Build and monetize your personal brand. This show is full of some of the best marketing tips for (aspiring) influencers, entrepreneurs, speakers, authors, coaches, executives, and anyone who wants to get their message out to more people. You’ll learn the strategies and tactics that any service-minded messenger can use to find their uniqueness and separate from all the noise to create more impact, influence, and income. Each episode is hosted by New York Times bestselling author and Hall of Fame Speaker Rory Vaden, and his wife, business partner and CEO of Brand Builders Group, AJ Vaden. Brand Builders Group is...
Tue, April 29, 2025
In this episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, AJ Vaden sits down with entrepreneur and tech innovator Vincent Phamvan, founder and CEO of Viton Apps. Together, they dive deep into the biggest shifts happening right now in marketing, technology, and personal branding — and what you must know to stay ahead. You'll learn: Why technology is evolving faster than ever—and how to keep up How personal brands are being built differently in the digital economy The major impact of AI on marketing, communication, and content creation Why traditional email and social media strategies are no longer enough How personal brand apps are giving entrepreneurs the same tools large companies have used for years Practical steps to embrace AI without losing your authenticity Why now is the time to own your audience—not rent it Vincent also shares insights from building Vyten, how personal brand apps are changing the way we reach our audiences, and why the future belongs to creators who act now.
Fri, April 25, 2025
Tue, April 22, 2025
How to BOOST Your Brain Power, Prevent Dementia & Beat Brain Fog (For Good) | Dr. Helena Popovic What if the key to your long-term success, energy, and clarity isn’t more productivity hacks—but better brain health? In this episode of the Influential Personal Brand podcast, AJ Vaden sits down with Dr. Helena Popovic, a leading authority on brain health, dementia prevention, and positive aging. This isn’t just a conversation about the science of the brain—it’s a practical guide to reclaiming your mental sharpness, reducing brain fog, and taking proactive steps toward long-term wellness. Dr. Popovic shares the deeply personal story that led her to this work and unpacks why brain health should matter to everyone—no matter your age or profession. In this episode, you’ll learn: What brain health actually means (and why your doctor isn’t talking about it) Early warning signs of cognitive decline and what you can do about them Why movement, muscle strength, and balance are essential for brain function The shocking truth about sugar, sitting, and sleep—and how they impact your brain Simple, daily habits that can radically improve your mental performance and protect your future Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or simply someone who wants to stay sharp and healthy for the long haul, this episode is packed with powerful takeaways you can start applying today. Want to build a personal brand that aligns with your purpose and expertise? At Brand Builders Group, we help mission-driven individuals grow their influence, impact, and income. Visit https://brandbuildersgroup.com/call to schedule your free Brand Strategy Call. Resources Mentioned: Learn more about Dr. Helena Popovic: https://drhelenapopovic.com Explore her books and research on brain health, dementia prevention, and positive aging Subscribe to the Influential Personal Brand podcast and never miss an episode. New conversations weekly with thought leaders, authors, and experts who are building brands that matter. #BrainHealth #DementiaPrevention #PersonalDevelopment #AJVaden #InfluentialPersonalBrand #DrHelenaPopovic #MentalClarity #BrainFog #BrandBuildersGroup #HighPerformanceHabits
Fri, April 18, 2025
What if the life you're living right now is being shaped by the words you speak every day—especially the ones you say to yourself? In this video, I break down what I call the Creation Principle of Integrity from my book Take the Stairs: 👉 You think it. You speak it. You act. Then it happens. From the chair you're sitting in to the goals you're chasing, everything begins the moment you speak it into existence. But here's the real challenge: What are you telling yourself about yourself? Most of us say things to ourselves that we’d never allow others to say to our spouse, kids, or closest friends. And over time, we start to believe those lies—not because they’re true, but because we hear them over and over. 🔥 In this video, you'll learn: Why your words are the genesis of all creation How self-talk shapes your identity and future The heartbreaking truth about how we treat ourselves A mindset shift that could radically change your life If you're ready to take control of your internal narrative and start speaking the life you want into reality, this message is for you. 💬 Comment below: What’s one negative belief you’re ready to stop saying to yourself? 🎯 Ready to rewrite your story and clarify your message? Schedule a Free Brand Call with Brand Builders Group and discover how to build a personal brand that aligns with your true identity and calling. freebrandcall.com #SelfTalk #MindsetShift #PersonalDevelopment #SpeakLife #TakeTheStairs #BrandBuildersGroup #Integrity #PersonalBranding #Transformation #createyourlife
Tue, April 15, 2025
What if you could transform your toughest experiences into a powerful way to connect with potential clients and build a thriving business? Today, we welcome one of our first Brand Builders Group clients; speaker, coach, sales expert, and Founder and CEO of Untap Your Sales Potential, Ian Koniak. Four years into his business, Ian hit an impressive $3 million in revenue! In this episode, he shares his incredible journey, from his career and personal struggles to how he met AJ and Rory. He opens up about the near-death experience that sparked his business and the challenges he’s faced along the way. We explore his battle with addiction, the power of authentic storytelling in business, and the importance of confronting your deepest struggles. Tune in today to discover how embracing vulnerability and authenticity can help you grow your business and connect with your audience on a deeper level! Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of drug and sex addiction, which may be sensitive for some listeners and children. Please listen with care. Key Points From This Episode: The story behind Untap Your Sales Potential and its rapid growth. Insight into Ian’s journey to creating his business and newsletter. TW: Ian’s struggle with addiction and how he overcame it from [15:47] to [21:07]. How sharing the hard parts of your story can help your business in the long term. Where you can learn more about Ian and his work online.
Fri, April 11, 2025
Choose Your Hard — A Life-Changing Mindset Shift with Rory Vaden In this episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast , AJ Vaden delivers a powerful message that will transform how you approach life’s challenges. Whether it's in your health, relationships, finances, or personal growth, everything in life is hard — but you get to choose your hard. AJ dives deep into: Why hard choices lead to greater satisfaction and growth Real-life examples that highlight the power of intentional decision-making How discomfort in the short term often leads to peace, progress, and purpose in the long term The connection between hard conversations and strong relationships The true cost of convenience in our health and habits This isn’t just motivational — it’s transformational. Key Takeaways: Hard isn’t bad — it’s often the beginning of breakthrough. Avoiding difficulty today often leads to deeper pain tomorrow. You can’t escape life’s hard choices, but you can decide which ones are worth it. Growth, healing, and success are almost always found on the harder path. Ready to turn your mess into your message and build a brand that actually makes a difference? Start by booking your Free Brand Call with Brand Builders Group today! 👉 Learn more <a href="https://freebrandcal
Mon, April 07, 2025
Struggling with clarity in your business? Feeling stuck in transition or unsure how to pivot your brand or purpose? In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the Influential Personal Brand podcast, AJ Vaden sits down with Jamal Miller—founder of Miller Media Group and a purpose-driven entrepreneur who went from food stamps to leading a $3M launch in just 30 days. Together, they unpack the raw, behind-the-scenes journey of what it really looks like to chase purpose over profit, build a thriving brand with your spouse, and navigate the highs and lows of success—all while staying aligned with your calling. Jamal shares his personal transformation from youth pastor to 7-figure business owner, the spiritual breakthroughs that changed his life, and the mindset shifts that helped him scale without losing his soul. If you're in a season of transition, feeling overwhelmed, or searching for a breakthrough, this episode is for you. You’ll also learn the secret behind his "Circle of Purpose" framework and the business philosophy that led him to build brands that make both impact and income. Don’t miss: How Jamal and his wife built a personal brand from a viral love story The danger of chasing money over meaning Why every entrepreneur needs to constantly redefine success The power of sowing into purpose—even when you have nothing Jamal’s top advice for getting unstuck and growing faster This episode is packed with purpose, strategy, and truth—and will leave you inspired to take bold, aligned action. Ready to turn your mess into your message and build a brand that actually makes a difference? Start by booking your Free Brand Call with Brand Builders Group today! 👉 Learn more HERE
Fri, April 04, 2025
The great irony of personal branding is this: it’s not actually about you. We are back with another special recap episode of the podcast, and today we are diving into why the strongest personal brands are built on service, not self. True personal branding begins when you focus on who you can help, what you can teach, and how you can add value to others. Tune in to learn what makes a great personal brand, why a focus on service leads to real wins, the key question you need to answer, and how having a clear mission to serve can destroy fear. Thanks for listening!
Tue, April 01, 2025
How do you build a thriving business around a niche audience? In this episode, we sit down with Remington Ramsey to unpack how he built a business around curating top real estate professionals. Remington is an influential author, speaker, and entrepreneur renowned for his significant contributions to the real estate industry. He is the creator of Real Producers, a popular media platform that includes a magazine connecting top real estate agents and industry leaders across markets nationwide. In our conversation, Remington shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial journey and how he created a business model that benefits agents, vendors, and local real estate communities. We discuss the steps for building a community around a brand and maintaining momentum as your brand and community grow. Explore why print is making a comeback, the "build a Cathedral" marketing concept, how merit and exclusivity drive engagement, and why staying top of mind is more valuable than being the best at your job. Gain insights into how Real Producers monetized and scaled without charging agents for exposure, why likeability is vital for sales, alternative sources of revenue Real Producers leverages, and the role of awards, events, and community-building in strengthening the brand. Join us and uncover the secret to turning niche audiences into revenue-generating communities with Remington Ramsey. Tune in now!
Fri, March 28, 2025
Failure is a prerequisite for success! Do you want to know what the number one thing is that’s holding you back from what you want most? In this special recap of our conversation with Jason Stacy, we discuss the one thing that holds us all back from success, fear! Most of us live in a fictional fear-filled world inside our own brains. It’s not rooted in reality and yet it is the thing preventing us all from achieving our dreams. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about the power and importance of walking through fear, how you can overcome it, and redefining failure. To close off, AJ asks us to consider what they are most afraid of doing right now and implores us to commit to doing that thing. You can only become fearless when you walk through fear-filled situations so what do you have to do to become fearless today?
Tue, March 25, 2025
We can all build resilience by learning about how to manage our emotions, energy, and environment, which is imperative to sustain true, long-term success. This episode is all about how to succeed in life – it’s one of those universal conversations that will help you no matter who you are, where you are in life, and what you do! Joining us today is Jason Stacy, owner of The Coaching Sweet Spot, to discuss how to manage your emotions, energy, and environment to achieve success. Tune in to hear all about Jason’s journey from homelessness to high performance! We delve into why you need to give 100% to everything you do, asking yourself if you’re doing something because you have to or because you want to, how to face what’s holding you back, and so much more! We go on to discuss why managing your emotions, energy, and environment is imperative to success before Jason shares the best ways to manage those things. Learn about self-awareness, how to manage overwhelming moments, why what you are doing in that moment should be the most important thing you need to do, and more! Jason even explains why the most important part of your environment is the people in it and the power of reciprocity. Finally, Jason tells us what you can do to sustain success. Thanks for listening in!
Fri, March 21, 2025
It’s not just talent, knowledge, or luck that separates the truly successful from the rest. It’s a set of habits and mindsets that are often overlooked. In this special recap episode of The Influential Personal Brand Podcast, Rory breaks down three essential traits that drive lasting success. Drawing from the journeys of top entrepreneurs and personal brands, as well as our own experiences here at Brand Builders Group, you’ll discover the mindset shifts you need to make to reach the next level. Find out why crushing it where you are now is the foundation for future success, how trust-building is the key to sales and influence, and why perseverance through setbacks is the number one predictor of long-term success. If you want to grow your personal brand, boost your revenue, or build a thriving business, this episode will reveal the mindset and strategy to make it happen. Tune in to start applying these success principles today!
Tue, March 18, 2025
Do you feel frustrated and overwhelmed by digital clutter, lost files, or chaotic inboxes? In this episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we sit down with Shawn Lemon, founder of The Digital Organizer, to explore expert strategies for decluttering your digital life. Join us as Shawn offers practical tips for managing emails, passwords, files, and tasks efficiently, all while reducing stress and boosting creativity and productivity. From taming your inbox to mastering project management tools, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you reclaim your time and focus on what matters most. To learn how digital organization can transform your workflow and free up your energy for what truly counts, tune in today!
Fri, March 14, 2025
Why do people buy, and why should they buy from you? If you’re selling high-ticket offers, you need to understand what makes an offer truly compelling. In this special recap episode, we revisit our conversation with Zach Hesterberg, founder of Paid Events, to break down the key ingredients of a great offer. We explore how every purchase decision ties back to four core desires — better health, better relationships, more time, or more money — and why the best offers speak directly to these motivations. You'll also learn why people don’t buy processes or features; they buy results. Tune in to discover how to position your offer for maximum impact and make it irresistible to your audience!
Tue, March 11, 2025
What if you could convert high-ticket clients without relying on exhausting one-on-one sales calls? Zach Hesterberg, founder of Paid Events, has helped business owners do just that. By leveraging paid virtual events, he’s helped generate six and seven-figure paydays while eliminating the unpredictability of traditional sales funnels. In this episode, he shares why events are one of the most efficient ways to build trust and increase conversions without burnout. He breaks down pricing strategies, event structures, and the biggest mistakes people make when hosting live events. You’ll also learn why shorter, multi-day sessions outperform all-day events, strategies for driving traffic using organic and paid methods, and how to create an irresistible offer for your audience. If you want to scale your business without relying on endless sales calls, this conversation is a must-listen. Tune in now!
Fri, March 07, 2025
Scaling your business starts with hiring the right people at the right time. In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face—when and who to hire first. We break down the essential hires that will help you free up time, scale your business, and build a thriving personal brand. Hear why you should hire for your personal life initially and a first-hire suggestion that may surprise you. Learn about the value of outsourcing household chores, the role of an assistant, when you should consider hiring marketing support, and what makes marketing a "tactical" skill set. Find out about the pros and cons of contractors, hear advice for hiring an accountant, discover the importance of delegating client work, uncover the secret to scaling your business successfully, and delve into the fundamental departments every business needs. Join us to unpack the skills you need to build a high-performing team and take the next step in growing your business. Tune in now!
Tue, March 04, 2025
Our previous episode featuring Jen Kem blew our minds, as she shared significant and monumental advice on monetizing live events! So of course, we just had to have her back, and today, we are thrilled for her return as she dives into the inner workings of her new book, Unicorn Team: The Nine Leadership Types You Need to Launch Your Big Ideas with Speed and Success . Jen is a Forbes-recognized top brand strategist specializing in launching innovative ideas with high-performing teams, and we begin today’s conversation with a high-level overview of her latest written work. Jen then explains the basic requirements for modern leaders, what a unicorn team is and how to build one, the nine motivational or leadership energies necessary for success, and the undeniable significance of energy. To end, our guest shares valuable advice on protecting your energy as we learn how to connect with the remarkable Jen Kem.
Fri, February 28, 2025
Are you working just to retire? Are we saving all of our money just so that we can no longer be useful one day? In this special recap episode of our discussion with Caleb Guilliams, we are discussing what it means to redefine work in the long term. Tuning in, you’ll hear what the definition of retirement is, why you can decide to be excellent at any job you do, where the concept of retirement came from, and more! We even discuss the importance of finding a way to be in service to others for the rest of your life, even after you retire from your ‘job’. So to hear all this and be inspired to be of service until you are no longer physically able to be, press play now!
Tue, February 25, 2025
In this episode, we sit down with Caleb Guilliams, founder of BetterWealth and author of The AND Asset . Caleb launched BetterWealth at just 21 years old, bringing a fresh and innovative approach to financial independence, wealth building, and intentional living. He now runs a thriving national firm that helps individuals and entrepreneurs optimize their money through tax strategies, investments, and financial coaching. In our conversation, Caleb redefines what it means to be wealthy and challenges traditional financial advice. We explore actionable frameworks for removing financial friction, maximizing your greatest asset—you—and aligning money with your goals. We also discuss the two fundamental uses of money, wealth-increasing strategies, why tracking your money is a superpower, common misconceptions around debt, and more. Caleb’s insights will change how you think about saving, spending, and investing, empowering you to live with purpose and intention. Join us to uncover the secret to using money as a tool to create the life you truly want. Tune in now!
Fri, February 21, 2025
After our recent conversation with the author of the wonderful nine-book series The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls , Mike Thomas, and in line with our own Bestseller Lunch Plan at Brand Builders Group, we have laid out a four-step process that serves as a great longtail sales strategy. We begin with the importance of adequate market testing before exploring word of mouth, having a complete product, relying on a tunnel-vision marketing strategy, and the power of giving your product away to those in your target market. To end, we discuss the universal human condition of being willing to do more when our actions are incentivized.
Tue, February 18, 2025
Today, we discover how to become a bestselling author by going all-in on one marketing strategy. We are joined by Mike Thomas, legendary author of The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls nine-book series – a time-traveling epic that helps kids explore the Bible and their faith. After explaining where the idea for his widely popular series came from, Mike describes how his novels began as a simple Word document printout and evolved into the complete work of art you see today and why he chose to go all-in on influencer marketing after his first book launch. We unpack strategies for getting your book into the hands of many readers as quickly as possible, the various book marketing options and their budget considerations, the power of word of mouth, and the importance of choosing your words very carefully when approaching potential marketing partners. To end, we get an overview of the expected timeline from publishing to marketing to your book becoming a bestseller, and Mike details the pros and cons of other marketing avenues like Facebook and Amazon Ads.
Fri, February 14, 2025
If you're looking for excellent books to add to your list for 2025, then you have come to the right place! In today ’ s special recap episode, AJ shares her favorite reads from the past year, her top quotes from each book, and why you should put these titles on your reading list for 2025. Learn timeless lessons about growth and success in What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith and Take the Stairs by Rory Vaden. Uncover deep personal teachings on marriage and faith in Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. And dive deep on leadership and relationships in The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. Tune in now to find out why each of these books should be on your reading list for 2025!
Tue, February 11, 2025
In 2024, AJ committed to reading two books every month of the year, a tradition she’s been building on for three consecutive years! Today, she shares her most influential books for 2024, how they have shaped her outlook, and why you might want to check them out yourself. Discover why Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara is required reading for the entire Brand Builders Group team; how Gary Thomas’s Sacred Marriage has deepened AJ’s understanding of what it means to be married; what The Go-Giver by Bob Burg teaches readers about learning through relationships; why AJ decided to revisit Take the Stairs, written by her husband, Rory Vaden; and why What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith is essential reading for anyone ready to level up. Regardless of whether you decide to read these books in the coming year, ask yourself, ‘Am I implementing what I’ve learned, and how can I use it to create real change in my life?’ Don’t miss out on this inspiring conversation with AJ Vaden on her top books and lessons from 2024!
Fri, February 07, 2025
Most people don ’ t realize that there are three key components to delivering a world-class presentation. If you ’ re in that group, don ’ t miss today ’ s recap episode of The Influential Personal Brand podcast, where Rory breaks down these three essentials for speaking success! By following Rory ’ s advice and maximizing your content, charisma, and the circumstances of your setup, you ’ ll create a powerful connection with your audience and leave them with a memorable experience. To dive into these three keys, start listening now. Enjoy!
Tue, February 04, 2025
There’s nothing more powerful than an in-person event in terms of building trust with people. Lesley Logan is one of the world’s leading experts, if not the world’s leading expert, on Pilates and how Pilates changes your life. She’s the Chief Pilates Officer at OnlinePilatesClasses.com , has taught thousands of students, and trained hundreds of Pilates teachers. She’s led dozens of workshops at global conferences, been featured in magazines, and been on Fox, CBS, and KTLA. Lesley has certifications in trauma-informed breathwork, mindset, habits coaching, and several other things related to physical health and mental health. She’s on the show today, however, to share a piece of her business model that involves doing live event tours and it just so happens to be something we haven’t talked a lot about on the podcast. Join the conversation as Lesley shares insights into the big strategy behind live event tours, how to find a location, their business goal with live event tours, and so much more! Our goal is to inspire listeners with ideas on how to put themselves out there, without waiting for an invitation to step onto someone else's stage. Enjoy!
Fri, January 31, 2025
Life is filled with the opportunity to make powerful choices – all of which will inevitably have hard parts to them. Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are recapping AJ’s interview with Chris Janssen and discussing how you can start to choose your hard in 2025. Press play now to get a sneak peek into our conversation with the author of Grace Yourself and hear two questions you should be asking yourself about your decisions for 2025. The secret to choosing your hard is weighing up the rewards of choosing it and the consequences of not choosing it. To hear all this and more, be sure to tune in now!
Tue, January 28, 2025
When making a difficult decision, it’s easy to focus on how hard it’s going to be, but what if we focused on what we will gain by making that change? During this conversation, author and coach Chris Janssen joins us to discuss her new book, what it takes to become a bestseller, and sobriety. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Chris’ journey as an author, how her latest book experience differed from her first, what you need to know if you want to write a bestselling book, all things PR, and so much more! We delve into the different ways to publish a book before discussing the importance of finding a publishing team that you truly trust. Chris goes on to share what her new book, Grace Herself , is about and discusses her complicated sobriety journey. Finally, hear all about how to become sober curious, the concept of ‘choosing your hard’, and the importance of approaching addiction one day at a time. If you are an author or aspiring author, then this episode is tailor-made for you, so be sure to listen now!
Fri, January 24, 2025
If you want to become a bestselling author, you need to make sure you don’t fall for common misconceptions about how to achieve this goal. Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are discussing what it means to be a bestselling author. In this conversation, we break down some of the most common misconceptions about how to become a bestselling author, discuss what does actually work, and so much more! Hear all about the importance of having a team to support the sale of your book and what it actually means to be a bestselling author. You’ll even be reminded about what really matters as an author; making a difference in the world. Thanks for tuning in!
Tue, January 21, 2025
It took Rory years to figure out how to get signed by a literary agent. Years were spent learning who they were, what they did, how they operated, and finally, how to connect with one and build a relationship. Today, we’re going to fast-track that process for you. In this episode, we sit down with one of the most successful literary agents of our time, Lucinda Halpern. With a career spanning bestselling authors and major book deals, Lucinda has now crossed over to the other side as an author with her new book Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author . Join us as we explore three key strategies for catching the attention of an A-list literary agent, gain insight into how to spot timely ideas, and Lucinda breaks down the four types of writers who land book deals. She also shares how literary agents assess platforms and set realistic expectations around advances. Don’t miss this insightful conversation, tune in now!
Fri, January 17, 2025
Join AJ in this special recap episode of The Influential Personal Brand podcast! In this episode, AJ delves into the importance of remembering that you always have a choice, in what you do and the environment you find yourself in, and why everything you do has a gift in it somewhere. AJ also sheds light on some important things to remember about developing courses, the fundamentals to grow your podcast, and tips and tricks for stepping into the world of physical products. Don’t miss another insightful episode, start listening now!
Tue, January 14, 2025
At Brand Builders Group, we firmly believe that the best form of marketing is through a changed life. Today, AJ stands testament to this truth as her life’s transformation through the Fast40 weight loss training program for women prompted the presence of today’s guest, the program’s creator, Dr. Cody Golman—who holds the unique position of empowering women aged 35 to 55 who struggle with stubborn weight loss. He begins our conversation by walking us through his professional history and how he ended up where he is today before explaining why he’s confident enough to give his hormone-reset weight loss program a 100% guarantee. We unpack the design and working mechanics of Fast40, how to start making healthier food choices, the hidden threats that lurk in our foods, and the importance of discipline and consistency in living healthier lives. We also lift back the veil that the medical community has put over our eyes to expose how big medicine deliberately misleads us, how Dr. Cody honed in on his niche audience, the relationship between health and spirituality, and the undeniable importance of accountability. We end with the reasons for Dr. Cody’s short-session treatment protocol and an invitation to visit Dr. Cody’s website and sign up for free for The 3 Secrets To Permanent Weight Loss live Masterclass!
Fri, January 10, 2025
How you open your cold call makes a big difference. That’s why this episode is dedicated to making the most of those first moments on the line: mistakes to avoid and a three-step process you can follow every time. We kick off the conversation with a key mindset shift that will transform your approach to selling. Next, we discuss two common pitfalls that limit results and how you can avoid them. Finally, we dive into the steps you can follow to capture the attention of anyone you call and give them a reason to listen to your point. Rory shares the ‘who’ not ‘what’ strategy he uses and why it's so effective on so many different scales and we dive into what to change to frame each conversation this way. Tune in for a host of practical tips to transform the way you do cold calls. Thanks for listening!
Tue, January 07, 2025
Ever wonder why some people effortlessly convert free calls into paying clients while others struggle to seal the deal? In this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Lang, Fractional VP of Sales at Brand Builders Group, to uncover the secrets of mastering the art of the free call. Ryan is a high-performance coach, co-founder of Empire Partners, and a sales expert with a proven track record of helping thousands of business owners and entrepreneurs boost their revenue through effective sales and marketing strategies. In this episode, he reveals the techniques he used to increase our conversion rate by up to 15%. You’ll discover how to attract potential clients to book a free call, structure your conversation for maximum impact, build trust, confidently demonstrate how you can bridge the gap between their challenges and their goals, and so much more. If you’re ready to elevate your sales game and learn how to close more free calls with ease, be sure to tune in today!
Fri, January 03, 2025
Something our guest Toni Collier shared in a recent interview has really stuck with AJ. Toni said that if you want to build a speaking career, you need to be so passionate about it, so called to it, that you’d be willing to speak for free! In this episode, AJ unpacks three key reasons why you should speak for free until you’ve developed your skills and strengthened your speaking muscles to truly serve your audience. The art of speaking takes time, dedication, and practice. Thanks for tuning in!
Tue, December 31, 2024
If you would do your work for free but are paid to do it because you’re so brilliant at it, then you’re on the right track! Today, we are joined by the incredible speaker and author Toni Collier to discuss how to figure out what makes you unique. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about how Toni built her personal brand and became excellent at what she does by speaking for free at first, the power of relational capital, her thoughts on passive income, why you need to diversify your work, how you can find your target audience, and so much more! We then delve into the value of sharing difficult experiences before discussing Toni’s faith and how she has found salvation after falling off track. Finally, our guest tells us why she decided to write a book about her story. This is an incredibly inspirational conversation that you do not want to miss. Press play now!
Fri, December 27, 2024
Looking for ways to grow your followers in just weeks? Then don’t miss out on this special recap episode! Join Rory Vaden in this recap episode from their recent interview with Sarah Maslowski. He dives into five simple ideas, including tips on your “hook,” the importance of screen quality, and adding stimuli, stories, and stages! These are easy strategies you can apply to grow your followership in just a few weeks. Thanks for tuning in, enjoy!
Tue, December 24, 2024
Anyone can use social media as a way to drive traffic to their business, it’s just about learning how to! Today on the International Personal Brand Podcast, we are joined by the incredible realtor and YouTube sensation, Sarah Maslowski to dive deep into this topic. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about our guest’s career, what drew her to YouTube, how she curates her content, her recording and post-production process, and so much more! We delve into the importance of consistency when it comes to starting a YouTube channel before Sarah reminds us that views and followers mean nothing until they convert into sales. She even shares some title and thumbnail tips for new YouTubers. Finally, our guest talks us through how to create calls to action in YouTube videos. To hear all this and find out how you can make evergreen content on YouTube, press play now!
Fri, December 20, 2024
Do you have a dream that feels just slightly out of reach; just a little too impossible? Well, today is for you because it’s all about setting big goals and finding the right pathways to achieving them. We begin with the definition of “big goals” before exploring why it’s vital for human growth and development to always shoot for the stars. Then, we unpack Caroline Adams Miller’s summation of Dr. Edwin A. Locke's Goal Setting Theory as found in her latest book, Big Goals , why you need to be surrounded by people who support you while also holding yourself accountable, how to build the necessary grit and resilience to help you persevere, and the undeniable power of consistency. We end by examining the motivations behind your goals and the importance of understanding your “why”, and it’s always helpful to remember the people in your life who may be affected by your actions and decisions.
Tue, December 17, 2024
As the clock winds down for another year, now is the perfect time to think about what you hope to achieve in 2025. But are the goals we set for ourselves big enough and perhaps more importantly, are they the right goals? Today we pose these questions to the eight-time bestselling author, international speaker, and world-renowned expert in positive psychology, Caroline Adams Miller. Caroline’s work is focused on setting big goals for yourself and finding the grit and determination to achieve them, and she begins today’s conversation by sharing details of her latest book, Big Goals – a manual that reveals the science behind the power of Dr. Edwin A. Locke's Goal Setting Theory. Caroline defines “big goals” and how they differ from others before explaining how setting big goals can change a person for the better. We discuss the modern trend of trying to eliminate all stress from our lives and how that has bred a timid generation, helpful tips and tools from the world of applied positive psychology, how learning goals and performance goals manifest in real life, and the roles of happiness and accountability in achieving everything you set out to do. We end with the reminder that hard work often leads to satisfaction and that through healthy competition, we are able to develop resilience, determination, and grit.
Fri, December 13, 2024
The great irony in personal branding is that your personal brand is not actually about you! Welcome back to another special recap episode with your host, Rory Vaden. Today’s recap episode stems from our recent interview with Jamie Hess, and we hone in on what most people get wrong about personal branding. Tune in as we explore why the best personal brands are service-focused rather than self-centered, what might be holding you back, and the key differences between selling and serving. Thanks for joining us!
Tue, December 10, 2024
Want to know how you can secure brand deals, bring in extra income, and even increase your followers? You’re in luck! Today, we’re joined by the incredible brand deal coach, Jamie Hess, who shares her secrets to securing brand deals! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about our guest’s career, her brave shift to entrepreneurship, how brand deals became part of her work, and what led her to coach. She delves into the financial aspects of brand deals before sharing ways to find brands to partner with, how to approach them, and more! It takes a lot of courage to approach big brands, especially smaller influencers, and in this episode, Jamie also shares her tips for gaining confidence in yourself and tells us how she helps her clients shift their mindsets about brand deals. Thanks for listening in and remember not to underestimate the power you have as an influencer!
Fri, December 06, 2024
Ask yourself: What do you truly want to accomplish with the money you make? And how do you know when the number in your bank is truly enough? We’re back with a recap of our conversation with Vanessa and Shana from Budget Besties, where AJ talks about recognizing when enough is enough. Making more money isn’t a bad thing; it’s good and sometimes necessary. But ultimately, it’s what we do with that money and how much control we let it have over our hearts that makes the difference. Join AJ as she shares her thoughts on the topic, breaks down the natural lifestyle acclimation of earning more, shares her belief in “dying with zero,” and much more. Thanks for tuning in!
Tue, December 03, 2024
If you’re wondering if this episode is for you, ask yourself: Do you want to have more money? Would you like to keep more of what you make? Have less debt and more spending power? More financial peace and less stress? If you answered yes to any of these, then this episode is for you! AJ welcomes Vanessa Porten and Shana Roberson from Budget Besties to the Influential Personal Brand podcast for a deep dive into budgeting and financial health. Join the conversation to hear more about how they wound up founding Budget Besties, what causes people to make good money but have nothing to show for it, and the biggest mistakes people make when managing their money and how to avoid them. We also talk about some tactical approaches to managing your money and separate accounts, the 90-day audit, why you should look at your finances often, navigating and overcoming your money baggage, and much more! Don’t miss out on another great episode, start listening now!
Fri, November 29, 2024
Before you sell to customers, you have to find them, but where do you look for your ideal clients? It starts with the places you frequently visit because serving like-minded individuals is your most powerful position. Then, it’s always helpful to ask the right questions, lean on other industry leaders, and listen to podcasts as you utilize every online search box you come across. Lastly, Google Alerts is your best friend for staying informed on your clientele’s movements, and similarly, SparkToro will help you connect the dots between certain topics and the people who follow them.
Tue, November 26, 2024
Today’s guest does everything we teach personal brands to do, except for one thing, he’s not our client! Michael Mogill is the Founder and CEO of Crisp – America’s number one law firm growth company – and he joins us today to share his story of how he’s built a massive business by serving one, very specific niche. Crisp, America’s fastest-growing company of its kind, advises law firms on how to grow their practices and improve operational efficiency, and we begin today’s conversation with some interesting analytics about the company, including details on how it was founded and why it chose to only serve lawyers. Then, we dive into Michael’s recipes for success as we learn how to narrow one’s niche effectively, the power of free marketing through satisfied customers, his advice to novice entrepreneurs who want a better life for themselves, and his tips for scaling a business in a short time. To end, Michael underlines the goals of the Crisp Game Changers Summit, how it’s evolved since its inception, and how it plans to grow moving forward.
Fri, November 22, 2024
Have you ever wondered how you can turn self-doubt into self-belief? What if all of the experiences that have made you doubt yourself can actually help someone else in their own struggles? Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, AJ is sharing her definitions of self-doubt and self-belief and the differences between them. Tune in to hear all about how to turn self-doubt into self-belief, learn how to let the experiences that make you doubt yourself help others, and be reminded that failure is what people need to hear about the most. To hear all this and be encouraged to lean into the things that make you doubt yourself, tune in now!
Tue, November 19, 2024
You cannot find your true destiny if you do not experience disruption in your life first! Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are joined by the illustrious author, coach, TV personality, and mother, Marshawn Evans Daniels to discuss the concept of believing bigger. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Marshawn’s upbringing as well as how that shaped who she is and what she does, the inspiration behind her books, how she began to believe bigger with Christ as her strength, and so much more! We delve into how to figure out what you are called to do in each season of your life, hearing God’s voice to shape you, and purpose-driven success before discussing the two voices that battle for your belief in your identity. Finally, our guest even tells us about a free gift for listeners and what it’s all about. You don’t want to miss out on this incredibly inspirational and insightful episode, so be sure to press play now!
Fri, November 15, 2024
Our recent conversation with the high-flying coach, author, and entrepreneur, Markus Kaulius raised five important milestones that are vital to the success and financial security of an entrepreneur. It starts with becoming debt-free, as debt is the anchor to stress and anxiety while liberation from it leads to freedom and peace. Next, you need to invest in yourself first and then in your business, keep your investment strategy simple and ‘boring,’ prioritize abundance in all aspects of your life, and finally, become the best money-making ally to those around you. If you want to discover why proximity, peace, and self-love are all profitable, then press play now.
Tue, November 12, 2024
Minutes before recording this episode, we found out that Play a Bigger Game officially earned its place on USA Today's Bestsellers list! Today, we are thrilled to be joined by the book's author and fellow Brand Builders Group member, Markus Kaulius – a serial entrepreneur who has built multiple eight and nine-figure businesses, and whose influence spans many industries from business to health and fitness. Markus is here to share his story of personal growth and success, and he begins by explaining how and why he became a member of Brand Builders Group. We discuss God's undeniable and profound influence over Markus's life, how he grew his supplements startup into a multi-million dollar business, how he navigates the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and his take on the importance of growth and personal development. To end, Markus shares some helpful advice for Christian entrepreneurs who are trying to reach the pinnacle of their profession, and we discover how to connect with him, his book, and his many good works.
Fri, November 08, 2024
After AJ interviewed Rory about what it takes to become a bestselling author, we now take a closer look at why you’d want to be on a bestseller list in the first place. Why should you take the time; invest your energy; do the work; and spend the money required to be on a bestseller’s list? The answer is simple: You want your book to change people’s lives and bestseller lists will help you to reach more people. So, if you revisit your ‘why’ for writing the book, that should bring more clarity on the value of bestseller lists for authors. That’s all for now, thanks for tuning in.
Tue, November 05, 2024
We’ve learned so much in our 15-year adventure in publishing and realized that maybe we’re more than just authors; maybe we have a bigger role to play. So today, AJ sits down with Rory to reveal exciting new publishing developments at Brand Builders Group, the current state of the publishing industry, and a comprehensive five-step guide on what it takes to become a bestselling author. After a high-level overview of the 5 steps necessary to becoming a bestselling author, we closely examine the pros and cons of each publishing channel: traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, and self-publishing. Then, we discuss Mission Driven Press and why we decided to launch our hybrid publishing imprint, how to approach marketing and sales for a successful book launch, why PR alone will not help you reach your sales targets, and why being a bestseller is only one of many markers that gives a book and its author credibility. To end, we implore you to visit the Mission Driven Press website to see how we can help bring your life-changing vision to life because books do change lives!
Fri, November 01, 2024
So many entrepreneurs underestimate the role and power that faith plays in your business. They may not even realize how faith can shape your future profits. On this episode of the Influential Personal Brand podcast, Rory dives into three ways your faith affects your profits based on his recent interview with highly successful entrepreneur, renowned TEDx keynote speaker, and bestselling author, Graham Cochrane. Tune in as he unpacks three different exercises and demonstrations of faith that are elemental to growing your business!
Tue, October 29, 2024
On our journey to finding true fulfillment, we must reflect on three key elements: our joy, dreams, and desires. Today’s guest firmly believes these elements were placed within us by God to help us discover who we are. Graham Cochrane is a highly successful entrepreneur, renowned TEDx keynote speaker, and bestselling author of How To Get Paid For What You Know and his upcoming book, Rebel: Find Yourself by Not Following The Crowd . He hosts The Graham Cochrane Show , a podcast ranked in the top 0.5% globally, and has amassed 700,000 YouTube subscribers. With over 14 years of experience in online coaching and content creation, Graham has built multiple seven-figure businesses that require less than five hours of work per week to maintain, establishing himself as a leading figure in the life-giving business movement. In today’s conversation, we dive into his new book, how to make money doing what you love, getting paid for what you know, and much more! If you want to learn how to work fewer hours while continuing to grow your business and make more money, don’t miss out! Thanks for listening.
Fri, October 25, 2024
Have you ever wondered how to get referrals? What if we told you that the best way to get referrals is incredibly simple? Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are recapping our conversation with Sara Hardwick of GIFT-OLOGY about how to get referrals. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about why the secret to getting referrals is simply to give them first! We dive into how giving someone something first makes asking for something easier before discussing where referral hesitation comes from and how you can avoid that obstacle. We even talk about the importance of reframing our perception of what a referral is, why you need to know exactly who you want to be referred to, and the ins and outs of relationship-building as a business growth strategy. You don’t want to miss this so be sure to press play now!
Tue, October 22, 2024
Can you meaningfully grow your business through referrals? Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, Sara Hardwick from GIFT-OLOGY joins us to discuss their new referral course and the importance of building connections to grow your revenue. This episode is the perfect way to honor the late CEO of GIFT-OLOGY, John Ruhlin who left an incredible legacy by doing just that. Tuning in, you’ll hear that a referral is simply an introduction that adds value, how you can get referrals without asking, three key points to consider when having a referral conversation, the best and worst time to ask for referrals, focusing on finding a referral partnership, and a breakdown of their COPE system to find the right referral partners. We delve into the importance of having a strategy and system for referrals before discussing how to create ‘incentives’ for people to refer your business and why a ‘thank you’ goes a long way. We even discuss how important it is for the person who receives a referral to communicate. Finally, Sara shares advice for helping referral partners to introduce you to their contacts. To hear all this and find out more about GIFT-OLOGY’s Referral Partner Transformation Course, press play now!
Fri, October 18, 2024
Most people are unaware of the three key components of a world-class presentation, so here they are now: Content, charisma, and circumstance. You always start with content because, without content, you have nothing (no jokes!). Charisma is all about how you deliver your presentation; being a great storyteller is key! And lastly, it’s easy to forget just how important the environment is to the overall quality of presentations. Your circumstance is one-third of delivering a world-class presentation, so always consider the five W’s and one H when outlining your presentation.
Tue, October 15, 2024
Are you looking for a framework to build a highly profitable and transformational event? You’re in the right place! Jennifer Kem works with thought leaders and personal brands to help them make more impact (and more money). Named by Forbes as a top brand strategist, Jennifer’s company, Master Brand Media, collaborates with influencers, celebrities, CEOs, bestselling authors, and modern entrepreneurs to teach them how to master their businesses, create unforgettable personal brands, and dominate their niches by turning their ideas into cash and meaning. She joins us today to discuss one of her not-so-secret marketing mastermind superpowers: monetizing live events. Tune in as she offers insight into her Million Dollar Experience program, which shows you how to design, build, and sell a high-ticket live event. From structuring the agenda to building the offer, creating a pre-event questionnaire, making the framework the hero, and much more, this episode is jam-packed with practical strategies that will help you elevate your brand, maximize your profits, and create impactful experiences for your audience. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the secrets to live event success!
Fri, October 11, 2024
How do you build a company culture when your entire team is virtual? Or if you’re growing so quickly that you can’t interact with every leader or employee on a regular basis? In today’s recap of AJ’s interview with Britney Ruby Miller, AJ shares key lessons on how to create a thriving company culture under any circumstance. She breaks down the ins and outs of creating a shared language for your team, the power of putting together a virtual company library, and what you can do to build well-documented and well-communicated core values. AJ also digs into the importance of defining your core mission and how to attract, manage, and retain people who share your common values. Tune in now to learn how to build a lasting company culture by creating a lasting set of core principles and beliefs!
Tue, October 08, 2024
If you don’t know Britney Ruby Miller by name, then you’re missing out. Britney is the CEO at Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, a nationally ranked, family-owned restaurant group, and the author of 5-Star Life: The Faithful Fight to Overcome Obstacles and Pursue Excellence. She joins us today to talk about stepping into the family business and the impactful leadership lessons she’s learned from the industry, her colleagues, and her many mentors. In our conversation, we discuss the challenges of finding balance as a CEO and mom of four, how she learned to lean on her team after her brother experienced a medical emergency, and the art of letting go. Britney also opens up about why she felt called to write her book during the COVID-19 pandemic, her decision to share personal stories from her marriage, and her deep desire to help other couples. To hear the full scope of our inspiring conversation with Britney Ruby Miller, be sure to tune in!
Fri, October 04, 2024
Can you outlast your fear? Can you push past self-doubt, insecurities, inconveniences, and the inevitable pains of getting your message out? In this recap episode, Rory reflects on his interview with his brother, Randy Gale, sharing three powerful strategies — sources of inspiration, if you will — that will help you outlast your competition and overcome the challenges you’ll face along the way. Tune in now to hear more and succeed on your journey to conquering something great!
Tue, October 01, 2024
On this special episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, listeners have the privilege of meeting Randy Gale, Rory’s elder brother, whose pivotal role in Rory's upbringing has greatly shaped his character. Randy, a military veteran with service in two wars with the United States Navy, has instilled invaluable qualities such as discipline, perseverance, and resilience in Rory. Amongst other accomplishments, Randy is a dedicated volunteer coach for competitive women’s high school softball teams in Colorado. The impetus for this episode stems from Randy’s recent remarkable physical transformation, catalyzed by a profound reality check that led him to pursue amateur bodybuilding. Join the conversation as we explore Randy's journey towards improving his health, his insights on perseverance, and the challenges of bodybuilding. We also delve into shared childhood experiences as Randy reflects on the hardships they faced and offers wisdom on true life transformation. Don't miss out on this engaging episode, start listening now!
Fri, September 27, 2024
At some point, we've all fallen into the trap of believing that more is always better. Whether it's money, accolades, possessions, or accomplishments. In today’s recap episode of AJ’s interview with Robin Robins, she challenges this mindset, exploring how you can actually build more with less. She discusses how to grow a thriving business with a smaller, more engaged audience and how less can lead to greater impact and success. Thanks for tuning in!
Tue, September 24, 2024
When starting a business, being scrappy is how most entrepreneurs manage to get things done but there has to come a time when they focus on strategy instead. Today’s guest on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, the most in-demand IT consultant, Robin Robins joins us to tell us about her career and share how to grow an 8-figure business. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about our guest and her career, how she started her business, why she decided to hone in on the micro-niche she serves today, and how to let go of clients who don’t serve your company. Robin walks us through the importance of finding who you serve and starting with the smallest buyable audience before warning us about watering down our message to appeal to the masses. We discuss hiring leaders who are going to stay true to your mission, why you are going to be the best at selling your product most of the time, and knowing when to take control and step back as a business owner. Finally, our guest shares the most important lessons she has learned throughout her career as a business owner. You don’t want to miss this episode so be sure to tune in now!
Fri, September 20, 2024
When starting a new business venture or personal brand, one of the most important (and sometimes daunting) tasks is getting the right kind of media attention to promote it. Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we discuss three ways to get mainstream publicity. Tuning in, you’ll learn why you need to connect your expertise to what is happening in the news and how you can do that. We delve into the importance of “becoming the media” and learn why the media needs us just as much as we need it. We also discuss why you need to build relationships before you need them and why hard work will always pay off! Finally, you’ll hear all about Brand Builders Group's goal to shape the voices that will shape the world.
Tue, September 17, 2024
Have you ever wondered how to turn your personal brand into a thriving business? Join us as we dive into the success story of Ryan Serhant, the real estate mogul behind one of the biggest brands in the world. Ryan is an American real estate broker, bestselling author, and reality TV star of the two-time Emmy-nominated series Million Dollar Listing New York and its spin-off Sell it Like Serhant . He’s also the founder and CEO of SERHANT., a vertically integrated tech-forward brokerage known for its cutting-edge innovation, extravagant listings, full-service media production company, and digital education platform. In this episode, you’ll find out how Ryan turned his personal brand into a scalable business with serious enterprise value. More specifically, you’ll discover what goes into creating a compelling TV show that is not only entertaining but good for business too. From crafting the perfect pitch reel to choosing the right streaming service and mastering the art of storytelling algorithms, we explore it all! Don't miss this captivating conversation with possibly the most famous real estate agent in the world. Tune in today to unlock the secrets to entrepreneurial success with Ryan Serhant!
Fri, September 13, 2024
If you live in the United States, statistically speaking, you are already richer than most human beings on the planet. If you make more than $50,000 a year, then you make more than most people do worldwide. But if you want to learn how to be successful, which is a part of what being rich means, then this episode is for you! Join us as we consider what it looks like to apply extreme focus and intentionality to reaching our goals, how this translates to success, and the real-life results that come from identifying and prioritizing a limited list of priorities each day. Don’t miss this bite-sized episode filled with life-changing practical advice!
Tue, September 10, 2024
You’ve heard lots about AI, you probably know a lot about AI too. But do you use it to create efficiencies in your business? Matt Fornito is known as the AI Guy. He is the Founder of the AI Advisory Group and a well-known expert and speaker on AI. He believes that the most important thing is having a transformative mindset, and he joins us today to share his philosophy of being people-first and AI-driven to allow everyone to spend more time on the things that they love. Sharing his journey into business ownership, he unpacks how to simplify your focus, what to do and what to avoid when you are using AI tools, and shares a whole host of tools that he and his team use daily. We also discuss the important principle of prioritizing strategy over tactics, especially when you are considering AI implementation. This conversation is going to add value to your life, whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, salesperson, leading marketing operations, or someone aspiring to do any of those things. Thanks for listening!
Fri, September 06, 2024
Our entire digital marketing strategy is deceptively simple: teach everything you know in small, bite-sized chunks, in random order, for free. Now, you might be asking ‘But then what will people pay me for?’ Today, we reveal the answer to this question, and much more, as we take a quick, informative dive into our complete digital marketing strategy and why it works. Join Rory as he unpacks why you should share your knowledge for free, the expertise that people will pay you for, how to apply the three E’s of content creation, key tips for producing and distributing content, and much more. Tune in now to unlock the secrets to effective digital marketing and transform your strategy!
Tue, September 03, 2024
Sean Cannell is, without a doubt, one of the world’s leading authorities on YouTube strategy; building your influence, income, and impact with video. He believes that YouTube will work best for those users who think of it not as a tactic but as a lifestyle! Sean is one of the OGs in this space and as the CEO of Think Media, the host of the Think Media podcast, a YouTuber, an international speaker, and a coach, he helps entrepreneurs build their influence and income with online video. Sean's YouTube channels have over a million subscribers, his videos have been viewed over 100 million times, and he has been featured in the "20 Must Watch YouTube Channels That Will Change Your Business" by Forbes. Join the conversation as we dive into how he got into the YouTube game, why it’s not too late to start your YouTube adventure, his thoughts on the admission price, and why you need to build your content-creating muscles! This is truly an insightful episode, filled with golden nuggets of wisdom, so be sure not to miss out. Thanks for listening!
Fri, August 30, 2024
The sooner you embrace the fact that everyone is a salesperson by nature, the sooner you will become better at sales! Today we are recapping AJ’s discussion with Dr. Cindy, a bestselling author and consultant, and sharing six traits of a great salesperson. Tuning in, you’ll hear about why you need to consider yourself a salesperson, the lessons we can learn about sales from children, why you need to know exactly what problem you solve, and more. We delve into the importance of being aware of any sales opportunity and having the courage to engage, why ‘no’ is a research opportunity and a gift, and why you need to be grateful for everyone who has trusted you enough to do business with you. Finally, AJ stresses the importance of relationships in business and sales and reminds us to be diligent with all follow-ups in order to become better salespeople. You don’t want to miss this one so be sure to press play now and if you haven’t already, listen to AJ’s interview with Dr. Cindy!
