Podcasts about mentioned in this episode episode

“If you don't know what you're building towards, you're not going to get there.  And so, I encourage people to know what you're building.” – Bill Hampton   Promotion is one of the most misunderstood aspects of business today. It’s often connected to showmanship or clever marketing but, when it’s done authentically, it’s all about giving people a solution to their problems. In this episode, Brian interviews former Dave Ramsey associate Bill Hampton to discover how organizations can move the needle when it comes to promotion, sales and growth. Topics discussed include: how the momentum theorem works; why it’s so important to build trust, confidence and competence with your customers; and why you must not only consistently sell your message, but be ready to deliver when you get the opportunity.   Watch the episode  –  https://bcove.video/3bEWTZY   YOU WILL LEARN: How passion fuels promotion. Why sales needs belief. Why you must grow yourself to grow your business.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 265, The E-Myth Revisited – an Interview with Michael E. Gerber “Start with Why,” by Simon Sinek “Ford v Ferrari,” movie “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” by John C. Maxwell “The E Myth Revisited,” by Michael E. Gerber “Straight from the Gut,” by Jack Welch “Rudy,” movie   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE “Number one, you’ve got to ask, what is the problem that I need to solve? What is the problem my customer needs solved? Because, ultimately, you're not really promoting your business, you're promoting the problem that you solve.” – Bill Hampton “You have to know your audience so you can answer the right questions.” – Bill Hampton “When you promote your business, I think it's very important that you’ve got to stand for something. Nobody wins in the margins. You win on the edges.” – Bill Hampton “When opportunity knocks, it's too late to prepare.” – John Wooden “With sales, it starts with belief. It starts with belief in yourself. And it starts with belief in your product.” – Bill Hampton “You’ve got to know your why, you’ve got to know your numbers. And then, the last thing is, you’ve got to go all in.” – Bill Hampton “Once you grow yourself, then you can grow your people.” – Bill Hampton “You're either coaching it or allowing it to happen.” – Mike Leach   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

“We all need help. Don't go it alone.” – Brian Buffini Over the past year, people everywhere have been asked to go it alone, whether through stay-at-home orders, self-isolating or social distancing. This has led to the illusion that we’re fine by ourselves, but nothing could be further from the truth. In this episode, Brian shares why people are designed to connect with each other, why there’s no shame in reaching out and asking for help when you need it and why we’re always better together than apart.   Watch the video episode : https://bcove.video/3t5DqaL   YOU WILL LEARN: Why we go it alone. Why it’s so hard to ask for help. The payoff of not going it alone.    MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 166, Discipline Equals Freedom with Jocko Willink Episode 101, Tough Times Never Last, Tough People Do, With Master Motivator - Les Brown Episode 066, An Interview with Brian Tracy – The Living Legend of Personal Growth Part One “Cool Hand Luke,” movie  “Think and Grow Rich,” by Napoleon Hill “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” by Wintley Phipps   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Self reliance always runs out of runway.” – Brian Buffini “There are no extra prizes for pride.” – Brian Buffini “It takes a tremendous amount of security in yourself to say, ‘I need help’.” – Brian Buffini “If you can't ask for help without self-judgment, you cannot offer help without judging others.” – Brené Brown “Asking for help is ultimately ‘I want to learn’.” – Brian Buffini “Fear and self-doubt have always been the greatest enemies of human potential.” – Brian Tracy “None of us are as smart as all of us.” – Brian Buffini   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

- In this episode, I talk about the Dark Night of the Soul - what it is, what its purpose is, how to know if you're in the Dark Night of the Soul, and my own experience with it as the beginning of my spiritual awakening. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: *Episode 19 with Cassie Aurora about Spiritual Awakening *Dark Night of the Soul: https://lonerwolf.com/the-dark-night-of-the-soul/#h-what-is-the-dark-night-of-the-soul ***If you would like to book an INTUITIVE READING/TAROT CARD PULL SESSION (30 min. for $33), DM me on IG @syd.tafuri! - If you write me a rating and review in the Podcasts App, I will pull tarot cards for you! All you need to do is DM me a screenshot of your review on Instagram @syd.tafuri :) - Please connect with me if you feel called to @syd.tafuri on Instagram. I love hearing from you! This show is supported by: ORGANIFI superfood powders & supplements - Use code SYD for 15% off every order! —> https://www.organifishop.com B.T.R Bar: Use code SYD for 10% off! https://www.eatbtrbar.com/discount/SYD Drink LMNT electrolytes: https://drinklmnt.com/pages/sydneytafuri Just Thrive Health: Use code SYD15 for 15% off my favorite probiotic or anything else on the site! https://justthrivehealth.com/collections/probiotics

Back in episode 90 I talked about some of the really bad advice for new podcasters that I see in Facebook groups and today I want to talk about batch recording and when it's OK to do it, and what are the negative side effects.  WHAT IS BATCH RECORDING Batch recording is when you record a bunch of episodes in one sitting. For example, if you do a show that publishes Monday through Friday, you might record five shows on Saturday. Then set them to release over the next week.  THE PROS OF BATCH RECORDING YOUR PODCAST When you batch record, you have one day where you can focus and "pound out" your podcast and take the test of the week to either promote those episodes, research more episodes, etc. You have the rest of the week "free."  The other nice thing about having a few unreleased episodes is when life happens, you have an episode to publish and keep your schedule. Having unreleased episodes can reduce some of the stress of always being on the hunt for new episodes.  WHEN IS BATCH RECORDING YOUR PODCAST A BAD IDEA? So I was in a Facebook group and someone said when you launch you should record 10 episodes ahead of time and then schedule your big launch.  I will say this again, having a BIG launch and thinking it will deliver unending success is like saying having a BIG wedding will deliver bliss and happiness. In both cases, the work is still starting.  WHEN TO NEVER BATCH RECORD I had a client once that came to who had already recorded 52 episodes of his weekly podcast. There was one large problem. The files were in the wrong format. He had no way to go back and redo them. He had to go back and re-record them.  If you have not found a stranger who is your target audience to listen to your show and give you honest feedback, then recording a bunch of episodes is not a good idea.  In the business world, this is called "Proof of Concept." Before you go "all in" on a product you want to make sure your intended audience needs that product and likes the one you created.  What if you record 10 episodes and they all have the "Lightning Round" segment, and after the first two episodes are release you get feedback that the lightning round is really annoying? You have eight more episodes with a lightning round coming down your feed in the future unless you go back and edit them.  So I would never batch record a large number of episodes when you first launch until you know you are delivering what your audience wants.  Ready To Start Your Podcast? Schedule a strategy session today at www.podcastconsultant.com/schedule Mentioned In This Episode Episode 90 - Don't Throw Away Your Audience Podcast Editing Service - Let My Team Edit Your Show

