You Are The Brand

I'm a big baseball fan (go Yankees!) and been watching a lot of playoff baseball of late. That got me thinking about 5-tool players.  In baseball, a 5-tool player can hit for power, hit for average, run, throw, and play great defense. These players are invaluable to a team, but they also have clearly delineated roles, even if they can do EVERYTHING well. In the thought leadership space, I see 5-tool players as people who can: Speak Write Coach Consult Market This has a huge impact on your income streams. Why? If you can speak, then you can keynote, host seminars, or podcast. If you can write, you can monetize books and blog posts. If you can coach, you can provide 1-on-1 services, group coaching cohorts, or run mastermind groups. If you can consult, you can provide strategy, tactics, or advice for high fees. If you can market, you can do that for others (or for yourself, and save a ton of expenses) I have a new saying: "Money flows to mastery and flees from mediocrity." That means, even if you do all these things well, you still have to tell the market which of these skills you are a MASTER of ... and there can only be one. Join the Brand You Community on Facebook: Have you checked out this invite-only group? Click here to request access to the Brand You Community Liked this episode? Leave a review on iTunes and I'd love to give you a shout out on the show! Make sure to leave your website so I can link back to it. I'd love to connect on social: Twitter: @MikeKimTV Instagram: @MikeKimTV Facebook: MikeKimTV

You have a unique purpose to fulfill. Maybe you’ve discovered what you’re wired for at an early age. Perhaps you’ve recently reached a milestone and found that you have not nearly tapped into the meaningful life you were meant to live. Maybe you know your purpose but have drifted from it. Kevin Monroe is captivated by the idea that a higher purpose exists for life, leadership, and service. He believes that people who find and fulfill their higher purpose have more fun, experience greater fulfillment, and make the world better and brighter for everyone else. Kevin is the founder of the Navigating North Summit which features conversations with well-known thought and business practitioners who have made significant impact through their purpose-powered pursuits. The Navigating North Summit includes Marshall Goldsmith, Todd Henry, Bernadette Jiwa, and yours truly! Get a free ticket to the Navigating North Summit here: navigatingnorthsummit.com Join the Brand You Community on Facebook: This is a thriving Facebook community for listeners of this podcast. You get direct access to me, additional insights into each weekly episode, and live broadcasts and walkthroughs, all free. Grow your network and get valuable business-building tips here: Join the Brand You Community Facebook group » Would You Leave an iTunes Review? If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review. It's one of the best ways to get word out about the show. Make sure to leave your website so I can link back to it.  Yes, I'd love to leave an iTunes review! »

From the moment you land your first client, you're in the "business life cycle." Recently, my friend Thomas Lee walked me through the 9 stages of the business life cycle over dinner and I knew I had to share it with you on the podcast. It was like getting an MBA in one conversation. In addition to being a small business consultant and executive coach, Tom has also served as the President of Full Line Collection Inc., a high-end distributor of jewelry and accessories in highly competitive garment district in the heart of New York City for 11 years. Tom shares incredibly valuable insight that has kept him at the forefront of the fashion industry, and I know this framework will help you think longer-term about your own business. The 9 Stages of the Business Life Cycle: Birth stage Infancy stage Toddler stage Teenage stage Young adult stage Prime stage Aging stage Institutional stage Death Today's Featured Resource: The 9 Stages of the Business Life Cycle: This free worksheet will help you map out the trajectory of your business and determine which stage you're currently in. (Email required) Get the 9 Stages of the Business Life Cycle Guide now » Connect with Thomas Lee online: Tom's blog: thomasjaylee.com Tom's LinkedIn  Join the Brand You Community on Facebook: This is a thriving Facebook community for listeners of this podcast. You get direct access to me, additional insights into each weekly episode, and live broadcasts and walkthroughs, all free. Grow your network and get valuable business-building tips here: Join the Brand You Community Facebook group » Would You Leave an iTunes Review? If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review. It's one of the best ways to get word out about the show. Make sure to leave your website so I can link back to it.  Yes, I'd love to leave an iTunes review! »

