Building your LeaderBrand - Personal Branding, Social Media Marketing, Sales, Leadership & Expert Business for the Modern Entrepreneur

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Anita Henderson, known as "The Author's Midwife," who coaches entrepreneurs and C-suite executives to write, publish, and leverage books as powerful marketing tools.As business owners, we often hear about writing a book but struggle with actually completing one. Whether it's feeling overwhelmed by the process or battling imposter syndrome, many of us keep our book ideas tucked away for years. Anita shared how her clients typically spend 9-12 months crafting their books—far from the "write a book in a weekend" myth—and how a well-crafted book can generate leads and opportunities for years to come.What I found most valuable was Anita's approach to entrepreneurship through her own book, "Becoming the Minimalist Entrepreneur." Her philosophy of clarifying, simplifying, and focusing your business resonated deeply with my observations from hundreds of podcast interviews—true success rarely comes from complexity.🔑 Key Takeaways:1 - Clarify, simplify, and focus your business approach. We often complicate our businesses unnecessarily. Instead of trying to do everything, get crystal clear on what you do, who you serve, and how you serve them. When you do something twice, it's part of a process—document it and refine it.2 - Learn to work inside your comfort zone first. Rather than constantly pushing beyond your comfort zone, perfect your processes and systems within it. Create consistency in how you deliver your services before expanding outward. This creates a solid foundation for sustainable growth.3 - Make yourself strategically unavailable. Block time away from client calls to think, create, and recharge. Anita blocks one day each week, one week each month, and the last two months of each year—creating both mental space and increased demand for her services.If you're considering writing a book to enhance your leadership brand, remember that nobody else has your unique stories and perspective. Your experiences and insights matter, and the right book can open doors for years to come.About AnitaEntrepreneurship wasn’t Anita’s goals list early in her career. She wanted the professional title, the corner office with the window, the assistant right outside her door, the fat paycheck, the expense account, and all the other benefits of corporate success. She got all that, then got burned out. When an unexpected opportunity landed in her lap, she jumped at it. Entrepreneurship called out to her loud and clear. That was more than twenty-five years ago. Since then, she has started two companies (one a partnership), written nine books, and dipped her toe back into corporate a few times before finally retiring from the 9-to-5 more than a decade ago. Anita has also hosted a radio show, an internet TV program, and a podcast. Known as The Author’s Midwife, she now enjoys guiding C-suite execs and seasoned entrepreneurs to write, publish, and leverage their books to position themselves as authorities. As an author coach and book publishing strategist, she shares the secrets to writing and publishing a bestselling and award-worthy book through her Write Your Life Author Coaching Program. She is the author of Becoming the Minimalist Entrepreneur: Lessons Learned From My Journey to Work Less, Earn More, and Play More. Her greatest joy as a business owner is learning from her mistakes and failures. There have been many, which means she’s learned a lot. But the growth and rewards have been instrumental in making her the leader and the minimalist entrepreneur she is today.Anita's Website : https://writeyourlife.net/Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

As leaders and creators in today's digital landscape, we're all facing the same challenging question: How do we stand out when AI can create endless streams of content? In this episode, I speak with marketing legend Mark Schaefer about his groundbreaking new book "Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World."If you've ever felt the pressure to be visible online but worried about "adding to the noise," this conversation is essential listening. Mark reveals why being merely competent isn't enough anymore and shares a practical framework for becoming the signal that rises above the noise.Mark brings 40+ years of marketing wisdom to this discussion, having written 11 books including the one that transformed my own business journey. We explore how personal branding serves as career insurance in an AI world and why making genuine human connections will be your ultimate competitive advantage.🔑 Key TakeawaysCompetency doesn't create conversations - In an AI world where perfect intelligence is becoming abundant and nearly free, being merely competent puts you at risk. To thrive, you must find ways to ignite uniquely human "fireworks" that create emotional connections your audience wants to talk about.Break the "pandemic of dull" - Every industry has institutionalized boringness through fear, tradition, or perceived risk. Identify where you can thoughtfully break taboos or challenge norms "for good reason" to create content that matters. Remember: audacity doesn't have to be loud or expensive - it just has to make a difference.Build a fear-free environment - Whether leading a team or running your own business, systematically dismantle the fear that prevents bold ideas. Start with small experiments that build credibility, then leverage those wins to create more audacious work. Today's digital tools make testing bold ideas cheaper and less risky than ever before.I'm recommending Mark's book "Audacious" as essential reading for anyone building a personal brand or expert business. It's filled with examples from creative geniuses who've found ways to rise above the noise while staying true to their authentic selves.Remember: "The most human company wins." In every touchpoint with your audience, look for opportunities to show your face, heart, smile, passion, and compassion.🚀 Three Action Steps from MarkInvest in your personal brand - Working on your personal brand is like investing in an insurance policy for your career. It's your only sustainable competitive advantage. When you're known and your competitors aren't, more doors open, more calls get returned, and more opportunities come your way.Remember: "The most human company wins" - In every customer touchpoint, look for ways to make it more human. Show your face, heart, smile, passion, and compassion in every interaction - from text messages to complaints, from sales meetings to your website. This is especially crucial in the age of AI.Explore "Audacious" - As Mark shared, this book provides a framework to help you transcend the noise. It collects wisdom from some of the world's greatest creative minds on how humans can thrive in an AI marketing world. The book even features an interactive QR code cover that changes each time you scan it!Find Mark at BusinessesGrow.com where you can explore his blog, podcast, and his new book ----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

