are you struggling with getting your business off of the ground? What would it mean for your brand to get over 26,000 page views in one month? Does that sound too good to be true? It’s not! 

After a ton of hard work and modifications, my team and I have dialled things in just right on several brands that have led to some impressive results. I want you to get in on this and experience similar results with your brand! If you are ready - I’m ready - let’s do this! 

Evergreen assets 

When was the last time you got stuck fixing something at home and you turned to YouTube or Google to find the answer? Chances are high that you’ve done something like that in the last month or so. People and brands who create those resources for us to find when we are stuck have what we call “Evergreen assets.” Evergreen assets are resources that you create that someone will find helpful now or six months from now - they are evergreen. 

What kind of content can you prepare for your brand that will become an evergreen asset? Maybe for your brand that’s a checklist or an ebook that addresses a particular question or issue that people have in your target market. 

Answer common questions!

Another great way to make your brand stand out from the competition is by answering common questions that people have in your target market. Consider creating a video that compares the top five products made in your market - you could also create a series of comparison videos where you review products side by side. When you review products or answer common questions that people have in your market - you establish yourself as a trusted and knowledgeable source of information. 

Upping your Pinterest game

Does your brand have an active presence on Twitter? What about Facebook? When people think of social media they usually think of the big three, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram but what about Pinterest? The advantage that Pinterest has over Facebook and the rest is that Pinterest isn’t dependent on a timeline - it centres on pins. You can create pins that people will pin to their Pinterest boards that will keep them top of mind and in front of them - that’s great for evergreen content! How can you use Pinterest to up your game and move past the competition? Tune into this episode to learn more, you don’t want to miss it! 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF ROCK YOUR BRAND

  • [0:03] My introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:15] Why build evergreen assets? 
  • [7:45] I break down how we got over 26,000 page views in one month. 
  • [11:30] Answering common questions in your market. 
  • [13:15] Comparing products. 
  • [16:00] Making the most of Pinterest. 
  • [25:00] How turning on ads can make you an income. 
  • [27:00] Recapping helpful content strategies. 
  • [29:30] Closing thoughts. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: RYB830.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

 

As we get into this new rhythm with the Rock Your Brand podcast, I wanted to welcome you to our Friday Jam Sessions. These sessions will feature content from our Take Action Crew conversations - if you haven’t signed up look for the link below. In this session, I go over some common questions about being the face of your brand and whether that’s a good idea or a good fit for everyone. The questions and answers come quick - make sure you have pen and paper ready, you’ll need it! 

Who is the voice or face of your brand? 

Have you decided who will be the face of your brand? What approach will they take? Are you trying to be the voice of authority or are you inviting people along for the ride? These are critical questions that business leaders like you should be asking yourselves! Don’t assume that people will just show up and start buying products or consuming content - you need to help them get there. You don’t need all the answers or to have everything figured out - it’s OK to learn along the way, people are understanding. 

No, you don’t have to be the face - but it helps! 

If you don’t want to be the face of your brand, ask yourself why that might be. Are you just timid and shy or do you have different reasons for avoiding being the face of your brand? There are some great reasons for deciding to keep your face and your story in the background but you need to have a face to the brand. In my experience, the more you own the brand and make it your baby, the more likely it is to take off and succeed! 

People need a connection - give it to them

You might be wondering - why all this talk about the face of the brand - does it really matter that much? Yes, it really does! Why do you suppose that brands like Progressive, Verizon, and Nike have spokespeople? People connect with people - not brands! Your brand will have a much higher chance for long-term success if you or someone else serves as the face of your brand. When you think of those brands, you are likely thinking of a face or person associated with that brand - there is a reason for that! What are you waiting for? Join the conversation and learn more about branding! 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF ROCK YOUR BRAND

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [5:00] Who is the voice of your brand? 
  • [15:00] Why have a faceless brand? 
  • [20:00] How to make it work if you don’t want to be the face of your brand. 
  • [31:00] Some pros and cons of being the face of your brand. 
  • [36:00] Compensating contributors and people who will be the face of your brand. 
  • [43:45] Closing thoughts. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: RYB829.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:26am EDT

Welcome to the very first official episode of the Rock Your Brand Podcast, I am so glad that you’ve come along for the ride with me! Like any good host, I want to show you around a bit and help you to understand what to expect from this journey. 

After years of helping men and women just like you get their ecommerce business started with The Amazing Seller Podcast, I decided that it was time to make a change. I explain all about that change in the last episode, #827 - make sure to find the link in the resources section at the end of this post. 

