Podcasts about darkhorseschooling

Why Your 2026 Success Starts With Who You Really Are, Not What You Want Episode Summary In this powerful year-end episode, Ace Allan reveals the Identity Audit Framework - a three-part system that helps parent entrepreneurs stop building businesses for someone else's life and start creating ventures aligned with their authentic values. Through real-world application and tactical exercises, listeners discover how to identify whose voice is driving their goals, uncover what they actually care about, and bridge the gap between where they're heading and where they want to be using AI tools. Key Timestamps & Insights 00:00 - Opening 00:35 - Episode Preview 01:40 - The Core Problem Revealed 02:56 - The School Parking Lot Story 04:45 - The Identity Audit Framework 08:56 - Intelligent Elevation: The Bigger Picture 10:16 - Whiskered Wisdom: The Dangerous Person Strategies Shared The Mirror Test Strategy Write down all current goals for 2025 Identify whose voice influences each goal Recognize external vs. internal motivation sources Spot when building someone else's life with your energy Values Archaeology Method Recall moments of peak energy and fulfillment Identify moments of drain and resentment Connect energy patterns to underlying values Understand that energy follows values, not goals Trajectory Awareness Technique Honest projection of current path's 5-year outcome Define authentic desired destination Identify the gap requiring intentional change Use AI to bridge the gap faster than previous generations AI Amplification Approach Use technology to become more of your authentic self Avoid using AI to become someone else Align AI tools with discovered values and identity Create competitive advantage through authenticity Resources Mentioned AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Weekly practical strategies for parent entrepreneurs DarkHorseInsider.com Identity Audit Framework - Complete 45-minute self-assessment process DarkHorseSchooling.com/EP530 - Full episode and additional resources Action Steps to Take Immediate Actions (This Week) Complete the Identity Audit Framework - Set aside 45 minutes for all three parts Write down current goals - List everything you're working toward in 2025 Identify voice sources - Note whose influence shaped each goal Assess current projects - Ask "Am I building for who I really am or who I think I should be?" Ongoing Implementation Values-based decision making - Filter future opportunities through discovered values Regular trajectory checks - Monthly assessment of current path vs. desired destination AI tool alignment - Choose technology that amplifies authentic self rather than creating false persona Energy monitoring - Track which activities energize vs. drain based on values alignment Long-term Strategy Build identity-first business model - Structure ventures around authentic values Create family-integrated success - Design business that enhances rather than competes with family life Develop authentic competitive advantage - Use self-knowledge as differentiation in AI economy DarkHorseInsider.com - Subscribe to the AI Escape Plan Newsletter for weekly practical strategies that help parent entrepreneurs build meaningful businesses without sacrificing family time. Complete the Identity Audit Framework this week - don't just think about it, actually write it down and discover who you're really building for. Know a parent entrepreneur who's working hard but feeling empty? Forward this episode to help them discover if they're building someone else's dream life.

Get Paid To Solve The Overlooked Business Problem Every Local Business Has Episode Summary Discover the hidden goldmine sitting in your local community that most parents completely overlook. While everyone debates remote work and worries about AI replacing jobs, smart parents are quietly building $2,000-5,000 monthly income streams by solving simple problems for local businesses using AI tools. This episode reveals the exact three-step system to find, pitch, and deliver AI services that local business owners desperately need - all while working just 10-15 hours per week around your family schedule. Click Here To Watch The Full Episode On YouTube Key Timestamps & Insights 00:00 - Opening 00:42 - Introduction & Episode Overview 01:47 - Why Local Businesses Need Your Help 02:34 - The Dance Recital 04:54 - The Local AI Service Blueprint - Step 1: Pick Your Lane 07:02 - Step 2: The 15-Minute Client Finder Method 08:54 - Step 3: Parent-Friendly Delivery System 12:33 - Why This Matters 13:16 - Whiskered Wisdom: Opportunities Hide in Plain Sight Strategies Shared The Local AI Service Blueprint Pick one service lane and master it before expanding Focus on recurring revenue models when possible Start with businesses you already know and frequent The 15-Minute Client Finder Method No cold calling required Lead with value by creating sample work first Position yourself as a local parent, not a faceless agency Parent-Friendly Delivery System Batch work into family-friendly time blocks Use AI templates to maximize efficiency Set clear boundaries about family-first schedule The "Problems as Opportunities" Mindset Train yourself to see struggling businesses as income opportunities Focus on obvious, fixable problems rather than complex solutions Remember that business owners want reliability over perfection Resources Mentioned ChatGPT - Primary AI tool for content creation and copywriting Canva - For creating visual social media content AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Weekly strategies for parent entrepreneurs - DarkHorseInsider.com Previous episode on email campaigns https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/EP516 Action Steps to Take This Week: Pick 5 local businesses and spend 15 minutes researching their online presence Choose Your Lane: Decide which of the three AI services (social media, website copy, or email automation) fits your interests and local market Create Sample Work: Before approaching any business, create 1-2 sample pieces that demonstrate your capabilities Set Your Schedule: Block out 2-3 hour time periods twice weekly when you can work uninterrupted Start Local: Begin with businesses you already frequent or have connections with Call to Action Ready to stop waiting for permission and start building your own AI-powered income stream? Subscribe to the AI Escape Plan Newsletter for the complete roadmap, including exact scripts, templates, and pricing guides designed specifically for parents who want to break free from the 9-to-5 grind while protecting their family time. https://DarkHorseInsider.com

Episode Summary Host Tracy Brinkmann reveals how a Phoenix mom of three built a $2,847/month income stream by creating custom GPTs during her kids' naptime. This episode breaks down the exact 3-step system for turning parental pain points into profitable AI solutions, featuring real strategies that work around family schedules without sacrificing precious time with kids. Key Timestamps & Insights 00:00 - Opening 00:51 - Podcast Introduction & Episode Overview 01:20 - The Naptime Entrepreneur Revolution 02:42 - Lisa's Breakthrough Story 04:15 - Step 1: The Pain Point Audit (15 minutes) 06:05 - Step 2: The Naptime Build (45-90 minutes) 06:25 - Step 3: The Family-Proof Launch (30 minutes setup) 08:20 - The Bigger Picture: AI Democratization 09:40 - Whiskered Wisdom: 15-Minute Pain Point Inventory Episode on using AI for Deep Research - https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/EP513 Strategies Shared The 3-Step Parent GPT System Pain Point Audit (15 minutes during morning coffee) Naptime Build (45-90 minutes focused time) Family-Proof Launch (30 minutes setup, then runs itself) Profitable Niches Parents Are Dominating Birthday party planning Meal planning for picky eaters Youth sports team organization School fundraiser coordination Family budget tracking The Family-Proof Monetization Strategy Start pricing at $3-5 per conversation Upload to ChatGPT store Share in relevant parent communities Let word-of-mouth drive growth Resources Mentioned OpenAI GPT Store - Platform for selling custom GPTs AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Weekly strategies for parent entrepreneurs https://DarkHorseInsider.com Facebook Groups - Primary distribution channel for parent-focused GPTs Parenting Forums - Secondary distribution for validation and sales Action Steps to Take Immediate Action (Tonight) 15-Minute Pain Point Inventory: Set timer, brain dump every frustrating task you've Googled as a parent in past month Circle the 3 most frustrating problems These become your first 3 custom GPT ideas This Week Choose your most frustrating pain point Validate demand in 3 relevant Facebook groups Block out 90 minutes for your first GPT build This Month Build and launch your first custom GPT Price at $3-5 per conversation Share in parent communities where your audience gathers Call to Action Join the AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Your weekly roadmap for parents ready to break free from the 9-to-5 grind. Each issue delivers practical, AI-powered strategies to start, grow, and streamline side hustles—all designed to protect your family time while boosting your income. https://DarkHorseInsider.com Key Message: Your goal isn't to become an AI expert—it's to use AI to get your life back. Episode Quotes "The custom GPT market isn't being dominated by tech bros in Silicon Valley. It's being conquered by soccer moms in suburbia." "Your pain points are your profit points. If you're struggling with it, thousands of others are too." "The parents who take action on this simple exercise will be the ones building their first GPT next week." "Stop waiting for the perfect time. Start building during naptime. Your future self and your family will thank you."

Summary In this episode of The Dark Horse Entrepreneur: AI Escape Plan, host Tracy Brinkmann pulls back the curtain on three AI-powered side hustles parents can start tonight—no coding, no courses, no late nights. From content repurposing to AI data training, Tracy reveals real-life examples (including how one Texas mom made $8,000 in three weeks) and a proven process to turn AI into income without sacrificing family time. This episode breaks through the hype and delivers practical, family-friendly AI strategies for parents ready to break free from the 9-to-5 grind. ⏱ Key Points & Time Stamps 00:00 – The AI Side Hustle Promise 01:04 – Why Most People Fail at AI Side Hustles 02:38 – Three AI Side Hustles You Can Start Tonight 06:05 – Why This Matters Now 06:55 – Whiskered Wisdom: Pick One and Start Tonight 07:45 – Closing: AI Is Your Lever, Not Your Lottery Ticket

What if using AI felt as automatic as brushing your teeth? In this short but power-packed episode, host Tracy Brinkmann introduces the concept of Reflexive AI — a revolutionary mindset shift where AI becomes second nature in your daily life. Instead of feeling like "one more tool to learn," Reflexive AI turns technology into instinct. Parents and entrepreneurs can finally stop fighting to find time for AI and start letting it work for them — automatically, naturally, and effortlessly. You'll discover the three reflexes that change everything: The Decision Reflex that ends blank-screen anxiety. The Time Reflex that collapses hours into minutes. The Pattern Reflex that weaves AI into everyday life. Reflexive AI isn't about adding tasks — it's about embedding freedom into your routines.

Summary In this final episode of the C.A.R. Framework series, Tracy Brinkmann completes the newsletter empire blueprint with the REACH system - your subscriber growth engine. After building your foundation (CREATE) and authority (AUTHORITY), this episode reveals how to attract 100+ subscribers daily using a 3-question survey strategy, implement cold-to-warm email sequences that feel like conversations, and set up engagement filters that keep your metrics clean and income growing. Tracy emphasizes that the best marketing doesn't feel like marketing - when you lead with curiosity instead of sales pitches, people actually want to engage. Click here to Listen EP 516 Create - https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/EP516 Click Here To Listen To EP 517 Authority - https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/EP517 Key Insights with Timestamps 00:00 The Newsletter Growth Problem 01:50] What is the REACH System? 04:24] The Three Question Survey Strategy [05:54] The Three Strategic Questions [07:18] 10-Minute Survey Setup Process [10:01] Cold to Warm Email Outreach [11:56] The Three Email Sequence [15:20] 15-Minute Daily Outreach Routine [17:19] Engagement Filter System [19:33] Deleting Non-Engaged Subscribers [21:04] Tracking Performance by Source [24:23] The Weekly Review Ritual [25:27] Whiskered Wisdom - The best marketing doesn't feel like marketing Strategies Shared 1. The 3-Question Survey Strategy 2. Cold-to-Warm Email Sequence 3. Engagement Filter System Resources Mentioned AI Tools for Survey Creation ChatGPT: Generate survey questions with prompts like "Create 3 survey questions for busy parents starting online businesses" Typeform AI: Create beautiful, mobile-friendly surveys that feel like conversations Email Validation and Outreach Tools Hunter.io: Verify email addresses and remove invalid ones ZeroBounce: Alternative email validation option LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Export targeted prospect lists ChatGPT: Craft email sequences with prompts for authentic, parent-focused outreach Automation and Tracking Tools Zapier AI: Set up automated workflows for tagging, list management, and re-engagement campaigns ChatGPT: Create tracking prompts like "Help me create a system to track subscriber sources and engagement rates" Action Steps to Take Create Your 3-Question Survey (10 minutes) Start Your Daily Outreach Routine (15 minutes daily) Implement Engagement Filters Establish Weekly Review Process (10 minutes weekly) Call to Action After hearing this complete C.A.R. system, what's the biggest challenge you're facing in getting started? Is it finding your voice, building that welcome sequence, or reaching out to people you don't know yet? Join the Dark Horse Insider AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Tracy's real-time laboratory where he tests every strategy he teaches. Get behind-the-scenes strategies, AI tools that actually work, and real results from parent entrepreneurs building their escape plans. You'll see the wins, failures, pivots, and breakthroughs as these systems work in the wild. Join thousands of parent entrepreneurs turning side hustles into main hustles: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/Newsletter You've got the complete C.A.R. system - CREATE, AUTHORITY, and REACH. The only thing left is to put it in drive. Your newsletter empire starts with the first email you send.

