Ray Edwards Show

Many business owners, freelancers, and solo professionals wonder, "Should I have a blog? Is it worth the effort?" My answer: yes, you need a blog. And today's episode provides 5 good reasons why. This Week's Tip(s) Use Google Apps for business to get powerful features for very little money. Combine Insightly with Google Apps for a full-fledged CRM system. Spiritual Foundations How to have all the faith you need. Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 Feature Story: 5 Reasons Your Online Business Needs A Blog Visibility Credibility Authority Connection Marketing How To Start A Blog Bluehost WordPress.org SquareSpace Listener Questions "Ray, what do you recommend for ______________?" Benson Agbortogo asks about the secret of success. Rio wants to know how to get started with a website. Joshua Monen asks for feedback on his website about Battleground, Washington. Announcements I will be speaking at JV Alert in Washington, DC (June 8-10). Register (and save $402!) by clicking here. If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Plugs for audio shout-outs, either MP3 or call in at (509) 713-2679 Plugs for hosting accounts using this link. Follow Ray on Twitter and friend Ray on Facebook   SUBSCRIPTION LINKS If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679 Question for you: Do you blog for business? What has your experience been – is it worth it? Comment below, or call in at (509) 713-2679  

There are few businesses that would not benefit from a steady, predictable flow of new customers. Yet very few businesses have any kind of system in place to do this. Here's a simple plan for generating 90 new customers for your business in 90 days. And the best part is, you don't have to stop at 90 days! This Week's Tip(s) Use Google Calendar on your iPhone with the Agenda calendar app. Create your own free newspaper with Google Currents app for iPhone Spiritual Foundations You don't have to "clean up your act" for God to hear your cry for help. "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." Hebrews 8:12 Feature Story: How To Get 90 New Customers In 90 Days Create a Magnetic Free Offer Define an Ascension Process Create a Lead Generation Website Build an Automated Follow-Up System Bring Traffic to Your Magnetic Free Offer Fast & Free Traffic Tactics Leveraging Other Lists Search Engine Marketing Social Media – Facebook & Twitter Announcements If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Plugs for audio shout-outs, either MP3 or call in at (509) 713-2679 Plugs for hosting accounts using this link. Follow Ray on Twitter and friend Ray on Facebook   SUBSCRIPTION LINKS If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679 Question for you: What tactics or systems do you use to generate new customers? Comment below, or call in at (509) 713-2679  

How to start a business for $100? Is it possible to start a business for a hundred dollars (or even less)? Chris Guillebeau, author of the new book, The $100 Startup, say yes. I agree – and in this episode, I'll explain the simple steps to do so. Maybe you'll be inspired to create your own "$100 startup". This Week's Bluehost Hosting Plug CozyWorkplace.com AcupunctureMiamiDade.com This Week's Tip(s) Get the new book by Chris Guillebeau, entitled The $100 Startup. Spiritual Foundations God sees you as perfect… so stop seeing yourself otherwise! "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God…  For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Hebrews 10:12, 14 Feature Story: How To Start A Business For $100 Or Less The $100 startup is a reality! Starting a business for $100 is simple. Here are the "baby steps" (mine, not Chris's): Decide on a topic for your site/product. Start a blog. Start an email list. Set up social media accounts. Publish & promote on a regular schedule. Listen for what your audience wants. Create an information product. Launch the product with an event. Build autoresponder sequences. Get Chris's book for inspiration for your own $100 startup!   Announcements If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Plugs for audio shout-outs, either MP3 or call in at (509) 713-2679 Plugs for hosting accounts using this link. Follow Ray on Twitter and friend Ray on Facebook   SUBSCRIPTION LINKS If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679 Question for you: Did you start your business for $100 or less?  Want to share your story? Have a question? Comment below, or call in at (509) 713-2679  