Tue, August 27, 2024
Everyone is in sales, even if you don’t know it! Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and CEO of Orange Leaf Consulting, Dr. Cindy joins us to discuss all things sales. Dr. Cindy finally embraced her identity as a saleswoman when she realized that every single verbal and non-verbal exchange we have in life is a sale! In this conversation, you’ll hear all about Dr. Cindy’s life and career, why the negative perception of sales is incorrect, how she freed herself from that stigma, and so much more! We delve into how to reframe how we see sales before Dr. Cindy shares some examples of sales we make unconsciously every day. She also walks us through universal sales skills that she believes everyone needs to develop to improve their communication skills. We even learn that getting a ‘no’ is a gift and learn how to embrace rejection. Finally, our guest describes ‘the unofficial sale’ and tells us where we can find her incredibly educational sales books. Thanks for listening in!
Fri, August 23, 2024
How can you turn anxiety into confidence when stepping onto the stage? In this recap of our inspiring conversation with Terri Sjodin, we unpack our main takeaways and explore how to transform presentation nerves into star power! Rory sheds light on the preparation process behind his public speaking events and practical tips and resources to help you look like an expert every time you step on stage. Tuning in, you’ll discover how to customize a presentation for your target audience and learn the steps for planning content effectively with your client. For valuable insights into the secret to aligning your presentation with your client’s values, how to grab an audience’s attention, and much more, don’t miss this episode!
Tue, August 20, 2024
Have you ever wondered about the secret sauce behind those presentations that close deals and grow businesses? In today’s episode, we sit down with Terri Sjodin to uncover the science behind creating content that captivates audiences as a personal brand. Terri serves as the Principal and Founder of Sjodin Communications, a company specializing in public speaking, sales training, and consulting services. And is one of the country’s most sought-after sales, communications, and speaking consultants. Terri is also the author of the hit book Small Message, Big Impact ; a guide to crafting concise and compelling messages, particularly for business professionals. In our conversation, we delve into the art of communication through the lens of her new book, Presentation Ready . Discover the top presentation pitfalls, insightful results from the research conducted for her book, and the power of speaking to people directly. Gain insights into the difference between concluding and closing a deal, why the hardest product to sell is the one you don’t believe in, the role of a persuasive mindset, technology and demonstration failures, and much more. Tune in as we learn to unlock the hidden potential of persuasive presentations with Terri Sjodin!
Fri, August 16, 2024
Worrying is part of the human condition. It is based on the universal experience of fear and cannot be escaped by anyone. But what if you could challenge that worry and find a way to get to the other side of it? Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are recapping AJ’s conversation with the incredible Victoria Jackson and discussing the beauty that lies on the other side of fear. Tuning in, you’ll hear some highlights from AJ’s conversation with Victoria, how you can get past fear, the relief and joy that lies at the end of that journey, how taking action in your fears will not only bring you joy but will inspire others to do the same too, and so much more! AJ even shares one of her fears, how she overcame it, and why she is better for embracing that part of herself. Finally, listeners are challenged to identify something that plagues them with worry, figure out what fear lies behind it, and take the first steps to overcome it. Thanks for listening in! Key Points From This Episode: A brief overview of Victoria Jackson and her life filled with high highs and low lows. The relief and joy on the other side of fear and how to get past fear. AJ shares some of her traumatic experiences and how her faith got her through them. Why she worried about sharing her faith throughout her youth and how that changed. How taking action in your fears and worries will empower others to do the same. What embracing the beauty on the other side of fear has done for AJ. A challenge to figure out the worry consuming you and how to get to the other side. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Victoria Jackson No Makeup Makeup We All Worry, Now What? AJ Vaden on LinkedIn AJ Vaden on X Rory Vaden Rory Vaden on LinkedIn Rory Vaden on X Take the Stairs Brand Builders Group <a
Tue, August 13, 2024
What truly sets successful entrepreneurs apart is their ability to persevere and make use of what they have to make a true impact in the world! Today we are joined by the incredibly influential National Women’s Hall of Fame nominee, Victoria Jackson. Victoria is the owner of the original ‘no makeup, makeup’ brand now called, No Makeup Makeup. Victoria pioneered this incredible concept that has taken the beauty industry by storm all while healing from her sexual assault survival, raising three children, battling her daughter’s rare autoimmune disease, funding a massive charity, and so much more! Tune in to this episode to hear about Victoria’s career from doing makeovers to becoming a professional makeup artist, to making over a billion dollars in sales from TV commercials. We discuss how her perseverance led her through 13 years of perfecting her business model before she shares how she turned her income into impact in the form of The Guthy Jackson Charitable Foundation. Hear about how you can find ways to give back to your community and make an impact, how Victoria became passionate about writing, why she wanted to write an entire book about worrying, and the most important takeaway from it. To end off, we hear about what inspired the relaunch of Victoria’s cosmetic brand, No Makeup Makeup. You don’t want to miss this one, so be sure to tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: Introducing today’s illustrious guest, Victoria Jackson. How Victoria got into the world of makeup and the importance of perseverance. Creating the concept of ‘no makeup makeup’ and how her vast experience perfected it. Victoria walks us through her path of turning income into impact. How to find a way to give back to your community and find ways to support each other. Where her passion for writing comes from, writing five books, and what her new book is about. Victoria shares her writing process and tells us why she prefers to handwrite her books. Why she decided to write an entire book about the impact of worry and who it’s for. The one thing she wants people to take away from her new book, We All Worry, Now What? What inspired Victoria to relaunch her incredible product, No Makeup Makeup. Victoria tells us what’s next for her and stresses the importance of fighting to overcome fear. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Victoria Jackson Victoria Jackson on Instagram No Makeup Makeup <a href= "ht
Fri, August 09, 2024
We are back with another special recap episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast! Today’s recap is based off of our interview with Clate Mask, CEO and Co-Founder of Keap. Join Rory as he shares four painful lessons he wished he’d known before becoming an entrepreneur! Thanks for tuning in, enjoy! Key Points From This Episode: Perseverance matters more than pedigree. Why you need to up your game with making sales, building systems, and recruiting superstars! Loyalty is just a paycheck away (the scariest thing to learn). All that matters is what’s in your contract. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Clate Mask on LinkedIn Clate Mask on X Clate Mask Keap Conquer the Chaos: How to Grow a Successful Small Business Without Going Crazy AJ Vaden on LinkedIn AJ Vaden on X Rory Vaden Rory Vaden on LinkedIn Rory Vaden on X Take the Stairs Email Your Review Screenshot Here Brand Builders Group Brand Builders Group Free Video Short Course Brand Builders Group Free Call The Influential Personal Brand Podcast on Apple Email Your Review to Brand Builders Group
Tue, August 06, 2024
Are you looking to conquer the chaos of growing your small business, without going crazy? Then look no further because this episode is for you! Joining Rory on the Influential Personal Brand podcast is his dear friend, Clate Mask. His product, company, and life mission have radically changed both Rory and AJ’s lives and their business. Clate is the CEO and Co-Founder of Keap, the world’s leading business automation software. In this conversation, Rory shares the key role Keap has played in the success of their businesses and dives into the concepts behind Clate’s new book, Conquer the Chaos: How to Grow a Successful Small Business Without Going Crazy. Clate unpacks the personal and professional aspects included in the six keys and delves into the dark side of entrepreneurship with a story about how he almost left Keap. To hear more about finding your rhythm, and what the three transformative habits for future success are according to Clate, don’t miss out. Press play now!
Fri, August 02, 2024
What are the top ten books that you should read if you are an entrepreneur, or consider yourself an entrepreneur at heart? Whether you're a solopreneur, small business owner, or a real estate agent, if you have that entrepreneurial spirit, this episode has you covered! Join AJ as she shares her top ten book recommendations from her entrepreneur bookshelf, covering central themes like time, money, and leadership. Find out why these books are pivotal for personal and professional growth and discover which book could transform your entrepreneurial journey!
Tue, July 30, 2024
If you had to make a list of the books that have had the biggest influence on your life, which ones would you recommend? Today, AJ does just that, as she shares her top ten picks that have shaped her entrepreneurial journey. These books are not just for entrepreneurs; they’re for anyone with an entrepreneurial mindset looking to grow in business and as a leader. Each book offers universally applicable lessons on life, leadership, and business, regardless of your field. Tune in as AJ shares the contents of her entrepreneurial bookshelf, why each book holds such a special place in her heart, and the standout lessons she wants to share with listeners. Discover timeless wisdom on topics ranging from the emotional side of financial decisions to mastering time management and leadership. You won’t want to miss this eye-opening episode – your next great read could be just a listen away!
Fri, July 26, 2024
Have you ever wondered how to generate a steady stream of warm referrals for your business? Discover the secrets from performance coach Jordan Montgomery in this recap episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast. In this episode, we provide listeners with the steps to creating a steady stream of referrals and unpack the benefits that go beyond increasing revenue. We discuss the role of giving out referrals, the common mistakes to avoid, and the value of shared relationships. Discover the law of reciprocity, how it relates to personal brands, and why a systematic approach to referrals is vital. Explore the positive by-products of a successful referral system, what it means to be in service of others, and the reasons why you need to become a master giver. Tune in now!
Tue, July 23, 2024
In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Montgomery, Speaker, Performance Coach, and Founder and CEO of Montgomery Companies, to delve into the intricacies of building and scaling a coaching business. Jordan is known for his performance coaching, keynote speaking, and motivational presentations, which have gained national recognition. He is also the author of The Art of Encouragement , a comprehensive guide on the transformative power of encouragement. In our conversation, Jordan shares his professional journey and how he transitioned to becoming a highly-respected performance coach. Hear how he went from the ‘penthouse’ to the ‘outhouse’ almost overnight and how this defining moment led to his success story. We discuss the lessons from his career transition, why letting go of control of his company was vital to its growth, and how Jordan developed his client base. Discover why a brand is all about reputation, the benefits of overdelivering, and how he incorporated public speaking into his business model. We talk about the value of working for free, why engagement in public speaking is vital, public speaking pitfalls, and the coaching opportunities public speaking offers. Gain insights into his new book, his motivation for writing it, the power of encouragement, why it is a vital leadership skill, and more. Tune in now!
Fri, July 19, 2024
Our recent conversation with marketing, public relations, and branding strategist, David Avrin highlighted many crucial lessons for growing your personal brand, namely the importance of finding your competitive advantage. In today's episode, we expand on that conversation with an exploration of everything that isn't your competitive advantage. This list may surprise you as it includes the quality of your product, the quality of your staff, and your use of technology as things that do not contribute toward your competitive advantage. We also reveal how to find your competitive advantage by working out everything about you and your business that makes you easy to work with! Be sure to tune in today, and don’t forget to get your copy of David's latest book, Ridiculously Easy To Do Business With, which asks the difficult questions that will help you uncover your unique (and valuable) position in the marketplace. Key Points From This Episode: Understanding all the things that don't contribute toward your competitive advantage. How to find your competitive advantage: what makes you easy to work with? Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: David Avrin Ridiculously Easy To Do Business With Entrepreneurs’ Organization Pete Wilson AJ Vaden on LinkedIn AJ Vaden on X Rory Vaden Rory Vaden on LinkedIn Rory Vaden on X Take the Stairs Brand Builders Group Brand Builders Group Free Video Short Course Brand Builders Group Free Call The Influential Personal Brand Podcast
Tue, July 16, 2024
Building a business is not nearly as valuable as building a reputation, and one of the best ways to build that reputation is by becoming ridiculously easy to do business with. Today, we are joined by David Arvin, a close friend of ours and one of the most internationally in-demand customer experience speakers, who has just penned his seventh title, Ridiculously Easy To Do Business With . David is here to reveal how business success and longevity start with ease, accessibility, and simplicity. We discuss his journey into speaking and becoming an author and the advice he'd share with anyone eager to follow a similar career path to his. We also unpack David's latest book by exploring the business side of speaking, the role of authoring in being a successful speaker, the biggest customer pain points that David is always trying to solve, and why building a strong personal brand should always be top-of-mind. To end, our guest reiterates his book's theme of gaining a competitive advantage and we are reminded of the REAL reasons people would want to do business with you! Tune in for all this and much more.
Fri, July 12, 2024
Are you ready to leverage your personal brand to generate unprecedented earnings ? In this episode , we <spa
Tue, July 09, 2024
Entrepreneurship is often glorified as a path to success, freedom, and fulfillment. While it can certainly lead to those outcomes, the reality is far more nuanced and messy . In today’s episode, we sit down with Alli Webb, entrepreneur and best-selling author, as she shares hard lessons from her entrepreneurial pursuits. Alli is a dynamic entrepreneurial force known for her transformative impact on the beauty industry and beyond. She is also passionate about sharing her insights and experiences with others. Her upcoming book, The Messy Truth , will offer valuable wisdom and inspiration from her entrepreneurial journey. In our conversation, we delve into her new book and learn the truth behind her entrepreneurial success. From the breakdown of her marriage to her son's struggles with addiction, we uncover her true entrepreneurial journey. We also hear why she recommends trying different career paths, the value she saw in PR for brands, and how she shifted from founder to media personality. Discover her approach to choosing which companies to work with, how she decides what role she wants to take on in the company, and how she balances the demands of each. Gain insights into the benefits and responsibilities that come with a company, how the startup landscape has changed, what she has planned for the future , and more. Tune in now!
Fri, July 05, 2024
Do you want to be stronger mentally? Do you want the mindset that allows you to take adversity head-on? In this recap episode, we discuss the main takeaways from our inspiring conversation with former British Special Forces Soldier Dean Stott. We provide listeners with the three fundamental aspects needed to pursue success and build mental resilience. Hear why excellence is never an accident, the steps for building mental endura nce, and why anticipation is always worse than participation. Discover how our brain's self-protection measures cause fear, why fear is normal, and how to overcome your ‘fear’ programming. Explore why formulating a plan is fundamental, the role of confiden ce in executing it, the importance of focusing on your work ethic, and why you should not be ashamed of failure. Gain insights into why persistence is essential for mental toughness, the difference between healthy and unhealthy deadlines, and why it is oka y to extend your timeline. Join us as we uncover the steps to overcome the psychological hurdles to build mental toughness and resilience. Tune in now!
Tue, July 02, 2024
What does it take to beco me a soldier in the British Special Forces , to break world records in cycling and fitness , or to write a book that drastically improves the lives of many who read it ? Most of us would be happy with achieving just one of these things, but today’s guest has done them all! Dean Stott is a speaker, author, and world-renowned expert in risk and security consulting, and he joins us today to share what it takes to build a mindset that relentlessly pursues excellence. Dean’s core philosophy is all about taking action <span
Fri, June 28, 2024
There have been a lot of changes in the law and as a business owner, you need to stay up to date with them so that you can make the necessary changes to your business and stay compliant! Today we are discussing the new non-compete rule and what the changes will mean for your business. From non-solicitations to protection of business owners ’ confidential information, to updating your agreements, this episode tells you everything you need to know about non-competes becoming a thing of the past . Be sure to tune in now and remember to contact your attorney for advice!
Tue, June 25, 2024
As a business owner, you have to wear a million different hats and focus on so many moving parts to keep your company running. But it is impossible to also keep up with constantly changing and evolving laws, and if you don’t remain compliant, things get risky. Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, renowned attorney Matthew Miller joins us to discuss how business owners can stay up-to-date with business laws. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the laws businesses need to be aware of, what a non-compete is, the pros and cons of the agreement, how to protect your confidential information as a business owner, and what the Corporate Transparency Act is. We delve into the importance of having a lawyer to help advise you about the complexities of the legal system as a business owner before Matthew explains how you can make your business work buying. Finally, we discuss valuation metrics and what we need to know about how businesses are being valuated <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW94919396 BCX4" data
Fri, June 21, 2024
Join Rory in another special recap edition of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, where we debrief our latest epsiode with guest Mel Abraham, to learn more about what you need to know to make more money. Today, Rory delves into four principles for making more money, including the payoffs of being debt-free, spending your money to save time, figuring out how to be paid for your results and not your time, and lastly de-risking your own business but investing in the 3 P’s. Be sure not to miss out on this valuable episode, and be sure to check out Rory’s Higher Earner Habits Training, 7 Ways That Wealthy People Think and Live. Thanks for listening!
Tue, June 18, 2024
Could the most important purchase we ever make ultimately be freedom? If you're curious to explore this idea further , then this episode is tailored for you ! Today , Rory is joined by a <span class= "NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW226291703 BCX4" data-ccp-pa
Fri, June 14, 2024
Do you want to know how to protect your personal brand ? Whether you're a content creator or you have a unique methodology or framework <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW245447307 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle= "B
Tue, June 11, 2024
In an industry that seems to shift and change daily , it might feel impossible for business owners to keep up with their legal requirements. You need a legal team who will guide you , help <span class= "No
Fri, June 07, 2024
Imagine a life free from limitations , where all your dreams and goals become reality . Believe it or not , that life is not beyond your reach! The only thing standing in your way is your brain. To help you harness the limitless power of your brain and create a limitless life, we share five key takeaways from our recent conversation with Jim Kwik, a New York Times <
Tue, June 04, 2024
If you change your brain, you can change your life and , ultimately, change the world. This is the belief of today ’ s guest, Jim Kwik, a New York Times bestselling author and internationally acclaimed authority on brain optimization . With more than 30 years<
Fri, May 31, 2024
If you’ve ever thought about writing a children’s book but don’t know where to begin, you’d better stick around! In today’s episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we unpack the main takeaways from our conversation with bestselling children’s author and mentor, Eevi Jones. Tuning in, you’ll learn how to start inspiring the next generation of leaders through storytelling and why translating life lessons into children-friendly stories is critical. Join us as we unlock the power of storytelling to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation, ensuring a brighter, more resilient future for us all!
Tue, May 28, 2024
Have you ever wondered how to bridge the gap between your business wisdom and captivating storytelling ? In today ’ s episode, we are joined by Eevi Jones, an accomplished children's book author and mentor, to explore the exciting journey of turning your brand ’ s story into a children ’ s masterpiece. Recognizing a need in the children's book industry, Eevi founded the Children ’ s Book University and established herself as a trusted resource for aspiring authors. In this episode, we delve into t he intricacies of writing, self-publishing, marketing, and building a thr
Fri, May 24, 2024
Taking the leap from your current job to pursuing entrepreneurship can be quite terrifying! But don ’ t worry, today we are giving you four principles to orchestrate this change. Welcome to this episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast! Today you will hear all about the importance of doing your absolute best in your current gig, how to avoid getting diluted results, lowering personal debt, and why starting with what you know best will pay off. We even share the fasted path to cash with listeners! You don ’ t want to miss this one so be sure to tune in now!
Tue, May 21, 2024
With the right methods and motivation, anyone can reach financial freedom and achieve their personal brand dreams! Climbing the ladder from NFL cheerleader to successful entrepreneur coach is no easy feat, and today ’ s guest, Kelly Roach is here to share her success secrets with us! Listening in, you ’ ll hear all about Kelly ’ s background and how her family ’ s financial issues inspired her to become financially free, her journey from NFL cheerleader to entrepreneur, building her business as a side hustle while working full time, and so much more! We delve into the three unconventional decisions Kelly made when starting her business, including why it ’ s so important to have support even prior to having clients before discussing the power of one-to-one coaching models. Kelly then shares how she suggests you start hiring people and in what order, how to attach operational roles to profit, and the importance of keeping in touch with past customers. Lastly, Kelly reminds us to focus on the lifetime value of customers instead of just on the acquisition of customers. This episode is filled with incredible pearls of wisdom that you don ’ t want to miss out on so tune in now! <span class= "EOP SCXW144717521 BCX4"
Fri, May 17, 2024
Are you grappling with how to transform your passion into a thriving business but feel unsure about where to start ? Perhaps you’ve had to overcome overwhelming odds in your life and <span
Tue, May 14, 2024
When Sara and Ben got married in their early twenties, the last thing they expected to struggle with was infertility. For 14 years, their inability to conceive remained unexplained. Then, during their quest to find answers, they discovered the pivotal role of hormonal health. Join us today as we sit down with Sara and Ben to discuss what inspired them to create clean, safe, and trusted products supporting hormone health and the phenomenal story behind their brand, Hugh & Grace, named after their two miracle children — both of whom were borne by Sara and Ben’s wonderful sisters who volunteered to be surrogates! In our conversation, we get into the disruptive impact that ingredients in everyday products can have on our hormones, the many conditions beyond infertility associated with exposure to these chemicals, and why they felt compelled to start this company and help others, despite the challenges. Sara and Ben also share their insights on navigating entrepreneurship, identifying customer pain points, how they developed their products, and much more. If you’ve been trying to figure out how to turn your passion into a business, while also making logical, business-minded decisions, then this informative and inspirational conversation is a must-listen!
Fri, May 10, 2024
Building on the resilience explored in part one of this special Mother ’ s Day episode , we continue our journey with Tessie Gale, Rory ’ s mom and someone who has had a profound impact on the world around her <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW6143867
Tue, May 07, 2024
Apart from being Rory ’ s mom, today ’ s guest, Tessie Gale has overcome incredible odds to create a profound impact on not only those around her but the world we live in too. In this special two-part episode in celebration of Mother ’ s Day, you ’ ll learn how Tessie triumph ed over adversity to grow her family and the resilience and tenacity that allowed her to create opportunities for herself, make special memories for her children, and build a promising life for them all. <span class= "NormalTextR
Fri, May 03, 2024
Want to gain thousands of followers in just a few weeks? Well, this is the episode for you! From elevating your production value to telling great stories , you’ll learn how to not only capture a viewer’s attention but how to keep it too. Tune in as we share five surprisingly simple techniques to help you grow your audience, increase engagement, and create better content!
Tue, April 30, 2024
From pro baseball player to successful real estate investor to serial entrepreneur , Ryan Pineda knows a thing or two about building wealth ! In 2015, he leveraged <span class= "TextRun SCXW114101541 BCX4" lang="EN-US
Fri, April 26, 2024
Almost everyone has a story inside them that is bursting to be told , but timing is indeed everything . So , how do you know <span class= "NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Theme
Tue, April 23, 2024
Writing is a unique medium in that it requires one-way communication to feel like a two-way conversation, and without any context pertaining to the reader who is , essentially, a stranger. So, for your written words to resonate with someone you ’ ve never met, you need to have a certain something that separates you from the rest, and that is why today, with the help of Bill Blankschaen , we will be exploring everything that it takes to become a great writer. Bill is an accomplished best-selling author and is also the Founder and Chief Story Architect of StoryBuilders – a creative group of story architects and story artisans who empower individuals and organizations to tell stories that make the world a better place. After explaining his entry into writing, how he started working with Jon Maxwell ’ s team, and how being mission-driven allowed him to grow, Bill walks us through the timing of writing a book, when to publish it, and how to choose the best publishing route. Our guest then shares his thoughts on what it takes to be a great writer, how to write your first words, the role of technology and AI in modern writing, and why “ collaborative writing ” <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW109756
Fri, April 19, 2024
It ’ s not just you. Networking is uncomfortable! Standing self-consciously in the corner with a drink in your hand and a name badge on your chest is a more common experience than you might realize. Join us today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast as we dive into three top tips to help you break the ice, take the pressure off new relationships, feel less awkward at networking events, and meet more people to grow your business!
Tue, April 16, 2024
How can small businesses apply big business principles to help them scale faster? To help us answer this question, we’re joined by an early Brand Builders Group member who has climbed the ladder in the financial and telecoms industries, built several businesses, and advised both US and international corporations from startups to billion-dollar enterprises. As an expert in sales, operations, and growing revenue, April Garcia knows what it takes to scale a business! A few years ago, she decided to pivot and work with small businesses to help them succeed. In this episode, she shares some of those success secrets and offers practical advice to help small business owners think big, stop iterating, and start selling. Tuning in, you’ll learn about the importance of processes, why product development should be messy, how to focus on who you should serve, not who you can serve, what is missing from the SMART goals format, and so much more. You won’t want to miss th <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW77827906 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Bo
Fri, April 12, 2024
Even if you aren ’ t an entrepreneur, this episode is for you, because it ’ s all about cultivating an ownership mindset in every aspect of your life . Join us as we walk you through the five things you need for a rock-solid entrepreneurial mindset. You ’ ll also learn how to build as you grow, how to put sales first, why serving your community should be prioritized over growth , and why you should never settle for anything less than hiring the very best !
Tue, April 09, 2024
Recently, we ’ ve taken a step back to observe and appreciate the incredible growth that we ’ ve achieved over the years at Brand Builders Group. I n this solo episode with AJ, you ’ ll learn eight important lessons to help you on your journey to eight figures. We discuss sales and revenue, the simple law of economics, how to be versatile and flexible, and everything you need to know about hiring the right talent. We also cover the advantages of requesting feedback from customers and then acting on it, why it helps to deliver at least 10x more value than your prices suggest, the necessity of care, developing a trustworthy team, and the power of putting God (or your spirituality) first , plus so much more! <span class="EOP SCXW87325375 BCX4" data-ccp-props= "{"134245417":true,"1342
Fri, April 05, 2024
A key principle we teach at Brand Builder ’ s Group is the idea that the depth of your impact is far more important than the width of your reach because , ultimately, new customers are the most expensive and returning customers are the most profitable! Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we delve into six tips to help you scale the profits of your personal brand. Tuning in, you ’ ll hear all about the Fractal Math Concept, why new customers are the most expensive kind, and how our community can serve you and your personal brand for life. We even break down key questions we always ask ourselves to increase monetization by providing better services to our customers. This episode is jam-packed with pearls of wisdom that will help you scale your personal brand to new heights , so be sure to press play now!
Tue, April 02, 2024
Most personal brands you may come across often do not have associated businesses. Creating a personal brand you can leverage for an enterprise requires a vastly different approach. In this episode, we sit down with Jeremie Kubicek to discuss how to turn your personal brand into a business with enterprise value. Jeremie is one of the best in the personal brand space and is a globally recognized keynote speaker, author, and relational intelligence expert who has been transforming leaders and teams since 2013. He is also the CEO and co-founder of GiANT Worldwide, a global media and content development company. In our conversation, we unpack the steps needed to build a scalable enterprise and the main takeaways of his new book, The Communication Code. We discuss his experience in the enterprise space, how he closed a significant sponsorship deal, and his entrepreneurial roots in events. Hear about the gap he saw in the content space and how it led to a scalable business. Discover how he is helping build businesses and communities through his brand while generating revenue. Explore how
Fri, March 29, 2024
For anyone getting ready to launch a product or service, it can be tempting to try and make your offer as sophisticated and perfect as you possibly can . The problem is that you’ll probably never feel like you’re ready to launch! If you’re someone who tends to overthink things, then we’d like to offer you an honest and s traightforward solution to the question ‘ How do you know when you ’ re ready to launch? <span class= "TextRun SCXW226936913 BCX4" lang="PT-PT" xml:la
Tue, March 26, 2024
Are you eager to start a business or grow your company but feel like you need to build a massive online following first ? What if you could permit yourself to take the next step before things were perfectly aligned? If you ’ ve been struggling with questions like these , then you won ’ t want to miss today ’ s conversation with Melanie Ann Layer, Founder and CEO of Alpha Femme, a global coaching and mentoring company that has helped countless clients transform not just their businesses but also their lives. Tuning in, you ’ ll learn how Melanie first built her company from the ground up without the help of paid advertising, funding , or social media , all while working out of her car , and how she got to where she is today. She shares how her desire to transform her client 's</spa
Fri, March 22, 2024
Building a sustainable business, focusing on systems, and developing people is far more profitable in the long run than any viral marketing campaign could ever be. That being said, a successfully viral social media post can have the reach of a major game-day commercial for a fraction of the cost, so it’s certainly a tool worth having in your toolkit! In this episode, we share four techniques to make your content go viral. From trends to watch for to the anatomy of a ‘hook ’, how to create one, and much more, this podcast is jam-packed with tips and strategies to help you cut through the digital clutter, command attention, and transform your content into a viral sensation, so be sure to tune in today!
Tue, March 19, 2024
Imagine a life where you connect with your true self and ignit e a spark that transforms your existence into an exhilarating journey filled with purpose, passion, and untapped possibilities. This is the essence of Passion Struck , a movement founded by behavior change expert, John R. Miles. John has captivat ed millions with his globally renowned podcast and national radio show, making a significant impact as a thought leader in the fields of self-leadership and personal mastery . As an author, entrepreneur, and sought-after keynote speaker John blends practical wisdom with relatable anecdotes to mak e <span class="Nor
Fri, March 15, 2024
Building a community is part of a business. After having an amazing conversation with Lindsey Schwartz, who founded Powerhouse Women, this episode covers some of the highlights. We talk about the difference between building a community and having an audience, unpack culture-building and what it ideally achieves, and explore what it means to establish a shared mission among your ideal community members. Finally, hear how we have found creative and tactically sufficient ways for people to connect with one another at Brand Builder ’ s Group, and some essential principles to help you to do the same. Thanks for listening!
Tue, March 12, 2024
If you are in a season of figuring out how to build an engaged community around your personal brand and your business, this is a custom-designed episode for you! It ’ s also been created for those looking to create more engagement for their online and offline community. If you ’ re someone who wants to create live offline experiences, this is for you too. Lindsey Schwartz is an author, investor and master com munity builder , and the Founder of Powerhouse Women, where she is fiercely committed to supporting other women. Tune in today to hear Lindsey ’ s story, from the humble beginnings of her community-focused business to her powerful definition of faith, and her plans for the future . She shares three crucial elements to facilitating a truly engaged community with practical examples of how to get started, offers an insider ’ s perspective on the task of running big events, and much more. Thanks for tuning in!
Fri, March 08, 2024
Rory ’ s recent conversation with CEO and Podcast Host, Hala Taha, revealed eight winning strategies for how to grow your podcast into a global sensation. In this episode, we revisit Hala ’ s approach by paying special attention to the power of appearing on other podcasts, the value of intimate engagement and emotive content, the importance of consistency, and the secrets to booking high-profile guests. We also take a look at some simple tricks that podcasters can easily implement before discussing why podcasting is the most overlooked prospecting strategy of all time .
Tue, March 05, 2024
Today ’ s guest is known as the Podcast Princess. Hala Taha is the host of a huge podcast called the Young and Profiting Podcast, which regularly reaches number one on the business and entrepreneurship charts. She is also the Founder and CEO of YAP Media and a top LinkedIn influencer supporting others to create success on the platform. Join us as Hala shares her wealth of wisdom on how to create and measure podcast growth, set up trades with fellow hosts, make the most of digital databases, and more! We discuss direct sponsorship techniques, budgeting according to your stage of growth, and the benefits of dynamic insertion. Tune in for for a deep dive into the world of social media for business and making the most of your platform as a podcaster today!
Fri, March 01, 2024
Most people avoid awkwardness like the plague. Our conversation with Henna Pryor explores what it means to embrace awkwardness to give yourself an advantage when you connect with your audience. During this recap conversation, we discuss what it might mean to embrace awkwardness and turn it into an advantage and how both AJ and Rory have done so as they have built Brand Builders. Tune in to hear two examples of embarrassing experiences that became opportunities to be relatable and establish a sense of comfort and ease. Listen in to hear all this and more today!
Tue, February 27, 2024
Awkwardness is part of life. But not many of us know how to navigate it, let alone leverage it for success. During this episode, Henna Pryor joins us to discuss the superpower of embracing awkwardness. Among her many accolades, she is an award-winning T EDx speaker, sought - after workplace expert, and international keynote speaker. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Henna’s experiences of growing up and feeling awkward, entering the staffing industry, and finding her calling in speaking. Learn how she has honed her skills as a powerful public speaker, how she went about testing for and establishing an audience for her book, and what her life as a speaker looks like in a day-to-day sense. Henna shares her perspective on our weakening social musculature and offers a definition for awkwardness and ‘good awkwardness ’. We discuss using embarrassment to create loyalty, why you should never cater to your audience, and what it looks like to prioritize your response to this inevitable experience. Thanks for tuning in!
Fri, February 23, 2024
What does it take to write great copy? And how can you master it to reach your audience and share your message? In today’s conversation, you’ll hear Rory share his top three copywriting secrets for producing persuasive copy and the key lessons he’s learned over the course of his career. Using his best-selling book Take The Stairs as a jumping-off point, Rory unpacks what it means to sell the destination instead of the vehicle, the role of pain copy, and how to write excellent pay-off text. Listen now to hea r all the details of these three copywriting secrets, and transform how you communicate with your audience!
Tue, February 20, 2024
If you’ve ever struggled to explain your offer, you’re not alone. It can be daunting trying to pitch what you do (and why it’s important) without coming across as arrogant or cocky, which means we often end up shrinking ourselves or downplaying our abilities in the process. But what if, instead of concentrating on selling yourself, you focused on your customers and the key problems they need to have solved? That’s where the groundbreaking StoryBrand method comes in! We are joined today by StoryBrand expert, Dr. JJ Peterson, host of the Marketing Made Simple Podcast and co-author of Marketing Made Simple: A Step-by-Step StoryBrand Guide for Any Business , which he co-wrote with Donald Miller, who first developed the StoryBrand <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW12741722
Fri, February 16, 2024
AJ gained some valuable insight after her conversation with the Owner and CMO of eSpeakers , Joe Heaps, about what it takes to make speaking your profession and how to grow your speaking business. This recap episode highlights the biggest mistakes that new speakers make and how to avoid them, how to make the perfect demo video, why it ’ s important to understand what buyers are looking for, and everything you need to remember when setting fees for your speaking business .
Tue, February 13, 2024
The speaking industry has grown leaps and bounds to the extent that speakers are now considered entrepreneurs, as they are now personal brands and businesses. But finding work is not as simple as just sending a text or email, and being a successful speaker requires the same hard work and dedication that is necessary for any thriving business. Joining AJ in conversation today is Joe Heaps, the Owner and CMO of eSpeakers , an online platform that connects speakers with their audience. Joe believes that his business is crucial for the industry and credits its established systems and processes as the vehicle behind its prosperity. We learn about the importance of the Audience Benefit statement, how speaking is no different than any other business, how speakers should prepare for their events, and what non-celebrity speakers need to take into account . We also explore Joe ’ s special recipe for connecting speakers with clients, how to set your fees as a speaker, the trending topics that speakers are being hired for, and how speakers can play their part in upholding standards of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Fri, February 09, 2024
Many people don’t see breakthrough in their lives, despite their best efforts. Following our conversation with Michael Bungay Stanier , we’re sharing our five step formula, to support you as you help others to have a massive breakthrough in their lives. Tune in to hear the real reason it’s so hard for most people to make much-needed changes before we dive into the true premise of coaching , and explore your role in identifying and calling out limiting beliefs and leading client’s toward new ones. We equip you with a new understanding of how to encourage and inspire people <span c
Tue, February 06, 2024
Despite its undeniable power to affect change and bring forth transformation, coaching, as a profession, is still widely misunderstood. Understanding coaching and what it could do for you and those around you is vital for the future of unlocking every individual’s inner greatness. Michael Bungay Stanier is a world-renowned coach, speaker, and bestselling author, and his most famous title, The Coaching Habit , acts as the foundation of today’s conversation. Michael joins us to share what it means to be a coach, starting with his behavior-based definition of coaching followed by an explanation of the true purpose of coaching, how teaching and managing differ yet act harmoniously when in coaching, and the importance of asking questions and leading with curiosity. We learn how coaches can go about their work to gain the most out of their clients, finding the real problem and how to address it, the proximity clause and finding balance, and the importance of self-discovery. Michael also debunks many coaching stigmas by working through the five levels of resistance, and to end he details the habits that all successful coaches need to develop.
Fri, February 02, 2024
Getting referrals is one of the best ways to grow your client base, and by extension, your business. But how do you go about initiating this process? And where is the best place to start? In today’s recap episode, AJ revisits her conversation with Barb Betts as she shares her top takeaways and breaks down the three most important steps for getting more referrals for your business. Find out what’s holding you back from asking for referrals, how to overcome this, and why it’s worth putting in the work. Be sur e to tune in for an informative recap of this thought-provoking conversation along with special insights from AJ herself!
Tue, January 30, 2024
You might think that, in 2024, the most effective way to grow your business is through your online presence. But you’d be wrong. The truth is that the majority of businesses today still thrive, not through Google searches or social media, but through the u ndeniable impact of trusted referrals and recommendations. And referrals hinge, more than anything, on the power of relationships. Our conversation today is a near-perfect example of this lesson in action. We are joined by Barb Betts, a sought-after keynote s peaker, entrepreneur, educator, and CEO of The RECollective . We were so impressed with the referral training she did with our strategy team here at Brand Builders Group, that we had to have her on the show to share her expertise with all of you! Tuning in , you’ll hear Barb unpack the fundamentals of building your referral-based business, her advice to anyone starting without a client list, and a breakdown of her step-by-step guide to building, nurturing, and maintaining relationships. Discover the power of a uthentic connections, the importance of learning how to ask for help, and much more. For an eye-opening conversation on the art of building relationships, from a guest who is a living embodiment of what she teaches, be sure to tune in today!
Fri, January 26, 2024
What can you do to increase the likelihood of success? What are the things we do to self-sabotage? In this episode, we recap our main takeaways from our insightful conversation with Erwin McManus. Using our conversation with Erwin as a foundation, we delve into the key mindset shifts needed to build a personal brand, be a successful entrepreneur, and maximize potential. We unpack the power of being your own cheerleader and why approval from others is not an ingredient for success. Discover why you should not measure success by your achievements, the benefits of recognizing your hard work that nobody else sees, and why it is okay to feel like a beginner. Gain insights into how masters ‘ pay the rent ’ of success every day, the value of leaning into what makes you unique, common mistakes people make, and much more! To explore the mindset shifts needed to uncover your self-worth and reach your full potential, tune in now!
Tue, January 23, 2024
Achieving massive success requires more than talent or strategies; it also involves cultivating the right mindset. In today ’ s episode, we sit down with Erwin McManus, a pastor, author, and speaker known for his inspirational teachings on leadership, creativity, and spirituality. His latest book, Mindset Shifts , guides readers through developing an inner framework to navigate and overcome the internal mental structures preventing success and living a fulfilling life. In our conversation, we unpack the intricate nuances of success and failure, why focusing on yourself rather than your achievements is critical, and why it is essential to approach success as an outcome rath er than an intention. We delve into the power of making a mind shift, why success weighs more heavily than failure, preparing for the burden of success, and the transitional loneliness that comes with it. Discover how taking responsibility empowers change, the curse of talent, why you must not be a prisoner of praise, overcoming imposter syndrome, and much more! Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that will leave you inspired to mak
Fri, January 19, 2024
Building a strong foundation for your personal brand, and your business, is essential. But how do you go about building that foundation? And how do you determine the amount of time you should be spending on it? In today’s special recap episode, AJ uses her conversation with Elizabeth Stephens as a springboard to give listeners a comprehensive breakdown of how to tackle these questions, why it’s so important, and why you should never rush this process. Tuning in you’ll learn about Brand Builders Group’s miss ion-driven approach, the deeply-held beliefs that underpin their work, and how they help clients build a solid foundation that will pay off in the long term. AJ provides a breakdown of the Brand Builders Group curriculum, their four core customer journeys, and the key questions every personal brand must be able to answer before growing their business. Today’s episode is jam-packed with indispensable advice that you won’t want to miss out on . Tune in to learn more about Brand Builders Group, establishing you r personal brand, and building a rock-solid foundation!
Tue, January 16, 2024
No matter where you are in your personal brand journey, there are always key questions that you should be asking yourself, like “ What should I be working on right now? ” and “ Where should I be investing my time and resources? ” There is perhaps no one better suited to tackle these questions than today's guest, Elizabeth Stephens, who just so happens to be a part of the Brand Builders Group ’ s founding team, and currently serves as the Vice President of Customer Service! In today ’ s conversation, you ’ ll learn about the best ways to navigate your personal brand path, key pain points you need to understand, and the four core customer journeys we ’ ve identified for our clients. We also unpack the biggest lessons we ’ ve learned from working closely with hundreds of individuals, before providing <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW21798964 BCX4" data-ccp-
Fri, January 12, 2024
Can s mall enhancements to your customer journey make a memorable impact? Will Guidara , restaurateur, speaker, founder of creative hospitality agency Thank You, host of The Welcome Conference, and bestselling author of Unreasonable Hospitality , believes that any business can take ordinary transactions and turn them into extraordinary experiences. In our most recent interview with Will , we took a deep dive into the valuable service and leadership lessons he ’ s learned throughout his restaurant c
Tue, January 09, 2024
W hen Will Guidara decided to serve a two-dollar hot dog in his four-star New York restaurant, his life was changed forever. This move to create a personalized street food experience for out-of-town customers earned such a positive reaction that Will began to practice "unreasonable hospitality" full-time, seeking out new and creative ways to create extraordinary experiences. His n ational b estseller , <span class="NormalTextRu
Fri, January 05, 2024
Navigating cancellations can be tricky. Today’s conversation is all about the role of your cancellation strategy in supporting client retention. Tune in to hear some of our post-show thoughts following an extremely enriching conversation with retention expert Shana Lynn. From understanding why people cancel, to starting with the beginning in mind, and more, this episode is short, but mighty. If you have a community or a membership in which retention is a key driver, this is a conversation for you!
Tue, January 02, 2024
This episode is all about community and retention. It doesn’t matter who you are, this message is for you! Joining us to explore this super important, universal topic is Shana Lynn, a podcast host, speaker, and consultant with more than ten years of experience in retention. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Shana’s college thesis that got her on stages across the country, her experience at Vanderbilt Medical Centre, and being handpicked to work for Stu McClaren. We unpack what it really means to have strong retention systems in place, personal touches in a digital world, and the ongoing nature of the job of selling. We discuss how to structure your cancellation procedure, three things every client should believe at the end of your onboarding process, and four key elements to a thriving membership community. Join us today to hear all this and more!
Fri, December 29, 2023
Money is a topic that is just not talked about enough – how to make it; save it; invest it; wisely spend it; and keep it . So we were thrilled when we got the chance to sit down with Rob Luna recently, and he made some powerful, life-changing observations that we ’ d like to share with you today. We distilled Rob ’ s message into 5 key points that will enable you to become more financially secure as an entrepreneur. We discuss how being debt-free leads to freedom, why you should always be your number one investment, how “ boring ” can also be a good thing, and the power of choosing abundance over scarcity. We also learn about helping others to make money, and how this can lead to a boomerang effect of profit for you.
Tue, December 26, 2023
One of our favorite things to do is speak with clients who have expertise relevant to the Influential Personal Brand community. In today ’ s episode, we speak with Rob Luna, a distinguished wealth strategist and CEO of Real Talk Capital, about tax and financial strategies for personal brands. Rob ’ s mission is to help people build, grow, protect, and enjoy their wealth. His experience and dedication to financial success make him a valuable resource for those seeking financial guidance and security. In this conversation, Rob unpacks the various strategies that personal brands can leverage to reduce their tax liability and secure a reliable source of future income. From retirement planning to fixed-income and dividend-paying stocks, we cover everything personal brands need to know ! Rob explains the types of assets personal brands should focus on for long-term investment and how to supplement your income by buying other businesses. To g ain insight into the range of financial products suitable for personal brands, why long-term investment is an indispensable part of your financial journey, vital steps to formulate an effective
Fri, December 22, 2023
There ’ s more than one way to become a highly paid professional speaker. But what are the best paths to success? And how do you choose what ’ s right for you? In today ’ s special recap episode, AJ takes us through her top takeaways from her conversation with Shawn Hanks, CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau. We find out about the three non-negotiables for becoming a highly paid professional speaker, before taking a closer look at how to hone your craft, the evergreen speaking categories you should be aware of for exponential growth, and how to tailor your niche content for a new category, empowering you to have substantial increases over time. AJ also covers why having an excellent video is crucial for speakers, how to go about creating a phenomenal reel out of your footage, what you need to include in your press kit, and a whole lot more. To hear all of A J ’ s insights on this fascinating</spa
Tue, December 19, 2023
Are you a talented speaker looking to advance your career, but unsure of how to take the next steps and scale up? Then look no further than today’s conversation with Shawn Hanks, CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau (PSB) – a company that has spent over 25 years successfully partnering leading speakers with satisfied clients. Tuning in , you’ll hear Shawn unpack everything you need to know about the dynamics of working with bureaus, along with a host of practical tips for aspiring speakers. We explore the nuances o f choosing your content as a speaker, what to consider when it comes to trending topics, and how you can tailor your content to suit the market. Our conversation also covers essential assets for speakers looking to land top gigs, including a detailed break down of what to consider when putting together a preview reel — like getting audience reaction shots — and how to tailor keynote descriptions for different industries. For a comprehensive overview of what speakers bureaus are all about, plus Shawn’s action able advice and top strategies, be sure to tune in today!
Fri, December 15, 2023
There is a guiding principle for wealth accumulation and financial prosperity that says money loves speed. Take a moment to reflect on that. M oney tends to grow faster when it ’ s put to work quickly , and people are almost always willing to pay more for speedier results! Today, we expand on our recent episode with Jay Baer, titled ‘ The Time to Win with Jay Baer ’ . Join Rory as he shares his key takeaways from that conversation, including a powerful question to ask yourself to help you make more money, get more referrals, and become more well-known. Tuning in, you ’ ll learn about the concept of the fast pass and why you should be making a time promise, especially one you can overdeliver on. For more insightful tips to help you make more money by using speed as a competitive advantage, don ’ t miss this episode! <span class="EOP SCXW118590024 BCX4" data-ccp-props= "{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"1
Tue, December 12, 2023
Speed is an incredibly important factor in delivering products and services to your customers and it is often overlooked. Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, Jay Baer joins us to discuss his new book, The Time to Win , the importance of finding the perfect time to deliver to your customers, and why that time is most likely faster than you think. Tuning in, you ’ ll hear all about the premise of the book, how the pandemic inspired Jay to write it, why speed is as important as price, fast passes in business, and finding the perfect balance of speed. We delve into the relationship between responsiveness and respect before discussing the importance of under-promising and over-delivering. Finally, Jay tells us all about his work in the tequila space and where we can find out more. To hear all of this and so much more, press play now!
Fri, December 08, 2023
Welcome to the recap of our conversation with the author and CEO of Copper Books, Allison Trowbridge about why an author is also an entrepreneur. In this episode, we discuss why this is the golden age of publishing, why it is easier than ever before for anyone to write a book, and more! We even delve into why being an author automatically makes you an entrepreneur before being reminded that writing a book is a calling. In the previous episode, Allison likened the three ways to publish a book to business moves, and today, we recap those. Finally, we talk about the importance of falling in love with the process, not just the highs. Thank you for listening!
Tue, December 05, 2023
Authors are entrepreneurs! If you are an author of any kind or if you aspire to write a book someday, then this is the episode for you! Today we are joined by the incredible Allison Trowbridge, author and entrepreneur, to discuss her book, her company, and so much more! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what made Allison want to write a book, what it’s about, how she got her start in the world of books before she even started writing, and more! If you are ready to be an author and sell your story to other people then you also have to be ready to be an entrepreneur and in this episode, our guest highlights what her company, Copper Books, does to help aspiring authors achieve their dreams. She even shares two key insights aspiring authors need to know before telling us about her favorite book. Finally, Allison gives us some advice about following dreams. To hear all this and even get a discount code for Copper Books’ Accelerator Course, press play now!
Fri, December 01, 2023
Ever wonder about the secrets behind Brand Builders Group ’ s success? Then don ’ t miss out on this special recap episode stemming from our recent interview with Matt McWilliams . Today, Rory talks about the secrets to building an amazing affiliate lead generation machine, including what it means when we say affiliate marketing and the essentiality of overdelivering to the people who already trust you, and in you. Rory expands on their BBG for Free Program, how to kick-start your referral cycle, why affiliate marketing works, and so much more! Dive in and unlock the secrets to transforming your customer source into your sales powerhouse and d iscover practical strategies and insights that can elevate your business game. Enjoy!