No other framework has impacted my marketing, message, and business more than Donald Miller's StoryBrand framework. I first connected with Don in April 2016 when he contacted me to work with him on a book about the StoryBrand framework. That book is out now: Building A StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen (Amazon) Don joins me on this episode of the podcast to walk you through the entire 7-step framework. You'll also get unique insight into how we worked on this book and other key takeaways including: How Don pivoted from being a memoirist to launching StoryBrand and becoming  The important marketing lesson Don learned from sitting next to a man reading his own book on a plane The single biggest shift you need to make in your marketing How the StoryBrand framework works in politics, and why Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton in the election  How to create your very own BrandScript that keeps your marketing message on point The StoryBrand framework provides you with the ultimate competitive advantage, revealing the secret for helping your customers understand the compelling benefits of using your products, ideas, or services.  Whether you are the marketing director of a multibillion dollar company, the owner of a small business, a politician running for office, or the lead singer of a rock band, Building a StoryBrand will forever transform the way you talk about who you are, what you do, and the unique value you bring to your customers. Resources Mentioned On This Episode: Get your copy of Building A StoryBrand here >> mystorybrand.com StoryBrand Live Workshop 3 Must-Have Forms for Coach, Consultant, Designer, or Freelancer Brand You Community Facebook Group Liked this episode? Leave a review on iTunes and I'd love to give you a shout out on the show! Make sure to leave your website so I can link back to it. I'd love to connect on social: Twitter: @MikeKimTV Instagram: @MikeKimTV Facebook: MikeKimTV  

Are you aware of your competitive advantage? Most people don't, and it's because they're not even sure what kind of competitive advantages are out there. In this episode, I unpack 5 competitive distinct advantages: Price Affinity Authority Skill Availability Here are some snippets from today's episode: What I learned about competition during a dinner with the owner of Connecticut's largest moving company. (3:03) The 5 types of competitive advantages you need to be aware of (4:43) The story Ken Davis, founder of SCORRE, told me about why pricing himself so low actually closed doors for his speaking business. (5:59) Why you must set a yearly revenue goal. (7:40) Why you need a "cash-cow" offer. (8:20) How many people really unsubscribe from my email list everytime I send a message. (15:08) How to establish authority even if you don't have clients. (18:50) How being intentional about these 5 things gives you a "marketing grip" that can't be denied. (22:50) Resources Mentioned in This Episode: • Donald Miller and StoryBrand • Ken Davis and the SCORRE Conference Join the Brand You Community on Facebook: Have you checked out this invite-only group? Click here to request access to the Brand You Community Liked this episode? Leave a review on iTunes and I'd love to give you a shout out on the show! Make sure to leave your website so I can link back to it. I'd love to connect on social: Twitter: @MikeKimTV Instagram: @MikeKimTV Facebook: MikeKimTV  

This week I reflect on some thoughts inspired by the terrific business leaders I've met over the past few weeks ... as well as Jiro Ono, widely considered the world's greatest sushi chef and star of the film, Jiro Dreams of Sushi. I also pose three questions for you to consider as you continue your journey in building your business and creating impact with your ideas. Here are some snippets from today's episode: Jiro Ono's thoughts on the secret of success. (4:31) How willing are you to leave others behind so you can grow? (6:00) The group of people that I left behind in order to pursue my dreams. (7:59) As you grow, you must construct your inner circle. (9:07) There are no Cinderella stories. (10:15) Are you playing to win, or playing just to stay in the race? (10:41) My top 5 strengths according to StrengthsFinder (11:07) What is your version of a legend? (13:55) Resources Mentioned in This Episode: • Jiro Dreams of Sushi (documentary) • Get Your Message Heard Podcast with Michael Hudson • Ray Edwards • John Nemo and LinkedIn Riches Would You Leave a Review of This Podcast on iTunes? Subscribe to the show through Apple Podcasts and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. I will mention you on the show!

