The $100 MBA Show

Blogging is still one of the most effective (and cost-effective) kinds of content marketing.

But does frequency matter? If so, how often should you post?

It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’re helping a relatively new blogger figure out how much content to pump out. In 6 months, this blogger hasn’t seen the needle move much. Does it make a difference if you publish every day, week, or month? The short answer is yes — but there are other, bigger factors.

Everything from SEO to reader habits have changed since the dawn of the Internet. Today, we discuss what really drives blog readership and helps market your business. 

Learn how the blogging landscape has evolved, and what you can do to keep your audience engaged. Click Play!

To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you don’t listen to your customers, you’ll lose them.

Just as true: if you listen too much to your customers…you’ll lose them.

Feedback matters. What your customers say should help guide your product development, or you won’t be competitive for long. But you can’t please everybody — and you can’t let yourself be blown around like a leaf in the wind by a thousand different opinions.

So what should you do?

Today, we nail down an organized, scientific approach to gathering and utilizing customer feedback. We’ll discuss how to ask customers what they think, when to ask them, and what tools to use to keep all that feedback organized.

Most importantly, we’ll explain how to know which feedback is high-priority and actionable.

Learn how to strike the balance between being tone-deaf and being too eager to please. Hear your customers out in a meaningful way — Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“Marketing.” The term is vague. New entrepreneurs don’t always know exactly what it means — let alone how to do it effectively.

That’s why we’re so happy to have John Jantsch.

A best-selling author, sought-after speaker, and founder of Duct Tape Marketing, John specializes in helping small businesses market effectively. In today’s extended conversation, John and Omar discuss what marketing is really for — and how to know you’re doing it right.

In other words, we’re cutting through the “hacks” to discover what really, truly works.

By focusing on what’s proven over time for countless companies, you can bypass the forest of trends and create a real marketing “engine,” a system that delivers consistent results. In this full-length interview, we get deep into the details. Click Play!

The Ultimate Marketing Engine by John Jantsch

Spoke

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We love teachers.

As the founders of a webinar platform (and former educators), we live and breathe coaching, training, and consulting as a business model. Our experience in that realm is what brought us into the webinar game, and continues to guide our development. 

But at some point, our good ol’ Omar had to hang up his consulting hat.

Today, Omar shares why he made the difficult decision to give this aspect of the business (and revenue stream) up. It’s a fantastic service and business model, but it’s not right for everyone in every situation. 

One of the most important things an entrepreneur must learn to do is evolve. Hear why Omar had to pull himself out of the Comfort Zone to make space for something new. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You’ve hit a plateau. Whether your business is new, established, or even getting close to the endgame, anyone can get stuck.

Surprisingly, it’s often because of this one thing.

When you’ve looked into everything — sales, marketing, advertising — and you just can’t figure out what’s got your wheels spinning, there’s a very good chance it’s this. It’s not something most people expect, and it might seem…weird. But you owe it to your business to consider it.

We should know; as we’ll discuss, it’s happened to us. Find out what this mysterious factor is, and how it inhibits growth. It might just be the way forward when it seems like you can’t get anywhere. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Entrepreneurship isn’t easy. 

Anyone who says so isn’t telling the whole story. Sometimes it’s difficult. Sometimes it’s boring. Sometimes you put everything you have into a campaign or product, only to watch it flop. This is a reality of business. 

The question isn’t how to avoid that — it’s how to handle it.

It’s Q&A Wednesday, and one listener wants to know how we keep our chins up when the going gets tough. No one — no one — is motivated all the time. In fact, it’s perfectly normal to lose motivation over time, or for motivation to ebb and flow. So how do we keep our productivity consistent?

Hear a few simple tips (and a few hard choices) that can keep you motivated through all the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Click Play

To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Let’s lower that CAC!

Your Customer Acquisition Cost is one of the biggest factors affecting your bottom line. The total investment of marketing, advertising, and sales dollars to produce a single customer is a key metric, one that has to be studied carefully. As your business grows, so can your CAC — leading to an overall plateau.