Summary In this second episode of the C.A.R. Framework series, Tracy Brinkmann focuses on building your newsletter's AUTHORITY engine. After establishing your foundation with CREATE in EP 516, this episode reveals how to transform strangers into raving fans using a 4-part welcome sequence, create a 12-month content calendar with the "Seasonal Parent" approach, and implement a monetization ladder from affiliate marketing to comprehensive courses. Tracy emphasizes that authority isn't built overnight, but it is built one email at a time through consistency, authenticity, and genuine service. Key Insights with Timestamps 00:00 The Brutal Truth About Newsletters 03:24 The Heart of the Authority Engine 04:02 The 4-Part Welcome Sequence 09:09 The Seasonal Parent Approach 13:04 The Monetization Ladder 18:31 The Newsletter Native Approach 23:27 Whiskered Wisdom Strategies Shared 1. Trust-Building Welcome Sequence Lead with vulnerability in your origin story Share transformation lessons as immediately applicable insights Establish authority through simplicity, not complexity End with invitation, not obligation 2. Seasonal Parent Content Planning Align content with your audience's real-world rhythm Monthly themes: January (New Goals) through December (Holiday Hustle) Break monthly themes into 4 weekly topics Use AI to generate content ideas for each season 3. Progressive Monetization Strategy Start with affiliate marketing (easiest entry point) Progress through coaching, digital products, to full courses Focus on alignment between content and offers Use the "Newsletter Native" approach for natural integration Resources Mentioned AI Tools for Email Sequences ChatGPT: Create welcome sequences with specific prompts Copy.ai: Generate multiple email variations to choose from AI Tools for Content Planning ChatGPT: Generate monthly content ideas and weekly topics Notion AI: Organize content calendars and track ideas AI Tools for Monetization ChatGPT: Offer ideation with prompts like "What digital products could I create for busy parents?" Claude: Write sales copy that feels conversational rather than promotional Email Validation Tools Hunter.io: Verify email addresses and remove invalid ones ZeroBounce: Additional email validation option Action Steps to Take Build Your 4-Part Welcome Sequence (15 minutes) Map Out Your Content Calendar (10 minutes monthly) Choose Your First Monetization Level Call to Action Want to see these authority-building strategies in action? The Dark Horse Entrepreneur AI Escape Plan Newsletter is Tracy's testing ground where he implements every tactic he teaches. Join thousands of parent entrepreneurs getting AI-powered strategies delivered weekly—fresh insights for turning your side hustle into your main hustle, tested first then delivered to you. You'll get behind-the-scenes access to exact AI prompts, templates, and see firsthand how to structure emails, weave in offers naturally, and create content that feels personal at scale. Join the AI Escape Plan: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/Newsletter Authority isn't built overnight, but it is built one email at a time. Every newsletter you send is another brick in the foundation of your expertise.

Summary In this episode, Tracy Brinkmann kicks off the 3-part C.A.R. Framework series (CREATE, AUTHORITY, REACH) designed to help busy parent entrepreneurs build profitable newsletters using AI tools. This first episode focuses on the CREATE foundation: identifying your target audience through the Parent Pain Point Method, clarifying your authentic voice using three Parent Entrepreneur Archetypes, and crafting compelling content with the Monday Morning Magic template. Tracy emphasizes that being a parent isn't a limitation—it's your competitive advantage in the newsletter world. Click Here To Watch On YouTube Key Insights with Timestamps [03:30] The Parent Pain Point Method [05:50] The Coffee Shop Test [07:45] The Three Parent Entrepreneur Archetypes The Motivator: Sees silver linings, turns challenges into productivity hacks The Mentor: Everyone comes to for advice, practical and experienced The Rebel: Questions everything, shows others there's another way [09:25] The 5-Minute Voice Finder Exercise [11:15] The Naptime Newsletter Format [12:30] Monday Morning Magic Template Problem → Story → Solution → Action [14:45] Whiskered Wisdom Your newsletter competes with inbox chaos, not the New York Times Make it personal, useful, and feel like a text from their most successful friend Use AI to amplify your voice, not replace it Strategies Shared 1. Parent Pain Point Method Identify problems you solve daily that other parents struggle with Use the Coffee Shop Test to brainstorm audience challenges Focus on specific problems where your expertise meets their desperation 2. Voice Identification System Determine which of the three archetypes you are (Motivator, Mentor, Rebel) Record yourself naturally explaining a parenting win Listen for your natural tone, humor, and storytelling style 3. Content Framework Development Implement the Naptime Newsletter format (weekly, 3-minute reads) Use the Monday Morning Magic template for consistent structure Leverage your daily parenting experiences as endless content material Resources Mentioned AI Tools for Audience Research ChatGPT: Generate audience research prompts and develop detailed personas Claude: Help with persona development and audience insights AI Tools for Voice Analysis ChatGPT: Analyze your writing and identify natural tone patterns Jasper: Help maintain consistency across all content AI Tools for Content Creation ChatGPT: Generate content calendars for months in advance Notion AI: Organize ideas and keep everything streamlined Action Steps to Take Complete the Coffee Shop Test (10 minutes) Write down what you'd overhear parents complaining about Identify 2-3 problems you've personally solved Record Your Voice Finder Exercise (5 minutes) Explain your biggest parenting win like you're telling your best friend Listen back to identify your natural voice and tone Choose Your Content Framework Decide on the Naptime Newsletter format Practice the Monday Morning Magic template with one piece of content Start This Week Don't overthink or perfect—just begin Pick your audience, find your voice, choose your framework Call to Action Ready to turn these strategies into your escape plan? Join the Dark Horse Insider Newsletter where Tracy tests every tactic he teaches and delivers AI-powered strategies directly to your inbox. Get fresh insights for transforming your side hustle into your main hustle, whether you're starting, restarting, or kickstarting your entrepreneurial dreams. Join fellow parent entrepreneurs building their escape plans: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/newsletter Remember: Every newsletter empire started with a single subscriber—you. Your family's freedom is waiting on the other side of your first email.

Tracy Brinkmann reveals a game-changing AI business opportunity discovered through Chris Koerner's story of using ChatGPT's hidden video feature to diagnose home repairs. When Chris's HVAC system broke during a family vacation, he used ChatGPT's video chat capability to get expert-level diagnostic help, saving thousands in repair costs. This episode explores how 93% of people don't know this feature exists, creating a massive business opportunity for parent entrepreneurs who can turn this into an "AI Handyman Mentor" service. Tracy breaks down the target market, business model, and implementation strategy for capitalizing on this hidden AI capability. Key Insights & Timestamps The Discovery Story 00:25 Chris HVAC breakdown during family vacation and the innovative solution 02:30 How parent entrepreneurs constantly face home repair emergencies at the worst times The ChatGPT Video Feature Revelation 04:45 Step-by-step breakdown of Chris's FaceTime session with ChatGPT for HVAC diagnosis 06:00The sprinkler system success story and 30-second problem solving 07:35The shocking statistic: 93% of Americans don't know this video feature exists The Business Opportunity 08:05 "AI Handyman Mentor" app concept and why it's a massive opportunity 10:05 Target market analysis: busy parents, millennials, rural homeowners, single parents 12:05 Simple business models: $10-25/month or $200-300 lifetime access Parent Entrepreneur Advantages 13:35 Why parent entrepreneurs are perfectly positioned for this opportunity 16:05 How parenting skills translate to business advantages in this space 18:05 The skilled trades shortage creating perfect market timing Implementation Strategy 19:35 Start simple approach: landing page + manual $20 consultations 21:05 Learning from customers before building the full app Whiskered Wisdom 23:00 Key takeaway about paying attention to problems you're already solving 24:05 Action step: Keep a problem-solution note for one week Strategies Shared The Hidden Opportunity Framework Identify the Gap - Look for powerful technology that people don't know exists Validate the Need - Confirm there's a real problem this technology solves Create the Bridge - Build a simple interface between technology and users Start Manual - Begin with personal service before building automation The Parent Entrepreneur Advantage Strategy Live the Problem - Use your personal experience with the pain point Understand the Customer - You ARE the customer, so you know what features matter Leverage Time Constraints - Your limited time forces creative, efficient solutions Build for Your Schedule - Create solutions that work around family life The Market Entry Approach Start with Manual Service - Offer $20 consultations to learn the market Gather Intelligence - Use early customers to understand real needs Iterate Based on Feedback - Build features customers actually want Scale Gradually - Move from manual to automated as you understand the process Resources Mentioned ChatGPT Video Feature - The hidden capability most people don't know exists Chris Koerner - The entrepreneur who discovered this opportunity (@thekoerneroffice) Home Depot/Lowe's - Suggested locations for finding retired handyman mentors Lovable, Replit, Bolt - Platforms mentioned for building app wrappers AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Free resource for digital marketing strategies Action Steps to Take Immediate Actions Test the ChatGPT Video Feature - Try it yourself with a home repair question Start Your Problem Log - Keep a note on your phone for one week documenting every problem you solve Research Your Market - Identify if this opportunity exists in your area Implementation Steps Create a Simple Landing Page - Explain the AI handyman concept Offer Manual Consultations - Start with $20 sessions to help people use ChatGPT's video feature Learn from Early Customers - Gather feedback on what features would be most valuable Build Based on Real Needs - Use customer insights to guide product development Market Research Actions Visit Home Improvement Stores - Talk to retired employees about handyman needs Survey Your Network - Ask friends about their home repair challenges Test the Concept - Offer free sessions to validate the idea Call to Action Ready to discover more hidden AI opportunities like this one? Join the AI Escape Plan Newsletter where Ace shares the latest AI tools, strategies, and business opportunities that most entrepreneurs are missing. Sign up now at: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/newsletter Get weekly insights on: Hidden AI features and capabilities Step-by-step implementation guides Real-world AI business opportunities Parent entrepreneur success strategies Tools and resources that actually work Don't let another million-dollar opportunity pass you by while 93% of people remain unaware. Join the newsletter and stay ahead of the curve. "That, my friends, is how Dark Horses find their winning opportunities - not by waiting for lightning to strike, but by paying attention to the sparks that are already flying around us every day." - Tracy Brinkmann