When I searched for the word "Random" in a podcast directory, there were over 50 shows, with many of them talking about "whatever." Today I'm going to share why I think this is a bad idea and how being focused has help Carey Green get 8000+ downloads per episode for his Morning Mindset Daily Christian Devotional podcast.  How I've Seen Random Fail As a teacher for decades, I can say I've seen how humans are not fans of change. They like things to stay the same and be predictable. As a musician, I saw establishments that had comedy on Monday, Metal on Tuesday, Country on Wednesday.... in trying to have something for everyone, they alienated everyone as you never know what night it was.  I had a dog for 14 years, and for many years all of my friends made up their own nickname. The dog heard random name after random name. Consequently, he wouldn't come when you called him as he had not connected with his actual name.  The Power of the Niche On the Podcast Review Show (where you can get TWO consultants' insights for the price of one), Jason Sacco from the Ankylosing Spondylitis show shared how this podcast is attracting people who have this disease. This brings HUGE relief as many people have nobody to talk to who truly understands what it's like to have this pain-causing disease.  Jaspon has a focused niche, but that doesn't stamp out all creativity. He has been trying some live roundtables and hopes to continue to grow his audience as he moves forward. While Jason would like to monetize his show, currently building the community and the lack of feeling alone is quite a bonus already.  He has also been getting some press for his show.  Carey Green Gets to 8600 Downloads Per Episode  Carey Green hosts The Morning Mindset Daily Christian Devotional. When I hear about people with large amounts of downloads in just a few years (Carey is just under three years), I typically wonder if they had a large social following, email list, or built-in audience. In Carey's case, he had none of those. Here are some key points we covered in our interview: 20:10 Carey Green Getting 8600 Per Episode 21:43 Why Carey Started His Show 23:17 Daily Podcast Tips 24:34 Dealing With Haters 25:36 Polarizing People 25:59 Feedback From the Audience 26:58 Giving Your Audience What They Want 27:43 What Makes His Show Different 28:21 Starting a Premium Podcast 29:56 How is He Marketing His Show? 31:20 A Better Call To Action 32:05 Your Back Episodes in Stats 32:33 The One Different Thing 33:11 Teach Your Audience Your Slogan 35:43 Promoting the Show is Key 37:31 Carey Starts a Non-Profit 40:00 The Importance of Integrity What About Jordan Harbinger? Isn't His Show Filled With Random Guests? 40:54 If you listen to Jordan Harbinger's show opening, it sounds like he's just interviewing random interesting people. He mentions, "astronauts and entrepreneurs, spies in psychologists," which sounds like many random people. However, all those people are used to cover the topic of becoming a better critical thinker.  You Can Have Predictable Randomness Both Carey and Jordan do something different on Friday. While this is a different format than other episodes, by doing it in a consistent, predictable fashion, the audience can adapt. Jordan has mentioned that his "Feedback Friday" episodes are top-rated, and Carey's longer Prayer episodes were built on his audience's requests.  Getting Your Audience Subscribing and Returning For More When you deliver a message that the audience can identify with and say, oh, wow, that person really gets me, or I can use this information to transform myself and achieve that success. They're going to connect with you, and when they hear the call of a new episode, unlike my lovable little shi-Tzu Dudley, they are going to come running back to subscribe for more. The Launch of the Dog Podcast Network 12:15 I will be interviewing James Jacobson (a consulting client of mine) who is launching the Dog Podcast Network. Currently, James is running the 101 Dog Stories Contest. Submit your 5-15 minute segment to win a place in 101 Dog Stories, and you could win our grand prize of $5,000 USD. (Up to one hundred winners will take home $100 each.) It's pretty simple to enter the 101 Dog Stories Contest. Just record your very best dog-angle story and submit! Simple, not necessarily easy: your best dog-adjacent story should be polished, fully produced packages that are ready for broadcast. We're not taking pitches; we're taking up to 101 segments. Do your best work, and be proud of it before you submit! Check it out at www.dogpodcastnetwork.com/101  Start Your Podcast Today I would love to help you create a podcast that connects with our audience, makes you sound professional, positions yourself as an expert, and gets your message out on a global scale. You don't have to spend a million bucks to sound like a million bucks.  Join the School of Podcasting today Mentioned In This Episode Episode 752 with Steve and Mark The Morning Mindset Daily Christian Devotional Dog Podcast Network Ankylosing Spondylitis Podcast Jordan Harbinger Join the School of Podcasting Schedule a Podcast Coaching Call  

Alex left his wholesaling business earlier this year and took some time off to figure out what would be his next pivot. After taking some time off, reflecting, praying, etc., Alex shares his thoughts and his commitments on his next phase of entrepreneurial life.   Key Takeaways: At the beginning of the year, Alex decided to transition out of his business despite being in the industry for 15 years (check out Episode 429 below)! Alex's coach told him to take some time off and really reflect on what he wants to do before jumping in to the next thing.  Alex is so glad he did because something really clicked for him in November!  Right now, Alex is fully committed to buying his first storage facility in the next six months.  Keep Alex accountability! He shares his plans for the future. Surprisingly, technology in this industry can do a lot of the heavy lifting and it doesn't require a lot of team members.  Alex thinks there will be a shift in the market and wants to be prepared.  Alex is super excited to do something new!  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 429: Alex is Exiting the Wholesaling Business (and Shares a Message You Need to Hear)! ASCEND:

