The Personal Branding Podcast - Brands On Brands

In his interview with Brandon earlier this week (episode #050), sales expert Oren Klaff laid out why every entrepreneur and salesman needs their own “Winter is Coming”—Game of Thrones fans may know what he’s talking about. Essentially, you need to impress to your customer that a certain scenario or problem is inevitable, and that your product or service is the solution they need for when the time comes. But on that note, what solution do you have yourself when the winds of work change? In this episode, Brandon takes an honest look at the shifting nature of modern work, discusses his old fears of irrelevancy, and explains how pursuing his own brand has afforded him a degree of independence. The Finer Details of This Episode: Why big corporations might not be as well-prepared to deal with sudden changes and paradigm shifts as you might think. How the Internet and modern technology is changing the rules regarding standardization, specialization, and how rare or common your skillset is. The “journey of small steps” Brandon took to become less dependent on the corporate world and more viable as an entity on his own. If you have your own worries about adapting to the changing tides of business, or if you’ve actually successfully dealt with that turbulence, let Brandon know at brandon@brandonbrands.com! Quotes: “I needed to find a way to put myself out there in a way where I am no longer a resume—I am now a brand.” “Think about how to start building your own personal brands before you have that decision made for you.” Links: Visit Brandon’s website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Live Facebook FAQ every Wednesday @ 1PM PST https://www.brandgrowthlive.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Oren Klaff is an investment banking advisor and investor based in Beverly Hills. Oren advocates for “selling without selling”—that is to say, successfully pitching a customer on a product or service without them feeling like they’re being sold to. He is also the author of Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading and Winning the Deal and Flip the Script: Getting People to Think Your Idea is Their Idea (now on retail and digital shelves). In this episode, Oren explains how he can pull off a real life Inception, helps you figure out the pressing concern that motivates you, and discusses the three “layers” of a compelling personality. The Finer Details of This Episode: Oren explains what his book Flip the Script is about and what this show’s listeners can get out of it. How do you influence customers in an era where no one really wants to be sold to anymore? Oren breaks down the key piece of advice at the heart of Pitch Anything. Oren’s method for planting the seed of an idea What are “pre-wired ideas” and how do they work? Why every industry and line of business needs its own “Winter is coming” to innovate and survive. Oren discusses the different layers of your persona that make you compelling. Quotes: “Salespeople don’t know how to sell because today buyers don’t want to be sold.” “People want what they can’t have, they chase that which moves away from them, and they only value that which they pay for.” “The closer you get to something that’s new, novel, unusual, or never tried before, the more anxiety it creates.” “Your value system that cannot be altered by a sales meeting is what makes you compelling.” “Business, to me, is about relationships.” Guest Links: Oren’s homepage - https://orenklaff.com/ Pitch Anything - https://pitchanything.com/ Visit Brandon’s website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Once you have the topical and technical aspects of your podcast taken care of, how do you get the word out? How do you make both your show and yourself known quantities? If you want people to listen to your show, it absolutely helps for people to know who you are and what you can speak confidently about. Thankfully networking, Apple Podcasts categorization and simply being a guest can go a long way to making your personal podcast brand stick out. In this episode, Brandon considers a few ultimate podcast formats that may draw in different kinds of listeners, asks for your help in defining this podcast’s community, and explains how you can be an engaging and sought-out podcast guest. The Finer Details of This Episode: Brandon’s exciting announcement about Brands on Brands on Brands’ latest ranking—and the best thing you can do to support the show. Taking a closer look at how Apple Podcasts categories have changed and what that means for this show and your own. Email Brandon at brandon@brandonbrands.com if you have any ideas for what he should call the Brands on Brands on Brands community of listeners! How going on other people’s podcasts can help you become a “person of interest” others want to seek out. Figure out which topics you can speak authoritatively on and make that your hook as a guest. Some alternate episodes Brandon is considering to bring more value to you listeners. Quotes: “Continue to engage and I’ll continue to bring everything I can to help you guys move forward.” “It’s hard to be found if you’re not actually putting yourself out there to new places to be discovered.” “You have to actually put yourself where the opportunity happens.” Links: Brand Growth Live - http://www.brandonbrands.com/live/ Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Live Facebook FAQ every Wednesday @ 1PM PST https://www.facebook.com/brandonbrandsinc Visit Brandon’s website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Brandon’s at a podcast conference this week—Podcast Movement in Orlando—to exchange tips with other podcasters, network with them and arrange interviews. It’s in these moments that he’s especially grateful for the value podcasting has brought to his life. Even if it’s just a side-hustle, podcasting can give you something outside of your usual job and help get you out of any rut you may be in. Moreover, helming your own podcast is a reliable way of making solid connections and expanding your own knowledge base, as well as that of your listeners. In this