Nine-Five Podcast

#0098 Top 3 Key Takeaways:How to decide if your own business is right for you (and will it make you happy)Understanding your Ikigai: What that means and how it can help you to live a more fulfilling lifeDetermine how to build a business and a brand that is in alignment with your core valuesOne of the best ways to gain more exposure for your brand is by taking advantage of audiences that already exist. Show up places where someone has already gathered your potential audience. One of those best audiences to connect with are those of podcasts.However, simply showing up on these shows isn't always a slam dunk. That is what today's episode is for.Jason Cercone helps people develop strategies for becoming that knockout guest that every podcaster wants to have on their show. Today, he's sharing some of those secrets with us.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 98 Show Notes.Learn more about starting your own podcast: Subscribe to my YouTube ChannelAre you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 8-weeks!If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0097 Top 3 Key Takeaways:How to decide if your own business is right for you (and will it make you happy)Understanding your Ikigai: What that means and how it can help you to live a more fulfilling lifeDetermine how to build a business and a brand that is in alignment with your core valuesIf you're core values are not considered in your business, how far do you think you'll make it?My guess is not very far. Burnout is a very real thing, and if your business isn't aligned with what will truly make you happy, that could be a reality for you very soon.Today, Karl Jacobson is here to talk about how we can better align our business with those goals. And for those of you who don't yet have a business, how you can ensure that the business you're building does.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 97 Show Notes.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 8-weeks!If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0096 Top 3 Key Takeaways:Ways to effectively use incentives to grow your businessAddressing the question: “Won't people only sign up for the free trip or incentive?”Why discounting your products or services could be terrible for your businessHave you thought about using incentives to grow your email list or bring in more potential leads?Well today, Marco Torres is with us to share his amazing platform designed to help you provide insanely valuable incentives to bring in more potential leads.Not only will Marco be sharing his platform, but he also shares ways we can effectively use incentives to grow our business.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 96 Show Notes.Today's sponsor is Riverside.fm.  Use the code NICK15 to get 15% any Riverside membership plan.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 8-weeks!If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0095 Top 3 Key Takeaways:How to cut through the noise and BE KNOWN for something in your industryUsing consistency to build momentum and propel your brand 3 ways to get more eyes on your personal brand, even if you're starting from scratchYou're stuck, trying to build your brand from scratch.You don't have the money to pump into ads, so you're getting drowned out by all the big players. What's the point of even trying?Well today's guest is give us that advantage back. Chris Ducker is like the personal branding wizard and he is here today to help us build a profitable personal brand.. FROM SCRATCH.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 95 Show Notes.Today's sponsor is Riverside.fm.  Use the code NICK15 to get 15% any Riverside membership plan.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 8-weeks!If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0094 Top 3 Key Takeaways:How to make your course standout against the competition before they even purchase itWhy you need to “forget everything you know” before starting to create your courseThe elements to a truly successful course, and one that your students will stay engaged with to the endAs much as it seems like they are, online courses aren't exactly a set-it and forget-it type of thing. At least not if you want your course to succeed.Tracey Lewis Stoeckel is today's guest, and she helps creators and coaches develop their online courses in a way that not only gets people excited about taking them, but so they will want to FINISH them.This is a huge deal when there is such a huge percentage of course takers that never finish a course.So if you've been looking for the winning formula, you've come to the right place.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 94 Show Notes.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 8-weeks!If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0093 Top 3 Key Takeaways:The importance of collaborations and why getting out of your comfort zone might be the best thing you ever do for your business.Standing out against the competition, by leveraging your craft.Why doing things that fuel your creativity is good for you and your business.Building a business based around something you enjoy doing is a bit of a double edged sword.On one hand, you are doing what you enjoy!On the other hand, you're potentially turning what you enjoy into work...These are all things that today's guest, Jenna Noelle Porter faced while building her photography business. In today's episode you'll hear her story and how she was able to overcome some of the obstacles blocking her path (including the mindset), to ensure that she continues to enjoy what she does.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 93 Show Notes.