The ROI Online Podcast

Running an agency has many hurdles, right? Luckily, there are many tools out there to help with that. In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, we sat down with Chase Buckner, the Marketing and Sales Director of HighLevel, to learn how agencies and marketers can thrive with a simple all-in-one sales and marketing platform. Chase Buckner started in HighLevel, a marketing and sales platform that helps agencies and marketers thrive, as Manager of Customer Success and is now the Marketing and Sales Director. In his role, Chase manages the affiliate, paid ads, and organic content channels as well as the marketing team. He also owns Vallarta CoWork, located in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It’s the city's first coworking space with all the commodities you need to work peacefully.With HighLevel’s all-in-one marketing and sales platform, you can keep your tools in one place while saving money and streamlining your entire delivery process so you can focus on keeping your clients happy. It can also help you grow your agency by connecting you with the most successful agency owners on the planet who will be able to help you close more deals or allow you to offer more services.Among other things, Chase and Steve discussed:Chase’s backstory and experiences What HighLevel is and how it worksEasy ways to use HighLevel to grow your agencyHow HighLevel can set agencies and marketers up for success in the futureExciting new things coming to HighLevelYou can learn more about Chase here:Follow Chase on LinkedInRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownLearn more about Go High Level:https://www.gohighlevel.com/main-page?fp_ref=lewis-affiliates67Thinking of starting your podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

6/29/22 • 45:16

Are you constantly looking for new marketing strategies that elevate your business? A mastermind is a brilliant way to go about it. In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, we sat down with CEO & entrepreneur R.T. Custer to learn how to develop a mastermind, how to maximize its impact, and how to use it to grow your business.R.T. is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vortic Watch Co, a wristwatch manufacturing company. He’s also Chief Revenue Officier of Carter & Custer, a full-service advertising agency serving clients mostly through content and story-based marketing services.R.T. discovered that leaders like Walt Disney, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Eidson all shared one secret that propelled them to success: each person was a member of a mastermind group. Masterminds are led by someone who starts the group as a way of helping people achieve a specific, common purpose. For example, the leader directing the mastermind might want to help people scale a business. Among other things, R.T. and Steve discussed:R.T.’s backstory and experiences How his company Vortic Watches startedMore about his agency Carter & Custer and the Fast Foundations MastermindHow to run a mastermindHow to create a mastermindHow to organize a mastermind groupYou can learn more about R.T. here:Follow R.T. on LinkedInRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownLearn more about R.T. businesses:https://carterandcuster.com/fast-foundations/https://carterandcuster.com/https://vorticwatches.com/Thinking of starting your podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

5/27/22 • 50:44

How can you truly know you’re delivering the best and most relevant content? This is an often asked question by entrepreneurs and luckily we have something that can help you grow your business. In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, SEO Specialist and co-founder of Surfer Michał Suski explains how to merge content strategy, creation, and optimization into one smooth process to grow your brand and business.Michał  is a SEO Specialist, he joined the IT industry during his last year at university and five years later he became a co-founder of Surfer which is a modern SEO tool that helps efficient teams stay ahead of the game. Surfer is a bootstrapped company, profitable, and growing constantly. Michał’s responsible for educating customers, introducing Surfer into their processes, business development, and partially the product growth direction.If you’re wondering how you can create content that ranks on the first page of Google, better your strategy and grow your company you should definitely stay and listen!Among other things, Michał and Steve discussed:Michał ’s backstory and experiences How his company “Surfer” started The importance of having a great content strategyHow to cheat Google SEOHow to write a good description for SEOHow to make money off of SEOHow important are blogs to SEOHow much do SEO writers makeYou can learn more about Michał here:Follow Michał on LinkedInYou can learn more about Surfer here:https://surferseo.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

1/7/22 • 54:45

Want to publish content on a regular basis without adding more work to your plate or more employees to your team? In today’s world, content is a necessity, but creating it regularly can be a headache. Luckily, it’s actually not that hard to create content people will love. In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, CEO Kate Bradley Chernis explains how you can use artificial intelligence in your marketing, tips for creating a better social media presence, and a social media content tool that makes posts easy.Kate went from being a DJ, to owning a marketing agency that worked with large organizations, to finally creating a software (Lately) that uses AI to grow your business, along with an amazing team. Lately helps you write better marketing content with help from artificial intelligence and software automation.The world evolves everyday, and so does the technology you need to adapt. Making sure your marketing strategy is always evolving as well and including elements like AI can ensure your business keeps progressing and meeting your customers’ needs.Among other things, Kate and Steve discussed:Kate’s backstory and experiences The challenges she faced starting her businessThe importance of having AI in your marketing Elements that should be included in a robust social media strategyWhy social media is a must for an inbound marketing strategyHow to create a social media strategy without losing sleepYou can learn more about Kate here:Follow Kate on LinkedInFollow Kate on Twitter You can learn more about Lately.ai here:https://www.lately.ai/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

