The Personal Branding Podcast - Brands On Brands

For the high six figure and seven figure businesses out there just getting started, $1K-$3K per month tends to be the advertising budget for anyone ready to grow their business with marketing. In the grand scheme of advertising resources, that’s not a lot, but with smart spending and the right expertise you’ll find that this limited budget can pay dividends. Thankfully, Brandon knows what to do to ensure you’re wasting neither your money nor your time. In this episode, Brandon discusses five key ways you can optimize your monthly advertising resources so you can get the most bang for your buck and reach as many potential customers as possible. As well, Brandon has opened his coaching program up, so you can work one-on-one with him through either a VIP Strategy Day or a six-week course by signing up at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply! The Finer Details of This Episode: Why creating a professional logo is so key to maintaining an edge in the early stages of your brand. If your website is already in place, have someone take a look at it to ensure it’s getting the traffic you desire and that it’s conveying the key information about your brand it needs to get across. Figure out what are the key pieces of content your website is providing to visitors. If you’re not a marketing expert, seek out a marketing consult who can review your strategy and determine if it’s reaching the audience you want to reach. Why Facebook ads are the cheapest yet most effective way to spread the word about your business. BONUS TIP: get someone to coach you on an optimized email strategy so you can manage your relationship with existing customers and bring in new ones.  Quotes: “Have someone design the voice and look of your business.” “Invest in that content first.” “Bring people in to talk about the priorities in your business.” “Investing in someone who knows what they’re talking about is way more important than just starting to execute tactically without any direction.” “When you’ve been guided by market strategy and your website’s humming too, suddenly you start to see a return.” Links: Visit Brandon’s website at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com Sign up for coaching at www.BrandsOnBrandsOnBrands.com/apply Join the Brand Growth Community on Facebook at www.brandonbrands.com/community And please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Jenn Herman is an author, speaker, blogger and “Instagram expert.” As one of the forefront bloggers on Instagram marketing, she helps her clients craft optimized social media strategies that get them noticed. She also uses her site Jenn’s Trends to examine how the web’s biggest brands make themselves household names. In this episode, Jenn discusses how she honed her Instagram game, explains what you can do to put your profile on the forefront of everybody’s discovery feed, and gives some pointers for how you can best spend money to boost your virtual footprint. The Finer Details of This Episode: How Jenn went from just casually browsing Instagram to mastering it. What exactly are Instagram “pods,” and how do they negatively impact the underlying algorithms? Breaking down how Instagram’s central content recommendation algorithm works. Jenn’s “quality over quantity” approach to accumulating Instagram followers. Why Instagram can be so valuable to an entrepreneur. How you can get your brand going on Instagram and why you should switch over to a business profile. The reason you need to attach a singular, identifiable job title to your Instagram profile. What is a user going to get out of engaging with your profile? The do’s and don’ts of attaching a name, face and logo to your profile. What it means to post “thumb-stopping” content. Why you’re better off putting your money into ads rather than a photoshoot. At what point should you consider outsourcing content creation? Why establishing a brand should always come before getting your sales numbers up. What Jenn has planned in the near future and what her ideal customer testimonial would be. Quotes: “I fell into this niche of being an Instagram expert because it was just something I loved and I genuinely put the time and effort into it.” “This is all organic, targeted growth versus just saying ‘Here’s a bunch of people that like me’.” “I’d rather have ten thousand followers and like a ten percent conversion rate versus a hundred thousand followers and like a half a percent conversion rate.” “For me Instagram, as a community-building tool, is unmatched.” “Most people that read your bio are only ever gonna read it the first time they come to your profile.” “People tend to connect with humans more than they connect with logos.” “Nobody can talk to your brand better than you.” “In the long run, the branding gets you more sales, but the branding is what gets you there.” Mentions: Instagram, TSA, The Love Bomb Co., The Royal Family, Sam Edelman, Samsung, E! News   Guest Links:Jenn’s Trends  - https://www.jennstrends.com/ Jenn on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jenns_trends/ Jenn on Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenns_trends Jenn’s Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/jennstrendsonline   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!