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 8-weeks!If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0092 Top 3 Key Takeaways:Coming up with new and creative content ideas that make people fall in love with your brand.How to find your creative groove before creating.What is the creative process for a professional UGC (user-generated content) Creator and how to we use that to our advantage when creating content.Content Creation isn't easy. How do you grab someone's attention when our attention spans are quickly depleting. If you aren't grabbing attention in the first 3-seconds, as Mindy Thomas mentions in the episode, you might lose them.Mindy Thomas is a professional content creator, creating UGC (User-Generated Content) for companies that want to use her creativity to their advantage. And today, she is going to be telling us all about her process.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 92 Show Notes.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0091 Top 3 Key Takeaways:Insanely smart short and long-game ad strategies to reach prospective clients.The Iceberg Strategy - What it means and how this will help you meet your customers half way.Learn how to meet your potential clients BEFORE they have a problem, and how this alone can help you beat your competitors to the customer.If you've spent way to much money on ads and had little results to show for it, stick around and don't give up yet.Today, we are talking with Darrell Evans, and ads are his bread and butter. In the episode Darrell breaks down how he and his company work with clients to get inside the minds of their potential clients and ultimately gain more leads.I've never heard anyone break down ad strategies the way Darrell does in this episode and it makes TOTAL sense for those of you looking to build a genuine audience and customer-base that knows, likes, and trusts you.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 91 Show Notes.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0090 Top 3 Key Takeaways:What the experience has been like to suddenly drop a 9-5 job and start a business.Why it's important to start branding yourself NOW, even if you don't have a business yet.Defining your CLEAR NICHE so you can speak directly to your audience.Lindsay Hanson kicked off her entire entrepreneurial career by straight up quitting her job. No established business, no clear direction, just a feeling that where she was at, was not IT.Soon after, she hired a business coach to help guide her along those beginning stages of her own fitness brand.Now, Lindsay is pivoting again and focusing on helping other kickstart their own entrepreneurial careers and find what truly makes them happy.Lindsay shares her experiences from what it was like exiting her 9-5 job to start her own brand, all the way to the point and the pivot she's at now. And why she decided NOW is the right time for her to pivot.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 90 Show Notes.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0089 Top 3 Key Takeaways:How becoming a publish author boosts credibility and opens doors to new opportunitiesThe B.E.A.T.S Method - Mapping out the beats to your life to tell your amazing storyHow to easily publish your own book by using content you've already createdThrough his marketing skillset, Vince Warnock has helped companies reach 8-figures, was named in the list of Top 50 Marketers by Adobe, and went on to become a public speaker and best-selling author, among many other incredible accomplishments.Now, with a publishing company that he has created himself, Vince is helping entrepreneurs build authority and credibility in their industry by helping THEM become best-selling authors... Helping YOU become a best-selling author.Vince's goal is to help 200 entrepreneurs accomplish this, and he is already pushing back the 80+ mark to kick off the second quarter of this year.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 89 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0088 Top 3 Key Takeaways:How to avoid getting “Should-On” by your family, peers, and jobs.Finding out what happiness means to you and have a better understanding of WHO you actually are.Ways to start aligning your business, career, and life with what makes you truly happy.Have you ever felt like you're no longer happy in your business?What started out as something you were excited and passionate about, has turned into something you feel burnt out on?Likely, this could be because you no longer are aligning with your core values and what makes you truly happy. That's what this episode is about. Getting back to what makes you happy.Steve Fredlund is the guest today, and he's here to share his tips and advice on aligning your "backbone of happiness" with what you do, so you can truly enjoy the business you're building for yourself.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 88 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0087 Top 3 Key Takeaways:Ways to monetize and make a living from podcastingHow building credibility within your industry can lead to targeted and lucrative sponsorship dealsBringing on guests who pay to be on your show - how to do this in a way that won't rub people the wrong way.Everyone who hosts their own podcast wants to figure out ways to monetize it. But the answer to how is not always clear or easy.Today, I'm sitting in with Peter Birch, host of the Talking HealthTech Podcast. Peter has been able to monetize, and make a living from, his own podcast. Yes, sponsorship deals are a part of his business model, but rather than letter random sponsors come to him, Peter seeks out the companies and brands that would be a great fit for his show.On top of that, Peter has been implementing other monetization strategies that we get into in this episode. So if you're one of the podcasters out there who are eager to put a little extra cash in your pocket, you'll want to give this one a listen!Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 87 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0086 Top 3 Key Takeaways:What is the Hub & Spoke Model? How can it help unify your digital marketing strategy.Why your website is the MOST IMPORTANT aspect of your digital marketing strategy for attracting leads and customers.How are marketing funnels and sales funnels different, and why you must leverage BOTH to succeed.After working as a marketer with many major brands like Apple. Visa, and Wells Fargo, James Hipkin has seen first-hand what it takes to successfully run a digital marketing campaign.One of the biggest issues when it comes to digital marketing is positioning yourself and developing a strategy that creates trust and credibility with your customer. Today, James shares his Hub and Spoke model for a successful digital marketing strategy.If you're sick of all the B.S. digital marketing strategies and tactics out there, this interview with James is one that you won't want to miss!Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 86 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0085 Top 3 Key Takeaways:The 3 questions you need to be able to answer before starting your own software or app.Where can you turn to find developers to help create your software?How much does it really cost to get your software developed? It's not as much as you'd think!Within 10 months of development, Tim Branyan was able to create a SAAS company, TrueFanz, that is now a multi-million dollar company. How did he do it?  - By simply solving a need that he recognized in the creator space.In the episode, Tim talks with us about those beginning stages of developing a SAAS (Software As A Service) company including what to look for in a developer, and the costs associated with the development.Hearing Tim talk about the initial investment to develop and kick off the multi-million dollar TrueFanz, I was completely blown away by how little it takes to get a software like that off the ground.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 85 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0084 Top 3 Key Takeaways: Facing the fears and feelings of starting a podcastThe power of social media and newsletters and how they can help you grow your showWhy is Dynamic Content and how can it help you get clear with your call to actionThere's not doubt that deciding to start a podcast can be a bit intimidating. I haven't met a single podcaster who didn't have some form of the jitters before hitting record their first time.Danny Brown was involved in the podcasting scene well before launching Podcaster Stories, and even he admits to facing some nerves when starting the show.In today's interview, we'll be talking about those experiences of starting a podcast, and Danny also shares some valuable advice for anyone looking to start and/or grow their shows.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 84 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0083 Top 3 Key Takeaways: The importance of finding a PROBLEM before trying to sell the SOLUTION - and why so many people get this backwards. Why understanding who IS NOT your audience is just as important as understanding WHO IS. Building an email list, and why it is one of the most crucial aspect of building and growing a brand that people trust.After spending several years working for the same company, Doug Utberg, like so many others, found himself let go from his job 2020.Rather than rebuilding himself up, fighting to gain trust of new bosses, and re-climbing that corporate ladder, Doug decided to build something of his own.In the episode, Doug shares a lot about what he's been doing to build MULTIPLE businesses since getting let go, and shares what has (and what hasn't) been working for him to this point.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 83 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0082 Top 3 Key Takeaways: What does it mean to work ON your business instead of IN your business?“OAO Everything” - Optimize, Automate, OutsourceUsing the 5P Framework to turn your frustrations into freedomIt can become very easy to fall into a trap of sinking every hour of your time into your business. It would seem logical that this is how you grow a business.In actuality, this is hurting you.Today's guest, Peter Mohr discusses why we need to be spending less time IN (managing) our business, so we can start spending more time ON (leading) our business.Peter clearly outlines the same process he uses when working with clients to help them become better leaders and propel their businesses.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 82 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0081 Top 3 Key Takeaways:Why you're having difficulty growing a brand and building something that people resonate with.Steps you can take to ensure that people actually care what you have to say.7 Questions you can ask yourself every time you sit down to plan your content to leave your audience wanting more.The idea of branding always made sense to me. Or at least I thought it did.The concept makes sense to me.It wasn't until I stumbled on 7 Key questions that really opened my eyes to how easy it really is to target your ideal customer/audience. These questions come in the shape of the Hero's Journey, and something I now do with EVERY piece of content that I create.