11/29/21 • 49:13

The digital age has made it easier for people to do just about anything, but that also means the purchasing journey is more difficult than ever before. An overload of high-quality content can slow down or derail a decision entirely if buyers cannot make sense of what they're seeing. In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, CEO and founder Lenwood Ross talks about his digital transformation agency, strategic social selling, and why it’s so important to build a digital culture where you actually connect and engage with potential customers.Lenwood has always focused his efforts to achieve big results and now shares his 25 years of personal highs and lows with others. He’s the CEO and founder of Accelery, Inc., an agency that helps organizations generate demand for their products and services without unproductive cold calls, unanswered emails, or paid advertising bills. Modern buyers know it all, and today, they want it at a discount. If you can’t adapt, you’re at risk of losing everything you have worked so hard for. Cultivating your digital culture can help you get closer with customers, develop lasting relationships, and stay relevant regardless of the way the world changes.Among other things, Lenwood and Steve discussed:Lenwood’s backstory and experiences What you need to know about the CLX toolHow to turn your social media activities into sales (without selling on social media)The basics of social selling and peer-to-peer collaborative learningEasy ways to influence buyers and changemakersYou can learn more about Lenwood here:Follow Lenwood on LinkedInYou can learn more about Accelery, Inc. here:https://www.accelery.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

7/28/21 • 45:04

Would you like to impact your customer’s lives and make more money in the process? You need a compelling story for your business or brand. In this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with business and finance consultant Rob Te Braake about how you can make better decisions when it comes to your business, what most CEOs overlook, and why your financial information is so crucial.Rob is an entrepreneur and founder of Insight Matters, which provides financial reporting & analysis to small & mid-sized consultancies and agencies because they deserve the same insights as corporate CEOs. Rob started his career in the corporate world full of management meetings and delegated responsibilities. He quickly shifted to entrepreneurship, but after running several ventures across the globe, he realized he had the skills to better serve small entrepreneurs. Making better decisions starts with a goal in mind, understanding which road gets you there, and then acting on it. It's very hard to see the impact of one decision, so breaking down your goal into small steps can really help you have more clarity—and be more successful. Among other things, Rob and Steve discussed:Robs’ backstory His company Insight MattersThe top 5 key performance indicators (KPI’s) that agencies usually mess upWhat you should know about the cost of acquisition How can you make better business decisions How financial data influences business decisionsWhether or not digital marketing agencies are actually profitable How to manage a marketing agencyYou can learn more about Rob here:Follow Rob on LinkedInLearn more about Insight Matters and get a 25% off your Gameplan with this link:https://financeinsightmatters.com/roionline/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

7/9/21 • 41:23

Do you have a toxic relationship with your business? Does it affect your personal life too? In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, author, consultant and business owner Josh Patrick talks all about his latest book, having a functional relationship with your business, and how to create extraordinary value with your company and your life.Josh has worked with hundreds of businesses in all industries, specializing in blue-collar work. His book The Sustainable Business breaks down the exact framework he has used to grow thriving, self-sufficient organizations for 40+ years. He’s passionate about helping business owners increase their company’s value, up their game, and not sacrifice their personal life while doing so.Getting an experienced mentor who can talk you through any problem and offer sound advice about what might happen down the road, might be what your business needs to thrive.Among other things, Josh and Steve discussed:Josh’s Background as a business ownerHis latest book “The Sale Ready Company”How long and what it takes to sell your companyHow it’s possible to sell a small business without a brokerHow to buy an existing small businessWhat you should consider before buying a businessWhether you can and/or should buy a bankrupt companyThe best tips for making an offer to buy a businessYou can learn more about Josh here:Follow Josh on LinkedInYou can learn more about The Sustainable Business here:https://www.sustainablebusiness.co/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownSustainable: A Fable About Creating an Economically and Personally Sustainable Business by Josh PatrickThe Sale Ready Company: What It Takes to Create a Business Someone Would Want to Own Even If You Have No Intention of Selling by Josh Patrick Thinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

