Ray Edwards Show

Are you interested in having guaranteed money in the bank every month? Then this week’s podcast is for you! I’m talking with my friend Stu McLaren, the founder of TribeWorkshop.com. Stu has become famous by helping entrepreneurs build low stress, high-profit businesses using recurring revenue. How does that sound? How would it feel to start every month with money in the bank and never wonder where your next client is going to come from? Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Feature Presentation: In our discussion about what Stu calls the “recurring revolution,” you’ll discover… (0:55) The under-the-radar “subscription economy” movement being used by big companies, like Amazon, Apple, and Netflix. And it’s not just internet companies, even Walmart and Burger King are doing this. (2:15) The multi-hundred-billion dollar industry that when coupled with the subscription consumer stores is making a perfect storm for everyday businesses. Any type of business can benefit from this perfect storm if they see the line in the sand and have the courage to forge ahead in this new and exciting way of doing business. (3:25) The simple secret to why people stay in a membership or subscription service. As long as you’re doing this one thing, they’ll stay for years and years. (5:20) How a massage therapist went from constantly worrying about her sporadic income to being totally confident in her stable recurring-revenue business. All it took was 17 members at her initial launch to give her the peace of mind she craved. (7:10) The simple genius of how a shopping mall fast-food chain turned their uncertain cashflow model into solid, predictable, member-pleasing profits. The customers are thrilled to get more for less and the owner knows exactly how much money is coming in before the month even gets started. Everybody wins! (9:45) Why memberships and subscription services are the future of business as we know it. Every business owner needs to think about implementing a membership element because people are more primed and trusting of these models than ever before. (12:20) Why the glut of free information on the internet is making it harder for people to succeed in online learning. It sounds counterintuitive, but this is the reason why now is the perfect time to start a membership site. (14:30) How recurring revenue helps business owners create better products. Rather than being one more “me-too” product, when you create a membership site, you’ll have more time to make your product stand out ahead of all the rest in your category. (17:05) The incredible story of how one of Stu’s students turned an “eyelash” business into a $30,000 per month revenue stream. If something as simple as eyelashes can make that kind of money, what can it do for you? (20:00) How running a membership is not about the money, but what the money can allow you and your family do that fulfills you in a way you’ve never been fulfilled before. Whether it’s fixing your health or adopting a child, recurring revenue truly brings freedom in a way most other business models can never achieve. (22:35)  A counter-intuitive way to launch your membership quickly and in a way that will set you up for success in the long term. It goes against the grain of most content creators, but it’s one of the most important keys to membership site success. (25:00) How a coffee shop (like, maybe Revel77), or other brick and mortar operation,  can implement a membership model successfully. Stu rattles off several excellent ideas that really got our wheels and apply not only to coffee shops, but to car washes, breweries, and other local businesses that want to build loyalty. We’re gonna do this! (31:35) The “founding member script” one of Stu’s students used to quick-launch her fertility membership site to her list of 326 people. It made $5,024 in the first 24 hours. And over the past year, it’s exploded! (34:05) How simple it is to set up the technology for your membership site. It’s never been easier than today to do this with many different kinds of solutions. And Stu gives a key insight into why the technology should never hold you back. (40:42) The difference between front-end and back-end membership site positioning and how much you can charge for each of these. It depends on the kind of market you’re in and the degree of transformation you can offer. (43:20) How to decide if you have an idea that will work as a membership site. It’s one of the 3 parts of Stu’s free Tribe Workshop that gives you clarity and an actual score regarding the quality of your idea and whether or not you’re set up to succeed in a recurring revenue business. The workshop starts on April 25, 2019! (47:10) How a 1st and 2nd-grade teacher turned her “teachers aid” membership into a million dollar a year business. Her story proves you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to make this work. (48:50) The most important business asset in any niche or industry and why Stu goes all in to maximize its power. He believes in it so much that he started a 2nd podcast all about this one thing. (53:15) Why making money is one of the best ways to make an impact in the world. Find out what Stu and his wife do with their money to make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of underprivileged children. Resources: Join Stu for his FREE Tribe Workshop starting April 25, 2019! Go to RayEdwards.com/Tribe to sign up. 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. We will mention you on this show. Get The Transcript Right-Click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.

