Study entrepreneurs, and you'll find some great behaviors to emulate. Just as useful: study the things they don't do! In today's episode, I'll share 10 Things Successful Entrepreneurs Don't Do. Other Reasons To Keep Listening How to learn a language for free. No, God is not punishing you for some sin! How to get a great design for your website – a conversation with my designer. That's all coming up in today's episode… Tip of the Week: DuoLingo is the way to learn a language for free. Snarky Noma...
Feb 10, 2015•45 min•Ep. 152
Donald Miller is one of the most influential Christian writers of our day. His books evoke strong reactions, and for many they strike a chord like no work before. His new book, Scary Close , is available today, and in this interview we discuss how he came to write it, and why the message of this book is so important. Get the book and other neat stuff at Donald Miller's website. You can also buy it at Amazon . How You Can Help Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Peopl...
Feb 03, 2015•27 min•Ep. 151
Now that you are marketing your products and services online, you have instant global reach. But there's one problem: your marketing now stands shoulder to shoulder with Coke, Ford, the NFL, Oprah, and every other major brand that's online. How do you compete? In this session I'm sharing a conversation with Marshall Wayne, who is breaking new ground for Platform-Builders and Solo Pros… using something I like to think of as "Cinematic Marketing". And the good news is, it doesn't have to cost a fo...
Jan 28, 2015•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 150
How do you start a company with just an idea, a few volunteers, and no budget… and in less than 5 years have a web media property with 15 million readers? That's what Michael Stelzner did with Social Media Examiner, and in today's episode we'll share a conversation with Michael about how he did it. And how you could, too! In this conversation, we'll discover together: Why the smartest promotional strategy might be not promoting. The best way to differentiate yourself from your competitors. Micha...
Jan 20, 2015•49 min•Ep. 149
I listen to lots of podcasts. And while I have a few core podcasts I don't ever miss, I am constantly trying new shows out, looking for fresh voices I can put into my listening rotation. In today's episode, I'll share my listening strategy: how I selected my "A" shows, which I never miss, how I select my "B" shows, which I selectively listen to, and how I decide what new shows to sample. And of course I will give you my list of 10 fresh new shows you should check out. Other Reasons To Keep Liste...
Jan 14, 2015•40 min•Ep. 148
A young woman has quit smoking, been promoted at work, and run a marathon. An untested CEO takes over one of America's biggest companies and focuses on just one behavior pattern in the company, and very soon Alcoa is at the top of the Dow Jones. A marketer at Procter & Gamble notices a seemingly insignificant pattern while studying videos of how people make their beds. As a result, the company makes a small shift in advertising and Febreze goes from being one of the company's biggest flo...
Jan 07, 2015•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 147
As we begin a new year, it's popular for many bloggers and podcasters to make "predictions" about the new year. I prefer not making predictions (unless I feel inspired to do so), but I will point out 7 crucial trends to watch for in 2015. I believe these trends represent some fundamental shifts in the way business is done online, and the way you will continue to build your platform in the new year Other Reasons To Keep Listening I will reveal one of the apps I'm using to help me meet my financia...
Dec 31, 2014•59 min•Ep. 146
Have you ever suffered from depression or anxiety? Depression is a major problem in the world today. By the year 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression will be the number two cause of "lost years of healthy life" worldwide. This time of year feelings of depression are common. Most people suffer in silence. And in this episode I will share my own battle with depression, and give you my recipe for defeating this debilitating and deadly disease. Tip of the Week: Moodtra...
Dec 23, 2014•37 min•Ep. 145
We often treat the future as if it's a mystery. As if we don't have a say in it, or any control if it. And while there is some truth in that, there is a deeper truth also. We get to choose how we see the future, and the choice we make has a profound influence over the outcome we experience. This episode shows you 5 powerful ways to see the road ahead. Tip of the Week: I may have finally found an app to replace Cardmunch – the iPhone app I previously used to process business cards I received at c...
Dec 16, 2014•31 min•Ep. 144
This is a special episode where I'm taking the time to answer a ton of questions from listeners and readers. I really enjoy these kinds of shows, and this one is no exception. By the way, I am looking for success stories to start sharing on every episode. If you have a success story to share, click here and record it using Speakpipe. Keep your success story short and powerful (2 minutes or less is best). We're looking for ways you've been blessed by this show, whether is was financially, in your...