Fortunately, there are things you can do about that.

Today, we share 4 specific ways you can put a major dent in that number, starting now. No matter what business you’re in, these 4 tactics are tried and tested, as we’ll demonstrate with examples from multiple businesses.  

Get a handle on how much you’re investing in customer acquisition, so the returns can support stronger, faster growth. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is poker the best analogy for entrepreneurship? The Biggest Bluff makes a very strong case for “yes.” 

This fascinating memoir about a total novice’s quest to get really good at something is stuffed with insights that any business owner can learn from. By going from amateur to champion, Maria Konnikova demonstrated that in poker and business, it’s not all about the hand you’re dealt. 

It’s about sticking to the plan.

Tune in, and hear how one person’s poker journey offers a perfect formula for balancing skill, hard work, and dumb luck. Learn how to navigate bad odds, get comfortable with unpredictable outcomes, and take risks when it really matters. Click Play!

The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova

Discover all our must-read book reviews at https://100mba.net/bookreviews.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In business, it’s not the idea that leads to success. It’s the execution.

That said, not all ideas are equally viable — which is why it’s important to change how we think about “good” or “bad” product and service ideas. A product that seems ridiculous might strike a chord with consumers (remember pet rocks?). Likewise, the graveyard of failed businesses is full of seemingly great ideas that people just didn’t buy into. 

So how can you tell what’ll actually work?

Today, we discuss how to determine whether your idea has an honest chance of success — based not only on the merits of the idea itself, but on the multitude of factors that go into the execution. 

Your ability to win over an audience depends on so much more than whether your idea is “good” or not. Fortunately, a little groundwork can paint a pretty reliable picture of your chances. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As a business owner, you set the standards.

But what do you do when an employee — even one you like and respect — isn’t clearing the bar? It’s one of the most uncomfortable aspects of running a business. But it’s also pretty much inevitable. Team members will fail you sometimes.

The key is to fix it through collaboration, not just correction.

We call our staff a “team” for a reason. Part of supporting your teammates is helping them do their best work. Because the truth is, most screwups aren’t the result of malice or even laziness. They’re usually honest mistakes, or a misunderstanding of their mission. You can fix that, together.

Learn how to get your team up to snuff in ways that are empowering, not deflating. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We think of entrepreneurs as people who go their own way. But in truth, no one becomes successful entirely on their own.

It’s Q&A Wednesday, and one listener wants to know who taught, coached, and inspired Omar into the entrepreneur he is today. We all stand on the shoulders of our teachers, whether or not we’re formal students. In his business journey, Omar is no exception.

But he has to give credit to more than one person!

Today, Omar discusses a few people who had the biggest impact on his development, and shares how those relationships made such a huge difference. Plus, he offers a few tips on what to look for in a mentor for yourself, and how to find one.

Who will help shape your future? Click Play!

To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most online traffic is on mobile.

That trend shows no signs of slowing down; Google even prioritizes mobile-friendliness when ranking for SEO. For many consumers, mobile devices are the primary, if not only devices they use. Whatever you’re doing online, it needs to fit and work as beautifully on an iPhone as on a desktop.

Today, we explore how.

We’ll talk about how to take a look at your site, and make sure your mobile game is as strong (or stronger) than your desktop game. In terms of looks, speed, and functionality, it’s time to put mobile first, if you haven’t already. 

Get the tips and tools you need to optimize your website. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s about the person, not just the business.

After all, your business can change. You can go through endless iterations of what you sell, but the one constant is who you are. If you can build a strong personal brand, it’ll follow you no matter where entrepreneurship takes you.

Today, we bring on a pair of experts to help with that.

Anne Candido and April Martini are the founders of branding and marketing firm Forthright People. In this episode, Anne and April explain how to figure out what you represent, and how to articulate that to your audience. Once people trust you, that trust remains your strongest asset — in any business.

Take the time to get your personal branding right, and your overall marketing gets a lot easier. Learn the basics from two pros. Click Play!