 “Mental toughness is a core characteristic for the mindset, motivation and methodologies of success.” – Brian Buffini You need to be mentally tough to conquer life’s many challenges. In this episode, Brian teaches how to develop the kind of mental toughness that will impact and improve every aspect of your life, set you apart from your competition and help you to live the good life. Topics discussed include: why entitlement is such a problem, why training must be ongoing and why gratitude is so important.   YOU WILL LEARN: Symptoms of our culture’s softness. Models of mental toughness in today’s world. Strategies to develop mental toughness.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 066, An Interview with Brian Tracy – The Living Legend of Personal Growth The Pathway to Mastery–Essentials The Pathway to Mastery–Advanced “The Emigrant Edge,” by Brian Buffini Episode 025, The Power of a Made-Up Mind “Man's Search for Meaning,” by Viktor E. Frankl   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas Edison “The future belongs to the competent. Get good, get better, be the best!” – Brian Tracy “When I'm training, I'm learning. And when I'm learning, I'm growing. And when I'm growing, I'm happy.” – Brian Buffini “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” – GK Chesterton  “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude towards it.” – Maya Angelou “A human being whose mind is made up is a force of nature in this world.” – Brian Buffini   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

  “If you pay attention to a distraction, it is a very high price you pay.” – Brian Buffini It’s very easy to become distracted and lose focus in today’s fast-paced world. In this episode, Brian teaches how to avoid distractions, develop laser focus and become an on-purpose person who will win the day. Topics include how distraction dilutes concentration and energy, why multitasking isn’t necessarily positive, how to get back on task quickly if you get distracted and why a power hour can help you to complete short-term immediate action steps and gain momentum.      Click below for your Free Power Hour Sign! DOWNLOAD FREE RESOURCE   YOU WILL LEARN: The three enemies of focus. The three benefits of focus. Action steps to become more focused.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 14, An Interview with Daniel Goleman The Peak Experience “Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence,” by Daniel Goleman Marilyn vos Savant Joe Niego “Flow,” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Buffini & Company Heritage Profile “For Want of a Nail,” poem “Invictus,” by William Ernest Henley   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Distraction means you miss out on life.” – Brian Buffini  “Focus is intentional; drift is passive.” – Brian Buffini “To be in hell is to drift: to be in heaven is to steer.” – George Bernard Shaw “Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” – Alexander Graham Bell “It is those who concentrate on but one thing at a time who advance in this world.” – Og Mandino  “It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go.” –  Jim Rohn   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

“The American Dream has always been classified as an aspiration to own your own piece of real estate.” – Brian Buffini   Homeownership is the cornerstone of the American Dream. In this episode, Brian explains why real estate has been the making of him in his career, as a provider for his family and as a primary source of investment. Topics discussed include why people’s homes were their refuge during the COVID-19 pandemic, why owning is better than renting and why, for many people, the mortgage interest write-off could be the difference between being a renter and being an owner. Use the button below to download this week’s resource and follow along with the episode. READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT DOWNLOAD FREE RESOURCE   YOU WILL LEARN: Why homeownership increases personal wealth and well-being. Why homeownership promotes stronger families and neighborhoods. Why homeownership is good for the economy.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 124, “Getting the Mortgage Monkey Off Your Back”   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Food, shelter and clothing are the three predominant needs of humanity – and owning a home answers one of those.” – Brian Buffini “The house of everyone is to him as his castle and fortress.” – Edward Coke “Home should be an anchor, a port in a storm, a refuge, a happy place in which to dwell, a place where we are all loved, and where we can love.” – Marvin J. Ashton “As an immigrant, I didn't feel like I belonged in America until I owned a home.” – Brian Buffini “A house is made with walls and beams. A home is made with love and dreams.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson “Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt “Having a home and buying real estate, even buying investment real estate, is a phenomenal goal to set your mind on, and a great set of goals to have as the end to which all your efforts are directed.” – Brian Buffini “There’s something permanent, and something extremely profound in owning a home.” – Kenny Guinn “90 percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” – Andrew Carnegie “Buy real estate; they stopped making it.” – Mark Twain “Can a home buy you happiness? No, it can't. But can it contribute to your happiness? Absolutely.” – Brian Buffini “Owning a home is a keystone of wealth – both financial affluence and emotional security.” – Suze Orman “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.” – Confucius “Buy real estate, hold it and then buy some more.” – Brian Buffini “If you don’t own a home, buy one. If you own a home, buy another one. And if you own two homes, buy a third, and lend your relatives the money to buy a home.” – John Paulson “Owning a home is a magical thing. And it's the magic I hope that you currently are participating in.” – Brian Buffini “Real estate has provided me with the income to go pursue the gifts God's given me to go help as many people as I can. I owe that to real estate.” – Brian Buffini   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

“All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts.” – James Allen   Part of the Buffini & Company 5 Circle Fit Challenge is reading “As a Man Thinketh,” by James Allen, a book that has had a profound impact on Brian’s thinking and habits. In this episode, Brian goes through the book chapter by chapter, reflecting on quotes he holds on to, explaining how its teachings have helped and challenged him and outlining how the same principles of success and personal growth and development contained in this 1903 thought classic still hold true today. READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT DOWNLOAD FREE RESOURCE   Join the 5 Circle Fit Challenge today and start reading your free e-copy of “As a Man Thinketh.”   YOU WILL LEARN: Why character is central to personal growth and development. Why a definite, major purpose is vital to success. Why you must sacrifice if you want to achieve.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 200, As a Man Thinketh Episode 166, Discipline Equals Freedom with Jocko Willink “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” by Dale Carnegie “Think and Grow Rich,” by Napoleon Hill Episode 061, The Strangest Secret – by Earl Nightingale “The Energy Bus,” by Jon Gordon   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “A man is literally what he thinks; his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.” – James Allen “Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.” – James Allen “We are in control of our thought life.” – Brian Buffini “We are in charge of what we watch and listen to. We are in charge of what we connect to, what we hold on to and what we let go.” – Brian Buffini “The body is the servant of the mind.” – James Allen “Until thought is linked with purpose, there is no intelligent accomplishment.” – James Allen “He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much; he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.” – James Allen “Dream lofty dreams and, as you dream, so shall you become.” – James Allen “The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.” – James Allen   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