What happened to Tiffany? What happened to Adriane? What happened to Sean? Where are they? Don’t worry, they’ll be back soon. We’ve all been traveling so much that we couldn’t find a time to get together in the studio. So we’ve batched a couple of fantastic interviews with 3 world class copywriters and marketers to replace the fun, freewheeling episodes until we can get back in the studio together again. In the next week or so we’ll release our official announcement of a second podcast. That’s right, there will be two Ray Edwards podcasts. One will be all about copywriting and marketing. The hardcore business stuff many of you crave. The other will be the fun, freewheeling conversations about life and all sorts of other entertaining things. Stay tuned for that official announcement coming very soon. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations: Today on “Spiritual Foundations” I want to tell you the story of a good Christian woman who’s struggling to run her business. I’ll tell you about… (2:35) How a simple verse in 1st Chronicles, chapter 4 sparked a huge debate and why I think this verse is key to every Christian’s business success. There’s hard evidence in this verse that demonstrates how God actually does answer these kinds of prayers. Ray's Tip Of The Week I want to tell you about one of my favorite apps. It helps you… (4:35) Quickly and easily unclutter your electronic devices of duplicate photos and files. To top it all off, it’s very inexpensive. Check it out at … https://macpaw.com/gemini Episode Sponsor: Are you stuck in a humiliating, soul-sucking job? I’ve had the privilege of helping a small group of remarkable people transition from a job they hate to a fulfilling and financially rewarding career. For example… Dr. Douglas Pew, a composer and conductor whose music was performed at the Kennedy Center. He’s well on his way to becoming an A-list copywriter. Mike Kim, the branding expert who turned the company he worked for completely around, made it prosperous, then started his own company, a hit podcast, and now runs marketing for John Maxwell’s team. Sara Anna Powers, who left her six-figure job as an attorney and started her own freelance writing practice. She runs her own live boot camps and high-end coaching programs and is set up for her first million dollar year! There’s one thing these 3 real writers have in common. They are all graduates of my Certified Copywriter Program. If you’re reading to trade your boring 9 to 5 straightjacket job for a life you love, this could be the new beginning you've been hoping for. 3 good reasons to become a Ray Edwards Certified Copywriter. Establish your credibility. It’s hard to stand out in today’s market as a copywriter. Borrow my credibility and my reputation when you’re certified by me. I put my name under yours. Get more leads. The toughest part of this business is getting leads. We get lots and can’t handle them all. Would you like to get high quality leads from us? Multiply your income instead of growing your copywriting business incrementally. Why not grow exponentially? Don’t just add your income, multiply it. Go to RayTraining.com to learn more. Feature Presentation: Mike Stelzner is the founder of Social Media Examiner, Social Media Marketing World, the Social Media Marketing Podcast, and the Social Media Marketing Society. And he’s one of my best friends. In my conversation with Mike, you’ll discover… (7:50) What Mike studied in college and grad school that set him up perfectly as a podcaster, video presenter, and copywriter. He never planned to do what he’s doing now, but looking back, his college years set the stage perfectly for his current career. (8:25) How his definition of the word “translation” got him started as a copywriter. Without this full-time position at a hundred-million-dollar high tech company while still in college, he may never have figured out how to write great copy. (10:15) Why FedEx hired Mike to write an old-school marketing piece when they started their international transit from China. This piece of marketing was so valuable it even convinced Apple Computers to start using the new FedEx overnight service for electronics. (12:40) The literally “larger than life” client Mike and I both worked for on separate occasions. Hear the story of how these copywriting opportunities came from our mutual friend Amy Porterfield who worked for this famous motivational speaker at the time. (14:40) How Mike made the transition from being THE “white papers” copywriter in many people’s minds to starting what is now the most important social media marketing company in the world. Leaving behind a list of 20,000 subscribers was a big risk, but it paid off handsomely. (16:20) The clever “build a movement” strategy Mike used to grow an initial following of 10,000 people before ever releasing a single product for sale. And when they did start selling products 6 months later, it led them to earn over $2,000,000 in their first year. (19:30) Why now, more than ever, people need to understand how to persuade with the written word. Why social media marketing increases the need for good copywriting and how Mike uses it every day in his business. (24:25) The importance of creating free content that’s so valuable people would happily pay for it. This one strategy has made all the difference in Mike’s business and now brings in, on average, 1,000 new subscribers per day. (27:00) The single reason people trust Mike’s company and faithfully buy from them. It’s a counterintuitive strategy that most companies are too afraid to deploy. (31:15) The #1 mistake most social media marketers make when it comes to writing their copy. It’s incredibly easy to fix, but most social media marketers don’t realize how much this mistake hurts their integrity and don’t take the time to fix it. (32:35) Why “burying the lead” in Mike’s emails works wonders despite being a cardinal sin of copywriting. It’s a clever tactic that gets more of his reader’s eyes on more of his content regularly. (34:45) How to write for skimmers so they still get the important parts of the message in your emails or social posts. With just a few simple formatting tweaks, almost any piece of copy becomes easier to understand for the skimmers (which is most people). (37:05) Two free tools any copywriter can use to make great looking graphics. Including graphics in your copy is something many copywriters don’t think about, to their cost. (40:02) How to get started learning social media marketing the right way. The easy to use, weekly “tune-in-now” way to get started today. (44:45) How to play the long game in internet business and how doing so pays enormous dividends down the road. Most people think it’s too much work, but this particular long game is amazingly fruitful. (47:10) The secret equation Mike developed to create explosive growth in his business. He calls it the “elevation principle” and it’s so easy, anyone can use it at any stage of their business journey. (51:35) The “good enough” error so many marketers make. Are you making this mistake? How long are you willing to put up with that? Resources: RayTraining.com https://macpaw.com/gemini Social Media Examiner, https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/ Social Media Marketing World, https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/smmworld/ Social Media Marketing Society, https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/society/ Launch, by Michael Stelzner, http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/launch/ 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. We will mention you on this show. Get The Transcript Right-Click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had a “shake-up” on the show. We had several weeks in a row of freewheeling discussion with two of my assistants, Tiffany and Adrian, and my son, Sean. To please the long-time listeners, some of whom aren’t thrilled with this new style of episode, we’ve decided to launch a second podcast. That way, if you want to tune into the freewheeling silly stuff, you can do that. And if you want to hear the more serious business and copywriting stuff, you can do that too. Stay tuned over the next few weeks to learn more about the new podcast. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations: Today on Spiritual Foundations I discuss… (1:55) Is it wrong to pray for your business? Many Christians I know think it’s greedy and selfish to ask God for material gain. Here’s what Peter has to say about it. (2:40) Why prayers about our worry and our prosperity change us. This change of perspective helps us see how God can communicate to us his plans for our prosperity in business. (3:10) A powerful method for building your faith and seeing more answers to your prayers. This works. I’m absolutely sure of it! Ray's Tip Of The Week This week I want to tell you about Cardflow Plus. (3:30) It’s an iPad app that’s helping me storyboard my videos. I like doing this on paper, but when that’s not an option, this app is saving the day. (3:55) It’s like a stack of virtual 3×5 index cards you can use for speeches or book outlines. It’s very versatile and easy to use. Check it out at http://www.qrayon.com/home/cardflow/. Episode Sponsor: Are you stuck in a humiliating, soul-sucking job? I’ve had the privilege of helping a small group of remarkable people transition from a job they hate to a fulfilling and financially rewarding career. For example… Dr. Douglas Pew, a composer and conductor whose music was performed at the Kennedy Center. He’s well on his way to becoming an A-list copywriter. Mike Kim, the branding expert who turned the company he worked for completely around, made it prosperous, then started his own company, a hit podcast, and now runs marketing for John Maxwell’s team. Sara Anna Powers, who left her six-figure job as an attorney and started her own freelance writing practice. She runs her own live boot camps and high-end coaching programs and is set up for her first million dollar year! There’s one thing these 3 real writers have in common. They are all graduates of my Certified Copywriter Program. If you’re reading to trade your boring 9 to 5 straightjacket job for a life you love, this could be the new beginning you've been hoping for. 3 good reasons to become a Ray Edwards Certified Copywriter. Establish your credibility. It’s hard to stand out in today’s market as a copywriter. Borrow my credibility and my reputation when you’re certified by me. I put my name under yours. Get more leads. The toughest part of this business is getting leads. We get lots and can’t handle them all. Would you like to get high quality leads from us? Multiply your income instead of growing your copywriting business incrementally. Why not grow exponentially? Don’t just add your income, multiply it. Go to RayTraining.com to learn more. Well, we’re offering a new service through my agency, Inklings, LLC. RayEdwards.com/CopyFix. Feature Presentation: In my conversation with world-class copywriter Kevin Rogers, you’ll discover… (5:50) How my guest went from a dead-broke stand-up comedian to a world-class copywriter. The simple joke formula he used to make the transition. (6:50) Why Kevin dropped out of high school and what he did instead. How being away from school helped him buckle down and study what he really loved. (8:45) Why stand-up comics posses a magic few others can grasp. It’s an outrageous phenomenon that causes a stranger to entertain a crowd of people with nothing but a microphone and some words. (10:46) Why vomiting before every performance, even in his 70s, meant Henry Fonda still had his head in the game. Without this one thing, you can get complacent and lose your edge. (11:40) The twisty-turny journey that took Kevin from comedy to copywriting guru-hood. How his amazing mentors helped him bridge the gap and reach the top of the field. (13:15) How stalking his favorite copywriter turned into a master-apprentice relationship. It helped him discover his unique copywriting identity and create a memorable platform. (19:05) The simple teachings in one of Dan Kennedy’s book that crystallized Kevin’s marketing learning. You can read piles of marketing books and never quite be sure you’re getting it right until you learn these simple truths. (20:45) How “not being desperate” does more for getting a sale than almost everything else. The manner of delivery is crucial and more important than almost any other marketing tactic. (23:15) Why the copywriting industry is filled with some of the most humane, caring, helpful people. It has to do with where we all came from at the start of our careers. (25:25) The secret reason why giving away your best stuff brings you fantastic rewards at least nine times out of ten. It’s the kind of behind-closed-doors strategy that makes us some of the most blessed freelancers in the world. (27:10) Why copywriters know more about abundance than the abundance guys do. A real-life example of a big-name personal development expert who secretly hates his customers and why copywriters are not really in competition with each other. (28:25) How a copywriting legend gave Kevin a chance to shine and helped him overcome imposter syndrome. It took an incognito trip to Chicago, a clipboard, and a little white lie to make it happen, but it happened. (35:45) The copywriter community Kevin built and where he now gives his full-time attention. It’s a gated, paid community where he shares all his greatest teachings, coaching, and encouraging to up-and-coming copywriters. (39:45) How Kevin’s community brings together the good copywriters who need better clients and business owners who need good copywriters. It’s a safe, win-win place where business marriages happen all the time. (44:50) The biggest challenge Kevin sees new copywriters struggling with and how to overcome them. It’s the one thing that makes great copywriters good at writing yet full of fear. (46:15) Why it’s crucial for copywriters to have swagger and humility at the same time. The unique working environment requires these two seemingly opposite traits and what copywriters can do to make sure they keep them in balance without being eaten alive by either. (48:10) The biggest challenge Kevin sees business owners struggling with when looking for a good copywriter. Disaster happens without this crucial understanding, in spite of good intentions. (50:10) Why thinking of copywriters as expensive “wordsmiths” is the single most deadly idea a business owner can have with regard to hiring a copywriter. It has to do with a profound, tweetable truth Kevin shared Resources RayTraining.com http://www.qrayon.com/home/cardflow/ 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. We will mention you on this show. Get The Transcript Right-Click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.