Marketing Smarts Podcast

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sometimes, life kicks your business in the teeth.

We planned what we thought would be an awesome conference for entrepreneurs in Australia. Then came the Delta variant. With the country plunged rapidly back into lockdown purgatory, everything we’d worked for was dusted.

Well, not everything.

Today, we discuss how to navigate a big blow to your business plans. Yes, getting the shaft from fate sucks, but you can always salvage something — even if it’s just a valuable lesson or two. 

Hear how we handled our sudden reversal of fortune, and understand the mindset every entrepreneur needs to survive the ups and downs of independent business. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you don’t focus on what matters most, what matters least will take up your time.

That’s one of the first — and one of the hardest — lessons entrepreneurs have to learn. We all have limited time, energy, and resources. We have to prioritize. Because the uncomfortable truth is that when everything is important, nothing is.

It’s easy to let non-priority tasks suck up your entire day. 

Today, we share a simple formula for figuring out what makes the “Must Do” list. It’s nothing more than answering two questions, but both require some serious (and honest) thought. Once you answer them fully, you’ll know how to schedule your days, weeks, months, and years efficiently.

Get a handle on your time, and get closer to your biggest goals. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your “why” is everything.

If you don’t have a single, super-clear motivation for building your business, it gets very hard to stick with it. Entrepreneurship is a commitment that requires constant motivation.

It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got a listener who understands that. They’re thinking about getting into the software game, but there’s one missing piece: the big “why.” The interest is there, the vision is there. But this listener is smart enough to recognize that that’s not enough.

Not enough when times are tough, anyway.

Today, Omar shares why we created our own SaaS business, WebinarNinja. Our choice to change course and focus on a software product wasn’t made casually. We felt a genuine call to fix a specific problem that we were uniquely positioned to deal with.

That call was undeniable, our “why” unmistakable. What’s yours? Tune in, and ask yourself the big question before you make your next big move. Click Play!

To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Let’s talk time management. It’s one of the pillars of a successful entrepreneurial lifestyle. 

Today, our intrepid host Omar shares his exact weekly schedule. Hear how he manages to fit work, fitness, rest, and yes…even fun into his tight daily routine. 

Is an entrepreneur’s life a total grind? Or a laptop-on-the-beach fantasy? Or something in between?

In this episode, you’ll learn why flexibility is just as important as consistency, and how to balance the two. Your schedule doesn’t have to look like Omar’s — this episode is descriptive, not prescriptive. Use it to get a sense of how to balance your priorities, achieve your goals, and have a good time along the way. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One thing successful entrepreneurs have in common? They’re strategists.

They don’t just create or execute strategies. They see the entire world through a strategic lens, a mindset that’s constantly figuring out how to get it done — whatever “it” is. 

Hanneke Antonelli is a celebrated life and business coach who specializes in strategic thinking. Today, she’s got a guest lesson that teaches you how to turn your thoughts into action, your wants into results. 

Using a relatively simple formula, you can change the way you look at, think about, and execute your goals. By changing what’s in your head, you empower yourself to change what happens in real life. 

Learn Antonelli’s system, and put it to work for you. Click Play!

The Uplevel Project by Hanneke Antonelli

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Does your content marketing include videos?

If not, it’s time to change that!

We’re continuing with our deep-dive lesson on creating video marketing assets. Yesterday, we focused on the video itself and its content. Today, we explain where to put that video on your website, and how to turn it into a lead-generating machine.

The best part? Once it’s set up, the rest mostly takes care of itself.

Learn exactly what to do with your video, step by step. From the web pages you’ll need, to the email campaigns you’ll convert viewers with, we’ve got the low-down on building a reliable video-based funnel. We’ll share each step in the process, plus recommendations for the tools to get it done.

Create video content, and let it open the door to deeper relationships with your audience. After all, that’s how they ultimately become your customers. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Not sure how to start video marketing? We got you.

Today is the first half of a 2-part, in-depth lesson on setting up a video lead magnet. From nailing the content to creating a complete funnel, this is your guide to creating customers by creating great videos!