6/23/21 • 46:17

Would you like to impact your customer’s lives and make more money in the process? You need a compelling story for your business or brand. In this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with Michael Hauge, author, story expert, and coach about how to impact and inspire your audience, what makes a story worth telling, where to begin, and how all this can help your business grow.Michael is a story expert, coach, speaker, and author of Storytelling Made Easy: Persuade and Transform Your Audiences, Buyers, and Clients – Simply, Quickly, and Profitably. He works with people who want to change lives, and make more money by telling better stories. He has been one of Hollywood’s top coaches and story experts since 1985. Applying those same, powerful storytelling principles, Michael also coaches independent consultants, speakers, marketers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders on how to use story to transform the lives of their audiences, clients, and customers. For centuries, people have loved hearing stories. There's something about a well-told story that makes it more than just words on paper or an actor reciting lines; there is magic in storytelling. When you're telling your own business' story to potential customers and audience members, you want the message of this magical thing called storytelling to resonate with them, which can only happen if they are interested enough from the very start!Among other things, Michael and Steve discussed:Michael’s experience and success stories The importance of connecting emotionally with your audienceMichael Hauge’s 6-Step Success Story™What makes a story worth tellingHow to tell your success story The impact of telling a funny story You can learn more about Michael here:Follow Michael on LinkedInLearn more about Story Mastery here:https://www.storymastery.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownSelling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel ReadWriting Screenplays That Sell by Michael HaugeStorytelling Made Easy: Persuade and Transform Your Audiences, Buyers and Clients – Simply, Quickly and Profitably by Michael HaugeThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

6/18/21 • 49:48

Would you like to scale your business practically on autopilot? What you need is a clear roadmap to achieve your ultimate vision. In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, global business coach, business owner, and author, Robert Clinkenbeard talks about why personal growth is so important to grow your business, how you can better define your vision, and his “IronmanMindset” system.Robert is a growth expert,  podcaster, speaker, and 4x Ironman who co-founded one of the largest landscape companies (ILM) in the South West Region of the United States back in 2001. He now helps people develop their Vision and Accountability in their business and personal life, which, combined with his  “IronmanMindset” system improves their confidence. Imagine spending time working ON your business instead of IN it. Imagine having a team of “A” players in the right seats, doing the right things on time. Imagine spending more time with your family or friends and not having to think about the business. All of this is achievable if you have the right vision and strategy.Among other things, Robert and Steve discussed:Robert’s BackgroundHow his company The Radix Group startedHis podcast “The Commercial Landscaper”Personal growth and why it’s so importantHow to measure personal growthWays you can define your vision The main concerns of company's strategic vision You can learn more about Robert here:Send Robert an EmailFollow Robert on LinkedInFollow Robert on TwitterFollow Robert on InstagramFollow Robert on FacebookFollow Robert on YouTubeYou can learn more about The Radix Group here:https://www.theradixgroupllc.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownIronman Mindset for Entrepreneurs by Robert ClinkenbeardThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

6/16/21 • 37:58

Is your company struggling with getting a consistent message across to your employees, prospects, and investors? Having everyone on the same page can really change the game for your brand. In this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with Jason Seiden, consultant and chief of BRNSTRM about helping businesses find the right story for right now, brand audits, messaging, and positioning strategy.Jason has 20 years of experience working across industries, he is a leadership & executive communications consultant and chief of BRNDSTRM–a straightforward, effective methodology that gets everyone in an organization  delivering a clear, consistent answer to the question, “So, what does the company do?”Sometimes as entrepreneurs we have an idea of what the company is and means but we have a hard time figuring out what we're trying to say and do while putting it into a clear message that everyone understands. Luckily we don’t have to do it all by ourselves.Among other things, Jason and Steve discussed:Jasons’ backstoryAll about Jason’s company BRNDSTRMWhat a brand audit isThe meaning of brand messaging Brand positioning and how to craft a brand positioning statement and write a brand positioning strategyYou can learn more about Jason here:Follow Jason on LinkedInLearn more about BRNDSTRM here:https://www.brndstrm.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

6/11/21 • 42:16

Building a brand without focusing on your marketing fundamentals is like building a house without the proper foundation—a recipe for disaster. In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, business owner and marketing expert, Tim Fitzpatrick talks about developing and growing businesses, simplifying marketing, and implementing the right plan for your business.Tim is the owner of Rialto Marketing, he has 20+ years of entrepreneurial experience with a passion for developing and growing businesses and helps service businesses simplify their marketing. He does this by creating and implementing a plan to communicate the right message to the right people.Are you wasting money and getting no return on investments in advertising, printing flyers, or distributing business cards? You're not alone. In fact, the majority of small businesses make these same mistakes time after time without realizing what they should be doing differently to turn their fortunes around. The good news is that it doesn't have to stay this way!Among other things, Tim and Steve discussed:Tims’ backstoryHow Rialto Marketing startedThe importance of having a marketing planThe ideal components of your marketing planWhy integrate your marketing plan with your organization's overall strategyThe magic of one-page marketing plansB2B marketing plans in generalYou can learn more about Tim here:Follow Tim on LinkedInYou can learn more about Rialto Marketing here:https://www.rialtomarketing.com/the-roi-online/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