Today it’s just my special guest and me. But never fear, Tiffany, Sean, and Adriane will be back very soon. For the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some interviews I did with great copywriters. I asked them to share their philosophies about how to write copy that sells. This week I’m interviewing David Garfinkel, the world’s greatest copywriting coach. But first… Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations: I want to encourage you to remember some important things as the week begins. In this week’s Spiritual Foundations, I talk about… (1:30) The one attribute most likely to help you approach every activity with excitement and enthusiasm. When you choose to approach each day in this way, you’ll remember that there’s a reason for everything that happens in your life. (2:30) The sometimes “hard-to-swallow” encouragement Paul gave to the Thessalonians. This one’s tough because sometimes we can’t see how it could possibly be God’s will for us. (3:15) Why I occasionally want to ask God, “why didn’t you do something about this?” It’s a question that helps me to remember what NOT to do in my everyday behavior. Hint: It’s one of those Proverbs that actually has a lot to do with being a copywriter. (3:45) What I learned from the owner of a Virtual Assistant business about my regular choice of words. It’s a small hinge that opens a big door of possibility. (4:40) What none of us can do if we expect good things to come in our lives. It’s not easy, but I want to encourage you to really give this a try. Ray's Tip Of The Week Today I want to feature one of my favorite new gadgets. I’ll tell you… (5:18) What never to go without on an airplane. Not only does this gadget make the flying experience more bearable, it even effects how tired I am at the end of the flight. (6:05) What always helps me leave the plane feeling refreshed and energized. I have a new enthusiasm for one of these things. The other is something I’ve been doing consistently for years that never fails to give me a boost. Episode Sponsor: (6:46) I have a question for you. Does your copy keep you up at night? Do you have a sales letter that’s not making sales for you and you wish you could fix it, but you don’t know how? Have you questioned, “Am I any good at copywriting? Is my copywriter any good at copywriting? What do I do about this, Ray?” Well, we’re offering a new service through my agency, Inklings, LLC. RayEdwards.com/CopyFix. I used to review copy for people on screen, doing a line-by-line edit of the copy. I showed them how to fix it so they could improve their conversions. And when I did this, I charged $10,000. But right now you can get the same service for just $2,500. We’ll go through your sales letter top to bottom, stem to stern, sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph. We’ll show you the opportunities for improvement, the things that need to go, the things you need to add. And our goal is to improve your conversions, not incrementally, but exponentially–by a multiple. I can’t guarantee that of course, but what I can guarantee is we will make your copy better than it's ever been before. The problem is, there's only a limited number of spaces for this kind of service because it's very time consuming and individualized. So go to RayEdwards.com/CopyFix before the slots fill up and enroll in the “Copywriting Fix Program.” Feature Presentation: My guest today is David Garfinkel. He’s one of the most respected copywriters and copywriting coaches in the world. He’s worked with businesses in over 100 different industries including well-known companies like IBM, United Airlines, Pacific Bell, Time Life Books, and MCI. We talk about… (10:55) The dream job David left to become a freelance copywriter. His friends and family thought he was crazy, but even though he was super successful, the better he did in his regular job the more unhappy he became. (11:55) The ad for an unorthodox newsletter that changed everything for him. He read it 20 times and still couldn’t wrap his head around it. But somehow he knew it was the path to his future career and happiness. (13:20) How one of his first sales letters went on to make over $40,000,000 for his client. Even though it was less than 1,000 words, this ad ran for 8 years unchanged. If only he’d been paid more than $300 to write it, or at least, signed a royalty deal. (16:50) The secret almost all newbie copywriters, and even some advanced copywriters can’t get through their thick skulls. This one thing can make the difference in almost any copywriter’s career if they only surrender to it. (17:30) The outlandish practice used by novelist Stephen King and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin that can turn almost any copywriter into a copy magician. It’s not pretty or sexy. And the reason almost nobody uses it is because it’s so painfully tedious. (20:50) A perspective-shifting and completely fresh definition of “the 1%” and how it applies to copywriting. It describes the giant chasm between the 99%-ers and the 100%-ers. (22:24) The stupid-simple key to extraordinary results. How these 5 little words change everything.   (23:52) What Tony Robbins learned from coaching a top cosmetic surgeon and how it applies to the difference between being excellent and becoming outstanding in your chosen field. It’s one of those 2mm changes that turn regular people into masters of their craft. (27:35) Why David dropped out of a prestigious Ph.D. program. The idiotic academic mindset that tipped the scale and helped him see how advanced formal education was harming his career as a copywriter. (29:01) The tragedy David’s mother experienced and how it fuels his drive to pursue lifelong growth and learning. Everyone has fears when it comes to their eventual death. But what David saw his mother go through caused him to up his game as a way of staving off any potential hereditary effects of his mother’s condition. (31:48) The famous author David worked with and what he learned about life and productivity from this marketing master. The take-home lesson we all need to remember about not missing opportunities to meet people who’ve influenced us before it’s too late. (37:00) Why David doesn’t take many clients anymore and what he does instead. After many years or working in the industry, his new focus makes him feel more fulfilled and able to give greater value than any other practice he’s used before. (52:32) Who David spends most of his time working with today. It’s a select group of like-minded people, many of whom have gone on to have remarkable success in their copywriting careers. (54:05) The “inner game” of copywriting and the demons that come along with it. Why mindset is more important than tactical writing skills to most copywriters and how David helps them develop this part of their identity. If you’re a working copywriter and you want to get in touch with David Garfinkel for some coaching, you can reach him at GarfinkelCoaching.com. Resources RayEdwards.com/CopyFix 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. We will mention you on this show. Get The Transcript Right-Click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.

NOTE: The title of today's episode is the work of Ben Settle, who promptly smacked my wrist for grabbing one of his old subject lines – and rightfully so. Ben is a friend – but we don't steal from our enemies. We certainly don't steal from our friends! So sorry, el Benbo. The slight was not intentional, but that don't make it right. We changed the name of the episode to reflect Ben's ownership of the term, and we also changed the graphic for the post. Finally, I emailed out subscribers explaining this to them. We do credit Ben in the episode itself – that was always there. And now… on with the show! The week we were recording this we were heading to San Diego for one of the best conferences in the online marketing industry, Social Media Marketing World. Sean and were all excited for another reason. The city of San Diego now has Lime Scooters which make enjoying a downtown area so much more fun! We start this week’s episode talking about… (1:09) Why Tiffany thinks Sean needs a date and how she plans to make this happen. (3:15) Why Social Media Marketing World is such a great conference and how it helps you avoid the crooks and scumbags of internet marketing. (9:13) Why Jesus encouraged his followers to be like snakes, even though snakes are usually compared to Satan. We also discuss… (13:40) The three reasons why most companies have what Ben Settle (at BenSettle.com) calls “phantom pooping prospects” and what you can do to help these customers feel calm and confident when it’s time to buy. (18:42) Sean’s journey in applying Seth Godin’s most exciting recent teaching… “People like us do things like this” …  to the Revel77 Coffee Shop. (45:10) My answers to more of Tiffany’s embarrassing questions about things like sacrificing your organs, deciding whether to travel to the past or the future if time travel was a real possibility and why you might consider avoiding the shower for a month. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Ray’s Tip of the Week: (7:41) This new duo of apps is helping our team be more consistent and classy with our Instagram Stories. (8:10) Why the free templates for this app kind of suck and what to get instead. Spiritual Foundations: (9:25) The New Testament verse that urges you to be like a snake and how it can save your business. (11:59) Why the common idea that Jesus was always meek and gentle is completely wrong and why the Lamb of God suggested we take a leaf out of the Serpent's playbook. Feature Presentation: (13:40) Why many of your company’s prospects are like dogs sniffing around for the perfect place to poop. They circle, they look like their going to do the deed, and then they move on to another spot asking themselves, “is this the perfect spot for me?” (15:22) What business owners need to learn about their “phantom pooping prospects.” This lesson can help even the most constipated buyers feel safe and comfortable enough to make a smooth move into your business. (15:40) The three mistakes most businesses make with their “phantom pooping prospects.” Each of these mistakes is easy to fix. All it takes is a little empathy. (18:42) The live “consulting call” that shows you how to apply master-marketer Seth Godin’s revolutionary teachings to your brick and mortar business. As Sean takes the conversation into an extended tangent about the running of Revel77 Coffee Shop, you’ll discover the high-level psychological reasons for making certain judgment calls in your business and how they can either help or hinder your marketing success. (30:20) Why simple questions like “who is your perfect customer” and “what’s the real problem you’re solving” can fix even the most complicated decisions in your company culture. Even the challenges of creating a unique atmosphere and being different than others in your market all come down to these basic questions. (37:55) Why something as simple as “punch cards” in your store can spoil your company’s image and put you out of business. Even the dilemma caused by giving your customers what they want and seeking uniqueness in your market teaches you something important about your phantom pooping prospects, what kind of dogs they are, and how best to serve them. Tiffany asks embarrassing questions: (45:10) What was one of the most difficult things you’ve had to overcome, apart from the physical challenges you have with Parkinson's disease? How a submarine commander played by Matthew McConaughey can help everyone overcome the scariest unknowns in life. (47:27) Would you rather sell one of your possessions or one of your organs? And if it’s an organ, which one? (48:40) Would you rather give up bathing for a month? Or the internet? (49:26) Would you rather have hands that kept growing as you got older or feet that kept growing as you got older? (50:15) Would you