“We weather this storm; we come back strong.” – Ken Trepeta In these difficult days, it’s reassuring to know that there are people behind the scenes helping to make the gift of homeownership a reality for many. In this episode, Brian interviews RESPRO® President and Executive Director Ken Trepeta to learn about the RESPRO® mission and find out how real estate professionals around the country are still closing transactions in the middle of a pandemic. Topics discussed include helpful technologies being used in the marketplace, advice on forbearances and why people who were made unemployed must not be penalized.       READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT   YOU WILL LEARN: Who RESPRO® is and what it does. What Congress can do to help home buyers and sellers. How the bounce-back will play out.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 201, This Too Shall Pass – an Interview with Dr. Lawrence Yun Episode 214, The Podcast Every Homeowner Needs to Hear – an Interview with Dr. Lawrence Yun Buffini Bonus Resources   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “When I describe RESPRO®, basically we’re the source for one-stop shopping in real estate.” – Ken Trepeta “There are impediments to getting deals done but, even in the hardest hit areas, people are coming through.” – Ken Trepeta “The bottom line is, people are resourceful, people are entrepreneurial and people are getting the deal done.” – Brian Buffini “America’s spirit - it can’t be held down, and it’s always reflected in real estate.” – Brian Buffini “Real estate transactions can be done more quickly than ever, but they still take some time so there’s a lot of foundation you can lay, even in an area that is essentially shut down.” – Ken Trepeta “We’re all in the same storm, but not everybody’s in the same boat.” – Brian Buffini “Different states are opening up in different ways right now.”  – Brian Buffini “Be real careful about forbearance. Only use it when absolutely necessary.” – Ken Trepeta “If we weather this storm, I think demand will just get shifted.” – Ken Trepeta “Like with every challenge, there’s opportunities here.” – Brian Buffini “Old-fashioned customer service and caring for people is still at a premium.” – Brian Buffini “People are ready to live life again. And part of living life again is getting a new home or upgrading.” – Ken Trepeta   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

“I think this is going to be one of the first industries to recover.” – David Stevens In the present climate, there’s a lot of misinformation and uncertainty in the marketplace. In this episode, Brian interviews David Stevens, Chief Executive Officer at Mountain Lake Consulting, Inc., and former CEO and President of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), to get clarity on current economic issues. Topics discussed include the tightening of minimum requirements for mortgage qualification, when banks and other financial institutions will begin to readjust their credit parameters back and advice for both buyers and sellers in today’s market.   READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT   YOU WILL LEARN: Why this crisis is so different than the last recession. Why the real estate industry will recover quickly. Why Millennials are at the core of a rebound.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 203, A Home for the Brave – an Interview with Dr. Ben Carson and Brian D. Montgomery Episode 211, Take This to the Bank – an Interview with Michael DeVito The 5 Circle Fit Challenge   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Governors across the country are going to start having us go back to work sometime in June at the latest, May in some states. And all this downward trend is going to stop in its tracks. We're going to see an immediate pop back. It won't be back to where it was. But we're going to see immediate pop back.” – David Stevens “This nation, we have great demographics for housing. We're going to have record low interest rates when we come out of this.” – David Stevens “If there are any house price downturns during this period, it's going to be very minor. And that's because the US didn't have the inventory.” – David Stevens “I think both listing and purchase buyers are going to see some sort of immediate response because pent-up demand is occurring, and the only overlay that will cause resistance there will be the unemployment factor.” – David Stevens “The bottom line is, all economics is supply and demand. And we still have a limited supply and high demand.” – Brian Buffini “Homeownership is a wealth creator for this country and for Americans.” – David Stevens “Worry the most when things are best.” – David Stevens “I'm just looking at what economists are giving me. And I think, you know, we're going to have a great housing market ahead.” – David Stevens   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

“I continue to be bullish on real estate. And we’re going to be there to help.” – Michael DeVito In these unprecedented times, there’s a lot of misinformation and uncertainty in the marketplace. In this episode, Brian interviews Michael DeVito, Executive Vice President and Head of Wells Fargo Lending, to get clarity on current banking issues. Topics discussed include whether banks are still processing mortgages, how appraisers are evaluating homes and why it’s so important to support average homeowners who want to purchase.   READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT   YOU WILL LEARN: How the financial system is coping with the crisis. The state of play regarding jumbo loans, purchase loans and refinances. How Wells Fargo is helping those directly affected by COVID-19.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 203, A Home for the Brave – an Interview with Dr. Ben Carson and Brian D. Montgomery Episode 201, This Too Shall Pass – an Interview with Dr. Lawrence Yun The 5 Circle Fit Challenge   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “We have to recognize that there's shelter in place and other things happening that have changed the way we do business. But we're absolutely open for business and serving customers.” – Michael DeVito “We're processing and underwriting loans in remote ways – in ways we never even imagined we would be doing it.” – Michael DeVito “The good news to this situation is that you have a financial system that's able to lean in and help, unlike maybe the last time around when the financial system was not as strong and not able to be a source of strength.” – Michael DeVito “Try to take the long view, try to gather as much information as you can and assess and adapt. The world's not going to go back to what it was, it's going to go to something new. And there'll be new opportunities as a result of that. And the most adaptive of us – the most adaptive companies, the most adaptive teams, the most adaptive people – they're going to be the winners.” – Michael DeVito “Assess and adapt – that’s the Navy SEAL way.” – Brian Buffini “People want to be homeowners; we know they want to own homes. And when you think about that, there's just this desire to have a place for your family and a place to gather. And we'll do that again. We'll be gathering with family and friends again, you know, it's just going to be a window of time but we’re going to do it again.”  – Michael DeVito   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

In this episode I share the benefits and positive things that come from procrastination. It might seem counter-productive, but as I share and discuss what I believe to be the two major reasons we put things off you will quickly see how this can benefit you. Pausing, pivoting or completely scrapping an idea does not mean you’re a failure, it’s an opportunity to reevaluate your idea, task or project. You will gain a new, fresh perspective. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 002: Defining Your Personal Values Follow me on IG: @leanintocuriosity Topic suggestions, questions or to be on the show, click here!