6/9/21 • 40:54

We all love a good story, don’t we? It’s a way to connect as human beings and make emotional bonds. In this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with Rob Stenberg, Story Seeker and author about the importance of storytelling, all the benefits it can bring to your business, and how to do it right.Rob is a keynote speaker, author, coach, and Story Seeker with more than 30 years of experience. He is the owner of Stenberg & Associates Sales & Leadership Academy–where sales and leadership development combine with human connection training to provide keynote speeches, workshops, and events–and co-founder of STORYseekers. He loves working with sales and marketing teams to build customer hero stories that establish trust and rapport with prospects in a few minutes.There are so many arguments for storytelling, but the most convincing one is that storytelling helps you make an emotional connection. Because people make decisions emotionally and justify them logically, if you don't establish an emotional connection with potential customers they're less likely to buy from you, which means there's a huge opportunity cost of not using stories in your marketing! Among other things, Rob and Steve discussed:Robs’ backstoryThe myths of salespeople The process of story tending and why is it so useful What storytelling is exactly Why storytelling is so importantHow to be a good storyteller The importance of brand storytellingThe benefits of internal storytellingYou can learn more about Rob here:Follow Rob on LinkedInLearn more about STORYseekers here:https://www.customerheroselling.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

6/4/21 • 47:21

Have you considered using Pinterest to grow your business? The power of Pinterest is in the platform's ability to reach people long before they know what they want—get your ideas out there early and you’ll become part of their planning! In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Pinterest product specialist and marketing manager, Alisa Meredith shares everything you should know about Pinterest, how to use it for your business, and learning how to make money from it.Alisa is currently Pinterest Product Specialist at Tailwind, a social media scheduling tool for Pinterest and Instagram that helps your content get real results in less time. She’s also the founder of Alisa Meredith Marketing in which she delivers traffic and leads to businesses with content, social, and especially visual marketing. She believes sharing ideas for how Pinterest can grow a business is thrilling and loves helping small businesses that don’t have much time to spend on their marketing.Using Pinterest can help you reach different audiences, and with the right strategy you can get Pinterest’s 416 million users to discover your best content and click through to your site.Among other things, Alisa and Steve discussed:When and why Alisa decided to plant her flag on PinterestHer experience working at Tailwind as a Pinterest product specialistWhat Pinterest is actually aboutHow to use Pinterest to grow your businessPosting on PinterestHow you can make money on PinterestWhether Pinterest is a real social mediaWhat it takes to grow your followers on this platformYou can learn more about Alisa here:Follow Alisa on LinkedInFollow Alisa on InstagramFollow Alisa on TwitterYou can learn more about Tailwind here:https://www.tailwindapp.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

6/2/21 • 34:10

Today more than ever consumers, investors, and even business owners find themselves asking how their company can make the world a better place. In this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with Chip Walker, brand strategist and author about why it’s so important for brands to have a purpose and use movement thinking to create powerful business operations.Chip is a brand, business and cultural strategist, keynote speaker, and author of Activating Brand Purpose: How to Harness the Power of Movements to Transform Your Company. He has designed and developed groundbreaking market research and grown significant brand identities for some of the world's most iconic brands like PepsiCo, Morgan Stanley, & Heineken.Movement Thinking is centered around empathy and starts with the human. It also recognizes that the most significant change happens through cultural movements. Leaders like you can learn how this foundation can engage and mobilize the people that matter to your brand inside and out, no matter what your business enterprise may be like—even if you’re an artist working on a creative project! Among other things, Chip and Steve discussed:Chip’s story and his role at StrawberryFrog AgencyHis new book: Activating Brand PurposeWhat exactly “Movement Thinking” meansWhy your brand needs a purpose 4 reasons to set your company purposeThe purpose of leadership How to start a social movementYou can learn more about Chip here:Follow Chip on LinkedInSend Chip an EmailLearn more about the Purpose Power Summit happening on June 15!Purpose Power Summit 2021 — PURPOSE POWER INDEXRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownActivating Brand Purpose by Chip WalkerThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

5/28/21 • 43:16

When you look at failure not as a death sentence, but as an invitation to learn, failure becomes a powerful asset for your business. Use your mistakes to drive yourself forward, not only will your mistakes be temporary, but they’ll push you forward. In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, business mentor and author Lloyd Brown talks about learning and rising from failure, leadership, and the importance of discovering your core beliefs.Lloyd is a business mentor for leaders; he helps you identify why you are in business, and guides you through the process of defining your core beliefs. He’s also the author of Refined By Failure–a book that’s insightful, actionable, and offers you at least 5 potential story angles for engaging your audience.Failure can be a scary place, but it has so many opportunities for us to learn and grow. We should not be afraid to take risks and fail because it will teach us what doesn't work in life, which makes success that much sweeter!Among other things, Lloyd and Steve discussed:Lloyd’s back story Everything you should know about his new book–Refined By FailureWhy integrity and credibility are important in leadershipThe importance of leadership in lifeTrust in leadership The main causes of leadership failureExamples of leadership failures You can learn more about Lloyd here:Follow Lloyd on LinkedInSend Lloyd an EmailYou can learn more about Refined by Failure here:https://www.refinedbyfailure.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownRefined By Failure by Lloyd BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