rather be transmitted permanently 500 years into the future or 500 years into the past? EPISODE SPONSOR: This episode of the Ray Edwards podcast is being brought to you by the Ray Edwards Certified Copywriter Training. This is your opportunity to become a professional copywriter. Or if you already are one, to expand your reach and credibility by becoming certified by one of the most sought after most acclaimed copywriters in the online direct response marketing field. And it feels a little weird to say this, but that would be me, Ray Edwards. I would love to work with you and help you get certified as a copywriter that we can recommend and put our endorsement and stamp on and say, “this is a person you could hire to write copy.” If you want more information about the certified copywriter program, simply go to RayEdwards.com/training. FREE BOOK: This episode of the Ray Edwards podcast is brought to you by, the book, How To Write Copy That Sells: The Step-by-Step System for More Sales, to More Customers, More Often. This is the definitive summation of my best knowledge and ideas about writing copy that sells without sounding or feeling salesy or pushy. Right now you can get a copy of my book absolutely free. All we ask is that you help out with the shipping, $7 anywhere in the world. Right now, while it’s on your mind, go to RayEdwards.com/freebook to request your copy today. I know it will help you sell more of whatever it is you sell. That’s RayEdwards.com/freebook. Resources www.RayEdwards.com/freebook www.rayedwards.com/training 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. We will mention you on this show. Get The Transcript Right-Click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.

This week we’re taking off the gloves! My son Sean and I–along with Tiffany and Adrianne–get down and dirty in a heated discussion about Capitalism and Socialism. It all started with a controversial Facebook post I wrote about why I’m a proud Capitalist Pig… oink, oink! We’re also going to talk about… An online tool that allows you to “exponentialize” your social media content. You can create content one time and have it show up in many different social media platforms, “automagically.” The time I fell into the dangerous trap of judgment. Why and when you should or should not judge others and what the consequences of doing so can be if you’re as careless or insensitive as I was. Why Sean and I believe Socialism is “evil.” How a government based on Socialist financial ideas is holding a gun to the head of every business owner. How to put out the fire of a heated political debate. Hint: all it takes is a quick Q & A about hoverboards, 10-inch bellybuttons, and tastebuds in your butt… You’ll see… Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations This week I share what I learned from a painful “foot-in-my-mouth” situation. The worst part was, my words were directed at a friend was dying from cancer… I ate a heap of humble pie as a result… (1:45) With weeks to live, my friend told me how much the ministry of a famous TV pastor meant to him. Hear how insensitive I was and what it taught me about being quick to pass harsh judgment. (2:35) Patiently allowing me to explain why I thought this TV minister was theologically wrong, my friend gently helped me see what a fool I was being. I had let my judgment of the minister cloud my mind and make me blind to the more important, more truly ‘Christian’ lesson my friend taught me. Ray’s Tip of the Week: (3:52) This is the coolest service I’ve seen in a long time. Are you a content creator like me? If so, you won't want to miss this ‘tip of the week’ … it will change your life! (4:05) Use this tool to repurpose to content across the internet. For example, do you host a podcast? This tool converts your episodes into several shorter, engaging videos. It posts them to all the major platforms “automagically.” Imagine the amount of time this will save you and your team! Feature Presentation: We had all kinds of fun and got pretty riled about the ideas and ripple effects of Socialisms and it’s pervasiveness in our culture. (5:30) Hear the word-for-word “rant” I posted on Facebook about being a Capitalist Pig. Get a load of some of the outrageous 184 responses I got. I won’t use the 4-letter words, but you’ll get the gist. (6:46) Why one of my friends suggested I run for President in 2020. Ha! Fat chance! But… just in case… #RayEdwards2020. (8:01) Sean shares 2 socialist “horror” stories from the family coffee shop, Revel77. The real threat to their business and how he’s not going to put up with it anymore. (10:00) Why remaining silent when evil ideas are spread is almost as bad as spreading them yourself. How this discussion prompted a zinger of a comment from one of my friends… “Don’t expose people to the truth. They’re very fragile.” (11:40) What people started assuming about my beliefs based on the few things I said. This drives me bananas! (11:59) Tiffany’s thoughts about the ridiculousness of a $15/hour minimum wage. What is says about the people who get this kind of pay with little to no education and how it’s harming society. (12:42) Adrian shares her thoughts about minimum wage and how hard she had to work early in her career to get that kind of money. Why it’s not fair to pay someone the same amount when they have little to no training. (13:59) The benefits of being paid on merit. Why do people think that somehow it’s my fault if the Walmart Greeter doesn’t make enough to support him or herself? (15:27) The most undemocratic thing a country can do. The only two ways governments get money to fix social ills. (16:18) Why we’re all in a constant state of “dilution.” How the government dilutes the value of the dollar with either of its methods of increasing the amount of cash available in the economy. (17:50) The twisted insult that made me wonder whether this “friend” is really much of a “friend” after all. Even his attempt at softening the blow drove the dagger