Dec 12, 2014•39 min•Ep. 143
It's the time of year when we all start to think about making resolutions and setting goals for the new year… and we're either happy about it, or cynical. This week Michael Hyatt is my guest, and he offers a fresh perspective on setting goals. By the way, if you haven't seen the fabulous free video training Michael is giving away on how to make 2015 "your best year ever", click here right now and get access to those videos! Tip of the Week: Blinkist is a great little app that lets you access con...
Dec 04, 2014•45 min•Ep. 142
Some people think "copywriting" – the art and science of writing sales copy – is dead and gone. Killed by social media. The truth is copywriting is alive and well. and more important than ever to you and your business. You must master this. Tip of the Week: For a long time, I stopped taking handwritten notes. I found it tedious, and I found I seldom referred to them again. Plus I was so worried about catching every little detail, just taking t he notes was a stressful experience. Then I discover...
Nov 26, 2014•18 min•Ep. 141
Is it possible there is one "Master Skill" that trumps all others when it comes to business success? I believe it's not only possible, but that it's absolutely the truth. In today's episode, I'll reveal what that "master skill" is, and how you can acquire it for yourself. Tip of the Week: The CoSchedule app for your blog. It's a "content marketing editorial calendar"… and so much more. Spiritual Foundations: It's Not About Your Faith "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live...
Nov 19, 2014•24 min•Ep. 140
You've probably heard it so much that you may even tune it out: writing and publishing a book is a good thing. But do you know why? In today's episode, I'll give you 7 good reasons why you should write a book, even if you think you're "not a writer". Tip of the Week: Speed up video to save time Speed up video up to 5 times faster with perfect clarity Zip through Flash and HTML5 videos online Save time and enjoy more with no audio distortion or "chipmunking" Works for lectures, seminars, training...
Nov 12, 2014•27 min•Ep. 139
What if, in 2015, you could give yourself the "Ultimate Advantage" in every area of your life – faith, physical, emotional, and financial? In today's episode, I'll share some foundational elements and practical advice on how to do just that. Announcements Here are a couple of immediate advantages you can give yourself in the area of learning, growing, and connections: In just a few days from now the Platform Conference in Colorado Springs , will be in full swing, starting November 9th. If t here...
Nov 05, 2014•35 min•Ep. 138
I'm still in the mode of preparing my plans for 2015. I have some pretty big ideas about what I want to accomplish next year, and I'm sure you do as well. In today's episode, the theme is "how to own your life". It includes an interview with one of my favorite people, Chris Brogan . It also includes an opportunity to work closely with me in 2015. Keep listening for details. Announcements In a little over a week, I will be gathering with all the other folks who are attending the Platform Conferen...
Oct 29, 2014•38 min•Ep. 137
It's not too early to start getting ready for 2015. In fact right now is the perfect time to assess how this year has gone, and what you'd like to see happen in 2015. In my case, 2014 started off a little "bloated" – both physically and mentally. I want 2015 to be lean & mean (in the most fun sense of that word). That's what today's episode is all about: how to set yourself up for a lean, mean 2015. Announcements I am getting excited about the upcoming Platform Conference in Colorado Springs...
Oct 22, 2014•34 min•Ep. 136
The tag line in my logo says "Live with Joy, Lead with Passion, and Prosper with Purpose". Occasionally someone asks me, "So how to do you that?" That's what today's episode is all about: answering that question. Announcements I am getting excited about the upcoming Platform Conference in Colorado Springs , starting November 9th. There are still a few seats available, and you can still save $100 when you click here and add the special code RAY to your order. Plus, Cliff Ravenscraft and I are hos...
Oct 15, 2014•46 min•Ep. 135
The quality of your life is directly impacted by the quality of your habits. The problem is, most of us did not consciously choose to habits we currently possess. We drifted, stumbled, or otherwise accidentally acquired most of our habits. Not all of those habits support the outcomes we truly want for ourselves or the ones we love. In today's episode, we will examine five common habits that will completely wreck your life and how to get rid of them. Tip of the Week: Maybe you read The Four Hour ...
Oct 08, 2014•35 min•Ep. 134
Many people in our modern society are prisoners. Prisoners of a job they hate, of a profession they despise, or even of a business that owns them (instead of the other way around.) It doesn't have to be this way. Today's podcast is devoted to the idea that you can break free of that prison. That you can escape your "day job" and start living in the reality of your "dream job." Feature Presentation: Interview with Author Kary Oberbrunner… Author, life coach, and speaker Kary Oberbrunner shows peo...