Tue, November 28, 2023
Building a business is not as valuable as building a reputation, and there are few better ways of carrying your business’ reputation forward than by implementing an affiliate program. Affiliate marketing uses third-party affiliates to market and promote your products, and you only pay them once a sale has been made. So today, we’ve asked the affiliate guy himself, Matt McWilliams, to join us and explain why every business needs to have its own affiliate program. We discuss how to know when the time is right for your company to start sourcing affiliates, how the programs work and the money behind them, why it helps to be an affiliate first, and how to find affiliates for your business or become one yourself . As a bonus, we explore the software behind affiliate marketing programs and why the space makes room for multiple technologies, and Matt details everything that you can find in the affiliate marketing guide that he has made available for all our loyal listeners!
Fri, November 24, 2023
As we recap the inspirational conversation that we had with Elevate and Scale’s Kyle Stout, we decided to hone in on how to get the best outputs from using ChatGPT. The most important thing to understand is that you nee d to train ChatGPT in order for it to give you the best result s on a co nsistent basis. That means honing you r inputs until ChatGPT understands your personal brand and being as spe ci fic and detailed as possible for optimal results .
Tue, November 21, 2023
The re are many fears surrounding AI and its recent evolution . While many of these are valid, some are not, and many people are forgetting about the undeniable benefits of using AI in business. Joining us today is Kyle Scout, the Founder of El evate Scale, a company that helps e-commerce brands maximize their revenue with SMS and email marketing . The first half of our conversation with Kyle is all about using AI for content generation, as we explore how he learned to use AI efficiently and effectively, what he thinks about using AI as a copywriter, how to g enerate the perfect prompt , the ups and downs of using AI to generate content , and how AI affects the copywriting market. Then, we dive deeper into email marketing as
Fri, November 17, 2023
Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are recapping our discussion with Paige Dungan and highlighting three secrets to gaining publicity. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the importance of connecting your expertise to the news cycle, the two ways you can ‘become the media ’, the importance of having a relationship engine, and why the media needs you just as much as you need them! We even delve into the biggest publicity secret of all, the principle of the relationship switchboard. Finally, we are reminded to give, give, give, and do our part to make the world a better place. To hear all this and so much more, press play now!
Tue, November 14, 2023
The media doesn’t care about your book until you have proven yourself as an expert! The incredible PR guru, Paige Dungan, joins us today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast to discuss publicity for book launches. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what authors need to know about getting media attention for their books, how to build a relationship with the media, knowing your target audience, and the biggest mistakes authors make in PR for their books. We discuss how TV and podcasting can bring you great publicity for your book before delving into the ways you can get a great national TV hit for your book launch. Finally, Paige reminds us not to give up on our book launch pitches while respecting those we are pitching to. You don’t want to miss this one so press play now!
Fri, November 10, 2023
In the previous episode, we spoke to author and speaker, David Baker, about the steps to positioning yourself as an expert in your field. Using the insights gained from our conversation with David, in this recap episode, we unpack the steps to building your consulting practice by leveraging your expertise . We delve into the concept of expertise , how to avoid being a generalist, and why you should narrow your focus. We uncover what it means to be a true expert in your field and why this distinction can be a game-changer for your career. Gain insights into how being an expert increases your value, the main difference between a generalist and an expert, why it is okay to say no, and much more. To discover how to redefine your path and transform from generalist to expert, tune in now!
Tue, November 07, 2023
Have you ever wondered why being an expert in your field can make or break your brand's success? Becoming an expert takes time and effort. It requires continuous learning, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and relentlessly demonstrating your knowledge. Over time, your expertise will contribute significantly to your brand's growth and reputation. Joining us today is David Baker, author and speaker, to explain what it means to be an expert, how to become an expert, and everything in between. In our con versation, we discuss why long-term relationships can be dangerous for your advisory practices, productizing your service offerings, how to avoid the time-for-money trap, and the steps to position yourself as an expert in your field. David also reveals his approach to writing, emphasizing the key elements that keep him inspired and motivated. Discover why it's not about knowing the right thing; it's about having the courage to share your thoughts and experiences. To learn the secret sauce to becoming an exp ert and how to charge more for doing less, tune in now!
Fri, November 03, 2023
Ever wondered how a personal brand transforms into a global phenomenon? In today ’ s episode, Rory delves into what it means to be a mission-driven messenger and the incredible things that can happen when you commit to sharing your message with the world. Using last week ’ s conversation with Pat Flynn as a jumping-off point, we kick things off with a refresher on how AI can help automate the mundane aspects of business and free you up to focus on the more meaningful and human elements of your enterprise. You ’ ll then hear about one of our talented clients, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, how the Brand Builders Group method helped launch her book , Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well , and what her story teaches us about the power of prioritizing the message, not the messenger. Find out how to hone in on <span class= "Norma
Tue, October 31, 2023
AI might be all the rage right now, but in keeping up with all the latest advancements in this field it is important not to lose sight of the power of real, human connection. That is the opinion of today’s guest, Pat Flynn, a serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, creator, and founder of SPI (Smart Passive Investment) Media. Pat is a truly multi-talented individual and in today’s conversation, he shares his expertise on a range of subjects from podcasting to Pokémon. Tuning in you’ll hear Pat share the details of his podcasting journey, starting back in 2010, and how he aspires to create content that can serve as a gift to his audience. He goes on to unpack his expansion into YouTube and the staggering success of his Pokémon channel, Deep Pocket Monsters, which he started during the pandemic as a way to bond with his son. At this point, the channel has accumulated almost 200 million views and we hear from Pat about how he’s applying lessons from entrepreneurship to further leverage the success of this channel. Our conversation also touches on his work as an advisor for various SaaS companies, his opinions about AI, and why he believes that micro-communities are the future. Today’s conversation is jam-packed with actionable advice and powerful insights, so be sure to tune in to hear everything that Pat has to share!
Fri, October 27, 2023
In the previous episode, we spoke to Carli van Heerden , CEO and Founder of We Edit Podcasts, about what it takes to start your own podcast and the ins and outs of podcast production. In this recap episode, we highlight the main takeaways from our conversation with Carli, with a focus on the hidden benefits of creating and hosting your own podcast. From continuous learning and expert exposure to the art of audience g rowth through diverse content, we'll unravel the perks of hosting versus being a guest, and how podcasting allows you to target a niche audience like never before. Discover how hosting can be a dyna mic tool for business outreach and client connections, and why podcasting is a potent sales technique. To discover how to leverage the hidden perks of creating and hosting your own podcast, tune in now!
Tue, October 24, 2023
How do I get started in podcasting? If I do start a podcast, what can I do to make sure it succeeds? These are just some of the common questions we hear regarding podcasts, so we thought it would be a great idea to do a podcast about podcasting! Here to help answer these questions and guide us through the podcasting landscape is Carli van Heerden . Carli is the CEO and Founder of We Edit Podcasts, a company that spec ializes in providing comprehensive podcast production services. Their primary focus is to simplify the podcasting process for their clients, reduce the overhead involved, and help podcasters publish their content quickly with the support of a professional team. In our conversation, we explore how to turn your podcasting dreams into reality and uncover the basics of podcast production. Learn how We Edit Podcasts was borne from her own need for podcast production and how podcasting has changed over time. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put a podcast together, from editing the audio to being the host, we cover the entire process. Learn the essentials of podcasting success as Carli demystifies the biggest challenge in the game and what pitfalls to avoid. Explore the hidden perks of hosting and gain valuable insights from Carli's trade secrets. Plus, learn about the ex
Fri, October 20, 2023
Are you interested in the idea of creating miracles in your life? Join us as we make it practical on today’s recap episode and talk about three ways to set yourself up for a miracle! The interview with Tim Storey was incredible and he posed an inspiring question. He said, “What can you do to make your situation different, better, and more magical?” Today, your host, Rory Vaden, dives into a discussion on three ways to position yourself for a miracle including being willing to ask for one, taking actionable (working) steps toward your miracle, and exposing yourself to miracles. Make sure you tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights into how you can set yourself up for a miracle, even if you don’t believe in the supernatural, God, the Bible, or other Christian things. Thanks for listening!
Tue, October 17, 2023
Different, better, and more magical, whether due to faith or what is innately in you, our guest today wants to encourage you to step out into who you are supposed to be and open yourself up to the supernatural realm because it is wonderfully powerful. Today, we welcome to the podcast Tim Storey. Tim is an acclaimed culture-influencing thought leader, life strategist, author, speaker, and counselor. Known for his insight and coaching among high-profile individuals who find themselves in a place of personal r ecovery and discovery, he has been labeled as the Original Comeback Coach. And he is h ere today to talk about having a Miracle Mentality, which also happens to be the title of his new book! We dive into what it means to have a miracle mentality, how to manage expectations, and what that requires, and he shares his insights into how you can discern the voice of God in your life. We talk about aligning to your assignment, tapping into and accessing a miracle mindset, and then Tim shares the steps of a comebac k. He’s an example of someone who is unashamedly owning the gift and life that God has given him and wants to empower you to take on a miracle mindset, because, your mindset is ul
Fri, October 13, 2023
In the entrepreneurial community, there are plenty of conversations being had on the topic of other people’s money, but when it comes to other people’s platforms there is so much that is being left unexplored. For today’s special recap episode, AJ revisits her phenomenal conversation with Tom Schwab to share he r thoughts and elaborate on his most illuminating insights. She unpacks some of the top reasons why you should consider not taking other people's money, but instead, leverage their platforms and expla ins how this can help you attract your top customers when you can’t afford expensive marketing strategies. You’ll also learn why you don't need to be visible everywhere, how to connect with your clients, and why partnering with someone you have a trusted r elationship with can be such a powerful catalyst. To learn more about the power of borrowed audiences and how to attract top customers, be sure to tune in for this informative recap!
Tue, October 10, 2023
These days there’s so much pressure for your brand to be everywhere online. But what if digital marketing is actually harming your brand, rather than helping it? Joining us today to unpack this controversial topic is Tom Schwab, Chief Evangelist Officer an d Founder of Interview Valet, a podcast interview marketing agency that helps thought leaders drive growth by leveraging select audiences on other platforms. Tom has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to sales and branding, having worked with over 700 lea ding brands to transform their content. We talk with Tom about the biggest misconceptions people have when it comes to marketing and sales, how to determine where you should be marketing online, and why you should be having quality conversations with your super-consumers. Our conversation also delves into the subject of podcasting, with Tom sharing his biggest tips, like how to go about choosing your guests, and what you can do to grow your audience by leveraging other people’s platforms. If you’re interest ed in taking your content to the next level and supercharging your marketing, then look no further than today’s conversation with Tom Schwab!
Fri, October 06, 2023
We are back with a special recap of our interview with Scott Jeffrey Miller. What an inspirational story to hear, it’s not about fame, it’s not about notoriety, it’s about impact. To be able to hear the journey of how they took Franklin Covey to become a $300 million public company, was truly amazing . Today we share three things, two that we 100% agree with and one that we don’t . The first two are secrets imperative to growing your company, and principles we fully implement at Brand Builders and educate our clients on. If you're eager to discover insights on how to expand your company to $300 million, and why we disagree with Scott Jeffrey Miller on a particular point, then don’t miss this episode! Tune in now.
Tue, October 03, 2023
On our show today is Scott Jeffrey Miller, a twenty-five-year FranklinCovey associate, serving as the Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of thought leadership . He is t he host of On Leadership With Scott Miller, the world’s largest weekly leadership podcast, and CSuite Conversations with Scott Miller. Scott is also the co-founding partner at Gray+Miller , a speaking, literary, and talent agency. As you join the conversation, you’ll hear from Scott about what led to his recruitment by Franklin Covey, his account of the transition of the company from being privately held to becoming publicly <span class= "TextRun SCXW150957231 BCX9" lang="EN
Fri, September 29, 2023
The interview with Nikki Nash was truly insightful, as she provided fantastic tips for doubling your business in 12-18 months, including 5 Must-Haves for 7-Figure business owners, so be sure to go back and check out our interview with Nikki . In this special recap episode, AJ takes us through three key concepts to take full advantage of your existing clients. To find out how you can grow your business by selling new programs and services to existing clients, focusing on retaining your current clients, and generating referrals from your existing client base, be sure to start listening now!
Tue, September 26, 2023
If you are looking to grow your business, you do not want to miss this episode! Today, we dive into how you can double your busi ness in the next 12-18 months, and w e are excited to have Nikki Nash on the podcast . Nikki is the Hay House bestselling author of her new book Market Your Genius , and she ’ s also the host of a top-rated podcast bear ing the same name as her book, a renowned expert in crafting marketing strategies with a unique focus on empowering fast-growing coaching and online companies , and has a rea l specialty in helping drive sustainable growth. Today, we dive into the key things you should be doing to take advantage of your current and past clients, tips on h
Fri, September 22, 2023
After an incredibly insightful conversation with Rebecca Zung about maintaining your integrity and finding practical resolutions while disengaging from a covert, overt, or malignant narcissist, we're excited to bring you this special recap episode. Today, we'll be discussing how you can position yourself for success in a lawsuit by following Rory's 7 Tips for Winning a Lawsuit. These insights have been distilled from the personal experiences and legal challenges that both Rory and AJ have encountered over the years. Tune in to uncover these valuable takeaways and ensure you're well-prepared for potential legal challenges.
Tue, September 19, 2023
If you tell a narcissist what you want, they will ensure you don ’ t get it. Rebecca Zung is a negotiation expert specializing in the seemingly impossible task of negotiating with a narcissist. She is a top attorney with a huge personal brand, empowering people in tricky dynamics to strategically navigate the process of getting a fair deal. During today ’ s conversation, she shares insights from her two published books, Negotiate Like You M.A.T.T.E.R. and Breaking Free, and offers a glimpse into her upcoming release, Slay the Bully. Our conversation is filled with valuable tips to maintain your integrity and find a reasonable solution as you dissolve your connection to a covert, overt, or malignant narcissist. Whether you are dealing with dissolving a personal relationship or negotiating the end of a business partnership, today ’ s guest is here to tell you that there is a way to <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW222247829 BCX9
Fri, September 15, 2023
Your most important content is the conversations you are having while engaging on your social media platform. Welcome to the recap episode of our conversation with Chelsea Peitz , all about how you can uplevel your Instagram game . Today , we share three tips you can implement to help build your brand by using Instagram as your social media platform. You ’ ll hear about how knowing how the algorithm works can reward your efforts on Instagram, then we dive into tactical tips to optimize your findability, and finally, we go through insightful tips to create engaging short-form video content! To hear more about the 3 tips to uplevel your Instagram game, tune in now.
Tue, September 12, 2023
Diving into the world of social media to build your personal brand is definitely a rollercoaster ride on the track of a love-hate relationship. On one hand, there's the thrill of connecting with people worldwide and molding your online presence. On the other, it's a j uggling act to keep things real and human in a carefully crafted digital world . In this episode, we take a deep dive into all thi ngs Instagram, with amazing guest Chelsea Peitz. Chelsea is a coach, author, speaker, real estate veteran, and marketing pro, who teaches people how to build an irresistible personal brand on social media with easy-to-follow action steps and best practices . In our conversation, we dive into why you need to stick around, especially if you are
Fri, September 08, 2023
Resilience, grit, perseverance; why do some people have it, and others don ’ t? What ’ s the difference? Consider this a debrief, recap, and summary of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast episode with Bianca Olthoff! Tune in to hear 30 questions to help you find your ‘ why ’ and create success in your life. This episode is built on three key ideas; what purpose you feel called to in your life, what material things you want to have and what goals you want to achieve, and what kind of person you need to become to make your dreams into a reality. If you are clear on those three questions, you will develop more resilience, grit, and determination. Listening in, you ’ re sure to be challenged and motivated to pave a new way forward rooted in the clarity of your ‘ why. ’ Thanks for listening!
Tue, September 05, 2023
Bianca Olthoff believes that grit is not something we ’ re born with but rather that it ’ s something everyone can build. She is a best-selling author, lead pastor, and speaker promoting perseverance to audiences across the country. She joins us today to share her story of unlikely success, having overcome massive challenges to find purpose and passion in all her current roles. Bianca offers her definition of grit before providing listeners with a path toward becoming more resilient, based on her three easy-to-remember P ’ s! Bianca and Rory offer biblical examples of building tenacity and reaping the rewards based on the life of Paul. We also touch on the incredible power of pausing and taking a pulse check to ensure that you are truly following your calling. Join us today for an amazingly rich and informative conversation with this inspiring guest!
Fri, September 01, 2023
Just because it ’ s out there doesn ’ t mean you need it! That is the essence of our conversation with Josh Hotsenpiller , and today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are recapping our discussion with the incredible founder and CEO of Juno. You ’ ll hear all about our discussion and its main takeaways including the very important question you need to ask yourself when considering investing in the amazing selection of technology we have available to us today. For all this and more, tune in now!
Tue, August 29, 2023
Join us on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast as we delve into the world of AI, apps, and technology with Josh Hotsenpiller , Founder and CEO of JUNO and strategic partner to the Brand Builders community! Discover why we chose to work with JUNO to creat e our very own app and how AI can be used to enhance community building, streamline processes, and achieve greater efficiency. Josh has an extensive background in the tech industry and holds a strong belief in the power of community and using technology as a tool for good. With him, we explore the potential benefits of AI and why embracing it is crucial. Tune in to learn why choosing faith over fear is essential when considering the future of AI and how you can leverage technology to ultimately scale your b usiness and nurture your community!
Fri, August 25, 2023
Today's episode is a serious departure from our usual way of doing things, and we are using the inspiring conversation we had with Randy Stocker as a jumping-off point to start an exploration of spirituality, Christianity, and eternity. This episode serves as the first in a seven-part series, that will more than likely continue on a separate feed or platform, but we wanted to introduce it here, and welcome you all to join us on this journey. In this episode, the focus is on death, what comes after, and what your strategy is for understanding and confronting that. The idea here is to use a logical and non-emotional approach to answer some of life's biggest questions, and share some hope for future generations at the same time! This new avenue might evolve into a book to be published in the future, but for now, it felt like the right time to begin this exploration and start asking these questions together, as a community, even if some of our individual answers might be different. So if this interests you at all, please feel free to tune in for this first part of something new and deeply meaningful.
Tue, August 22, 2023
Grief is an unfortunate but inevitable part of life, yet most of us don ’ t feel equipped to support people around us who are grieving. Today ’ s guest, Randy Stocker, has dealt with tragic, traumatic loss during his life, and in this episode, he talks openly about his experiences and some of the most important lessons that he has learned about the grieving process. Randy is the author of Hugs Help, and today he shares some of the key principles that he explores in this book, including how to be a supporter rather than a comforter, the importance of understanding that everybody grieves differently, and things that he recommends saying (and not saying) to somebody who is grieving. The biggest gift you can give a grieving person is to be patient with them and to let them grieve in their own way.
Fri, August 18, 2023
Contrary to popular belief , writing a book may not actually be the most beneficial step to building your personal brand . Join us as we provide a debrief of our recent interview with Risha Grant on the ins and outs of writing, publishing, and selling a book. In this episode, we share our main takeaways, from when it truly makes sense to write a book to how to navigate the options of traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing, and master the art of effective sales and marketing. Tune in to find out what you need to consider before taking on the commitment of writing a book!
Tue, August 15, 2023
Writing a book is one thing; selling it is another altogether. Today, we are joined by author and award-winning diversity consultant , Risha Grant as she shares her profound insights into the reality of writing, publishing, and selling a book. Risha discusses her journey from idea to publication ; explaining the motivation behind her book, Be Better Than Your BS and its theme of radical acceptance. She provides invaluable advice on navigating the complexities of traditional publishing versus self-publishing and the power of personal relationships in driving book sales. In this episode, we explore the dedication required to write, publish, and sell a book and the challenge of selling a book after it's <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW233305
Fri, August 11, 2023
Step into the riveting world of storytelling and its profound impact on your brand's message in this special episode recap. Explore the significance of transforming your brand's story into an inspirational narrative that cultivates emotional connections, sets you apart from competitors, fosters trust, captivates your audience, and aligns seamlessly with customer values. In this episode, we highlight the main takeaways from our conversation with Damon West and unpack how to tell a good story and get your message across to audiences based on insights from our conversation with him . We delve into the profound choice of viewing the world through fear or faith, uncovering the transformative power of maintaining a positive mindset even in the face of adversity, why consistency plays a pivotal role in cultivating and sustaining a positive outlook on life, and much more. Join us as we unlock the key to leaving a lasting impact through your unique narrative and empowering others through your message of authenticity, resilience, and unwavering faith. Tune in now!
Tue, August 08, 2023
In this episode, we explore the importance of turning your brand's story into a powerful message. We discuss how this process enables you to create emotional connections, stand out from competitors, build trust, engage your audience, and align with customer values. Join us as we dive into the incredible journey of Damon West, a renowned keynote speaker, and best-selling author. Damon's story of redemption, resilience, and determination has inspired countless individuals worldwide. During his time in prison, Damon experienced a life-changing conversation that sparked a spiritual awakening. This pivotal moment revealed his ability to transform his environment, much like a coffee bean changing under heat and pressure. With unwavering commitment, a program of recovery, and renewed faith, Damon emerged from over seven years in prison as a completely transformed individual. In our conversation, we delve into Damon's remarkable transition from a football player to a prison inmate and his path to becoming an author and speaker. Discover how he effectively spread his message to the world and how following his passion enabled him to turn his life around. Join us for an inspiring discussion that will leave you motivated to unleash the power of your own story.
Fri, August 04, 2023
In our most recent episode, we spoke with Chicken Soup for the Soul trailblazer, Patty Aubery, about the successes and challenges of building the publishing industry’s first billion-dollar brand. Today, we supplement that fascinating conversation with five of the most common reasons that authors miss bestseller lists. At B rand Builders Group, we’ve helped 14 different authors become New York Times or Wall Street Journal Best Sellers, so it’s something that we know quite a lot about! Whether you’re an aspiring author, an established writer looking to make every sale count, o r an entrepreneur using the art of writing to gain more momentum in your career, we’ve got you covered. Be sure to tune in today for some key insights into the publishing world and practical advice for cracking the bestseller code. As you’ll discover, ther e's a lot more to becoming a bestselling author than just selling a lot of books! <span class="EOP S
Tue, August 01, 2023
There’s no doubt that you’ve heard of Jack Canfield and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, which has over 250 titles and has sold more than 500 million copies in 43 languages worldwide. Today, you’ll hear from Patty Aubery , President of the Canfield Training Group, former secretary to Jack Canfield, and one of the people behind the biggest book brand in history. Join us as Patty offers some insight into the successes and challenges of building the publishing industry ’ s first billion-dollar brand. We talk about how they did it, the role that promotional partnerships and licensing deals played, and what the Canfield Group is up to these days. As the author of the bestselling book and course, Permission Granted <span class= "TextRun SCXW54509235 BCX9
Fri, July 28, 2023
If you are a speaker, consultant, coach, author, or any other type of content creator, you are probably the kind of person who is motivated by engaging in meaningful work. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get paid well for what you do, because what you do is so valuable! We want to help you get to the point where you have the confidence to charge more, so in this episode, we run through an exercise where you get the opportunity to rank yourself (from non-existent at level 1 to crushing it at level 10!) according to the five categories that we believe should be the determinants of your fees. These five categories are credibility, content, delivery, marketing materials, and reach. Doing this exercise will help you understand which areas you need to work on so that you can charge more for your offerings!
Tue, July 25, 2023
If you’re driven to help people thrive, you’re already well on your way to success as a coach. The next step is setting your prices right and finding the clients who want to pay you what you are worth. Today’s guest, Mitch Matthews, has been an informal “coach” for most of his life, so when he decided to make a career out of this passion, he was faced with the conundrum of how to charge for something he had been giving away for free for so long. In this episode, among many other insightful things , Mitch explains the journey that led him to where he is today, why the high prices that he charges for his coaching sessions are actually beneficial to his clients, some of the keys to being a great coach, and how to get to the point where you are charging the prices you should be (and feeling confident about it)!
Fri, July 21, 2023
In this episode, we build on our recent episode with Nena Madonia, delving into the world of book deals, publishing, and bestseller lists. We share our expertise and proven strategies , as well as the secrets to becoming a bestselling author ! If you ’ re an author, you ’ ll discover why it ultimately falls to you to sell your book and what truly moves the needle in order to do so! Tune in to learn the impact of offline relationships and the true goal of making a difference in readers' lives . Whether you're an aspiring or experienced author, this episode offers guidance in <span class= "TextRun SCXW54585728
Tue, July 18, 2023
Literary agents play an important role in bringing an author ’ s words to life. They help authors to secure the book deals that they need to turn a simple concept into a lucrative accomplishment. Today we are joined by one of the most prolific literary agents in the business, Nena Madonia Oshman. In her 17 years as an agent, Nena has worked on over 500 titles, has assisted on more than 300 book deals, and has helped secure a whopping 5 million dollars in book advances! We are grateful to have someone of her notoriety on the show today as she shares the hidden secrets for getting a big book deal as a new author. Tuning in, you ’ ll gain a better understanding of the relationship between an author and their agent, the factors involved in determining your publishing route, what publishers and agents are looking for when signing up authors, and why an author ’ s passion for their work is non-negotiable. We explore the various challenges of publication and determine the derivative rights that a book could be turned into, before Nena shares some effective strategies for a successful book launch while offering up advice to new and prospective authors. Nena ’ s wealth of knowledge cann
Fri, July 14, 2023
Inspired by our conversation with Phil Treadwell , this episode centers on social media , human interaction , and how this relates to finding our people and building our personal brands. Tuning in, you ’ ll hear about social media as a tool for business and why we need to question why our audiences go online and how they ’ re using these platforms. AJ talks about what she learned from the book Find Your People by Jennie Allen, t he importance of commonalities for forming natural connection s, and how this plays out on social media. Tune in today to learn how to d ifferentiate yourself from your competition by letting people get to know you.
Tue, July 11, 2023
If you ’ re wondering how you can use your personal brand to leverage and differentiate yourself to generate more leads when the market is challenging, this episode is for you ! In this niche episode aimed at real estate developers, brokers, loan officers , or anyone in the mortgage and real estate industry, we are joined by Phil Treadwell to discuss how t o build y our b rand and diversify your income stream. Phil is a mindset coach and a national speaker. He's the founder of the M1 Academy and the host of
Fri, July 07, 2023
Today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are recapping our discussion with Brittany Hodak about creating superfans and sharing two revenue-growing customer service secrets with you! Be sure to tune in to hear all about why you want to have secret service, not customer service, how to anticipate your clients' needs, and so much more! Giving unexpected gifts at unexpected times tailored to your clients and being ahead of the needs of your clients will set you apart from everyone else and in this episode, we give you the keys to achieving both of these tricks. Find out why your clients ’ wins are your wins by pressing play now!
Tue, July 04, 2023
Did you know that creating superfans of your personal brand is the key to long-lasting success? Joining us today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast is our friend, Brittany Hodak , to tell us all about her new book, Creating Superfans: How to Turn Your Customers into Lifelong Advocates . Brittany is a marketing and customer service expert, keynote speaker, and author. In this episode, she shares her definition of what a superfan is, what the ladder to ‘ superfandom ’ entails, and some of the mistakes most companies make. You’ll also gain some insight into Brittany’s game-changing CX system, the SUPER Model, and how you can use the tools she provides to create superfans and build a successful brand. All of these things are outlined in detail in her book and, if you stay tuned, she even offers us a special link to get the first four chapters for free! You won’t <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW25544960
Fri, June 30, 2023
If you are starting your coaching journey or you ’ ve been on it for a while, in this recap episode, we discuss our key takeaways from our interview with Andy Bailey on how to scale your coaching practice. We discuss the importance of understanding your motivation for scaling and the various costs involved, including financial, resource-related, time, and effort. You ’ ll l earn about why you should allow your practice to grow organically and in response to demand , the importance of gaining clarity on shaping your culture , and how to optimiz e your people acquisition process. <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW13747176
Tue, June 27, 2023
If you are a coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, author, or expert who wants to scale your coaching practice, then this episode is for you! Andy Bailey is a renowned serial entrepreneur, speaker, and constant adventurer who has built two successful coaching businesses, Petra Coach and Boundless. Today he joins us to share insights from years of experience and breaks down the top three things he believes business owners need to do to grow and scale. You’ll learn about nurturing personal growth within your team, mastering sales and marketing, and the importance of profitability. You’ll also hear about Andy's own mistakes , gain valuable tips on how to hire and maintain top talent, and hear why you should probably raise your prices. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the secrets to building and sustaining a thriving coaching business !
Fri, June 23, 2023
After our conversation with Dan Martell , in which he laid out his plan for buying back your time, we wanted to double down on this concept and underline some of the most important steps that you can take as an entrepreneur to escape the traps of busyness and overwhelm. Following on from the themes in our chat with Dan, Rory shares some of the complementary ideas from his second book, Procrastinate on Purpose, and how they relate to Dan's message. The power of time multiplication can make a world of difference to business owners and their success, and by tuning today you will hear about the three biggest concepts for moving the needle in the right direction. As always, mindset is a key component , and in order to behave like a multiplier, we need to think like one! So if you want to learn about escaping urgency, building systems, time arbitrage, hiring smartly, and the 10-80-10 rule, make sure to listen in with us!
Tue, June 20, 2023
Today we welcome to the show angel investor, influencer, YouTuber, thought leader, bestselling author, and standout entrepreneur, Dan Martell! After founding, scaling, and exiting three tech companies in ten years, Dan dedicated himself to coaching work, publishing his book, Buy Back Your Time, and starting the SaaS Academy. Dan focuses his energy on working with SaaS founders to help them break through the limitations on their business growth and success, and in today's conversation we get to hear all about his central idea of maximizing time. Dan goes into his perspectives on media in the entrepreneurial sphere, delegating outcomes not tasks, and creating the right kind of feedback loops. We also hear from Dan about the importance of communication and the steps he has taken in his work to become a world-class communicator. So if you want some strong motivation from a massively successful coach and entrepreneur, press play now and hear it all!
Fri, June 16, 2023
In the context of so many recent changes in technology and business, entrepreneurs and brand leaders need to stay abreast of what keeps their companies and ideas safe. In this recap episode, AJ goes over the biggest lessons that Heather Pearce Campbell shared during our recent chat with her. The focus of the conversation with Heather was the legal steps that are vital for any business to take, and here, AJ covers a few of these that stood out. You can expect to hear some insight into intellectual property considerations, the different types of agreements and their legal requirements, and all about legal entity structure. So make sure to tune in and also listen to our full episode with Heather if you have not already!
Tue, June 13, 2023
Some of our episodes are so foundational and important that they can apply to all of our listeners, no matter what niche of online business and personal brand building you occupy. Today's conversation about legal protection with the amazing Heather Pearce Campbell is one of these! Heather is a powerhouse attorney, legal coach, mother, and a whole lot more, and in this chat, we get to cover some of the most pressing issues that entrepreneurs need to be aware of. We talk about copyrights and trademarks, different types of agreements and contracts, and everything in between. As Heather points out, this is such a vital part of a business but is often neglected, which happens for a variety of reasons. So if you want to put your concerns to rest, or just brush up on where you should be focusing your energy, join us to hear Heather simplify the often complex legal side of your business.
Fri, June 09, 2023
All of the most successful people in the world have cracked the ‘ mental toughness code ’ and today, we are recapping our chat with Todd Durkin, entrepreneur, speaker, and trainer, discussing the three elements of mental toughness. First, we delve into the three elements and explain how they lead to success. We then discuss how you can increase your discipline, why negative thoughts are dangerous, the place grief has and how it serves you, and so much more! To hear all this and even be introduced to Rory ’ s brand-new concept, tune in now!
Tue, June 06, 2023
Do you want to recapture the mojo you have lost? We want you to do the work to get your mind right and today on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are joined by the incredible personal trainer and high-performance expert Todd Durkin. Following a back injury and some life-changing realizations, Todd began working as a trainer, inspiring athletes to get their minds right. Tuning in, you ’ ll hear about how Todd has overcome struggles, why you need to take time and listen to ‘ whispers ’ , the importance of positive talk, and so much more! Todd even shares the secret to getting your mind right before explaining why you need someone to hold you accountable and support your goals. If you want to change your life and fix your mindset, this is the episode for you!
Fri, June 02, 2023
Success is difficult to define because it is a subjective and evolving concept influenced by individual values, changing circumstances, external factors, and the multifaceted nature of human life. It requires introspection, self-awareness, and an understanding of one's own priorities and values to arrive at a meaningful definition of success. In this recap episode, we review our interview with entrepreneur and best-selling author Ryan Blair and unpack what success looks like . AJ shares her definition of success and how it relates to time, confidence, and serving others. We discuss the power of being able to walk away, the freedom of time, and why continually paying it forward is vital. To discover the true definition of success, tune in now!
Tue, May 30, 2023
Turning your job into your calling is a process that takes time and effort. By focusing on your values, building positive relationships, and taking ownership of your work, you can find greater fulfillment and purpose in your job. In this episode, we talk to Ryan Blair, a bestselling author and successful entrepreneur about the secrets to success. Despite growing up in a tough environment and being involved in gang activity as a teenager, Ryan turned his life around and became a thriving entrepreneur, author, and thought leader. In our conversation, Ryan shares his incredible journey from gang member to multimillionaire entrepreneur and discusses the key strategies he used to build an influential personal brand. We delve into how he has been able to turn the personal aspects of his life into a business, crafting the hero in his story, the role of mentors, keeping a healthy balance between your personal and professional lives, embracing your faith, and how God uses clues to guide you. We also dive into his fascination with technology, the ways technology is impacting business, why AI might replace your job but not your calling, AI-powered coaching, and building your business based on purpose instead of profit. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or aspiring thought leader, you won't want to miss this insightful conversation.
Fri, May 26, 2023
Marketing automation is an exciting endeavor because it empowers marketers to optimize their processes, deliver personalized experiences, nurture leads, and drive revenue growth. It combines technology, data, and creativity to create efficient, targeted, and impactful marketing campaigns that yield measurable results. In this recap episode, we highlight the key takeaways from our conversation with Lauren Cannon about funnels and marketing automation tools. We dive deep into the fundamental principles and strategies that will help you optimize every stage of your funnel and achieve exceptional business growth. Join us as we uncover the secrets to driving conversions, captivating your audience, and taking your online marketing to new heights. Tune in now and discover the secrets to unlocking unstoppable growth with Rory Vaden!
Tue, May 23, 2023
Funnels are a powerful concept in marketing and sales that can help drive revenue and growth. A funnel represents the customer journey from initial awareness to making a purchase or taking a desired action. By optimizing each stage of the funnel, businesses can increase conversion rates and ultimately generate more revenue. In this episode, we are joined by the CEO and Founder of Make It Pretty, Lauren Cannon , to help unpa ck using marketing automation and funnels to drive revenue growth. In our conversation, we discuss leveraging marketing automation to reach and serve more people, how to incentivize customers, and her approach to closing a deal. We talk about how lead magn ets act as a sliding scale of perceived value, building an audience with free coaching, and the best approach for high-v
Fri, May 19, 2023
Vinnie Fisher is a businessman , entrepreneur, author, husband, father, and the co-founder and CEO of Fully Accountable, a full-service accounting firm that goes beyond basic bookkeeping and offers outsourced finance and accounting services for eCommerce and technology companies . In our recent conversation with Vinnie, we learn ed about some of the difference s between growth and scale, the mindset that comes with growing your business and setting good profitability goals, and whether or not you should even be thinking about scaling right now. In this recap episode, we share our highlights, key takeaways, and reflections on how you can grow your business by changing the way you think, plan for healthy growth while keeping an eye on profits , and so much more! Tune in today. <span class="EOP SCXW2052197 BCX9" data-ccp-props= "{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":
Tue, May 16, 2023
Many entrepreneurs and business owners struggle with proper growth and scaling strategies for their companies . While there are a few critical areas that usually hold a business back from scaling effectively, today ’ s guest believes that it starts with the mindset of the CEO at the helm. Vinnie Fisher is a businessman , entrepreneur, author, husband, father , and the co-founder and CEO of Fully Accountable, our bookkeeping, fractional CFO, tax strategy, and all-things-accounting firm. You could even say that Fully Accountable serves as the financial department for the Brand Builders Group! A lawyer by training , Vinnie practiced tax and business law for a decade before leaving the field in 2007 to pursue entrepreneurship full-time . Tuning into today ’ s episode, you ’ ll gain
Fri, May 12, 2023
After all these years, email is still the king for monetizing an audience. Most people with an email list the size of ours have millions of social media followers! Why is that? It ’ s all about where you place your focus. Today ’ s conversation is an overview of three of our favorite email marketing tips, and how we implement them at Brand Builders Group. Taking inspiration from a recent conversation with Nathan Barry, we share practical how-to ’ s on getting the most out of broadcast, long-term nurture sequences, and RSS email. Tune in today to learn more!
Tue, May 09, 2023
Marketing automation is one of the most powerful resources in the world. That ’ s especially true as it pertains to email! Today ’ s guest is a n author and entrepreneur with a tremendous success story. The founder of ConvertKit , one of the best-respected tools for email marketing creators, Nathan Barry built his business with a bootstrapping approach from the ground up. Tune in to hear his insights on everything from the power of email marketing to choosing a cadence that ’ s right for you. Nathan demystifies the role of a flywheel and shares his perspective on warming up a list that has gone cold. He believes in the power of automation to nurture client relationships and offers his thoughts on how to capitalize on this. Nathan also shares some real-life examples of ConvertKit ’ s use for clients and gives us a glimpse into the future of the brand. Join us today to hear all this and more!
Fri, May 05, 2023
This episode is a quick overview of our recent episode with CPA, Fractional CFA, and podcast host, Shannon Weinstein. Join us to hear some highlights from our enriching conversation about money, taxes, and financial literacy. We unpack what it means to learn financial literacy as an entrepreneur, what causes small businesses to fail, and what you can do to make sure that you stay in business. Hear about account dispersion and how it can be of value to your business, and dive in with us as we discuss the mindset shifts that can pay off for you and your business. Join us today to hear all this and more!
Tue, May 02, 2023
Today ’ s episode is for everyo ne, n o matter how much or how little you make! How do you keep more of the money you ’ re making? That ’ s a question relevant to everyone who earns an income. It ’ s not for millionaires or billionaires ; it ’ s for everyone! You need to have these skills, tools, and mindsets when it comes to money. During today ’ s episode, we welcome CPA, Fractional CFO, and Keep What You Earn podcast host, Shannon Weinstein. She is here to share her insights on financial mana
Fri, April 28, 2023
We recently hosted Dr. Mariel Buqu é for an enriching conversation about her rise from private practitioner to household name. She is a Columbia-trained psychologist and author who has been featured across television and media platforms and has over 700 000 followers online. To kick off our recap, we consider the impact of the consistent flow of information that Dr. Buqu é has been publishing over a seven-year period. Next, we talk about prioritizing and taking responsibility for what falls within your control. We invite you to check in with yourself and offer three strategic actions you can take today to invest in your dream, get committed, and stay inspired. Join us to hear our key takeaways from the conversation and insights from our own experience today!
Tue, April 25, 2023
Today’s guest is a true expert in mental health and trauma recovery. Dr. Mariel Buqu é is a Columbia-trained psychologist and author who has been featured across television and media platforms. She joins us today to tell the story of her rise from private practice to a personal brand with over 700 000 followers. Despite her concerns that building a social media presence would detract from her credibility as an expert, these platforms have helped Dr. Buqu é to create visibility, leading to real-life opportunities in academic spaces. Join us to hear how she structures her content, the strategy behind growing her team, and plenty of tips to enhance your social media journey. Thanks for tuning in!
Fri, April 21, 2023
After our incredible conversation with therapist and entrepreneur, Michelle Chalfant, we wanted to take a closer look at imposter syndrome and how it affects our lives. To start, we define what imposter syndrome is, how you can find out if you have it, where it comes from, and how it disrupts our lives. Then, we tackle some solutions for overcoming limiting beliefs including slowing down and taking control of your emotional health, adopting positive affirmations, and moving through life with desire and intention. If you feel like you are living as a fraud, then please tune in, this one is for you!
Tue, April 18, 2023
It is very easy to tell ourselves that we are not good enough, that we are not worthy, and that we don’t deserve to have it all. And in business, self-doubt sticks out like a sore thumb and can deter would-be business partners from working with you. To help us rediscover our worth and to show us that we are indeed valuable, is therapist and entrepreneur, Michelle Chalfant. In our conversation, w e get a sense of Michelle’s professional background and how she became ingrained in multiple industries . Michelle explains what The Adult Chair podcast is all about, why she launched her coaching certification program, and what her timeline of success looks like. We also discuss the need for hard work , dedication, and persistence, what you can do to navigate low seasons, and how to foster self-worth and beat imposter syndrome. As we explore the recent explosion of the coaching industry, we encourage you to invest in yourself by taking part in Michelle’s free Self-Worth Bundle course! We end this informative conversation with examples of how to find your why <span class= "Tex
Fri, April 14, 2023
Successful people usually have a mix of traits that are easy to spot and others that are not as evident but are just as important. What are those hidden traits of success? Welcome to the recap edition of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast as we debrief, recap, and summarize our insightful interview with Carey Nieuwhof to unpack the character traits of successful people. Hear why achieving success in your current circumstances paves the way for even more success, the crucial role that trust, collaboration, and building relationships play, and the power of not giving up on your dreams. Discover what you need to commit to, why existential aspects should not dictate your achievements, enduring short-term pain to acquire long-term success, and much more. To uncover the price of admission for ultimate success, tune in now!
Tue, April 11, 2023
What began as a hobby ended up turning Carey Nieuwhof into one of the most influential leadership speakers and authors in the world! Between 2012 and 2014, while Carey was pastoring at Connexus (the church he founded), he began blogging and podcasting casually . Today, his online content gets over 1.5 billion view s a month and his podcast episodes have been downloaded over 27 million times. In this episode, Carey talks about the providential meeting that kick-started his speaking career, how he has gradually developed his personal brand over the years, and his approach to fulfilling his personal mission of serving leaders. From law school to seminary to the global stage, Carey’s story exemplifies what life can look like when you listen to your calling!
Fri, April 07, 2023
As an author, you are no doubt much more occupied with writing an exceptional book, than you are with selling it. And while not all authors are in the business of hitting bestseller lists, most publishers are. So if you ’ re interested in working with a traditional publisher or publishing house, then you'll need to know what it takes to be featured on these lists and what your role will be in marketing your work. In today ’ s recap episode, we delve into the many facets of this topic as AJ shares her thoughts on writing a bestseller while recounting her conversation with Esther Fedorkevich , Founder and CEO of The Fedd Agency, a literary agency that has helped more than 100 people hit the New York Times Bestseller list. You ’ ll hear AJ provide an insightful breakdown of her top takeaways, like how to create excellent content that stands out from the rest, the benefits of allowing people to accompany you on your journey, and what it takes to implement a successful marketing strategy. To hear all of AJ ’ s observations on writing, marketing, publishing, and more, be sure to tune in today!
Tue, April 04, 2023
Not every author aspires to become a bestseller. But if your goal is to join the ranks of one of these coveted lists, such as the New York Times, then there are a few key things to know before you get started. Our guest today, Esther Fedorkevich , is uniquely qualified to share advice on this multifaceted topic. Not only is she the founder and CEO of her very own thriving literary agency, The Fedd Agency, but she has also helped over 100 authors hit the New York Times Bestseller list! Tuning in, you’ll hear insights from Esther’s years of experience as she unpacks what it takes to produce a bestseller, why it relies on more than just good writing, and how the decline of retail and the rise of social media has changed the way that people discover books and authors. In our conversation, Esther reflects on how her love of literature, people, marketing, and sales puts her in an excellent position to support writers, before detailing the important role she plays in helping authors and celebrities uncover the story that they are uniquely qualified to tell. We also discuss what authors need to know about marketing their books, identifying when it's time to enlist the help of a qualified sales team, and how to get books into the hands of readers, before revisiting an important reminder that the ultimate goal is not about selling copies, but changing lives. If you’re interested in sharing your story with the world but are unsure of where to start, then you’ll definitely want to hear all that Esther has to say!
Fri, March 31, 2023
In the previous episode, we spoke to John Meese about building massive membership sites . In this recap episode, we zone in on the key ways to build massive recurring revenue within the membership site model. We explain what recurring revenue is and why it matters , how it affects business valuation , and why we love it! In order to secure consistently recurring revenue, it ’ s essential to generate new sales while retaining existing customers . Utilization equals retention and today, you ’ ll find out h ow to increase the utilization of your offer , keeping the
Tue, March 28, 2023
Membership sites are a great way to ensure continuous revenue and build a community. Today we are joined by membership site expert John Meese. John has helped people and brands build six to seven-figure membership sites, one of the most notable being Platform University which he managed to scale to the point of resale. He is also the author of the bestselling book, Survive and Thrive: How to Build a Profitable Business in Any Economy (Including This One) , and in this episode, he fills us in on everything we need to know about building a membership site. We discuss ways to facilitate and nurture the community aspect of membership sites and leverage the urgency factor to encourage people to sign up . John shares the keys to membership retention and delivering a high-value membership site. Tune in to discover John ’ s view on the free trial strategy, the infinite promise, and more! This episode will equip you to build a strong membership base of satisfied customers who continue to come back for more. <span class="EOP SCXW176188996 BCX0" data-ccp-props= "{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"20134
Fri, March 24, 2023
Today’s episode is for all the coaches out there! Tune in for a series of quick and practical tips on how anyone can elevate their offerings as a coach. In this brief, but informative episode, AJ shares her top takeaways from her conversation with Minal Mehta, CEO and Co-founder of AllTakes , an online platform built specifically for coaches. You’ll hear AJ break down the value of niching down as a coach and how to run an exceptional coaching business, before illustrating the top three ways that technology can elevate the coaching experience . For a series of powerful insights on coaching, technology, and more, be sure to tune in today!
Tue, March 21, 2023
There’s a big difference between the skills required to be an exceptional coach and the expertise you need to create a thriving business. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the technology side of building a coaching business, then this episode is for you! We sat down with Minal Mehta, CEO and Co-founder of AllTakes , to talk about her journey from employee to coach to entrepreneur, and how she became aware of the demand for an online tool that could serve the needs of coaches. AllTakes is a groundbreaking platform that is not only built specifically with coaches in mind but is also designed by an incredible individual who has spent many years working as an accomplished coach herself! Tuning in, you’ll hear Minal share her insights on the current rise in coaching, what she has learned from her coaching career, and why she wanted to create a product that would streamline the technological components of being a coach. We also unpack what it takes to become an exceptional coach in a niche market before discussing how AllTakes is providing unique solutions for coaches who want to build meaningful connections and community. So if you’re a coach looking to streamline your process — or if you’re debating whether it’s finally time to share what you’ve learned with the people who need your expertise most
Fri, March 17, 2023
Building and nurturing a community is an essential part of building a brand . In this episode, we recap our recent interview with AppIt Ventures CEO, Amanda Moriuchi, and share our most significant takeaways. Our conversation with Amanda was centered around how we can use technology (apps, specifically) to deepen relationships with and within our communities. This recap lists the benefits of having your own app, rather than relying solely on social media, as well as the three things you need to consider as you strategize community-building tactics. Tune in to discover the value of owning and consolidating engagement , and what it takes to create a deeper sense of community !
Tue, March 14, 2023
Having an app allows for a more intimate engagement with your customers, but how do you know whether you’re ready to take that step? Joining us today to break down the process of building, launching, growing, and monetizing an app is the CEO of Appit Ventures, Amanda Moriuchi . In this episode, Amanda shares insights into the growing mobile app trends, the sense of community tech facilitates , and the role of apps in creating intimate bonds amongst customers. We discuss the main revenue streams of applications, when it makes sense to monetize them, and how to calculate the price point for paid apps. Tune in to find out how to determine whether you need an app, and what it will take to create and maintain one while providing value to your community. <span class= "EOP SCXW121886136
Fri, March 10, 2023
Much of what we do here at Brand Builders Group and on this podcast is geared toward helping you grow your income, but there is more to being a successful business owner than just that! Today we are reflecting on our recent chat with Henry Yoshida and sharing 15 powerful tax-saving strategies . Our conversation with Henry was packed with amazing insight and useful tactics, and taxes only made up a portion of what he covered, so make sure to go back and listen to that episode if you have not already. These are all legitimate, legal, and ethical tax strategies that you can implement today if you want to save, and the crazy thing is that so many of these are not widely known about! It is important to remember that these strategies are applicable to the US, as tax laws differ across the world, but there is also a good possibility that if you live elsewhere, there may be a comparable rule that you could adhere to in order to save. So without further ado, let's get into the 15 ways you and your business can start saving today!