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 81 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0080 Top 3 Key Takeaways: How to become the face of your brand, and why it is so important today.How to find out what makes you unique so your brand can stand out and shine among the rest.5 Magic Questions to ask yourself while defining your brand, and using the 3D Formula to help create your brand.Tonya Eberhart and Michael Carr of BrandFace are joining us today to discuss why branding is so vital to the growth and success of your business, and how to actually get started. In the episode, both Tonya and Michael share personal stories of how building their brands have catapulted their entrepreneurial careers and in doing so, have allowed them to follow their true passions in life.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 80 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0079 Top 3 Key Takeaways: Biggest reasons why the students taking your courses don't finish them.3 things you can do to keep your students engaged to the end of your course.Importance of tracking engagement data with your courses and how it can help.Erica Nash went from high school teacher to course creator, and more specifically, helping other course creators develop the best courses possible.Majority of people who purchase online courses won't finish them. That's not a very good sign if you're looking get into course creation. Luckily, Erica is here to tell us about what pitfalls to avoid when creating your course, and how to keep your students engaged throughout the entire process.Are you ready to start your own podcast? Book a Call with Nick to find out how we can develop a plan to your new show launched in just 4-weeks!To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 79 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0078 Top 3 Key Takeaways: Benefits of making podcasting a part of your strategy in 2022.Reasons you should be guest podcasting (even if you're a podcast host), and how it will help you grow your brand and business.A new LIMITED opportunity to get your podcast launched in 4-weeks in 2022.It's no lie that I've fallen in love with podcasting. From being an avid podcast listener, to launching my own show back in 2020, the entire medium has completely changed my life and the direction I want to take my business.Regardless if you are coming at podcasting from the side of a podcast host or you'd prefer to come in as a podcast guest, podcasting CAN help gain more exposure for your business or brand and help you build better connections with you audience and other experts in your industry.If you want to start you own podcast in 2022: Book a Call with NickTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 78 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0077 Top 3 Key Takeaways: How to launch and start building traction in the peer to peer and economy sharing spaceThe importance of not getting hung up on the tiny details - focusing on the big picture and getting feedback earlyHow vital it is to have boots on the ground and build a brand around your peer to peer businessHannah Pobar went from renting out rooms in her own apartment to content creators (and making thousands of dollars), to building a business that allows others to do the same with her business, Home Studio List.In the episode, Hannah breaks down how she was able to build and grow her business, and give us the secrets to how she was able to build traction in this tricky peer to peer / sharing economy space.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 77 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0076 Top 3 Key Takeaways: Finding the right people to talk to when conducting marketing research (even if you don't have an audience yet).Why asking the wrong questions is wasting you and your audience's time.How to start asking the right questions that will actually benefit your business.With a master's degree and having spent much of her 9-5 work in the field, Annie Singer is an all-around expert in all things marketing research.After spending several years in the corporate world, Annie decided it was time to take her own leap into online business, develop something of her own, and solve a problem tied to a passion of hers.In order to find the right solution, discover and build relationships with her audience, and finally launch the business, marketing research played a large role in Annie's strategy. Today, Annie is here to share her wealth of knowledge on the topic, and help you stop wasting time, and start asking the right questions so you can build and grow your business.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 76 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0075 Top 3 Key Takeaways: Is now still a good time to get started with investment real estate? What is House Hacking and why it might be the most affordable (and realistic) way to get started  3 Factors for determining where to buy your first investment rental property Real estate investing can be intimidating. Especially when you feel like you know nothing about it. So joining me on the show today is Michael Dominguez, who's here to share what he's learned over the past decade about real estate investing, the very thing that allowed him to become an "Armchair Real Estate Millionaire."To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 75 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0074 Top 3 Key Takeaways:Why high-ticket masterminds are so much better than running an online courseHow to come with the idea for your own mastermindWhat kind of content should you be creating for your mastermindWouldn't it be nice to sell tickets to your group coaching program north of $5k-$10k!? In today's episode, Chris Williams of Group Coach Nation is spilling the secrets to doing this.Chris and his company help people just like you find what they are an expert in and develop their own high-ticket mastermind programs. If you're ready to stop selling $40 courses or eguides on Gumroad, and ready to dive into the world of high-ticket group coaching, you're going to want to tune into this episode.