5/19/21 • 38:57

While you might not get away with watching tv or YouTube videos at work, it’s often easier to listen to a podcast in your spare time. That’s why podcasts and other audio content are becoming so popular—and why you should take advantage of this growth and think about creating a podcast yourself. In this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with Molly Ann Hale, Social Media Producer at Vurbl (the YouTube of Audio), about how to get your current or future podcast discovered by more listeners—and even make money from it. Molly is a Producer, Executive Assistant, Social Media Specialist, Web Designer & Writer. She’s currently the Social Media Producer at Vurbl, an audio streaming destination for all types of audio creators, and anyone that loves listening to audio. Vurbl supports audio creators build their station and helps listeners connect with meaningful content.Promoting, marketing, and monetizing your podcast can be hard at times, more so when competing with platforms like YouTube. Luckily there’s a new tool that can get your podcast out there so you can increase your listeners and achieve your goals.Among other things, Molly and Steve discussed:Mollys’ backgroundEverything you need to know about Vurbl–The Youtube for AudioGood Audiobooks you should listen toThe best ways to market and monetize your podcast Some great tools Vurbl offers to share your content and get more engagementWhat makes Vurbl different from Internet Radio, Anchor, and other platforms You can learn more about Molly here:Follow Molly on LinkedInYou can learn more about Vurbl here:https://vurbl.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

5/14/21 • 40:06

Have you ever felt like a hamster on a wheel? Constantly spinning and spinning, but not getting anywhere? As the CEO of your business, there are only so many hours in a day and you need to focus on what's most important: growing your revenue and increasing conversions. In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, marketing expert and founder of Deadline Funnel Jack Born talks about the future of sales automation, the psychology behind creating urgency to convert customers, and how to do it authentically. Jack is a marketing expert and the founder of several successful software companies, among them Deadline Funnel—a platform that makes it easy to increase conversions and generate more sales with authentic evergreen marketing. Their mission is to help you cross the divide from where you are now to where your business can be.The internet has changed the way we do business, and small-business owners are feeling the pinch. But don't stress! With authentic evergreen marketing tactics, you can reach your target audience - including millennials - with minimal effort.Among other things, Jack and Steve discussed:Jack’s back story How Deadline Funnel was created The future of sales automation and conversionWhat a marketing funnel is and its various stagesThe meaning of full-funnel marketing How to create a high converting sales funnelHow to automate your sales funnelYou can learn more about Jack here:Follow Jack on LinkedInYou can learn more about Deadline Funnel here:https://www.deadlinefunnel.com/Affiliate link:https://www.deadlinefunnel.com/?lmref=VmguzgRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

5/12/21 • 48:26

Does your business have the proper answering service? Nowadays people shop and do basically everything online so you better make sure your online customer service is really good for your business to excel. On this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with Maddy Martin, VP of Marketing at Smith.ai about answering services and how to use them best in your business. Maddy has an Inbound Marketing background and is currently the VP of Marketing for Smith.ai–a company that combines live agents and AI to provide superior virtual receptionist and intake services to small businesses. Under her marketing lead, she took the company to 7-figures in sales. Some of her specialties are Marketing vision, strategy, development, and execution.If you have a small business and don’t really have any time to answer questions and social media messages you’re probably in need of something like Smith.ai, which can help you professionally answer your business calls, chats, texts, and social messages—without adding more to your plate.Among other things, Maddy and Steve discussed:Maddys’ backgroundSmith.ai and all its benefitsWhat an answering service is and does for your businessThe cost of an answering serviceWhat  webchat services areWays to improve a chat-based customer serviceWhat you should know about your sales supportYou can learn more about Maddy here:Follow Maddy on LinkedInYou can learn more about Smith.ai here:https://smith.ai/Send them an EmailWe have a surprise for you!Use our affiliate LINK to get $100 off your first month of service for both calls and chats on Smith.ai!Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