Oct 01, 2014•1 hr•Ep. 133
Have you ever heard the phrase, "If you don't have your health, you don't have anything"? I think this is a stupid thing to say, and in today's episode I will explain why – and what to say instead. And for those who don't have your health, I've got a newsflash: you also don't have a free pass to whine, complain, and make excuses. Tip of the Week: The LoseIt! app makes tracking your nutrition, hydration, and exercise easy and fun. Lumosity offers a great way yo keep your brain sharp – by playing ...
Sep 24, 2014•34 min•Ep. 132
This week I have my good friend Cliff Ravenscraft on the show – yes, the Podcast Answer Man himself will join us and we'll discuss the future of podcasting and what it means for those building a platform. I know you were expecting Five Destructive Habits That Will Wreck Your Life, but this is a good programming change. Trust me. We have a BIG announcement, and I'll get you those Five Destructive Habits That Will Wreck Your Life in a couple of weeks! Feature Presentation: Cliff Ravenscraft, The P...
Sep 17, 2014•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 131
We are busy. Too busy, it seems; if I ask ten friends what their biggest challenge is, five will answer with some variation of, "I'm just too busy." In this episode I will share 10 specific tactics to help un-busy yourself. Tip of the Week: My favorite new meeting tool is Zoom.us . I like it better than Skype or GoToMeeting for the following reasons: Smoother video streaming. Ease of use. Simple screen sharing. Easy recordings. Less expensive than other alternatives. Spiritual Foundations: Shoul...
Sep 10, 2014•29 min•Ep. 130
For the longest time, when asked how quickly I can turnaround a writing project, my answer has been: "I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and I can write faster than anybody who can write better." I recently discovered the person who originally penned that phrase: American journalist A.J. Liebling , who wrote primarily for The New Yorker . The reason I think this quote rings true for many writers is actually a secret of the trade. Writing faster makes you a better writer. Tip o...
Sep 03, 2014•29 min•Ep. 129
The power of momentum is hard to overestimate. A productive person is likely to remain productive, and the opposite is also true. We can intervene in our own lives. What if there was a way to turn yourself into self-propelled productivity machine? Tip of the Week: This week I;m going to encourage you to "Slack". It just might make you more productive. Try the Slack app now. Spiritual Foundations: Here's a question I get from readers and listeners every now and then: "If God's will is always heal...
Aug 27, 2014•22 min•Ep. 128
If you're always plugged in to the Internet, you might just be unplugging from some of the most important relationships in your life. Today I'll discuss 5 reasons why you might not want to take your laptop to bed. Tip of the Week: Simplify your writing with the new downloadable Hemingway app . Spiritual Foundations: "Hey Ray, are you a 'greasy grace' guy?" The question comes to my email inbox every now and then. Here's my answer. There is no such thing as "greasy grace" – there is only the Gospe...
Aug 22, 2014•18 min•Ep. 127
If you give away free content as part of a "Content Marketing" strategy, it's important to know wthat you should not give away everything. If you give away the wrong stuff, you'll never make any money. In today's episode I you get the "5 Fatal Flaws Of Free Content" – and how to avoid them. Tip of the Week: The best way to manage all your passwords: Dashlane. Spiritual Foundations: "Does the Holy Spirit convict us of sin?" My answer may surprise you. And when he comes, he will convict the world ...
Aug 14, 2014•23 min•Ep. 126
Have you ever known anyone who just never seems to get what they want in life? They make lots of plans but things never seen to pan out well? I believe there are 5 requirements for getting successful outcomes in any area. In today's episode I will share the 5 Requirements, and explain how you can put them to work starting today. Announcements: Thanks for the 5-star reviews on iTunes from Brian Knight of SuccessForNurses.com , and Cheri Fields at CreationScience4kids.com , If you enjoy the podcas...
Aug 07, 2014•30 min•Ep. 125
So what books have you read that changed you? This show is about my list of some of the life-changing books I have read. Some of them may surprise you. Announcements: If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes . I'm speaking at the Platform Conference in November. Register using this link , and as you check out enter the promo code RAY to save $100 on your ticket. Tip of the Week: I discovered a neat little device that easily lets ...
Jul 31, 2014•29 min•Ep. 124
I hear this complaint a lot: "People don't respond to emails anymore. It's like they don't read them, or don't have enough courtesy to write back." Usually the person doing the complaining will then expand on how Western society is crumbling around our ears. Rather than spend our time complaining about how inconsiderate people have become, I suggest learning how to write emails that demand a response. Announcements: If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (an...
Jul 25, 2014•17 min•Ep. 123