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 74 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0073 Top 3 Key Takeaways:How to optimize your website for conversions and improve the user experience (UX)3 Reasons why people might be leaving your site3 Magic questions to ask yourself when putting your webpages together that will help keep them on your siteToday we are sitting down with Joey Donovan Guido of CuppaSEO. Joey has been in the web design space for many years, and helps clients not only gain more website traffic, but also converting that traffic into customers.You'll want to take notes in this episode because Joey is going to uncover why you may not be keeping your website visitors and converting them into customers, and what you can do to change that.And if you're not a big note-taker, don't worry. Click the link below to visit the show notes page.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 73 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0072 Top 3 Key Takeaways:Why your business will suck if you don't find a way to make it fun.What is *Purposeful Collision* and how can it help build the future you WANT for your business.Why you need to unlearn 90% of what you already know to be successful in your business.Today's guest, Dr. Travis Fox has quite the resume under his belt. From actor to director, motivational speak to professional golf coach, Dr. Fox as accomplished a lot. His most recent success coming from his mobile app (which is so much more than just an app), The Ultimate Business Quest. One of the biggest takeaways from all the success: keeping it fun and making the act of growing our businesses an adventure.Throughout the interview we'll be talking with Dr. Travis Fox about how our current mindset with this extreme "hustle" mentality is sending us down a path to burn out and hating what we do.So sit back, tune in, and let's go on an adventure together.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 72 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0071 Top 3 Key Takeaways:What is the ARC Method and how can it help TRANSFORM your mindset.Learn how to better understand your own thinking process.The power of taking a step back and slowing down.Joining me today on the podcast is Ken Attard of Mindset Malta. Ken works with entrepreneurs to help them shift their mindset towards abundance, lead highly successful businesses, and save more time in the process.Throughout the interview, we dive into our own minds and figure out what makes us think the way we do, and how we can transform our mindset into something that benefits us and our businesses as opposed to working against us.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 71 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0070 Top 3 Key Takeaways:Why we are de-valuing ourselves in our businesses, and shifting that mindset to make more money in our businessThe biggest financial mistake you're likely making in your businessThe Importance of cash reserves (or an emergency fund) for your businessManaging our business financials can become stressful, very quickly. In the episode we are talking with Dorothy Kolb of DKEast, who helps small to medium sized business devise a financial strategy to ultimately help their business grow. To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 70 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0069 Let's debunk a few podcasting myths real quick...Myth #1: Sponsorships are the holy grail of monetizing a podcast.FALSE.Myth #2: You need a large audience to monetize your podcast.FALSEIn this interview with Melissa Guller, we are talking about both growing a podcast audience and monetizing your podcast. Believe it or not, you don't need a large audience to make money from your podcast AND sponsorships aren't going to make you rich and quit your day job.Melissa is a podcaster and course creator (helping others start and grow their own podcasts) with her business Wit & Wire and today she's here to help debunk a few of these podcasting myths and tell us what we ACTUALLY should be doing to grow and monetize our shows.Top 3 Key Takeaways:What is the difference between an owned audience and an earned audience - and what you should be most focused on to grow you podcast.Ways to actually grow your show - and a few platforms to help you with that.How to start monetizing your podcast when you don't already get thousands of downloads per episode each month.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 69 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0068 What if I told you that 20 minutes per day was all you needed to be successful?Shiny object syndrome, lack of motivation to start your day, constantly missing your goals or deadlines. All these things are hurting your progress and blocking you from success.These are all very real issues that I have faced since launching Nine-Five to Freedom.If you have experienced any of these feelings of overwhelm or anxiety, you have come to the right place because I think I have finally cracked the code to staying motivated and productive.Top 3 Key Takeaways:Why your productivity and motivation is lackingHow setting goals the RIGHT WAY can set you up for almost guaranteed successTime-Block scheduling and how THIS strategy might just be the thing you need to accomplish all your goals and stay motivatedTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 68 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