Many of us know we should be more active on LinkedIn, but the thought of putting ourselves out there can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I talk with LinkedIn strategist Nicole Osborne about creating content that connects with potential clients rather than just collecting likes from peers.Nicole shares her framework for creating balanced content and explains why visibility doesn't have to mean perfection. We explore how to shift from random posting to strategic content that helps potential clients get to know, like, and trust you – even if they never engage with your posts.🎯 Key Takeaways:Review your last 10 posts and make engagement easier by asking simple questions that don't require vulnerability from your audience. Instead of "What's your biggest challenge?" try "Which of these tips resonates most?"Focus your content on potential clients rather than impressing peers. Your posts should speak to the person who was on your last sales call or is considering working with you, not other experts in your field.Share genuine glimpses behind the scenes of your work. The processes and meetings you take for granted can help prospects understand what it's like to work with you and build trust before they reach out.✨ Three Actions You Can Take Today:Audit your last 10 posts – How easy did you make it for people to engage? Look for ways to simplify your questions and reduce friction in the engagement process.Review who your content is really for – Are you writing for peers or potential clients? Check if your posts speak to the actual challenges and aspirations of your target audience rather than showcasing expertise to colleagues.Add more behind-the-scenes content – Share authentic glimpses of your work processes, team meetings, or business activities that help people understand what it's like to work with you.Links:Nicole's free content inspiration guide: wunderstars.com/content-inspiration----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

In this episode, I dive deep into a refreshing conversation about productivity with Grace Marshall, a Productivity Ninja, speaker, and author of multiple books including "Struggle: The Surprising Truth, Beauty, and Opportunity Hidden in Life's Shittier Moments."If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your to-do list or questioned whether you're being "productive enough," this episode will change how you think about productivity. Grace shares her journey from being naturally disorganised to becoming an award-winning speaker and productivity expert, showing that our perceived weaknesses can become our greatest strengths.🎯 Key Takeaways:Productivity isn't just about getting things done - it's about making space for what matters. Sometimes the work that feels like struggle (the thinking, the wrestling, the figuring things out) is actually your most important work.Success looks different in different seasons. What worked for you a year ago might not be what you need today. Give yourself permission to redefine what productivity means for your current phase.Fear can masquerade as productivity - whether through perfectionism, overworking, or staying "busy" with safe tasks to avoid the challenging ones. Learning to recognize these patterns helps you make better choices.🔨 Actionable Steps:1 - Apply the "Three Shifts Model" when facing challenges:Recognise the shift (acknowledge what's happening)What is this shift? (approach with curiosity)Holy shift (look for the revelation or learning)2 - When feeling irritated, remember that "irritants are catalysts" - they often lead to innovation and growth if we lean into them rather than avoid them.3 - Review your current productivity patterns to identify if "high-functioning fear" is driving your actions through fight (overworking), flight (strategic avoidance), freeze (productive procrastination), or fawn (excessive people-pleasing) responses.Connect with Grace at gracemarshall.com where you can grab sample chapters of her books and sign up for her newsletter for regular doses of work-life encouragement.----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

If you've been creating video content without seeing results, or hesitating to start because you're unsure where to begin, this episode is for you. I talk with Ben Amos, author of "Engage: The Definitive Guide to Video Strategy for Business" about transforming your approach to video marketing from aimless content creation to strategic growth driver.Video is no longer optional for business growth - it's the most powerful way to build trust and connect with audiences worldwide. But creating random videos without a framework is like cooking without a recipe. Ben breaks down his proven 7-element strategy that turns video from a confusing expense into a reliable business asset.🎯 Key Takeaways:Start with OpusClip: Record yourself naturally sharing expertise, then use OpusClip's AI to find compelling segments and add captions. This gives you multiple pieces of content from one recording session.Implement tiered distribution: Structure your content strategy like a pyramid - primary platform (e.g. YouTube) at top, secondary platforms with minimal edits, lead-in teasers driving to main content, and supporting non-video channels amplifying reach.Focus on serving one person: Stop worrying about others in your space. If you can help someone right in front of you, create content for them. Your unique perspective matters.📚 Resources Mentioned:Engage: The Definitive Guide to Video Strategy for Business (Available on Amazon)Free chapter: engagevideomarketing.com/freechapterOpusClip for video repurposingConnect with Ben:LinkedIn: Ben AmosInstagram: @engage_benWebsite: engagevideomarketing.com----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