Exclusive One-on-One Strategy Sessions with Tracy Brinkmann - No Sales, Just Pure Guidance for Your Entrepreneurial AI Journey Summary Tracy Brinkmann announces an unprecedented opportunity for Dark Horse Entrepreneur listeners: personal 20-minute "Escape Plan Calls" with zero sales pitch. Limited to only 50 entrepreneurs, these free strategy sessions provide personalized guidance for escaping the 9-to-5 grind or enhancing current revenue streams. Tracy explains why community matters in entrepreneurship, how personalized mentorship accelerates success, and shares his vision for building the Dark Horse Insider Escape Plan Community based on real listener needs rather than assumptions. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/EscapeCall Key Insights The Power of Personalized Guidance Generic business advice creates generic results The fastest way to accelerate success is getting guidance from someone who's walked your path One 20-minute conversation with the right person can provide more clarity than months of research The Community Building Philosophy Real transformation comes from personalized application of information to unique circumstances Building community requires understanding actual needs, not assumed needs Limitation can be a strategic advantage when providing genuine value The Entrepreneurial Isolation Problem Most entrepreneurs make expensive mistakes that could be avoided with one conversation Taking advice from people who haven't achieved what you're trying to achieve is counterproductive Success accelerates when you stop crowdsourcing advice from unqualified sources Key Timestamps 00:00 - Opening hook and introduction to the unprecedented offer 01:05 - The pattern Tracy noticed in listener emails and the need for personalized guidance 02:15 - Why community matters and Tracy's personal experience with isolation 03:45 - Details of the 20-minute Escape Plan Call offer and what makes it different 05:30 - Why Tracy is offering his time for free and the community building vision 07:05 - The Dark Horse Insider Escape Plan Community vision and listener input request 08:30 - Call to action and urgency around the 50-spot limitation Strategies Shared The Personalized Guidance Framework Identify the Right Mentor - Find someone who's actually built what you're trying to build Focus on Specific Situations - Move beyond generic advice to situation-specific guidance Prioritize Quality Over Quantity - Better to help fewer people exceptionally well than many people poorly Community Building Strategy Listen Before Creating - Understand actual needs through direct conversations Build Based on Real Feedback - Create content and resources based on genuine challenges Maintain Personal Connection - Keep the human element even as you scale The Anti-Scaling Approach Embrace Limitations - Use constraints to provide better service Quality Over Reach - Focus on transformation rather than audience size Direct Feedback Loop - Use personal interactions to inform broader content strategy Action Steps to Take Immediate Actions Schedule Your Escape Plan Call - Visit https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/EscapeCall if you want personalized guidance Identify Your Specific Challenge - Get clear on your biggest obstacle before any strategy session Stop Taking Generic Advice - Evaluate your current advice sources and their qualifications Ongoing Implementation Find Qualified Mentors - Seek guidance from people who've achieved what you want to achieve Get Specific About Your Situation - Move beyond generic business planning to situation-specific strategy Join the Community Conversation - Engage with the Dark Horse community to share challenges and insights Call to Action Primary CTA: Schedule your free 20-minute Escape Plan Call at https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/EscapeCall (Limited to 50 people) Secondary CTA: Share your input on what you'd want in the Dark Horse Insider Escape Plan Community https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/Escape "Let's build something amazing together. Let's create the community that actually serves your needs and helps you achieve your escape plan. Until next time, think successfully and take action." - Tracy Brinkmann

Key Insights Emotional intelligence often matters more than IQ for business success The workaholic trap creates dangerous blind spots in entrepreneurs' lives The four pillars of emotional intelligence: intrapersonal skills, interpersonal skills, stress management, and general mood Simple gratitude practices can transform your business mindset Envy "makes bones rot" by deteriorating your purpose and blinding you to your unique value Studying villains and failures provides more valuable lessons than only studying success Empathy isn't a weakness but a strategic advantage that provides better information for decision-making Key Timestamps 00:00:00 - Introduction: Murderers and Corporate Leaders 00:44:40 - Meet Rhonda Parker Taylor: The Emotional Intelligence Expert 00:01:20 - The Villain's Journey: Emotional Intelligence In Business 00:02:10 - Challenging Conventional Business Wisdom 00:03:49 - The Power Of Emotional Intelligence 00:08:20 - The Four Pillars Of Emotional Intelligence 00:13:09 - Practical Tips For Entrepreneurs 00:16:59 - Dangers Of Envy 00:21:25 - The Value Of Studying Villans 00:26:51 - Empathy The Overlooked Skill 00:31:50 - Whiskered Wisdom: The Emotional Intelligence Audit Strategies Shared The Four Pillars Framework - Master intrapersonal skills, interpersonal skills, stress management, and general mood to enhance business decision-making The Daily Gratitude Practice - Take moments throughout your day to acknowledge three things you're grateful for to counteract negativity bias The Comparison vs. Envy Distinction - Use strategic comparison for growth while avoiding toxic envy that "makes bones rot" The Villain-Centered Learning Approach - Study failures and mistakes to identify warning signs before they become catastrophic in your business The Emotional Intelligence Audit - A 15-minute exercise with five questions to immediately raise your emotional intelligence awareness Resources Mentioned Daniel Goleman's book on Emotional Intelligence Rhonda Parker Taylor's psychological thriller "Crossroads" The Lion King (as an example of perspective shift in understanding villains) Enron case study (learning from business villains) Golden Globe-nominated actress Mariel Hemingway (who endorsed Rhonda's book) Action Step to Take Implement the 15-minute Emotional Intelligence Audit by asking yourself these five questions: When was the last time I checked in with myself about how I'm really feeling about my business? (Intrapersonal) When was the last time I asked my team or customers how they feel about a decision I made? (Interpersonal) What's my current stress level on a scale of 1-10, and what's one thing I could do to reduce it? (Stress Management) What's the general mood in my business right now, and how is it affecting our results? (General Mood) Who am I envious of in my industry, and what can I learn from them instead of resenting them? (Envy Management) Call to Action Ready to transform your business with emotional intelligence? Join The Dark Horse Marketing Newsletter for the latest strategies on turning your side hustle into your main hustle. Whether you're just starting, restarting, or kickstarting your entrepreneurial dreams, this newsletter delivers actionable insights directly to your inbox. Head over to DarkHorseEntrepreneur.com/newsletter Connect With Us Guest: Connect with Rhonda Parker Taylor at RhondaParkerTaylor.com Host: Follow Tracy Brinkmann on social media @DarkHorseSchooling Podcast: Subscribe to The Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast on your favorite platform Community: Join our Facebook group at Facebook.com/groups/DarkHorseEntrepreneur Newsletter: Sign up at DarkHorseEntrepreneur.com/newsletter Website: Visit https://DarkHorseSchooling.com for courses, coaching, and resources Remember, emotional intelligence isn't just a nice-to-have soft skill—it's the competitive edge that can help you outmaneuver bigger, more established competitors. Think successfully and take action!

The Parent Entrepreneur's Guide to Building Engaged Audiences Using AI Marketing Automation SUMMARY: Discover how to use AI to create viral marketing content and build engaged audiences in record time. Learn the exact ChatGPT prompts and automation strategies that help busy parents generate consistent sales while maintaining family balance. Final part of the Dark Horse AI Side Hustle Blueprint series.

SUMMARY: Discover how to transform your expertise into a profitable digital course using AI automation. Learn the exact ChatGPT prompts and frameworks that help busy parents create high-value digital products in record time. Part 2 of the Dark Horse AI Side Hustle Blueprint series.

How Finding Our True Purpose Transformed a General Business Podcast into the Voice of Parent Digital Entrepreneurs https://DarkHorseSchooling.com SUMMARY: Join us for this milestone 500th episode where Tracy shares the transformational journey of Dark Horse Entrepreneur. Discover how finding our true purpose - serving parent entrepreneurs - revolutionized our impact and created a movement. Learn key insights from 200 guest interviews and see how our evolution mirrors the entrepreneurial journey itself. KEY INSIGHTS: • The power of niching down to serve a specific audience • How authenticity trumps perfection in digital business • Why parent skills are actually business advantages • The evolution of practical, family-friendly strategies • The importance of community in entrepreneurial success TIME STAMPS: [00:00] - Special 500th Episode Introduction [00:23] - The Evolution of the Podcast [01:34] - Finding the True Audience [03:27] - Lessons from Parent Entrepreneurs [09:26] - The Stable Framework and Practical Strategies [13:57] - Authenticity and Community [17:07] - Key Takeaways and Future Plans [23:11] - Whiskered Wisdom and Final Thoughts JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS: The Three Major Pivots • General entrepreneurship • Digital marketing focus • Parent entrepreneur specialization Content Evolution • STABLE Framework development • Time Pocket Strategies • Parent-First Approach • Family-Integrated Business Models Community Impact • Success stories • Implementation strategies • Family-business balance • Legacy building RESOURCES MENTIONED: • Dark Horse Insider Newsletter • STABLE Framework Series (Episodes 497-499) • Parent Entrepreneur Success Stories • Time Pocket Strategy Guide • Digital Marketing Frameworks ACTION STEP TO TAKE: Apply our "persistence principle" to your entrepreneurial journey: Start before you're ready, pivot when necessary, but never stop moving forward. Document your own entrepreneurial journey and identify where you might need to make strategic pivots. CALL TO ACTION: Join the Dark Horse Insider Newsletter at https://DarkHorseInsider.com for weekly digital marketing strategies designed specifically for busy parent entrepreneurs. CONNECT WITH US: • Website: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarkHorseEntrepreneur • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybrinkmann/ • Twitter: https://x.com/DarkHorseEntre1 • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarkHorseEntrepreneur SHARE THE EPISODE: If this milestone episode inspired you, please share it with another parent entrepreneur who needs to hear this message. Together, we can build a community of successful parent entrepreneurs. #DarkHorseEntrepreneur #ParentEntrepreneur #DigitalMarketing #BusinessPodcast #OnlineBusiness #SideHustle #CourseCreation #WorkingParent #FamilyBusiness #EntrepreneurJourney SPECIAL THANKS: To our amazing community of entrepreneurs who have made these 500 episodes possible. Your success is our success.

Turn Naptime Content Into Consistent Course Sales: Launch Strategies & Scaling Secrets for Busy Parents SUMMARY In this final episode of our STABLE Framework series, Tracy reveals how to launch and scale your course empire without sacrificing family time. Learn the "Naptime Marketing Method" for launching your course and discover automation strategies that generate income while you maintain family balance. Perfect for busy parent entrepreneurs ready to turn their expertise into sustainable profit. KEY INSIGHTS • Launch success depends on authenticity, not perfection • Scaling doesn't require more time, just smarter systems • Your family schedule can become your marketing advantage • Automation should support family life, not compete with it • Legacy building starts with sustainable systems ESTIMATED TIME STAMPS [00:00] - Episode Lead-in [01:15] - STABLE Framework recap [03:20] - Launch Strategy Design introduction [06:45] - The Naptime Marketing Method [09:30] - Automation strategies [12:15] - Legacy building techniques [14:45] - Whiskered Wisdom segment [15:45] - Call to Action and series wrap-up STRATEGIES SHARED: The Naptime Marketing Method • Time-block marketing activities • Leverage existing routines • Create during natural breaks • Maximize parent moments Toddler-Proof Tech Stack • Simple landing page • Reliable email platform • One primary social channel • Streamlined payment system The Bedtime Story System • Community building • Automated nurturing • Scheduled engagement • Legacy planning The Playground Principle • Clear boundaries • Safe exploration spaces • Peer support systems • Strategic intervention points RESOURCES MENTIONED: • The STABLE Framework Complete Guide • Dark Horse Insider Newsletter • Naptime Marketing Method Template • Launch Planning Calendar • Automation Tools Checklist ACTION STEP TO TAKE: Block out 20 minutes tomorrow to record an unscripted video explaining your course's biggest transformation - as if talking to a friend. This authentic content will become your most powerful marketing asset. CALL TO ACTION: Join the Dark Horse Insider Newsletter at DarkHorseInsider.com for weekly digital marketing strategies designed specifically for busy parent entrepreneurs. COMPLETE STABLE FRAMEWORK SERIES: • Episode 497: Story & Solution Mapping and Target Research https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/ep497 • Episode 498: Action Plan Development and Beta Testing https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/ep498 • Episode 499: Launch Strategy and Scaling (This Episode) #CourseLaunch #ParentEntrepreneur #DarkHorseEntrepreneur #CourseMarketing #PassiveIncome #AutomatedBusiness #WorkingParent #CourseScaling #FamilyBusiness #DigitalEmpire SHARE THE EPISODE: If you found value in this episode, please share it with another parent entrepreneur who needs to hear this message. Together, we can build a community of successful parent entrepreneurs.