We’ll explain how it’s done step by step, exactly the way we produce videos for our own products. 

In this episode, we focus on the actual video production, including all the tools and programs we use. Beginning with the right choice of topic, you can create videos that aren’t only high-quality and engaging, but attract the right leads.

 In other words, you’ll create videos that speak to the folks most likely to become customers. 

Follow our template, and start creating videos that look and sound great, hold people’s attention, and grow your list. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

They say you “get what you pay for.” 

But what if you could get much, much more?

It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got a listener with a (possible) opportunity. An e-commerce store is on its last legs, and the owner has it up for sale — at a discount. But what makes the price so right is also what makes it a tough decision. 

How can you know if a business is worth buying, at any price?

Today, we lay out exactly what questions to ask, what data to gather, and everything else you need to know before buying an existing business. Our listener sees potential in this business, even though it’s almost belly-up. The job now is to verify that feeling objectively.

If you’re not trying to buy a business anytime soon, listen to this episode anyway! It can be invaluable when it comes time to sell yours. Click Play!

To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As your business grows, so will the contents of your inbox.

Offers to collaborate, sponsor, or just network will pile up quickly. It’s a good problem to have, but it’s still a problem! 

Time is your most valuable resource. To protect it, you need a consistent, efficient system for dealing with all the opportunities people will throw your way. And eventually, you’ll be saying “no” to the vast majority of them — so you’d better get good at it.

Today, Omar shares his system for quickly identifying the best opportunities, and discarding the rest. It’s easy to get buried in opportunities if you don’t have a solid framework. Worse, it’s easy to end up wasting your time on efforts that don’t have the best ROI.

When you say “yes” to something, you say “no” to something else (or several something else’s). Learn what to say “no” to, and how to say it in a way that doesn’t hurt your relationships. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Overwhelmed? You’re not alone. 

Today, we’re thrilled to present a special bonus episode featuring a brand new podcast from the $100 MBA family. Nicole & Kate Can Relate tackles the big issues around entrepreneurship, from the perspectives of two highly driven women navigating the challenges of working and living by their own designs. 

Listen as our very own Nicole Baldinu and EOFire’s Kate Erickson offer other entrepreneurs support, insight, and inspiration by sharing their conversations — including the personal ones.

In this episode, Nicole and Kate discuss the ever-present threat of overwhelm. When the calendar is just too full, and every task seems like a high priority, where do you start? How can you complete a To-Do list that doesn’t seem to have an end?

Enjoy this brand new podcast from two businesswomen willing to share the ups, the downs, and the one thing we all need to make space for: vulnerability. Click Play!



SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE PODCASTS

Stitcher | SoundCloud | Podcast Feed | How To Subscribe

Give us a Rating & Review

Nicole & Kate Can Relate

The post [Bonus Episode] From the Nicole & Kate Can Relate Podcast: Overwhelm: Can I make it go away? appeared first on The $100 MBA.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Businesses don’t die overnight.

Usually, it happens gradually. It takes a year, or two, or five. That’s because what kills a business isn’t always something big, obvious, or dramatic. Systemic flaws, nagging problems, and other issues that seem small — but add up over time — are the most likely culprit. 

So how can you protect your business? 

How can you identify and address the problems you might not even see ‘till it’s too late? 

Today’s guest teacher has an answer. Walter Hill, Jr. is a second-generation entrepreneur who’s mastered something vital: “red flagging.” Red flagging is the art of seeing deeply into your business and recognizing the telltale signs of structural problems. 

We’ve taken his advice, and it’s helped keep our business alive. 

Learn what to look for, and how to look for it. Protect your revenue and your company’s long-term future. Click Play!

Think Red Flags by Walter Hill, Jr.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The dream is real. Transitioning from regular work to entrepreneurship is totally doable. 

How do we know? Because good ol’ Omar did it.