If you're running a business but struggling to turn your expertise into profit, this episode is for you. Dr. Brenda Hector shares how systematic, proven approaches can transform your business results - even if you think your industry or situation is "different."In this conversation with ActionCOACH franchisee Dr. Brenda Hector, we explore the power of following tested business systems rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. She breaks down why many business owners remain stuck despite having great skills in their field.Three key takeaways:🔄 Find and follow proven systems - Successful businesses aren't built on constant innovation, but on implementing what's already known to work. Look for established frameworks and processes instead of starting from scratch.👥 Get accountability - Just like having a gym buddy makes you more likely to work out, having someone to answer to dramatically increases your chances of following through on business improvements. Consider finding a coach, mentor or accountability group.🎯 Set clear goals - Without a specific destination in mind, you'll struggle to say no to distractions and measure progress. Take time to define exactly what success looks like for your business this year.Want to assess where your business stands? Take Dr. Hector's business assessment at [link in show notes] to identify your key areas for improvement.About BrendaDr. Brenda Hector helps business owners turn expertise into profit as an ActionCOACH franchisee based in Aberdeen, Scotland. With over six years of experience transforming businesses across industries, she specializes in implementing proven systems for sustainable growth. She hosts the Scale Her Up podcast, championing women in business, and guarantees her clients increased profits through ActionCOACH's tested methodology.https://brendahector.actioncoach.co.uk/----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

In this episode, I sat down with Al Tepper, founder of Tepfu Marketing and the Lazy Marketing Academy. We explored the fundamentals of sustainable marketing success and why many businesses struggle to see results from their marketing efforts.Al brings over 25 years of experience helping six and seven-figure businesses develop effective marketing strategies. He shared invaluable insights on why businesses need to focus on stability before scaling, the importance of productisation, and why genuine relationships trump quick marketing wins.🎯 Key Takeaways:1. Marketing starts with product stability - Without a clearly defined, "productised" offering, even the best marketing efforts will struggle to convert. Before investing heavily in marketing, ensure your product or service is well-defined and consistently deliverable.
2. Short-term wins need long-term strategy - While quick wins are important for building momentum, sustainable growth requires balancing immediate results with long-term brand building. The best time to start marketing is when you don't need it.
3. Relationships drive real growth - In an age of AI-generated content and paid advertising, authentic relationships and genuine service remain the most powerful drivers of business growth. Focus on building genuine connections rather than chasing viral moments.
⚡ Actionable Tips From Al:
1. Try the Grayscale Phone Hack - Set your phone display to grayscale to reduce distractions and boost productivity. This simple change can dramatically decrease how often you get pulled into your device.
2. Read "The Go-Giver" by Bob Burg - This book provides valuable insights on how strategic giving can drive business success and relationship building.
3. Help Others When You're Struggling - When facing challenges, reach out to help someone else. This mindset shift can improve your perspective and create valuable connections.Find out more about Al.http://www.lzymrktng.com----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

Bob Burg, a best-selling author known for "The Go-Giver," shares his expertise on building authentic relationships. He emphasizes the importance of shifting focus from self-gain to giving value. Burg introduces the 'referral bridge' technique to ease the discomfort of asking for referrals. He stresses that understanding what others truly value is crucial for networking success. Finally, he encourages consistency in adding genuine value without expecting anything in return, fostering trust and goodwill.

----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.

As leaders and business owners, we've all encountered people, whether our team, clients or people in our network, who repeatedly ask for advice but never take action - the "Ask Holes." In this episode of Building your LeaderBrand, leadership expert Kerry Burchill breaks down how these behaviors impact organizations and shares practical strategies for getting unstuck.Whether you're leading teams, running a consulting practice, or building client relationships, understanding how to identify and address Ask Hole behaviors is crucial for driving real progress and avoiding frustration.Three Key Takeaways:🎯 Practice active listening before jumping to solutions. When clients or team members share challenges, resist the urge to immediately offer fixes. Give them space to fully articulate their situation and come to their own realizations about what needs to change.🎯 Get voice-of-customer feedback directly from the source. Have your clients or team members gather input from the people they serve rather than making assumptions. This creates natural buy-in and surfaces unexpected insights.🎯 Trust that you're already "the whole package." Don't let the pursuit of endless certifications or perfect systems stop you from taking action. Your existing experience and expertise are likely more than enough to start making an impact.About KerriIt's a fast-paced world and we all get caught in the day-to-day spin. Kerri helps leaders and teams slow down, get clear on their True North and develop a synergy to achieve ambitious goals. Slowing down might look like 1:1 coaching, leadership development, team development, training, or a multitude of other support tailored to your situation. Kerri has been fortunate to have worked in three countries and with a variety of fields, including: education, healthcare, manufacturing, recruitment, real estate, and financial investment. In all of these experiences, there is one theme: when adults work together, teams thrive and success increases. She has an interesting story about what took to these countries, but I’ll leave that to her to explain. Kerri has over 15 years of academic training and 25 years of people development. Kerri has taught adults at Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and others. Her formal academic training includes a PhD in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University, a Master of Education (University of Alberta), a Master of Human Resource Management (DeVry).https://www.kerriburchill.com/----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business Blueprint It's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.