Summary In this value-packed episode, Tracy breaks down every online business model from worst to best for busy parent entrepreneurs. After discovering that 82% of parent entrepreneurs are wasting their precious time on the wrong business models, Tracy shares his comprehensive ranking system based on real-world experience and community success stories. KEY INSIGHTS • Why traditional "guru" business advice fails busy parents • How to turn limited time into unlimited potential • Converting parenting challenges into business advantages • The surprising truth about "trading time for money" Click here to watch the episode on YouTube TIMESTAMPS [00:00:00] – Hook: The truth about parent entrepreneur business models [00:01:20] – Introduction and community member story (Sarah's 47-minute window) [00:02:27] – D-Tier Business – Models (The Dream Crushers) – Writing books (personal experience with missed bedtime stories) – Product invention (The SwitchPod story) [00:06:00] – C-Tier Business Models (Shiny Object Syndrome) – Software development ($20K lesson) – Live events (The chaos of coordination) – Merchandise (The Instagram illusion) [00:13:00] – B-Tier Business Models (Hidden Gems) – Newsletters ($4,700/month success story) – Virtual events (Parent-friendly advantages) – Speaking (From PTA to paid keynotes) [00:22:00] – A-Tier Business Models (Money in the Bank) – Done-for-you services – Sponsorships/Brand deals – Affiliate marketing [00:32:00] – S-Tier Business Models (Legacy Builders) – Online courses – Coaching – Digital products – Community building [00:37:00] – Action steps and Dark Horse Decision Framework [00:38:00] – Whiskered Wisdom segment [00:40:00] – Special announcement: AI Passive Income Accelerator STRATEGIES SHARED The Dark Horse Decision Framework Reality Check Exercise Quick Win Strategy Implementation Timeline Parent-Friendly Course Creation Method Digital Product Launch Plan Community Building Start Small Strategy Time Maximization Framework SUCCESS STORIES FEATURED • Newsletter Mom: $4,700/month during naptime • Speaking Success: $2,500 for virtual keynotes • Digital Product Creator: 50-100 sales monthly • Virtual Event Host: Successful summit during family chaos RESOURCES MENTIONED • Stan – Digital product delivery platform • Circle – Community building platform (14-day free trial) • Zoom – Video conferencing tool • Canva – Design tool (free version recommended) • AI Passive Income Accelerator (pre-launch announcement) • Dark Horse Insider Newsletter ACTION STEPS TO TAKE Complete the Reality Check exercise Document available hours Identify consistent time blocks List current resources Define income timeline Choose ONE model from A or S tier Set up basic tool stack Take first action within 24 hours Transform your biggest parenting challenge into a business opportunity WHISKERED WISDOM KEY TAKEAWAY "The most successful parent entrepreneurs didn't succeed despite being parents – they succeeded because they were parents. Your parenting challenges aren't obstacles to your business success – they're your business boot camp." CALL TO ACTION Join the Dark Horse Insider newsletter at https://DarkHorseInsider.com to: • Get weekly parent entrepreneur strategies • Receive the AI Quick Wins guide • Get first access to AI Passive Income Accelerator • Secure special pre-launch pricing Listen to full episode: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/496 SUPPORT THE SHOW • Subscribe to the podcast • Leave a 5-star rating and review • Share with another parent entrepreneur • Join the Dark Horse Insider newsletter EPISODE SPONSORS This episode is brought to you by the Be Heard Podcasting Podcast Production Services. DISCLAIMER The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only. Please consult with appropriate professionals before making business decisions. The post EP 496 13 Online Business Models Ranked: The Ultimate Guide for Busy Parent Entrepreneurs appeared first on Dark Horse Entrepreneur Schooling.

EPISODE SUMMARY:  In this revealing episode, we dive deep into the dark side of entrepreneurial success with systems expert Eric Williams. Drawing from his experience with over 300 entrepreneurs, Eric exposes how the very systems meant to free you might be creating a prison, and why 82% of CEOs are experiencing burnout. Learn how to recognize the signs of a "profitable prison" and discover practical strategies to break free while maintaining your success. KEY MOMENTS:  [00:00:00] - Opening hook about systems making you miserable  [00:00:48] - Introduction of Eric Williams and CEO burnout statistics  [00:02:25] - Eric's insights on systematization and its dark side  [00:03:06] - Detailed discussion of over-systematization problems  [00:06:28] - The "secret sauce" problem and founder's control issues  [00:10:00] - Psychological barriers and emotional baggage in business  [00:15:44] - Impact on family relationships and work-life balance  [00:17:51] - Whiskered Wisdom: The Three Circle Audit exercise  [00:21:02] - Call to action for Dark Horse Insider Digital Marketing Newsletter  [00:21:47] - Episode conclusion RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Dark Horse Insider Digital Marketing Newsletter Link: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/newsletter KEY TAKEAWAYS: The Three Circle Audit Exercise: Circle 1: Tasks only you can do Circle 2: Tasks you love doing Circle 3: Highest value activities Focus on where all three overlap Warning Signs You're Building a Prison: Working 60-80 hour weeks Unable to delegate effectively Systems that stifle creativity Deteriorating personal relationships Action Steps: Identify one task to delegate within 30 days Review your systems for flexibility Assess impact on family relationships Implement the Three Circle Audit CONNECT WITH US: Full Interview on YouTube: Link in show notes Newsletter: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/newsletter

In this paradigm-shifting episode, discover why entrepreneurs with strong personal brands earn 412% more than those without - and why waiting for perfection is killing your profit potential. Tracy Brinkmann reveals how parent entrepreneurs can leverage their authentic experiences to build profitable personal brands without sacrificing family time. KEY TIMESTAMPS:   [00:00:00] - Opening Hook: 412% Income Disparity Statistic [00:00:17] - Introduction to Personal Branding Myths [00:00:27] - Welcome and Episode Setup [00:05:38] - First Personal Brand Myth: Perfection [00:08:24] - The Fame Game Fallacy [00:13:47] - Personal Branding Beyond Self-Promotion [00:23:15] - Legacy Content Strategy Implementation [00:29:45] - Parent-Friendly Approach [00:34:37] - Whiskered Wisdom: 15-Minute Content Sprint [00:41:15] - Call to Action: Dark Horse Insider Newsletter   KEY INSIGHTS:  Why authenticity outperforms perfection in personal branding  How local influence generates more profit than global recognition  The power of turning family moments into brand assets  Why serving others builds your brand faster than self-promotion FRAMEWORKS SHARED: The Legacy Content Strategy Content Multiplication System Time-Block Technique Power Pockets Approach Brand Boundary Blueprint Family Guidelines Content Containers Intentional Sharing Framework 15-Minute Content Sprint 2-minute setup 10-minute creation 3-minute sharing PRACTICAL STRATEGIES: Content Multiplication System  Turn one piece of content into multiple assets  Leverage existing family moments  Create systematic sharing schedules Parent-Friendly Approach  Integration over separation  Family involvement opportunities  Daily content capture system Implementation Timeline  Weeks 1-2: Habit building  Weeks 3-4: Engagement growth  Weeks 5-6: Opportunity generation RESOURCES MENTIONED: Legacy Content Strategy Template Brand Boundary Blueprint Personal Brand Profit Calculator 15-Minute Content Sprint Guide QUOTABLE MOMENTS:  "Perfect personal brands don't inspire people. Real ones do."  "Your kids aren't a distraction from your personal brand - they're the most authentic part of it."  "Stop trying to be interesting and start being interested." ACTION STEPS: Implement the 15-Minute Content Sprint Create your Brand Boundary Blueprint Start documenting daily wins and lessons Begin building your Content Multiplication System CALL TO ACTION:  Ready to build a personal brand that generates income while creating legacy? Join the Dark Horse Insider Newsletter for weekly strategies on authentic brand building. Get Tracy's complete "Personal Brand Blueprint" - the exact framework for building a profitable personal brand while managing family life. Sign up at: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/Newsletter CONNECT WITH US:  Website: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com Podcast: The Dark Horse Entrepreneur YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarkHorseEntrepreneur/videos

In this eye-opening episode, successful agency owner Lorraine Ball reveals why she deliberately kept her business small for 19 years - and how that decision led to a profitable exit. Learn why the common "grow or die" mentality might be killing your business, and discover how staying small can actually increase your profitability and freedom. Perfect for entrepreneurs feeling pressured to scale, this episode challenges conventional wisdom and provides practical strategies for building a more valuable, systematic business without sacrificing your life in the process. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/Newsletter

Welcome to the optYOUmize Podcast where we help entrepreneurs build the business AND life of their dreams. Get tips, tactics, stories, and inspiration from interviews with business and personal development experts and lessons from my own successes and failures so you can make more, work less, and live better. You don't have to go it alone--we're here to support and motivate you, and encourage you to keep going until you reach your goals. Follow optYOUmize Podcast with Brett Ingram: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Website Summary Brett Ingram speaks with Tracy Brinkmann, a business and success coach who shares his incredible journey of overcoming adversity. Tracy discusses his struggles with addiction, the loss of his daughter, and how he turned to personal development to rebuild his life. He emphasizes the importance of mindset and time allocation in achieving success and encourages listeners to embrace their challenges as opportunities for growth. In this conversation, Tracy Brinkmann and Brett Ingram discuss various strategies for maximizing productivity and success as entrepreneurs. They emphasize the importance of utilizing downtime effectively, prioritizing tasks, and embracing discomfort for long-term gains. The discussion also covers the significance of delayed gratification, targeted content marketing, and leveraging algorithms for business growth. Ultimately, they highlight the necessity of authenticity and self-awareness in achieving success. Visit https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/blueprint to get the Side Hustlers Blueprint Private Audio Series -the exclusive private podcast audio series designed to help you turn your passions into a profitable venture. Chapters 00:00 Overcoming Adversity: Tracy's Journey 12:35 The Power of Personal Development 20:05 Mindset: The Key to Success 26:03 Time Management: Allocating Your Time Wisely 29:00 Maximizing Downtime for Productivity 30:57 Prioritization and Time Management 32:56 The Uncomfortable Path to Success 33:52 The Power of Delayed Gratification 34:52 The Strategy of Free Content 38:46 Narrowing Your Audience for Greater Impact 42:00 Building Momentum Through Small Steps 42:57 Effective Marketing Strategies for Entrepreneurs 49:03 Leveraging Algorithms for Business Growth 55:11 The Importance of Authenticity in Business #overcomeadversity #resilience #personaldevelopment #entrepreneurship #optyoumize #brettingram #entrepreneurpodcast #podmatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this eye-opening episode, Tracy Brinkmann reveals the true costs of postponing your entrepreneurial dreams. Perfect for busy parents juggling family responsibilities while harboring business ambitions, this episode breaks down four critical hidden costs of waiting to start your side hustle. Learn practical, family-friendly strategies to break free from the waiting cycle, including the innovative P.A.C.E. Method and the transformative 'Non-Negotiable Fifteen' approach. Discover how to turn limited time into maximum impact while building a legacy your children can learn from. Features real success stories from parent entrepreneurs and actionable steps you can implement today. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/Newsletter