“The beauty of this is we may get knocked down, but we're also the referee. So, don't ever count yourself out.” – Chris Hogan In these uncertain times, people need to be in control of their money more than ever before. In this episode, Brian interviews finance expert Chris Hogan about how to take care of finances in the current economy. Topics discussed include how to still save money and pay down debt, why the stock market is set to rebound and how to learn from this situation and get prepared for when the economy starts to recover.   YOU WILL LEARN: How to stay in control of your faith, attitude, outlook and actions. How to protect and conserve your energy, resources, money and talents. How to be grateful, even in difficult circumstances.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 203, A Home for the Brave – an Interview with Dr. Ben Carson and Brian D. Montgomery Episode 201, This Too Shall Pass – an Interview with Dr. Lawrence Yun Episode 205, Leading in a Crisis – an Interview with NAR President Vince Malta www.buffiniandcompany.com/bcbonus Buffini & Company MasterMind Summit Episode 158, Everyday Millionaires with Chris Hogan The Chris Hogan Show “Everyday Millionaires,” by Chris Hogan “The Total Money Makeover,” by Dave Ramsey Ramsey Solutions   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “I want to encourage people out there for things you can control: your faith, your attitude, your outlook and your actions.” – Chris Hogan “We've got to regroup and rethink and be smart.” – Chris Hogan “The stock market is like the supermarket. You can go in the supermarket and get some stuff that's good for you and you can get some stuff that's bad for you. So, we need to be aware of what we're investing in based on our risk tolerance and based on our goals.” – Chris Hogan “The market is down, but do not eject: stay focused and not finished, because it's going to rebound.” – Chris Hogan “If we make short-term emotional decisions regarding our long-term financial well-being, we'll end up in trouble.” – Brian Buffini “I tell people: I'm not worried about what's going on at the White House, we need to focus on what's going on in your house. And so, getting a plan for debt reduction, getting on a balanced spending plan, a budget, and having reserves for the future and saving an investment for the future. If you can't wake up and see the importance of this, then you're not paying attention.” – Chris Hogan “What we need to be doing is learning from this. Feel the pain and use that pain to make progress.” – Brian Buffini “This can be the ultimate personal growth experience for people, and they can learn from it and go forward and build a financial fortress that can withstand any storm in the future.” Brian Buffini “They say information without application is just information; but information that gets applied has an opportunity to become wisdom.” – Chris Hogan “When people ask me, ‘Hogan, how are you?’ I say I'm focused and not finished. That means I'm focused on what I want. And I'm not finished yet.” – Chris Hogan “I want us to focus on the spirit of gratitude. It's so easy to get caught up on what we don't have. I think it's important for us to be aware of what we do.” – Chris Hogan “It's hard to be hateful when you're grateful.” – Chris Hogan   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

 In times of crisis, it’s reassuring to know that you have good people in your corner. In a continuation of a series with the leadership of NAR, Brian interviews Shannon McGahn, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Association of REALTORS®. Brian and Shannon discuss how the organization is representing the interests of the real estate industry on Capitol Hill during the Coronavirus crisis. Topics discussed include how pandemic unemployment assistance can help those who need it; why cash flow is so important to real estate and how the pushback of the tax deadline to July 15 will help the industry; and how lending institutions can service small business with loans.   YOU WILL LEARN: How NAR represents REALTORS® in Washington. How the recent CARES Act will help the industry. What the next round of legislation holds.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 203, A Home for the Brave – an Interview with Dr. Ben Carson and Brian D. Montgomery Episode 201, This Too Shall Pass – an Interview with Dr. Lawrence Yun Episode 205, Leading in a Crisis – an Interview with NAR President Vince Malta www.buffiniandcompany.com/resources/bc nar.realtor/coronavirus   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “For all the talk of a broken and partisan Washington, when this sudden crisis hit, Congress acted in an overwhelmingly quick and bipartisan problem-solving way and our job is to work with them in that fashion.” – Shannon McGahn “NAR jumped to action to ensure that our members, property owners and the industry were all well represented in this response.” – Shannon McGahn “What makes REALTORS so effective on the Hill is that we’re not representing a special interest. We’re representing everyone’s interest. This is REALTOR members, property owners, consumers, the industry and the business as a whole.” – Shannon McGahn “It’s our intention to continue working with lawmakers to ensure that, as we get out of the crisis and into recovery, that we can see that real estate plays a big picture there.” – Shannon McGahn “I must say that I have had great responsiveness from all of our contacts on the Hill. They are looking for every way possible to help shake out any of these funds within the economy.” – Shannon McGahn “We’re self-employed. And it’s just good to know we’re not all by ourselves.” – Brian Buffini “Observers who were closely following the 1031 issues are encouraged to see that we might see some relief and guidance in the next week or two.” – Shannon McGahn “We work with people. So, as long as you respect the people and the process that they have to go through to come up with their decisions and to implement them, then you’re going to have a better understanding of how those laws are enacted.” – Shannon McGahn https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