Today, Omar shares 5 things he did to make that transition possible. While he was still employed as an educator, he had to find ways to get the most out of his limited time, energy, and motivation. It wasn’t totally easy, but with a few good habits, it worked.

Your turn.

Hear these 5 habits, and learn how you can gradually shift out of conventional work to full independence. Some of these habits are minor; some are bigger sacrifices. But by sticking with them consistently, you can quit your job with full confidence in your ability to make it on your own. 

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We all start with zero.

Whether it’s your email list, blog readership, social followers, or — yes indeed — podcast listeners, building a real fanbase takes work. The good news? While money can buy attention, it can’t buy engagement or loyalty. Only quality content can do that.

But how do you bring the people to the content? 

Today, we share how we went from 0 to 1k. We didn’t have much by way of a budget, but we did have something valuable to share. 7 years and 1,800 + episodes later, we look back on how our lean, one-listener-at-a-time approach gradually snowballed into something big. 

You can apply the tactics we discuss in this episode to any kind of content. Your following is out there — it’s time to help them find you. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The “old normal” isn’t coming back anytime soon.

With Australia and other countries remaining in lockdown, and cases rising even in re-opened places, COVID isn’t in the rearview just yet. That means businesses whose models were upended by the pandemic have to hold out — and adapt — a while longer.

Case in point: today’s Q&A Wednesday listener.

As the owner of a co-work space, our listener seems to be in one of the worst positions possible during a pandemic. After all, the business model depends on people physically going to a location. 

But we believe with a little creativity, there’s a way forward. It might even be a way to come out stronger than before.

Tune in as we offer our best advice to someone who — like millions — must adjust to a new business reality. Click Play!

To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s time to show, not just tell.

“Product-led” growth is exactly what it sounds like: letting the product itself be its own primary marketing and sales asset. But while most of us associate the “freemium” model with software products, any product can “lead” growth.

You just have to figure out how.

That’s what this episode is all about. With examples from various businesses — not just the software kind — we explain how you can let your product do the talking.

More than ever, consumers don’t want a pitch. They want to know, see, and feel for themselves if a product fits or not. Work with that! Click Play!

Product-Led Growth by Wes Bush

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we take a look at a well-reviewed book from a surprising source: rapper turned entrepreneur 50 Cent.

Despite growing up in abject poverty and having zero formal business education, Curtis Jackson leveraged what little opportunities he had to achieve wealth. But more importantly, he didn’t just make money. He created a diverse portfolio of assets and revenue streams that continues to evolve.

…and so should you.

Today, we share some of the most powerful insights from Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter. Written with a stripped-down style designed to appeal to non-readers, this book teaches that in business, adaptability is just as important as drive. 

From crime to the arts, TV production to corporate investment, no single product or industry was “the one” that kept 50’s business growing. Get a lesson in business flexibility. Click Play!

Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson

Discover all our must-read book reviews at https://100mba.net/bookreviews.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One of the worst mistakes an entrepreneur can make?

Treating mental health like an afterthought instead of a priority.

After yesterday’s talk on the importance of mental well-being, it’s time to address one big problem: finding the time. Business founders have tight schedules and heaps of responsibility — especially if you’re side-hustling or have a family. We get that.

Today, we share a few things even the busiest founders can do!

You can’t reach your potential if you’re mentally drained or overstressed. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to keep yourself in top form. Invest the time and effort necessary to maintain your mental and emotional strength — then use that strength to win.

The tactics we share in this episode are easy to execute, starting today. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Call it healthy, or call it smart business. Either way, looking after the mental and emotional well-being of your team is critical.

Today, we explore how to do that.

Year after year, research confirms what we’ve always known: mental health affects the bottom line. A good leader takes an active role in ensuring the internal stability of both themselves and their team — because it’s compassionate, but also because it’s smart.

Mental health is a human right and a business asset.

Join us as we define ‘mental health’ in the context of running a business, and share some of the ways we promote it for our team. So much can go wrong when you take a passive approach to the issue, so start crafting your company’s mental health approach now. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if Amazon was your garage…and post office?