deeper. (18:34) How Socrates described the recourse of losers. The truth hurts pretty bad, after all. (19:00) Why welfare checks and giving people a basic living wage violates human nature. The basic differences between animals and humans prove Capitalist ideas as the most rewarding way for people to adapt and survive. (21:29) The secret to a long and prosperous life. How ignoring this truth has created a nation of sick people who don’t know how to live life and thrive on Cheeto dust and Netflix binges instead. (22:20 ) Why charity has to be completely voluntary or else it becomes a form of slavery. How most forms of taxation are little more than “charity at gunpoint.” (23:46) How governments use the threat of violence to prove safety nets and welfare for people who refuse to take care of themselves. Why entrepreneurs, not politicians, are the real job creators. (25:22) Why Capitalist Pigs are responsible for all the great things we have in society today. Why governments think can they control and over-regulate businesses and how it destroys the potential for economic growth. (26:19) Why considering holding someone at gunpoint is the best way to determine how you should vote for a new law or policy. This litmus test quickly clarifies your moral feelings on any given policy change. (29:18) Why the government's socialistic practices make it so expensive to run a business. Why this made us seriously consider closing the coffee shop and giving up on this style of business. (31:28) How important it is that we not let dangerous soul-killing ideas spread uncontested. Why keeping your head down and your mouth shut can be as harmful as causing the injustice in the first place. (32:17) Two toxic doctrines of demons so prevalent in our society. Why the only hope for humanity is to ruthlessly abandon these ideas. Tiffany’s “Would You Rather” Q&A Session: (33:35) Would we rather live in a world where huge friendly gummy bears walk around or where hoverboards exist? (35:15) Would we rather live the rest of our lives with Cheeto dust on our fingers or have taste buds in our butts? (35:31) Would we rather have accordions for legs or have 10-inch long belly buttons? (36:42) What were the high points and the low points of our week? One included working on Sunday and the other involved an accidental double dose of medication. (38:45) What were the best parts of our recent trip to Nashville? We picked between live music, shopping, and Tiffany being like a grandma and going to be early. (40:58) Adrian's simple cure for pink eye and how to use a type of baby soap to clear it up in a jiffy. EPISODE SPONSOR: This episode of the Ray Edwards podcast is being brought to you by the Ray Edwards Certified Copywriter Training. This is your opportunity to become a professional copywriter. Or if you already are one, to expand your reach and credibility by becoming certified by one of the most sought after most acclaimed copywriters in the online direct response marketing field. And it feels a little weird to say this, but that would be me, Ray Edwards. I would love to work with you and help you get certified as a copywriter that we can recommend and put our endorsement and stamp on and say, “this is a person you could hire to write copy.” If you want more information about the certified copywriter program, simply go to RayEdwards.com/Training. FREE BOOK: Right now you can get a copy of my book “How To Write Copy That Sells” absolutely free. All we ask is that you pay the $7 shipping. Visit www.RayEdwards.com/freebook to request your copy today. Resources www.RayEdwards.com/freebook www.rayedwards.com/training 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. We will mention you on this show. Get The Transcript Right-Click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.

On today’s episode, I am interviewing Dr. Gus Vickery, a doctor in North Carolina and the author of the book, “Authentic Health.” As a part of his practice, he goes deep down in his patient’s history and blood work to find an individualized plan for them so they can live their healthiest life and possibly reverse their diseases. And he did this for me.  Listen on to hear my test results and what he suggests. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. 4:14 Dr. Vickery talks about how he came to know me. 6:08 Why Dr. Vickery wrote “Authentic Health.” 6:50 The diseases that we think are normative, may be curable. 8:30 The major pillar of the book- Finding your meaning or calling, to make it easier to correct your behavior. 9:40 How we can change our bad habits. 11:38 Is big Pharma evil? 12:40 Overall, Pharmaceutical companies are just selling products to a marketplace to help people with their diseases.  15:45 Doctors do not have time to give the education a patient needs to become truly healthy. 17:00 Food companies design processed foods to be addictive, and they do give you poor health. 19:58 Freeing yourself go diseases does not mean you will lose all the weight you need to. 20:50 Some diseases that we treat with medications are reversible. 22:44 Having an individualized health plan is the best way for all humans to achieve optimal health. 25:18 There are the foundational principles for all people that will make them healthy, but because of the .3% difference in our DNA and our different histories, we must do some different things that every other human. 27:00 Most people are reading articles and just guessing what they should be doing to be healthy, but that may not be best for them.  29:00 Everyone should have this kind of in-depth testing at some point in their lives. 31:00 Dr. Vickery goes through my specific results and shares what he is suggesting for me and my health. Resources Purchase the Authentic Health book HERE You can find Dr. Vickery's site here: www.drgusvickery.com/ray 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. We will mention you on this show. Get The Transcript Right-Click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.