John Nemo helps coaches, consultants, and small business owners generate quality leads, build their client base, and increase revenue using digital marketing platforms and tools like LinkedIn and Webinars.   John is a former Associated Press Reporter, Talk Radio Producer, Award-Winning PR Director and Social Media Consultant based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.   John has personally rewritten LinkedIn profiles for well-known personal brand entrepreneurs like Chris Brogan, John Lee Dumas, Bob Burg, Jairek Robbins, Dan Miller, Ray Edwards and many others.   In addition, John regularly guest blogs for Inc. Magazine and American City Business Journals, and his work has also been featured in The Huffington Post, Business Insider and many other publications online. I Recommend You Get Every One of these Free Resources From John: • Free Best-selling Book: LinkedIn Riches »   • Free Video Training: How To Create a Killer LinkedIn Profile » • Free Webinar: How Business Coaches, Consultants and Entrepreneurs Can Get Quality Leads, Add Clients and Build Their Brand with LinkedIn »

Blogging remains one of the best ways to market your thought leadership business, and today Katie Hornor shares a few strategies she used to monetize her blog ... all the way from Mexico. Years ago, Katie and her family relocated in order to missions and social work. They decided blogging would how they would raise money, and they created their first product: a homeschool curriculum in Spanish. Since then, her blog has generated thousands of dollars in recurring revenue. Listen to the episode to hear Katie's thoughts on: Why it's not wrong to earn income from your blog Her recommendation on the first step to earning income online How to find an audience Her networking strategy for conferences (even when she can't attend) Launch A Blog In Under 7 Minutes If you're intimidated by the "tech" of launching a blog, download my free Do-It-Yourself Blog Guide and my video tutorial, "How to Launch A WordPress Blog In Under 7 Minutes" here: mikekim.com/wordpress » Check out Katie's "Blog Connection" Membership Here Katie has opened up a special discount rate for listeners of the Brand You Podcast. If you are juggling the challenges of work, kids, and trying to get your blog off the ground, her membership "The Blog Connection" could be a perfect fit.  Get more info on the Blog Connection (with discount) here » Liked This Episode? Leave a review on iTunes and I'd love to give you a shout out on the show! Make sure to leave your website so I can link back to it. I'd Love to Connect on Social: Twitter: @MikeKimTV Instagram: @MikeKimTV Facebook: MikeKimTV  

Success is sequential, not simultaneous. This episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the system I am implementing now, step-by-step. I anticipate that implementing this system will skyrocket my reach and revenue because it "touches" all aspects of what I need to grow the online portion of my business: brand awareness, authority, a growing email list, and sales. Gather data Commit to doing more webinars Run social media ads to those webinars Do more video content marketing Create my first low-tier starter product Download Your Copy of the "5-Step Sequential Success Guide" here: Get Your Copy Here Join the Brand You Community on Facebook: Have you checked out this invite-only group? Click here to request access to the Brand You Community Liked this episode? Leave a review on iTunes and I'd love to give you a shout out on the show! Make sure to leave your website so I can link back to it. I'd love to connect on social: Twitter: @MikeKimTV Instagram: @MikeKimTV Facebook: MikeKimTV

This past week I spent 3 days in beautiful Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for an exclusive mastermind with other business owners to share wisdom, ask questions, and connect over great food and amazing scenery. In this episode, I share 5 takeaways from my time with Ray Edwards, John Nemo, Jeff Bullas, Ernie Svenson, Matt and Tara McWilliams, Mark Sieverkropp, Mark and Amy Timm, and Jody Maberry. I have pages filled with wisdom, and I'll share a few things in this episode like: the orbit strategy to building your brand how to out-perform your self-image what people really buy from your personal brand (it's not information) what one of the world's largest internet marketers thinks about podcasts the one thing you really need to talk about to create content of consequence Join the Brand You Community on Facebook: Have you checked out this invite-only group? Click here to request access to the Brand You Community Liked this episode? Leave a review on iTunes and I'd love to give you a shout out on the show! Make sure to leave your website so I can link back to it. I'd love to connect on social: Twitter: @MikeKimTV Instagram: @MikeKimTV Facebook: MikeKimTV