During last week's episode, I promised a solo episode to discuss productivity and the big "hack" I found to improve my own. Unfortunately, I have been feeling under the weather and have been unable to record and prepare the episode for you this week.INSTEAD, I'm reposting one of the most popular episodes to-date with Ryan Biddulph (probably one of the most genuine and best bloggers I know).The original episode aired way back in August of 2020 (Episode 8). Over 1 year ago!In the episode, Ryan shares how he has been able to build a highly successful blog and gain the respect of other people, brands, and websites in the process.If you're looking to take your blogging and content creation game up a notch, you definitely don't want to miss out on the advice Ryan gives in this episode.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 67 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0066 Most of us aren't going to be able to simply leave behind our 9-5 jobs and dive right into our own businesses - sorry, but it's just not that realistic.For many of us, building a business is something we'll need to be doing on the side of our day job / 9-5.Andres Moran, is today's guest and he's here to share his stories and experience of building MULTIPLE business all while working his 9-5 job. This can be tricky waters to navigate so that is why Andres is here to help give you the best chance of building your business while NOT sacrificing your personal and professional lives in the process.Top 3 Key Takeaways:Can you realistically balance your 9-5 while building your businessHow to build your business while still respecting your current employerWhy you should be thinking about your businesses "Exit Strategy" from the beginningTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 66 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0065 What does it take to start and run your own SaaS (Software as as Service) business?How do you build an audience?How do you know your software is one that your audience will want?The last thing you want to do is pump a ton of time and effort into something your ideal client doesn't want.Today, we are chatting with Jeroen Corthout, Co-Founder of SalesFlare, about how they managed to plan, build, launch, and grow their own CRM software.Throughout the episode, Jeroen shares some of the mistakes they made early on (so you can avoid them yourself), and talks with us about how to effectively and efficiently build our own SaaS company from scratch.Top 3 Key Takeaways:What is means to build a minimum viable product and what that looks like in the SaaS worldBetter understanding of how to get your first feedback and possibly first customers for your SaaS businessHow to expand your network and potential customers beyond your immediate circleTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 65 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0064 Are you guilty of shiny object syndrome?Do you find yourself taking on new projects before you've finished the last one you startedWell this is the episode for you!Today we are talking with David Wood of Focus.CEO about how to avoid "The Dip" or "Valley of Despair" that so we can stay more focused and come into the extraordinary entrepreneurs and people that we all are.Top 3 Key Takeaways:Determine when to the stay the course vs moving on to the next thingWhat is "The Dip" or "Valley of Despair" and how to recognize it BEFORE you begin your next projectHow to generate possibilities in your life to make you unstoppableTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 64 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0063 What would happen to your business if you weren't there?For most, it would cease to exist. That is why we need to ensure that we are taking care of ourselves, both mentally and physically.To talk with us on the mental health side of things is Kathryn Burmeister. Kathryn currently owns her own law firm, personal brand, and recently wrote a book, Overcoming Addiction to the Status Quo.Today, Kathryn shares some very personal stories and struggles that she has faced over the years and how she has managed to pull herself out of what she calls her "rock bottom.""You don't need to reach that rock bottom before you start taking action."Top 3 Key Takeaways:Managing the idea of work-life balance - is it possible?The importance of being proactive about your mental health as business owners (or 9-5'ers)Understanding your Mission, Vision, and Values and how this will help you succeed in your own business.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 63 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0062 Alex Sanfilippo is today's guest and he's here to share his incredible journey from entrepreneurship, to 15 years working a 9-5, and back to entrepreneurship again with his own SaaS company, PodMatch.Alex's experience alone comes with some amazing stories and lessons that we can all take something away from - and likely what you're most interested in, starting/growing your own business.Since launching PodMatch, Alex and his team have amassed nearly 20,000 happy users, and in the interview, he shares what has gotten him and PodMatch to this point.Top 3 Key Takeaways:1 Major tip for staying focused on the current task and avoiding shiny object syndromeWhy you should be focusing on problems before ideasHow the secret to scaling your business is actually by doing the things that don't scale (and what that means)To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 62 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0061 You want to get your own business started, but you don't know where to start.START HERE!In today's episode we are chatting with business coach and entrepreneur, Sandra Francisco about this exact topic.After making the tough decision to leave behind her successful position in the corporate world, Sandra now focuses on helping other aspiring entrepreneurs and business build the businesses of their dreams.Top 3 Key Takeaways:How to start a business from scratch - "Where do I even begin?"The 4 Stage of Business - And how to navigate themThe biggest new