“Fulfillment by Amazon:” If you haven’t heard by now, Amazon offers an e-commerce option for those who prefer to outsource the logistics. From warehousing to shipping and returns, Amazon will handle it all for your business — for a price, of course.

Is it worth it?

It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got a listener who wants to know if the FBA model is really viable. In this episode, we take a closer look at FBA, its advantages and disadvantages, and whether it truly makes sense for independent entrepreneurs.

When you hitch your wagon to a bigger company, there are always downsides. That doesn’t mean it’s always a bad idea. Learn more — Click Play!

To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can you create an invincible business?

Is there any way to make it so that no matter what happens, your business can survive? From pandemics to market shifts to new tech, the dangers to a startup are varied and unpredictable. How can you prepare for the worst-case scenario(s)?

Today, we discuss what you can do to be ready.

Of course, you can’t prepare your business for literally anything. But you can make a few smart choices that position your business to endure. With tips, strategies, and examples, this episode is a lesson on building something to last — come what may.

Learn how to proactively protect your business from…well, who knows? Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most people build a business to make money. But what if someone simply tried to build a better solution for a certain audience?

What if someone’s idea of success is a better, healthier balance between life, work, and one’s impact on an industry?

What if profit wasn’t the priority?

John O’Nolan was Deputy Head of Design at WordPress. In terms of business, he “made it” by anyone’s definition of success. But he wanted to make something else — something that didn’t exist for the sole purpose of creating wealth.

So he created Ghost.

Ghost is the stripped-down content platform for people who just want to share what they’ve got and build an audience. John developed Ghost under a radical business model: forget trying to make millions. Just make what people need. Period.

Today, John sits down with Omar for a good long chat about business, life, and prioritizing a healthy balance of the two. 

From running a successful remote startup while kite-surfing around the world, to de-prioritizing profit, to leveraging your own unique strengths, this wide-ranging talk is a must-hear for any entrepreneur.

Tune in to one of the most enlightening conversations you’ll ever hear between two independent business founders, and ask yourself what’s really possible. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Don’t play catch-up. Get into video marketing now!

It’s easier than ever — and probably easier for you than you might think. Whether it’s videos on your website, a YouTube channel, or social content, video is almost as important as written content when it comes to wooing your audience.

Today, we discuss how to develop and execute your video marketing strategy.

More importantly, we discuss why video is so powerful. As voice recognition and video searchability gets more sophisticated, your videos can have a powerful impact on your SEO and overall reach. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Hear why you should put some time, money, and sweat into video. Learn why some common misconceptions about video are bunk. Start creating a complete content marketing system. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want that “real” office feel — even though your team is remote?

Enter the Virtual Office.

As a completely remote company since…well, ever, we were looking for ways to keep our distributed team connected long before the pandemic. Recently, we experimented with something new along those lines. And it worked beautifully!

Today, we share how we set it up.

While we use lots of asynchronous tools and procedures, sometimes it’s better to just get together. That’s why we took the time to establish a “place” where employees can communicate in real time, in more than just text. 

In the end, it engendered better communication and morale. 

Learn why and how we established our Virtual Office, and how you can bring your team together in the same way. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Anyone can get sucked into the black hole of “never done” — especially when things are going well.

It’s Q&A Wednesday! We’ve got a listener who’s seeing success, but finds themselves ensnared by it. As the business gains momentum and the stakes become higher, this listener feels more and more pressure to stay at work, all the time.

We need to fix that.

Growing your business is not about taking on more and more work. It’s about establishing systems and teams that can support growth — while maintaining your own boundaries. Today, Omar shares how he protects his downtime with zero guilt.

Once you realize that rest makes you a better leader, letting go of the guilt is easy. Click Play!

The Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki

To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When you think about creating slides, remember ‘Parkinson’s Law.’

It basically states that a task will expand to fill the time you allow for it. Few tasks demonstrate Parkinson’s law better than creating slide presentations! Putting together a great slideshow can take hours — if you let it.