Have you ever suffered a setback in your business, your health, your life? We all have. Why are some people crushed by setbacks – while others seem to use them as fuel for future success? And most importantly, how can you use your own setbacks to propel you to greater success? Announcements If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Plugs for audio shout-outs, either MP3 or call in at (509) 713-2679 Plugs for hosting accounts using this link. Free book promo for April; top 10 commentators Congrats on latest students – over 200 new students in WITS and PLATFORM! Follow Ray on Twitter and friend Ray on Facebook   This Week's Bluehost Hosting Plug RightStages.com AnywhereBusinessCoaching.com This Week's Tip(s) Check your username on all social media sites: CheckUsernames.com (thanks Adam Underhill!) Spiritual Foundations God has good plans for you… "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32 Feature Story: How To Turn Setbacks Into Comebacks We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond – and what we believe about the setback. Knowing how to face trials proactively is one of the top skills in internet business… and in life. Here are 10 steps to transform setbacks into comebacks.  See it for what it is. Remember God's plan for you (Jer 29:11 and Romans 8:28) Ask good questions – questions that lead to helpful answers. Be careful what you think, see, and say. Notice what works; do more of that. Notice what doesn't work; stop doing that. Live in the now. Avoid depression and anxiety. Move your body every day. Put good fuel in the machine. Fill your eyes with solutions. Remember that pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. (Matthew 6:34)   SUBSCRIPTION LINKS If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679 Question for you: What's your favorite "quick product creation" method? What  has worked for you? Comment below, or call in at (509) 713-2679  

EPISODE OUTLINE Welcome to our "product creation" episode! This time around I'll share rapid product creation methods you can use to create your own product in a day or less. Announcements If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Plugs for audio shout-outs, either MP3 or call in at (509) 713-2679 Plugs for hosting accounts using this link. Free book promo for April; top 10 commentators Congrats on latest students – over 200 new students in WITS and PLATFORM! Follow Ray on Twitter and friend Ray on Facebook   This Week's Bluehost Hosting Plug Thanks and congratulations to Wendell Saunders of WendellSaunders.com on his new website! This Week's Tip(s) Convert your old VHS tapes to digital with iMemories, and your old cassettes to digital with Southtree Spiritual Foundations God's grace looks like SUPPLY… "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19, NLT Feature Story: 7 Ways To Create Your Own Product In Less Than 24 Hours Product creation is easy! Writer: Type up a how-to. Interviewer: Interview an expert. Expert: Have someone interview you. Teacher: Teach something on video. Encourager: Make an audio recording. Researcher: Assemble information. Reporter: Document your experience.   LISTENER QUESTIONS I answered questions from these listeners: Steve Hawk had nice things to say about me, Shel Horowitz made a pitch for going green. Fleetwood Gruvver wants Joomla themes. Tom makes a point about mobile websites. Christy Sales asks about "the long copy debate".   EPISODE RESOURCES Links to resources I mentioned in the show: Joomla themes by RocketTheme. WP Touch mobile theme. Responsive themes from Studiopress and Woothemes. SUBSCRIPTION LINKS If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679 Question for you: What's your favorite "quick product creation" method? What  has worked for you? Comment below, or call in at (509) 713-2679  

EPISODE OUTLINE Announcements If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Plugs for audio shout-outs, either MP3 or call in at (509) 713-2679 Plugs for hosting accounts using this link. Free book promo for April; top 10 commentators Coming Web Class in setting up your platform Follow Ray on Twitter and friend Ray on Facebook This Week's Tip(s) Make your own apps with AppMakr and Appcelerator Spiritual Foundations God wants us blessed in order that we might be able to be a blessing. "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing." Genesis 12:2 Feature Story: 10 Steps To Turn Your Life Around In 30 Days Or Less Some basic foundations of self improvement and a couple of self improvement book recommendations. Write your own eulogy. Write down your goals (short, mid, and long-term). Do what you say you'll do Drink a gallon of water every day Exercise every day Eat only clean food Feed your mind Feed your spirit Guard your heart Live on testimony   LISTENER QUESTIONS I answered questions from these listeners: Robert Plank – asked about making "scary topics" (such as selling via Webinars) appealing to regular folks. Marie McMichael – asked about legal disclaimers for your websites. Dana Beasley – had a comment to offer. Connie Ragen Green – asked about whether we still recommend using bullet points in sales copy. John Klein – wants to know how to track the source of links and leads from various sources for his music success workshop site. Christy Sales – slipped in a plug for her site.   EPISODE RESOURCES Links to resources I mentioned in the show: Michael Hyatt's free life-planning ebook Joseph Prince's books Unmerited Favor and Destined to Reign Stephen R. Covey's book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Pre-written legal disclaimers from AutoWeblaw Eugene Schwarz's Breakthrough Advertising at Amazon, or from Agora Publishing. Link tracking via Google's free services, or from Linktrackr. SUBSCRIPTION LINKS If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679 Question for you: Have you ever made a big life-change? What worked for you? Comment below, or call in at (509) 713-2679  