Tired of creating fresh content every day? This episode reveals why that's actually hurting your marketing. Marketing expert Emanuel Rose shares his revolutionary "Content Multiplication Strategy" that turns a single 5-minute piece of content into a month's worth of marketing material. Learn why Generation Z craves authentic connection over perfect production, and how this changes everything about modern marketing. Plus, discover why chasing new clients might be costing you more than you think. Perfect for entrepreneurs who want to work smarter, not harder, in their marketing efforts. Stop creating endless content - this episode shows you how to make your content work harder for you. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/Newsletter

Struggling to create an online course between soccer practice and bedtime stories? This episode reveals why being a busy parent is actually your secret weapon in course creation. Learn the "Parent-Preneur Course Creation Method" that turns your daily routines into profitable course content. Discover why traditional course creation advice fails, and how successful parent entrepreneurs are using the "Nap Time Strategy" to build six-figure courses during school hours. Plus, get the exact three-step framework for validating, creating, and launching your course without missing a single family dinner. Perfect for busy parents ready to turn their expertise into income without sacrificing their family time. Stop waiting for the "perfect time" to create your course - this episode shows you how to succeed because of your parent life, not despite it. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/newsletter

Struggling to balance single parenthood with entrepreneurial dreams? This episode reveals the Strategic Success Triangle that turns your daily parenting challenges into business advantages. Learn how successful single parent entrepreneurs are building profitable businesses using the Power of Parallel Progress technique. Plus, discover the exact flexible business models that work around your family schedule, not against it. Stop choosing between being a great parent and a successful entrepreneur - this episode shows you how to be both. Perfect for single parents ready to transform their time management superpowers into business success. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/newsletter

Are you ready to unlock a game-changing strategy often overlooked in today's fast-paced market? Join host Tracy Brinkmann in this episode of The Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast as we delve into the transformative power of incremental change. Learn how adopting small, deliberate steps can lead to monumental improvements in both your business and personal life. Featuring compelling case studies and actionable strategies, this episode offers unique insights into creating systems for continuous improvement. Plus, don't miss our exclusive invitation to join the Dark Horse Marketing Newsletter for more valuable tips to elevate your side hustle to main hustle dreams. Tune in now and start your journey towards sustainable success!  https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/newsletter

In this urgent and actionable episode of 'The Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast,' host Tracy Brinkmann unveils the unique 'Top 100 Strategy' by Russel Brunson – a powerful method that's helping entrepreneurs earn millions. Learn how to craft your ideal customer avatar, connect with key influencers, and transition from an outsider to a trusted authority within your target market. This episode provides ultra-specific steps and practical tips to help you build trust and authority, ensuring you stand out in a crowded marketplace. Tune in now and start transforming your business today! https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/blueprint

In this episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, host Tracy Brinkmann breaks down the power of simplicity and authenticity through the lens of Doja Cat's stunningly simple yet impactful look at the 2024 Met Gala. Learn how going against the grain and embracing your true self can cut through the noise and make a lasting impression. We discuss the Novelty Factor, questioning the status quo, and why sometimes the easiest path can also be the most effective. Plus, get a sneak peek into our exclusive 'Side Hustlers Blueprint' and a teaser for next week's episode on the top 100 million-dollar strategy. Don't miss out on these actionable insights that can help you stand out and succeed. Listen now and start your journey towards a more authentic and impactful entrepreneurial path. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/BluePrint

Struggling with content creation burnout? In this episode of The Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, host Tracy Brinkmann reveals five proven strategies to keep your content fresh, engaging, and impactful. Discover how to overcome creative blocks, streamline your workflow with tools like Asana, master content repurposing, and leverage AI tools such as ChatGPT. Plus, learn how to infuse your content with purpose and intention, ensuring it resonates with your audience. Don't miss these actionable tips designed to help you balance entrepreneurship with family life and turn your side hustle dreams into reality. Subscribe and listen now to transform your content creation process and achieve your entrepreneurial goals. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/blueprint

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com In this enlightening episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, we dive deep into the content marketing funnel, revealing how each stage—Awareness, Evaluation, Purchase, and Delight—can dramatically transform your marketing strategy and boost your business success. From initial awareness to final delight, learn actionable strategies that will capture your audience's attention, build trust, convert leads into sales, and turn customers into loyal advocates. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established business owner, this episode will equip you with the tools to refine your content approach and create lasting relationships with your customers. Tune in and discover how to make your content work smarter, not harder. Text 'BLUEPRINT' to 484-514-5323 for an exclusive step-by-step guide on starting your profitable side hustle today!

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com Embark on a journey to entrepreneurial success with our latest episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, where we unveil three crucial insights every side hustler needs to know. Learn the transformative power of starting small to manage risks and foster growth, the critical importance of market validation to ensure your product fits, and why resilience can be more valuable than resources in achieving lasting success. Each segment is packed with actionable advice, motivational stories, and quotable moments designed to inspire and equip you for the challenges of building a profitable side hustle. Whether you're just brainstorming your first business idea or seeking to expand your existing venture, this episode is your blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements.  

In this enlightening episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, we dive deep into the heart of side hustling, unveiling a practical roadmap for hardworking parents and aspiring entrepreneurs. Join us as we explore the vast spectrum of side hustles, tailor the perfect hustle to your unique lifestyle, and share inspiring success stories and cautionary tales from the hustle frontlines. Gain actionable insights from our Whiskered Wisdom segment, where we reveal the key to starting small yet dreaming big to nurture your side hustle into a thriving legacy. Whether you're pondering the question, "What side hustle can I do?" or ready to elevate your existing venture, this episode is packed with invaluable advice, laughter, and the motivation to transform your entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Subscribe, share, and ignite your hustle spirit with the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast. Plus, don't miss the exclusive offer to access the Side Hustlers Blueprint by texting BLUEPRINT to 484 514-5323, your gateway to sidestepping pitfalls and confidently marching towards success. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/21days In this pivotal episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur, Tracy Brinkmann tackles the urgent and dynamic shifts reshaping social media marketing in 2024. Dive deep into the evolving digital landscape where traditional customer service paradigms are upended, content creators reign supreme, and social platforms become the primary discovery channels. Discover why short-form video content is capturing hearts and minds, and learn the art of tailoring your message for each unique social platform. This episode not only highlights the urgency of adapting to these changes but also offers unique, ultra-specific insights and useful strategies for entrepreneurs looking to harness the full potential of social media marketing. Whether you're refining your digital strategy or building a side hustle, this episode is your guide to thriving in the fast-paced world of social media. Join Tracy and embark on a transformative journey to authenticity, engagement, and digital marketing success. Don't miss out on this essential guide to staying ahead in the digital game – tune in now and take the first step towards a profitable side hustle with our exclusive email course, '21 Days to a Profitable Side Hustle'.

Explore the enthralling journey of Stacy Caprio, who transitioned from a conventional job to a digital entrepreneurship powerhouse. This episode unveils her strategic approach to selecting profitable online businesses, focusing on evergreen content and verified revenue streams. Discover actionable insights and learn the importance of resilience and adaptability in the digital marketplace. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to turn their side hustle dreams into reality. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/21days

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com In this must-listen episode of 'Game On: Unlocking Sales Through Gamification,' dive into the high-stakes world of business gamification. We explore five ultra-specific and highly effective strategies – from Limited-Time Challenges to Scavenger Hunts – that will instantly elevate your customer engagement and boost sales. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a budding digital marketer, this episode is packed with unique insights and practical tips to transform your sales approach. Plus, don't miss our Whiskered Wisdom segment for a top tip that balances fun with functionality, and learn about '365 Days Of Dominance,' the transformative guide to mastering personal and professional success. Tune in now and start reshaping your sales strategy with the excitement of a game!

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/audit Unlocking Resilient Entrepreneurship: A Journey with Jen Perdew Embrace the Dance of Legacy and Innovation: How to Build a Business that Thrives Amidst Challenges and Aligns with Your Pursuit of Happiness In the latest episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, we embark on a journey exploring the depths and breadths of resilient entrepreneurship with our esteemed guest, Jen Perdew.   Jen Perdew: Navigating Legacy and Innovation in Entrepreneurship Jen, a beacon of authentic entrepreneurship, shares her story of navigating through the delicate balance of honoring a business legacy while simultaneously injecting her innovative spirit into the venture. Her insights delve into the concept of "Eating Your Own Dog Food," emphasizing the paramount importance of authenticity and credibility in business by being a genuine user of your own products and services.   Building a Business that Thrives Amidst Challenges The episode unfolds Jen's narrative of how her business not only survived but thrived during her hiatus, revealing the robustness of the business processes in place. The discussion pivots around the significance of processes and systems in ensuring business continuity and providing a stable foundation that can weather unforeseen challenges and adversities.   The Pursuit of Happiness in the Entrepreneurial Hustle Jen's journey is not merely a business tale but a personal one, where the pursuit of happiness takes center stage. The episode explores how the entrepreneurial hustle, often characterized by relentless grind and pursuit of metrics, is beautifully interwoven with the pursuit of personal happiness, fulfillment, and a life that resonates with one's values and aspirations.   Key Takeaways and Reflections Host Tracy Brinkmann reflects on the profound insights and takeaways from Jen's story, exploring themes of resilience, authenticity, and the pursuit of happiness in the entrepreneurial journey. Tracy invites listeners to not only absorb these insights but to introspectively apply them in their own journeys, ensuring that their hustle is not just about business metrics but is also aligned with personal joy and fulfillment.   Unlock Your Entrepreneurial Potential Listeners are invited to unlock their entrepreneurial potential with "The Ultimate Parentpreneur Audit," a specially crafted quiz designed to uncover their boss strengths and elevate their business endeavors. It's not just a call to action but an invitation to embark on a journey towards unlocking one's entrepreneurial potential and elevating their business to new heights.   In this episode,  "Unlocking Resilient Entrepreneurship with Jen Perdew," listeners are not merely audience members but are invited to become active participants in their entrepreneurial journey, ensuring that their path is not just successful but joyous, fulfilling, and profoundly impactful. Join us in this exploration of resilient entrepreneurship and embark on a journey towards business success and personal fulfillment.  