When Brandon was at the Thrive: Make Money Matter conference this past weekend, he heard some of the presenters speak on the subject of businesses that are neither for-profit nor nonprofit, rather “for-purpose,” managing both the financial growth of the former with the altruism in the latter. Traditional nonprofit organizations do very important work, but they’re ultimately limited by how many donations they receive. For-purpose businesses take the best of both worlds and create something even greater. In this episode, Brandon discusses the how and the why of a for-purpose business, relates his recent encounters with a couple of listeners, and explains how he’s using this show as a means to bring a little extra good into the world. The Finer Details of This Episode: What does it mean to build a “for-purpose” business? Brandon thanks those listeners who’ve left reviews and tracks Brands on Brands on Brands’ rise through the charts. Why you shouldn’t be ashamed of having low viewership so early in the game. Which two “mystery listeners” Brandon had the chance to chat about the show with. What you’re eligible for if you sign up for Brandon’s coaching before this Sunday (June 9). How you can use your business as a tool for good, and how Brandon specifically is giving back using his coaching. A couple of key pieces of advice that Brandon took back from Thrive.  Quotes: “If you build a business—an engine that can generate money—you can use that money for good.” “How are you gonna do something that touches people and is built around more than protecting your lifestyle and those few things that you want to accomplish in life?” “This is long term for me. I’m investing in this and this will be here long after I’m gone.” “What can you do to use your business as a tool to advocate for that cause that you already care deeply about.” “I know what I have to offer, I know that I can help people, and I hope you guys see that and appreciate that.” Links:   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 turned 40 this January, which has made him contemplate what his goals are and how he’s going to accomplish them moving into the next 10 to 20 years of his life. While he knows that, statistically, many people in their middle age and beyond are capable of achieving a lot—thanks to experience—he’s still concerned that his path has been too safe. To create real success, and on a faster timeline, it will be necessary to break from routine and take what Robert Frost called the road less traveled. In this episode, Brandon discusses the three “roads” available to you in the course of your professional career, outlines their upsides and downsides, and explains why the riskiest road might be the best choice for you. The Finer Details of This Episode: Thinking of life in terms of the road you travel to get from point A to point B. The first road: the “routine road,” where everything is well lit and maintained, there are pit stops, and everybody’s cheering you on along the way. However it’s a safe loop and you end up back where you started. The second road: the “hero hill,” from which you’re able to see where you can pull off to make improvements such as a promotion, new job, or big idea. But it’s still a slower path where you may have to wait in line for opportunities. Big things feel beyond your control. The third road: “Stormy Mountain Highway.” It’s unlit, windy, rainy, animals are running across the road. Overall, it doesn’t look safe, but many people have been down this road before you and have left signs, care packages and overall just a wealth of information to guide you along your way. Ultimately, none of these paths are free from mistakes and missed opportunities, but the riskier path can get you to where you want to be sooner. Keep moving, get yourself out of your comfort zone, and embrace change.  Quotes: “A lot of what I do and how fast I get there have to do with the roads I take.” “For a lot of us I think growth is inherent with our happiness.” “You weren’t the first person to ever take that stormy mountain highway.” “There’s so much growth that can happen when you are challenged.” “There’s gonna be mistakes on every road, and you’re gonna learn from those mistakes.” Links:   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!