Tue, March 07, 2023
Today we are very excited to bring you a finance and investment focussed episode of the show, as we welcome the CEO and Co-Founder of Rocket Dollar, Henry Yoshida! Rocket Dollar is a fintech platform aimed at helping investors prepare smartly for retirement by offering private alternative investment options. Henry has been a CFP since he was 22, and spent 10 years at Merrill Lynch before the segue into building his own companies. He is also a licensed realtor, so he knows a thing or two about the important subject of investing in real estate! In our chat today, Henry shares some amazing wisdom and insight that will help any listener improve their understanding of self-directed IRAs, pension plans, and real estate purchases. He also unpacks why he chose to pursue building a fintech company, and how this work compares to his previous position as an active advisor. Tune in to hear it all!
Fri, March 03, 2023
A healthy relationship between marketing and sales is crucial. But how often does your sales and marketing team truly communicate, collaborate, brainstorm, or provide feedback? And how can you ensure they’re working together in the sales enablement process without getting siloed off from one another? Today on the show, AJ answers these questions and more as she reflects on her conversation with Ben Rigsby on sales enablement and how to run a seamless marketing-to-sales pipeline. Tuning in , you’ll hear AJ bre ak down the most effective lead nurturing strategies (both online and offline), the importance of converting your social media followers into customers, and how to grow your email list by creating high-value offers. She also shares her tips for effective c ommunication with customers and unpacks what it means to create lifetime value. To learn why the relationship between sales and marketing is like a marriage, how to put excellent sales enablement processes in place, and much more, be sure to tune in today!
Tue, February 28, 2023
If you’re an entrepreneur or business owner, then you are no doubt aware of the challenges of running a seamless marketing-to-sales pipeline. But what do you do when your lead generation processes aren't resulting in sales, and your customer retention rate s are continually dropping , no matter what you try? Joining us today to answer all these questions , and more , is Ben Rigsby, Co-founder and President of SnapShot Inte ractive, and President of ECOS. Throughout his career, Ben has helped countless clients create frictionless digital processes that elevate the client experience, and in today’s episode, he shares his expertise with us! Tuning in you’ll hear Ben provide a detailed breakdown of how to fix lead generation, speed up the sales process, and provide lifetime value for clients. He delves into the important relationship between marketing and sales, how to identify sales-qualified leads (SQL), and what you can do to foster synergy between your marketing and sales processes. We also discuss the power of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tools like HubSpot, how to use them, the importance of innovation, and much more. If yo
Fri, February 24, 2023
As an entrepreneur, on a mission-driven trajectory, only you can make the decision that you will not be stopped. You can’t accept someone else’s rejection as permanent and only you can decide that you are going to make it! We’re back with another special recap edition of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, where Rory does a debrief, recap, and summary of the most recent interview with Annie F Downs and provides listeners with three big takeaways. Annie dropped some very insightful nuggets in our interview including how to monetise podcasting, getting help before you can actually afford it, and the importance of having the resolve to not quit along your journey. Tune in now to hear more from Rory in this recap episode.
Tue, February 21, 2023
If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while now, you’ll know that your hosts from the Vaden Villa are hard-core, Bible-thumping, Jesus freaks, and one of the questions we’ve been wanting to answer is how you build a bestselling brand in the Christian market. Our guest today is a New York Times bestselling author and speaker that speaks all over the country doing sermons and Christian conferences, along with some business gigs every year. She is a teaching pastor at our church and also the host of an amazing podcast called That Sounds Fun. Annie also founded and co-owns a podcast network called the That Sounds Fun Network. In our conversation with Annie today we hear from her about the journey of her company, Downs Books Inc., and how she worked her way up from the beginning of her career by recognizing the doors that were opened for her and the opportunities that arose. She describes her transition from speaking to young teen girls to speaking to women and provides insight into how she utilized events that she was paid to do, in order to create opportunities that would allow her to do what she wanted to do. We then dive into how you can build your business in a Christian market before she breaks down the different types of things you can do as paid events and how to make money from your podcasts. For all this, and much more, don’t miss out on today’s episode. Tune in now!
Fri, February 17, 2023
Here at the Influential Brand Podcast, we believe that a personal brand is a formalization of what you want to be known for and who you want to be known by . It is not your visual identity. In this episode, we unpack why people incorrectly confuse their visual identities with their personal brands and get hung up on fonts and colors. We reflect on a past episode with Nadine Hanafi from Digital Brand Kit and break down some of the key tips we learned from her about how to create your visual identity and where to place your focus in the process. Tune in for key tips to consider when creating your visual identity while keeping your eye on the bigger picture of building your personal brand.
Tue, February 14, 2023
Most people assume that having an expensive-looking brand costs a lot of money. As you’ll discover in today’s episode, that isn’t necessarily the case! Since 2013, Nadine Hanafi has helped everyone from Fortune 100 C-suite executives to bestselling authors to startup entrepreneurs share their brand message through inspired visual storytelling. After founding the award-winning design firm, We Are Visual and crafting eye-catching visuals for some of the most viral TED Talks on the internet, Nadine is now funneling all of her talent and expertise into her latest passion project: Digital Brand Kit. As the world’s first turnkey branding system for personal brands, Digital Brand Kit offers you all the strategic design assets you need to create a beautiful, cohesive, and affordable brand identity that looks and feels like you. Today, you’ll learn how Nadine can help you create your visual identity in just 30 days or less, some of the biggest mistakes that people make when embarking on this process (and how to avoid them , ) as well as tips for hiring a designer and so much more. If you’re struggling with crafting your brand’s visual identity, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Fri, February 10, 2023
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns caused unprecedented disruptions in industries across the world. One of the first sectors to feel the impact was live events. Overnight, companies were being forced to either postpone their events indefinitely or cancel them altogether. In today ’ s special recap episode, Rory revisits his conversation with Bari Baumgardner, Founder and Chief Strategist at SAGE Event Management, a company that managed to rapidly pivot to virtual live events shortly after the onset of the pandemic. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Rory recap his top takeaways from their conversation, including a breakdown of the four non-negotiable rules that Bari follows for virtual events, why it ’ s so effective at emulating the dynamics of an in-person event, and why Bari swears by her three-day event formula. For a brief recap and summary of this hugely informative conversation, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, February 07, 2023
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the world of live events was decimated, and global lockdowns left the industry scrambling to adapt. At the time SAGE event management was one of the first companies to pivot and offer virtual live events at a large scale. And, after rapidly organizing a massive virtual event for one of their top clients (the legendary Tony Robbins) it quickly led to them becoming a front-runner in the virtual industry. SAGE has also been one of Brand Builders Group's most trusted partners and has helped countless clients produce high-ticket offers and grow their platforms through virtual events. Joining us today to give a breakdown of their business, and how they adapted during the height of lockdown, is the wonderful Bari Baumgardner, Founder and Chief Strategist at SAGE event management. Bari unpacks how SAGE helps its clients, what sets them apart from other event production companies, and why they lead with strategy first. You ’ ll hear a breakdown of the differences between virtual and live events, the technology they developed to facilitate these events, and how their model allows you to cater to both logical and emotional buyers. She also shares her advice on how to get started with virtual events using nothing more than a TV, a computer, and a Z oom account. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, so if you ’ re interested in learning more about how to host live virtual events for high-ticket offers, then make sure you tune in today!
Fri, February 03, 2023
We kicked off our conversation with Lori Harder with a simple and powerful reminder: no matter where you are in life, you have a choice! During this episode, we share the highlights of our conversation with the incredibly inspiring guest. You ’ ll hear an overview of the wisdom Lori shares with us, including taking stock environment and making the necessary changes, tweaking your approach to failure, and remembering that the fundamentals never get old. Listening in, you ’ ll also get a glimpse of what Lori shared about her journey from having an unknown podcast, to growing into a household name. Find out what is key to moving from an information-based product, to a physical product, and get a taste of the do ’ s and don ’ ts behind Lori ’ s success. You can ’ t afford to miss this episode!
Tue, January 31, 2023
How do you make a successful transition from one career, industry, or company to another? Today ’ s guest is the true epitome of someone who has taken their reputation and all of their success and accomplishments, and turned it into so many different things during the course of their career! Lori Harder has built three seven - figure businesses and recently founded a new product line . S he ’ s the best-selling author of A Tribe Called Bliss and the host of the must-listen Earn Your Happy Podcast, which has over 46 million downloads. She ’ s also a three - time world champion in the fitness industry, a cover model, and more! Lori has truly seen the ups and downs, and she is here to share hard - earned wisdom from her journey that you can learn from and implement today. If you are a person experiencing any sort of transition, this episode
Fri, January 27, 2023
The art of motivation can be tricky. And what drives us can change over time as we grow and our priorities shift. In today ’ s episode, Rory revisits his conversation with Micheal Burt, founder and leading authority on the Prey Drive principle, Supercoach, and author of the new book Flip the Switch: Activate Your Drive to Achieve a Freakish Level of Success. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Rory reflect on his conversation with Burt and how the source of his motivational drive has evolved throughout his life and career. He examines the role that family and faith have played in his evolution, and how he has come to be motivated by a sense of service. Rory also takes the time to unpack the misconceptions many of us have about happiness and how living a life of service can provide you with perpetual meaning. There is nothing quite as powerful as helping others. We hope you ’ ll join us for this powerful rumination on motivation, meaning, and the immense joy of helping others!
Tue, January 24, 2023
One of the key factors in whether or not you achieve success is your level of motivational drive. But what makes that drive so powerful in some people while others struggle to access it? Our guest today, Micheal Burt, is an expert in the art of motivation and has spent the better part of his career cultivating his unique approach to what he describes as competitive intelligence. His new book Flip the Switch: Activate Your Drive to Achieve a Freakish Level of Success is a comprehensive guide to finding your motivation and unlocking your inner potential. We talk with Micheal about how he got his start coaching basketball and what it taught him about fostering motivation within a team. He goes on to share the story of how he transitioned into becoming a speaker and coach while developing his trademark Prey Drive philosophy. Next, Micheal offers a fascinating breakdown of his Prey Drive philosophy and how anyone can access it by harnessing innate human emotions. He also explains how it can help any of us overcome complacency, one of the biggest obstacles to motivation. When it comes to the art of cultivating motivation, there are few people as knowledgeable as <span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed S
Fri, January 20, 2023
If you have the desire to write a book or have written a book, there ’ s a good chance that you are hoping to share a message that will help people. And while the first step to writing a successful book is creating a quality product, that is just one component of reaching your intended audience. If you want to reach the people who will benefit most from your message, then you need to have a plan in place. Today on the show, AJ revisits her conversation with Bob Wheatley and unpacks the three key things that you need to consider if you want to write a book. Whether you ’ re an aspiring author or are about to publish your first book, today ’ s episode is bound to give you fresh insight into the key elements that will determine the success of your book. Make sure you tune in to hear it all!
Tue, January 17, 2023
Writing your first book is a huge undertaking, and getting the right support on your journey can be the deciding factor in whether you achieve your goal, or not. Our guest today, Bob Wheatley, knows this better than anyone and after two and a half years of hard work and dedication is set to release his first book Our Hearts' Desire: How Our Stories Reveal the Thing We Want Most . In our conversation with Bob, we discuss how he first realized that he wanted to write a book and the key lesson he learned from the process. He provides a detailed breakdown of the publishing routes that aspiring authors can choose to pursue, the financial implications, and why he chose to use the hybrid publishing model. He goes on to explain how having a mentor helped him, and why he is so grateful to have learned from the mistakes of others. He also expands on how the skills he learned as a professional athlete helped him pitch up every day, and how to embrace the fact that your first draft won ’ t be very good. Writing a book takes a tremendous amount of commitment, and while it requires many hours of working in solitude, the only way you ’ ll deliver the best product possible is by enlisting the help of trusted friends, family, and mentors. If you feel like you have a message in you that you need to share with the world but don ’ t know where to begin, then this episode is here to give you the tools you need to start your journey!
Fri, January 13, 2023
Welcome to the second half of Rory’s conversation on how he stopped drinking, and why he decided to make such a big change. In our previous episode, Rory broke down the seven reasons why he decided to quit alcohol and gave an overview of the strategies that helped him break old habits and take on new ones. During part two you’ll hear Rory go into detail on how to rewrite your programming and replace your choices, and why this applies to anyone looking to make a change or create better habits. He breaks down how to implement these strategies and how each of them helped him successfully quit drinking. If you enjoyed part one and want to gain a deeper understanding of how to go about forming new habits, then make sure you tune in for part two!
Tue, January 10, 2023
Today’s episode is a deviation from our regular format and gets a little bit more personal. Traditionally, we interview exceptional individual s from any number of fields to discuss not just personal branding, but also their journey to success and the challenges they faced along the way. In today’s special episode , however, we hear from our very own Rory Vaden about how he strengthened his personal character and transformed his habits when he decided to give up alcohol. This is the first in a two-part series where Rory shares the strategies he used to break his habit of drinking and how he formed new habits that were in service of the life he wanted to live. Rory takes the time to unpack why he doesn’t believe everyone needs to give up alcohol to make this type of change, and why he felt it was the right choice for him. He also explains why you need a strong personal character to build a strong personal brand, and why your influence will never grow wider than your character runs deep. If you’re interested in making a change in your life but are feeling intimidated by the immensity of the challenge, then stick around for Rory’s story of personal growth and transformation!
Fri, January 06, 2023
In today’s special recap episode, AJ revisits her illuminating conversation with Megan Roudebush, Founder of Keepwith , on the power of networking and being authentic. Tuning in, you’ll hear AJ’s top takeaways from her conversation with Megan, like the importance of implementing a networking strategy and how to determine who you want to have in your sphere. She also reflects on the ways you can network outside of your business and how to make the perfect introduction. For a quick overview of our conversation with Megan on how to be a better networker, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, January 03, 2023
If you consider yourself to be someone who struggles with networking, then this episode is for you! Whether you ’ re an introvert who feels overwhelmed by big business conferences, or an extrovert who needs clarity on who they want to meet, there is a networking solution for you. Our guest today, Megan Roudebush, is the Founder of Keepwith , a new platform that facilitates authentic networking and solves the networking issues you didn ’ t even know you had. We talk with Megan about how she first saw a need for a platform like Keepwith , how they spent years developing it, and some of the incredible features it offers users. Megan shares her extensive knowledge about networking, from how to network in different spaces to understanding the responsibility of making introductions. She also unpacks the importance of having a networking strategy, how to identify who you want to meet, and why she encourages everyone to become a superconnector . Today ’ s conversation is a welcome reminder of the power of relationships and why networking does not need to be nearly as intimidating as we make it out to be. Be sure to tune in to hear all of Megan ’ s incredible insights on how to build meaningful relationships and how you can become a more authentic networker!
Fri, December 30, 2022
Rory ’ s conversation with Todd Herman was one of the most profound interviews that has been done on this show because it provided insights into a topic that most people know very little about: trademarks. It may come as a surprise to you, but if you are ever planning on selling your coaching business, be prepared to answer questions relating to the trademarks that you own. If you don ’ t have any, start registering some. And if you do have them, don ’ t hold back on protecting them! Todd ’ s interview is going to have a transformative impact on Brand Builders Group, and if you ’ re serious about scaling, don ’ t delay listening because it could do the same for your business.
Tue, December 27, 2022
“ How many trademarks do you own? ” If you ’ re planning on selling your coaching business, expect this to be one of the first questions you are asked by potential buyers. During this episode, our guest, Todd Herman, shares the stories of how he successfully founded, scaled, and sold three different coaching companies. Todd has been in the coaching game since before most people even knew what coaching was, and because of his experience, his passion for the industry, and his desire to continuously improve, he has made a name for himself all around the world! Todd explains the value of trademarks to your personal brand (and why he doesn ’ t ever hold back when it comes to protecting his own), why traction trumps content in the coaching world, and why you shouldn ’ t let your ego control your business decisions. Tune in for an interview that is unlike any other we ’ ve ever had on this show!
Fri, December 23, 2022
Building a side hustle takes plenty of planning, innovation, and motivation. And the same is doubly true for making your side hustle your main hustle. In today’s episode, AJ revisits her conversation with Nick Loper , Founder of Side Hustle Nation, and shares her top three takeaways from their conversation. Tuning in you’ll hear AJ reflect on Nick’s most insightful advice, like how to use your podcast as an income stream, even if you don’t have sponsorships or advertising, as well as the many ways podcasts can support your business. For a concise and informative recap of AJ’s fascinating conversation with Nick Loper , make sure you tune in today!
Tue, December 20, 2022
You may have noticed a substantial increase in ‘side hustles’ over the past few years. And as this trend has increased, so has the desire for many people to make their side hustle their main hustle. In today’s episode, we sit down with Nick Loper, Founder of Side Hustle Nation, to talk about the concept of a side hustle, how to build one, and what it takes to make your side hustle your main hustle. We kick things off by delving into Nick’s past side hustles and how he founded Side Hustle Nation. Learn about his early adoption of opportunities in the e-commerce sector and how he applied the lessons he learned to subsequent side hustles. We also discuss the role that SaaS (Software as a Service) can play in your side hustle, how to make money with affiliate ma rketing, and what you can do to monetize a small, but mighty, podcast. To hear all of Nick’s practical tips and insights on how to make your side hustle your main hustle, and achieve the financial freedom you deserve, make sure you tune in today!
Fri, December 16, 2022
If you ’ re a mission-driven messenger, then you undoubtedly want to spend your time helping people and impacting lives, not mired in technical details about websites, video editing, or marketing strategies. But once you reframe marketing as a form of artistry necessary for sharing your message, you will be able to gain a new level of appreciation for the skill it takes to market your brand, even if you have a team who does it all for you. In today ’ s special recap episode, Rory reflects on the role of marketing before revisiting his conversation with Eric Solomon, a video producer, editor, and storyteller who helps personal brands grow with powerful, authentic video content. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Rory share how his opinions of marketing have changed over the years as well as his top takeaways from his conversation with Eric. For a comprehensive summary of this important conversation, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, December 13, 2022
Making promotional videos for your personal brand can feel intimidating and striking the right tone can be tricky. But if you have a good team behind you, you can create seamless video content that authentically demonstrates who you are, and what you do, without it ever feeling like a sales pitch. That is the message of today ’ s guest Eric Solomon, a vi deo p roducer , e ditor, and s toryteller who helps personal brands grow with powerful, authentic video s . In our conversation, Eric breaks down four key ways that individuals can create persuasive promotional videos, along with his personal philosophies on how to ensure that your content is always authentic. Tuning in you ’ ll hear us unpack the power of interviews, the work Eric has done for Brand Builders Group, and why he prefers to film without a script. Eric also breaks down the types of video content he deems essential for anyone with a personal brand and how to go about producing them. To learn more about Eric ’ <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW1
Fri, December 09, 2022
In today’s special recap episode, AJ revisits her powerful conversation with keynote speaker, consultant, and author Matt Mayberry. Tuning in, listeners will hear AJ share her top three takeaways from their conversation as well as her unique thoughts and i nsights on the topics they talked about. One of the biggest lessons from their conversation is the concept of company culture and why it can be defined as behavior at scale. But how does this apply to the individual? There are countless resources on how to create company culture, but where are the resources that teach people how to create their reputation, especially when it comes to their personal brand? If you want to find out the answer to these and other questions, while also learning more about how you can intentionally create your reputation and personal brand, then make sure you tune in today!
S336 Enull · Tue, December 06, 2022
We have all had to face and overcome some type of hardship in our lives, whether big or small, but it can often be difficult or painful to talk about. And yet, finding the courage to be open, vulnerable, and honest, is one of the only ways to truly build trust and is a key part of any meaningful relationship. When it comes to building a personal brand, it can be tempting to focus solely on your successes. But it ’ s your struggles that truly make you relatable and can really build a sense of connection with your audience. No one knows this better than our guest today, Matt Mayberry, who overcame immense personal struggles to build the brand he has today, and found the strength to share the most despairing details of his story in order to best serve his audience. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Matt break down how he made the pivot from his NFL career to public speaking and consulting, as well as details of how he found the courage to share the darkest parts of his story. He explains what he has learned about the art of storytelling, like what to include or emphasize based on the message he wants to impart. We also delve into the extensive research Matt does on his audience for each event, the topics he covers as a speaker, and how he helps companies make lasting improvements to the culture of their organization. Our conversation today covered a range of topics. Not only is Matt hugely inspiring, but he is also deeply knowledgeable about how to transform organizational leadership and culture. You won ’ t want to miss this profoundly informative episode on speaking, consulting, and storytelling!
Fri, December 02, 2022
Many of us have found ourselves needing to pivot in our careers. And after the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for flexibility and adaptability has become more necessary than ever. In today ’ s episode, AJ revisits her conversation with former NFL Player Clay Harbor on how to pivot and shift your identity to ensure longevity and success in your career. In addition to sharing her top takeaways from their conversation, AJ also reflects on key lessons like how comparison can hold you back, why comparing yourself does nothing but hurt you, and what you can do to break the cycle of comparison. For special insight into how Brand Builders Group got started and why you should let go of comparison, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, November 29, 2022
If you’ve ever found yourself at a pivot al point in your career where you needed to reinvent yourself or shift your identity, then today’s episode is for you! Our guest today is an incredible individual who has consistently used discipline, routine, and hard work to achieve great things. Many of our listeners will already be familiar with Clay Harbor from the nine years he spent playing for the NFL, his memorable appearances on The Bachelorette, or his health and fitness brand ; which includes an impressive so cial media presence that boasts more than 240 thousand followers on Instagram alone. After a series of injuries left Clay unable to continue his football career, he decided to ask himself what else he was passionate about and what he wanted to be known for going forward. In our conversation, Clay shares what this transitional time was like for him, how he hoped to use his appearance on The Bachelorette as a stepping stone to a larger goal, and how a disciplined routine has been integral to his success in li fe and business. We also discuss how Clay and his brother transcended their challenging circumstances, why Clay is passionate about dedicating his life to helping others, and how Brand Builders Group helped Clay further establish his personal brand. Tune i n today for a fascinating conversation with a truly inspirational and humble individual on how to find success and build your brand, one small step at a time!
Fri, November 25, 2022
One of the key components to building your personal brand is understanding your audience, and one of the best ways to get to know your audience is by really listening to them. No one knows this better than Amberly Lago, an incredible speaker, podcast host, and best-selling author, who has formed profound relationships with her followers on social media. Tuning in you ’ ll hear AJ ’ s top takeaways from her conversations with Amberly like how to be an effective communicator, what it means to curate your audience, and how you can get to know them better. She also reflects on Amberly ’ s love of people and her gift for treating her audience like family, as well as how Amberly ’ s desire for meaningful connections has shaped her personal brand. For an insightful recap of this wonderful conversation with a phenomenal human being, make sure you tune in today !
Tue, November 22, 2022
Building a personal brand can feel overwhelming. There are so many examples of how you can go about it and a seemingly endless list of things that you could choose to focus on. Today ’ s guest has done an incredible job of cutting through the noise and building her brand by staying true to who she is, listening to her audience, and trusting her gut. Amberly Lago is a TED speaker, fitness addict, and host of the True Grit and Grace Podcast. She is also the bestselling author of True Grit and Grace: Turning Tragedy into Triumph , a book that chronicles how a devastating motorcycle accident shattered her right leg and permanently altered the course of her fitness career. In it, she is deeply vulnerable and shares how she overcame her darkest moments of despair by learning to love herself again and finding meaning in what happened to her by helping others. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Amberly talk about her journey from being a fitness coach with virtually zero technical expertise to purchasing a laptop in her forties and building an impressive social media following in the run-up to her book launch. Learn how Amberly created her personal brand from a place of authenticity and why she was so passionate about forming real, lasting relationships through social media. We also delve into the self-doubt that tends to plague us when we evaluate the worth of our personal stories, and how Amberly found belief in the power of her story when she recognized the impact it could have on the lives of others. Amberly is not only a truly inspiring individual, but she is also deeply compassionate and her love of people is infectious. Join us today for a profound conversation on overcoming pain, finding your authenticity, and the power of connection!
Fri, November 18, 2022
Ian Koniak is a powerful example of how our philosophy works in practice! As someone who came in as a high-flyer from the world of sales, and made the leap into coaching and entrepreneurship using his unique set of skills and expertise, we are so proud to call Ian part of our tribe! We believe so strongly in what we teach, and this is something that Ian's story underlines boldly. In this recap of our recent chat with Ian, listeners will get to hear the top three takeaways from the conversation on how to sell more high-dollar offers, and feel great while doing it! We all hate the idea of feeling sle a zy and slimy, and this can be so easily avoided by putting the needs and goals of your clients first. If you know what you are offering and the value of your services, you are able to find people who truly fit with you and can benefit from what you are selling. Listen in to hear about why 'no' is better than 'maybe', boosting referrals through over-delivering, and why helping others succeed is what we are all about at Brand Builders Group!
Tue, November 15, 2022
Our guest today is one of the best salespeople we know! Ian Koniak has proven himself at all levels of the world of sales, having worked at Ricoh and Salesforce, and now as a full-time sales coach. Ian's message is something that we can really get behind , and in this episode, we get to dig down into his sales philosophy, and how you can start selling more today! Our guest talks about going from belief to energy to engagement, escaping neediness, and the all-important piece of closing deals. Listeners can expect to come away from today's chat with a huge dose of sales medicine, and a refresher on lead generation, how to increase referrals, and much more! Make sure to stay tuned to hear Ian unpack his P . R . E . D . I . C . T . selling framework, which makes any sales call so much easier. Listen in to hear it all!
Fri, November 11, 2022
Authenticity may seem like an intangible concept, but in reality, there are methods you can use to strategically implement it in the workplace and get incredible results. Today on the show AJ revisits her conversation with Erin Hatzikostas , where they discuss authentic leadership and how it can transform our work environments. Tuning in you ’ ll hear AJ ’ s top four takeaways from their conversation, including Erin ’ s definition of authenticity, and how data from her research study demonstrates the parallel between authentic cultures and talent retention. We also discuss the difference between authenticity and transparency, and why you can never be too authentic, but you can be too transparent. Make sure you tune in for a recap of this essential interview about authenticity, both in life and in the workplace!
Tue, November 08, 2022
Authenticity is all about exposing who you are when people least expect it. That insight comes from today ’ s guest Erin Hatzikostas , bestselling author of You Do You( ish ): Unleash Your Authentic Superpowers to Get the Career You Deserve , podcast co-host of ‘ b Cause Work Doesn ’ t Have to Suck ’ , and all-round authenticity aficionado. Erin is also a keynote speaker, coach, consultant, and leader of a recent national research study on the impact of authenticity in the workplace. In today ’ s episode, you ’ ll hear all about how Erin went from being a corporate CEO to, what she calls, a professional pot-stirrer. She shares the story of how she stumbled on authentic leadership in her role as CEO and how the experience led her down the path of entrepreneurship and data-driven research. You ’ ll learn why authenticity isn ’ <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW106667826 BCX0" data-ccp-para
Fri, November 04, 2022
For many of us niching down may seem unintuitive, but it ’ s actually the most effective way to reach your audience and build your personal brand. In today ’ s special recap episode, Rory revisits his conversation with Chris Ducker, Founder and CEO at Youpreneur ® , where they discuss the tremendous value of niching down. Rory shares his top takeaways from their conversation : including how to optimize based on your resources, why you don ’ t need millions of followers, and the many benefits of niching down. For an insightful summary of our recent episode with Chris Ducker, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, November 01, 2022
Some people might say that you should never promote your competitors or others in your field. But if you live with an abundance mindset then there ’ s no reason why you can ’ t lift up those around you. That is why we ’ re delighted to be joined by Chris Ducker, a fellow expert in personal branding who is helping entrepreneurs build profitable, future-proof businesses. In our conversation , Chris shares key lessons he ’ s learned over the course of his career, including the value of niching down and why it ’ s so much more effective at generating revenue than trying to serve everyone. Chris provides examples of how to niche down based on whom you want to serve and breaks down why it ’ s the most practical approach for finding your audience. We also discuss The Elevated Entrepreneur Experience that Chris is leading and how you can get involved. For an engrossing episode on personal branding, entrepreneurship, and finding your first client, make sure you tune in today!
Fri, October 28, 2022
Thanks for tuning into this recap episode of the fantastic conversation we had recently with Denise Villa! This was such an insightful chat, and if you haven't already listened to that, you know what to do! Denise got so real with us about the ins and outs of life as an entrepreneur and shared a lot of important things that we think aspiring entrepreneurs need to know. Join us today as AJ recounts some of the things she found most impactful, talking about family businesses, the positives and negatives of working with a spouse, and what entrepreneurship really demands of us. For AJ, seeing Rory in his element has always been something to be grateful for, and makes all the other hurdles and difficulties worth it. AJ also teases out Denise's messages about the highs and lows of owning a business, and some of the parts of our work that might not be so glamorous. To finish off this recap, AJ reflects on the parts of her identity that reach beyond her work, and how becoming a parent gave her a new perspective on herself and her energy. Be sure to tune in to catch it all!
Tue, October 25, 2022
Taking the leap into entrepreneurship can seem incredibly daunting, especially when you already have an established career. As a result, it can often take a life-altering event to prompt you to reassess your trajectory and make a pivotal change. That was t he case for today’s guest Denise Villa, Ph.D., and co-author of Zconomy : How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business―and What to Do About It . After structuring her entire career around teaching, a series of life events prompted Denise to reevaluate what s he wanted to do with her life. In our conversation , we talk with Denise about how she made the shift to entrepreneurship and what it’s been like embarking o n this journey with her husband and business partner, Jason Dorsey. We delve into the complexity of entering into business with your spouse, why trust is essential in any relationship, and how their different skills and traits complement one another. Denise also expands on their company called The Center for Generational Kinetics, why they are passionate about separating generational myth from truth, and what it was like co-authoring Zconomy with her husband. Today’s episode is full of refreshing insights on entrepreneurship, partnerships, and how to uncover what you truly want. Make sure you tune in for this joyful conversation filled with tons of relatable stories and useful advice!
Fri, October 21, 2022
In today ’s special recap episode, Rory revisits his fascinating conversation with Alan Stein, Jr., who spent 15 years working as a high performance and mental training coach for NBA superstars and athletes, before transitioning into the realm of leadership and speaking. Tuning in you’ll hear Rory share his top takeaways from their conversation, including the importance of mastering the basics and why, as a high performer, you can exhibit both confidence and humility. Rory also reflects on why it’s important to recognize that there is a big difference between being the world's greatest player and being the world's greatest coach, and how this knowledge can transform your mindset. Fo r premium insights from our conversation with Alan Stein, Jr. and how they can help you build a personal brand, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, October 18, 2022
It ’ s not every day that you have the opportunity to speak with someone who has spent years working closely alongside the likes of Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. Our guest today, Alan Stein, Jr. has done exactly that. For 15 years he worked as a high performance and mental training coach for NBA superstars and athletes to help them achieve and maintain incredible levels of performance. Since then he has transitioned into the world of leadership and speaking, where he helps to improve and elevate individual and organizational performance. He is also the co-author of Raise Your Game: High - Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best as well as his latest book Sustain Your Game: High Performance Keys to Manage Stress, Avoid Stagnation, and Beat Burnout . In our conversation, Alan shares the insights he gained from working with ultra-high-level athletes such as why the best never tire of the basics, why repetition isn ’ t punishment, and why being process-driven is far more useful than chasing external results and validation. We also delve into how these lessons apply to life, leadership, and business, what it means to coach above your weight class, and why you can offer invaluable insight and support to your clients regardless of their level of exp
Fri, October 14, 2022
One of the best ways to elevate your content is to view it from the perspective of your client. It’s an opportunity to gain fresh insight into what they need and how you can deliver on it. In today’s recap episode AJ revisits her conversation with Nora Sudduth, Co-Founder and CRO of Hello Audio, a podcast hosting platform with a range of features that make it easier than ever to connect with your audience. Tuning in you’ll hear AJ share her top takeaways ; like why more information does not necessarily mean more value, and how to identify the currency your audience is trading in - whether it’s time, money, or both. She reflects on Nora’s key advice on how to increase your content engagement, from making your product entertaining and accessible and increasing the ease of use, to identifying the needs of your clients and delivering on them. AJ’s interview with Nora is packed with hidden gems, so be sure to tune in for a recap of this important conversation!
Tue, October 11, 2022
How often have you purchased a course with every intention of completing it, but never found the time to actually do it? If this sounds familiar, it’s probably because this issue is incredibly common. According to comprehensive data and surveys, most courses are never completed; leaving behind countless hours of unused footage and missed educational opportunities. Armed with this information and a passion for student success, our guest today, Nora Sudduth founded Hello Audio, a podcast hosting platform with a range of features that make it easier than ever to connect with your audience. In our conversation, Nora shares her obsession with customer success and delves into how she abandoned her corporate career to pursue a more entrepreneurial path. She explains why Hello Audio started out as Podcast Your Course, and how its features allow for private podcasts. We discuss the many benefits of private podcasts and unpack why audio is an excellent method for relaying coursework in a medium that students have time for. Nora also shares her top advice for increasing content engagement from reducing ‘time to value’ and using your ‘existing reach’, to creating concise copy and content, and providing a solution to your customers’ primary problems. Today’s episode is filled with valuable advice and key insights from an inspiring individual. Make sure you tune in for an informative conversation on the power of podcasting, how to generate engagement, and more!
Fri, October 07, 2022
Our conversation with publicity expert Selena Soo was filled with insights ; not only in what she had to say but how she said it. In this special recap edition of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast , we share our main takeaways from Selena’s profession alism as an interviewee to her most astute publicity tips. Selena schooled us on the true value of mainstream media and when it’s actually a suitable pursuit, as well as how to get on TV when it is, indeed, the appropriate media outlet for your product. Jo in us as we debrief after our inspiring conversation with Selena, covering everything from finding riches in the niches and finding a new way to think about your online audience, to identifying and running with your lead magnet.
Tue, October 04, 2022
Many personal brands aim to make it onto national television, but could it be that you ’ re missing a few crucial steps along the way? Is national television truly the most profitable pursuit for your brand? Joining us today to talk all things publicity is publicity expert and lead magnet, Selena Soo. Selena ’ s reputation precedes her and in this episode she talks us through her Publicity Pyramid framework . She fills us in on t he pros and cons of magazine features and television interviews , and explains which questions you should be asking yourself rather than “ How do I get on TV? ” . When pitching for TV is appropriate, however, you ’ ll need
Fri, September 30, 2022
Our recent chat with Mori Taheripour was absolutely overflowing with insight and inspiring ways to improve your negotiation game. We also spoke a lot about the world of publishing and some of the lessons that Mori learned that might help you if you are wan ting to share your message with the world by writing a book! So to hear all of that, and get a deep dive into the amazing content of the book and her story, be sure to go back and listen to that episode if you have not already. In this recap AJ gives her top three takeaways from the chat, highlighting the themes of mindset and perception, collaboration over confrontation, and getting clear on what you want. This was an amazing chat with so much value for all of our listeners, and Mori's passion for helping ot hers definitely lefts its mark on us. Tune in to hear all about it!
Tue, September 27, 2022
Deep down, we probably all want to be better negotiators, and feel more confident as we enter into discussions we care about, whether for our career or personal life. Today we are very lucky to have an amazing conversation with a negotiation expert, Mori Taheripour , and this is an episode that we promise you are not going to want to miss. Mori is the author of the inspiring book, Bring Yourself, in which she lays out her philosophy and approach to self-worth, honest storytelling, and communicating in ways that safeguard against dissatisfaction. Mori has worked in a variety of roles and sectors, and we get to hear about a few of the important stepping stones of her long and winding path to where she is today! Mori explains how she was influenced by the time she spent working in public health, how she became a teacher at The Wharton School, and how this led to her publishing her book. We also talk about developing a more fearless attitude, what makes a truly great negotiator, how to make negotiation less difficult (and even enjoyable!), and much more!
Fri, September 23, 2022
If you ’ ve ever been curious about how Brand Builders Group helps their clients build their speaking careers, then today ’ s episode is for you! In today ’ s episode, Rory revisits his conversation with Grant Baldwin, founder of The Speaking Lab, a company that enables aspiring speakers to consistently get booked (and paid!), by utilizing their SPEAK Framework ™ . Tuning in you ’ ll hear Rory break down the key curriculums they use here at Brand Builders Group to teach their clients how to excel, not just in the art of crafting a speech, but also in the business side of speaking. Discover the highlights from our eight-part miniseries called How To Get The Gig and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to integrate speaking into your business model. Rory also gives a detailed overview of the seven different ways that you can get paid for speaking engagements, especially if you ’ re starting out. From charging a straightforward speaking fee to gathering testimonials, or capturing video footage for your demo tape, each method offers an excellent way to get paid as a speaker! Tune in to learn how Brand Builders Group is helping mission-driven messengers grow their business, generate wealth, and impact more people! <span class="EOP SCXW31533896 BCX0
Tue, September 20, 2022
For most up-and-coming speakers their primary concern is going onstage and giving an excellent performance. And while being a great speaker is essential for success, it shouldn’t cause you to neglect the other elements that make up your business. That is why today’s guest, Grant Baldwin, started The Speaking Lab ; a company that empowers up-and-coming speakers by providing them with the resources, knowledge, and insights they need to succeed. The Speaking Lab enables aspiring speakers to consistently get booked (and paid!) by utilizing their SPEAK Framework™, also known as the business side of speaking. Tuning in you’ll hear Grant give a comprehensive breakdown of the SPEAK framework and how to implement it. From uncovering the specific problem you want to solve and choosing the industry that you should focus on , to preparing your talk and establishing yourself as an expert , to learning the best methods for acquiring paid speaking gigs and <span class="TextRun SCXW241156847 BCX0" lang= "EN-US" xml:l
Fri, September 16, 2022
From the outside, it may look like someone achieved success overnight, but the truth is that in almost every instance there are months, years, and decades of invisible hard work behind that success. In today ’ s recap episode, AJ revisits her conversation with Travis Blakely and Teun van der Lugt (Tony) of Inner Light Media. Tuning in you ’ ll hear AJ ’ s top three takeaways from their interview, like why Plan B should always be to make Plan A work, how to create authenticity in your videos, and why you should be focusing your efforts on one message and one platform. For a quick summary of this inspiring conversation, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, September 13, 2022
Creating video content can be intimidating, but when you focus on topics you ’ re interested in, your passion will reflect in the quality of your work and attract an audience who shares your interests. Today on the show we get together with Travis Blakely, a Social Media Strategist, and Founder and Owner of Inner Light Media; and Teun van der Lugt , also known as Tony, a Video Creator and Strategist, and Founder of Golden Era Media. In our conversation , Tony and Travis break down the many facets that will help you create meaningful content; from choosing your topic to refining your script, to being relaxed, engaging, and (most importantly) yourself, in front of the camera. Tuning in you ’ ll gain valuable insight into how to create the best videos for your purposes as well as practical tips on how to elevate your content so that it resonates with your viewers. You ’ ll also learn why YouTube is an excellent long-term social media investment (even if it takes a while to grow), as well as the benefits of focusing your energy on one platform, before expanding to other channels. Tony and Travis are both dedicated to making a positive difference in the world and it ’ s reflected in the high-quality, meaningful content that they create. To learn more about creating exceptional content that also has the potential to go viral, be sure to tune in today! <span class="EOP SCXW101799624 BCX0" data-ccp-props=
Fri, September 09, 2022
We recently had Kindra Hall on the podcast to share some wisdom about the path to becoming a paid professional speaker, and if you caught that episode, you know it was a goodie! Today we are recapping some of the most impactful points and reflections from that chat, and underlining the wisdom that Kindra was so generous with! Kindra is a great example of someone who is reaping the rewards of putting in the hard work, and it was clear in her story and our conversation how much can be achieved by setting a goal and following through. One of today's main takeaways was the benefit of zeroing in on speaking at associations when starting out, and we explore five reasons that should inspire you to prioritize this. We also get into the art of storytelling and, as an expert storyteller, Kindra unpacked the impact that the stories we tell ourselves has on our journey toward our goals. So if you want to hear all this and more, and get a running start towards earning the speaking fees of your dreams, tune in today!
Tue, September 06, 2022
If you ’ re an aspiring speaker, today ’ s episode is for you! Kindra Hall is an author, storyteller, and keynote speaker who grew her career and became one of the biggest female speakers on the global stage in a record amount of time. Storytelling has played a pivotal role in Kindra ’ s life and career and her latest book , Choose Your Story, Change Your Life: Silence Your Inner Critic and Rewrite Your Life from the Inside Out , is a testament to the power of stories and the transformative role they can play in our lives. In this conversation, Kindra shares how she got started by sending out one hundred emails a week for six weeks to prospective organizations, the events that accepted her, and how this allowed her to test her message and gain exposure. Tuning in , you ’ ll hear Kindra unpack the role that storytelling has played in her career, how she c
Fri, September 02, 2022
In today ’ s special recap episode, we revisit our conversation with Vinney Chopra, an incredible individual with an infectious positivity who has dramatically scaled his real estate investments over the past seven years. Tuning in you ’ ll hear AJ share her top three takeaways from her conversation, as well as her reflections on why they are so significant. Discover why teaching is just choice learning, the power of syndication through pooling your resources, what to expect from the three metaphorical tsunamis that are currently taking place in the US, and how to invest accordingly. For all this and much more, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, August 30, 2022
Our guest today, Vinney Chopra, has had a fascinating career, from studying engineering to decades of work as a prolific fundraiser to building a real estate empire in his sixties. When Vinney first came to the US he only had seven dollars in his bank account. Since then he has acquired over $ 650 million in assets, an achievement that is nothing short of incredible ! Tuning in you ’ ll learn about Vinney ’ s entrepreneurial journey, how he learned to be an exceptional salesperson, and what it has taught him about resilience and building wealth. Learn about Vinney ’ s real estate career later in life as we break down why syndication is such a powerful tool, how to leverage your email list, and how Vinney managed to raise over $4 million while on vacation . We also discuss Vinney ’ s personal brand, his passion for teaching, and his goal to impart his knowledge and create 1 million millionaires. Vinney's positive attitude is both infectious and inspiring. Tune in to learn more about his incr
Fri, August 26, 2022
Whenever you make a sale, it is essential that you first educate your customer and earn their trust. One of the best ways to earn that trust is by sharing your expertise for free, thereby demonstrating your integrity and your worth. Today on the show Rory revisits his conversation with Evan Carmichael of Brandlytics on how to dominate on YouTube and why you should give away your expertise for free. Tuning in, you ’ ll hear Rory share his top three takeaways, including how to make data-driven decisions for your online content, and why YouTube videos should be longer than you think. For more on why YouTube is considered education at scale, and how you can use it to grow your brand on multiple platforms, make sure you check out this recap!
Tue, August 23, 2022
One of the key things that sets YouTube apart from other social media platforms is that it's primarily used as an education platform which makes it the ideal home for long-form content. Today on the show we talk with Evan Carmichael, an incredible speaker and author who has built a following of over three million YouTube subscribers, about how to make compelling content and dominate on YouTube. Tuning in you ’ ll learn what attracts users to educational content, what you should be sharing in your videos, and how to use YouTube ’ s native analytics to improve and repurpose your content. Evan also unpacks the audience retention curve, how you can use it to become a better speaker, and why quality of thought is more important than production quality. Tune in for a great conversation full of practical tips, and profound insights on how to take your YouTube content to the next level!
Fri, August 19, 2022
The great resignation has put more pressure than ever on leaders to find and retain great talent. In today’s recap episode, AJ revisits her conversation with Matt White, Executive Advisor at Culture Index, a company that uses unique psychometric assessments to help businesses hire and retain the right talent for the right job. Tuning in, you’ll hear AJ share her top three takeaways from their conversation, as well as her own thoughts and insights. Learn about the Culture Index Assessment, why the great resignation should be called the great re-evaluation, and how visionary leadership can help you retain great talent. Make sure you tune in for a brief and insightful recap of this incredible conversation!
Tue, August 16, 2022
The great resignation is one of the most interesting phenomena to come about as a result of the COVD-19 pandemic. Many people are realizing that they aren’t well suited to their jobs and that it’s time to find something that matches their passion, talent, and skill sets. Today on the show, we talk with Matt White, Executive Advisor at Culture Index, a company that uses its unique psychometric assessment to help businesses hire the right talent and put them in a position where they can perform at their very best. Tuning in, you’ll learn more about the Culture Index Assessment, what it does (and does not) measure, and how it equips companies to find the best fit for their roles. We discuss how the Culture Index Assessment differs from other popular personality tests, like the Enneagram, and how they structure their profiles. Matt also sheds light on the importance of defining what you need from a role, how to communicate your vision, and the characteristics that make for a great leader. Today’s episode is full of incredible takeaways for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to match their passion with their job, so make sure you tune in to hear it all!
Fri, August 12, 2022
All of us have an internal narrative about our li v e s , but we can never know the full picture of why we are the way we are. And yet, the stories we tell ourselves about our past are incredibly powerful and have the ability to determine our identity as well a s our future — a stirring example of why it is so important to discard confining beliefs that no longer serve you. This important insight comes from Rory’s recent interview with Ian Morgan Cron, a leading expert on the Enneagram and its many applications. Tuning in you’ll hear Rory share his top takeaways from that interview, including why your biggest strength is also your biggest weakness, what it means to have a false origin story, and why what is true to us is what we tell ourselves most often. If you’r e interested in the Enneagram or the psychology of influence, then join us for an insightful recap on our meeting with Ian Morgan Cron!
Tue, August 09, 2022
Whether you’ve never heard of Enneagrams before, or you’re a die-hard fan, today’s episode is for you! We talk with Enneagram Teacher, Author, Speaker, Psychotherapist, and Consultant, Ian Morgan Cron, about the Enneagram and why it’s such a powerful personality tool. In our conversation, Ian gives an overview of how the Enneagram works, the nine personality types it is made up of, and how it differs from other personality tools. He explains why he’s a fan of any tool that helps its users gain self-knowledge, why information can only lead to growth if you are empowered with the tools for transformation, and how you can rewrite your story. We also discuss his book The Story of You: An Enneagram Journey to Becoming Your True Self , as well as his podcast Typology, a podcast that explores the mystery of the human personality and how we can use the Enneagram typing system as a tool to become our most authentic selves. Today’s conversation offers key insights into the invisible forces that govern our lives, how we can rewrite our stories, and why self-knowledge is integral to a happy life. We hope you’ll join us for this life-changing conversation!
Fri, August 05, 2022
Approaching your personal brand with a servant leadership mindset is tremendously powerful. In today ’ s special recap episode, AJ revisits her conversation with Lethia Owens, a servant leader who is building an incredible legacy for her children and grandchildren. Tuning in you ’ ll hear AJ ’ s top three takeaways, along with her own thoughts and insights. Learn about the concept of being a game - changer, what it means to have a servant mindset, and how to be a legacy creator. For all this and more, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, August 02, 2022
Many people are hesitant to pursue building a personal brand because of the misguided notion that it ’ s a selfish endeavor. In reality building, a successful personal brand is much more closely aligned with having a servant mindset and asking yourself how you can help others. No one knows this better than today ’ s incredible guest, Lethia Owens. Lethia serves as an expert Market and Personal Branding Speaker and Strategist. She is also a tech CEO and author of the book Your Brand Influence: The Art and Science of Building an Influential Personal Brand . Tuning in you ’ ll learn about Lethia ’ s work as a speaker and strategist, how she persevered through adverse circumstances to get where she is today, and why her superpower is being true to herself, no matter what. We delve into what it means to be a game - changer, how to find your lane as a speaker, and how Lethia is building a legacy for her grandchildren. You ’ ll also learn about her program Certify Your Brilliance, how it empowers clients to certify their skills, and its ability to open up new revenue streams. It was such an honor having Lethia on the show, and we ’ re sure you ’ ll find this conversation as eye-opening and inspiring as w
Fri, July 29, 2022
When you have an exceptional service but are afraid to market it, you are actually depriving your potential clients of the help they need. No one knows this better than Dean Graziosi , an expert information marketer, author, investor, entrepreneur, and co-f ounder of Mastermind.com alongside legendary Tony Robbins. Tuning in you’ll Rory share his top three takeaways from their conversation, including why the person with the broadest reach is not necessarily the best at what they do but is undoubtedly the bes t at marketing. We also discuss how to overcome your sales reluctance by being so passionate about your product that you feel guilty if you don’t make people aware of it and the conviction Rory feels when it comes to the services they offer at Brand Build ers Group. To learn more about our eye-opening conversation with Dean Graziosi and how to take advantage of his free training with Tony Robbins, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, July 26, 2022
Many of our clients here at Brand Builders Group are what we call Mission Driven Messengers. They have dedicated their lives to making an impact, and are committed to helping people by serving their followers and clients to the best of their abilities. Yet time and again we see them struggle to reconcile their humility with the sales element of their personal brand. Our guest today is no stranger to this predicament and is a firm believer that sales and marketing have formed the backbone of some of the most important movements in history. Dean Graziosi is a giant in his field and has excelled as an author, investor, entrepreneur, & trainer. In 2019 he partnered with Tony Robbins to create Mastermind.com, a platform that allows you to thrive in the virtual economy by empowering you to share your knowledge using unmatched success strategies along with their worldwide directory. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Dean break down the partnership between purpose and marketing, how to approach paid advertising, and why you are doing your potential clients a huge disservice when you don ’ t market yourself well. We also cover the concept of a value ladder, how to cater to a range of client needs, and how you can get in on Tony Robbins ’ and Dean ’ s exclusive free training offer. It was such an honor having Dean on the show, and we ’ re sure you ’ ll find our conversation as thought-provoking and inspiring as we did. Make sure you tune in for tons of great insights and learn why you need to love what you do so much that you feel bad if people don't use it!