EPISODE OUTLINE Announcements If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Plugs for audio shout-outs, either MP3 or call in at (509) 713-2679 Plugs for hosting accounts using this link. Free book promo for April; top 10 commentators Coming Web Class in setting up your platform Follow Ray on Twitter and friend Ray on Facebook This Week's Tip(s) Downcast podcast receiver app. Spiritual Foundations The gift of trusting God is received in the practice of thanksgiving. "Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever; To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever;" Psalm 136 Feature Story: Set Up Your Online Empire In 7 Days Know your Money Keywords Decide your Strategic Positioning Get a domain Get hosting Set up WordPress Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, G+, Pinterest, LinkedIn Content Creation Traffic: social media, content publishing, links, guest posts The "secret" strategy Platform EPISODE RESOURCES Links to resources I mentioned in the show: Downcast App for podcasts Wordtracker keyword research Market Samurai keyword research SUBSCRIPTION LINKS If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679 Question for you: Have you written a book – and if so, how long did it take you? Comment below, or call in at (509) 713-2679  

EPISODE OUTLINE Announcements Plugs for hosting accounts using this link. Plugs for audio shout-outs, either MP3 or call in at (509) 713-2679 Free book promo for April; top 10 commentators Coming Web Class in setting up your platform Follow Ray on Twitter and friend Ray on Facebook This Week's Tip(s) Laptop Battery Time Management Trick from Stu McLaren Product Plug Of The Week Great tool for making 3D boxes, books, and manuals: BoxShotKing Spiritual Foundations We should expect good things to come our way – and it's Scriptural to believe so! "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9 Feature Story: How To Write A Book In 7 Days  If you really know your topic well, you could probably complete your first draft in a week. Here's a simple plan for doing just that: "Prep Day" – Day ZERO: Come up with your title. Something like "The Insider's Secrets of Raising Chinchillas" (or whatever your topic is). Then write an outline of what you want to say about your topic: 7 main subjects (chapters) with 3 points about each chapter. Sample: "The Insider's Secrets of Raising Chinchillas" Chapter 1: Why Raising Chinchillas Is A Great Business 1.    The facts about the Chinchilla business 2.    What other Chinchilla ranchers have to say about it 3.    My personal Chinchilla story …and so on, for 7 "Chapters". Then, you keep going… Day 1: Record yourself just talking through your outline of Chapters 1 & 2. Day 2: Record yourself just talking through Chapters 3 & 4. Day 3: Record yourself just talking through Chapters 5&6. Day 4: Record yourself just talking through Chapter 7 … and a short talk on "About this book" that will serve as the book's "Introduction" (It's best to do this after you have finished dictation of the whole book. You'll have a better idea what to say.) Day 5: Send off your audios for transcription. Use someone who will "clean up" all your stumbles and false starts, etc. Day 6: Do nothing. Day 7: Receive your transcriptions back. You now have a first draft of your book. Now get busy and write that book, willya? LISTENER QUESTIONS I answered  question from listener Ted from California on how to get started.   EPISODE RESOURCES Links to resources I mentioned in the show: Dragon Dictate software Success Transcripts Writing Riches book SUBSCRIPTION LINKS If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679 Question for you: Have you written a book – and if so, how long did it take you? Comment below, or call in at (509) 713-2679  