“One thing is for sure. We're going to survive this and we're going to be stronger at the other end as an industry.” – Vince Malta In these uncertain times, real estate professionals are experiencing unprecedented challenges on a national level. In this special bonus episode, Brian interviews NAR President Vince Malta about how the community can weather the Coronavirus pandemic and have confidence in the future. Topics discussed include how the home market will recover; why staying informed, keeping educated and getting trained is vital; and how virtual advances might streamline transactions.   YOU WILL LEARN: How NAR is currently advocating on behalf of the industry. How the recent $2 trillion CARE relief package will help the real estate business. Why Realtors’ value proposition is more important than ever.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 203, A Home for the Brave – an Interview with Dr. Ben Carson and Brian D. Montgomery Episode 201, This Too Shall Pass – an Interview with Dr. Lawrence Yun Buffini Bonus Resources U.S. Chamber of Commerce infographic National Association of REALTORS® NAR Right Tools Right Now Realtor hotline: 1 800 874 6500   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Home is very important to me right now. I really appreciate my home, this place I call home, a lot more these days.” – Vince Malta “I think people have a greater affection for their home. I think they have a greater affection for the people who made their home possible.” – Brian Buffini “I think when we come out of this, there will be a great pent-up demand in the home business.” – Brian Buffini “We saw that after 9/11…people really looked at home as their safe haven and so they invested a lot more in their home or they invested in a home.” – Vince Malta “I think that we're all going to get our home in order when this passes for sure. And there'll be good opportunity to do so.” – Vince Malta “Many markets in the United States are still doing a lot of buying and selling of homes right now.” – Vince Malta “One thing I find with Realtors is they're so resilient. And they're so adaptable. And that's what they are doing right now. They're finding ways that they could help their clients either market their property or help them prepare for what they're going to do or providing them the latest information regarding Covid 19 through this crisis, and so that is, I think so great about our Realtor community. They make things work in sometimes the most adverse situations.” – Vince Malta “Stay up to date with the latest information.” – Vince Malta “This is a time to really reflect and look inward in a sense as to how you need to perhaps redesign your business model. Educate yourself. This is the time to take and do those things.” – Vince Malta “You're going to be in a situation where you might want to do 12 months’ worth of business in about 9 months’ worth of work. And so, now's the time to do training.” – Brian Buffini “Now's the time to be a voice of value in the marketplace.” – Brian Buffini “Your expertise is needed more now than ever.” – Vince Malta “Some online providers have pulled back their services because of what's been going on, such as iBuying programs, etc. So I think that there'll be a great need for real estate services as we move forward.” – Vince Malta “That value proposition is going to be extremely important as we move forward. And I think that Realtors will be able to express that value proposition so greatly as they're guiding people through this post Covid-19.” – Vince Malta “You’ve got to take the ‘self’ out of being self-employed, I think it's important to connect as a community, connect with fellow agents, connect with your broker. – Brian Buffini “Some blessings always come out of these trials.” – Brian Buffini “Realtors aren't going anywhere. We're here for the long haul. We're here to serve.” – Brian Buffini   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

“When things get hot, I get cool.” – Brian Buffini In times of crisis, we must dare to be great. In this episode, Brian explains how to deal with challenges and assist others in these unprecedented times. With military tips for developing discipline, as well as inspirational stories, how-tos and quotes, this episode will help you be fired up, steady and secure, now and into the future.      YOU WILL LEARN: How to practice Discipline. How to enhance your Attitude. How to Relax. How to Energize.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 203, A Home for the Brave – an Interview with Dr. Ben Carson and Brian D. Montgomery Episode 201, This Too Shall Pass – an Interview with Dr. Lawrence Yun Episode 198, Start Slow, Finish Fast – an Interview with Hal Higdon The Pray App Headspace “Attitude,” a poem by Charles R. Swindoll   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Without self-discipline, success is impossible.” – Lou Holtz “Discipline is choosing between what you want now, and what you want most.”  – President Abraham Lincoln “Discipline is the foundation on which all success is built. Lack of discipline inevitably leads to failure.” – Jim Rohn “Life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it.” –  Charles R. Swindoll   “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” – Winston Churchill “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” – Zig Ziglar “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou “If you can’t energize others, you can’t be a leader.” – Jack Welch “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” – Psalm 23     https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

Not only are your skills transferable from one job to another, but what you are learning through your passion project, side gig or hobbies can also transfer over to other areas of your life. In my situation, I took what I have created with this podcast to change careers. Now I will be doing something more in alignment with my values. I want you to think about what you are working on that can transfer over to other areas of your life and even help you completely pivot. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 002: Define Your Personal Values Episode 030: Leap of Faith Follow me on IG: @leanintocuriosity Topic suggestions, questions or to be on the show, click here!

It’s crazy to think about what can happen in one year. With consistency I have been able to have so many amazing pepisodes on Lean Into Curiosity. This pepisode is dedicated to sharing with you the top three most valuable lessons I have learned over the last year as well as three major takeaways you can implement immediately. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 002: Define Your Personal Values Follow me on IG: @leanintocuriosity Topic suggestions, questions or to be on the show, click here!

By showing up as yourself, the truest version of you, in every situation, you will attract the right people at the right time for the right reason. By toning down your uniqueness so you don’t “offend” another person can cause internal conflict, resentment and being off balanced.  Authenticity is your power and I want you to use your uniqueness to your advantage. You have your personality for a reason, use it! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 002: Define Your Personal Values Episode 006: Embrace All Your Traits aka Just Be Yourself Follow me on IG: @leanintocuriosity Topic suggestions, questions or to be on the show, click here!

“You’re not truly successful, you’re not truly the great white, until you take others with you.” – Walter Bond In business, success is often measured by the ability to beat the competition. However, to really achieve lasting success and make a difference in the world, you must work with, not against, other people. In this episode, Brian interviews former NBA star Walter Bond about his impactful new book, “Swim!: How a Shark, a Suckerfish and a Parasite Teach You Leadership, Mentorship and Next Level Success.” Walter explains why we should apply the principles of collaboration used by sharks in the ocean to connect with and learn from others in order to really succeed.   YOU WILL LEARN: The Sacred Six lessons of the shark. How to build a network of helpers and avoid parasites. Why your mistakes do not define you and how you can keep moving forward. You will also hear the two gentlemen reminisce about when Walter was a guest speaker at the Buffini & Company MasterMind Summit. This event is designed to inspire, motivate and help unlock the best version of you. Catch Brian live and hear from more dynamic speakers at MasterMind Summit 2020, August 2 – 4 in San Diego.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 114, The Brian Buffini Show “Swim!: How a Shark, a Suckerfish and a Parasite Teach You Leadership, Mentorship and Next Level Success,” by Walter Bond   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Great coaches develop their players.”  – Walter Bond “Keep moving forward. Your biggest trials and tribulations can come back to be your biggest blessings if you move forward and learn from your mistakes.” – Walter Bond “If you want to be at the top of your food chain, it’s going to require you to think positive and it’s going to require you to focus on the most important things that are going to make you successful.” – Walter Bond “We become what we repeatedly do.” – Aristotle “You’re not truly successful, you’re not truly the great white, until you take others with you.” – Walter Bond   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

I think there are two kinds of comparisons - one that is super powerful and one that can suck your soul dry. Negative comparison is the #1 killer of creativity. In this short pepisode I explain how to be completely present as you scroll through your IG feed. I do this magical thing with my mindset which I practice now each time I pick up my phone. The way I am able to compare in a positive way is a game changer! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 002: Define Your Personal Values Follow me on IG: @leanintocuriosity Topic suggestions, questions or to be on the show, click here!