Fri, July 22, 2022
It takes a lot of courage to make yourself vulnerable, but what exactly does that mean, and how does one do it? According to Kathryn Gordon, the practical answer is: to share what you are feeling. This may sound like simple advice, but it can be tough to follow. After all, when you share your innermost thoughts, you run the risk of being ridiculed, rejected, or even causing harm. And in no relationship is vulnerability more important than in your marriage. Today on the show, Rory revisits his conversation with Kathryn to talk about vulnerability, intimacy, and why acknowledging the hardship someone is facing is so important. When it comes to this podcast we may focus a lot on personal branding strategies, but we are also deeply aware of the monumental role those personal relationships play in all our lives. Tune in for a humbling recap on marriage, communication, and what it means to be a supportive spouse.
Tue, July 19, 2022
Despite our focus on personal brands and business here on th is podcast, we know that relationships, family, and marriages are a huge part of a healthy life, and deserve just as much attention as anything else. On the show today , to share some of her wisdom about building and maintaining healthier bonds with a spouse, is the amazing Kathryn Gordon! Kathryn is a good friend of ours and is truly inspiring as a person and personal brand. She is a mother, businesswoman, movie producer, best-selling author, and host of the Kathryn For Real Podcast! She published the inspiring and informative book Relationship Grit together with her husband Jon, and we hear all about her journey, the process of bring ing her lessons to the world, and what her experiences through the last few years have given her. Kathryn talks about when to look outside for help, how husbands can approach supporting their wives through tough times, and the types of communication pitfalls that so many of us fall into. So to hear it all from this powerful woman, make sure to catch the show!
Fri, July 15, 2022
You may think that giving presentations is reserved for a select set of career choices, such as keynote speakers or press secretaries. But in fact, there are a wide range of scenarios that require us to call upon our presentation skills. Whether you’re giv ing a speech at a wedding, or you need to lead training at work, you’ll need to draw on your public speaking skills to share information and keep your audience engaged. Today on the show, AJ reflects on her conversation with Stephanie Szostak, a model and actress who you may recognize from her memorable roles in film and television. Tuning in, you’ll hear AJ recount her top takeaways from their conversation, including her presentation tips and why it’s never too late to find your calling. We loved having St ephanie on the show and we can’t wait to share her wonderful insights with you. Make sure you tune in for a quick and informative recap on how to overcome your fear of public speaking and bring your best self to any presentation!
Tue, July 12, 2022
Your career does not define you and there are countless facets to your life that make you who you are. Our guest today is an incredible, multi-talented individual, who is dedicated to helping people find their truth. Stephanie Szostak is an accomplished Hollywood actress, activist, creator, and so much more. She is the founder of Our Boobs Stories, a project that gives women the opportunity to share their feelings about their breasts, including milestones like puberty, reconstructive surgery, and cancer. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Stephanie ’ s unconventional entry into the world of acting and modeling , what initially drew her to the craft, and the steps she took to pursue her interest in performance. She also shares her tips as an actress on how to give powerful, emotionally connected, presentations, and how to bring authenticity to your content. Stephanie didn ’ t always want to be an actress, but by following her inner voice she was able to uncover the truth of what she was most passionate about and achieve alignment between the many facets of her life. Tune in to learn about the steps you can take to uncover your purpose, how to elevate your presentations, and much more!
Fri, July 08, 2022
Almost all of us can benefit from reading people better, especially their body language. In today’s episode, Rory revisits his conversation with Vanessa Edwards, a celebrated author, keynote speaker, and an expert in the science of people who has helped t housands of individuals learn crucial interpersonal skills and become charismatic speakers. Rory shares his top takeaways from the conversation including how to build a following by being aggressively helpful and how to use SEO to optimize your book sale s long term. You’ll also learn about a game-changing technique that Brand Builders Group teaches their students and how you can incorporate it into your personal branding strategy. Join us for an illuminating recap along with exclusive insights into the B rand Builders Group curriculum!
Tue, July 05, 2022
Being an entrepreneur and launching a new business is a daunting task and having a brilliant idea is only the beginning. Your soft skills and leadership qualities play a huge role in the future success of your business, especially since you need to build meaningful connections and a robust network if you want your business to grow and thrive. Here today to help us make sense of this essential topic is Vanessa Van Edwards. She is a celebrated author, keynote speaker, and recovering awkward person, who has helped thousands of individuals learn crucial interpersonal skills and become charismatic speakers. In our conversation, we delve into her new book Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication , why she wrote it, and the years of scientific research behind its ideas. Vanessa breaks down the four key ways that we broadcast our cues and explains why charisma is the perfect combination of warmth and competence. We also discuss how understanding these cues can help you interact with people, why it ’ s important, and how you can utilize your charisma to better represent your product and yourself, both in your content and in person. Make sure you tune in to gain crucial insight into what charisma truly means, in life and business!
Fri, July 01, 2022
In today's episode, AJ revisits her conversation with Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Commissioner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). She shares her top three takeaways from their conversation and reflects on some of Mollie ’ s most prescient insights into personal branding and how it is changing the way that people engage with sports. AJ highlights Mollie ’ s insight that we all form part of a team, whether it ’ s with our family, our friends, or at work, and why every role is important. She also discusses the LPGA ’ s shift in making sure the stories of the players are known, and why Mollie is intent on focusing on the present. To learn more about our wonderful conversation with Mollie, and more, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, June 28, 2022
Sometimes building a personal brand is easier to do when you ’ re doing it for a cause that ’ s bigger than yourself. Our guest today, Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Commissioner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), is on a mission to do just that. She is a fierce admirer of the women who form a part of her organization and firmly believes that more people should know about their stories as well as their incredible accomplishments. In our conversation, we discuss Mollie ’ s storied career in sports, how she came to work for the LPGA, and how she hopes to contribute to the organization. We delve into the changing role of personal branding in sports, and how an individual ’ s brand can elevate their organization. Mollie breaks down some of the changes she ’ d like to see in the golfing world, including equal pay for women, and broader access to a sport that can be prohibitively expensive for many p eople. We also talk about the importance of being a team player, no matter the size of your role, and how we form a part of many teams in our lifetime, whether it ’ s at work or at home. To learn more about personal branding in sports, and much
Fri, June 24, 2022
In today's special recap episode, Rory revisits his conversation with R a y Higdon, where they discussed sales, personal branding, network marketing, and leadership. Tuning in, you’ll hear Rory’s top three takeaways from their conversation, as well as his un ique reflections and insights. Rory unpacks the importance of being duplicatable, not just with network marketing, but also with your personal brand. He also explains why standard approaches scale and custom approaches fail, why sales is short-term and mar keting is long-term, and how to learn to do both. For a quick and insightful recap of this highly informative conversation, along with key insights, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, June 21, 2022
When it comes to network marketing, there ’ s no single tried and true method that you need to follow. Whether you ’ re leveraging social media or doing cold calls, each strategy has its merits. Today on the show we talk with Ray Higdon, founder of Rank Makers, an elite network of marketing entrepreneurs, about network marketing, personal branding, and sales. In our conversation, we discuss the natur e of network marketing, why it ’ s so empowering, and how Ray created Rank Makers. Learn about the role that personal branding plays in network marketing, how to leverage social media, and why consistency is key. We unpack the role that network marketing pla ys in many influencers' residual income, why it's so common, and why they work so well together. Ray also shares his tips for anyone starting as a network marketer on how to immediately drive revenue for their business and succeed. To learn more about netw ork marketing, entrepreneurship, and personal branding, make sure you tune in today!
Fri, June 17, 2022
Do you ever look at someone on TV, whether they ’ re a presenter or a news anchor, and wonder how they got there? In today ’ s recap episode AJ revisits her interview with Emmy and Gracie award-winning broadcaster, Lindsay Czarniak, and shares her top three takeaways from their conversation. AJ reflects on the importance of building sincere, caring relationships, what to do if you ’ re shy in front of the camera, and why relatability is key to finding your core audience. Tune in for a quick recap of this wonderful conversation with Lindsay Czarniak!
Tue, June 14, 2022
You never know how your current job could be preparing you for your next opportunity, which is why it ’ s so important to learn everything you can from your present position. Today on the show we get together with Lindsay Czarniak, an Emmy and Gracie Award-Winning Broadcaster, to talk about her career, breaking through the noise, and what she ’ s learned from competing in such a male-dominated field. Tuning in you ’ ll hear about the pivotal moments and relationships that shaped Lindsay ’ s career, why there ’ s no such thing as an overnight success, and her thoughts on why there are moments in her career that make much more sense looking back than they did when she was in the thick of it. Lindsay also shares how taking a risk led her to achieve her big break, how she learned to trust her gut, and why it ’ s so important to have a student ’ s heart. It was such a delight having Lindsay on the show, not only is she an accomplished broadcaster with a multitude of talents, but she is also an incredibly humble and down - to - <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW192538945 BCX0" data-ccp-parastyle= "Bo
Fri, June 10, 2022
For many entrepreneurs, one of the biggest challenges is getting their message out there. Not only is it difficult to stand out in a competitive market, but you also need the self-confidence and conviction to do so. Today on the show, Rory shares a recap of his conversation with Brand Builders Group CEO, AJ Vaden, where they discussed Brand Builders Group’s new free training on How to Double Your Business in 12 Months, and how to overcome some of the most common misconceptions in entrepreneurship. Tuning in you’ll hear Rory share his top three takeaways from their conversation. He breaks down the key distinctions between pride and self-confidence, why conviction in your service will transform your business, and why you shouldn't be afraid to give away value to earn trust. Rory also reflects on misconceptions around social media and why you're much more likely to find your next customer in your real-life community than on TikTok. Tune in for a recap of this refreshing conversation on what it means to be a service leader, how to grow your business, and much more!
Tue, June 07, 2022
Being an expert at anything requires time and practice. Yet , as entrepreneurs and solopreneurs , we so often try to fill every role ourselves, leaving virtually no time to spend doing the thing s we are actually good at ! In today ’ s episode, we turn the mic on our very own AJ Vaden, CEO of Brand Builders Group, to discover how she got to where she is today and the important lessons she has learned along the way. Something you may not know about AJ is that she is an exceptional producer who has raised millions in revenue for multiple companies. Tuning in , you ’ ll hear AJ share what her experience as a producer has taught her and why she is so passionate about helping speakers, leaders, consultants, and entrepreneurs reach their goals and build their personal brands. We discuss the incredible growth rate the consulting and coaching industry is currently experiencing and delve into the importance of identifying your niche and clearly communicating what you offer to clients. You ’ ll also learn about the exciting free webinar we ’ re offering on How to Double Your Business In 12 Months , <span class= "TextRun SCXW78121668 BCX0" lang="EN-US
Fri, June 03, 2022
One of the best things you can do to build a successful personal brand is to be authentic. In today's episode, AJ shares her top three takeaways from her conversation with Natasha Stoneking about how she organically built and monetized her personal brand. Hear why consistency is key to long-term success and building relationships, and how Natasha has done this with her brand. AJ also unpacks the value of email lists, how to continue to build them, and why it ’ s so important to create fun and excitement on your platform. Tune in today for a quick and insightful recap of our wonderful conversation with Natasha!
Tue, May 31, 2022
Building your online following is one thing, but finding ways to monetize it is an entirely different challenge. On the show today we get together with Natasha Stoneking , who has built an incredible online following and managed to monetize her personal brand in unique and brilliant ways. Natasha first started her blog over 10 years ago when she was working as a corporate marketing manager and needed a creative outlet. Since then , it has evolved organically, accompanying the changes in her life from wedding design, to fashion, to motherhood. During that time , she also amassed a huge following by being authentic and building trust. Not only does she have over 160,000 followers on Instagram, but she also has a robust email list that is always growing. Tuning in you’ll hear Natasha describe how she organically grew her following by building trust and rapport, how she chooses what to focus on for her platforms, and her top tips on how to monetize your personal brand. We delve into why email lists are effective, the importance of adding value, and how to make signing up simple and easy. Natasha also gives a breakdown on partnering with brands, like how to reach out to them and why she isn’t afraid to hear the word ‘no’. We loved having Natasha on the show, and we’re sure you’ll find her insights as joyful and informative as we did. To learn more about how to build and monetize your personal brand, and much more, make sure you tune in today!
Fri, May 27, 2022
The story you tell yourself about your life has the power to shape your mindset and determine your future. In today ’ s recap episode , Rory revisits his conversation with Ed Mylett where they talk about his new book , The Power of One More , and shares his top three takeaways from their conversation . Learn about the message of the book, why mindset is integral to success, and why everyone should be a student of personal development. For key insights, and a brief summary of this inspiring conversation, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, May 24, 2022
Finding the balance between humility and confidence isn ’ t always easy, but it ’ s a worthwhile pursuit that will change your outlook and what you believe is possible. Our guest today consistently strives to find this balance in all aspects of his life, whether he ’ s deferring to social media experts or stepping into his giftedness as an entrepreneur. Ed Mylett is a Peak Performance Expert, Global Keynote Speaker, and Best Selling Author of #MAXOUT Your Life along with his new book The Power of One More. In our conversation, we discuss Ed ’ s entrepreneurship journey, how he grew his social media channel to over 3 million followers on a minimal team, and how he came to write his latest book. We delve into the role God has played in Ed ’ s life, how to embody all the elements of your identity in any circumstance, and why it ’ s possible to embrace both science and faith simultaneously. Ed also shares how his relationship with his
Fri, May 20, 2022
In today ’ s special recap episode, AJ revisits her conversation with Cary Jack, Founder of The Happy Hustle and CaryJack.com. Tuning in you ’ ll hear AJ ’ s top three takeaways from their conversation. She reflects on why you only need one set of life-changing content to build your business and how Cary did such a fantastic job of clarifying his message and reaching his audience through multiple mediums. Learn how you c an create evergreen content and why doing small things consistently is the key to success. For all this and much more, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, May 17, 2022
Our guest today is a true multi-hyphenate. Cary Jack is a lifestyle entrepreneur, author, podcast host, professional actor, model, martial artist, eco-warrior, and so much more! He is the Founder of The Happy Hustle and CaryJack.com, and helps burnt out en trepreneurs find balance through The Happy Hustle podcast, his new book The Ten Alignments of a Happy Hustler , as well as his Montana Mastermind Epic Camping adventure. In today ’ s episode, AJ sits down with Cary to discuss how he first decided to create his personal brand and how Brand Builders Group helped him clarify his vision, his message, and who he was called to serve. Cary shares how he determined which formats would work best for him and his audience, and how his podcast, book and outdoor e ntrepreneur program work together to serve his greater following. You ’ ll also h
Fri, May 13, 2022
It ’ s not every day that you get a chance to access the mind of someone who has sold a company for a billion dollars. Yes, a billion dollars! Speaking with Lisa Bilyeu, the founder of Quest Nutrition, was awe inspiring, and made us think differently about many elements of the brand-building process. In this recap episode, Rory shares three of his top takeaways from the episode: giving a product away for free is one of the simplest, yet most effective ways to help elevate your brand in the early stages, making your core idea palatable the key to effective marketing, and aiming to evoke emotion through your content is far more impactful than aiming for more views or subscribers!
Tue, May 10, 2022
Lisa Bilyeu is C o - founder of the billion-dollar company , Quest Nutrition , and Co-founder and President of Impact Theory , as well as an author and the host of Women of Impact, a show featuring women who have overcome incredible hardship to achieve massive success . In her new book, Radical Confidence , Lisa shares the story of how she unpaused her life to cofound a company that went from zero to a billion dollars in just five years and become a leader in the world of personal development. Transforming herself with a growth mindset, Lisa learned to face her in
Fri, May 06, 2022
One of the things we do at Brand Builder ’ s Group is help our clients write, launch, and sell books. In today ’ s special recap episode, we revisit our conversation with Gabby Bernstein, a New York Times bestselling author, motivational speaker, and marketing master, to talk about her spiritual outlook on life and how it has helped her embrace the sacred responsibility of marketing your message. Tuning in , you'll hear Rory share his top three takeaways from their conversation, from what it means to be vulnerable in your writing and the responsibility you have to share your calling, to why clarity and sticking to your core message is essential. You ’ ll also learn about Gabby ’ s upcoming masterclass, what it entails, and how you can be a part of it. For a quick recap of this inspiring conversation, tune in today!
Tue, May 03, 2022
Our guest today, Gabby Bernstein, is a New York Times bestselling author, motivational speaker, and spirit junkie! She was recently described by Oprah as the ‘ New thought leader for the next generation ’ , and just released her new book Happy Days: The Guided Path from Trauma to Profound Freedom and Inner Peace . Tuning in you ’ ll learn about how Gabby has managed her writing career, her desire to be a spiritual leader from an early age, and how her spiritual journey has shaped her as writing. We discuss some of the biggest challenges that accompany writing a new book, including landing a publishing deal, writing the book itself, and why so many writers have a menta
Fri, April 29, 2022
Amy Porterfield is a master of creating excellent online courses that sell. Her Digital Course Academy has taught over 40,000 clients how to create, market, and sell exceptional online content. In today’s special recap episode, Rory shares his top three takeaways from their conversation. Hear Amy’s fantastic insights on how you can determine the optimal length for any course, and why customers are paying for results, not the amount of time they spend on it. Rory reflects on Amy’s advice on how to earn the right to sell by sharing free high-quality marketing vehicles that offer true value, and why it’s better to perfect one, or a few products, rather than having dozens of mediocre ones. For a quick recap of this wonderful conversation with the queen of online courses, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, April 26, 2022
Getting started with building an online course can feel overwhelming. You need to choose your topic, create excellent content, before finding an audience who will buy it. While it's easy to get discouraged along the way and become convinced that the market is simply too saturated, it’s worth persevering. Today’s incredible guest will give you the guidance you need to perfect your content and find your audience! Amy Porterfield is an expert in creating thriving online courses that sell, and has helped thousa nds of students share their knowledge through exceptional content. Her Digital Course Academy has taught over 40,000 students how to build, market, and sell their courses. Amy also hosts one of the world’s top-rated marketing podcasts called Marketing Made Easy. In our conversation, we talk about how Amy started creating online courses, what she’s learned over the years, and how digital courses have evolved over the past decade. She explains how the pandemic has affected the world of online courses, and why she loves being more involved with her students. You’ll also hear Amy’s tips on how to create a fantastic course on a tight budget, what it means to have a ten percent edge, and why you need to perfect your content and relaunch your course multiple times before moving on to the next one. We loved having Amy on the show and we’re sure you’ll find the conversation as informative and inspiring as we did. Tune in to hear it all!
Fri, April 22, 2022
Whether you ’ ve created it consciously or not, as a small business owner you already have a personal brand. In today ’ s episode, you ’ ll get a short recap of AJ ’ s conversation with Jill Flodstrom, a Small Business Strategist, Speaker, and Serial Entrepreneur. Jill has built five different booming businesses in three separate industries and is passionate about sharing what she ’ s learned throughout her career with other small business owners. Tune in to hear AJ reflect on some of Jill ’ s most incisive advice, from how to simplify your business and create more time, to why you should hire before you ’ re ready, and learn how you can revolutionize your small business!
Tue, April 19, 2022
If you ’ re a small business owner who is unsure about whether they should be concentrating on building a personal brand, then this episode is for you! Our guest today, Jillian Flodstrom, is a Small Business Strategist, Speaker, and serial entrepreneur who has built five different booming businesses in three separate industries. Her latest venture is called Scale Your Small Business and is the result of all the lessons she ’ s learned throughout her career. In our conversation, we discuss the chaos and overwhelm that many small business owners experience, how to revolutionize your operations, and some of the first steps you can take to get organized and thrive. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Jill share practical tips on how to get your business to where it needs to be, from how to reach Inbox Zero, to finding the management software that ’ s right for your business. Learn why consciously building your brand as a small business owner is essential, and how people may perceive you if you ’ ve done it without intention up until this point. Jill also describes why she is a firm believer in hiring before you ’ re ready and how it drives business owners to take their business to the next level. Jill ’ s business was born out of a desire to help other small business owners get organized and thrive because when entrepreneurs consciously support and help one another, the results are life-changing. To learn more about being a small business owner and building a personal brand, make sure you tune in today!</sp
Fri, April 15, 2022
In today’s special recap episode, Rory revisits his conversation with Chris Norton, the subject of the new documentary, 7 Yards: The Chris Norton Story, which can now be found on Netflix. Chris’s life was changed forever when he suffered a severe spinal cord injury while playing college football. Since then he has gone on to have a thriving speaking career, along with a beautiful family of six kids that he adopted with his wife Emily. Tuning in, you’ll hear Rory share his top takeaways from the conversation. He reflects on the importance of being grateful for what you have, the significance of focusing on what you can do, rather than what you can’t, and why excellence is not an accident, but a decision. To learn more about Rory’s thoughts on his conversation with Chris, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, April 12, 2022
When Chris Norton went out to play his sixth game of college football, he had no idea the life-changing effect that game would have on his life. On the field that day he contracted a spinal cord injury that would alter the course of his life and leave him with a three percent chance of ever walking again, or doing any other type of small movement, like scratching his face. In our conversation, Chris shares what a dark and difficult time this was in his life and how he was motivated by his determination to overcome the odds and walk again. What he didn’t know at the time was that years later he would walk across the stage at graduation and that a video of that moment would go viral around the world. Since then, his story has been published and has also been recorded in the documentary, 7 Yards: The Chris Norton Story, which can now be found on Netflix. Chris describes what he has learned in the years since his injury and how you can still live a meaningful life, even if you’re bound to a wheelchair. He talks about the incredible relationships he has formed during his life, and how he and his wife Emily have come to adopt six kids and foster nineteen. We also spend some time talking about Chris’s first public speaking opportunity and how he realized that it was possible to pursue speaking as a career. He shares what speaking has meant for him and his family, how he’s honed his craft through study and coaching, and what he’s done to sustain his speaking career long-term. Today’s episode is deeply inspiring and a testament to appreciating and fully embracing the life you have! Tune in to hear more of Chris's story and what it means to live a meaningful life.
Fri, April 08, 2022
In today’s recap episode AJ revisits her conversation with Tiffany Taylor and Leon Chen, the founders of Tiff’s Treats. Tuning in, you’ll hear AJ share her top three takeaways from their conversation and why she found them so valuable. For her first takeaway AJ reflects on the value of having someone in your company who is dedicated to looking out for the reputation of you and your company’s brand, and why saying ‘no’ is sometimes necessary to stop your brand from becoming diluted. She also explores some of the ways we can open ourselves up to opportunities, why you don’t need that much to get started, and how we can learn a tremendous amount from simply getting to know our customers and why they use our brands. To hear more about what AJ learned from Tiffany and Leon, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, April 05, 2022
Starting a business is a huge undertaking, especially if you want to take it from a side hustle to a smashing success. Our guests today are all too aware of the sacrifices you need to make to build and grow a business but were much more naive when they first began their business 23 years ago. Today on the show , we talk with the wonderful Tiffany Taylor and Leon Chen about their company, Tiff ’ s Treats, how it all started, and what it's been like being a married couple in business together. Learn the surprising story of how they started their business as a result of Tiffany standing Leon up for a date, and how they grew their cookie delivery service over the past two decades. Tuning in you ’ ll learn how they built their brand, how it was inspired by their customers, and why having a brand protector within your company is so important. We also discuss their new book It's Not Just Cookies: Stories and Recipes from the Tiff ’ s Treats Kitchen . Tiffany and Leon share what the writing and publishing process has been like, wha
Fri, April 01, 2022
Often the guests featured on this podcast are figures who are already recognized and highly esteemed in their field. In this special recap episode, Rory revisits a conversation with a Brand Builders Group client who is in the earlier stages of building a personal brand. Tuning in , you ’ ll learn about Jesse Terranova and his business along with some of Rory ’ s key takeaways from that conversation. Rory reflects on what it ’ s like to be in the initial stages of building a personal brand, from identifying your uniqueness to learning how to serve your audience in the most meaningful possible way, to how to grow and scale your business. Learn about some of the biggest stumbling blocks clients are currently facing, why your next customer is unlikely to come from social media, and why finding alignment in your business is the key to long-term success. For all this and more, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, March 29, 2022
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, levels of isolation and loneliness were already at alarmingly high rates. Since the onset of the pandemic, those numbers have risen ever higher and broken new records. But once you identify a problem, you can begin to solve it. Our guest today, Jesse Terranova, is no stranger to loneliness and has made it his mission to have a positive impact on this issue, one connection at a time. In our conversation, we talk about how Jesse first discovered Brand Builders Group and why it entered his life at the perfect time. We hear how traveling the world has shaped Jesse ’ s outlook, the lessons you learn when you exit your comfort zone, and the challenge of implementing those lessons when you return home. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Rory ’ s advice for the challenges that Jesse is currently facing, from how to scale his business to the best way to grow his reach. We also unpack how giving customers an unparalleled experience can help you gain referrals, and why your next connection won ’ t come from social media, but from an existing client ’ s cellphone. To learn about finding an aligned business model, tune in to this very special conversation with a Brand Builders Group client who is doing the work and making it happen!
Fri, March 25, 2022
For anyone out there building a digital business, growing an audience, scaling courses, and creating content, we have a treat for you today! Joining us on the show is our friend, and the man behind Piano with Jonny, Jonny May! We have a fascinating chat with Jonny and get into his amazing membership site, incredible YouTube channel, and how he built these from the ground up. His piano course platform has over 10k active monthly members, and his YouTube videos have amassed more than 70 million views, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. In our chat with Jonny, we get into the importance of building a relationship with an audience, how to leverage YouTube clout for your membership site, and why repackaging ideas is a powerful way to connect with the right audience. He also speaks about leading with your best content, and why giving before you start asking is the best way forward. So to hear it all from someone who has built a business and brand that was beyond his wildest dreams when he started out, listen up!
Tue, March 22, 2022
Today we are so happy to invite Nathan Chan, CEO of Foundr , to talk about how he turned his online magazine into a digital media empire. We hear about how Nathan decided to start Foundr as a side-hustle after finishing his marketing degree that he worked on when he wasn ’ t at his real job. He talks about how he chose to go full-time when he realized that staying at his job was actually losing him money. Our conversation takes a deep dive into the strategy Nathan used to grow the magazine into a media and online education company, and he talks about the models he uses for revenue generation and customer acquisition. Here Nathan speaks about his omnichannel marketing approach, the difference between customer acquisition and profit-generating products, and why he is using a subscription model to build Foundr into the world ’ s premium learning platform for entrepreneurship. Our discussion also touches on personal brand building and Nathan talks about why he has always focused on building Foundr first, but how his own brand has grown very successfully along with his company. Tune in today! <span class= "EOP SCXW92484007 BCX0" data-ccp-props= "{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"3355597
Fri, March 18, 2022
The rise of remote work has changed businesses in many ways. One of the most notable consequences has been its effect on the way employees behave and work. Not only is the line between work and home life becoming increasingly blurred, but the distinction between our work and personal devices has also become less clear than ever. While it may seem simpler and cheaper to allow your employees to work on their own devices, the truth is that the laxness around regulated devices and passwords is creating a huge security risk at a time when the threat of cybercrime attacks, like hacking and ransomware, has never been higher. Here to help us tackle this important topic is Denis O ’ Shea, Founder of Mobile Mentor, a company that provides its clients with invisible securities that aren ’ t disruptive to their employees ’ workflow. In our conversation, Denis describes the challenge that companies currently face in attempting to create a robust security system, while also ensuring a seamless employee experience, and what can be done about it. We also discuss their surprise win of the prestigious Microsoft Partner of the Year award, how it was all thanks to several innovative shifts they ’ d instituted over the past two years, and what they ’ re doing to make sure they win again next year. To learn more about security in 2022 and how to leverage the power of an award to scale effectively, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, March 15, 2022
The best time to start building an online presence will always be in the past, and therefore, out of reach. The next best time, however, is now! Our guest today, Vanessa Lau, is an amazing example of how you can rapidly grow your business, and your brand, through social media, even if you ’ re late to the game. After reaching an unbearable point of exhaustion and dissatisfaction in her corporate career, Vanessa finally took the plunge into entrepreneurship. In 2018 she started her YouTube channel and today has over 500 000 followers, not to mention the thousands of subscribers she has also gained on her other platforms, like Instagram and TikTok. In our conversation with Vanessa, we discuss her transition into entrepreneurship and the elements that made her success possible. Vanessa explains how her honesty attracted followers and how she unknowingly created a community out of the simple desire to build her network. Tuning in you ’ ll learn how Vanessa inadvertently found her niche as a business specialist who helps content creators, coaches, and corporate escapees build their businesses, by addressing the pain points that resonated with her community. We also discuss the course business model, how to scale it, and how Vanessa created her flagship course. To learn more about Vanessa ’ s rapid growth and why it ’ s never too late, or too early, to get on a new social media platform, make sure you tune in today!
Fri, March 11, 2022
The only reason a business exists is because of its customers , so every decision it makes should be in service of them. Today on the show we are blessed to be joined by customer success guru Brittany Hodak to hear everything you need to know about how to get CSX right in 2022. Brittany is an award-winning entrepreneur and keynote speaker who teaches sales and marketing leaders to multiply customers by creating s uperfans. She has spoken to organizations like American Express and the UN, published more than 350 articles for outlets including Forbes , and has also worked with names like Disney, Amazon, Walmart, and Dolly Parton. In our conversation with Brittany, she talks about how to structure your organization so that your customer feels cared for at every touchpoint. We hear about the need to include the CCO in every conversation, how to do away with siloing customer care into one department, and how to empower emp <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW237326842 BCX0"
Tue, March 08, 2022
Publishing has changed a lot in the last few years. With the advent of self-publishing, writers no longer have to go the traditional route. However, this has led to self-publishing becoming more competitive, making it extremely important to know how to launch your self-published book in a way that differentiates you. Chandler Bolt is the Founder of Self-Publishing School and he joins us today to share some of the secrets from his new book Published: The Proven Path From Blank Page To 10,000 Copies Sold. Central to Chandler ’ s thesis is the need to think of a book launch as a year-long project rather than a one-week sprint. To this end, he has designed a ‘ launch triangle ’ , a three-part framework that you can use to skyrocket your launch. We explore this framework with Chandler and he explains how to set up and manage its individual
Fri, March 04, 2022
One of the biggest things that Brand Builders Group clients, especially performance and business coaches, seem to struggle with, is how to set their rates. Whether you gravitate towards charging an hourly rate or putting yourself on retainer, each has its unique benefits and downsides. And determining how to price your services can be a singularly challenging process, especially when you need to demonstrate your value to the client, while also factoring in all the hidden costs that are inherent to being an entrepreneur, in contrast to having a corporate salary with benefits. Our guest today, Mary Sobon, is no stranger to these challenges and has spent the past 13 years learning everything there is to know about pricing and finding the right client fit. Mary is a consultant with an extensive executive corporate background, and for the past decade has struck out on her own as a successful consultant with a range of fantastic clients, including our very own AJ Vaden! In their conversation, AJ and Mary discuss how Mary made the transition from working in the corporate realm to being independent, how she learned about the type of client she wanted to serve, and why everyone should consider rewarding clients who are a dream to work with. We also delve into how referrals have helped Mary keep her costs down, the function of adding free services to your invoices, and why you should never publish your rates! To learn more about the art of determining the best rates for yourself, your business, and your clients, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, March 01, 2022
We can’t always know the lasting impact s that our actions may have on the people we encounter, but sometimes we can see the impacts that someone else’s actions have had on our own lives. For Dr. John Demartini, finding someone who believed in him changed the trajectory of his life. Today on the show, Rory sits down with Dr. Demartini, a human behavior expert, author, and celebrated public speaker, to talk about the unfolding of his career and how he came to be the esteemed figure he is today. In our conversation, Dr. Demartini starts off by recounting his early years and describes the immense difficulties he had to overcome. He shares how speech and learning impediments affected him at school, and how the low expectations of his doctors damaged his self-esteem. He explains how a chance encounter with Paul Bragg changed his perception of himself and inspired him to alter the course of his life forever by motivating him in his efforts to overcome his learning difficulties. Tuning in, you'll hear how Dr. Demartini built his speaking career, starting as a young man in college, and how sticking to his core competencies has been instrumental to his success. To learn more about Dr. De m artini’s life and what he’s learned from his career, tune in today!
Fri, February 25, 2022
As an entrepreneur or a solopreneur, there is only so much you can do yourself. And while it may be tempting to hire contractors, especially when you’re starting out and wanting to keep your costs low, it’s important to bear in mind the significant benefit s that come from opting into an employee-based model. This week on the show, AJ sits down with Casey Clark, CEO of Cultivate Advisors, to talk about how he built and scaled his 8 figure coaching business from the ground up, in an astoundingly brief period. They discuss Casey’s phenomenally successful history in franchising and how those lessons led him to establish Cultivate Advisors, a consulting company that coaches small businesses on how to grow and scale effectively. Hear about the actions that helped place them in the prestigious top 800 of the Fastest Growing Companies on the Inc 5000 list, like prioritizing the quality of their output and utilizing LinkedIn to find exceptional talent. Casey also delves into the importance of building a robust referra l model, how they help their clients create sustainable lead generation, and why the two go hand in hand. Today’s episode is full of keenly observed insights from someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience, so if you’re looking to take your small bu siness to the next level, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, February 22, 2022
A struggle many pro athletes face is that once their careers end, it ’ s difficult to find an equally lucrative and glamorous profession. It is possible to parlay one ’ s fame into a business idea or career as an influencer, but only during a short window period in which one ’ s cards have to be played right. As a former NFL player turned entrepreneur and the Founder of Ice Shaker (as seen on Shark Tank ), Chris G ronkowski did exactly this, and he joins us today to tell the story. When Chris got released from The Chargers after injuring himself, he dived straight into his wife ’ s business, and after a year they were making more money than he did in the NFL. Chris wa nted to get back into sports and fitness though, and that is when he came up with Ice Shaker, the idea that would become his signature premium-quality, vacuum-insulated protein shaker. We hear how Chris leveraged all his resources to develop his product
Mon, February 21, 2022
Building a brand as a full-time speaker might seem difficult, but that does not make it impossible. You have to start somewhere, be f uel ed by a genuine passion to change lives , be willing to do it for free at first, and be willing to keep refining your craft. Today we are thrilled to invite Molly Fletcher onto the show to speak about how she transitioned from being a sports agent to a world-class professional speaker using a mixture of passion, persistence, a growth mindset, and a willingness to serve. Molly talks about how her desire to help young aspiring sports agents led to her writing her first book. This led to a second book and a few speaking gigs until one day an audience member encouraged her to take speaking seriously as a potential career. We hear about the steps Molly took after that to promote herself online and how she approached every keynote delivery with a desire to overdeliver. In our conversation with Molly, we talk about how her passion for customer service results in happy clients across the board, which then translates into referrals that land her more and more opportunities to speak. She also speaks to the idea that it is the job of the speaker to build confidence in potential clients because when they invite somebody onto their stage, they are essentially placing their trust in a stranger. Molly is not just a brilliant speaker but a kindhearted person who finds as much pleasure in the success of others as her own, so tune in and prepare for a master class in personal branding as well as compassion.
Tue, February 15, 2022
With the dramatic rise of remote work in response to the COVID pandemic, the world has seen major developments in the space of online services, from reliable platforms for remote meetings, to new toolkits for running a remote business. We are also in the midst of a new phase of development for virtual worlds, like Meta ’ s Horizon and its concomitant tool, Oculus. While all these changes may seem overwhelming, it ’ s important to stay abreast of how this online space is developing, especially if you want to grow and maintain your online presence with the changing internet. Here to help us make sense of these exciting new opportunities is Tristan Ahumada, a highly esteemed real estate agent and CEO Of Lab Coat Agents, a company that specializes in helping their clients build and grow their community. We talked with Tristan about his work, how he advises his clients, and why you should build your community around a topic you ’ re passionate about. Our conversation also covers the emerging world of metaverses, why it ’ s the future of the internet, and how to establish your presence while it ’ s still in these early stages. If you ’ re interested in learning about the different metaverses and how to get involved, make sure you tune in today!
Fri, February 11, 2022
In this episode, we recap a very special conversation between co-founders Rory Vaden and AJ Vaden. Rory reflects on his interview with his wife and business partner AJ, about a ground-breaking new study conducted by Brand Builders Group, on the role of Personal Branding in Marketing. Not only does the episode announce the completion of an incredible new national study, but it also describes the new format for the Influential Personal Brand podcast! From now on Rory and AJ will be doubling their weekly output by each conducting their own interviews and recap, all in one episode! Now you’ll be able to listen to an interview conducted by either AJ or Rory, followed immediately by a special recap episode filled with their thoughts, insights, and biggest takeaways. Tuning in you'll hear Rory share his biggest takeaways from his interview with AJ, like how best to define personal branding, as well as some of the most surprising find-ings from their study. Make sure you tune in to learn how Americans perceive personal brand-ing, the biggest factors in building trust with your audience, and much more!
Tue, February 08, 2022
When Brand Builders Group first launched three and a half years ago, we firmly believed that personal branding would be the future of marketing. Since then we have had this belief repeatedly affirmed through our own experiences, along with those of our clients. Yet, with so much rapid change happening, we noticed a surprising amount of misconceptions around the term personal branding. Not just from the general public, but also from amongst our clients, and even within our teams. It was our passion for this topic, and our dedication to basing our practices on unbiased and robust data, that led us to conduct a new Personal Branding National Research Study, along with the help of an experienced and impartial third-party firm. This study illustrates the role of personal branding on a national scale. Over the past year, our teams have been hard at work conducting surveys across the United States and gathering data on American perceptions and attitudes towards personal branding. The results simultaneously illuminated important factors we ’ d overlooked in the past, while also being hugely affirming of what we do here at Brand Builders Group. Tuning in you ’ ll learn about the study ’ s most impactful findings and their implications, from the number one most effective way to earn trust with your audience, to which professions benefit the most from having a personal brand. We also share exciting news about how we ’ ll be changing our podcast format, and why you can expect to hear much more from our incredible CEO, AJ Vaden , <span class="NormalTex
Fri, February 04, 2022
In today ’ s recap episode, we revisit our conversation with Tori Gordon, a highly successful coach, accomplished podcast host, and TikTok phenomenon. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Rory share his top three takeaways from their interview, as well as his insights and reflections on what they talked about. Rory breaks down some of the practical tips that have helped make Tori so popular on TikTok , including optimizing SEO and understanding how to leverage the algorithms for different platforms. Rory also reflects on his own reservations when it comes to using social media and the piece of advice from Tori that changed his whole perspective. To hear more about how you can shift your attitude to social media and have a positive impact, tune in today!
Tue, February 01, 2022
While many of us might still view TikTok as an app for sharing dance and music videos, it has evolved into so much more than that. Over the past two years, the app has diversified exponentially and become a place for all kinds of content from educational videos, to coaching content, to inspirational storytelling. This week on the show we get together with the inimitable Tori Gordon, to talk about her journey and how she went from having a successful career in sales to having over 800 000 followers on TikTok , and becoming a Brand Builders Group client! In our conversation we discuss what she loves about the app, why her first foray into it was a leap of faith, and how raw and authentic videos are what define the TikTok online culture. Tuning in you ’ ll learn all about Tori ’ s tips for being successful on TikTok, like how to monetize your following, why you shouldn ’ t overproduce your videos, and how to capitalize on TikTok ’ s algorithm. Join us today for a fascinating and inspiring conversation on the power of authenticity and the future of connection and co
Fri, January 28, 2022
Our conversation with Peter Sheahan was filled with a wealth of incredible insights. Not only is he an expert in getting people to pay attention in a competitive and seemingly over-saturated media landscape, but he also has immense knowledge of how finding your uniqueness can help you make better decisions, gain clarity of purpose, and build a personal brand. In today’s episode, Rory reflects on his interview with Peter and how his lessons have informed Brand Builders Group, from the concept of Sheahan’s wall to advice on how to play to your strengths. Tuning in you’ll hear Rory’s top three takeaways from their conversation, as well as lessons on how Brand Builders Group helps their clients elevate their personal brand and take them to the next level. Learn how you can find clarity by asking the right questions, and why you're the most powerfully positioned individual to serve the person you once were! For all this and much more, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, January 25, 2022
In today ’ s crowded social media landscape, it can be more difficult than ever to stand out from the crowd, and no one knows that better than our guest this week, Peter Sheahan. Peter is a renowned public speaker and the best-selling author of several book s including Making It Happen: Turning Good Ideas Into Great Results, and Generation Y: Thriving and Surviving with Generation Y at Work . Peter is an incredibly accomplished individual, having built not one, but two multimillion-dollar companies, all by the time he was thirty. He also has extensive experience as a public speaker, having spoken more than 2500 times in over 40 countries arou nd the globe. In our conversation with Peter, we discuss the concept of the attention barrier, how to break it, and why getting people to pay attention is the primary obstacle for most businesses
Sat, January 22, 2022
In today ’ s show, we recap our brilliant episode with Hilary Billings and Marshall Seese, talking about how the team got Hilary ’ s TikTok account to the 400 k followers mark in 40 days! What Hilary and Marshall ’ s story taught us was that no longer is it enough to merely be talented as an entertainer. A major market indicator of your success comes from the audience you build on social media. We also learned the value of structuring content around what is trending and that the Discover tab on TikTok is a great place to find popular hashtags. Finally, Marshall and Hilary showed us that as a creator, you should gauge your performance on the systems for content creation you have set up, and not on the performance of individual pieces of content themselves!
Fri, January 21, 2022
Often as leaders, we’re told that being emotional is not beneficial. Tia Graham’s new book Be a Happy Leader disputes that claim and shows how our emotions play a key role in exemplary leadership. In today’s episode, AJ revisits her conversation with Tia where they discuss the contents of her book, the science of happiness, and why being in touch with our emotions is crucial to being an exceptional leader. AJ shares her top three takeaways from their discussion as well as some special insights that Tia shared in their post-interview conversation. For an incisive recap, plus some bonus content, make sure you tune in today!
Tue, January 18, 2022
People make the decision to grow their personal brand for a myriad of reasons, whether it ’ s for personal exposure or to grow their existing business. When Tia Graham first approached Brand Builders Group to grow her personal brand she had already built a thriving business, Arrive at Happy, and wanted to take it to the next level. Not only is Ti a a successful business owner, but she is also a keynote speaker and author of the new book Be a Happy Leader: Stop Feeling Overwhelmed, Thrive Personally, and Achieve Killer Business Results. Today on the show we get together with this amazing client to d iscuss her new book, why it ’ s been such a huge undertaking, and the importance of constructing an exceptional business plan for putting your manuscript out into the world. Tuning in you ’ ll hear what Tia has learned from growing her personal brand, how it h as helped her business, and why building relationships have been integral to her career. We also discuss the value of authenticity, how to maximize your platform, and why reach and credibility have been two of the biggest motivating factors for Tia <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW132813763 B
Fri, January 14, 2022
We had such an amazing conversation with Alison Lumbatis, that was absolutely jam-packed with knowledge bombs and great insights. Today we recap the top four highlights from that chat, and believe us when we say that it was hard to narrow it down to just four! Alison got into how she built her million-dollar membership site, sharing a lot of inspiring information, and a few reminders of the lessons that we teach here at Brand Builders. We always feel so lucky to have our amazing friends and clients on the podcast, and when they are as special as Alison, we know we are doing something right! So tune into th is recap to hear all about creating the program you need, capturing leads and building a list, community growth, and the central tenet of personal development. We know these tips can help get you to the next level, so do not miss out!
Tue, January 11, 2022
Today on the show we are very happy to welcome an amazing entrepreneur and friend! Alison Lumbatis runs a successful fashion blog that receives loads of traffic and houses a great membership program with over a hundred thousand paying members! On top of a ll of that, Alison recently released her book, The Ultimate Book of Outfit Formulas, which shot to the top of Amazon's bestsellers list. In our conversation, we hear from Alison about what enabled all of this incredible success, and the continued journey o f personal development that is central to all entrepreneurs. Alison comments on how fulfilling and enjoyable this process of learning has been, some of the simple steps she has applied to ensure successful launches, and the different frameworks and models that have come to suit her particular business . Alison is such a great example of someone carving out the personal brand of her dreams, and looking at her story truly shows how this is possible <span class= "NormalTe
Fri, January 07, 2022
Today we recap our interview with the world-renowned advisor on leadership and human potential , Dr. Margie Warrell. Our first big takeaway comes from Dr. Warrell ’ s words, “ we tend to fail more from fear and timidity than we do from overdaring . ” It is important to treat life as an experiment and not let perfectionism stop us from taking the risks that lead to success! Much of Dr. Warrell ’ s success has come from her willingness to demonstrate her skills for free as a way of convincing people that she is worth paying for, and we explore the value of this approach as our second takeaway. Finally, we speak about the importance of rising above the inner voice inside us all that tells us we are not good enough. It is only by winning against this voice that we can step up to the plate and do the impossible!
Tue, January 04, 2022
Most of us are pretty familiar with our inner critic but are less aware of the consequences that can occur as a result of listening to it too often and too consistently. Our guest today has built her career around helping people recognize and overcome their overly cautious inner voice to live a life where they are empowered to take risks and reach their full potential. Dr. Margie Warrell is a five-time bestselling author, a Forbes columnist, and a world-renowned advisor on leadership and human potential. She works with companies like NASA, Google, Deloitte, and Berkshire Hathaway and has lectured at Columbia and Georgetown University. She is also a highly successful speaker and consultant and has spent 25 years researching fear and bravery to support people by boosting their courage, elevating their performance, and accelerating growth. In our conversation with Margie, we hear about her early experiences with self-doubt, how she overcame them, and why so many of us don’t realize the high cost of being overly cautious and refusing to take risks. To learn more about fear, bravery, and why we should all be living outside of our comfort zone, tune in today!
Tue, December 28, 2021
Hilary Billings and Marshall Seese Jr. are viral video creators who have amassed a total of 800 million views between them. Recently, Hilary went from zero to 400,000 followers on TikTok in just 40 days! She now has an audience of more than 870,000 and has collected over 19 million likes. In today ’ s episode, she talks about her meteoric rise and how a glitch on Facebook led her to open an account on TikTok in the first place. Her and Marshall also share some great tips and tricks for content creators that are new to TikTok and debunk some misconceptions regarding intellectual property. We also discuss the benefits of repurposing content across platforms, the importance of utilizing the tools at your disposal, and why it ’ s crucial to take an experimental approach, plus a whole lot more. Hilary and Marshall have so much insight and practical advice to share, so make sure not to miss this episode!
Fri, December 24, 2021
In the last episode, we were joined by the amazing and inspiring Michelle Poler to talk about her incredible journey and speaking career. Michelle's big focus is on overcoming fear, a subject that she has helped many people with through her talks and her book. We are huge fans of Michelle and hearing her talk about her path to success can give us all hope. There were so many lessons packed into the episode about overcoming fear s , how to go about leveling up your career, and the rapid transformations that are possible. She talked about the systems and processes that enable the kind of trajectory many of us hope for . I n today's recap, we go over some of the biggest takeaways from our guest, including how to us e learning as a means to confront fears, how to make better decisions, and why video marketing can make all the difference. Tune in to hear all about it!