4/23/21 • 39:40

How can your business maintain vital human connection with your clients when you’re already stretched thin? In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Founder of TextChat Eric Kades talks about Chatbots and AI and how they relate to conversational interfaces–whether it’s customer support, service, or sales.Eric is an entrepreneur, he’s the founder of TextChat—a revolutionary live chat software for small businesses that is highly personalized and brings the timeless touch of human connection to the sophistication of AI technology. TextChat makes website live chat as sociable and easy as texting with a friend, so you can stop missing messages and start closing sales. To date, Eric and his team of 75 have raised 1.6M and have accrued over 100 customers.Sometimes as business owners we think that we need live agents available all day every day to close deals with customers. Eric and the TextChat team are rethinking how to approach customer communication using a simple, affordable, and effective alternative. It’s one less thing small businesses have to worry about.Among other things, Eric and Steve discussed:What a live chat app and live chat support areHow artificial intelligence and data add value to businessesHow businesses can use artificial intelligenceWhat a tech support business isWhat cart abandonment rate is—and what to do about itWhy shopping cart abandonment is a problem for retailersHow to reduce cart abandonment rateYou can learn more about Eric here:Follow Eric on LinkedInYou can learn more about TextChat here:https://textchat.com/old-homeRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

4/7/21 • 42:53

Is it worth it to have your own business? Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? On this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with entrepreneur and author Gino Wickman about what it takes to be an entrepreneur, how to find your true passion, and what the benefits are of owning your business.Gino has been an entrepreneur since the age of 21. He’s always had an obsession for learning what makes businesses and entrepreneurs thrive. Gino is the founder of EOS Worldwide, an organization that helps thousands of businesses implement EOS(R), the Entrepreneurial Operating System. There are more than 100,000 companies using the EOS tools worldwide. Now, Gino devotes his time and energy toward helping entrepreneurs-in-the-making take their own entrepreneurial leap.It’s totally normal to have second thoughts about leaving your monthly salary and starting a business of your own. There’s a lot at risk involved, but it is also very rewarding. And in these uncertain times, who better than to trust but yourself to create something incredible?Among other things, Gino and Steve discussed:The essential characteristics of an entrepreneurWhether entrepreneurs are born or madeStrengths and weaknesses of an entrepreneurThe benefits of an entrepreneurHow you can find your passion Whether or not entrepreneurs need a strategyThe main reasons entrepreneurs experience daily stressHow to stay positive as an entrepreneurYou can learn more about Gino here:Follow Gino on LinkedInVisit https://e-leap.com/ to Take the Free Entrepreneur-in-the-Making Assessment!Visit and Subscribe to the Entrepreneurial Leap YouTube ChannelRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownEntrepreneurial Leap by Gino WickmanThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

4/2/21 • 38:15

It’s not always easy to excel in sales—even more so if you don’t have the right management team for it. In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, sales coach, mentor and entrepreneur Joe Paranteau talks about ways you can stand out in sales, how to manage your sales activity, and how to be and/or recognize a good sales manager.Joe is a leading authority on selling. He’s a sales coach and mentor, keynote speaker, small business owner and entrepreneur, and an investor who has generated more than $1.8 Billion in revenue as a professional salesperson. His book Billion Dollar Sales Secrets helps sellers and non-sellers alike. He brings his rich combination of sales expertise, human communication skills, and entrepreneurship principles to inspire and ignite his client's dreams and successes. The world has changed for all of us this past year, and as consequence, the nature of sales has changed too. Get some tips, secrets, strategies, and fresh ideas to up your sales game and help your business thrive.Among other things, Joe and Steve discussed:Joes’ back story and experience What a Sales Quota isHow to hire a good sales managerWhat an effective Sales Manager needsHow to manage sales activity properly The things a good sales manager should know aboutYou can learn more about Joe here:https://jparanteau.com/Follow Joe on LinkedInFollow Joe on FacebookFollow Joe on TwitterFollow Joe on InstagramRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownBillion Dollar Sales Secrets by Joe ParanteauThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

4/1/21 • 44:30

Humans make decisions based on emotions, so what better way to provoke emotion than with images? On this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with Creative Strategist Megan Giles about the importance of design and its impact on your business’s marketing. Megan is the graphic designer at ROI Online and founder of MG Graphics. She believes that a great, beautiful design is important but what’s really going to make an impact are the words you use and the strategy behind it. Megan helps clients with their marketing messages and designs every piece of marketing content to lead readers to your call to action.Most people think marketing materials are just supposed to be pretty layouts and designs, but they are vital tools for your business. You have to make sure you are communicating your message in the right way. Among other things, Megan and Steve discussed:Megans’ experience and backstoryWhat Creative Design isHow to write a creative brief for graphic designCreative strategy in marketing and what it meansThings your website designer might be doing, but shouldn’tHow to design a content strategy that helps you grow your businessYou can learn more about Megan here:Follow Megan on LinkedInRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