From the schedule to the content, I’ve laid out what exactly to expect from this podcast going forward. Pay close attention - we are moving quickly and we don’t want anyone left behind! 

Content and schedule 

If you’ve been with me for long, you’ve likely become used to the pattern of when my podcasts air - good news - that’s not changing! Monday, Wednesday, and Friday’s are here to stay, I love the consistency and the routine of showing up three times a week to deliver solid advice that you can use. 

What is changing is the content. You’ve likely grown used to the content I provide centring around ecommerce businesses - that won’t be my main focus anymore. Moving forward, I’d like to cast a wider net and help people just like you build their brand and expand it. Here is the new plan for our weekly podcast episodes moving forward. 

Monday - You can expect strategy, teachings, lessons and more from my perspective.

Wednesday - You can expect high-level interviews with business leaders and experts. 

Friday - Friday Jam Sessions! In place of my usual Ask Scott Sessions, I’ll be airing a live episode of my Take Action Crew Morning episodes. 

This is just a glimpse of what I’ve got in store for YOU! I hope you are as fired up and ready to get out there on this new leg of the journey as I am! 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE ROCK YOUR BRAND PODCAST

  • [0:03] My introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:00] Take action moments that matter. 
  • [8:40] How to win The ULTIMATE BRAND BUILDING BUNDLE.
  • [12:00] Embrace change and take action! 
  • [14:00] Closing thoughts. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: RYB828.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:46pm EDT

It’s HERE - the exciting news that I’ve been waiting to share with my TAS followers for some time has finally arrived! I am thrilled to announce the launch of my newly re-branded podcast, The Rock Your Brand Podcast! 

While it’s sad to say goodbye to The Amazing Seller, the truth is, the change is for the better. When you think about the change in your life, you can either face good change or negative change. This change is nothing but positive for me and the crew associated with TAS. We’ll still deliver the interviews and insights you’ve come to know and love over the years but now they’ll be more aimed at brand building specifically. 

On this episode, you’ll hear as I explain what led to the podcast re-branding, why I’m so excited about the future, and so much more. I’m so glad you are along for the ride as we usher in this new season with The Rock Your Brand Podcast! 

Why Change? 

I know that The Amazing Seller Podcast has been a mainstay for many of you over the years and I’m so glad that you’ve been along for the ride. It has been an absolute joy and honor to help hundreds and even thousands of men and women over the years, step out on their own and start something brand new. 

For years I’ve challenged people to embrace change and to boldly step into a new chapter - now I’ve got a chance to follow my own advice. I’m not running away from change, I’m embracing it and I hope you’ll do the same! 

Pushing through resistance 

Every time you set out to do things differently or to start a new direction, you are going to encounter resistance. Sometimes resistance comes in the form of external resistance and sometimes it shows up as internal resistance. How have you dealt with resistance in the past? I felt a ton of resistance as I considered and then embraced the idea of re-branding The Amazing Seller Podcast but I knew that I had to push through the resistance to see positive change. Learn more about the story from TAS to The Rock Your Brand Podcast by listening to this episode! 

Come along for the ride! 

Why not start something brand new instead of “Re-branding” the TAS podcast? Good question! I decided to re-brand the podcast because I don’t want to leave anyone behind. If you’ve been coming to TAS for years or if this is your first episode - I want everyone to come along for the ride. Also - if you’ve been paying close attention, you know that TAS has been changing the focus over the last year or so to emphasize branding. More helpful branding tips and tons of exciting and insightful interviews are just around the corner - stay tuned for more! 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE ROCK YOUR BRAND PODCAST

  • [0:03] My introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [4:00] Why rebrand the podcast? 
  • [6:45] How the podcast has been changing for the last 18-24 months. 
  • [9:45] Why the name needed to change. 
  • [14:00] Pushing through resistance. 
  • [16:00] The Rock Your Brand Podcast. 
  • [20:30] Closing thoughts. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: RYB827.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

Don’t you hate it when you get those annoying emails that practically SCREAM their products at you? When was the last time you were happy to get a telemarketing phone call? Let’s face it, the “Salesy” approach is the worst! What if there was a way to communicate with your target audience without turning them off? You’ve come to the right place! 

It’s time for another session of Ask Scott here on The Amazing Seller! On this episode, you’ll hear from Scott as he teases some exciting news for TAS and as he gives a detailed walkthrough of a successful email he recently sent out to his brand. Make sure you have pen and paper handy for this episode - you don’t want to miss it! 