Tue, December 21, 2021
When Michelle first set out to do her video project 100 Days Without Fear on YouTube as a part of her Master ’ s degree, she had no idea that it would lead to a speaking career. Fast forward five years and she has built a beloved reputation and spoken on some of the most prestigious stages in the country. She has been invited to speak at exceptional companies like Netflix, Facebook, and Google, and recently published her first book Hello, Fears . In our conversation with Michelle, we unpack the project that started it all, and how seeing its impact on other people ’ s lives gave her the confidence, and perseverance to overcome her feelings of imposter syndrome and speak on the TEDx stage in Houston. Hear how she leveraged her brand identity to launch her speaking career, and learn why she always asks herself whether her choices keep her in her comfort zone or challenge her to grow. We loved having Michelle on our show and can ’ t wait to see what she does next! Tune in today to hear how you can face your fears and change your life!
Fri, December 17, 2021
Last time out, we hosted our friend Jim Doyle and had a fascinating chat about the essentials of selling. Like it or not, as an entrepreneur and business owner, you have to get your sales skills up to scratch, and the wisdom that Jim offered us is a great place to start that journey. We loved this powerful conversation, and in today's recap episode we will be going over the top three takeaways from the episode. We have said before that in some ways we have quite a specific and unusual sales philosophy here at Brand Builders. This is because we like to differentiate ourselves from the ocean of sales 'gurus' out there. We believe in getting the basics right; knowing your customer and what they really want, how to serve these needs, and sticking to what is most important. That's why Jim's approach is so in line with our visions ! Tune in to hear all about the subtle shifts in mindset that can move the needle, some common marketing mistakes that are made by brands, and why centering your customer instead of yourself is the only way to really build a loyal audience!
Tue, December 14, 2021
This week on the Influential Personal Brand Podcast we get together with Jim Doyle, author of the new book Selling With A Servant Heart. So often as sellers we are taught to chase numbers and not give up until we make the sale. But what if you could flip that concept by focusing on the needs of the client while also reaching your sales targets? In Jim’s new book he outlines the philosophies which helped him build a multi-million dollar enterprise that has helped train thousands of salespeople to sell with a Servant Heart. Tuning in you’ll hear how to employ acute listening and why it will help you have deeper business conversations with customers. You'll also get to hear why those who start in training often make the best salespeople, as well as some of the key lessons Jim learned from interviewing some prominent figures in sales. Make sure you tune in to learn more about the awesome power of listening, and why prioritizing your customers’ needs always pays off!
Fri, December 10, 2021
I n our most recent episode, we hosted Sam Richter to share some amazing and potentially life-altering information! We had a big conversation about Boolean logic and how simple modifications to your search terms can bring back incredibly useful information t hat you may have thought was inaccessible. Sam talked all about his customized interfaces for search tools, how these work across different platforms, and what they have enabled him and his audience to accomplish. As a sign of just how seriously we take th is tool, we are purchasing it for our entire community, and today we get to go over some of the biggest takeaways from that conversation, and the application of Sam's methods. We go over some of the use cases for the interface, and reflect on how powerful these ideas are, considering how under-the-radar they are. So to hear all about this nerdy and super-technical conversation that could just move the needle for you and your brand, listen in!
Tue, December 07, 2021
Most of us are aware of the incredible power and scope of the behemoth tech company Google. While they may have initially started with the aim of building a sophisticated search engine, today they are primarily focused on advertising, which impacts the type of search results most readily available to their users. This means that users are often left wading through non-specific search results in a de sperate attempt to track down what’s relevant to them. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Our guest today, Sam Richter, has spent plenty of time and energy constructing an elegant solution to these challenges, saving businesses hundreds of hours otherwi se spent on fruitless research. In addition to being one of the world’s top-rated keynote speakers, he's also a bestselling author and a leading authority on Sales Intelligence, a concept that he deftly unpacks today ! Tuning in you’ll learn about the exten t of the invisible web, easy tips for applying Boolean logic, and how “ thinking like the author ” can get you the results you need quickly and efficiently. Today’s episode is packed with great insights along with easily accessible and actionable steps for i ncreasing your reach and building your network. Tune in to hear it all!
Fri, December 03, 2021
In this week ’ s special recap edition, we revisit our conversation with Dorie Clark, a consultant and sought-after keynote speaker who teaches executive education at Duke University ’ s Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School. Dorie is also a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Reinventing You , Entrepreneurial You , and Stand Out , along with her most recent title , The Long Game: How to be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term
Tue, November 30, 2021
Today’s guest has been named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, and recognized as the number one Communication Coach in the world by the Marshall Gold-smith Leading Global Coaches Awards. Dorie Clark is a consultant and sought after keynote speaker who teaches executive education at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School, as well as the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Reinventing You, Entrepreneurial You, Stand Out, and her most recently released title, The Long Game: How to be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World. In this episode, Dorie shares her insight and expertise with listeners about how to play the long game. We dive into how long the long game actually takes, practical applications for long-term thinking in your daily life, and how to stay motivated along the way, and Dorie leaves us with some poignant advice: there are no “wrong goals.” You can pivot at any time! Tune in today to learn more from remarkable storyteller and global entrepreneurial inspiration, Dorie Clark!
Fri, November 26, 2021
In this week’s special recap edition, we revisit our conversation with David Glickman, a phenomenal public speaker and a master of crafting incisive humor. Tuning in you’ll hear Rory share his top three takeaways from their interview as he takes a moment to consider the art of humor. Discover why anyone can learn how to delight their audience with funny observations and misdirection and why that’s so empowering. You’ll also learn about the five C’s of observation and gain insight into why they’re such effective tools for winning over your audience. Tune in today for a comprehensive recap on how to master the skills for humor in public speaking and much more!
Tue, November 23, 2021
Humor is a wonderful part of being human, but it doesn ’ t need to be limited to comedy specials or social occasions, it can also be an excellent tool for elevating your speeches and for connecting with your audience members. No one knows this better than David Glickman, who has helped countless people write fun nier speeches. David is a Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Corporate Entertainer, Humor Speechwriter, and author who first started out in show business. During his earlier career, he worked with big names like Steve Martin and Ellen DeGeneres, and also owned a chain of comedy clubs earning him years of experience and insight into the art and science of humor. Tuning in, you ’ ll hear why David believes that anyone can learn how to be an expert at humor and some of the most useful tools that you can use to inject comedy into your presentations. Discover the rule of three, how to spot an opportunity for a callback, as well as the difference between evergreen humor and customized humor, and how to use each accordingly. We also make a note of what type of humor to st ay away from and how to use observation, audience frustrations, and pop culture references to connect with your audience. Be sure you tune in for a wealth of applicable tips, priceless insights, and much more!
Fri, November 19, 2021
This week we revisit our eye-opening conversation with Jeff Goins on how to find your big idea and create your unique take on it. Rory and AJ share their top three takeaways from their conversation with Jeff Goins, the best-selling author of five books including Real Artists Don't Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age and The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do . Tuning in , you’ll hear Rory and AJ discuss some of Jeff ’s most incisive insights, including the twenty percent rule and why you need to sell the idea of a book, rather than the book itself. Tune in today for this quick and insightful recap!
Tue, November 16, 2021
Thanks to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, putting a book out into the world is easier than ever. But just because something is easy to do, doesn’t necessarily mean you should do it. This week on The Influential Personal Brand Podcast we are joined by one of our favorite long-time part-ners Jeff Goins. Jeff is the best-selling author of five books including Real Artists Don't Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age and The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do. Jeff has spent over 15 years in the marketing and publishing space, and in that time has developed a masterful intuition for what works and what doesn’t, especially when it comes to choosing which ideas to pursue and how to implement them. Tuning in you’ll hear Jeff explain why good ideas don’t necessarily result in good books, how to find the perfect balance between the familiar and the absurd, and why you can only sub-vert expectations once you’ve fulfilled them. Our conversation with Jeff is filled with remarkable insights that will give you a renewed appreciation for the art of storytelling and the Olympian ef-fort involved with writing a great book. Make sure you tune in to hear it all!
Fri, November 12, 2021
In this week’s special recap edition, we revisit our conversation with Brendan Kane, author of Hook Point: How to Stand Out in a 3-Second World and One Million Followers: How I Built a Massive Social Following in 30 Days . Rory and AJ share their top three takeaways from their conversation with Brendan, including several simple actionable steps on how to drastically increase your following. Tune in to hear the best of the best from this content-rich interview with Brendan Kane!
Tue, November 09, 2021
Growing a following on social media requires a multi-pronged approach, and it ’ s not always easy to tell what actions will yield the best results. Here to help us make sense of the current social media landscape and gain valuable insight into how to navigate and master it, is Brendan Kane, author of One Million Followers: How I Built a Massive Social Following in 30 Days . Brendan describes himself as an outside-the-box thinker who empowers brands to scale, expand and accelerate their businesses and influence. In our conversation with Brendan we discuss his approach to branding and del ve into the key tenets of his new book Hook Point: How to Stand Out in a 3-Second World. Tuning in, you ’ ll hear Brendan describe the importance of a varied distribution model as well as a breakdown of how to institute a robust process that will elevate you r presence on social media. We discuss the biggest obstacles that brands face when they get stuck, no matter t
Fri, November 05, 2021
In this week’s special recap edition, we revisit our conversation with Jasmine Star, who has built a highly influential personal brand and is known for her amazing, practical, fun, and inspiring content. The instinct to be liked is a natural human desire, but often we end up playing down parts of our personality to adapt to what we think other people want us to be. Not Jasmine Star. As Rory and AJ share their top three takeaways they reflect on Jasmine’s lessons on being your authentic self, why lukewarm followers aren't powerful, and why she’d much rather have people fall in love with who she truly is, rather than a carbon copy of what she thinks people want her to be. To hear more insights from this inspiring conversation, tune in today!
Tue, November 02, 2021
We are so happy to bring you today's conversation, with one of the best people to follow on social media, right now! Jasmine Star is known for her amazing, practical, fun, and inspiring content, and her journey serve s as such a powerful lesson in how to build an influential personal brand and become a mission-driven messenger! We get to hear from Jasmine about the important points on her path, how she made the big decision to drop out of law school, buy a camera, and follow her passion. We also get into the details of her latest project, Social Curator, how it can help you, and why Jasmine is so excited about this avenue. As we often say, we love when good people win, and our guest's story is a shining example of that happening! To hear all about the permission of imperfection, why repelling is as important as attracting, and the three things that all strong entrepreneurs do, listen in with us!
Fri, October 29, 2021
As children, there is often a much greater sense of freedom around asking questions. But as we age, and learn to navigate the world, we adapt and often lose touch with ourselves and what we truly want. In this recap episode, we hear from AJ about her top three takeaways from their interview with Mark Victor Hansen and Crystal Dwyer Hansen. She reflects on the concept of being an uncorrected asker, the surprising role tha t quantum physics has to play in your expectations and outcomes, and what it means to ask yourself life-giving questions. Tune in today for special insights into our full interview with these two thought leaders!
Tue, October 26, 2021
What if the one thing that stood between yourself and achieving your destiny was being willing to ask for help? This week we get together with power couple, Mark Victor Hansen and Crystal Dwyer Hansen to talk about their new book Ask!: The Bridge from Your Dreams to Your Destiny to learn how neuroscience, quantum physics, and the art of asking can help you reach your fullest potential. In our conversation with Crystal and Mark, we discuss the seven roadblocks that stop us from accessing our higher selves an d how we can address and eventually overcome them. Listening in you ’ ll hear Crystal lend her expertise and incredible insight into the psychology of asking and why we ’ re so resistant to it. We delve into some of the concepts of the book and unpack the thre e channels of asking, namely ask yourself, ask others, and ask God, and why each step is integral to the process. Discover the necessity of self-knowledge and why so many of us are letting past experiences shape our expectations and as a result, our future . We also discuss the importance of curiosity and hear Mark and Crystal ’ s advice for mission-driven messengers and entrepreneurs looking to access
Fri, October 22, 2021
In today ’ s special recap edition, Rory revisits his conversation with Naren Aryal on hybrid publishing and how it can help to optimize your Amazon books sales. Tuning in you ’ ll hear why Naren and his company Amplify Books, has become one of Brand Builders Group ’ s favorite partners, and the tremendous amount of work that goes into creating, publishing, and marketing any book. Rory also shares his top three takeaways and unpacks why books that make the bestseller lists are not necessarily the ones that are the best written, but whose authors have established the largest audiences. Tune in for lots of technical tips and insights into what it takes to become an Amazon bestseller!
Tue, October 19, 2021
Many authors find themselves struggling to choose between traditional publishing and self-publishing , w hether to embrace the support system that comes with traditional publishing or the independence and ownership inherent to self-publishing. For them, hybrid publishing might be the happy middle ground they ’ ve been hoping for! In this episode, we get together with CEO, lawyer, and speaker, Naren Aryal to discuss hybrid publishing and what he has learned from over ten years in the industry. Naren is the CEO of two thriving hybrid publishing companies, Amplify Publishing and Mascot Books, and has helped countless authors publish and market their books. Listening in, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how hybrid publishing works. While this method requires an investment from the author, it supports them throughout the process and allows the author considerably more control as well as the bulk of the royalties. Naren gives a detailed account of the distribution process and how hybrid and traditional publishing can leverage their connections to access broader methods of distribution. Next, we delve into effective strategies for optimizing book sales on Amazon and how Amplify Publishing is able to help its authors sell successfully on Amazon. Naren also shares his insights on marketing through content, and why your book should be the culmination of a larger content strategy. Join us today for this fascinating look at the world of publishing, marketing, Amazon, and more!
Fri, October 15, 2021
In today's recap episode , we look back on the amazing conversation we had with Craig Valentine, with Rory and AJ both revealing their top three takeaways . Craig is a master of the story and how to use stories to really engage an audience, and it was hard to narrow our list down, but we managed! Craig talked about why it is not enough to just 'get ready' and that , as a brand builder and storyteller , you need to 'stay ready' for whatever opportunity may come knocking. He also emphasized the need for conflict in any story you are trying to sell . We highlight the points Craig made about character dialogue and using repeatable statements before touching on the idea of our dreams not being for sale and why you should sell a result <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW244208903 BCX0" data-ccp-parastyle="D
Tue, October 12, 2021
In 1999 our guest, Craig Valentine, became the World Champion of Public Speaking and subsequently learned a lesson that he has carried with him throughout his career: that he could no longer ‘get ready to speak’ he had to ‘stay ready to speak’. Craig has built his career on his exceptional acumen as a public speaker, his presentation skills, and his prolific coaching. He runs a prodigious coaching certification program called World Class Speaking, in addition to the Speak and Prosper Academy, and is the author of The Nuts and Bolts of Public Speaking . In our conversation with Craig, we dive straight into his passion for public speaking and how he discovered that ‘staying in your lane’ is not necessarily the best advice. Listening in you’ll glean key insights into the art of storytelling and why it is integral to effective public speaking. Learn why conflict is the most important part of storytelling and how escalating conflict can elevate a good story into a great one. We also delve into the intricacies of dialogue, why it’s important, and how it offers rich opportunities for humor and connection with your audience. Later, Craig breaks down how he combines storytelling and messaging to reach his audience, and why his approach to storytelling varies depending on the situation. Tune in today for an engrossing and highly informative episode as we see phenomenal storytelling in action!
Fri, October 08, 2021
In today ’ s special recap edition, Rory revisits his conversation with Marley Jaxx on the world of video content and how to take your online presence to the next level. With the majority of us having a camera readily available on our smartphones, creating video content has become more accessible than ever before. Tuning in you ’ ll hear about how to take advantage of the power of video content and why YouTube is uniquely suited to marketing, thanks to its search engine optimization and sophisticated algorithm. Rory shares his top three takeaways from his conversation with Marley and elaborates on both her technical and psychological advice for putting yourself out there. Make sure you tune in to this essential episode on the power of video content and the future of marketing your personal brand!
Tue, October 05, 2021
Creating video content can be intimidating. You need to decide which camera you’re going to use, what you should be talking about, and even after you’ve filmed your footage you’re still faced with figuring out your editing process. In today’s episode, we are joined by Marley Jaxx, to help us better understand the world of video content and answer our many questions about how to start a digital video journey and take our video content to the next level. Marley is an entrepreneur and acceleration coach who boasts over 1.8 Million views on YouTube. She has shared the stage as a public speaker with the likes of Tony Robbins, Russell Brunson, and Frank Kern. In our conversation with Marley, we dive straight in with our most pressing questions on starting a YouTube channel and how to optimize your content. Listening in, you'll hear why the best camera is the one you already have, why search engines are an excellent resource for finding topics, and why it’s so useful to hire someone for the editing process. Marley expands on key concepts like ‘curiosity hooks’ and how to use them to optimize viewer engagement. She also shares some of her key tips, like when to employ a call to action in your videos, how to get the most out of the editing process, and how to gain leads from your content. We loved having Marley on the show and can’t wait to see what she does next. Join us today for this essential conversation on taking your video content to the next level!
Fri, October 01, 2021
In this special recap episode, we reflect on our interview with Celinne Da Costa, a story architect who has worked with countless leaders and entrepreneurs over her eventful career. We discuss how her disarming wisdom and insight offer a fresh appreciation for the internal work necessary to live a happy and successful life. Listening in, you'll hear Rory and AJ share their top three takeaways fr om the interview and how it applies to Brand Builders Group and their services. Learn how identifying your uniqueness is integral to your personal brand and why so many people struggle to see how accomplished they are. For all this and much more, tune in t oday!
Tue, September 28, 2021
Imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs about yourself can affect a wide array of people, even successful leaders and entrepreneurs , y et so often we don ’ t recognize the internal work that needs to be done and end up chasing external goals instead. Our guest today, Celinne Da Costa has seen this time and again in her work as a story architect working with countless leaders and entrepreneurs. As a br and s tory e xpert and s elf- a ctualization c oach, she helps visionary entrepreneurs not only tell but become the greatest story they ever told. In our conversation with Celinne , we discuss how she helps individuals identify and overcome unconscious beliefs about themselves in order to connect with the story of their true selves. She breaks down the four-step process that she uses with clients to unlock, embody, design, and amplify their true stories. We also discuss how limiting beliefs can cause you to undermine your own success and why conditioning is at the heart of why so many of us are cut off from our true purpose. Join us today for all this and much more! <span class= "EOP SCXW15986108 BCX0" data-ccp-props= "{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,
Fri, September 24, 2021
In the world of digital marketing and social media, capturing and maintaining the attention of potential customers can seem like an impossible task. In this special recap episode, we revisit our conversation with Mike Michalowicz , a master in the art of gaining instant attention in marketing. Rory and AJ identify their biggest takeaways from their conversation with Mike and elaborate on how they see the lesson s reflected in their own business. Listening in, you ’ ll hear us discuss what small businesses can learn from one another, why marketing is essentially neuroscience, and how pattern interruption is crucial for effective marketing. We also give a shout-out t o some of our favorite marketing campaigns and discuss how to take your marketing to the next level. Make sure you tune in today for this quick and informative recap episode!
Tue, September 21, 2021
In today ’ s episode, we are joined by one of the world ’ s foremost thinkers on entrepreneurship, Mike Michalowicz . Mike is a best-selling author of renowned titles like Fix This Next , Clockwork , and Profit First. He also worked as a small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal and as a makeover speciali st on MSNBC. Mike has considerable experience in the world of business, having established, built, and sold two successful companies by the time he was 35 years old. He is also an international speaker and has traveled across the globe to speak at conferen ces and events for entrepreneurs. In our conversation with Mike, we discuss his new book <span class="TextRun SCXW16528302 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-
Fri, September 17, 2021
Having a thorough understanding of humor is valuable in almost any situation, whether you want to create some brevity during a presentation, or cheer up your best friend. In this special recap edition, we revisit Rory ’ s interview with Darren LaCroix on public speaking and the power of humor! Rory and AJ share their top three takeaways and expand on how they ’ ve applied these lessons in their own lives. Listening in you ’ ll hear key insights about how to naturally weave humor into any public speaking occasion and why it ’ s important to connect with your audience on an emotional level. We also discuss the immense amount of work that goes into refining a good joke and how you can draw on the absurdities of everyday life to create your very own brand of humor! For all this and much more, tune in today!
Tue, September 14, 2021
Many of us believe that, for the most part, being funny is an innate skill that cannot be learned, but today's episode might just change your mind. Darren LaCroix is a legend in the world of public speaking and is especially well-known for his deft implementation of humor. In today ’ s episode, we get together with Darren for a jam-packed conversation on humor, comedy, and the tremendous amount of work and dedication it takes to become proficien t in the art of stand-up. We hear from Darren about how he first got into public speaking, why initially he was so intimidated by being humorous on stage, and how he learned that anyone can acquire the skills needed to be funny. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Darre n break down the differences between humor and comedy and why it ’ s important to discern when to use which. Learn why the first step to comedy is training yourself to identify opportunities for humor, as well as how to hone your delivery skills. Later, Darr en explains why it ’ s important to understand tried-and-tested comedy formulas and how to implement them successfully as well as why identifying what ’ s top of mind for an audience is crucial.
Fri, September 10, 2021
This week we revisit Rory ’ s conversation with John David Mann about how to be a better writer. Rory and AJ share their top three takeaways and how being a better writer and storyteller is integral to speaking and your personal brand. Tuning in you ’ ll hear plenty of tips on how to improve your writing and storytelling, from why your core concept is the hero of your story to how humor can be revealed organically through stories and characters. AJ explains why writer ’ s block should really be thought of as memory block, and how to use your life experience to inform your writing. We also discuss some technical tips and how best to build suspense. Tune in today to hear it all!
Tue, September 07, 2021
Have you ever wondered whether you might have what it takes to write a novel? In today's episode, we ’ re very excited to get together with award-winning author John David Mann to discuss his new thriller Steel Fear and gain valuable insights from his immense writing wisdom. Tuning in you ’ ll hear John discuss some of his previous works including his partnership with Bob Burg in writing the hugely popular Go-Giver books. John unpacks his writing process and discusses some of the unique challenges of writing his first thriller, like constructing nuanced characters and figuring out the plot. We hear from John about how he balances structure and flow in his writing and how his previous experience running a sales organization has informed his approach to writing characters. In closing, John emphasizes the importance of empathy and why it ’ s crucial for storytelling as well as character creation. Join us today for a fascinating look at the writing process, practical tips, and much more!
Fri, September 03, 2021
In today’s episode, we revisit our conversation with Shep Hyken, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author who is also featured in the Professional Speaking Hall of Fame. Shep has achieved considerable success over several decades across multiple industries as an author, public speaker, and customer service expert. Tuning in you’ll hear Rory share his top three takeaways from their conversation and dig into some of Shep’s most prescient insights, from how to successfully market yourself in a b2b environment to gaining thousands of followers. Rory shares how he’s seen Shep’s advice in action in the lives of his clients and why consistency is crucial to the success of your brand and reputation. For a concise breakdown of these valuable lessons and more, tune in today!
Tue, August 31, 2021
When you see the phrase ‘ New York Times B est s elling Author ’ or ‘ Hall of Fame Speaker ’ , it can be difficult to comprehend the years of work and energy that went into achieving those titles. In today ’ s episode, our guest Shep Hyken gives a candid breakdown of how he achieved success across multiple industries as an author, public speaker, and customer service expert over several decades. <span class= "NormalTextRun
Fri, August 27, 2021
Tue, August 24, 2021
Deciding who to hire for a project can be daunting and arduous. Often, you will need to sift through dozens of profiles, and even then, there ’ s no guarantee that you will find a good fit for your project or your budget. Our guest today is an expert in his field and possesses a wealth of knowledge when it comes to hiring internationally. Hanson Cheng is a rapid skill acquisition expert, speaker, and multi- million dollar earner who helps CEOs optimize their time to ensure more freedom and flexibility, allowing them to spend more time on their vision and increase their earning power. In our conversation with Hanson, we discuss his tips for finding competent individuals on LinkedIn and how he approaches hiring individuals in non-western countries. We delve into artificial intelligence and how Hanson utilizes translation software when hiring people who aren ’ t first language English speakers. Tuning in you ’ ll hear about changes happening on the frontiers of machine learning and how that will affect content creation and plagiarism. Later Hanson shares why building relationships in your working life is so important and how a Reddit post landed him an interview with Entrepreneur M agazine. Join us for a fascinating conversation on what it means to hire internationally and how artificial intelligence will affect automation.
Fri, August 20, 2021
In today ’ s special recap episode, Rory and AJ revisit their conversation with entrepreneur and bestselling author, Kevin Kruse. They share their top three takeaways from their conversation and expand on the significance of Kevin ’ s unique insights into the world of entrepreneurship, business, and tech. Listening in, you'll learn about the three primary business valuations, how a service-based business is valued differently from a subscription-based business, and why building a business you want to sell is no different from building a business you want to keep. We also interrogate the ubiquity of apps and discuss how to efficiently design your app for the highest chance of success. Our conversation with Kevin is a must-listen for any entrepreneur looking to take their business to the next level. For all this and much more, tune in today!
Tue, August 17, 2021
Our guest today is an accomplished figure, not only in the world of personal brands but also in entrepreneu rial one . Kevin Kruse is a New York Times best-selling author of nine books and has built several businesses throughout his career. As an entrepreneur and executive , Kevin has a distinguished line of companies to his name, including being the C o- F ounder of Connexa which was acquired by IBM. Today he is the F ounder and CEO of LEADx , a fascinating AI-powered platform geared to helping companies scale leadership behaviors and employee engagement. In our conversation with Kevin, we ask him to share his entrepreneurial wisdom on how to leverage your personal brand in the current marketplace. He explains why those with a personal brand need to consider whether they want to hire employees or be a solo practitioner and why having employees adds considerable value to your company. Later we discuss why subscription-based models are valued at a higher rate than service-based models and how to leverage that for your personal brand. We delve into the earning potential of building an app for your personal brand as well as the real-world steps and challenges involved in getting an app off the ground. Join us today for a fascinating conversation on personal brands, entrepreneurship, app development, and much more! <span class="EOP SCXW131084353 BCX0" data-ccp-props= "{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"3355516
Fri, August 13, 2021
In today ’ s special recap episode, Rory revisits his conversation with Scott McKain , one of the world ’ s leading thinkers on what it means to be distinct. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Rory share his top three takeaways from their conversation and elaborate on why being distinct as a brand is reliant on your unique perspective. Rory reflects on the fact that no one is loyal to ‘ generic ’ and discusses why it ’ s necessary to do tough internal work in order to identify and refine the core ideas that inform your personal brand and business. Hear how Brand Builders Group is constructed to help entrepreneurs do meaningful internal work and why making a decision <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW3272730
Tue, August 10, 2021
In today’s episode, we speak with the leading expert on the concept of distinction in personal branding and business. Scott McKain is the author of ICONIC: How Orga nizations and Leaders Attain, Sustain, and Regain the Highest Level of Distinction which has been named as one of the Top 10 Business Books of the Year, he is a keynote speaker at events for top organizations and has the rare honor of being feature in both the Speakers Hall of Fame and the Sales and Marketing Hall of Fame. In our conversation with Scott, we dive straight into the concept of distinction and why it’s so important for your personal brand. We hear Scott’s breakdown of the four cornerstones of d istinction: clarity, creativity, communication, and the customer experience focus. Scott places a particular emphasis on the concept of clarity and why it is in many ways the most difficult step since it involves identifying what makes you distinct and exc luding potential business opportunities that do not fall within what makes your personal brand unique. Scott offers his advice and tips for finding your distinction and explains why we should all find out why people recommend us. Join us today for an edify ing discussion on the concept of distinction and how to define it for your personal brand!
Fri, August 06, 2021
In today ’ s special recap episode, Rory revisits his conversation with Juliet Funt, author of the new book A Minute to Think , and shares his top three takeaways from the interview. Rory breaks down key concepts from Juliet ’ s book, such as why we all need more oxygen in our lives and why having whitespace on our calendars is essential. He reflects on the elegance of her writing and how the phrase "interlacing moments of thoughtfulness throughout your day" is such a profound lesson. Hear why it ’ s important to ask yourself direct questions like “ Where am I doing high quantity, low-value work ” and “ Am I comfortable being quiet? ” . Join us today as we discuss some of the incredible work Juliet has been doing, as well as how to listen to your own wisdom, and much more!
Tue, August 03, 2021
The rise in remote work as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic has left many of us living our lives in a whirlwind of zoom meetings, endless email chains, and urgent work tasks. Our guest today is a firm believer in the transformative power of integrating small moments of thoughtfulness throughout the day, and has the science to prove it. Juliet Funt is a renowned speaker, author, and CEO of White Space at Work, a training and consulting firm that helps organizations reexamine the norms of business to reclaim their creativity, productivity, and engagement. We talk with Juliet about the key concepts in her new book A Minute to Think and discuss why so many of us are prioritizing low-value quantity work over slow, deep work. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Juliet explain how our brains benefit from interlaced moments of quiet as well as why many of us may be addicted to busyness as a distraction from our own thoughts. Join us today for an essential conversation on productivity, creativity, and meaningful work!
Fri, July 30, 2021
In today ’ s episode, we revisit our conversation with Chester Elton, a best-selling author, and co-founder of FindMojo , a global assessment company. Tuning in you ’ ll hear Rory and AJ discuss their top three takeaways from Rory ’ s interview with Chester and how they ’ ve seen those lessons reflected in their own lives and careers. The power of proprietary data is indisputable, especially as a means to gain dominance in your field. AJ discusses why accurately interpreting your data is an essential skill and how to share it with your audience in a way that is relevant to them. Rory delves into Chester ’ s lessons on creating an audience for your book and why it is ultimately up to the author to market and sell their publication. We had a great time catching up with Chester and hearing his many tips and insights. For all our highlights from the interview and more, tune in today!
Tue, July 27, 2021
In today ’ s episode, we are joined by Chester Elton, the co-founder of FindMojo , a global assessment company. Chester has had tremendous success, along with his business partner, Adrian Gostick , in being a dominant presence in their area of expertise, namely workplace culture. They realized early on that data was essential to giving credibility to their research and obtained a sizable portion of proprieta ry data of over one million working adults. Together, they have written multiple bestsellers, from The Carrot Principle and Leading with Gratitude to their most recent title, <span class="TextRun SCXW135752211 BCX0" lang= "PT-PT" xm
Fri, July 23, 2021
In today ’ s recap episode Rory and AJ get together to discuss their conversation with Ken Coleman, a master interviewer and host of The Ken Coleman Show. Rory and AJ each share their top three takeaways from the interview and what they learned from talking with Ken. Rory notes Ken ’ s insight into the importance of being attentive, not only to what your guest is saying but how they are saying it. He reflects on how he was also able to sharpen that skill while working in sales and how it has benefited him as a transferable skill during interviews. AJ discusses the power you gain from not being intimidated by your guests and why experience and preparation are key, much more so than whether you have a close relationship with the person you ’ re interviewing. Tuning in you ’ ll hear a summary of Ken ’ s expert tips for interview preparation, how to be entertaining as an interviewer, and much more!
Tue, July 20, 2021
Any good show host knows that, to conduct a great interview, your number one priority needs to be the guest and the audience, not yourself. On today ’ s episode of the Influential Personal Brand podcast, we get together with consummate interviewer, Ken Coleman, host of The Ken Coleman Show, to talk about the intervie ws he ’ s conducted with highly accomplished individuals like George W. Bush and Condoleezza Rice, as well as the skills and lessons he ’ s learned from taking almost 5,000 live calls live on air . In this conversation, we discuss his show ’ s philosophy that every individual has a unique purpose in how they contribute to society and the profound impact this belief has had on his work. We hear from Ken about how he gets to the heart of his callers ’ <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW145233724 BCX4" data-ccp-para
Fri, July 16, 2021
On today ’ s recap episode Rory and AJ get together to discuss Rory ’ s conversation with Stephen Scoggins about how he became a certified strategist, his personal brand journey, and the subject of visual identity when building a personal brand. Rory and AJ each share their top three takeaways from the interview and what they learned from talking with Stephen. We delve into why one of the biggest challenges of building a personal brand is whether you feel worthy of having a voice and the value in doing what you can with what you have at a given moment in time. AJ shares her admiration for Stephen ’ s ability to be resourceful and still produce high-quality services and how he has been able to help people and have an impact. For all this and more, join us today as we revisit our conversation with Stephen Scoggins!
Tue, July 13, 2021
In today ’ s episode, we get together with our good friend Stephen Scoggins. Stephen is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, best-selling author, and business and life-mastery thought leader. We talk with Stephen about how he was able to overcome adversity early in his life to build a highly successful business empire comprising of different pursuits like real estate and building a personal brand. In our conversation, Stephen shares why he was resistant to building a personal brand for so long and how the advice of a fri end helped him decide to pursue it. Tuning in you ’ ll hear how Stephen was able to gain over 100 000 followers in just twelve months and what some of his biggest challenges were during his journey to building his personal brand. We break down the concept of the content diamond and why it ’ s so useful in helping you optimally use your time to establish a cohesive online presence. Later we discuss one of the biggest problems that new public speakers face and how Stephen and the Brand Builders Group are helping public speakers and others build their personal brand by offering accessible, high-quality video and photography content production. Stephen emphasizes the importance of investing in your dreams and why your visual identity is so important to your personal branding. Join us today for an energizing discussion on how to take the most important steps for your personal brand, and so much more!
Fri, July 09, 2021
In today ’ s episode, we revisit our conversation with longtime Silicon Valley influencer Claire D í az -Ortiz. Rory and AJ share their top three takeaways from the interview and discuss how they see the lessons reflected in their own lives and business. Tuning in you ’ ll hear about how it ’ s an entrepreneur's responsibility to share their idea with the world and how ultimately you have the ability to be your own media company thanks to the power of social media. We discuss what it means to reframe PR as ‘ m oment making ’ <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW24864718
Tue, July 06, 2021
For public speakers, establishing a personal brand is essential, but what about entrepreneurs and the owners of new companies and startups? When it comes to the two spheres of social media marketing and tech startups, and how they overlap, there is no one better to talk to than Claire Díaz-Ortiz. Claire established herself in tech during her time at Twitter, where she was hired to lead corporate social innovation. She is the author of several books with titles ranging from Social Media Success for Every Brand: The Five StoryBrand Pillars That Turn Posts Into Profits to One Minute Mentoring: How to find and work with a mentor - and why you’ll benefit from being one. She is also a speaker, advisor, and angel investor in early-stage startups. Tuning in, you’ll hear us discuss how the world of personal branding has changed over the past 20 years and how best to leverage the power of social media to engage with your followers. We unpack the increasing pressure to have an online presence, regardless of your line of work, and why building a personal brand and engaging with your followers adds immense value to any business. Later, Claire discusses her enthusiasm for mentoring and explains why early-stage investments are ideal opportunities for mentorship. Claire has a wealth of knowledge and we loved having her on the show. Join us today for an inspiring discussion on how to leverage the power of social media and finding which platform is right for you!
Fri, July 02, 2021
On today’s recap episode Rory and AJ get together to discuss Rory’s conversation with Tom Rath, bestselling author of books like StrengthFinders 2.0 and It’s Not About You . Rory and AJ each share their top three takeaways from the interview and what they learned about creating a work of nonfiction that will sell and have an impact. Tuning in you’ll hear about the importance of giving your readers something to do and why it’s important to give advice that is backed up by data and research, not just opinions. We delve into what makes an idea more shareable and why you should always consider how to incorporate human connectivity into your topic for maximum impact. For all this and more, join us today as we revisit our conversation with Tom Rath!
Tue, June 29, 2021
What are the factors that determine whether a nonfiction business book will be a bestseller? In today ’ s episode, we get together with a highly knowledgeable and accomplished figure in the world of publishing to find the answers to this question. Tom Rath is the author of several bestselling books, including StrengthsFinder 2.0 , which happens to be one of the bestselling nonfiction books on Amazon. He has sold over 10 million copies of his various books over the years and is a senior scientist and advisor to Gallup, where he previously spent 13 years leading the organization ’ s work on employee engagement, strengths, and wellbeing. Tuning in, listeners will hear what Tom has learned from his years in publishing and what characteristics have helped make his books so successful. Find out why giving your readers something tangible to do can be a good predictor for the success of a book and why it ’ s good to base your b
Fri, June 25, 2021
On today ’ s special recap episode, Rory and AJ get together to discuss their interview with their former pastor , Pete Wilson. We hear from AJ about why she is so passionate about the concept of reinvention and why she believes that we are all in a constant state of reinvention in some area of our lives. She shares how a behind-the-scenes conversation with Pete gave her an insight into how he sees himself and his accomplishments, versus how other people see him, and how we can all benefit from seeing ourselves through the eyes of others. Rory unpacks the beauty of a blank slate and why we are never truly starting over since we all have a past set of skills that we can realign to serve our current purpose. For all this and more, tune in today!
Tue, June 22, 2021
In today's episode, AJ and Rory get together with their former pastor Pete Wilson to discuss the topic of reinvention, especially when one considers the amount of upheaval that has been caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. Pete is the best-selling author of Plan B: What to Do When God Doesn't Show Up the Way You Thought He Would, which he wrote after undergoing his own reinvention several years ago when he drastically altered his life by leaving his successful career in ministry. In 2019 he established Good Vibes Management, an organization that, among other things, pairs up high profile individuals with ethical corporate brands, giving new purpose to their celebrity platforms. He also hosts a podcast, Good Talk with his wife, where they inspire people to be healthier, happier, and more purpose-driven versions of themselves. In our conversation, Pete shares what he learned from his reinvention and how interviewing others informed his viewpoint. He discusses the important role that gratitude and humility have to play when adjusting your mindset for reinvention and why you must reevaluate your definition of success. Join us today for an eye-opening discussion on the challenges and potential that lies in reinvention and much more!
Fri, June 18, 2021
In today’s special recap episode, Rory revisits his conversation with Kim Scott, author of Radical Candor and most recently Just Work . Rory reflects on their conversation and how its lessons extend far beyond applications to one’s personal brand. Rory shares his top three takeaways from their conversation, the most fundamental of which is the idea that discrimination exists on a continuum, with Kim categorizing its different forms in the workplace as bias, prejudice, and bullying. Rory also reflects on his desire to receive criticism with more humility and less defensiveness and how to apply the important lesson that it’s one’s impact that matters, not one’s intention. For all this and more, tune in today for an informative and thought-provoking recap!
Tue, June 15, 2021
Most of us aspire to behave in a manner that is ethical, fair, and just, but our efforts are often undermined by unconscious biases, and without outside interventions, we may never take the necessary steps to change these unintended habits. In today ’ s episode we sit down with Kim Scott to talk about her new book Just Work: Get Sh*t Done, Fast & Fair . Some listeners may recognize her as the New York Times bestselling author of Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity . Kim has spent many years working as a high-profile CEO coach, doing in-depth work at Dropbox, Qualtrics, and Twitter to name a few. She was also involved with AdSense at Google, is a member of the faculty at Apple University, and has worked directly for Sheryl Sandberg. In our conversation with Kim, we talk about what she learned from writing Radical Candor and how she applied those lessons to her latest book Just Work . Kim breaks down the three revelations she experienced after getting feedback from a colleague, the most striking of which was that <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW127918643 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle=
Fri, June 11, 2021
On today ’ s special recap episode, Rory revisits his interview with Mark Divine, a Navy SEALs commander, and New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Rory shares his top three takeaways from speaking with Mark about his lessons on cultivating an Unbeatable Mind. Rory dives right into b ox b reathing, a method that Mark uses with his operatives before going into battle as a way to center themselves and calm their nervous systems. Rory reflects on the fact that this can be applied to many situations, including giving a presentation or media interview. Other takeaways include the phrase , "No plan survives contact with the enemy , ” and how to incorporate that attitude into your mindset, as well as how to have a productive relationship with your thoughts. Join us today for this reflective recap on how to cultivate an Unbeatable Mind! <span class="EOP SCXW12205
Tue, June 08, 2021
No plan survives contact with the enemy, which is why you need to be ready for anything. In today ’ s episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we speak with Mark Divine. Mark is an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in an astonishingly diverse range of areas. He holds an MBA from NYU, is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, while also having a long and established career as a Navy SEALs commander . He is also a high-profile public speaker and was recently part of a Tony Robbins event. In addition, Mark has an enduring relationship with m artial arts, meditation, mindfulness, and ancient yoga practices, which are integral to his leadership style and having what he calls an Unbeatable Mind. In our conversation, Mark almost immediately dives into the intricacies of his zen <span
Fri, June 04, 2021
We had such an amazing conversation with Todd Henry in our last episode, and today we will be looking at the biggest takeaways from it! Todd's work is all about accessing creativity and using our energy and strengths to make an impact. Todd talked about how creativity is more about problem-solving than anything else, and this can be applied to so many different areas of our lives. Wherever you look, in your personal, professional, and family life, there are problems to solve, and creativity can be applied to these situations! The next big takeaway from Todd was how he defines art: for Todd , art's central component is its expression of value. This means that no matter what you are creating if you are expressing your values through it, you can consider it your art! We believe that starting a business or brand is nothing other than an expression of values and the realization of your internal value system into the external world. Todd's point on where to start with building a personal brand and service is such a great piece of advice ; he believes that our greatest strengths are most often the things that seem most obvious and negligible to us. So think about what seems almost too simple and straightforward to you and consider how it might just be your gift to the world! The last takeaway we wanted to underline was Todd's beautiful point about pursuing mastery of a craft instead of chasing stardom. This is a message we wholeheartedly believe in and can be the key to success, longevity, and last ing impact!
Tue, June 01, 2021
The ocean of creative work is not limited to processes that create art. Creativity is in so much of what we do as humans, and as our guest for today's show, Todd Henry explains, creativity is essentially problem-solving. Todd is the host of the Accidental Creative Podcast, which has over 10 million downloads! He is a leading thinker on the topics of creativity, leadership, passion, and bringing out your everyday brilliance. He has written five books, with the most recent being The Motivation Code, and we get to hear a bit about some of the ideas that his amazing books contain. We also get to see why Todd sees himself as an arms dealer for the creative revolution, and his particular set of gifts for helping people access deeper parts of their creativity. In our conversation, we cover demystifying the journey of success, why we are the worst judges of our own work, and how leaders can foster more successfully creative spaces for their teams. So for all this and a whole lot more from Rory and Todd, be sure to join in today!
Fri, May 28, 2021
On today's special recap episode , Rory and AJ get together to discuss his interview with Tom Ziglar, son of the legendary Zig Ziglar . Rory and AJ each share their top three takeaways from the interview and unpack the nuances of each point. AJ reflects on an old Zig Ziglar quote that Tom brought up, namely “ If you pursue a standard of living you will likely never have a better quality of life, but if you pursue a better quality of life the standard of living will always go up ” . They discuss how the words still ring true today and how it has made them evaluate their motivations. Both AJ and Rory were moved by Tom ’ s wise insight that his skills are very different from those of his father and how that acceptance was able to allow him to embrace his own unique skills and strengths. Join us for a meditative recap on lessons from Tom Ziglar on what gives life meaning, how to be true to yourself , and much more!
Tue, May 25, 2021
“ You can have everything in life if you help enough other people get what they want, ” these are the famous words of Zig Ziglar th at the Ziglar Inc brand continues to live by. In today ’ s episode , we get together with Tom Ziglar, CEO of Ziglar Inc, Author, Speaker, and proud son of Zig. His most recent book is titled <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW22
Fri, May 21, 2021
On today ’ s special recap episode, Rory and AJ revisit their interview with Allison Fallon, author of The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life . Rory and AJ each share their top three takeaways and share what they foun d most valuable from their conversation. They each emphatically agree on the notion that great writing comes from great thinking, which forms a key point in Allison ’ s book, and they note that the biggest obstacle to great writing is writer's block. AJ rema rks on Allison ’ s advice to get past your writer ’ s block by prioritizing the reader and asking yourself how you can provide value to them and Rory shares his enthusiasm for Allison ’ s assertion that, if you have a valuable idea, it means you have a responsib ility to share it and put it out into the world. Join us for an informative recap with lots of special comments and insights!
Tue, May 18, 2021
What transformation do you want the reader to undergo after reading your book and how do you achieve that? Sometimes, the surest way to overcome mental obstacles is to take a new approach and ask different questions. Today’s guest is an expert in helping writers process their self-doubt and put their ideas into motion. Allison Fa llo n has a distinguished reputation for writing and ghostwriting and has helped countless clients become published authors. She is the author of over 12 books, including her latest release, The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life. In today’ s episode, she shares the most common mental roadblocks that new authors encounter and her practical advice for how to overcome them. Hear Allison’s thoughts on why getting on the New York Times bestseller list shouldn’t necessarily be a priority and why self-doubt puts you in very good company. She also explains the difference between content-driven and story-driven books and the middle ground that exists in be
Fri, May 14, 2021
In today ’ s special recap episode, Rory revisits his conversation with Eric Siu, where they discuss ed methods for leveling up your paid acquisitions strategy. Rory dives straight into how to create scalable growth for your personal brand by sharing his top three takeaways from his conversation with Eric , and he breaks down the different types of advertising traffic and why they are important, namely paid traffic, unpaid traffic, and get-paid traffic. He notes that paid traffic ’ s unique attribute is predictability and expands on this by breaking down how to utilize this quality and why a new i OS update will drastically change what type of paid advertising gets results. Listening in, you will hear all about the implications of this update ,</sp
Tue, May 11, 2021
Internet marketing is the science of efficiently reaching audiences online, an essential skill set not just for SaaS companies but personal brand builders too. Today we are joined by internet marketing guru, podcast host, and recent author of Leveling Up , Eric Siu , to talk about his audience-building strategies and gamified approach to life and business. We hear about the dual method of influencer marketing and paid ads Eric is using to promote his book. He talks about why he has chosen to write a book about the game of life rather than his extensive marketing knowledge. For Eric, writing about his relationship with gaming is his way of appealing to an already extensive community. He explains how the notion of community fits into Naval Ravikant ’ s four forms of leverage and is one of the most powerful forces a brand builder can utiliz
Fri, May 07, 2021
It ’ s easy to feel resistance to setting up chatbots for your brand, but is it all that different from a pre-recorded video or online course? On today ’ s special recap episode , Rory revisits his conversation with Natasha Takahashi on utilizing chatbots to g enerate ROI for your Business . Rory shares his top three take aways from their discussion and how it ’ <span class= "NormalTex
Tue, May 04, 2021
On today ’ s episode of The Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we get technical! We speak with Natasha Takahashi from The School of Bots about the amazing potential of chatbots and what they are already doing for marketing campaigns across industries. In our conversation, Natasha explains exactly how chatbots work by automating direct messaging at scale for exponential impact. Listeners can expect to hear about the best platforms to utilize for making chatbots a part of your business and why it ’ s far more effective to implement once you are an established business. Natasha explains how chatbots are a combination of artificial intelligence, conversational design, and decision trees. We also speak about the ethical and emotional concerns around chatbots, especially when it comes to personal branding and how to address those concerns safely. Learn how the evolution of chatbots increased with Facebook messenger and why it ’ s still the ideal place to start for testing chatbots. For all this and more, join us today!
Fri, April 30, 2021
In today ’ s episode of The Influential Personal Brand Podcast , we revisit a recent conversation we had with Bob Burg. Hear about our top three takeaways, as well as why we <span class= "TextRun
Tue, April 27, 2021
“Great salesmanship is never about the salesperson. Great salesmanship is about the people whose lives are made better because you’ve been a part of it.” This profound message comes from renowned speaker, author, and today’s guest, Bob Burg. He joins us to discuss how you can get more profits and referrals by embracing the ‘Go-Giver’ mentality. We devote the early part of this episode to unpacking Go-Giving and exactly how consistently providing value leads to financial profitability. After exploring why Go-Giving perfectly aligns with the free market, Bob shares his journey in developing this business strategy. Later, he touches on why his Go-Giver books are written as parables and how he promoted his book through speaking engagements. We wrap up our conversation by looking at the importance of learning from the experts who came before you. As Bob explains, the Go-Giver approach is both the most meaningful and the most profitable way of conducting business. Tune in to hear all about it.
Fri, April 23, 2021
In today ’ s special recap episode of The Influential Personal Brand Podcast, your host, Rory Vaden shares his biggest takeaways and thoughts from his recent interview with Jennifer Cohen. Hear how Jennifer achieved viral success with her TED T alk and why she advocates for trusting the process and being patient. Rory unpacks lessons from the interview and explains why it ’ s important to market your product based on the result rather than the content. Tune in for a quick recap and plenty of thought-provoking insights!