Dr. Mark T. Wade is the CEO of Virtual Summits, the host of the top-rated Virtual Summits podcast, and now helps entrepreneurs interface remotely yet directly with their customers. As well, his Hustle & Scale coaching service works with online business owners to turn their side-gigs into six and even seven figure ventures. In this episode, Mark makes a case for why you should give virtual summits a go, relates some of the obstacles he’s come up against running his own, and explains why direct customer interaction is so essential for branding. The Finer Details of This Episode: How Mark went about starting his own summits and making use of list-building. Why the summit approach worked better for him than email lead magnets. The reason you should focus on directly engaging with your customers, and why summits play such a big role in that. What compelled Mark to expand from his successful private posture practice. How Mark’s curiosity has led him to experiment and expand over the years. What entrepreneurs need to understand about summits and make the most of these events, and why summits are so important to entrepreneurs. The challenges Mark has had to grapple with when running summits and how he’s managed to forge relationships with his customers through thick and thin. Why he values branding so much over selling. Mark explains his “fire starter” approach to influence.  Quotes: “Generating an engaged audience that you could have a conversation with and build a relationship was fundamental to any business.” “Summits are the engine to conversation, collaboration and empowerment.” “We all have a message that needs to get out to the world. A summit is a way to start that conversation.” “The elephant in the room, really, is attention span. That’s what we’re all competing against.” “We're literally changing people's lives by giving them access to people with the answers to their problems.” “Magnetize, monetize, maximize and multiply.” Mentions: Apple, Dodge, Harley-Davidson, Scubapro, Amazon,   Guest Links: Hustle & Scale - https://hustleandscale.com/ Virtual Summits Software - https://virtualsummits.com/ Virtual Summits Podcast - https://podcast.virtualsummits.com/ Hustle and Scale Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hustleandscale/   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!

Talking points are required for any business conversation. These points make a case for what you’re selling as quickly and clearly as possible. If you use these talking points correctly, and with the right strategy, you can develop the relationship you’ve already built with your community even further. In this episode, Brandon relates the moment he realized he couldn’t simply ad lib the big choices and explains how you can steer the conversation through phone and email. The Finer Details of This Episode: Brandon celebrates as Brands on Brands on Brands continues to rise in the charts and gives a shout out to everybody who’s reviewed the show! The anecdote from Brandon’s own past that emphasizes why you should have a plan in place for important life decisions. To understand what you want out of these important business conversations, you need to understand who your customers are and what they desire. Always make sure that you sound relatable and direct—individually tailoring emails is a good start! How to check in with your clients without coming off too sales-y.  Quotes: “We don’t think enough about how we talk to people that are involved and engaged in our business.” “In any conversation, your first step is figuring out what you need to know about the listener to determine the goal of the conversation.” “You should have your intentions figured out so that you know what you’re trying to accomplish and it comes off clear in the call.” Links:   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!

If you hope to develop your skills and eventually make a name for yourself, you’re going to have to do more than the bare minimum training that your job provides you. That means getting involved when and where the average employee isn’t expected to get involved, reaching out to like-minded professionals, and coming up with content that you can pitch to an enthusiastic audience. You are your own most precious resource, and you should invest in yourself like you would any other important asset. In this episode, Brandon explains why conferences are key for getting yourself out there, reveals just how helpful writing regularly can be, and helps you get over your apprehension toward networking. The Finer Details of This Episode: How Brandon worked his way up the corporate ladder and what he realized he missed out on. Make a point of attending industry events that usually only managers and owners take part in—aim for 1 per quarter. After you’ve attended a few of these conferences, think of ways you can add value to them, either by pitching yourself as a speaker or inviting other speakers back to your company. Really take an interest in your industry’s news and literature. Read past headlines and check out the works of writers and speakers you find fascinating. Self-help: you might think it’s corny, but it can help you bring out your best strengths and mitigate your weaknesses. You might be averse to networking, but consider it an opportunity to help others rather than just have it create opportunities for yourself. Making writing a daily habit will help you develop your voice and identify your passions—this will build your online profile in the process. Quotes: “There’s a lot that’s happening out there in your industry that you aren’t connected to.” “There’s nothing better than finding things you’re passionate about and investing time in it.” “Once you contribute and invest in your own personal development, suddenly your job and your life becomes way more satisfying because you’re growing.” “You’re not trying to meet people to get something out of them, you’re trying to meet people to develop relationships.” “Don’t underestimate the power of having your own voice.” “Don’t rely on a company to teach you everything you know to take that next level.”   Links: 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!