The Ray Edwards Show is a weekly podcast dedicated to Internet Business, Leadership, and Productivity. My goal is to help you succeed with your online business, and this show is for you, whether you're a seasoned veteran who's been online for years — or you haven't even made your first dollar online! We can all reach for higher levels of success in business and in life! My intention is to publish a new podcast each week on Tuesdays, along with an outline (or "show notes" like these.) While you will be able to listen or download episodes here on my blog, it will be much easier for you to subscribe in iTunes. EPISODE OUTLINE Announcements Affiliate Relationships Website reviews Plugs for hosting accounts using this link. Plugs for audio shout-outs, either MP3 or call in at (509) 713-2679 Free book promo for March; top 10 commentators Coming Web Class in setting up your platform Follow Ray on Twitter and friend Ray on Facebook This Week's Tip(s) From coaching member Kirt Christensen: use Google Apps for Business and Insightly to replace more expensive email, apps, CRM, and project management, Backups Product Plug Of The Week We're using a WordPress Opt-In Plugin called Opt-In Skin, developed by Pat Flynn and Glen Allsop. Spiritual Foundations Facing tough times? One reason God performs miraculous works is so that we will remember them. These remembrances, or testimonies, are to be food for us! That food – nourishment – reminds us and feeds our faith so we can believe that He always remembers His promises to us. "He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant." Psalm 111:4 Feature Story: 5 Ways To Get More Clients Or Customers – NOW Start a blog. Build an e-mail list. Develop an information product. Make More Offers Mail often. Bonus idea… pick up the phone! LISTENER QUESTIONS I also answered these questions from my listeners. "Where should you put testimonials on a sales page?" Douglas Hammett "What can you do to increase opt-ins to your email list – other than testing a different opt-in offer?" Dr Kevin "Where can you get website help.?" Eleanor Lynar EPISODE RESOURCES Links to resources I mentioned in the show: Bluehost website hosting. Google Apps for Business Insight.ly Writing Riches membership site My coaching program. Opt-In Skin WordPress Plugin Aweber email marketing and list-building service AutoResponsePlus email marketing and list-building service SUBSCRIPTION LINKS If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679 Question for you: What tips do you have for getting more clients or customers? Comment below, or call in at (509) 713-2679  