No matter what path your creative journey takes you down, you’re are going to have creative blocks from time to time.  Sometimes these can last a few hours, a few days and even weeks.  In this episode I share with you three practical tools you can begin to practice when you’re feeling stuck.  I like to try a variation of things in different situations and I hope you can do the same! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 052: Maybe it’s an Opportunity Follow me on IG: @leanintocuriosity Topic suggestions, questions or to be on the show, click here!

You've heard of a gratitude practice right? Have you maybe tried to create one and you find it hard to be grateful especially when you have a difficult situation you are dealing with? If you're anything like me-you try to stay positive and find the good in things, but sometimes you feel so depleted.  How do you find the silver lining when you feel frustrated? Try using the tool I share with you in this episode.  It has saved my life and I mean literally.⁠ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 002: Define Your Personal Values The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein Super Soul Sunday with Gabrielle Bernstein Follow me on IG: @leanintocuriosity Topic suggestions, questions or to be on the show, click here!

Caitlin “Meraki” Durning had an idea spark while working for a non-profit organization.  She never expected to run an Instagram giveaway that would turn viral, but that was just the beginning.  If Caitlin could help one family-run non-profit grow their social media presence while raising a lot of money, she could help others.  Caitlin used her credibility from that situation to create her business and Meraki Media Management was born. Meraki is a Greek word that means doing something with passion and from the heart - Caitlin helps her clients use social media as a resource to shine light on the meaning behind their brand. TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: Instagram stories are a good place to spend your time on social media, stories are where it’s at. Trust your instincts and go all in on your endeavor. Take an experience you’ve had and use that to build your credibility. If you’re feeling stuck, get moving. Energy creates energy. Networking and connections with other entrepreneurs will help open your creativity channels. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Episode 22: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs with Jaclyn DiGregorio Follow me on IG: @leanintocuriosity Topic suggestions, questions or to be on the show, click here! CONNECT WITH CAITLIN DURNING: Website: https://www.merakimediamanagement.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meraki_media_management Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetSocialwithMeraki/

You can’t change your nature, but you can tame it.  Now it’s deciding how and when you want to tame it, if at all.  By being more of your authentic self, you are going to target the right audience and the right people are going to come into your life at the right time. It’s when you fight against your own nature and who you truly are that things start to feel out of alignment.  Through this episode, look at certain areas of your life where you feel out of balance and see if you can tie it back to not being yourself.  The next situation you are in or conversation you have, do yourself and the world a favor, show up as YOU! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 030: Reinvent Your Space with Jennifer Phelps Episode 015: Syncing Your Cycle with Danielle Fradette Wanna join me as a guest on the show? Do you have any topic suggestions? Message me on IG: @leanintocuriosity or https://leanintocuriosity.com/contact-me

This topic might seem obvious to some of you, but not so obvious to others.  So how do you do more of what you love and less of what you don’t?  In this episode I share with you an epiphany I had after trying to conform to society norms and went against what felt right.  It’s a constant practice and I am happy to report that I learned a very valuable lesson I have to share with you.  Use this episode as a way to look at a project you’ve been putting off so you can truly get down to the core reason(s). MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 031: The Subtle Art of Journaling Episode 020: From a Hobby to a Business with April King Episode 002: Defining Your Personal Values Wanna join me as a guest on the show? Do you have any topic suggestions? Message me on IG: @leanintocuriosity or https://leanintocuriosity.com/contact-me

Thinking Thursday’s are about critically thinking, breaking out of boxes, and discussing new ways we could live this life together. This Episode: Life has lots of transitions. As we move through this journey, it’s not easy to embrace new things and new people, but it’s the embrace of newness despite the fear that brings us massive growth. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: EPISODE 072: Norse, Pentecostal, Heathenry, Paganism, Thor and My Stones?: Asatru Gothi: Alf Herigstad EPISODE 073: Rune Draws & The Heathen Way: Asatru Gothi: Alf Herigstad Thinking Thursday: Thinking Thursday is about learning how to think. We live in a world where people like to tell us what to think, but has anyone taught us how to think? Examining the worlds greatest thinkers is a great place to start. Send us thinkers you'd like us to feature. Call 206-395-5608 and leave us a message. E-Mail us zacg@LosingOurReligion.org or message any of our social pages (links below). Do You Love the Podcast and Want to Support It? Support the podcast by leaving us a Rating & Review on iTunes or your podcast app. Do your Amazon shopping through our links. Donate to the Podcast. Join the CounterCulture Society and become a Producer through our Patreon. Follow, Read Blogs, and Hang Out with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LosingOurReligionPodcast.com. Receive Weekly Communication and Encouragement: Join our email list. This podcast is produced by select producers and created by @ZacGandara & the CounterCulture Society™.

One thing that I’ve really learned this year is that being more effective with my time can be surprisingly uncomfortable. The void that’s left when we stop filling our time with unimportant tasks can be a big one, so I wanted to talk about it in this episode and share some advice on how to be more effective with your time AND handle the after effects. I hope you find it helpful! Mentioned In This Episode Episode 39: The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss - Lessons and Takeaways The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss The Tim Ferriss Show Podcast My Tips To Make The Most Of Self-Help Books Andy Drish interview with Tai Lopez on The Foundation Podcast Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza

DESCRIPTION Although Amazon wants to simplify things for customers, this doesn't always translate in a similar way for sellers. Today's topic is about a point of frustration for newer sellers and vendors on Amazon, and a cause of concern for brands. Merchants don't want a high product return rate because of the implied costs, but they have little control over what happens on Amazon. It can be useful for newer merchants on Amazon to get an idea of what kind of return rate they can expect on Amazon because they can consider it into their pricing model. Another reason is that Amazon has a big problem with brands that have a higher return rate than the norm for each category and usually they will investigate such cases. Bobsled Project Manager Armin Alispahic is back on the show today, and since he’s an Amazon encyclopedia of knowledge, we asked him to break down product returns on Amazon and explain what a high product return rate could mean for your brand. Join us! Armin has some great tips to help you mitigate return rate issues.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Armin explains what happens when Amazon thinks that your product return rate is too high. The difference between the average product return rates for some of the categories on Amazon (These average return rates on Amazon come from other sellers and the author's personal experience):Typically, products with reasonable return rates have less than 10% returns. Products like books and media: 5-7%Home, kitchen, and garden, and sports and outdoors: 8-10%Consumer electronics: 25-35%Clothing and fine jewelry: up to 40% You will receive a performance alert from Amazon to notify you if your product return rate is too high. Amazon considers a 10% return rate to be normal. Amazon will take down the product page of any product with a return dissatisfaction rate higher than 10%. How to appeal, to get a product listing reinstated on Amazon. The return and the feedback are related, so whenever you return a product you're dissatisfied with, there will be negative feedback associated with the return. How to check your product return rate, and your product return dissatisfaction rate, in Seller Central. The way that Amazon notifies vendors if there is an issue. Some savvy Amazon customers have found a way to get their products returned to Amazon with no shipping costs. This results in negative buyer feedback on the return. Amazon is not doing a very good job of educating customers about returning defective products. Customers generally don't understand how much returns actually cost vendors and brands on Amazon. What happens to a product when it gets too many return dissatisfaction ratings on Amazon. Amazon has been giving a bit more leeway with these kinds of issues lately. What sellers and brands can do to dispute dissatisfaction return claims from Amazon. You can re-launch a product that got off on the wrong footing.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Episode 22 - How to Approach Fee Reimbursements on Vendor and Seller Central Episode 23 - What to Do When Amazon Prohibits Your Keywords Bobsled Marketing

  Cathy Heller is a talented musician. She's been signed by two major record labels, but unfortunately, she's also been dropped by two record labels. I've always told podcasters to go to their potential audience and find out what kind of content they need. That is exactly what Cathy did, and it worked. She found out what type of music was being licensed into commercials, TV, and movies. When she created the type of music her audience (producers) needed it worked to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. When things were going great, how did she pour gasoline on her success? She started a podcast (Don't Keep Your Day Job). A Podcast Started in the Closet Now Has Three Million Downloads Here are some points from my talk with Cathy Heller: People are thirsty to hear what is really going on their life as social media shows a filtered view  Cathy shares how as a musician she got a record deal twice and was dropped twice - how she pushed through She was making a decent amount of cash working a job that didn't fit her purpose She looked into what was working in the music business and the politely persistent  She created 30 mediocre songs as she worked on making the type of music that would work in commercials, movie, TV, etc and threw them away. The difference between a hobby and a business is when you think of doing something for other people.  Everyone has to start off being mediocre. It takes time and courage to start mediocre and then work on polishing your craft. Her success was in an area that she never planned on, but people starting asking, "How do I do this?" She said, "What the heck, let's see what happens with this." Her music leads to licenses which lead to her agency, which lead to her course, which leads to live events and all of these item fed each other. She started her podcast 21 months ago in a close and now has over 3 million downloads She had to do something that made her stand out.  She did what she said she would do.  For more information check out her website at www.dontkeepyourdayjob.com How To Go “All In” on your Dream Job Tim Paige has done what many podcasters have dreamed of, he quit his day job. In a podcast on Facebook, he shared how he did it. Some people feel that the one thing keeping them from “Making it” is this really inconvenient thing called their day job. Their “side hustle” is currently bringing in $34 a month, but for some reason they think that if they only quit their job the pressure of seeing your life's savings being caught on fire will inspire you to leap into action to find a way anyway to make a living “Doing what they love.” So I love this report from the front lines on how Tim actually quit his day job. Check out Tim at thevoiceoftimpaige.com or www.makemyintro.com Here are some key points: Don't quit your day job until it is costing you more money than keeping your day job. So if you turned down 40,000 worth of work because it conflicted with your 30,000 jobs, then it's time to quit your day job. This was the case for Tim. Tim also has a TREMENDOUSLY SUPPORTIVE Spouse. For more on this check out my last episode, The Three Things Every Podcast Needs (positioning yourself for the long haul). Tim got out of debt so that his expenses were minimal after quitting his job. He had three jobs doing anything he could to get out of debt and it took him three years. For the first three years of his side hustle, he reinvested in his business. Be open to opportunity. He didn't turn down jobs – even if he didn't want to do it. This makes him appreciate it when “dream jobs” come along. Get your mind right. When he panics, finds himself envious of others, he is not doing his best work. This hurts his business. Mentioned In This Episode Episode 100 of Cathy's show  Podcast Mentorship Program Monthly Membership to Start Your Podcast

DESCRIPTION This week on the Ecommerce Braintrust podcast, we are sharing with you a really interesting interview with Bill Nicolai, one of the most experienced professionals we got the chance to meet at the CohereOne Summit. Bill is a is a well-known marketing entrepreneur and innovator that has been successfully applying his strategies and marketing techniques at Dover Saddlery, Hammer Nutrition, Christian Brands and Olive & Cocoa. Bill had some knowledgeable insights and stories to share about brands that managed to avoid Amazon but still thrive on the market. Tune in today and join us for this amazing interview to hear a great debate for and against Amazon. “If you’re going to be successful in avoiding Amazon, you better know what you’re doing” KEY TAKEAWAYS Bill explains how and why Amazon becoming such a dominant sales channel can be seen as a threat by some companies. Staying away from Amazon doesn’t mean not taking its impact into account. Brands should always determine first if they absolutely require independence. Bill explain the importance of understanding margins and determining if a brand can acquire higher margins staying off Amazon. It’s essential to determine if a higher margin can outweigh a potential sales gain. Bill talks about some of the most important myths about Amazon. Bill discusses his strategies and marketing techniques at Dover Saddlery, Hammer Nutrition, Christian Brands and Olive & Cocoa and how Amazon can be irrelevant for similar brands. Bill offers some insights about trademarks on Amazon and how a company can capitalize on copywriting. Things are very different in the world of Amazon but the old truths apply. Kiri & Julie discuss the counterarguments of Bill’s presentation, pointing out that each brand should have a customized strategy. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Episode 33 - Is Brick and Mortar Dying? CohereOne Bill Nicolai Bobsled Marketing