Marshal Gillen, aka Marshal LIVE, is an inspirational speaker, lifestyle entrepreneur and author based out of San Diego. Marshal shares how he turned his mess into his message and now inspires others to turn what they previously thought were unreachable goals into achievable realities. In this episode, Marshal reveals how his emotionally troubled upbringing shaped him, discusses the chance encounter that set him on the path to motivational speaking, how he built his personal brand, and explains why he believes selling is “dead.” The Finer Details of This Episode: The rocky but ultimately life-affirming path Marshal took to find his passion for motivational speaking. How Marshal turned his formerly annoying energy into a talent he was grateful for. Why he’s able to so effectively get to the core of what motivates his clients. Marshal’s honest, non-sugarcoated approach to coaching clients and even himself. Finding your “drill” rather than simply relying on a “screwdriver.” How Marshal “hacked the system” to create his own personal brand. How Marshal treats his social media platforms as digital storefronts, and why you need to be available in audio, video and written word. Figuring out what message you want to put out into the world. What Marshal did to jumpstart his speaking career, and how he’s currently trying to redesign his life. Quotes: “The only thing stopping me from having legitimately anything and everything that I want in life, is me.” “Success is not final and failure is not fatal.” “The reason I keep winning is because I'm not afraid to immediately ask for feedback and then take action.” “What is your mission in life, and how can you go out and be evangelical about that mission because you don't anyone else to feel that pain that you used to feel?” “The brand pre-sells your service or product.” “I really want to help people tap into an energy and an understanding of themselves that they didn't even know is possible.” Mentions: Colgate, Apple, Nike, Bird, Charmin, Alkaline 88, Progressive   Guest Links:Store Front - https://www.marshalgillen.com/home18390043 Marshal TV - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxGt7ASK6sbsRTUbQhm1JEw Brandon's Links: 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!

For this Freestyle Friday, Brandon shares his own professional journey, reveals what he's passionate about, and lays out what he hopes his work can find a resolution for. Brandon discusses future guest, Mike Kim from the Brand You podcast and runs through an exercise he learned from Mike's content, answering these questions: What pisses you off? What breaks your heart? What’s the big problem you’re trying to solve? The Finer Details of This Episode: Please leave a review on iTunes! You’ll help give this show a boost and get the word out to people who need it. Plus Brandon will give you a shoutout on Freestyle Friday! Brandon explores which aspects of his career have been frustrating, what he cares about, and how that drives him. Debunking the notion that “anyone” can be a marketer—anyone can become one, but it is a difficult process. Why Brandon feels specialization is hurting us in the long run. The reason we need to make it easier for people to tell their stories. Give this process a shot and let Brandon know how things are working for you by joining the Facebook group. Quotes: “It pisses me off that you can work that hard in an industry and still become irrelevant simply because of your age.” “I think it’s heartbreaking that you might be stuck doing something without any sense of how to invest in yourself and your personal growth.” “If yesterday you didn’t do it, now is the time to start thinking about how to connect better with your passions.” Links:Brand You Podcast - https://mikekim.com/brandyoupodcast/ 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!

Some of the hottest marketing trends and useful tools to reach your customers authentically are livestreaming and pre-programmed messenger bots to breathe life into your marketing and make it accessible to any curious customer, even if you’re technically not there to answer their questions. So listen, take notes, and get on top of these things now so you aren’t playing catch up in a few years. In this episode, Brandon explains how you can do more with less using a single live video, lays out how you can tag your way to success, and has some tips for how you can spice up boring old emails. The Finer Details of This Episode: Live videos and bots allow us to interact directly with our customers and get instantaneous feedback. Why a simple Facebook live video, for example, can provide a wealth of engaging content from podcast audio to images to blog posts. More and consistent content gets the attention of not only your users/readers but the algorithms that push your brand to the top of search results. Chat/messenger bots on your site can instantly provide curious users with needed information and make them feel welcome even if you technically aren’t available. Smaller brands can excel at adopting these techniques—when they have the time—because they can pivot much more quickly than larger brands. Using live video to create appointment viewing. Instead of sending the same promotional email out to your entire base of followers, try to tailor different versions to specific demographics within that community. More tags and more keywords = more often your bots can provide specific answers to inquiries.   Quotes: “Put out live content and use that to feed the machine of your media platforms.” “You are using your communication as a way to better connect with customers and as a way to solve problems.” “If you can focus on building community and listening to community, you are at such an advantage.” “You need to figure out how this stuff’s used and play with it while you still have the permission to make mistakes.” Links: 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!