How to make a solid connection with people 

At the heart of Scott’s effective email marketing approach is a desire to really connect with people on a personal level. You don’t need to be formal with your email messages - in fact - its best to keep your emails lighthearted and fun! Using friendly banter and lingo that your target audience gets is also a critical aspect to making that personal connection. To learn more about Scott’s approach and how to get your followers to let their guard down, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller! 

Keep it simple 

Let’s face it, the reason why most marketing fails is that the marketer doesn’t take the time to really get to know their audience. Generic and complicated emails are what drive people away - why do so many businesses continue with this outdated approach? Making a connection with people takes effort - but not much! According to Scott, the best thing you can do when writing your marketing emails is to keep your message simple. Tune into this episode of The Amazing Seller as Scott breaks down exactly what sellers like you need to write to keep your followers engaged! 

New Changes Coming! 

If you’ve been around the TAS community for very long, you know that Scott loves to change things up from time to time. Each time Scott rolls out a new change - it’s always a good one that helps sellers like you take your business to the next level of growth. Comming as soon as Monday, May 11th, Scott will be announcing some pretty big changes for The Amazing Seller podcast. Are you excited? It’s going to be an episode that you don’t want to miss! 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:30] BIG CHANGES COMING! 
  • [4:00] An email marketing approach that works. 
  • [7:15] Scott shares an email that he sent out to his brand. 
  • [10:30] Keep it simple - an effective email isn’t as hard as you think. 
  • [16:00] Closing thoughts. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS826.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

Is it time to re-think your business strategy? Are you doing enough to reach out to and connect with your target audience? What is holding your business back from reaching its full potential? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott as he sits down with Dave Manley from MMA Bobblehead for an update on his brand and key lessons he has learned over the last year. This is your chance to learn from a seller just like you - make sure to have pen and paper handly - you don’t want to miss a minute of this powerful episode! 

Pulling back the curtain 

Do your followers know what you are working on right now? Have you invited your followers into your brand on a deeper level? While every brand doesn’t lend itself to a “Behind the scenes” look, for those that do - pay attention to what Dave has done! By inviting his followers to participate in the crafting, producing, and launching of each new MMA Bobblehead, Dave has created a loyal following. To hear more about how Dave keeps his followers plugged in, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller! 

Make them feel special 

Have you ever been part of a VIP group or a special club? Remember in high school when everyone wanted to be part of the “In” crowd? What if there was a way to get that sort of effect when it comes to creating excitement for your brand? According to Dave, the best way to create loyal fans is by inviting them to be part of an exclusive insider’s group. After creating the VIP Cage Fight Club, Dave saw his customer engagement skyrocket - more to the point, Dave says that he genuinely enjoys the group he created. What would an exclusive group in your brand look like? Tune into this episode of The Amazing Seller to hear more from Dave and Scott! 

Lead with providing value 

Have you ever been in a scenario or a relationship where someone continuously asked you for something without offering anything in return? Let’s face it, no one likes to be taken advantage of – but it can feel that way when someone asks something of you without providing value in return. Don’t let that happen to you and your business! Scott and Dave encourage sellers like you to get into the habit of delivering value way before you ever make an ask of your customers. To hear more from Scott about this critical topic, make sure to tune in to this episode of The Amazing Seller! 

Take Action! 

Listening to Dave and Scott can really get you fired up and ready to take action! So what are you going to do? Are you ready to make some serious headway with your brand or will you go back to the same old routine? The truth is, if you want something you’ve never had, you need to do something you’ve never done before! Remember, you aren’t alone - Scott has created some helpful resources that sellers like you can utilize to take your business to the next level of growth. 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:00] Dave Manley joins the podcast to give an update about his business. 
  • [7:15] Pulling back the curtain. 
  • [12:30] Why it pays to be a super-fan. 
  • [20:00] Dave explains how everything changed after his coaching call with Scott. 
  • [26:30] Brand building is the way to future-proof your business. 
  • [29:30] Providing value before you make the ask. 
  • [43:00] How Dave launched a new product during the COVID-19 crisis. 
  • [49:00] What Dave is excited about regarding the future of his business. 
  • [54:00] Closing thoughts. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS825.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

Don’t you hate it when you can’t figure out which way to approach a critical aspect of your business? What do you usually do to solve the issue? Do you gather advice from respected sources? If so, this episode is for you! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott and Chris as they share their insights on building an email list. The guys go through three tactics that sellers like you can use to build an email list and grow a following for your brand. Have pen and paper ready - you don’t want to miss a minute of this powerful episode! 