3/26/21 • 38:53

Have you poured tons of money into your website only to have people come to your site without making a purchase? In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, CEO Kurt Philip talks about how he helps online businesses convert more customers from their existing website visitors.Kurt is the Founder and CEO at Convertica, which takes conversion rate optimization (CRO) off your plate in a done-for-you approach. Their specialists allow you to maximize revenue from your current search engine rankings or paid advertising campaigns on your Affiliate, Lead Generation, or eCommerce website. Kurt travels to speaking engagements and conferences around the world where he helps to further the science of CRO and exchanges emerging strategies with other industry leaders.Sometimes as business owners we believe that having a great website is going to magically get us more traffic and convert customers. But it’s actually a combination of many tools and strategies that will make your online business thrive and maximize your revenue.Among other things, Kurt and Steve discussed:Kurt and Convertica’s backstory What conversion rate optimization is, how to find your current conversion rate, and why it matters for your companyHow to stop focusing on making Google happy and start making your human customers happyExamples of good funnel processes The minimal amount of traffic your website needsHow working remotely changed Kurt’s business and its cultureHow Kurt would approach the conversion process for courses or teaching classesYou can learn more about Kurt here:Follow Kurt on LinkedInYou can learn more about Convertica here:https://convertica.org/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

3/24/21 • 39:38

Do you struggle to clarify your brand, message, or strategy? Being a business owner can be tough, but a clear understanding of what you do makes it easier to get the work done. On this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with Project Manager James Timberlake about how he helps entrepreneurs navigate the rollercoaster of having a business—and come out a winner.James is a Project Manager at ROI Online, Co-Founder of The Story Sherpas where he pairs first-time authors with a personal writing coach to help guide them from idea to manuscript to success. He loves listening to people’s stories and why they do what they do. That’s why he connects well with entrepreneurs who need clarity.People often think that there is a magic bullet that will make you a success. They’re often looking for the right keywords, website, video, etc. The truth is success comes after a lot of failures. No one thing works for everyone. And that’s why everyone needs personalized guidance.Among other things, James and Steve discussed:James’ experience and backstoryWhy he chose to work at ROI OnlineWhat the ROI Pitstop is and how it can help anyone struggling to clarify their messageThe difference between business marketing and management Why marketing management is important for your business You can learn more about James here:Follow James on LinkedInRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

3/20/21 • 49:36

Are you looking to buy, sell or grow your business? In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, CEO and author Michelle Seiler Tucker talks about the foundations you need to build a sustainable, scalable, and saleable asset.Michelle has over 20 years of professional experience and over thousands of businesses bought and sold, she is the CEO & founder of Seiler Tucker—The Business Authorities where Michelle and her team focus on helping fix, sell, grow, or buy a business. She’s also the author of Exit Rich, The 6P Method To Sell Your Business For Huge Profit.As an entrepreneur, you don’t want to build just a business, but a legacy for you and your family now and in the future. And if you do it right from the start, down the road you’ll have a successful and saleable asset.Among other things, Michelle and Steve discussed:Whether you should sell your business or keep itHow to prepare to sell your businessHow to value a business in order to sell itWhy you shouldn’t sell your business without a brokerWhether it’s possible to sell a business that is not profitableYou can learn more about Michelle here:https://seilertucker.com/Follow Michelle on LinkedInRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownSell Your Business for More than It’s Worth by Michelle Seiler TuckerExit Rich by Michelle Seiler TuckerThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

3/18/21 • 45:04

Are you trying to grow your business but getting nowhere fast? Maybe an SBA Loan can be what you need to get to the next level. On this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with entrepreneur Joshua Kim about SBA loans, what they are and why they can help you grow your business.Joshua is the founder of 7a Accelerator—where they consult and educate business owners on capital solutions through the Small Business Administration. Most business owners don't even know where to start for getting an SBA loan for their business, Joshua and his team provide education, resources, and concierge-style assistance to help you secure the right lender.An SBA loan is one of the greatest small business financing options available in the US. You can use it to purchase a small business—even if you don’t have a ton of collateral or personal cash. Banks like them because they carry very little risk with the guarantee. And they provide a small business owner with the capital they need to buy, start, or scale their small business.Among other things, Joshua and Steve discussed:What SBA Financing isWhat you should know about SBA Loans The do’s and don'ts of applying for an SBA LoanThe characteristics of a successful SBA loan applicantBiggest misconceptions about SBA financingThe main requirements every lender will askYou can learn more about Joshua here:Follow Joshua on LinkedInSend Joshua an EmailLearn more about 7a Accelerator here:https://7accelerator.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