business "no-no" to avoid when getting startedTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 61 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0060 Do you consider yourself a leader?You may be seen as a leader by your audience and not even know it. OR if you're just getting into the entrepreneurship space, becoming a leader and expert in your industry might be something you set your eyes on.Today, Andrew Ryder is here to talk with us about how to improve your leadership skills and get recognized as a leader, even if you are the most successful or influential person in the world.Top 3 Key Takeaways:How to be viewed as a leader in your industry3 Parts to leadership as a business ownerUsing content creation to establish yourself as a leaderTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 60 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0059 Do you have a financial plan for leaving behind your 9-5?What financial mistakes do entrepreneurs make BEFORE they even get started?Today we are talking with Parker Stevenson, Co-Owner of Evolved Finance, and he is here to discuss the topic of money with us. Many of the things Parker brings up in this episode aren't talked about too often, and many business owners get off to a rocky start because of it.Top 3 Key Takeaways:What things to look for financially BEFORE starting your businessFinancial clues to pay attention to once you've launched your businessBiggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when it comes to managing their business and personal financesTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 59 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0058 Who is in control of your business? You? Or social media networks?If you are currently growing your business on social media and have neglected building a website to this point, you have NO CONTROL over your own business.That's right. At any moment, social media networks can remove you from the picture without warning.That is why we are talking with Juliana Meyer, Founder of SupaPass, about the importance of building your own platform (AKA a website). The best part of all? - SupaPass make it SUPER EASY!Top 3 Key Takeaways:Why it's important to be building your business OFF social mediaHow to stop treating your website like a "train station" - constantly sending people to other platforms and networks (and how SupaPass can help with this)Why you need a website for your business (and/or podcast!)To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 58 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0057 How are you reinvesting money back into your business?Have you thought about putting some of that money into hiring a full-time or part-time employee?Well regardless if you have been running your business for a while or you're just in the early stages, today's guest might just convince you to consider hiring sooner rather than later.Max Borges is runs a multi-million dollar marketing agency and one of the main reasons that he's been able to grow and scale to where he's at is because he hires for his weaknesses. From very early on, Max realized that if he hired someone to take care of tasks that he doesn't have time for, is no good at, or just doesn't like doing, he was able to put more effort into doing the things that actually grow a business - and he did!Top 3 Key Takeaways:Why hiring employees could be one of the best investments you make into your businessHow running preliminary tests for your business can help validate ideas and weed out potential problems with little money investedHow niching down can separate you from competition and help you scale more than you could ever imagineTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 57 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0056 Let's talk story-telling.It's a crucial aspect of any marketing plan (assuming you want to grow an actual audience).Sabine Kvenberg is today's guest and she helps entrepreneurs and creators get more comfortable on camera. Part of this process, is learning how to tell stories that can resonate with the audience you're hoping to serve.Like most episodes, we touch on several different aspects that can help you throughout various stages of your business journey, but today's main focus is story telling.Top 3 Key Takeaways:Why you should have an exit strategy (and be thinking about this BEFORE you start your business).Why you only need to be one step ahead to serve others (you don't need to be THE expert).How story telling can help you create deeper connections with your audience and make more sales along the way.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 56 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0055 How are you going to bring more traffic to your digital products or offerings?Paying for ads is one route, but then you're PAYING to become visible to your audience. And if you don't know what you're doing when it comes to running ads, you'll only be wasting money.Instead, let's learn how to drive free traffic to our website. That's where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes into play.Today's guest is an expert in all things SEO. SEO Steve, or Steve Wiideman has worked with many big brands and names that you'd be familiar with like Sketchers, Applebees, and Disney, and has helped play a big role in developing their SEO strategies.In this episode, we'll be diving deep into SEO with a lot of really great tips no matter if you're just starting out, or already have an SEO background or experience.Top 3 Key Takeaways:How to create relevant content for the keywords you're wanting to rank forGetting backlinks (without paying sketchy people for them)What user-behavior signals are and how to create a great user-experience for your website visitorsTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 55 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0054 From starting a social media agency while in school to building a social media platform to help agencies and teams be more efficient with social media marketing, the Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur Xenia Muntean is here to share what she has learned and help us get a better grasp on our social media marketing efforts.Throughout the episode Xenia shares the story of starting a building Planable, which by itself would make for a valuable episode.But today, Xenia is also going to help us use our social media to accomplish the goals we have for our business.Be sure to stick around to the end of the episode. Xenia is giving all the listeners of the Nine-Five Podcast a special discount to her platform, Planable.Top 3 Key Takeaways:How to validate your business (and how to not let perfectionism get in the way)Creating a social media strategy that can actually help grow your businessBiggest mistake most social media marketers make when trying to tackle social mediaTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 54 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0053 How important is personal branding?Well, how important is it for you to leave behind a legacy?It's THAT important. And it's exactly what serial entrepreneur, Jeff Lopes, intends to do.Aside from the incredible stories and successes that Jeff shares throughout the episode, his tips for networking and growing a personal brand are incredible.Top 3 Key Takeaways:How personal branding can propel everything else that you do in businessWhy networking is so important for building a personal brandTips for using Instagram to get the conversation started and begin building relationships with more peopleTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 53 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0052 Let's get you talking to your money.Yes, I literally mean talking to your money.Money Master, Joe Burns does exactly that, and teaches his clients to do the same. Joe helps people build a stronger relationship with their money to ultimately make more of it and keep more of it as well.And he's here to help all of you do the same as well.Top 3 Key Takeaways:Why talking to your money might help you build a better relationship with itSuccess stories of people who have grown exponentially after getting the money mindset rightWhy having that goal of 6-figures isn't the best place to startTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 52 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0051 What if John Lee Dumas gave up on the Entrepreneurs on Fire Podcast too early?It never would have reached over 100 million downloads worldwide.JLD wouldn't currently have over 1 million active monthly listeners.And much of the Entrepreneurs on Fire brand just wouldn't be what is it today.But he didn't give up too early. He set himself up for success. And in his new book The Common Path to Uncommon Success, John outlines much of this journey from being young and scared to launch a daily podcast, to become one of the most influential business podcasts in the world!In this short episode, we are going to break down some major points the John makes in his new book.Top 3 Key Takeaways:How to start building a customer avatarHow to truly understand what your customer wants/needHow John Lee Dumas avoided giving up on his podcast too earlyTo get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 51 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0050 What is one thing that all the "big guys" do (besides put out killer content)?They put out that killer content CONSISTENTLY.Being consistent in your content creation can be one of the most difficult things to do, trust me I know. But it is soo extremely important if you want to truly grow online.That's why I'm going to be sharing some of the tips that I've picked up to help me go from a terribly INCONSISTENT blogger to CONSISTENT podcaster.Top 3 Key Takeaways:Why consistency truly matters for your brand.5 Tips for producing content more consistently.Big changes and news around the Nine-Five Podcast and Nine-Five to Freedom brand.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 50 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0049 James Watson AKA The LinkedIn King has been helping entrepreneurs and business owners leverage LinkedIn to gain more clients and close more sales.Today, he is here to not only help us improve our effectiveness on LinkedIn, but the concepts and strategies James talks about will help you through all walks of your business.Top 3 Key Takeaways:Why your company's messaging is the foundation of your brand and without it, your brand will crumble.How to get off to a great start with prospective clients without sounding too generic and without coming off too "salesy".How you can incorporate Personalized Image Marketing (PMI) to wow your prospective clients, become more personal with your marketing efforts, and stand out against your competitors.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 49 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

#0048 By now, everyone should be aware of just how important customer relationships are for success.Surprisingly, this is something that isn't put into practice very well, even by successful and growing businesses.Today, Shauna Armitage is here to break down her specialty, Relationship Marketing Funnels, to help us build a stronger connection, resonate with our audience better, and create raving fans of our business.To get the links and resources discussed in this episode, head over to the Episode 48 Show Notes.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to leave a review of the Nine-Five Podcast on Apple Podcasts.