Tue, April 20, 2021
In today’s episode of The Influential Personal Brand Podcast, Jennifer Cohen returns to talk about the runaway success of her TedTalk entitled ‘The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life’. Jennifer is an entrepreneur, fitness authority and best-selling author of Strong Is the New Skinny and also hosts a podcast called ‘Habits and Hustle’. In our conversation today we talk about Jennifer’s experience on the TED Talk stage and how she got there. Hear anecdotes of everything that went wrong during her talk and how that may have contributed to the viral success of her video. Jennifer also unpacks the process during which Rory and his company helped distill her ideas into the impactful TED Talk that resulted from their work together. Listeners will also hear how the success of her TED Talk has affected her business and why giving actionable advice is so powerful. For all this and more, join us today!
Fri, April 16, 2021
The key distinction between overthinking and preparation is that preparation leads to action and overthinking leads to more thinking. In today ’ s recap episode , we reflect on our top takeaways from our conversation with Jon Acuff, a brilliant speaker and bestselling author whose recent research has resulted in extensive knowledge on how what we think affects what we do. We devoted much of our conversation to successful self-talk for personal brands. Today , we further unpack the nature of negative self-talk and why our brains believe the thoughts we repeatedly feed it, even if they aren ’ t true. Later, we discuss why what you believe about yourself affects how clients see you and how that affects your career. We also elaborate on how our brains are like computers and why it ’ s important to consciously choose your thoughts to reprogram them. J <span class="TextRun SCX
Tue, April 13, 2021
In this episode, we get together with Jon Acuff, New York Times Bestselling Author of seven books. Jon is an incredible speaker and speaks for big companies such as Fedex , Nissan, and Chick-fil-A. His last book was a number one Wall Street Journal bestseller called Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done . During our conversation, Jon shares all about the research he has been doing lately for his new book, Soundtracks — finding the solution to overthinking and specifically some of the mindsets issues that need to be resolved to really build and grow and become an influential personal brand. We also dive into some of the biggest evolutions that Jon has undergone in his mindsets to rewrite the negative soundtracks that were holding him back. Stay tuned to today ’ s episode as we unpack Jon <span
Fri, April 09, 2021
In today ’ s special recap episode of The Influential Personal Brand Podcast, your host, Rory Vaden shares a debrief and summary of his most recent interview with Honor é e Corder . You ’ ll hear some of the key lessons to be learned from that episode, namely the fact that launching a book is not just launching a book, it ’ s launching a business. There are so many aspects to it, and a book outline is not just a “ how to <span class="TextRun SCXW229559385 BCX4" lang= "EN-US" xml:lan
Tue, April 06, 2021
Writing and getting books published, distributed, and marketed properly is one of the biggest pain points that many listeners have. Over the years, your host, Rory Vaden has had the opportunity to interface with a number of people with superpowers in the writing and publishing space and, in this episode, he introduces you to one of them. Today’s guest is Honorée Corder , strategic book coach, publishing specialist, an d co-creator of The Miracle Morning book series with Hal Elrod. She specifically caters to those who wish to self-publish and maintain ownership and rights of their work, and has written over 50 books herself. Tuning in, you’ll hear her advice for getting <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW2345
Fri, April 02, 2021
What are you focused on that is truly unique? And what can you do so deeply in your subject matter that no one else can compete with you? Today we recap our interview with David Horsager, a thought leader who is so cemented in his niche that his brand is synonymous with his specialty: building trust in businesses. Our first takeaway relates to how you can create brand clout and credibility by being research-driven. We then dive into how David uses gratitude to differentiate himself. After talking about the benefits of providing unique perspectives and of being the first in your space, we unpack David’s advice on getting speaking engagements. Later, we discuss how you can use your existing content to generate different revenue streams. As David has shown, it pays to be trustworthy. Tune in for our recap where we show you the how and the why of being a trusted leader.
Tue, March 30, 2021
Most of us are trying to solve the wrong problem. As David Horsager explains in today ’ s episode, trust is at the root of every business challenge. David should know. As the foremost expert on trust and CEO of the Trust Edge Leadership Institute, he ’ s helped companies increase their revenue by improving their reputation. We open our conversation with David by exploring how he went from humble beginnings to becoming a world-renowned thought leader. He shares how he discovered his niche and why most issues in business relate to a lack of trust. After discussing why data-driven research is the backbone of trustworthy leadership, we look at the many benefits of being a reputable leader. David then chats about what he does to differentiate his brand before unpacking his business model. Later, we talk about his book and the bonuses that David is offering to the Influential Personal Brand Podcast community. This episode shows that without trust, people and businesses fail . Tune in to hear what you can do to build your trustworthiness.
Fri, March 26, 2021
To find success, you don’t always have to be the best in your niche. Sometimes all it takes is being the first in your niche. In this recap episode, we reflect on our top takeaways from our conversation with podcast grandmaster John Lee Dumas, someone who has built his brand by having the first-mover advantage. After chatting about the advantages of being the first person in your niche, we highlight John’s lesson that consistently creating and putting yourself out there will lead to excellence. Or in his words, “focusing on quantity will guarantee quality.” Later, we discuss how John’s direct, honest, and personal marketing approach so effortlessly wins over his audiences. Join us to hear us unpack more of John’s recipe for success.
Tue, March 23, 2021
Discovering your one big idea and then making it a reality is the key to unlocking financial freedom and fulfillment. Today we speak with John Lee Dumas, the creator and host of Entrepreneurs on Fire, a podcast that’s enjoyed over 100 million downloads. In our conversation with John, we explore what he did to find uncommon success while also unpacking his best lessons from interviewing over 3,000 of the world’s top entrepreneurs. Early in this episode, John talks about the most important elements to building a thriving brand. After chatting about how he discovered his niche, he dives into why being the first in your niche is such an advantage. We then discuss when and why you should focus on quantity over quality and why excellence is often achieved from consistent work. Later, we talk about John’s book and how it provides 17 core principles that are the foundations for entrepreneurial success. As John explains, there’s a common path that anyone can follow to achieve their dreams. Tune in and learn how you can take your first step.
Fri, March 19, 2021
Take creative risks. Often it’s the only way to differentiate yourself and build a memorable brand. This simple message is a top takeaway from our interview with eminent speaker and business expert Victoria Labalme. Today we share our chief learnings from our conversation with her. After chatting about her book, Risk Forward , we unpack what it means to take creative risks. Reflecting on how artfulness entrepreneurship is, we explore why you need to balance having business processes and structure with a creative approach to your brand. Later, we look at why uncertainty is a good thing and how feeling comfortable at unclear points is key to innovating your brand. Join us to hear more about the profound impact of taking creative risks.
Tue, March 16, 2021
What can only you do? And how can you do it in your own way? Answering these questions is the key to building a brand that stands out from the crowd. Today we welcome presentation strategist Victoria Labalme onto the show to help listeners discover the value that only their brand can provide. We also speak with Victoria about how her book, Risk Forward , can help you find success when the future seems uncertain. Early in our conversation, we chat with Victoria about how critical creative risks are to forming strong brands. She then shares her insights on how you can find your unique value proposition, and how you can then refine your proposition before taking large risks. After talking about the emotional side of dealing with risk, we discuss how the biggest business leaders are pulled toward creative risk-taking. While reflecting on the power of listening to our intuitions, Victoria unpacks how listeners can move forward at times when their path seems unclear. As Victoria explains, “the extraordinary lie at the edge of not knowing.” Join us to hear more about the incredible benefits of taking a risk forward.
Fri, March 12, 2021
The golden path to effective SEO doesn’t require any technical expertise. Instead, it requires that you consistently publish content that relates to your market. This critical insight comes from our interview with the Godfather of SEO and marketing thought leader, Neil Patel. Today we recap more of our top takeaways from that conversation. For our next highlight, we talk about how you can use content to drive your business growth, adding tips on how you can best do this. Reflecting the view that SEO is a long-term strategy, we then unpack Neil’s advice to start your SEO project by going after niche terms within broad topical areas. After exploring why this is such an effective strategy, we look at how you can use heat maps to create highly optimized web pages. Throughout this episode, we also share SEO best practices to draw in traffic and build your website authority and subscriber list. Tune in to hear the next step of your SEO journey.
Tue, March 09, 2021
Building an SEO strategy may seem like a daunting task. But in reality, the most effective SEO is built on strong foundations and consistent work that requires little to no technical skill. Today we welcome SEO and marketing king Neil Patel onto the show to talk about the core SEO fundamentals that personal brands need to cover. Neil’s first lesson highlights that SEO is a long-game that requires you to consistently post content. After chatting about the hit and miss nature of content, we dive into the role that keyword research plays in your SEO strategy. Neil then opens up his keyword playbook, sharing insights into the kinds of keywords that you should target. Linked to this, we discuss how tools like Ubersuggest can help you find keywords to target, along with how Schema markup can help you create a faster-loading website. Later, we look at how you can optimize your website for a near-perfect web experience. Throughout our conversation, Neil offers clear and actionable advice that will up your SEO game. Join us to begin your journey to SEO mastery.
Fri, March 05, 2021
The deepest satisfaction in life can only come from serving others. And to do that you need to be bold enough to be your authentic self. This idea is one of the top takeaways from our episode with Luvvie Ajayi Jones, viral TED Talk speaker and author of Professional Troublemaker . In this episode, we recap our phenomenal interview with her, with our first highlight touching on how courage is contagious. As Luvvie explains, you can strengthen your audience by being a source of emotional fortitude. We then dive into what it means to be a purpose-driven personal brand and why being authentic is linked to serving your community. Later, we explore the value of yourself and others, and permission to be yourself. Fortune favors the bold. Tune in for more on living fearlessly.
Tue, March 02, 2021
This is the second time we’re welcoming charismatic New York Times best-selling author and speaker Luvvie Ajayi Jones onto the show. Today we speak with Luvvie about the key message of her new book; that to truly, meaningfully change our lives, we have to become professional troublemakers. Early in our conversation, we discuss the importance that boldness can have when building your personal brand. Luvvie then shares how she developed her boldness. As she explains, being a person of impact means that you’ll both repel and attract people no matter what your intentions are. We explore why being judged shouldn’t be seen as a worst-case scenario, with Luvvie adding insight into how she uses her boldness to empower people. We ask Luvvie about her courage to post online about her beliefs. In her answer, she highlights the strict criteria that inform each of her posts and the role of thinking about a topic before posting. Later, she reflects on the responsibility that comes with being a public figure, how she overcomes her fear of success, why she wrote her book for the person she once was, and why the risk of offending people shouldn’t prevent you from doing your work. Luvvie’s mission is to give people permission to be themselves. Tune in to learn about the benefits of conquering fear, being yourself, and living audaciously.
Fri, February 26, 2021
Just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean that your inspired idea won’t work. Jamie Kern Lima’s life is proof that you can build a successful business from your unique idea. Today we recap our conversation with Jamie and share our top takeaways from her story. We open by discussing why you shouldn’t look to your competitors for insights into your value proposition. We then dive into the power of listening to your gut. Using Jamie’s example, she was told that no one would buy products from someone who looked like her. She’s since sold her company for $1.2 billion. Later, we dive into the vital role that authenticity plays when building your brand before looking into why inauthenticity guarantees failure. We wrap up our overview by unpacking the importance of tying your passion to hard work. Tune in as we highlight the key lessons from our discussion with the incredible Jamie Kern Lima.
Tue, February 23, 2021
No one believed in Jamie Kern Lima’s vision. At the end of one meeting, an investor even told her that no one would buy cosmetics from someone who looked like she did. In 2016, and after building one of the biggest cosmetics brands in America, Jamie sold it to L'Oréal for $1.2 billion. Today we’re joined by Jamie to talk about how she overcame the limiting beliefs of an entire industry to achieve her wildest dreams. We open our conversation by discussing how Jamie founded It Cosmetics, a journey captured in her new book, Believe It . A key theme in this episode, Jamie shares her mission to create a cosmetics company that represents all women and not just the airbrushed models that are typically used to market products. Jamie then highlights how this mission motivated her to keep fighting for her company, despite a lack of interest from investors. Later, she reveals how she got her big break before unpacking the value of authenticity and following your intuition. We wrap up our discussion by chatting about Jamie’s book and the giveaways she’s releasing alongside it. Jamie’s story is an inspiring example of how you can challenge the status quo while building a strong brand that serves your community. Tune in to discover why staying authentic and believing in your vision can put you on the path to success.
Fri, February 19, 2021
From crafting newsletters to creating a perfect Instagram caption, it’s nearly impossible to build a personal brand without having mastery over the written word. Today we recap our insightful episode with Robert Glazer which explored how he uses writing to build his personal brand. Early in the episode, we chat about how writing can boost your Google rankings and trustworthiness while also generating free traffic. After sharing how writing articles and books can lead to speaking engagements, we unpack one of Robert’s top lessons: your content should aim to deliver the most value to your audience. We then reflect on why it’s a dead end to create a self-centered brand instead of aiming to provide value. Following this, we highlight how writing strengthens your brand in the long-term. For our final takeaway, we discuss why sensationalism isn’t click-bait before diving into Robert’s tips on writing compelling and attention-grabbing articles. Tune in to hear more on how you can use writing to take your brand to the next level.
Tue, February 16, 2021
Writing articles is an effective means of establishing yourself as a thought leader while adding long-term value to your brand. Today we speak with Acceleration Partners CEO Robert Glazer about how he built his personal brand through writing. We open our conversation by exploring how he kick-started his brand by writing his famed Friday Forward newsletter, a newsletter that now reaches hundreds of thousands of people. We then dive into his approach to content, touching on his goal to add value and why writing is a long-term strategy that rewards consistency and patience. He then shares what he did to get published by big names like Forbes and Inc . After talking about his biggest writing mistake, Robert unpacks how you can syndicate your articles and use editors to streamline your workflow. Later, we hear his insights on using data to guide your process and how you can leverage your articles to write a book. We wrap up our discussion by hearing Robert’s take on why there’s nothing wrong with writing a sensational title. Tune in to hear more you can grow your personal brand by writing articles.
Fri, February 12, 2021
Sales is a vital part of business that most brands get wrong. Today we share our top takeaways from our enlightening conversation with sales expert Phil M Jones, touching on what you need to know to sell more and with greater confidence. For our first highlight, we unpack why indecision is the enemy of sales. We then dive into why selling is about helping people find a solution to their problems. While exploring this concept, we talk about the differences between ethical and unethical sales, as well as why sales are about being a good listener and not a smooth talker. Later, we discuss the mindset shift that will make you a better salesperson while also fostering long-term success. We wrap up the conversation by sharing Phil’s insights on selling yourself as a speaker and thought leader. As Phil explains, selling is about figuring out how you can make your customer’s life better. Tune in for more as we recap our greatest sales lessons from Phil M Jones.
Tue, February 09, 2021
As you build your personal brand, it can feel uncomfortable to push your products. But you don’t have to be the stereotypical slimy salesperson. Today we speak with global sales expert Phil M Jones about what you can do to become a persuasive and ethical s alesperson that lands high dollar offers. Early in the episode, Phil discusses his approach to sales and why selling is about providing solutions to your customers. After highlighting the importance of listening to your clients, Phil offers insight into be ing a sales professional. As he explains, a key step is to shift your perspectives on success. He then unpacks how the best salespeople aim to achieve different levels of success and that sales isn’t about winning or losing. Later, we talk about why sales is a teachable skill. Following this, we ask Phil about how he sells himself as a keynote speaker. His answers focus on the marketing tools that you can use to grow your brand. Phil’s sales methods ensure that both you and your clients will feel good about each sale. Tune in to learn what to land valuable sales with confidence.
Fri, February 05, 2021
By tapping into the appeal of word-of-mouth selling, influencer marketing has exploded onto the advertising scene. Today we recap our highlights from our interview with influencer marketing expert Eric Dahan, unpacking the key lessons that will help you land lucrative brand deals. Early in the episode, we explore how the emerging influencer marketing industry follows tried and tested formulas that companies use to get their brands in front of viewers. After talking about the impact that micro-influencers can have, we discuss the importance of patiently growing your audience instead of faking your follower count. We then dive into how you need to consider the laws of supply and demand when monetizing your brand. We touch on the pros and cons of niching down, how valuable your market is to companies, how data can help you approach brands, and why you should weigh up the strengths of competing influencers. Later, we look at why forging trust and delivering results is so crucial to building your brand partnerships. Influencer marketing is dominating social media advertising. Tune in for insights on signing big brand deals.
Tue, February 02, 2021
Most big brands have developed a strategy to harness the power of influencer marketing. Today we speak with Open Influence CEO Eric Dahan about what you can do to land massive brand deals. After introducing Eric’s work we dive into his role in sourcing inf luencers. Key insights include the importance of audience metrics like impression rates when attracting brands. We then ask Eric about how high influencer follower counts should be. His answer highlights the fact that advertisers care more about your impre ssions, click-through rates, and how you can drive their product than they do about your follower count. We also touch on Eric’s process when reaching out to influencers, what content deals look like, and breakdowns on how influencers are paid. Later, we e xplore top mistakes that limit influencer success before Eric discusses the collaborative nature of influencer-advertiser relationships. Big brands need influencers to get their message in front of audiences. Tune in to hear how you can get in on the actio n.
Fri, January 29, 2021
Sseko Designs CEO Liz Forkin Bohannon knows the marketing secret that’s used by billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos; your personal brand is a tool to drive the profits of your business. Today we recap our incredible conversation with Liz, touching on this insight among many others. We open by reflecting on Liz’s journey in becoming an entrepreneur as a way to help people. After talking about why many of the world’s problems can be solved through job creation, we dive into how Liz has leveraged her personal brand to promote her company. As she explains, personal brands are given access to relationships, events, and resources that companies don’t get. Later, we explore Liz’s concept of pluck, the idea that beginners have advantages over established experts. We wrap up our discussion by highlighting the importance of overcoming your limiting beliefs. Tune in for more of our top takeaways from our interview with Liz Bohannon.
Tue, January 26, 2021
As a strong personal brand, you’re offered opportunities to engage with multiple audiences that your company has little to no access to. Today we speak with Liz Forkin Bohannon, CEO, and Founder of ethical fashion brand Sseko Designs, an entrepreneur who has used her personal brand to grow her business. Early in the episode, Liz shares her mission to scale her company and transition from being central to Sseko’s operations to serving as the face of her company. A key theme in this episode, Liz discusses how business can change the world, along with how her company empowers women in east Africa. We then dive into specifics, with Liz providing an overview of Sseko’s business strategy and how they use direct sales and network marketing to drive revenue. After exploring what you can do to grow your company through your personal brand, Liz talks about the virtues of “beginner’s pluck.” As insightful as our conversation is inspiring, tune in to hear how Liz built a mega-successful company by leveraging her personal brand.
Fri, January 22, 2021
With the right message and a well-honed delivery, you have the power to create a media network that attracts six-figure brand deals. Today we recap our episode with Maggie Thurmon, a college freshman who has built a TikTok empire. For our first takeaway, we reflect on how you can use social media to earn revenue, with host Rory Vaden chatting about four top ways to monetize your content. We then highlight how Maggie found success through the huge amount of effort that she puts into her videos — each minute of video took three hours to craft. Later, we touch on Maggie’s mature response to social media hate and how some viewers forget that online personalities are real people. Tune in for more insights on how you can make money from platforms like TikTok .
Tue, January 19, 2021
While we usually interview the most successful of the old guard, today we speak with young mover and shaker Maggie Thurmon about how she gained three million TikTok followers and over 100 million likes in only one year. We open our conversation by explorin g Maggie’s start on TikTok and the early content goals she set for her channel. From concept creation to making the post, Maggie unpacks her process and provides insight into TikTok’s technical details. After highlighting the massive amount of work that ca n go into a 60-second video, we discuss how Maggie connects with her audience through sincerity, capturing her relationship with her family, and by her focus on only posting positive content. We then touch on her approach to her product before diving into how she monetizes TikTok. She shares specifics on aligning with sponsoring brands and the earning potential of being a TikTok influencer. Later, she opens up about dealing with trolls and why experiencing hateful feedback is a part of being an online perso nality. Maggie has built a TikTok empire. Tune in to hear more about how she did it.
Fri, January 15, 2021
Few business experts can boast such a high reputation among C-suite executives as Cameron Herold. Today we recap our previous episode with Cameron, unpacking insights that show why his reputation is so well earned. We open by exploring Cameron’s ‘ones and threes’ concept — the idea that your revenue is a marker of how evolved your business is. As host Rory Vaden explains, you need next-level thinking and operating principles to move from 100,000 to 300,000 dollars in revenue. Overcoming new challenges is then needed to hit 1 million before you need to revamp your business to hit 3 million dollars. We then discuss why the best books are based not on good ideas but on meeting your client’s needs. Linked to this, we dive into Cameron’s strategy of finding an underserved audience and carving out your niche serving them. We wrap up our conversation by touching on the differences between uniqueness and differentiation and how they impact your brand. Tune in for more as we highlight our top lessons from Cameron Herold.
Tue, January 12, 2021
When building a company, you need to decide what type of equity is more important to you — having equity in the company or getting brand equity by having that company associated with your name. Today we speak with author and business growth expert Cameron Herold who built many successful companies before focusing on his personal brand. The Founder of the COO Alliance, Cameron joins us to share his secrets on turning a personal brand into an eight-figure business. After talking about his career highlights, we dive into the importance of attaching your name to your company so that your hard work goes recognized. From taking on speaking arrangements to appearing in press interviews, Cameron gives listeners his tips on becoming the face of your company. We discuss his journey in creating the COO Alliance, what his revenue funnel looks like, and where the true value of coaching lies. Cameron then opens up his playbook and reveals the four lessons that brands need to know to scale their business. Near the end of the episode, Cameron gives listeners advice on what fees to charge and we wrap up a rich conversation by reflecting on the future of personal branding. Few business leaders have helped grow as many companies and executives as Cameron Herold. Tune in to hear some of his top insights.
Fri, January 08, 2021
Your book has the power to change lives and bolster your brand. It’s also the best business card that you’ll ever need. Today we recap our conversation with Bolt Chandler, CEO of Self-Publishing School and publishing expert, highlighting our top takeaways on what writing a book can do for your business. We open by exploring how you can use your book to build your business before discussing how you can use your book to engage people on a more profound level. After looking at when you should consider authoring a work, we dive into the importance of ensuring that self-published books don’t look self-published. We then touch on top factors to consider before publishing including self-publishing versus traditional publishing, how you’re going to market your book, and how you can make it onto prestigious best-seller lists. For more insights into the world of publishing, be sure to tune in today!
Tue, January 05, 2021
As Chandler Bolt explains in this episode, publishing a book is like getting the keys to Narnia — it opens a magical land of opportunity for your brand. As the CEO of Self-Publishing School and with six bestselling books, we’ve brought Chandler onto the show to share the secrets of self-publishing, along with the incredible brand benefits of publishing a book. We open our conversation by comparing self-publishing with traditional publishing, with Chandler commenting on why self-publishing is the better option for most people. From a breakdown of costs to details on cover design, we dive into the specifics of self-publishing and what you can do to make a slick-looking product. After unpacking the services that his company offers, Chandler provides insights into packaging, printing, and shipping your work. We then focus on how your book can function as the world’s best business card, getting your foot in the door of podcast appearances and speaking events. Near the end of the episode, we touch on how you can get your book onto best-selling lists and earn persistent sales. Tune in for more on becoming a best-selling author.
Fri, January 01, 2021
As famed businessman Charlie "Tremendous" Jones was a fan of saying, “five years from now, you’ll be the same as you are today except for the books you read and the people you meet.” In this episode, we share our top highlights from Lisa Woodruff, whose approach to personal development has grown her company into a seven-figure business. Our first takeaway from Lisa is profoundly simple — that your mind is your greatest lifelong asset. We discuss the importance of investing in your mind and the ways that Lisa has developed herself. Linked to this, we then dive into Lisa’s journey with Brand Builders Group and how it gave her tactical and actional steps to scale her business. For our final takeaway, we focus on Lisa’s patience when building her brand. As she explains, growth takes hard work and time. You need both to achieve incredible results. Tune in for more insights into our inspiring conversation with Lisa Woodruff.
Tue, December 29, 2020
Building a seven-figure brand requires long-term commitment and consistent hard work. While there’s no shortcut, investing in your education is a surefire way of growing your greatest asset — yourself. Today we speak with Organize 365 Founder and CEO Lisa Woodruff about how she serves her niche and how she found success by playing the long game. We open the episode by talking to Lisa about her experience nurturing her brand with Brand Builders Group and why being a teacher has helped her win at business. After discussing the enormous value of investing in yourself, we unpack Lisa’s path to success. She provides insights into how her business evolved and what she did to carve out her niche in the organization industry. We touch on how Lisa established herself as a thought leader and how creating a body of content bolstered her brand. We then dive into the specifics, with Lisa sharing details about her revenue numbers, staff and customer size, service offerings, and how her customer journeys impact her messaging. Reflecting on her target market, Lisa chats about the power of positive affirmation and acknowledging the emotional components of time management. As Lisa explains, building a brand and finding the best way to serve your niche is like running a marathon. Tune in to hear the strategies that Lisa used to win hers.
Fri, December 25, 2020
The power that YouTube has to grow your brand and spread your message is stronger than ever. Today we recap our top takeaways from our interview with Sean Cannell, YouTube King and the guy to go to if you want to know how to win at video. After discussing how YouTube has become increasingly relevant, we highlight Sean’s advice that for your channel to succeed, “you need to become a master at holding attention.” We share our simple secrets to becoming a more engaging presenter before focusing on the importance of editing down when creating video content. For our last takeaway, we dive into why you should enjoy your obscurity while you have it. As Sean explains, this is the time to build a solid foundation and prepare yourself for popularity. Tune in to hear a summary of Sean Cannell’s most impactful learnings.
Tue, December 22, 2020
When you create YouTube content, you are only one viral video away from changing your whole life. Today we speak with best-selling author and video expert Sean Cannell about how you can grow your brand on YouTube. We open our conversation by exploring the YouTube landscape and how, unlike other platforms, it acts as a content library and not as a feed. Sean shares why now is the best time to start a YouTube channel before explaining how you can overcome your early challenges like slow growth and having litt le viewer feedback. Sean then opens up his playbook, diving into the best practices that lead to YouTube success. You’ll hear practical advice on creating punchier videos and insights into how best to approach your content. We also discuss the top ways to get high YouTube rankings, why you should focus on quality over quantity, and why you should never upload a video that your subscribers didn’t ask for. YouTube has become a dominant way for people to build their brands. Tune in for an inside scoop on winni ng at YouTube from a creator whose videos have earned over 100 million views.
Fri, December 18, 2020
“I don’t want to limit my opportunity by serving a small audience.” This is a common sentiment felt by many personal brands. But as our interview with Dance Studio Owners Association CEO Clint Salter proves, you increase your opportunity by serving a smaller community in a deeper way. Today we share our top highlights from our conversation with Clint and pinpoint the lessons that will help you grow your brand. We reflect how personal brands have a different path of success than traditional brands that rely on mass appeal. We then dive into why niching down is a powerful method of making your fortune. After sharing tips on carving out your niche, we discuss the value of treating new projects as experiments. For our final takeaway, we unpack how knowing your audience puts you in the best position to serve them. Tune in for more insights into how you can find success by serving your community.
Tue, December 15, 2020
Too many personal brands fail to find success because they’re inconsistent with their message and the audience they target. Clint Salter, CEO of the Dance Studio Owners Association, is the perfect model of how you can build a huge revenue-generating company and own your niche — all by committing to your message and audience. We open our conversation with Clint by exploring his business and career highlights. As he unpacks his journey, Clint highlights the importance of experimentation and being willing to devote yourself to a project. After sharing specifics on his services, pricing, and subscription model, Clint talks us through what he did to build his audience. Apart from his process, Clint talks about how he creates value for his audience by understanding their challenges and why you should first master one distribution platform before moving onto another one. Near the end of the episode, Clint emphasizes the role of commitment, hyper-focus, and clarity in establishing yourself in your niche. Tune in for more of Clint’s top insights into getting rich in your niche.
Fri, December 11, 2020
In today’s episode, we highlight our top takeaways from our previous conversation with, “the world’s most practical small business marketing speaker and expert” — John Jantsch, AKA The Duct-Tape Marketer. We open by exploring John’s thoughts on researching and testing your ideas long before they appear in your book. After talking about how you can use your audience to test your content, we discuss John’s strategy of finding your audience by partnering with brands that serve your community. Reflecting a theme that has consistently appeared in many of our recent episodes, we then focus on the importance of building your email list and how you can do this through your content. Considering that strong SEO is eternally relevant to your online presence, we unpack John’s insights into structured data and SEO best practices. We wrap up the episode by looking into how data can give you a competitive edge and why having a process to gather and interpret data is necessary to grow your brand. Tune in for more of our key moments from our incredible discussion with John Jantsch.
Tue, December 08, 2020
The most elegant marketing plan will always be restricted by real-world limitations. But when it comes to getting results, it doesn’t have to look pretty. It just has to work. Today we speak with Duct Tape Marketing Founder and world-famous practical marketer John Jantsch about what you can do to get your product in the hands of customers. Early in our conversation, John shares his ever-relevant marketing approach before exploring how he created the Duct Tape Marketing brand. We then ask him for tactical advice on landing early customers. His answers highlight the value of involving potential customers in your product building process and starting your marketing as soon as possible. With so many platforms available, John discusses the best ways to find an audience. After emphasizing the importance of your email list, John unpacks everything that small businesses need to know about SEO. We wrap up by touching on the history of duct tape. Throughout our discussion, John shows how so-called complex marketing concepts are easy to understand and directly lead to a higher business profile. Tune in for more insights on getting your product found.
Fri, December 04, 2020
Dr. Josh Axe perfectly embodies our strategic approach to building a personal brand. For Josh, this approach has been incredibly lucrative — he’s converted his personal brand into a 9-figure business. Today we reflect on our previous episode with Josh, highlighting our top takeaways from the conversation. For our first takeaway, we discuss the importance of forming your brand around one core message that you’re passionate about. While chatting about how Josh’s business evolved from a newsletter, we talk about why you should start creating your brand as soon as you can. After sharing the power of consistently adding value and having a desire to serve, we touch on why reaching only one audience member can still significantly impact your success. Near the end of the episode, we dive into why you should build a strong website and why having a data dashboard allows you to better market your products. A master of following the formula, tune in to hear more takeaways from our fascinating and informative conversation with Dr. Josh Axe.
Tue, December 01, 2020
There is no guarded ninja hack to propel your brand forward. Instead, success is achieved by working hard and following tried and tested marketing formulas. Just ask natural health expert Dr. Josh Axe — he followed these formulas to build his nine-figure p ersonal brand, along with the number one natural health website in the world. Today we speak with Josh about creating businesses and the power of following the formula. Early in our conversation, Josh talks about his motivations behind forming his natural health company. We reflect on the value of aligning your passion and what you’re good at with your business service before touching on how you can structure your company based on what your competitors offer. We discuss how you can solve your problems by re aching into your network and then explore some of Josh’s earliest business mistakes. A key theme in this episode, Josh shares details about how being coachable and focusing on winning formulas has led to his success. Near the end of the episode, we dive in to why both a steady and accurate data stream and earning trust is crucial to scaling your brand. An inspiring story that proves how dedication and education lead to success, tune in to hear more about building your brand and business from Dr. Josh Axe.
Tue, November 24, 2020
Being vulnerable and talking to the individual and not the crowd is a powerful way to write books that relate to your readers. This key insight comes from today’s conversation with New York Times best-selling author and immensely popular Christian voice Lysa TerKeurst . After chatting about how Lysa first met hosts Rory and AJ Vaden, she opens up about her journey of discovering her husband’s infidelity and ultimately forgiving him. This remarkable story forms the basis of her latest book, Forgiving What You Can't Forget . Following this, we discuss the value of being vulnerable and how it can help you get your message across to readers. While exploring the differences between privacy and secrecy, Lysa talks about not letting crisis define you. She then shares her top tips on building a message that can inspire hope without alienating readers. Reflecting on Lysa’s <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW74953275 BC
Fri, November 20, 2020
Personal brands are a lot like golfers — they lie about their score. Today we recap the key takeaways from our conversation with successful entrepreneur and business fixer Mike Michalowicz, who highlights that your high score, whether it’s your revenue or follower count, is nowhere near as important as your profit. As we open this episode, host Rory Vaden reflects on the fallacy of top-line thinking, emphasizing Mike’s point that your profit margin indicates how healthy your business is. On the topic of building healthy businesses, we explore the difference between income and equity value before diving into why companies with high equity aren’t dependent on their founders. Our final takeaway, we focus on the biggest challenges that entrepreneurs face and how you can develop systems to both identify and then solve your business problems. A profound episode for anyone interested in scaling their business, tune in for more of our top insights from our discussion with Mike Michalowicz.
Tue, November 17, 2020
Many seemingly successful influencers brag about their huge follower numbers and the high fees they charge for speaking events. What they don ’ t tell you about is how little of this translates to profit. Today we speak with best-selling author, entrepreneur, and business fixer, Mike Michalowicz , about putting your profits first and creating a sustainable business. We open our conversation with Mike by exploring his writing process and what he does to write books that are relevant one hundred years from now. Linking to how you can develop your brand as a thought leader, Mike talks about why your book needs to provide extraordinary value. Anything less might damage your credibility. We t hen discuss tips on how you can protect the financial health of your business by focusing on generating profit. Mike explains why reducing a company <span class= "NormalTextRun SCXW15392
Fri, November 13, 2020
While it seems glamorous to have a personal brand, the most successful brands have earned their appeal through consistent hard work. That’s one of the main takeaways from our informative conversation with Chris Ducker. In this episode, we recap Chris’s many insights, including how you can highlight your unique value by focusing on being someone’s favorite resource within your niche. Another key lesson, we dive into why Chris never discounts his products, with host Rory Vaden discussing how discounts cut into your profits. After sharing brilliant alternatives to offering discounts, we look at how Chris built his company through commitment and hard work. As Rory explains, if you follow these same steps, then success will follow. Tune in for more of our top takeaways as we unpack our talk with Chris Ducker.
Tue, November 10, 2020
Author and serial entrepreneur, Chris Ducker has built an income stream by following a simple formula — show up every week and create content that answers a question or solves a problem. This insight comes from today ’ s conversation with Chris, in which he candidly explains the steps he ’ s taken to create his successful subscription service, Youpreneur Academy. Early in our discussion, we talk about his subscriber numbers, retention rates, and what he does to manage his website. From video training to blog posts, we chat about what his mem bers get out of his service and why he no longer needs to upload huge amounts of content per month.
Fri, November 06, 2020
When Rebecca Louise answered a casting call to appear in a YouTube video, she never knew that it would set her on the path to owning a fitness empire, complete with an app and YouTube channel. Today we recap our key takeaways from our conversation with Rebecca, whose story highlights that starting something is often more important than knowing the direction that you ’ re headed. An early ta keaway, we discuss how YouTube has become a driving force behind business success. After touching on how YouTube rewards creators who deliver content that their audience wants to see, we dive into the power of having a ‘ can do ’ mindset. We then explore how Rebecca ’</s
Tue, November 03, 2020
Turning your content into a hefty and steady income stream is an eternal challenge, especially when you ’ re competing with ‘ free. ’ Today we speak with author and fitness coach Rebecca Louise about how she blended her personal and network marketing brands to make money through her fitness app. After chatting about her start on YouTube and how she first discovered the power of network marketing, we discuss the process of building your YouTube channel from zero followers. A key insight, Rebecca talks about how she first developed her brand by offering free content on YouTube before creating her subscription model. We then dive into her philosophy on what she gives away, and what she doesn <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW304924
Fri, October 30, 2020
When we ’ re thrust into uncertain times, your mindset is often the deciding factor on whether your business survives or fa i ls. Today we recap our inspiring conversation with Dan Thurmon, a mindset champion and keynote speaker whose source of income was taken away by the pandemic. We reflect on the devastating effect that uncertainty can have in our lives before reflecting on our first key takeaway from Dan — that having a disciplined mind can help you embrace change. After all, as Dan explained, you ’ ve been adapting your whole life. Following this, we discuss the power that comes from leaning into change and up-leveling your business. The perfect example, Dan has used technical innovations to bring his live speaking practice to the virtual world. Our final takeaway, we dive into Dan ’ s mindset to serve. A fantastic content pathway, we talk about how Dan prioritizes serving his audience and striving to make an impact in their lives over making money. We then chat about why this is such a successful model and that when you take action and consistently a
Tue, October 27, 2020
We always face a level of uncertainty. But the more we improve ourselves, the more certain the future becomes. Today we talk with phenomenal keynote speaker, Dan Thurmon , who has given keynote addresses for some of the world ’ s biggest companies. A driving theme in this episode, we dive into what Dan has done to improve his business as he transitions from event speaking to giving talks in the virtual world. Bef ore getting into that, we chat about Dan ’ s mega-success creating TikTok videos with his daughter. Although Dan has connected with a new audience and has found clients through his TikTok videos, he shares how his videos are made to give joy on a huge scale. After chatting about the value of giving back to your community, Dan walks us through his studio <span class= "TextRun SCXW209493615 BCX4"
Fri, October 23, 2020
While many see public speaking as an art, Vanessa Van Edwards has reduced it to a science that can be taught. Today we recap key insights from our conversation with her on what you can do to be a more effective speaker. Our first takeaway, we talk about how hand gestures can build trust with your audience and how your body can be used to convey your message. After touching on Vanessa ’ s data-driven pr ocess, we discuss what she did to make her Ted Talk go viral. We review her actionable steps before focusing on an important lesson — that how you use the stage can either diminish or empower your presentation. We then chat about the benefits of standing a nd delivering your message versus intentionally moving across the stage. Our last takeaway centers on why you should get your content on YouTube, a recurring theme among our latest episodes. Tune in to hear how you can level up your speaking game, along wi th specifics on what YouTube can do for your brand. <span class="EOP SCXW
Tue, October 20, 2020
From Simon Sinek to Sir Ken Robinson, the most charismatic speakers have used the same secrets to captivate audiences and create viral videos. Today, we speak with behavioral investigator and incredible speaker, Vanessa Van Edwards, about what you can do to become a more effective speaker. After introducing Vanessa, we dive into her work analyzing TED Talks, and what factors separate the most and least successful speakers. She highlights the importance of non-verbal communication, including gestures, and how you can use the stage to structure your content.
Fri, October 16, 2020
From how you define success to the limits that you set yourself, it’s liberating to know that you have a huge amount of control over your branding journey. As we recap our episode featuring Hal Elrod, this key theme appears throughout our conversation — that you’re in the driver’s seat. Our first takeaway centers on how Hal is the poster-child for successful self-publishing, a path that is not recommended by conventional wisdom, which stresses the importance of traditional publishing. Following this, we discuss Hal’s insights into how you’re in charge of your internal-world, along with what making an impact means to you. We then reflect on Hal’s journey and how he survived a horrific accident, helping him to develop his positive and grateful outlook. While tracking the business steps he took, we highlight how Hal’s consistent hard work eventually led to skyrocketing book sales. Near the end of the episode, we explore the strategy of building a community around your message, and how your community can end up being your greatest salesforce. Tune in to hear more of our top takeaways from our incredible discussion with Hal.
Tue, October 13, 2020
A simple approach, creating the perfect morning routine will help you tackle the rest of the day as your best self. Starting every morning like that has a ripple effect with life-changing results. Today, we speak with the creator of the Miracle Morning, best-selling author and keynote speaker, Hal Elrod. But Hal wasn’t always a morning person. Early in the episode, he talks about the events in his life that transformed him, including how he experienced a horrific accident at 20 years old.
Fri, October 09, 2020
There’s no secret to crafting an effective marketing strategy — the best marketers build their brands and drive sales by combining offline and online practices. This is one of the key takeaways from our conversation with Stacy Tuschl, creator of the Foot Traffic Formula. This recap episode, we highlight many of Stacy’s other insights, including how mastering as many marketing strategies as you can will help you expand your impact. Following this, we talk about the importance of never comparing your marketing journey to others. It’s about slow and consistent progress as you bulk up your skill set. We then dive into specifics on where Stacy gets all of her traffic from, why you should hone your service offerings and marketing funnel, and how you can get paid to be put in front of someone else’s audience.
Tue, October 06, 2020
Growing a local brick and mortar business comes with a unique set of challenges, especially as the pandemic is causing a shift into online spaces. Entrepreneurs need a proven method to help them carve their niche into the marketplace. Enter the Foot Traffic Formula, the genius marketing strategy developed by business expert and best-selling author Stacy Tuschl, today’s guest. Stacy starts the conversation by talking about how she started her dance business from a backyard before developing it into a brick and mortar service. We dive into the advantages of brick and mortar, including your deeper connection with customers.
Fri, October 02, 2020
Today we present you with the highlights and key learnings from our incredible episode with leading generational researcher, author, and speaker Jason Dorsey. We open by talking about how Jason built his success on research and how the more data he collected, the more in demand he became. As Jason has differentiated his business through researching Millennials and Generation Z, host Rory emphasizes that while new generational trends emerge, that research is a timeless expertise.
Tue, September 29, 2020
Without the right research, no one knows how to sell across the generation line. Instead, many companies rely on myths, like that Generation Z doesn’t like to communicate — they do, they just prefer to text. Today we speak with Jason Dorsey, a leading generational researcher and speaker, about why the research will give you a competitive advantage. He also shares his insights into Generation Z, a group that is already upsetting the marketplace. We open the conversation by chatting about his background and the work that his research firm does in providing top companies with data-driven analysis.
Fri, September 25, 2020
Your personal brand is a business. And if you don’t run it like a business, then it will never succeed as one. That’s one of our first key takeaways from our previous episode with wildly successful entrepreneurs Kevin Harrington and Mark Timm. Today, AJ and Rory Vaden discuss the powerful insights that arose in that incredible conversation. Our second takeaway highlights the value of mentors in unlocking your potential. Following this, we chat about having the humility to learn from mentors who are younger than you and the challenge of finding the right mentor. Reflecting on the Zig Ziglar quote that, “You don’t drown from falling into the water. You drown from staying there,” we explore the importance of having a mentor who has experienced failure before. As AJ explains, they’ll know how to help you when you deal with your failings. Near the end of this episode, we dive into Mark’s idea that you should treat your family as if it were your most important business. According to this idea, it needs systems and clever planning to run it properly. For our final insight, we talk about the impact of collaboration and how it gives you access to greater audiences — a secret behind both Mark and Kevin’s success. Tune in and hear more from our conversation with Mark and Kevin, two business and branding masters.
Tue, September 22, 2020
While you may be a brilliant entrepreneur, everyone can benefit from having a mentor whose experience can unlock greater success. Today we speak with serial entrepreneurs Kevin Harrington and Mark Timm whose new book, Mentors to Millions , shows the power behind finding the right mentor. Reflecting this episode’s theme of impactful mentorship, Mark and Kevin chat about having both been mentored by legendary salesman Zig Ziglar. Despite having passed on, their connection caused Kevin and Mark to meet and form a strong partnership. We then talk about how mentors have enriched their lives before diving into what you should look for in a mentor. As their shared mentor, Zig Ziglar once said, “No one drowns from falling into the water. They drown from staying in the water.” Following this point, Kevin and Mark emphasize the value of being mentored by someone who has experienced failure and has learned from it.
Fri, September 18, 2020
It was so amazing to introduce our audience to Paula Faris in our last episode! What an amazing and inspiring person from the top-tier of her profession, and as you probably heard, she did not disappoint! We had a personal and practical conversation, with Paula sharing actionable methods that you can apply to your business today! There were three main gems that Rory highlights in this recap, messages that really emphasize what we are all about here at the Influential Personal Brand Podcast! Paula talked about the importance of being relaxed, a conversational and relatable energy on camera or in your audio recordings is what will keep an audience coming back to you. By embodying the desire to serve, you are able to sidestep the self-conscious feelings that get in the way so often!
Tue, September 15, 2020
The skills necessary for television broadcasting and those needed in the online influencer and podcasting space have a great deal of overlap. With that in mind, we have invited the wonderful and inspiring Paula Faris onto the show today to share her wealth of experience and wisdom from a life hosting and broadcasting! Paula talks to us about taking initiative, making opportunities out of nothing, and the big moments in her career that led to progress. We also spend time on the subject of presentation with Paula sharing her thoughts on getting comfortable on camera, and how important research and homework are for professional hosting.
Fri, September 11, 2020
It’s easy to succumb to shiny object syndrome, especially when that trendy new thing promises to triple your revenue stream. In this recap episode, we share our top takeaways from our conversation with Dan Miller, whose mega-successful business model is based on consistency and not chasing quick cash injections. Host AJ shares our first highlight about creating products and content around the problems that your audience approaches you with. Reflecting on a key theme, we talk about how Dan resists the temptation to dive into every new thing and instead focus on building a consistent audience. We then discuss Dan’s business model and how his coaching formed the foundation for his content. Following this, we unpack why Dan doesn’t expect to make income from his books and how he sees his books as pillar content that he builds ancillary income streams around.
Tue, September 08, 2020
It’s a revelatory moment — finding that one core message to build your business around. Today we speak with Dan Miller, a New York Times bestselling entrepreneur and the author of 48 Days to the Work You Love . A personal branding pioneer, Dan shares how he created his wildly successful business around his 48-Day concept. A concept that he developed while offering career coaching at Sunday church. We then talk about Dan’s business model that ranges from offering one-on-one coaching and affiliate commissions to hosting events at his farm. Diving deeper into his subscription-based online community, Dan discusses what his community looks like, the services that he provides them, and how it provides a linear income while requiring very little of his time.
Fri, September 04, 2020
Welcome to another special recap episode, where we’ll do a debrief, recap, and summary of our most recent interview with Juliet Funt. In our previous episode with Juliet, we discussed the battle against reactive busyness through something called white space. Juliet is the CEO of WhiteSpace at Work and an expert in white space, which helps organizations retrieve their talented teams from beneath piles of crushing to-dos and relentless task assaults. In today’s episode, we share our cliff notes from that interview, from making sure to work white space into every day to living the dream and setting up a flexible, virtual business and living on the road. We also share our main takeaways, which include writing a book at any stage of your career and the multiple ways in which we can be successful, as well as growing into your personal brand and doing things at your own pace. Tune in today to find out more!
Tue, September 01, 2020
As leaders, we often find ourselves in the trap of reactive busyness. Our time is under attack, from meetings, emails, and ever-present smartphones. But, if we want to get perspective and assess and enhance our business decisions, we need to take time to reflect. Time to daydream. Time to rest and recuperate. Juliet Funt is the CEO of WhiteSpace at Work, a very successful company that works with a lot of the Fortune 500, including some of the world’s top brands, such as Nike, P&G, Wells Fargo, Hershey’s and Hyatt. Juliet is an expert in something called white space, which helps organizations retrieve their talented teams from beneath piles of crushing to-dos and relentless task assaults. She has managed to build her business while living abroad with her family, living the dream of following her passion, creating an empire, and traveling the world at the same time.
Fri, August 28, 2020
Welcome back to another recap episode! In our previous interview with Jim Cumbee, experienced business intermediary and President of Tennessee Valley Group, we spoke to him about making your business irresistible to buyers. He shared with us how a business is quantitatively valued using a metric called EBITDA, how you can increase your company’s value, and why strong businesses don’t always sell. In this recap, we go over our favorite takeaways from that interview, including building a business that operates without you, the dichotomy between selling a great business and wanting to keep it, recurring revenue, and applying these thought processes to purchasing rather than selling, as well as just having fun and making some money along the way, and the value of having an extensive contact base. Tune in today!
Tue, August 25, 2020
No two businesses are alike and with so many unique elements adding to a company’s success, business appraisal is more art than science. In today’s episode, we talk about making your business irresistible to buyers with Jim Cumbee, a foremost expert on the subject and author of Home Run, A Pro's Guide To Selling Your Business . After introducing Jim, he discusses how a business is quantitatively valued using a metric called EBITDA. While EBITDA provides a good start, Jim emphasizes that smart buyers closely scrutinize the qualitative aspects of a business.