episode, Brandon explains why it’s better to start with a subject you DON’T know rather than one you know inside out and reveals how a single podcast interview can provide even greater opportunities than a conference meet-and-greet. The Finer Details of This Episode: Brandon breaks down what percentage of people listens to podcasts—and what that means for your own show. Start small, and instead of going with a subject you know top to bottom, go with a topic that you’re generally curious about and wish to learn more of. The trick to getting the first few guests onto your podcast. Let Brandon know if you start up your own podcast and how it’s going for you by sending a message to brandon@brandonbrands.com! Quotes: “Suddenly your network is working for you in a way that it never did in real life.” “You getting on other people’s podcasts means that you now have credibility as the person presenting the content.” Links: Visit Brandon’s website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Live Facebook Q&A every Wednesday @ 1PM PST https://www.brandgrowthlive.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Mondays are when Brandon brings on accomplished and inspiring guests, and to start this week off with a bang he’s invited entrepreneur and podcast host John Lee Dumas. His show, Entrepreneurs On Fire, airs every weekday and is one of the most highly rated entrepreneurial podcasts on the charts right now. In addition, he launched the Podcasters’ Paradise community to help other aspiring hosts get their own shows off the ground. In this episode, John explains his tips for making a mark in the podcasting world, reveals what he thinks is the weakest aspect of most podcasts, and discusses why being the best may not be as important as being the first. The Finer Details of This Episode: Looking at how John was able to construct his own kind of Internet empire and earn over $100,000 in a month! John discusses his scale-independent, solutions-based approach to developing his podcasting community. How John saw a void in the podcast market and used his show to take advantage of it. Why podcast hosts shouldn’t be afraid to disagree with the guests they have on. Quotes: “At the end of the day, you’ve got to find your own, special, unique niche.” “What can you be the best, the worst, the only at, from day one? That’s your thing.” “The world is a collision of ideas. The world is a collision of opportunity. The world is a collision of people.” Guest Links:Entrepreneurs On Fire - https://www.eofire.com/ Podcasters’ Paradise - https://podcastersparadise.com/   Visit Brandon’s website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Brandon found himself coming up short on ideas this week—ironic, considering his interview with Mike Allton about blogging and minisode about writing released just a few days ago. Thankfully, he made the most of this little mental drought by dedicating this week’s Freestyle Friday to sharing the process he uses to get out of a creative slump. In this episode, Brandon reveals his most tried and true methods for kindly showing writer’s block the exit and invites you to send in your own solutions for stalled creativity. The Finer Details of This Episode: Brandon walks us through the steps he used to get over his own bout of writer’s block this week and highlights which tactics helped him the most. How Brandon finds creative inspiration through both his successes and the obstacles he faces. Remembering that consistency is key to long-term success and just as important—if not more so—than putting out the highest quality content possible. Don’t wait for the last minute for your best ideas to percolate—take note of the little ideas that spring into your head every day. When in doubt, change up your setting. Email your own techniques for getting over writer’s block to brandon@brandonbrands.com (subject line: Ideas)! Quotes: “The simple solution to getting through [writer’s block] is talking about the struggle you’re having in the moment.” “If you’re committed to being someone who creates content, doing it consistently every week is the work.” “Look for little inspirations throughout your week, every week.” Links: Brand Growth Live - http://www.brandonbrands.com/live/ The Online Branding Checklist - http://www.brandonbrands.com/checklist/ Visit Brandon’s website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Whether your business is big, small, or very personal, good writing is an essential skill for success. It’s possible to develop smooth, confident spoken delivery through time and practice, but writing is the perfect method for organizing and fine-tuning your thoughts. In this episode, Brandon explains the benefits that writing blog posts have in creating long term credibility. In addition, Brandon is now hosting a live FAQ every Wednesday at 1PM PST on the Brand Growth Live Facebook page (https://www.brandonbrands.com/live)! The Finer Details of This Episode: The advantages writing has in developing your brand voice over other forms like podcasts, videos, etc. Getting over the mental obstacle of wanting your writing to be perfect on the first go. Writing is an opportunity to solve your customers’ problems—tutorials, FAQs and blog posts are easy ways to answer the questions on their minds. How you can use your writing, regardless of form, to generate valuable leads as well as catalyze content. Quotes: “Start finding your voice and perspective and putting it into practice through writing.” “You can have pieces of valuable information you can be handing out as people meet you.” Links: Visit Brandon’s website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.brandonbrands.com/apply Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Mike Allton is the founder of award-winning blog and agency The Social Media Hat and a brand evangelist for Agorapulse, a social media management tool that helps people organize their content across multiple platforms. Known as “the Blogging Brute”—also the name of his own blog—Mike is part of 360 Marketing Squad alongside former Brands On Brands On Brands Guests Stephanie Liu (episode #008) and Jenn Herman (episode #020), specifically focusing on content marketing. In this episode, Mike explains how to more effectively and efficiently produce content for your brand, reveals how you can use blogs to your advantage, and gives you tips for developing your own voice as a writer, even if it doesn’t come naturally to you. The Finer Details of This Episode: How the 360 Marketing Squad got together and what Mike in particular contributes to it. Mike explains why blogging is such a valuable asset to building your brand, as well as where his “Blogging Brute” moniker came from. His technique for getting people who are normally averse to writing to more easily express themselves through blog posts. What benefits do blog posts have over Twitter, Facebook and other social media posts? Should you consider a contributor model for your blog? The subjects Mike is most interested in blogging about these days. How Mike was able to optimize the amount of traffic coming to his site. Mike’s tips for cultivating and organizing blog post ideas and how you can make the most of your own knowledge base. Publishing more content earlier on so you can publish fewer but higher quality pieces in the long run. Quotes: “If we want to make money, that content has to drive people to a website, and once they’re on the website people need to read—they HAVE to read.” “I strongly recommend that you at least entertain the idea of allowing some contributors to participate in the creation of content on your site.” “Those one hundred articles that were getting approximately fifty views a month now get closer to about THREE HUNDRED views a day.” “You’ve got a lot of information in your head and that’s what I want you to pour out in your blog posts.” “There are no shortcuts to any aspect of marketing.” Guest Links:The Social Media Hat - https://www.thesocialmediahat.com/ Agorapulse - https://www.agorapulse.com/ Blogging Brute - https://bloggingbrute.com/ 360 Marketing Squad - https://360marketingsquad.com/ Mike on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/allton Visit Brandon’s website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

It’s the end of the week once more and for this edition of Freestyle Friday, Brandon is following up on his interview with Dorothy Illson this past Monday (check out episode 42) and focusing on Facebook: how to advertise on it, what kind of content works best for it, and why you shouldn’t miss out on this valuable platform. In this episode, Brandon discusses the impact each guest has on his show, reveals what he enjoys chatting about the most with his guests, and dives into some 2019 Facebook fun facts. The Finer Details of This Episode: Brandon explains how a single guest can provide a wealth of information and opportunities. A closer look at Brandon’s new Brand Growth Live show on Facebook and YouTube and what you can get out of it. If you’re interested in going on the show, submit your application at www.brandonbrands.com/liveguest 10 Need to Know Facebook Marketing Stats for 2019 Quotes: “You’re gonna have to find a way to drive people to see what you’re actually posting—otherwise, posting is a waste of time.” “Make sure that when you’re building something and you’re posting something that you’re making it optimized for someone on their phone.” “Take advantage of those things that help you perform a little bit better.” Links: 10 Need to Know Facebook Marketing Stats for 2019 - https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/10-need-to-know-facebook-marketing-stats-for-2019/547488/ Brand Growth Live - http://www.brandonbrands.com/live/ The Online Branding Checklist - http://www.brandonbrands.com/checklist/ Visit Brandon’s website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Join the Brand Growth Now Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Are you aiming to make yourself a million dollars in a year through your startup or small business? Then what you’re communicating to existing and potential customers is essential. Your brand’s message needs to do more than just list what your product or service is capable of—it has to demonstrate how it can change your customer’s life for the better. If you want to ensure that the message you’re putting out into the world resonates with your ideal audience and really moves the needle, you should absolutely listen to this episode. In this episode, Brandon explains what it means to craft a “transformative” message, urges you to zero in on the product you know is selling, and breaks down how to adjust your prices according to your customer base. As well, Brandon is now hosting a new Facebook Live Q&A show called Brand Growth Live every Wednesday at 1PM PST. (www.brandonbrands.com/Live) The Finer Details of This Episode: Why having a well-defined message is so key to your product or service’s success. Looking at your brand message as if you’re introducing yourself to someone for the first time. Why a brand message should express a transformation rather than just list features. Picking a “hero product” of the ones you have available to build your message around. When to work on building up a larger customer base vs. when to scale down your product’s price. The reason selling a book early on in your brand’s life likely won’t net you your million dollar year. Remembering that the effectiveness of your message comes down to how you say it, not necessarily what you’re saying. Quotes: “If you don’t know what to say, you’re gonna have trouble building a relationship.” “You have to be able to show them that you’re going from This to That.” “Do you have what it takes to be able to serve forty people at once every month?” “It might take you a hundred thousand people being aware of you to convert two thousand people to buy from you.” “Don’t expect the book to be your business.” “How do you stand out wherever you are? How do you do something different? How do you not look like the rest of the pack.” “That message needs to speak to the people who are buying now!” Links: Visit Brandon’s website at www.brandonbrands.com  Sign up for coaching at www.brandonbrands.com/apply  Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!