Delve into the uncharted territories of Transitional Identities, a concept pivotal for anyone undergoing significant life changes. This episode is not just a listen; it's an urgent call to action for anyone standing at life's crossroads, offering a unique perspective on managing the emotional and psychological aspects of major life decisions. We'll explore ultra-specific scenarios, from career leaps to personal life shifts, providing you with a practical guide on how to construct your own Transitional Identity. This is more than a podcast; it's a lifeline to navigating change with confidence, providing useful, actionable strategies to not only cope with but thrive amidst life's inevitable shifts. Don't just navigate change, master it, with insights from an episode that promises to be as enlightening as it is empowering. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/audit

Unlocking Celebrity Power: Boost Your Local Business & Side Hustle   In the latest episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, we delve deep into the transformative world of celebrity endorsements. This powerful marketing strategy is not just for global brands but can be a game-changer for local businesses and aspiring parentpreneurs.   The Power of Celebrity Endorsements Celebrity endorsements have long been a staple in the marketing world. Their impact on brand growth, recognition, and trust is undeniable. By associating with well-known personalities, businesses can tap into their fan base, gaining instant credibility and attention.   How Local Businesses Can Secure Celebrity Endorsements But how does a local business jump on this bandwagon? The key is to start local. Before aiming for Hollywood's A-listers, consider collaborating with local influencers or personalities. Crafting the perfect pitch and considering your budget are also crucial steps in this journey.   Risks & Rewards of Celebrity Collaborations Like all marketing strategies, celebrity endorsements come with their set of challenges. It's essential to weigh the risks and rewards, from managing the influx of attention to ensuring the collaboration feels genuine and resonates with the audience.   Parentpreneurs: Offering Celebrity Endorsement Services For the parentpreneurs out there, this episode offers a unique perspective. Learn how you can spot opportunities in the celebrity endorsement arena, build a network, and offer these services to local businesses. It's a side hustle opportunity that's both lucrative and exciting.   In conclusion, whether you're a business owner looking to boost your brand or a parentpreneur seeking the next big side hustle opportunity, this episode is packed with insights, tips, and actionable strategies. Dive in and discover the star-studded potential of celebrity endorsements. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/audit

Revolutionize Local Business Marketing: Virtual Dinner Parties and Celebrity Endorsements In this game-changing episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, we're tearing down the walls of traditional local business marketing. We introduce revolutionary strategies that can take any local business from hometown hero to global sensation.   Why Local Businesses Need Digital Marketing The episode kicks off by challenging the traditional notion of "local" in business. We argue that in the age of digital marketing, being local is a mindset, not a market. If you're not online, you're invisible.   Virtual Dinner Parties: The New Frontier We dive deep into the concept of Virtual Dinner Parties, a disruptive marketing strategy that transcends geographical boundaries. These aren't your average Zoom calls; they're highly engaging events that can attract customers from different states, countries, or even continents.   Maximize Impact with Celebrity Endorsements The episode also explores the untapped potential of celebrity endorsements in local business marketing. We discuss how even small businesses can leverage the power and reach of celebrities to gain instant credibility and a broader audience.   How Parents Can Help Local Businesses Lastly, we address parents who want to make a difference in their local business community. We outline how they can offer Virtual Dinner Parties and celebrity endorsements as a service, turning them into local business marketing superheroes.   The Myth of 'Local', What is a Virtual Dinner Party?, Creating a Viral Marketing Video, Making the Pitch to Local Businesses Throughout the episode, we punctuate each segment with provocative thoughts and real-life case studies, challenging listeners to rethink their marketing strategies and take action.   This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in innovative marketing strategies, from business owners to parent entrepreneurs. Tune in to discover how you can revolutionize your approach to local business marketing. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com

What if I told you that being a parent could be your secret weapon in entrepreneurship? And what if I also told you that most parent entrepreneurs are doing it all wrong? Intrigued? Stick around, because today we're diving deep into the controversial and untold truths about being a 'parent entrepreneur.' You won't want to miss this. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/tribe

In this episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, we explore the journey of two parents, Sarah and Mark, who aspire to be digital entrepreneurs. Using the "2 People 1 Difference" technique, we delve into how their choices in continuous learning, time management, and resource investment lead to contrasting outcomes. Sarah enjoys success and a balanced family life, while Mark faces struggles and overwhelm. Tune in for actionable tips and strategies to help you succeed in your own journey as a parentpreneur. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/tribe

In this episode of the podcast, we are going to delve deep into the unique challenges and rewards of being a Parent Entrepreneur. Drawing inspiration from Michael Hyatt's insights, this episode is a clarion call for parents to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and challenge the status quo. The Dual Role Challenge Navigating the dual roles of parenting and entrepreneurship is no small feat. We debunk common misconceptions and shine a light on the resilience and creativity required to juggle these responsibilities. Drawing Inspiration from Michael Hyatt Michael Hyatt's "Entrepreneurs Will Save The World" serves as a beacon, guiding us through the transformative power of entrepreneurship. We challenge some general assumptions and align Hyatt's message with our mission. Thought Exercises to Ignite Your Entrepreneurial Spirit Conscious Consumerism Reflect on the corporations you support and their alignment with your values. Envisioning Your Entrepreneurial Utopia Visualize a day in your dream life, balancing work and family seamlessly. Your First Step to Entrepreneurial Greatness  Identify actionable steps to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey. In this episode, we not only discuss the importance of financial freedom but emphasize the legacy we're building for the next generation. Join us as we challenge the norm, celebrate the journey, and inspire a new wave of parent entrepreneurs. http://DarkHorseSchooling.com/tribe

Parent Looking For Side Hustles Lets Start Pushing Past Limits: How Jerry Itzler's Pull-Up Challenge Can Transform Your Side Hustle and Family Life Ever felt like you've hit your limit, only to discover you've barely scratched the surface of your potential? Dive into this episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast and uncover the transformative power of pushing past perceived boundaries.   Discover the riveting story of Jerry Itzler and his unexpected lesson with a Navy Seal—a tale that challenges everything we believe about our own limits. Learn how this lesson isn't just about physical endurance but a masterclass in mental resilience.   Explore how the principles from Jerry's experience can be seamlessly integrated into the digital nomad journey. From launching side hustles to navigating the unpredictable world of digital entrepreneurship, this episode offers invaluable insights for every aspiring digital nomad parent.   And if you think that's all, wait until you hear about the surprising ways these lessons can redefine your approach to family life. A game-changing revelation awaits!   Ready to unlock a world of untapped potential? Tune into this episode and embark on a journey that promises to transform your entrepreneurial endeavors and family dynamics. Listen now and redefine what's possible! https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/Tribe

Boost Your Website's Online Visibility with These SEO Tips and Tricks In this episode, Tracy Brinkmann discusses search engine optimization (SEO) and how it can help businesses rank higher in search engine results, driving more organic traffic to their websites.    The five components of SEO are: keyword research online page optimization offline page optimization technical SEO content marketing.    Tracy explains that keyword research involves identifying the keywords and phrases that your target audience is using to search for information.    Online page optimization involves optimizing the content on your website to make it easier for search engines to understand and index.    Offline page optimization involves optimizing external factors such as backlinks and social media presence.    Technical SEO involves optimizing technical aspects of your website such as page speed and mobile responsiveness.    Finally, content marketing involves creating high-quality, engaging content that is optimized for search engines and targeted towards your audience. By incorporating these strategies, businesses can improve their online visibility, attract more organic traffic, and ultimately drive more sales.   Tracy discusses the key elements of search engine optimization (SEO) that can help businesses improve their website's ranking on search engine result pages. The first step is to identify high-value keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner and Semrush. On-page optimization involves optimizing individual pages of a website, including page titles, meta descriptions, headings, content, images, and internal links. Off-page optimization involves building backlinks from other reputable websites, which helps improve a website's authority and relevance. The technical piece of SEO includes optimizing website speed, mobile responsiveness, architecture, security, and crawlers. Content marketing is also an essential part of SEO, as it attracts and engages the target audience with valuable content. It is crucial to ensure that the content is relevant and provides value to the audience, as search engines pay attention to user engagement and drive more traffic to websites that provide value. By implementing these SEO strategies, businesses can improve their website's visibility and attract more relevant traffic to their website.   Tracy discusses the importance of keyword research in digital marketing. They emphasize that it is critical to identify the keywords and phrases that the target audience is using to search for information related to the business or service.    Tracy explains that seed keywords, which are the broad keywords relevant to the industry, should be identified first. He suggests using tools like Google Keyword Planner and Semrush to expand the list of seed keywords and identify related keywords from the target audience. Tracy  highlights the importance of analyzing competitor keywords to gain insights into their strategies and potentially identify gaps in the market. Overall, the Tracy emphasizes that keyword research is a crucial component of digital marketing and should not be overlooked.   Tracy advises business' to analyze their competitors' keywords to identify gaps in their own keyword strategy and find new opportunities. By finding these gaps and filling them, it can help entrepreneurs achieve faster rankings and improve their overall SEO.    It is important to understand the intent behind each keyword, whether they are searching for information or a specific product or service. By delivering the right kind of value, it can improve the relevance and lift up the value for the writer. High-value keywords are those with high search volume, low competition, and high relevance to the writer's business. The speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing these high-value keywords and doing research to identify which ones are in demand. By doing so, writers can improve their SEO and gain a competitive edge in the market. https://DarkHorseSchooling.com