3/13/21 • 40:17

Are you looking for the sales and marketing platform that’s going to help your business scale? In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Account Manager Jim Tata talks about the advantages HubSpot offers, answers common questions around it, and explains why you need the tool.Jim is a Principal Channel Account Manager at HubSpot—an inbound marketing and sales platform that helps companies attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers. He’s an expert in implementing growth platform software and helping agencies and their clients change how they market and sell. Make it easier for your entire company to work together in a more efficient and human way. HubSpot’s CRM platform has all the tools and integrations you need for marketing, sales, content management, and customer service. Each product in the platform is powerful alone, but the real magic happens when you use them together. Among other things, Jim and Steve discussed:What HubSpot can do for your businessWhat you can do with HubSpotWhat HubSpot can do for MarketingThe HubSpot Sales HubWhy Hubspot is a good CRMThe reason behind Hubspot being freeYou can learn more about Jim here:Follow Jim on LinkedInLearn more about Hubspot here:https://www.hubspot.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

3/10/21 • 49:25

Have you ever thought of improv theater as a team-building tool? You can learn to communicate, relate and create while having a great laugh. On this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with coach and trainer Aden Nepom about how you can start communicating more effectively, using improv and other experimental methods in your company.Aden is a coach, trainer, facilitator, and TEDx Speaker. She helps people communicate more effectively and enjoy it. She’s also the president of Art of Change, which creates funny, authentic, and engaging programs for high-performing individuals and teams.If you think about it, we’re all kind of improvising every day in different ways. We make it all up as we go so, why not get good at it? Improv training helps speed up the process between the moment things show up in our minds and when they come out, a great tool to use when you’re in a collaborative work environment. Among other things, Aden and Steve discussed:Aden’s backstory and TEDx talk How improv applies to business situationsThe invisible rules in the workplaceWhat creating an open and safe work environment can do for your businessGetting out of the comfort zoneGood questions to ask yourself when you’re floundering Being where you are and where you can provide valueYou can learn more about Aden here:https://www.artofchange.com/Follow Aden on LinkedInRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

3/5/21 • 49:02

Is your business going through a “Whitewater” stage that’s keeping you from leveling-up? In this episode of the ROI Online Podcast, CEO and advisor Meghan Lynch talks about how to use brand strategy to break to growth plateaus and challenge the big guys in your industry.Meghan is the president and CEO at Six-Point Creative–a brand strategy agency that will provide you with the experience and expertise to make smarter, faster, better positioning decisions that drive growth. She is an expert advisor, speaker, and entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of working with "second-stage" businesses and solving complex brand and positioning challenges.As entrepreneurs, we sometimes assume that the brand strategy that got our company to where it is now will keep on working in the future, but this is actually false. You need to evolve and you can't afford to make a wrong move. Thankfully there are people like Meghan who can advise you to make better decisions and keep scaling. Among other things, Meghan and Steve discussed:What Six-Point Creative can do for your second-stage businessThe different stages of companies The importance of being able to lead things without doing everything yourselfBeing able to understand who you are and what you’re doing as a businessHow to build a company that you’ll never want to sellThe fears that hold companies back from growth Applying your team’s skills more effectivelyWhat success feels like in second-stageYou can learn more about Meghan here:Follow Meghan on LinkedIn Send Meghan an EmailLearn more about Six-Point Creative here:https://sixpointcreative.com/Read the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

3/4/21 • 47:31

Are you struggling with leading your team and yourself to higher levels of performance? Everyone communicates in different ways, but we’re all very visual, so maybe that’s a great place to start. On this Feature Friday episode of the ROI Online Podcast, Steve talks with expert Todd Cherches about how you can use visual thinking tools and techniques to thread the needle for your business.Todd is a consultant, executive coach, TEDx speaker, professor, author of VisuaLeadership, CEO of BigBlueGumball, and thought leader in the field of leadership and visual thinking. Todd’s engaging and entertaining approach enables business professionals of all levels to become more innovative and effective thinkers, communicators, managers, and leaders.As science shows, the use of visual imagery and visual language gets people to focus. It increases understanding and enhances memory and recall—all things we could use to grow our business and have a much better performance.Among other things, Todd and Steve discussed:Todd’s background in the media and entertainment industries How visual thinking worksTodd’s book VisuaLeadershipWhat being a thought leader meansHow often messages get lost in translation and whyWhy visual  information is way more effective than other communication formsYou can learn more about Todd here:https://www.toddcherches.com/Follow Todd on LinkedInRead the books mentioned in this podcast:The Golden Toilet by Steve BrownVisuaLeadership by Todd CherchesThinking of starting your own podcast? Buzzsprout’s secure and reliable posting allows you to publish podcasts online. Buzzsprout also includes full iTunes support, HTML5 players, show statistics, and WordPress plugins. Get started using this link to receive a $20 Amazon gift card and to help support our show!Support the show

2/27/21 • 46:19