The Ray Edwards Show is a weekly podcast dedicated to Internet Business and Leadership, and Productivity. My goal is to help you succeed with your online business, and this show is for you, whether you're a seasoned veteran who's been online for years — or you haven't even made your first dollar online! We can all reach for higher levels of success in business and in life! Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 This is a relaunch of my more "occasional" podcast. I owe my inspiration to get it going again to Michael Hyatt and especially to Cliff Ravenscraft. For a long time I have been thinking about re-starting this podcast but wanted to wait to launch it until I got it "perfect." Here's what I've learned: Perfectionism is the enemy of accomplishment. Ray Edwards My plan for the podcast is to focus on these core topics: Internet Business: starting, growing, and profiting from your own Internet Business. Marketing: practical steps for selling more of your products, services, and ideas. Leadership: the keys to leading yourself and others in a transformational way. Productivity: tips, tools, and tactics to help you get more done in less time. Writing: how to write for strategic influence. Spiritual Foundations: keeping first things first. Miscellany: freedom to talk about anything else I want. My intention is to publish a new podcast each week on Tuesdays, along with an outline (or "show notes" like these.) While you will be able to listen or download episodes here on my blog, it will be much easier for you to subscribe in iTunes. EPISODE OUTLINE I share the "State of Ray Edwards International, Inc" – and why it matters to you. Current reality: There are some significant changes now that we are operating in the "new economy". What's different about the "new economy"? A few key points for freelancers and entrepreneurs – these must be understood and internalized: The bubble has burst. Easy credit is gone. Houses of cards in the banking industry have come tumbling down. People have lost their jobs, their houses, their credit cards. The spending habits and market behaviors of almost all people have irrevocably changed, altered forever by the economic shift that took place recently. And if you're waiting for things to get "back to normal", this is your wake-up call… it's never going back. This is the new normal. Get used to it. Adapt. Competition is at an all time high. And thanks to Google it is easier than ever before to find all your competitors in a few seconds. Nobody needs anything. In the Western World, even though we have experienced an economic shake up, we still have everything we need already. Yes, I know some people are in need and I am not ignoring them nor minimizing their needs – but I am also acknowledging that for most people, their needs are over-supplied. Do you have a roof over your head, clean water, and at least one meal per day? Then you are better off than most of the people in the world. To see how good you have it, check out how wealthy you rank in the world by clicking here. What does all this mean? It's time to review and evaluate how you do everything you do within your business or practice. Does it measure up? Is it effective? Does it produce profit? Is it the best possible use of your time? That's what I'm doing here – reviewing my current systems and findings. Hopefully it's helpful. I offer the following with this caveat: I'm still workin' on it, and I don't always follow the system perfectly. But each time I fall "off the wagon", I get up, dust off my britches, and climb back on. So far it's worked pretty well. A "day in the life of Ray" is a busy one. Here are current projects I'm working on: 1. Private Client Copy Project. This was a big project, comprising 3 full video salesletters rewrites. This project was a beast in terms of time invested, but it was fun. And it paid well. 2. Private Consulting Client. This relationship translates to regular phone meetings, a small in-house launch every quarter or so, and reams of copy generated for upsells, ridealongs, retention, phone scripts, etc. This is a retainer + revenue deal, just like all my deals these days. 3. New Partnership. More info coming soon. 5. Writing Riches Member Site. This is a "coaching club" I run for those who cannot necessarily afford to hire me but who want to learn from my work, get me input, and receive training from me each month. 6. Book. My new book on copywriting, Writing Riches, is a #1 Best-Seller on Amazon.com. It's the best deal I offer on training and is available as a softcover or on the Kindle. 7. Three books in progress. One is a business book (first draft completed),one is a book for Christ-followers on the importance and power of forgiveness (first draft about 75% complete) (this book is being folded into the next one), and one is a book about achieving true, lasting success, called Taking Back Tomorrow. 8. Two monthly newsletters. I write one for my clients, and one for paying subscribers. 9. Workshops. I am planning a small, exclusive workshop in my offices this Fall. It will be me and four guests… and you'll get my hands-on help with your project. Plus, my team will even build your site for you! This won't be cheap – the price is probably going to be around $5,000. If you're interested, please call my assistant Kathy at 509-624-2220 and let her know. Acceptance is not guaranteed, as this is not for everyone. 10. Copywriting Protege Program. My students write for clients who either (a) can't get on my schedule soon enough or (b) can't afford my fees. My team writes your copy, I critique the drafts for re-writes, and then I approve the final work that is delivered to you. This means we can deliver affordable copy that still receives my "touch". (To inquire about a project, please submit your request here: https://rayedwards.com/contact ) 11. Coaching Program. This is a time vortex for me, but it is profitable and rewarding. Still "testing" the best format and pricing. 12. Info Products. Retooling, simplifying, and systemizing. 13. Podcast. Already covered this earlier. HOW TO START AN INTERNET BUSINESS FROM SCRATCH IN 10 STEPS I also discuss how anyone can start their own Internet Business and sell their own ideas and expertise, if they follow these 10 steps: Research your market. Buy your domain name. Get hosting for your website. Build a site with WordPress + a Premium Theme. Create a Social Media "Wheel" Build your list. Drive traffic to your site. Build a community. Create solutions. Monetize. LISTENER QUESTIONS I also answered these questions from my listeners. "It would be great to have tips on how to choose a business that doesn't require so much follow up tasks like emailing your list regularly, etc. How to set up systems you can leave running and check in once in a while." Daniel Axelrod "Want to start a health/wellness coaching business. Being able to gain clients around the world, have intergrated web-site and using media to change the health status of our country." Marsha Warren Hays "How to find someone to set up your site who will do a quality job for a reasonable price. I could never set up a WordPress blog and get it to look professional, so I went with something else. It's OK, but I think WordPress would be better. I'd really like someone to teach me how to set it up myself." Mila Clark EPISODE RESOURCES Links to resources I mentioned in the show: Michael Hyatt's website. Cliff Ravenscraft's website. Bluehost website hosting. Writing Riches book on Amazon. Writing Riches membership site My coaching program. Market Samurai keyword research tool (FREE trial) Wordtracker keyword research tool Aweber email marketing and list-building service AutoResponsePlus email marketing and list-building service EmailDelivered – make sure your emails get through! SUBSCRIPTION LINKS If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679 Question for you: What insights do you have about Internet business building tactics? Comment Below or call in at (509) 713-2679