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com In this episode, host Tracy Brinkmann discusses the importance of social media for digital entrepreneurs. He highlights the billions of users worldwide, providing unique opportunities to reach target audiences, build brand awareness, and drive engagement. Tracy offers tips and strategies for creating engaging content, building a following, and measuring results. Tracy emphasizes the crucial role social media marketing plays in a successful digital marketing strategy and provides helpful insights for beginners. Overall, the conversation aims to help entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators build a business online by leveraging the power of social media. Tracy discusses the importance of social media marketing in a digital marketing strategy. He advises listeners to choose the right platforms based on their target audience and the type of content they need to create, and to create engaging content that adds value to their audience. Leveraging the power of influencers is another key point, as it can help businesses reach new audiences and drive traffic to their website. Paid social media advertising is also recommended as an effective way to generate leads and sales, and engaging with the audience is essential for building a loyal following. The host emphasizes the importance of measuring the results of social media marketing campaigns and making adjustments as needed. By implementing a strategic approach that includes these key points, businesses can create a powerful social media strategy that promotes their brand and drives engagement.    Choosing the right social media platform is essential for reaching a target audience and promoting a brand effectively. Factors to consider when selecting a platform include the target audience, type of content, business goals, and competition. Different platforms attract different age groups, demographics, and interests. Instagram is popular amongst younger audiences, while LinkedIn is popular amongst more professional folks. Certain platforms are more visually focused on images and videos, while others are more text-based. Businesses should also consider their competition when it comes to choosing social media platforms. Facebook is great for building a loyal following and promoting a brand through targeted ads, while Instagram is ideal for showcasing products or services through images and videos. Ultimately, picking the right platform for a business's target audience will make building an audience a whole lot easier.   The importance of choosing the right social media platform and creating engaging content for businesses was discussed in a recent podcast. Twitter was identified as a more tech-savvy platform, popular among professionals and journalists, while LinkedIn is a professional networking platform used by job seekers and sales professionals to promote their brand. Choosing the right platform can be critical to reaching the target audience and achieving business goals. It is also important to consider the type of content that the target audience wants to see and ensure that it is engaging to drive engagement on social media. Once engagement is established, more people will be exposed to the content. The speakers emphasized that while TikTok is a popular platform, it may not be the best choice for all businesses, and it is important to consider the target audience and their reasons for using a particular platform. Overall, businesses can benefit from considering their target audience, the type of content they want to create, and their competition when choosing the right social media platform and creating engaging content. By choosing the right platforms, by creating engaging content, by leveraging the power of influencers, by using paid advertising, by engaging with your audience and measuring your results, you can create a successful social media campaign that will drive engagement, promote your brand, and drive up sales we all want. At the end of the day, of course it is. But wait, don't leave me just yet. In our next episode, we're going to be discussing the importance of SEO yeah. Search engine optimization. Now, a B and test involves having two versions of a campaign and testing them against each other to determine which one of the two performs better, right? This can include testing different ad formats, different headlines, different call to actions. Some folks call them Ctas and determine which one is the best. And once you have figure out which one's the best, then you make that one your primary. And then you add another one. And then you change one thing. Okay? So before launching any digital marketing campaign of any type, it's important to set clear Achievable goals and objectives. Now, whether you're looking to generate leads, whether you're looking to increase sales, whether you're looking to build your following, build your email list, or drive more traffic to your website, have a clear goal in mind. This is going to help you determine the best approach in your campaign.. Grab your analytics tools. Make sure they're set up. Maybe it's Google Analytics. Maybe it's Facebook Insights. Twitter analytics. All of these can help you drive, track what's going on, track your website traffic, track your engagement rates, or any other key metrics that you need to monitor to reach the goal that you've set right. Use any of these tools. Use all of these tools to monitor the success of your campaign. Respond. Yeah. When they leave a comment, respond. Right. When they message you and messenger respond. Responding to comments and messages on social media is essential for showing your audience that you give a damn. Right. That you value their feedback and their opinions. Respond as promptly as possible and as thoughtfully as possible to the comments and the messages. Right? That's don't just copy and paste bullshit. How does that not aim to provide helpful information and helpful and heart centered responses? And then finally, and I've done this one before, brand ambassadors. Now, brand ambassadors are the influencers who kind of represent the brand on an ongoing basis. They attend events, they participate in product launches, they help create content on your behalf for your brand, or they act almost as this spokesperson of the brand. You see a lot of that out there, folks wearing other folks'gear and what have you. That helps show that influencer marketing is a powerful way to reach new audiences and promote your brand on social media. By choosing the right influencers and collaborating on content using and remember to use those micro influencers too. Don't always have to be the big guys. Measure results and build those relationships. You can create a super successful influencer campaign, drive engagement, and promote your brand. Now, we got two more here, right? Again, some of the metrics you want to look at are engagement rates, follower growth and website traffic to determine whether or not these folks are working or not. And then finally build relationships. Man, a relationship is going to build your sales a lot faster than anything else. So build relationships with influencers to create a long term success. Engaging with influencers by liking and commenting on their posts, sharing their content, and then inviting them into events or product launches that you have going on.   [Quotes] When choosing influencers, it's really important to consider their audience, their engagement rate, and their alignment with your brands. Looking for influencers that have a genuine connection with their audience and aligned with your brand's value. And messaging is something you really want to look for. Before you say, hey, do you want to partner together with something because you might be getting folks into your following that really just end up being dead weight and end up leaving later on. Collaborate on Content collaborating with influencers on content is a great way to showcase your products and your services and again reach those new audiences. This could include some sponsored posts, some sponsored videos or stories that showcase your brands or products. There you go. And give folks a behind the scene peak. Use that in your content. Behind the scenes content gives your audience kind of this peek behind the curtain into your brand, into your mind, into your world. This is a great way to showcase your personality, your brand's personality, and really connect with your audience on a whole nother level. All right, so what are we talking about? Creating this engaging content again, is essential for building your following, driving your engagement on social media. So by knowing your audience and using visuals, keeping it short and sweet, providing value, using storytelling, and being consistent, you can create content that resonates with your audience that will help you drive that engagement.   This includes providing tips, providing advice, giving industry insights, showcasing your customers success stories, showcasing their problems, showcasing some potential solutions, showcasing that, you know what, the pain points that they're having out there. And here's some ways to solve it. Give them the farm. Give it all away for free. Here's the thing. If you give it all away for free, 99.8% of the people are not going to take action.. They're going to need you to step in and help them. It's just facts and tell you what it is. Now, there is a small percentage of folks that will take your advice and integrate it into their life and go, oh, my God, it worked. Thank you so much. Which almost provide you with proof, social proof right there. Use storytelling. Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with your audience and create this emotional content, right? This emotional connection with them. They're like, even if they don't relate directly to the story, I'm leaning into the microphone so you'll hear me better.   Talk about Facebook. With their 2.8 billion active monthly users, facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms out there. It's a great platform for businesses that want to build a loyal following and promote their brand more often through targeted ads. Right? Again, they don't have to be very expensive. We can talk Instagram, as I mentioned earlier, very visual platform, popular amongst a younger crowd, and I say younger than me. You can see the gray beard here, right? It's a great platform for businesses that want to showcase their products or services through images and videos.   [CHAPTERS] [0:00:00] "Maximizing Social Media for Your Business: Tips and Strategies for Creating Engaging Content and Measuring Results" [0:02:58] "Maximizing Your Social Media Marketing Strategy: Key Points to Consider" [0:07:17] Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms for Your Business: Factors to Consider and Examples [0:11:24] Choosing the Right Social Media Platform and Creating Engaging Content for Business Success [0:13:21] Tips for Creating Content that Resonates with Your Audience: A Conversation with a Professional Writer [0:15:23] Tips for Creating Engaging Content: A Conversation with Joe Graham [0:19:04] Tips for Creating Engaging Content and Leveraging Influencer Marketing on Social Media [0:20:33] Tips for Successful Influencer Marketing and Paid Advertising on Social Media [0:26:10] Steps to Follow for a Successful Paid Advertising Campaign [0:28:16] Tips for Creating and Measuring the Effectiveness of Paid Advertising Campaigns and Engaging with Your Audience [0:29:55] Tips for Engaging with Your Audience on Social Media [0:33:25] Tips for Effective Social Media Marketing and Measuring Results [0:35:27] Tips for Monitoring and Improving the Success of Your Marketing Campaigns [0:36:56] Podcast Episode: Leveraging the Power of Social Media Marketing for Business Growth   #digitalmarketing #digitalmarketingagency #digitalmarketingtips #digitalmarketingtraining #digitalmarketingcourse #socialmediamarketing #socialmediamarketingcourse #socialmedia marketingstrategy #howtodosocialmediamarketing #socialmediamarketingforbeginners #socialmedia

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com Strategize Your Digital Marketing: Define Goals, Identify Your Audience, and Create Powerful Content. SUMMARY In this digital marketing tutorial, the host explains how to create a strategy that works. It is essential for businesses to have a plan in place to make the most of their marketing efforts. The host explains that a strategy should involve creating a plan to use tactics to reach business and marketing goals. Furthermore, the host explains that it is important to understand technology and take action to ensure success. The host also mentions that listening to the Dark Horse Entrepreneur podcast can help entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators overcome overwhelmed feelings, procrastination, and imposter syndrome. Finally, the host emphasizes that setting up a digital marketing strategy is crucial for businesses to succeed in today's digital landscape.   The conversation discussed five key components of a successful digital marketing strategy. The first step is defining goals, such as increasing website traffic, generating leads, and driving sales. The second step is identifying the target audience, which includes understanding their pain points and what kind of content they find valuable. The third step is choosing digital marketing tactics, such as social media marketing, SEO, email marketing, PPC advertising, and content marketing. The fourth step is developing a content strategy, which should be valuable, relevant, and engaging for the target audience. The fifth and final step is creating a plan to execute the strategy.   This conversation discusses the key elements of a successful digital media strategy. It begins by outlining the four essential steps: setting goals, identifying target audiences, determining tactics, and creating content. The speaker then provides two examples of successful campaigns to illustrate these concepts. Nike's Just Do It campaign inspired people to be active, resulting in a 6% increase in sales. Dollar Shave Club's viral video went viral on social media and drove a significant amount of traffic to their website, resulting in a 600% increase in sales. Together, these examples demonstrate the effectiveness of a well-planned digital media strategy.   Setting up an effective digital marketing strategy is essential for businesses looking to succeed. The key steps in creating a successful strategy include defining goals, identifying target audiences, choosing tactics, developing content strategies, and creating a plan of execution.  Zig Ziglar used the metaphor of an archery range to emphasize the importance of having a clear target in mind. Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound and should align with overall business objectives. It is also essential to prioritize goals, taking into account resources, time frames, and potential returns. Finally, progress needs to be tracked with adjustments made as needed.   TIMESTAMPS 0:00:00   Creating a Digital Marketing Strategy: Key Components and Examples 0:02:34   Exploring the Key Components of a Successful Digital Marketing Strategy 0:05:30   Creating a Successful Digital Media Strategy 0:07:23   Creating an Effective Digital Marketing Strategy: Defining Goals, Prioritizing, and Tracking Progress 0:11:02   "Creating a Digital Marketing Strategy: Setting Goals and Identifying Your Target Audience" 0:13:20   Creating a Buyer Persona: Steps to Identify Your Target Audience 0:15:34   "Targeting Your Audience: Strategies for Identifying and Engaging Your Ideal Customers" 0:16:41   Digital Marketing Strategies: Identifying Your Target Audience and Choosing the Right Tactics 0:20:09   Digital Marketing for Beginners: An Overview of Essential Strategies 0:22:00   Creating an Effective Digital Marketing Strategy: Planning for Execution 0:26:35   Creating a Plan of Execution: Building a Timeline, Allocating Resources, Setting a Budget, and Establishing KPIs 0:29:02   "Monitoring and Adjusting Your Marketing Strategy for Optimal Results" 0:30:57   Episode 410: Creating a Digital Marketing Plan for Success   HIGHLIGHTS We have made it all the way through. Congratulations, ladies and gentlemen. Yeah. Now you have the tools to set up a digital marketing strategy that will help you achieve your goals. By defining your goal, identifying your target audience, choosing the right digital marketing tactics for that audience, developing a content strategy, and creating a plan of execution, you, my friend, will have created a roadmap for success in the digital landscape. But a journey is not over. Oh, no, it is not over yet.   Look, when you create a plan for execution, it's important to prioritize your marketing tactics and allocate your resources, both financial and time bound. Effectively, you're going to need to adjust your plans as you go, depending on your results. Any results you're seeing are going to tell you, go this way because that way is not working. Or maybe that's not working. You're like, I want to go that way, so I've got to get that way to work. You've got to figure it out. You have to adjust and see, based on what you're seeing, the feedback you're getting from your audience. Overall, creating a plan for execution is yet another crucial piece of achieving your business goals through digital marketing. By developing a timeline, allocating your resources, creating a budget, setting KPIs, and monitoring your results, you can create a roadmap to success in the digital landscape. All right, there we go.   Well there's a turnaround time with that. It's not instantaneous, right? So you've got to plan that all in. That leads to the next one, which is create a budget. And really all a budget is the financial version of creating your timeline, right? Because you got to budget your time. Now you're going to budget your money. The budget is going to help you allocate resources effectively and efficiently to ensure that you have the funds that you need to execute your marketing tactics. You've all planned out.   By defining your objectives, by identifying your target audience, right? That target you need to see at first, choosing your content types and creating a content calendar and measuring your results. You can create content that resonates with your audience and drives engagement, which drives leads, which of course, drives sales. All right, here's the last one. What is it? Who remembers? Raise your hand. That's right.. Planning for execution, right? You want to create a plan of execution. Now, they're all critical. You can't take any one of these out and have this work. So I keep saying, it's a critical component of setting up your digital marketing strategy. Well, it's true. You pull any one of these out and your digital marketing strategy falls flat on its face, right? So this one here, the plan of execution is going to involve developing yourself a roadmap of how you will execute your marketing tactics to achieve your business results. How are you going to make them work together? Now, here's some steps you can use for creating your plan of execution.   Here's the cool thing. You're going to start seeing a pattern develop here, because the first step in an effective content strategy is to identify your target audience. Well, if you're already done that for your digital marketing strategy, that step is done. Your content should be tailored to the needs and the interests of that target audience. If you're going after single men versus stay at home dads, your content should be vastly different. You feel me? Okay.. Their values are different. Their interests are different. By identifying who they are and what it is they need and what motivates them, you can create content that resonates with them, that they are going to engage with and that drives that engagement. You're going to choose your content types. There are different types to choose from. We've mentioned a few of them. Blog posts, videos, infographics, podcasts, so many more, right?