Today on the show, we talk about how to get clients now and the 3 pillars of building a copywriting business. We also do Q&A with Ray where my assistant, Tiffany, asks me some questions that you may or may not want to know the answers to. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Spiritual Foundations 8:00- There is a passage in James that says you are not supposed to be  boasting about tomorrow. Does this mean we shouldn’t have goals?   9:05- Choose goals that are challenging and stretch you, but are realistic. 10:34- You should talk about what you are planning to do, God willing. Is this correct? 12:30: You do not know what tomorrow holds. 16:17: James was addressing a specific group to the people at the time.  That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t apply now. 17:50: Send your thoughts about this on an MP3 file to support@rayedwards.com Tip Of The Week Just Press Record You just press a big red button to talk and then you just hit “transcribe”. You can also share the file and transcript with other people. https://www.openplanetsoftware.com/just-press-record/ Feature Presentation “How to Get Clients Now” 3 Pillars of Starting A Copywriting Business Do the most lucrative form of writing- Direct response sales copy. Get good at writing copy- Study and get feedback from someone who knows what they are doing. Get Clients. So how to you do this? Be so good they can’t ignore you. Alienate the right people. Figure out who your perfect client is, and talk to them Tell Client success stories. If you don’t have any- Get some! WORK! Go to seminars and workshops for the area you specialize in.   And now, Tiffany leads us where angels fear to tread My bad habit- Oreo McFlurries. What is in my bag? My camera- Canon M50. My story of how I decided I wanted to write. My earliest Happy memory- pooping. I would rather not restart my life, I would rather continue my life. Sponsor This episode of the Ray Edwards Show is made possible in part by The All-New Ray Edwards Endorsed Service Provider & Certified Copywriter Program, where I help anyone who wants to make big money from their writing without getting a publisher or having a bestseller, and even if nobody knows who you are. Get my proven methods, systems, and even my endorsement – go to www.edwardscertified.com 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. We will mention you on this show. Get The Transcript Right-Click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.

Just a sampling of comments on our last few podcasts… “You have ruined your podcast.” “I thought you were a Christian.” “You’re a complete f-ing a-hole.” And to be fair: “Best podcast you have ever done.” “This was a GREAT episode!” “Ray, I have always liked your show, but I love it now that you have Tiffany and Sean with you!” In today’s podcast, I’ll answer the questions about what’s going on with our show, what you can expect in future episodes, and why we’re making all the changes.   Click here to download or listen to this episode now.   2:19: Sean clarifies what he meant in last weeks podcast 4:05: The initial error in society was that girls and guys were told they needed to look like whatever super model was the standard. 13:15: You have to take responsibility for your own actions and reactions in life. 21:00: Altruism says that you are your best human when you are compassionate and empathetic. 24:00: Compassion and empathy really helps turn people into victims. 25:53: There is a difference between being victimized, and being a victim. 36:00: You are not in control of what happens to you, but you are in control of what comes from you when that happens. 37:00: Sean tells us all about the tattoo he will be getting in the near future. Q&A With Ray : send your questions to tiffany@rayedwards.com. 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. We will mention you on this show. Get The Transcript Right-Click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.

Today on the podcast we are talking about TV preachers, how people feed their delusions and the meaning of beauty. Also, we have some fun questions that my assistant, Tiffany, asks in our new Q&A section. Click here to download or listen to this episode now. 0:50- TV Preachers are still a billion-dollar industry. Why is this?  4:20- Sean’s interesting take on how all of us have delusions.  6:25- “People will do anything for those who encourage their dreams, justify their failures, allay their fears, confirm their suspicions, and help them throw rocks at their enemies.” -Blair Warren 8:25- You don’t know what you don’t know. You may not know that you have been deceived. 11:45- The deception of the fitness industry. 12:52- Beauty and the world’s definition of beauty. 14:40-There is an error that says all women should look like a supermodel.  19:11- Can you decide to change your mind to shift your attitude to then change your weight and fitness level? 21:00- High and unachievable standards women are expected to achieve in our society.  24:16- Do people make excuses to be unhealthy? 26:30- Every human has a value to the work, society, and God that goes beyond how you look, and it cannot be taken from you.  27:27- Are you choosing to walk in the fullness of your beauty? 33:39- We want our delusion affirmed. What delusions are you claiming? Q&A With Ray : send your questions to tiffany@rayedwards.com. 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. We will mention you on this show. Get The Transcript Right-Click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.