Email list building works!

If you’ve been around the TAS community for very long, you know that Scott is passionate about helping sellers like you get behind the idea of building an email list. Too often sellers spend too much of their time and energy focusing on channels they can’t control - email list building is different. By focusing on and relentlessly growing your email list, you will have direct access to your target market. To learn more about using email marketing as effectively as possible, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller! 

Contest giveaways 

Have you tried using contest giveaways to build your email list and your brand’s following? What are you waiting for? Sure there will be some people who will sign up just to get the free thing you are providing but if you play your cards right - you’ll get the right people. It all comes down to what you are giving away - you can limit who signs up by niching down what prize you give away. To hear how Scott and Chris run their contest giveaways, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller! 

Checklist and worksheet giveaway 

While a contest giveaway sounds good, you might not have the funds to get an attractive prize that will get people to sign up. What should you do if you want to get the right people to sign up but you don’t have a ton of resources? According to Scott and Chris, the answer to consider putting together a free resource like an ebook, checklist, or worksheet. If you provide something valuable, people will respond by giving your their email list - it really works! Learn more about using an asset like an ebook to attracting the right people by listening to this episode of The Amazing Seller! 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:45] Why email marketing is so powerful. 
  • [7:15] Yes, email list building is effective! 
  • [9:00] Contest giveaways. 
  • [20:00] Why it’s a good idea to study your competition. 
  • [21:45] Scott recaps all three tactics. 
  • [23:30] Need help getting started? 
  • [27:00] Closing thoughts. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS824.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

What is the state of the ecommerce industry right now? Is it possible to launch a successful ecommerce business in 2020 or has the ship sailed? If you are wondering what it takes to start a brand or a new aspect of your business in 2020, you’ve come to the right place! It’s time for another session of Ask Scott here on The Amazing Seller. On this episode, you’ll hear from Scott as he introduces an extended session of Coffee Talk where he discussed what he would do if he had to start over in 2020. You’ll want to pay close attention to this episode - Scott has some helpful tips that you don’t want to miss! 

Attention is the new currency

Over the years, Scott has been doing his best to convince sellers like you to start focusing on attracting the right attention as you build your ecommerce business. If you create the right content, you’ll bring in the right attention to your brand - then you can use that attention to build a following. What are you doing right now to improve the attention that your brand attracts? Learn more about reaching your target market by listening to this informative episode of The Amazing Seller! 

Become known as a giver! 

Don’t you hate it when you feel like someone is trying really hard to sell you something? Getting “Sold” something makes you feel like a giant target for salespeople to hit. How do people feel when you try to sell them something from your brand? Are you giving them enough value before you make your ask? Years ago, Scott learned the critical value of focusing on providing value to people multiple times before you ask them to buy something. To hear more helpful tips like this one from Scott, make sure to tune in to this episode of The Amazing Seller! 

Video works wonders 

What is your strategy when it comes to leveraging videos to expand your brand? When was the last time your ecommerce brand posted a video on any of your channels? If you aren’t using videos right now to reach others and spread your message - you are missing out on a powerful tool! Go ahead and scan your Facebook newsfeed or your Twitter feed, what do you see? Videos! Make sure your brand doesn’t get left behind as others embrace the use of video marketing - listen to this epsode of The Amazing Seller to learn more! 

Don’t let fear hold you back! 

Let’s face it, a lot of people want to fire their boss and work for themselves but too many people are afraid to step out and trying something on their own. You’ve already decided that you are ready to step out and do something you’ve never done before. Don’t let fear come creeping back in and scare you away from taking action. To learn more about confronting your fear and stepping out on your own, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller! 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:45] What Scott is up to these days. 
  • [7:45] How Scott would start an ecommerce business from scratch. 
  • [11:45] Why grabbing your target market’s attention is so important. 
  • [14:45] Provide value! 
  • [20:30] Every time you start a new brand, act like you are starting from scratch. 
  • [29:00] Planting seeds in your market. 
  • [34:00] Create content consistently. 
  • [35:30] Leverage videos to expand your reach. 
  • [43:00] Getting over your fear of being the face of your brand. 
  • [47:30] How to launch a book for your brand. 
  • [51:30] Why Scott loves talking about reaching new audiences. 
  • [57:30] Closing thoughts from Scott. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS823.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

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