Today, we explain how to put some boundaries on the time you spend in PowerPoint (or Keynote, or Google Slides, or our personal fave, Canva).

Best of all, this isn’t a shortcut, per se. You don’t sacrifice any quality by doing this in 15 minutes instead of 3 hours. 

As a teacher, webinar host, and public speaker, Omar has put together approximately 17 gazillion slide presentations. Over the years, necessity forced him to find a way to do it efficiently — wasting no time, but sacrificing no important info. 

Hear all about this uber-productive method, and give it a try! Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want authority in your space? There’s no substitute for being a great speaker.

Of course, being great at speaking is like being great at anything. It doesn’t happen by accident! And you’ll probably need a little advice — maybe even a little coaching.

Fortunately, there’s Michael Port.

Michael has built a business empire as the go-to speaking coach for entrepreneurs — including our very own Omar Zenhom. Today, Michael sits down with Omar for one of our rare full-length interviews. 

Don’t miss this one!

Over the course of this in-depth discussion, Michael and Omar explore how public speaking can be a massive boost to almost any business, how to get better at it, and why your speaking skills are worth an investment of time, money, and effort. 

Learn why speaking is such a game-changer, what the real goals of public speaking should be, and how to approach different kinds of talks. Get incredibly valuable tips from one of the foremost experts in the complex art of public communication. Click Play!

Heroic Public Speaking

The Referable Speaker by Michael Port

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Every business needs a little capital to get started. But some ways of raising it are better than others!

Here’s the good news: Finding that initial seed money is less of an obstacle than you might think. For smart, lean businesses, all you need is enough to start engaging your audience, validate your idea, and create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). 

In other words, you can probably save (or make) the money you need all on your own.

That’s not to say no one should consider loans or investments. Depending on the business, either might be appropriate. But if you start your business by taking the right actions in the right order, you can keep costs down and be in profit almost from Day One.

Figure out how much you need, and the best way to get it. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Considering an online company retreat? This might be the episode for you. Last year, we couldn’t have our live team retreat, for obvious reasons. And with COVID not entirely in the rearview just yet, we had to make a decision.

The question before us was: go virtual, or just wait another year?

In the end, we decided a Virtual Retreat was the right move. Today, we discuss why we think it’s worth the effort (and time, and money), and why even though this retreat won’t be live, it can still have all the team-building effects we’re looking for.

The ROI of a team retreat — even a virtual one — can be hard to calculate. That said, it’s substantial! 

Our fully remote team is distributed across four continents. For us, it’s crucial to create the kind of camaraderie that doesn’t just happen by accident. Every company has a culture, whether its founders actively shape it or not. 

For us, a retreat isn’t a luxury — it’s a priority. Find out why. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Email lists are like houseplants. They don’t grow without a little love.

It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’re helping one listener who built a solid list, but just can’t seem to crack the 1,000 subscriber mark. Here’s the good news: once you get your list growing, it gets easier to keep it growing.

Fortunately, this listener already did the hardest part — getting from 0 to 3 figures.

In this episode, we discuss what holds a list back from growing, and share a few growth strategies for different goals and budgets. We also discuss some key mistakes to avoid (yeah, we’ve made them), and how to decide which list-building approach will work best for you.  

Your email list is one of your business’s most important assets. Get the moves you need to keep the momentum going — Click Play!

To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you build it, they will come.

Yes, that’s from a movie, but it definitely applies to today’s episode! When you’re looking for sponsorships, the key is not to chase potential sponsors around. It’s to understand the sponsors’ needs, and create something irresistible.

In other words, you have to make sponsorship the easiest possible decision.

Whether it’s for content, events, or anything else, getting sponsorship is not about convincing. It’s about making yourself the most attractive possible proposition. Today, we share how we grew sponsorship for this very podcast, and how you can do the same.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This one kept us up at night.

No, literally. Omar had to stop reading Derek Sivers’ How to Live before bed, because it generated so much thought and emotion he couldn’t sleep. Today’s Must-Read is so different from the usual personal development books, we just had to share it.