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/podcast The episode is about digital marketing for beginners. It is a continuation of EP408 and goes further in depth about what digital marketing is. Digital marketing is the practice of promoting products and services using digital channels such as social media, search engines, email and other platforms. This episode covers social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising and content marketing. Tracy Brinkmann, talks about how digital marketing can help entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators build their businesses online. He discusses the importance of digital marketing in today's world and provide examples of how to use digital marketing tactics to reach and engage with their target audience.   Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a practice of optimizing a website and its content so that it ranks higher on the search engine results page. It is an important part of digital marketing as it can help increase visibility and drive organic traffic to the website. Key components of a successful SEO strategy include keyword research, which is the process of identifying the keywords and phrases that target audiences are searching for. On page optimization is another component which refers to elements in the website that can be optimized for the search engines. Additionally, businesses should always try to rank for their own name in order to increase visibility. SEO is an essential part of digital marketing as it helps to drive organic, free traffic to a website.   SEO is a key component of digital marketing that can help increase visibility and drive organic traffic to a website. It encompasses elements like page titles, meta descriptions, headers, content, backlinks, social signals, brand mentions, page speed, mobile-friendliness, and website structure. Examples of successful SEO campaigns include Maas' Beginner's Guide to SEO, HubSpot's Blog, and Backlinko's Skyscraper Technique. Measuring results is essential in optimizing an SEO strategy, and understanding the key components is vital in achieving success.   In this episode, Tracy discusses SEO and email marketing as two key components of digital marketing. SEO involves optimizing content and website structure to generate organic traffic, while email marketing involves sending targeted messages to subscribers to promote products and services, build relationships, and drive conversions. When it comes to email marketing, it is essential to build an email list, obtain consent from subscribers, and segment the list. The average ROI of email marketing is a very impressive 38 to 138 to one.   TIMESTAMPS 0:00:00   "Exploring Digital Marketing Tactics: SEO, Email, PPC, and Content Marketing" 0:02:28   "Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Key Components for a Successful Strategy" 0:04:22   "Understanding the Key Components of a Successful SEO Strategy" 0:08:40   "The Benefits of SEO and Email Marketing for Businesses" 0:10:56   How to Segment Your Email List and Create Compelling Content 0:12:21   "Measuring the Success of Email Marketing Campaigns" 0:14:16   "Exploring the Benefits of Email Marketing, PPC Advertising, and Other Digital Marketing Strategies" 0:16:38   PPC Advertising: Keyword Research, Ad Creation, Targeting, and Measuring Results 0:19:01   Exploring the Benefits of PPC, Content Marketing, and Experiences Campaigns 0:20:56   "Creating a Successful Content Marketing Strategy: Identifying Your Audience and Crafting Compelling Content" 0:22:41   "Establishing Thought Leadership Through Content Marketing" 0:28:01   Digital Marketing Strategies: Establishing Thought Leadership and Driving Conversions   HIGHLIGHTS This will drive engagement and loyalty that no like and trust me, like, man, I know this person. I've been listening to their podcasts for a year now I've been watching them on social media, I trust them. Yeah, it's going to drive that engagement, it's going to build that loyalty and by creating valuable content that provides insights and advice to your audience you're going to build that trust you're going to build that know like and trust vector and you're going to establish a strong brand identity. Now, when you use each one of those independently, when you use them together, these tactics can create this cohesive digital marketing ecosystem that attracts, engages, and converts prospects into customers, into advocates, into Raving fans. For example, you could use your social media accounts to drive traffic to your website.   You can build their brand awareness. You can create that authority and drive conversions. PPC well, this is advertising that allows you to target a very specific audience with highly relevant ads, driving traffic to your website, generating leads and or sales all by targeting specific keywords and demographics. You can reach the right people with the right message right at the right time. And then finally, we talked about content marketing, which helps establish you, your brand, your organization, your company as a thought leader in your space, in your niche, in your industry.   I get these types of things. You could get them to in your niche. Social media marketing let's talk about that for a second can drive you traffic from your website and increase your brand awareness by creating engaging social media content that encourages that it can be shared and creates that engagement. Right? You can expand your reach and drive more traffic to your website there you go SEO we talked about that helps improve your website's visibility on the search engines driving more organic traffic to your site by optimizing your website's content and structure for relevant keywords what is your folks are searching for? Remember got to know your target audience.   Okay? Again, social media marketing, SEO, email marketing, content marketing, these are all critical components of the successful overall digital marketing ecosystem. Each tactic plays a unique role in attracting, engaging, and converting potential customers into loyal advocates. Right? And then turn your loyal advocates into your raving fans. These are the people that are out there telling people about your services without you even asking them to.. I have one gentleman that this weekend actually was just yesterday, so it wasn't even the weekend. Yesterday sent me two referrals because I helped him start his podcast. He's like, oh, my God, tracy is so amazing. They were in a conversation they were like, I keep being told to start a podcast and he sent them my way, right? Just because I have established myself as the thought leader in that industry.   The program also features a blog that provides tips and advice on beauty and skincare. The program has been such a huge success and has get this, 10 million members. Imagine if you even had 1% of that on your email list by sharing whatever content you have in a newsletter. Yeah, about that. Now, content marketing again, is a powerful tool for building a strong brand identity, a strong thought leadership identity. Establish yourself as that thought leader in your niche, in your area, in your industry, and drive profitable customer actions.

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/podcast In this episode, the host of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, Tracy Brinkman, dives deep into the world of digital marketing. Explaining why it is essential for businesses today and provides examples of different tactics to reach and engage target audiences.   He acknowledges the feeling of being overwhelmed with technology and provides tips from other entrepreneurs on the podcast to help business owners better understand digital marketing.   In this episode and the next four or five, he breaks down the topic into five sections, including the basics of digital marketing, the various types of digital marketing, how to create an effective digital marketing strategy, and how to measure the success of digital marketing campaigns.   Digital marketing is the practice of promoting products and services using digital channels like social media, search engines, and email. It allows businesses to reach their target audience and build relationships with them. In this conversation, the Tracy discusses five digital marketing tactics: What digital marketing is, setting up a digital marketing strategy, social media marketing, search engine optimization, and email marketing.   He discusses how each tactic works and why it is important. Social media marketing involves creating engaging content and running targeted ads. Search engine optimization involves optimizing content on a website to rank higher in search engine results pages. Email marketing involves sending targeted messages to subscribers to promote products and services. Pay-per-click advertising involves placing ads on search engines and paying each time someone clicks on them. Content marketing involves creating and sharing valuable information to engage with target audiences.   Digital marketing is an effective way for businesses to reach and engage their customers online. Social media marketing is one of the most popular forms of digital marketing, and it involves promoting products or services on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. To be effective with social media marketing, businesses need to understand their target audience, including their interests and the problems that their products or services can solve.   Additionally, businesses need to create content that resonates with their audience and develop a cohesive brand identity that appeals to their target audience. Finally, businesses need to use analytics to track their progress and measure their success. With these steps, businesses can create a comprehensive digital marketing strategy to meet their goals and drive the results they desire.   Tracy discusses the five steps necessary for successful social media marketing. The first step is to understand the audience, by learning what their interests and problems are. The second is to create engaging content, since social media is a highly visual medium. This could include eye-catching graphics, videos, and photos. The third step is to run targeted ads to the right audience. The fourth is to engage with followers, by responding to their likes and comments. Lastly, the fifth step is to measure and track results. With these steps, brands and businesses can successfully reach their desired audience and promote their products or services. Timestamps 0:00:00 Digital Marketing for Beginners: Unlocking the Power of Digital Marketing 0:02:16 Digital Marketing: An Overview of Strategies and Tactics 0:09:23 Digital Marketing Strategies: Social Media Marketing 0:10:53 "5 Steps to Creating Engaging Social Media Content" 0:12:55 Social Media Marketing Strategies: Engaging Your Audience and Measuring Results 0:15:49 "Analyzing Engagement and Successful Social Media Marketing Campaigns" 0:17:21 Episode 4: Social Media Marketing, SEO, Email Marketing, and Pay Per Click - A Deep Dive into Digital Marketing Strategies   Highlights In 2012, the Dollar Shave Club launched a hilarious video featuring their CEO, who was talking about the company's Ranger Blade. The video went viral, and the company gained over 12,000 customers in the first 48 hours after that video was released. 48 hours, 12,000 customers. Could you handle that volume? This is the magic of an effective social media campaign. Oh, social media marketing can be highly effective and a great way to reach out to engage with and build that know, like and trust factor with your target audience.   Now, here are some of the key components of having a successful social media marketing strategy. Right? Grab your pencils and you're going to want to write this down. First things first. Let's understand our audience, shall we? Yeah. To be effective in any marketing, niche marketing, general buckshot marketing but to be effective in social media marketing, you're going to need to understand your target audience. That's all there is to it. You're going to need to know who they are, what their interests are, what problems do they have that your product or your service is going to solve.   Now, there are some pluses and minuses here, which we'll talk about in that future episode. And then finally, we have content marketing. Now, content marketing involves creating and sharing valuable information, creating that valuable content so that you can interact and engage your target audience. Now, this could be podcasts, blog posts, videos, infographics, ebooks, lead magnets, all with the goal of building trust that know like and trust factor in establishing yourself or your business as the thought leadership in your niche, in your industry, in your space, whatever that might be. So overall, digital marketing offers businessmen and women and businesses of all types a range of tools and techniques to reach and engage with customers online. Now, the reason I want to do this little series of probably five or six episodes is that by understanding the different strategies and tactics available, businesses can create a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, which we're going to talk about in the next episode, to meet their goals, your goals, and drive the results that you desire. You've got PPC, right? Pay per click. That's advertising. PPC advertising involves placing ads on search engines or social media platforms and paying each time someone clicks on your ad, right? It's almost like a no lose scenario. All right, Mr. Platform, here's what I want you to do. I want you to display my ad on your platform 87,000 times, but I'm only going to pay you for every time someone clicks and comes over to my website. This allows businesses to reach highly target audiences and drive traffic to their website really fast.   Yeah. So let's take a look at some examples of digital marketing. Now, I kind of mentioned them earlier. We're just going to do a brief overview here and then we're going to get into the meat for today's episode. Social media marketing. One of the most popular forms of digital marketing is social media marketing. It involves promoting your products and services on those social media platforms. So we're talking about the Facebooks, the Instagrams, the Twitters, the LinkedIn, Tiktoks, whatever it might be.