Fri, August 21, 2020
In a previous episode, we spoke to Amanda Tress about how she turned her personal brand into an eight-figure business using a brilliant micro-influencer strategy. Today we recap our key takeaways from our conversation with Amanda, starting with how you can be super successful and still run your business off of Google Sheets. Amanda’s business shows us the importance of focusing on what counts and not needing to have every aspect of your business figured out. On the topic of focusing on what’s important, we talk about how Amanda’s story is a reminder that anything is possible as long as you provide people with something that they need. For our third takeaway, we dive into the concept of micro-influencers.
Tue, August 18, 2020
Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing tool in the business. Today we speak with Amanda Tress, founder of FASTer Way to Fat Loss, whose micro-influencer and word-of-mouth campaign has grown her business at an astounding— it’s made $65 million in two years. We open the conversation by talking about how Amanda started her program as a side-hustle with only 11 clients. She explains her business model and why not everyone can get certified as a FASTer Way to Fat Loss coach. A key takeaway, Amanda shares how she turned her customer force into her sales force by using her clients as affiliates and influencers.
Fri, August 14, 2020
Few entrepreneurs have had as storied a career as Michael Hyatt, a former CEO and acclaimed author who boasts one of the biggest personal brands on Earth. In this episode, we focus on the key takeaways from our interview with Michael. Our first lesson is an important one — that nothing is more important than your email list. Seen as old-school, we talk about how your email list lets you own your virtual landscape so that you don’t need to rely on a mysterious algorithm that can change in the future. Another point in favor of prioritizing your email, we share how Michael’s revenue is tied to his email list. A profound learning in this difficult time, we then discuss how vision shouldn’t change through chaos but that strategy should. Reflecting on this idea, we share how Brand Builder’s Group pivoted their strategy during the pandemic.
Tue, August 11, 2020
Every business needs a vision to guide it to greatness. And the great thing about having a vision? It doesn’t change in the middle of huge events like a pandemic. We speak about how you can develop your vision with Michael Hyatt whose new book, Vision Driven Leader , is an in-depth guide on the subject. Boasting the rare pedigree of having both led large companies as a CEO and having built businesses as an entrepreneur, we begin our conversation with a dive into how Michael grew his brand into a huge business. We’re talking a million unique website visits a month — that’s how huge his business is.
Fri, August 07, 2020
Josh Linkner is one of the busiest speakers in the world and a foremost thought leader on innovation, and today we recap the biggest takeaways from our recent interview with him. For Josh, being a professional speaker requires mastering three separate crafts: Thought leadership, marketing, and performance. Today we break down what Josh means by this and also discuss his three-part elevator pitch, the value of finding a fresh perspective on your chosen speaking niche, and the implication of the fact that there are four billion dollars of speaking fees booked each year in North America! Make sure you don’t miss this one!
Tue, August 04, 2020
Today’s guest is Josh Linkner and he is about to teach us how to book a hundred keynotes a year in the next 20 minutes! Josh is the world’s foremost expert on innovation both from an academic and an experiential standpoint. He is a five-time tech entrepreneur with a combined exit value of over $200 million, and he has won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award twice. On the thought leadership side, Josh speaks over 100 engagements every year, is the New York Times bestselling author of three books, and writes for publications like Inc and Forbes . For Josh, succeeding in the speaking industry comes down to three things, being a thought leader, a businessperson, and a great performer. Becoming a thought leader requires not just having expert knowledge, but a fresh and unique perspective on your topic of choice too.
Thu, July 30, 2020
Welcome to another recap episode. Today we dive into the key points from our discussion with data wizards AJ Yoger and Meagan Connell. Many brands make decisions based on emotion or what other people are doing. Our first take away is that information is the new competitive advantage, especially as basing your decisions on data is what separates real entrepreneurs from the rest. We then focus on the importance of getting your tracking right as the first key step in building your data strategy. From tracking, we talk about knowing your predictable levers and learning which areas you can zone in on to get the results that you want.
Tue, July 28, 2020
In the world of marketing, information is power. And having access to the right data empowers your business, giving you an edge over the competition. We’re joined today by Meaghan Connell and AJ Yager, the cofounders of Praxis Metrics, one of the fastest-growing data dashboard companies in the world. Their team of data scientists and engineers provide companies with insights, tracking, and reporting to chart a path to greater success. We open the conversation by talking about what a data dashboard can do for you. AJ and Meagan explain the benefits from a marketing and sales perspective, showing how data tracks how users enter your marketing funnel and engage with your brand. AJ and Meaghan also explore how data can be applied to all sections of your business to reduce human error and effort, freeing up team members and allowing them to focus on their skill set.
Thu, July 23, 2020
We are so excited that our listeners got to meet one of Rory’s early mentors and good friends David Avrin, so prepare yourself for a lot of bro-love going around! But that is not to say that there were no major takeaways; there are heaps of things to learn from this interview! In this recap episode, Rory and AJ each highlight three things that stood out to them from the conversation about speaking as a job and a business. Because although what you see on stage might seem glamorous, there is a great deal of work that goes on behind the scenes. Another important point is that your message really is not about you or even your passion but about how your expertise in an area will somehow solve a problem your audience has. If you are thinking about getting into speaking or want to get better at it, be sure to tune in for this episode and the interview with David!
Tue, July 21, 2020
Thinking about quitting your day job to become a professional speaker? Hang on a minute. What you have to understand is that the speaking part is not the business—landing the gig is. There is far more to it than being passionate, getting on stage, and inspiring others with your story. Our guest today, David Avrin, has a systematic process for acquiring keynotes and growing a keynote business. He is one of the most in-demand customer experience and marketing speakers in the world and has authored several books, including It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who Knows You! , Visibility Marketing , and Why Customers Leave (and How to Win Them Back) . One of the biggest mistakes you can make is focusing too much on yourself and too little on the audience you are trying to reach. While you need to have your story together, your emphasis should be on solving a problem they have and showing them how your unique experience fits into their solution.
Thu, July 16, 2020
Sometimes, a different approach is not only possible but also necessary when it comes to building your own personal brand. This was the key takeaway from our powerful interview with Dave Hollis, former President of Worldwide Theatrical Distribution at the Walt Disney Company. After releasing some of the biggest movies in history, Dave realized that he had built many brands, which gave him unique insights into building his own one. We unpack some of those insights in this episode, in which AJ and Rory discuss secret shoppers, vulnerability, brand deposits and withdrawals, and criticism as the price of entry for building a personal brand. For more highlights from the Dave Hollis interview, tune in today!
Tue, July 14, 2020
What if you’d worked hard so hard to create a brand with all the right optics and suddenly, it all came crashing down? Dave Hollis, today’s guest, experienced this when his wife Rachel wrote her renowned book, Girl, Wash Your Face. Rather than having the devastating effects he feared, Dave instead witnessed more authentic connections than he’d ever seen. This seismic moment showed Dave that a different brand-building approach was not only possible but also necessary. As former President of Worldwide Theatrical Distribution at the Walt Disney Company, releasing some of the biggest movies in history, Dave had built brands, which gave him unique insight into personal brand-building.
Thu, July 09, 2020
In today’s special episode, we reflect on our powerful interview with photographer extraordinaire, Nick Onken. Not only was he a great guest, but he also drove home important points that we sometimes overlook in our brand-building endeavors. Some of our main takeaways from the interview include the role that photography plays in connecting with people online, how elevated realism makes your pictures jump out, and the importance of having cohesive pictures and captions. Along with this, we consider other important points from the conversation, such as the malleability of your online identity and the power you have to create and re-create your digital self, why being human and vulnerable fosters connection, and strategically planning your photographs’ emotions. Be sure to tune in today!
Tue, July 07, 2020
The visual identity of your brand is especially important in conveying your message, and photography plays a vital part in creating those visuals. Nick Onken is a world-renowned photographer, host of the NION Radio Podcast, and a creative entrepreneur devoted to inspiring the world to activate their creativity. His focus is around elevated realism, and in today’s episode, we’re going to talk about how the elevated realism that Nick creates relates to the visual identity of your brand. Nick shares his motives for conceptualizing, building, and directing creative shoots for his clients, and why a constant flow of energy is important to him while photographing his subjects. We discuss the importance of props, wardrobe, and location and how Nick creates visually stunning and authentic images from what could otherwise be cheesy ideas.
Thu, July 02, 2020
You don’t need millions of followers to create millions of dollars. Instead, you can develop deep connections with a few clients. That’s one of the key insights from our previous episode featuring John Ruhlin, an expert in client gifting. Today, AJ and Rory share their top three takeaways from the valuable conversation with John. We talk about our number one takeaway, the ‘love bomb’, which involves dropping a massive amount of love and attention on a select group of people. AJ and Rory experienced this first-hand when John threw a unique party at their home — and they’re still talking about it years later. After highlighting the impact of providing extraordinary experiences for a few, instead of ordinary experiences for many, we talk about how investing in people is a long-term marketing strategy.
Tue, June 30, 2020
Relationships are the bedrock for most businesses. John Ruhlin, today’s guest, is a speaker, author, and master of giftology, a marketing strategy that solidifies your relationships and builds stronger networks. There are few better pitches for the power of giving gifts than John’s own journey. From Ohio farm boy to becoming the top performer for one of the world’s most recognized brands — John’s success has been propelled by the power of radical generosity. We discuss the ins-and-outs of giftology as a strategy that increases customer loyalty and referrals. John explains why the essence of gift-giving is about honoring relationships and why gifting should never be transactional.
Thu, June 25, 2020
Our recent interview with Kristin Giese did not fail to deliver several ah-ha takeaways that we are highlighting in this episode. Our conversation with her was all about getting booked on television, and, as you will hear from Kristin, you need to up the entertainment value rather than concerning yourself too much with the information. Because television is primarily about entertaining viewers with embellished stories and drama! That is not to say that you should be anyone other than yourself, however. Kristin talks about tapping into your “heightened authenticity” to strike the balance between being true to yourself while still giving the audience the fanfare they want. We also talk about what Kristin said about social media, viewing everybody as a meaningful connection, and doing your research before making a pitch.
Tue, June 23, 2020
Today’s show is a rare occurrence because we’re introducing you to someone who is neither a client nor someone from the industry that we know personally. Her name is Kristin Giese, and she cold pitched us to be on the podcast. We hear from at least four people every week who want to come on the show and we turn down most of them, but in this instance, a couple of factors played a role in us inviting Kristin on. She has outstanding results and her message is of direct relevance to our audience. She is a talent manager and executive producer who has worked with Miss USA, The Bachelor , The Bachelorette , The Real Housewives, and has sold TV shows to NBC, TLC, Bravo, and has made 79 bookings on The Oprah Winfrey Show. You get the picture. In this episode, Kristin gives listeners a glimpse into the world of television, focusing on what it takes to make it and have longevity in this medium.
Mon, June 22, 2020
One of the most important points that jumped out from our recent conversation with Angie Lee was that it took her two and a half to three years to even get started and see traction in her business. If you are not willing to dedicate yourself to the mission of building your brand for at least five years, don’t bother getting started at all, because this is a long game. And we don’t mean this to be a discouraging fact but something that motivates you to keep going when it is tough.
Tue, June 16, 2020
Our guest on the show today says she was not cut-out for college. She hated every minute of it until she eventually dropped out and pursued her dream of merging her love for health and wellness with her then-new interest in digital marketing. Today, Angie Lee knows that this was the only path for her since she always knew she was a businesswoman rather than a dietician—which is what she studied for. Her podcast has millions of downloads and she has one of the best personal development events for female entrepreneurs called Pays to Be Brave. In this episode, she talks to listeners about hard work and consistency because there is no overnight success.
Thu, June 11, 2020
For anyone who is into direct sales or is interested in exploring this option, the episode we had with Chris Harder is a must-listen. We speak to him about the benefits of this business model, and he shares how he and his wife have maintained direct sales as part of the income stream through the years, despite the many other sources of income they have. Chris talks about the difference between a personal brand and a media brand and how this distinction will help you to understand what you want to achieve with your podcast for example. We all tend to think that having many followers on social media is the key to success, but as you’ll hear from Chris, you don’t need a million followers to make a million bucks—sometimes you just need a thousand of the right followers.
Tue, June 09, 2020
Chris Harder, our guest on the show today, is generous and humble, and still invests loads of time into his personal development despite his entrepreneurial success. Rory met Chris at a high-level mastermind, programs that the latter not only teaches but also participates in and learns from as a self-proclaimed “self-development junkie”. This is someone who has built a monster personal brand from the ground up and has done it right. His podcast is called For the Love of Money which is his biggest platform, and he has over a quarter of a million followers on Instagram.
Mon, June 08, 2020
Welcome to another special recap edition of the podcast. Today on the show we are diving into our interview with Anton Gunn, a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama. Anton has a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina and is one of the most authoritative voices on socially conscious leadership. He is also the bestselling author of The Presidential Principles and an international speaker and consultant. During our interview, Anton shared some really useful and profound ideas that helped us personally process all that is going on through the lens of a strong leader, a black man, and a personal brand.
Wed, June 03, 2020
Today we introduce our listeners to a good friend and client of ours who we look up to and whose work we respect deeply. He is Anton Gunn, a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama. Anton is one of the most authoritative voices on socially conscious leadership, with a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina. He is the bestselling author of The Presidential Principl es and an international speaker and consultant who has worked with, among others, organizations such as Microsoft, Sodexo, and Boeing. In this special episode, we get his perspective on the right way to think about and approach the racial injustice crisis that has flared up in the US in recent weeks.
Fri, May 29, 2020
Do you ever think you’re too old to join Tik Tok? If we learned anything from our conversation with Sazan and Stevie Hendrix, it’s that you’re never too old to create fun and relatable content and that just being present is half the battle. Today, we bring you another special recap edition of the show, where AJ and Rory debrief and summarize Rory’s recent interview with legendary influencers, Sazan and Stevie Hendrix. We spend the first few minutes of the episode just riffing about how cool and funny Sazan and Stevie are, but we get into our constructive takeaways eventually, we promise! For more on how the Hendrixes show up early, use SEO and hashtags to help viewers find them, recycle popular content, create a consistent presence, and evolve with their audience, make sure not to miss this recap episode. It’s full of useful information from one of the most popular couples on social media. Tune in today!
Tue, May 26, 2020
We all have social media accounts, but do we know how to utilize them effectively to leverage our audience and grow our brand? Today’s guests have a few ideas about how to truly connect with your audience, grow your following, and create relatable content. If you’re already one of their millions of followers, you already know that Sazan and Stevie Hendrix are the coolest couples in social media. Together, they have built a loyal following on Instagram, YouTube, and even Tik Tok.
Thu, May 21, 2020
Welcome to this special reality TV recap edition of the show where AJ and Rory chat about their recent interview with Mike Johnson! One of the biggest takeaways for today is the idea of being yourself, and you’ll hear about how Mike’s authenticity on camera can teach brand builders so many lessons. Other big talking points from today's recap are how one platform can be used to catapult you into others, the connection between reach, results and reputation in the brand-building formula, and a whole bunch more! Tune in for some amazing pointers about the parallels between performing on TV and building a personal brand!
Tue, May 19, 2020
Today's show is all about reality TV and the role that being vulnerable and authentic plays in building a personal brand, and who better to talk to about this than Mike Johnson? If you haven’t heard of Mike yet, he is the man all of America has fallen in love with since his appearance on The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise ! What many people don't know about Mike is that he is actually an Air Force vet, but after he auditioned for The Bachelorette on a whim, he has since fallen into the personal brand-building game and is crushing it! We chat to Mike about the surprising pivot he made from the military into being a financial advisor, and what then gave him the idea to try out reality TV before becoming a celebrity and total heartthrob.
Fri, May 15, 2020
When it comes to learning about paid ads using Google, it makes sense to listen to the man who spent 94 million dollars on it – Rick Steele! Our interview with him pretty much amounts to a course in digital marketing that somebody could charge for and today we recap its most valuable gems. The biggest takeaways are three key concepts that need to be understood to get digital marketing right: intent-based searches, retargeting, and optimizing your website using heat mapping. Rory prophesizes that these strategies will be as important to brand builders as they are to product vendors very shortly – indeed they're already being used – so tune in and get in on the gold rush before its too late!
Tue, May 12, 2020
Understanding SEO concepts like paid traffic acquisition and intent-based searches is easier than one might imagine, and if put to use properly, these digital marketing strategies can yield millions of dollars. Today’s guest is Rick Steele, and he joins us on the show to speak about how his use of SEO strategies has enabled him to build multiple billion-dollar businesses. Rick is not just an incredibly masterful businessman though, he is also a celebrated philanthropist and ambassador of effective altruism who is organizing a movement of high net-worth business leaders, to bring them together to solve immediate humanitarian and environmental concerns. He is a bestselling author, has been featured on the Inc 500 list twice, was named Humanitarian of the Year by Harvard Business School, is listed amongst FastCompany’s most innovative companies, and has been featured in Washington Post, Forbes, Entrepreneur, ESPN, Huffington Post, and Fox News . Amazingly, Rick is also a 13-time IRONMAN who has recently just completed seven marathons in seven consecutive days on seven continents! In our conversation with Rick, he talks about his early adoption of online, direct to consumer sales, and takes us through the entire process of finding a product to tweaking the way you market and sell it on your website.
Thu, May 07, 2020
Our conversation with John O’Leary couldn’t have happened at a more appropriate time. His philosophy of humility, love, and gratitude which we speak about in today’s recap contains many lessons to apply in business but also in a personal capacity during this time where the world has reached a sudden halt. We talk about John’s experiences with people that helped him and how he pays this forward by treating everybody with kindness, no matter their position in society, and how this fits into his immensely positive worldview but has also played a central role in his success. Tune in for some much-needed inspiration and make sure you catch the full length too.
Tue, May 05, 2020
We learn our biggest lessons during our hardest times and it is important to remember and be grateful for this as we embrace our trials by fire. Today on the show we discuss gratitude, humility, and life lessons with John O’Leary who went from getting third-degree burns on 80% of his body after a gas tank explosion accident at age nine to becoming one of the busiest professional speakers in the world. John is the best selling author of On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life, and has spoken to millions of people in over 2000 events across 50 states. John attempts to ‘live in yes,’ and he tells the story of how this attitude led him from his first few years of unpaid speaking gigs to arriving where he is today. Failure has a huge place in learning life’s lessons, and John tells a beautiful story about his grandfather which acts as a reminder that we should not only not forget, but actively practice gratitude for the things we learn in our toughest moments.
Thu, April 30, 2020
If you’ve ever been curious about video courses, our full-length interview with D’Arcy Benincosa which today’s episode acts as a recap of, is an absolute must. In today’s debrief, we focus on the different strategies D’Arcy uses to promote, price, and create her online courses. We touch on what determines a course’s value, using bonuses effectively, and how funnels can actually be really simple. Other big takeaways are how to prep an audience before launch, the value of doing webinars live, and building trust before launching a paid product. Tune in for this and a special bonus topic too, and catch the full-length to hear D’Arcy’s great advice coupled with her amazingly charismatic and bubbly self!
Tue, April 28, 2020
If you have a skill that you can teach, making online courses is an amazing way to add value to people’s lives as well as bring in significant revenue. In today’s show, we discuss the nuts and bolts of creating online courses with D’Arcy Benincosa, a hugely successful online course creator and one of the most sought after luxury destination wedding photographers in the world. We kick things off hearing about how D’Arcy forged a second career path out for herself so successfully. Her creative skills drew people to her work, but it was her gift for storytelling that made them want to learn from her. The law of reciprocity is huge in marketing and one of the big takeaways from today is how well the strategy of adding massive value to your audiences without charging them a cent works.
Thu, April 23, 2020
Mike Dillard went from being an introverted direct sales worker to earning millions of dollars a year using smart marketing tactics and today we recap a few from our recent interview with him. He invented magnetic sponsoring which basically digitized marketing but more interestingly he convinced an initially disinterested audience that they needed his product. Key takeaways include Mike’s use of copywriting to create this market for his product, how he disrupted the field of marketing by taking it digital, and a potentially less tapped AdSpend strategy too. Make sure you catch this one and hear all about how Mike took his uniqueness and applied it with amazing success to his winning businesses.
Tue, April 21, 2020
No matter what niche you are operating in, the value of zagging when others zig can’t be overstated. Just be ready to make a few enemies amongst all the dollars you’re making along the way though! We got a chance to speak about this and many other valuable concepts regarding building a personal brand and business with our amazing guest for today, Mike Dillard. Mike has grown and exited several successful companies, has over five million downloads on his podcast, and his followers and book sales count in the hundreds of thousands. Mike’s main focus at present is helping entrepreneurs succeed, and he really teaches what he lives. In our conversation with Mike, he shares a wealth of expertise on topics ranging from the nitty-gritty of copywriting and digital marketing to high-level concepts of investing and managing a business.
Thu, April 16, 2020
Getting up on stage and mastering your delivery is so important, but how do you know that what you said actually sunk in? This is one of the many key questions Connie Podesta posed during our interview with her and today we sit down to do a debrief of the best parts. We talk about how Connie has no grand backstory but rather sells herself by focusing on her will to transform the audience. Another major takeaway is the fact that she uses no slides, opting rather to give the impression of spontaneity which she uses to engage more directly. This is so admirable because it means she trusts and owns her expertise enough to manage any unexpected situations that may crop up as a result!
Tue, April 14, 2020
Many of the best speakers use slides or a personal success story as tools to help them leave a lasting impression on audiences. However, there is a certain type of intimate chemistry enabled by a level playing field and a sense of spontaneity that this method fails to accomplish. Connie Podesta, our guest for today, falls into a more niched group of speakers, one that prefers to ditch the crutches and approach their keynotes as full-blown conversations. Connie is perhaps the queen of this method, and as a Hall of Fame speaker who has written seven books and worked with clients like Microsoft and Harley Davidson, her lengthy career stands as testimony to its effectiveness. In our conversation with Connie, we get into the nuts and bolts of the method of planned spontaneity she practices, where it came from, and how she teaches it to her students.
Thu, April 09, 2020
Amidst the stress and strain that COVID-19 has placed on businesses across the globe, we must remember that some companies are in fact, booming! With every challenge comes opportunity, and we have to learn to adjust our skillsets and services where necessary if we are to survive! One such way is tapping into resources that you may have not ordinarily considered, like selling your business to the government perhaps. When it comes to recession-proofing your business, this is certainly not the go-to consideration for most people. But what if we told you that maybe it should be?
Tue, April 07, 2020
While many businesses are suffering hugely at the moment, we can also think of this as a time that is begging for people to innovate, a time during which huge success can be found. Our guest for today, Jack Siney, joins us to talk about innovation in crisis, and he shares some unique content on the matter because he occupies an unusual corner of the market. Jack is the nation’s leading expert on selling to the government, having completed over 1.5 billion dollars in government sales through GovSpend, a company he co-founded. GovSpend is a database that displays comprehensive lists of government purchase orders so that businesses whose products the Feds might be interested in can find relevant agencies and assess their competition. In our conversation with Jack, he gives listeners an idea of just how big the demand in the government is for a wide-ranging set of products, especially in the current climate.
Mon, April 06, 2020
In today’s special recap edition of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are diving into a debrief and summary of the biggest takeaways from our interview with John DiJulius. John is a successful entrepreneur and authority on world-class customer service. When John is not running the daily operations of both his businesses, he is also a keynote speaker, international customer experience consultant, and best selling author of four books. Our number one takeaway from John’s episode is to practice what you preach. We are not teaching people ideas that we’ve learned, but rather principles that we’ve practiced. The second lesson is to make price irrelevant, and finally, learning how to operate under one message through multiple modalities. Stay tuned as we dive into these three concepts and how it applies to your business and brand building journey.
Tue, March 31, 2020
All businesses place some degree of value on customer service, but the few that take it to the next level create something very special in their clients: emotional equity. In their customers’ eyes, these businesses are so good that the price they charge becomes irrelevant. Today’s guest is John DiJulius, AKA the guy who dominates the customer service vertical, and he joins us to talk about how his consistent devotion to this one thing made him so successful. John has written all the main books about customer service, runs coaching masterminds on the topic, and provides his services to some of the best companies in the world as a consultant too. John tells the story of how he and his wife aimed to focus strongly on customer service with their fledgling company, John Robert’s spa, and how this led to him getting asked to speak at events about his model thereafter.
Fri, March 27, 2020
Today’s episode acts as a recap of our powerful and technical conversation with Elizabeth Rider about social media’s underrated cousin: blogging. We discuss all the ways blogs generate traffic in far more effective ways than social media. While the prospect of having many social media followers can be alluring, hardly any of them see your posts and the platform algorithms are always against you. Blog posts, on the other hand, have incredible lasting power. We also speak about lead capture and SEO optimization strategies such as naming your blog post something that would get typed into Google.
Tue, March 24, 2020
You can think of the yields generated through social media versus blogging in golfing terms, you drive for show but putt for dough. People tend to get hung up on the glamour of Instagram likes and followers, but the truth is that a blog post wins hands down when it comes to generating continuous and sustainable traffic. We were blessed to speak about this and other related ideas on today’s episode with OG health blogger Elizabeth Rider! Elizabeth is a health and business expert and coach, and recent author of The Health Habit. Blogging has taken her to the point where she owns a seven-figure business, has over 100 000 people on her email list, and gets 700 000 to a million views each month on her blog!
Thu, March 19, 2020
If you’re still doing the same thing that was done in the 80s or 90s, how can you expect to have any influence? Having a loyal audience is definitely contingent on the provision of a service that they find useful, a service that is relevant. This is one of the major takeaways from our most recent interview with Bill Cates, which we will be recapping in today’s show. We also highlight how neuroscience can be put to work in marketing, the value of clarity over intelligence, remembering not to try and serve everybody, and a whole lot more!
Tue, March 17, 2020
Having a personal brand and message is exciting but there’s a big difference between that and being followed by an actual audience, let alone making money out of one! In fact, getting new clients is one of the main challenges to building your brand and it was an honor having Bill Cates on the show to share his wisdom in this regard. Bill is a Hall of Fame speaker and author of six books, the most recent of which is called Radical Relevance. This new book of his is all about sharpening your marketing message, cutting through the noise, and winning more ideal clients.
Thu, March 12, 2020
The media needs you as much as you need them! This is one of the biggest takeaways we had from our most recent interview with Susie Moore which this episode acts as a recap of. Susie’s advice was so actionable and empowering, and today we talk about myths she debunked such as how editors only want to interface with publicists. We cover the practical advice that Susie gave for writing a good pitch, doing research, pegging content onto current events, and how to get the most publicity out of an article you wrote. Susie makes this business seem easy, which it will be if you follow her advice, so tune in today!
Tue, March 10, 2020
Your journey to building a personal brand might not be as difficult and long as you have built it up to be. Switching from fearful to confident is sometimes as simple as a few mindset shifts, and there are facts out there to help orchestrate this transition. Today’s guest is Susie Moore and as a media expert, she joins us on the show to drop a few bombs that will get you well on your way to interfacing with editors and turning content into dollars. Susie has featured on over 300 different media outlets including The Today Show and Oprah, and as a life coach and advice columnist, she has all the tricks you’ll need to develop the confidence to step out and claim your power.
Thu, March 05, 2020
It is never too late to pivot as long as you keep your new message simple and singular, and repeat it till the cows come home! This is one of the major takeaways from our most recent interview with Donald Miller, of which this episode acts as a recap. Donald went from being a famous author of Christian memoirs to starting a hugely successful business brand coaching company, transitioning almost overnight between the two.
Tue, March 03, 2020
There ’ s a lot of value in helping people more clearly explain what they do. This is because it enables them to find the other people out there who truly need to hear what they have to say. Clarifying people ’ s message is Donald Miller ’ s life ’ s mission and it was an absolute honor to have him on the show. Donald is the CEO of Story Brand and the New York Times bestselling author of multiple books including <span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW31652685" lang= "EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contras
Thu, February 27, 2020
Julie Solomon is somebody who is truly living her gift, and the knowledge she shared in our recent interview was priceless. So today as always we sit down to do one of our special recaps, this time of the biggest takeaways from our interview with Julie. We talk about her in-depth brand deal know-how, which preaches the value of staying confident, how to land your first gig on national TV, the high engagement levels of micro-influencers, and the importance of continuously reaching out.
Tue, February 25, 2020
There are many different paths to building an audience, but leveraging other influencers by managing their publicity is a great approach for those who are just starting out. In this episode, we sit down once again with the wonderful Julie Solomon to hear about her journey from being a publicist to a marketing coach who now enjoys her own massive audience too. Julie is a seven-figure entrepreneur and host of the wildly successful Influencer Podcast which has accrued millions of downloads from listeners across the globe. She is an expert in marketing, PR, and personal branding, and has worked with stars like Lenny Kravitz, Dave Ramsey, and Amy Porterfield.
Thu, February 20, 2020
If you can practice patience and persistence mixed with hard work you stand the best chance of building your audience and beating most of your competitors too, no matter what part of the world you come from. This episode serves as a recap of our most recent interview with Alberto Sardiñas, who is the host of the hugely popular Spanish radio show Intimo
Tue, February 18, 2020
Hosting a radio show and building an audience can be a grueling process and it helps to have a few tricks under your sleeve. The value of good preparation, consistency, and having a big dose of self-esteem can go a very long way. This is especially true if you want to transition into new markets – like our guest today. We were fortunate to be joined on the show by Alberto Sardiñas who gets into his own journey with hosting radio shows and podcasts and building his US following too. Alberto is the host of the wildly successful Spanish story-based radio show Intimo in which Alberto gives personal advice to listeners who call in. He has 2.8 million Facebook fans! In this episode Alberto gets into his journey to becoming such a successful host in Spain, talking about his college days and initial desire to use whichever studios he could just to experience what it is like to be on the mic.
Thu, February 13, 2020
In this recap edition of the show, Rory gives his biggest takeaways from his most recent interview with Ed Tate. Rory and Ed have been friends for a long time and the pair were grateful to get a chance to sit down and formally talk business after so many years. One of the most hard-hitting points Ed made was about the possibility of generating business in any economy by using the simple method of reaching out. Rory also gets into the importance of what Ed calls ‘never putting up a zero,’ by which he means doing at least one thing to push your business forward each day. In the final leg of this episode, Rory spends some time talking about how necessary it is to invest in a dream in order to realize it, because if you don’t invest in your dream, how can you expect somebody else to? Catch you on the other side!
Tue, February 11, 2020
When it comes to learning the mechanics of world-class speaking, who might we look up to as role models? It is not the highest-paid speakers, celebrities, or politicians, but rather the World Championship of Public Speaking winners who truly set the benchmark. They are the masters who have turned this craft into a science. Today’s guest is Ed Tate, himself a World Championship winner, and one of Rory’s early idols. Ed is a Certified Speaking Professional and has been a corporate trainer, keynote speaker, and executive coach for people who want to make winning high stakes presentations for over 20 years. He joins us on the show today to share his perspectives about what building a reputation and staying on top of your game truly means.
Thu, February 06, 2020
This episode serves as a recap and debrief of our most recent interview with Luvvie Ajayi. One of the biggest takeaways from our time with Luvvie was her boldness and the fact that she is not scared of being herself. She shouldn’t be taken as mean or nasty though because the actual source of her gestures as a writer and social commentator is an unflinching devotion to being real. Her genuineness, persistence, and resolve to follow her internal voice are some of the things that her success can be attributed to. During this episode we deconstruct her process, talking about the value of consistency, how fear and confidence relate to authenticity, the use of an avatar strategy for refining your message, and a whole lot more.
Tue, February 04, 2020
Today’s guest is Luvvie Ajayi, a New York Times bestselling author and speaker who uses her voice to inspire and critique. She recently published the hugely successful I’m Judging You, runs a life and business school called The Do-Better Academy, and the TED Talk she did has over four million views! Luvvie straddles the line between comedy and activism, readily critiquing pop culture and advocating for minority rights. In this episode, Luvvie gets into the central role that writing, persistence, and authenticity have played in getting her where she is today. When Luvvie's original plan to be a doctor fell by the wayside, she simply followed her heart and did whatever she felt like next, never letting fear get in the way. Her experience of regret after shying away from fearful things was more damaging to her than doing the things themselves, and today she speaks about how this tendency helped her fall into one success after another. We also hear her thoughts on her new book, which advocates for people to learn how to judge each other about things that matter and how that could create a more just society. It all comes down to listening to that dream which is always in front of us, and the knowledge Luvvie shares today about how to do that would be valuable to anybody looking for a push.
Thu, January 30, 2020
It’s time for a debrief of our most recent interview with Andy Andrews, the man responsible for bestselling classics such as The Noticer and The Traveler’s Gift. Andy has appeared on national television over 200 times and is the type of personality who doesn’t just regurgitate the same act but has rather continued to deliver unique and timeless works throughout his lengthy career. Today we drive home the theme of noticing Andy spoke of a lot – how it seems to penetrate much of his approach to work and outlook on life too. You will discover some essential skills any writer or speaker should have, such as the necessity of first being a student, and cultivating the ability to make connections between things that other people don't.
Tue, January 28, 2020
Every public personality has a unique skill or trait that they leverage to build their audience. Some are one-trick ponies though and tend to have career arcs that begin to dip as they bring out new acts that are just repackaged versions of old ones. Andy Andrews is a personality of a different order though, and we are so grateful to have him on the show today to share the steps he has taken to stay relevant over the entire span of his career.
Thu, January 23, 2020
It is with great pleasure that we bring you another one of our special recap episodes, this time of our amazing interview with rising country music superstar, Brett Kissel. It was a huge honor to have Brett on the show and our interview was even more meaningful because he was the first guest we have ever had that comes from the music space. Some of our big takeaways from our conversation with Brett are his skill at combining the business with the creative side of being an artist, his general knack for sales, and his ability to leverage himself as an asset in order to strike deals.
Tue, January 21, 2020
It is an honor to introduce you today to one of our friends, Brett Kissel, who was recently named male artist of the year by the Canadian Country Music Association. He is a rising international superstar who also won an award from the Worldwide Radio Summit in Hollywood and was named International Artist of the Year — an accolade he shares with A-listers like Adele and Ed Sheehan. He has won two Juno Awards, 12 CCMAs, he has got an honor from Canada’s Walk of Fame, as well as many other prestigious awards. In today’s episode, you will hear how Brett built his music career from the age of seven and how a strong work ethic has brought him to his present-day success.
Thu, January 16, 2020
Often times we seem to get the same perspectives over and over again on what it means to build a personal brand. But this is the complete opposite experience we had when talking to our special guest, Christy Wright. Christy is the author of Business Boutique, host of the Business Boutique Podcast, and is part of the Ramsey Solutions team, which she joined in 2009. In today’s episode, we recap some of our biggest takeaways from the conversation with Christy, including her unique approach to building a personal brand by leveraging the benefits of working with a much larger entity.
Tue, January 14, 2020
We are incredibly fortunate to have longtime friend and legendary speaker Christy Wright as our guest for today’s episode. Christy is author of Business Boutique, host of the wildly popular Business Boutique podcast, and a Ramsay personality to top it all off! Christy joined Ramsey Solutions in 2009, has spoken to tens of thousands of people across the country at their events, and has used that as leverage to built her own personal brand thereafter in very short order. She has carved out a personalized niche in the space as well, using her reach to equip women with the knowledge and steps they need to successfully grow a business.
Thu, January 09, 2020
Welcome back to another one of our famous three and three recap shows! This time we are digging into our most recent interview with two-time iTunes top 50 podcast host, Jordan Harbinger. We are doing it a little differently today because both Rory and AJ’s points draw from distinct aspects of the same three themes. The first key takeaway is around Jordan’s fiduciary attitude to his audience, highlighting his pointed character, legal background, and reminder that a host should focus on interview quality rather than rubbing shoulders with guests.
Tue, January 07, 2020
We are extremely lucky to have two-time iTunes top 50 podcast host Jordan Harbinger on the show today. Jordan is a former Wall Street lawyer and an expert on social dynamics. His podcast, The Jordan Harbinger Show, receives a whopping five million downloads each month! He joins us today to share a wealth of knowledge about just what it takes to build a monster podcast like his. One of Jordan’s central strategies is that he considers himself a fiduciary to his audience. He explains that many people think of their guests as the ones to be buttered up due to a desire to leverage their social standing.
Thu, December 26, 2019
In today’s episode, we recap our interview with a special guest, Nick Santonastasso. Nick was born with Hanhart syndrome, the 12th case ever diagnosed, and today is only one of four people on the planet who have it. He has used his remarkable story and turned it into an incredible personal brand as a Vine star, Instagram bodybuilding personality, keynote speaker, musician, and more!
Tue, December 24, 2019
Today’s amazing and inspirational guest is Nick Santonastasso. Nick is a Vine star, Instagram bodybuilding personality, keynote speaker, musician, and the list goes on. He’s an amazing human with an incredible message and has turned these qualities into a remarkable personal brand too. What’s more, is that Nick has achieved all of this despite coming into this world less two legs and an arm. He was born with Hanhart syndrome, the 12th case ever diagnosed, and today is only one of four people on the planet who have it.
Thu, December 19, 2019
Today, on this special recap episode, we reflect on the interview with Michael Stelzner. As a good friend of Rory and an industry giant, we were so honored to have him on the show with us. We discuss our top takeaways from the conversation. Michael not only highlighted that organic reach is dead but pointed out that YouTube is greatly under-utilized as a social media platform.
Tue, December 17, 2019
What’s the largest audience you have envisioned your personal brand reaching? One million? 10 million? Why not try 100 million? If you think this is not within the realm of possibility, our guest today, Michael Stelzner has achieved this and is well on his way to even more. As a dear friend and advisor to Rory, Michael is an industry giant and a godfather of the influencer, social media, and digital marketing space. Whether you realize it or not, he has impacted you in some way. Today, Michael shares some extraordinary insights that he has gained through his tremendous experience.
Thu, December 12, 2019
This is a recap of a special episode for us because Lewis Howes is not just a business partner and client, but also a dear friend. The show kicks off with a behind the scenes story of the huge leg-up Lewis gave us in a time of need. Some of the strategies Lewis shared during the full-length weren’t common at all, and you'll hear about ideas like using photography to capture your brand's 'feeling' and the value of having a ‘big moment’ each year.
Tue, December 10, 2019
Today on the show we are thrilled to have Lewis Howes who is a New York Times bestselling author and host to one of the world's top 100 podcasts! Lewis has been featured on Ellen, Good Morning America, and The Today Show, all just ten years after he was broke living on his sister’s couch. Today Lewis talks about the six things that are key to building a personal brand, and how they are all related to capturing energy, state, or feeling which one’s audience then internalizes. He talks about the centrality of photography in his brand, letting us in on the intense preparation that goes into the images he uses.
Thu, December 05, 2019
Welcome to today’s special recap, where Rory and AJ unpack their major takeaways from the interview with the iconic Dennis Rodman! It seems crazy to think that the height of his basketball career was over 20 years ago, yet he still remains as relevant as ever. This is a testament to the fact that he realizes building a personal brand means continually reinventing yourself. The constant moving with the tide that he advocates for was one of the key points Rory picked up from the interview. Another takeaway was the importance of being an expert in your chosen craft and segueing that into growing your personal brand. Dennis Rodman was a colorful character off the court, but his number one priority was being at the top of his game, which is how he earned the name, ‘The Rebound King.’
Tue, December 03, 2019
When you think about the most iconic basketball players ever, our guest today, Dennis Rodman makes the list every time. Not only was he an athlete extraordinaire, a five-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA All-Star, rebound league leader four different times, and an NBA Hall of Famer, he is also a New York Times best-selling author and one of the most colorful personalities the NBA has ever seen.
Tue, December 03, 2019
We are extremely lucky to have two-time iTunes top 50 podcast host Jordan Harbinger on the show today. Jordan is a former Wall Street lawyer and an expert on social dynamics. His podcast, The Jordan Harbinger Show, receives a whopping five million downloads each month! He joins us today to share a wealth of knowledge about just what it takes to build a monster podcast like his. One of Jordan’s central strategies is that he considers himself a fiduciary to his audience. He explains that many people think of their guests as the ones to be buttered up due to a desire to leverage their social standing. Jordan explains why this is wrong and hosts should instead consider themselves duty-bound to their listeners.
Thu, November 28, 2019
Welcome to this special recap episode, where AJ and Rory share their biggest takeaways from the recent interview with Michael Hyatt. In addition to being the previous CEO of multi-million dollar publishing firm, Thomas Nelson, Michael is a repeated bestselling author and now owns his own Inc. 5000 company. What makes Michael so special is that his career gives him the ability to provide hard-earned perspectives from both within and outside of the publishing world.
Tue, November 26, 2019
In this episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are honored to welcome on Michael Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Nelson, New York Times bestselling author, and a true leader in the personal branding space.
Thu, November 21, 2019
On today’s recap episode, we break down the core lessons and extract the golden nuggets from our interview with the original “shark,” Kevin Harrington. Kevin is a true American legend in the world of business, investing, marketing and sales. He is the original “shark” on the hit TV show Shark Tank, the creator of the infomercial, pioneer of the As Seen on TV brand, and co-founding board member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization. Have your mind blown this episode with the story of how a fishing lure infomercial went from making zero sales to becoming a $500,000 million product under the expert eye of Kevin Harrington.
Tue, November 19, 2019
Today on the show, we welcome a true American legend in the world of business, investing, marketing, and sales. Kevin Harrington is the original “shark” on the hit TV show Shark Tank, the creator of the infomercial, pioneer of the As Seen on TV brand, and co-founding board member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization. Today on the show, Kevin shares with us some of the key lessons he has learned over the decades about marketing to the masses – particularly when it comes to getting people to pull out their credit cards and actually buy something!
Thu, November 14, 2019
On this special recap edition of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we give you our biggest highlights from the recent interview with Jon Acuff. Jon is a New York Times bestselling author who has helped some of the biggest brands in the world tell their story.
Tue, November 12, 2019
Today on the show we welcome Jon Acuff, one of the original influencers of our generation. Jon is a New York Times bestselling author and someone who has built a very large organic social following over many years. Inside this episode, we hear all about Jon’s philosophies and how he approaches social media, managing his reputation, and building a strong personal brand.
Thu, November 07, 2019
Welcome to this special recap edition in which we will be breaking down, summarizing and giving you the highlights of our awesome interview with Jay Papasan. Jay is an executive at Keller Williams Realty Inc., co-owner of KellerINK, Keller Capital, and Papasan Properties Group, and is also the bestselling author of titles such as The One Thing and The Millionaire Real Estate Agent. The main ideas which we took away from Jay were the brilliant strategies he provided for zeroing in on the content for your next bestseller.
Tue, November 05, 2019
Today on the Influential Person Brand Podcast we welcome Jay Papasan, who is a bestselling author, an executive at Keller Williams Realty Inc., and a co-owner of KellerINK, Keller Capital, and Papasan Properties Group. Building a personal brand does not necessarily equal publishing books. But most of the world’s highest-paid and most significant influencers at some point will become successful authors. In today’s interview, we have the chance to learn from Jay, who has written multiple books and has an incredibly unique perspective on the topic.
Thu, October 31, 2019
In today’s episode, AJ and Rory get together to do a debrief of the most salient points that Sally Hogshead made in her epic recent interview. Sally primarily spoke about the value of positioning and differentiating oneself, while sharing strategies and examples from her personal experience that show how this can be done. Rory and AJ were particularly struck by this idea that uniqueness is something that everybody already possesses.
Tue, October 29, 2019
Today we welcome true thought leader Sally Hogshead on to the show, where she drops all types of knowledge bombs! In our opinion, Sally is one of the smartest people in the world. She is a New York Times bestselling author and Hall of Fame speaker who has done campaigns for giants such as Mini, Nike, and Coca-Cola. She is also the genius creator of the Fascination Advantage Assessment, which is a personality test that teaches you how to find the special thing that separates you from everybody else in the game. Sally tells us how she blew up after years below the radar.
Thu, October 24, 2019
On today’s show, we dive in to recap the life-changing conversation we had with Les Brown and his daughter Dr. Ona Brown in our previous episode. There were three major themes to take away from our interview with them that we will elaborate on today: ‘possibility’, ‘heart’, and ‘comparison’! For ‘possibility’, what Les said about how we either form the word ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in our hearts before the age of 5 was particularly poignant. We literally have the power to reach our dreams and become masters of our own destinies, and therefore the value of having an outlook based on ‘yes’ can’t be overemphasized enough.
Tue, October 22, 2019
Today on the show we welcome two legends who use their voices to change lives every day, Les Brown and his daughter Dr. Ona Brown. Les has been voted one of the top 5 motivational speakers on the planet by Toastmasters International, and also holds both CPAE Hall of Fame and Golden Gavel awards. Dr. Ona Brown is a world-renowned international speaker herself, as well as an expert in personal and professional transformation.
Thu, October 17, 2019
This episode serves as a recap of the ground which renowned influencer Chalene Johnson covered in her recent conversation with AJ. If you want to learn how to be unique, visible and disruptive as an influencer, you should definitely tune into that episode.
Tue, October 15, 2019
Today we welcome Chalene Johnson onto the show, where she schools us on some strategies and her journey to major success as an influencer. After much trial and error, Chalene has learned that reputation is really a mixture of integrity and visibility, and our conversation flows around how to build these. She makes the point that influencers should not try to replicate others.
Thu, October 10, 2019
This episode serves as a recap of the wonderful recent conversation we had with bestselling author, Jon Gordon. If you haven't yet listened to that full interview, do yourself a favor and go do that! In this recap, AJ and Rory each highlight three points that stood out to them from Jon's words. We cover getting yourself out there and promoting your work comprehensively, how to get booked for speaking gigs and why to possibly write a book before you have a deal!
Tue, October 08, 2019
In this great episode, we are so lucky to welcome our friend, author, speaker and all-round massively inspiring individual, Jon Gordon! He is here to share with us his own pragmatic and magical way of thinking about sharing your truth with the world. He talks about getting a major deal with a publisher without so much as a book proposal, gives some tips towards building a career in public speaking and how he has amassed the following that he now has on social media.
Thu, October 03, 2019
On this special edition of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we are diving into a debrief, recap, and summary of our most recent interview with Jay Bear. Jay is a seventh-generation entrepreneur and author of six New York Times best-selling books. He is one of the most forward-thinking people in the world of personal branding is and also the founder of Convince and Convert Consulting, a digital marketing advisory firm that helps some of the most iconic brands such in the world to gain and keep more customers.
Tue, October 01, 2019
On today’s episode, we are joined by friend and digital marketing pioneer, Jay Baer to talk about the reality of building a personal brand. Jay is a seventh-generation entrepreneur and also the author of six New York Times best-selling books. He is also the founder of Convince and Convert Consulting, a digital marketing advisory from that helps some of the most iconic brands such as the United Nations, Hilton, and Nike, gain and keep more customers.
Thu, September 26, 2019
This episode is all about giving you the best of our recent interview with the awesome Gretchen Rubin who has multiple New York Times bestselling titles! If you’ve ever wondered how authors manage to hit that enviable list, this episode will give you the most important thoughts from our talk, including the main considerations such as the timing of your launch, building your email list and why preselling is a must.
Tue, September 24, 2019
On today's show, we are so happy to welcome bestselling author, world-renowned speaker and all-round inspiring human, Gretchen Rubin! Gretchen has sold more than 3 million books and had her work translated into 30 different languages. Despite having multilayered success in different fields, it is writing that really helped her breakthrough as a household name. She has so much wisdom and experience around writing, approaches to media coverage, collaboration and beyond and it is such a treat to be able to share all of this with you!
Thu, September 19, 2019
On this recap episode, we bring you all the highlights from our great conversation with former football player, Trent Shelton, who has gone from pro athlete to building an amazing personal brand with almost 11 million followers on Facebook! What stood out from our conversation with him is his authenticity and some of his best practices include his absolute consistency in showing up for his audience and his daily personal engagement with his community.
Tue, September 17, 2019
Today we are so happy to welcome a wonderful guest, none other than Trent Shelton! A former professional football player, Trent's life had a major pivot a few years ago and since then he has managed to build an amazing personal brand with almost 11 million followers on Facebook! Trent is here to talk about his journey and offer some great frameworks for making the most of your own path.
Wed, September 11, 2019
Welcome to the very first episode of the Personal Brand podcast with your lead host, Rory Vaden, co-founder of Brand Builders Group, Hall of Fame speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of Take the Stairs . At Brand Builders Group we help individuals build and monetize their personal brands. Some of our clients include Lewis Howes, Kevin Harrington, Julie Solomon, Brett Kissel, and more!
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