But we can’t share too much.

This book takes a walk through some of the most fundamental wisdom — much of which you’ve heard before — and challenges it. In the end, it all comes together in a way that’s so surprising, it might actually affect how you live your life.

The author himself claims it’s his best work so far, and we have to say “Hell yeah it is.” Find out why: Click Play!

How to Live by Derek Sivers

Discover all our must-read book reviews at https://100mba.net/bookreviews.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marketing is a must.

The second you can afford it, hire a marketing professional to get your message out there. But before you do, you have some things to consider. From budget to skill set, your first marketing hire is a decision to make carefully — not lightly.

It can make all the difference in the world.

Today, we discuss how to set your budget (for more than just salary, btw), and what to look for in a marketing pro. Marketing is a broad field, which means you have to find someone with the specialty you need. 

Professional marketing is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make in your business. Learn how to get it right — Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your “To Do” list doesn’t have to be a scary thing. In fact, it should be a relief.

Every entrepreneur has to self-discipline. It’s the price of freedom! But when a To Do list gets too long, it can start to seem hopeless. Tasks pile up, and next thing you know, each new addition is just another drop in the ocean. 

It’s time to break the cycle.

Today, we’ll show you how to make your To Do list a path to freedom, not a prison of your own overwhelm. Good ol’ Omar spent years trying to find the best way to get everything done, and he’s settled on a system that might just work for you.

With this system, you might not get everything crossed off your list each day. But each night, you’ll go to sleep knowing that what needs to happen, happened. You’ll be confident that wherever you are, you’re on the right track. 

Get Omar’s step-by-step instructions. Click Play!

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Controlling the direction of a business you built is one thing. But what if you didn’t build it?

It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got a listener in a special kind of pickle. They purchased a business, but it needs to shift gears. The business isn’t doing as well as it could, because it’s trying to please everyone instead of a targeted audience.

Can you buy a business and change it without alienating existing customers?

As it turns out, we have an example that can shed some light on this one. Many businesses make the mistake of casting a wide net instead of finding their niche. And this isn’t the first time a new owner has recognized that problem and tried to fix it.

We’ll share the story of how this other business faced the exact same situation, and how they addressed its challenges. Learn why niching down is so important, and get our best tips on pulling off a big shift like this. 

To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

File this under “questions we get a lot.” If you want to start a software business, do you need outside money?

Well, it depends.

Our SaaS business, WebinarNinja, is 100% self-funded. Omar used his own money to get it going, and it’s been running on its own steam ever since. But that doesn’t mean self-funding is the right decision for everyone. 

It all depends on your goals.

Today, we discuss the ups and downs of taking investment, and alternative ways to get the capital you need. Software is a special animal, one that requires a concrete plan to get off the ground. Tune in, and see which you need more: investment, or control. 

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What’s the difference between getting someone to make a purchase, and getting someone to tell you the truth?

To the human brain…very little. 

This one sounds out of left field, but stick with us. Michael Reddington made a career out of getting information from criminal suspects. Along the way, he discovered that the same kind of trust, honesty, and vulnerability required to elicit a confession has another application.

Turns out, it’s a heckuva sales strategy.

In this episode, Michael explains 5 principles of interrogation techniques that work just as well in sales. From a psychological standpoint, selling and interrogating are basically the same thing — a conversation that ends with the right decision.

InQuasive

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sometimes, the best way to find customers is to create them.

You’ll hear what we mean! Today, we discuss how entry-level products are the perfect gateway for bigger purchases later. Almost every kind of business can (and should) use this strategy.

In this episode, we discuss exactly how.

We’ll cover various ways to create versions of your product with a lower barrier of entry. Using examples from our own businesses and others, we’ll show you how there’s always a low-risk way to bring people through the door — and later turn them into lifers.

No matter what your product is, start thinking about the entry-level version now. Tune in, and develop a strategy that not only attracts customers, but helps you weed out the casual fans and identify the true, lifelong loyalists.

SUBSCRIBE

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.