How did one family-owned business crank out a 90% conversion rate (!!!!) for their golf course fertilizer -- even when their product cost more than their competitors’? They showed their prospects how great life could be once they buy -- and they did it in a wild and wonderful way. David Pursell, the CEO of Pursell Farms, tells the whole story this week on the podcast. It’ll inspire you to think creatively about your sales process, too.
Feb 18, 2019•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast What will your customer miss out on if they don’t buy your product or service? That’s the power of “FOMO” - or “Fear of Missing Out.” And as marketers, it’s critical that we create it -- without resorting to cheap fear tactics. That’s why we’re excited to have Matt Ford on the podcast. He’s the creative force behind experience-driven marketing campaigns for Hulu, Adidas (among others) that customers don’t want to miss out on. Learn how you can apply this powerful strategy to your own brand!...
Feb 11, 2019•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s no secret that a strong call to action is key for creating great marketing material. But what does it look like to actually craft a call to action that people respond to? To help answer that question we invited our Director of Marketing, Tyler Ginn, to join the podcast for this week’s episode. He sits down with Don and JJ to break down a successful email campaign and gives you practical tips for creating calls to action in your marketing that will get a response. Plus, find out which type o...
Feb 04, 2019•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Ritz-Carlton is one of the most iconic brands in the world. And on this episode of the podcast, we welcome the visionary who built it, Horst Schulze. He shares the practical strategies he used to do it. How to craft a compelling vision. How to make sure all your employees share that vision. Plus, the four key objectives every successful business pursues in order to succeed. It’s a masterclass in authentic branding and visionary leadership from a man who knows exactly what it takes to excel a...
Jan 28, 2019•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast We all need to know how to conduct great interviews. Whether you’re hiring, networking, doing customer discovery, or even dating, you need to be able to ask questions that solicit meaningful answers. On this episode of the podcast, Donald Miller talks with master interviewer Dean Nelson about what questions to ask, how to listen, and more. Don’t miss this super practical episode!
Jan 21, 2019•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Want to make your brand’s messaging exponentially more powerful? Learn how to define a villain for your customers. That’s because our brains are hard-wired to pay attention to negative things -- threats, villains, potential losses. On today’s episode, Mike McHargue (a.k.a. “Science Mike”) explains the science of why this happens. And don’t worry -- he uses simple terms we can all understand and apply to our businesses without being manipulative.
Jan 14, 2019•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast What are you selling? Your quick answer may be “real estate” or “jewelry” -- but to really connect with customers, you need to understand the deeper value you offer them. You don’t sell real estate, you sell peace of mind. You don’t sell jewelry, you sell confidence. Join us on this episode for a deep dive into defining what your customer really wants. First, Don and JJ talk about why we need to understand our customers’ desires. Then, Don interviews advertising executive Aaron James about real-...
Jan 07, 2019•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast As we close out the year and look ahead to 2019, take a moment to reflect on how you’re growing as a business leader. This podcast is a great place to start. We’ve compiled the best and brightest insights from this year’s episodes, from world-renowned guests like Rachel Hollis, Daniel Pink, and Patrick Lencioni. It’s a wealth of wisdom to inspire and equip you for the year ahead. http://buildingastorybrand.com/129...
Dec 31, 2018•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Word of mouth plays a role in 50-90% of all buying decisions. But most of us have never actually sat down to outline a strategy that would get more customers talking about our brand. If that’s you, it won’t be after you listen to this episode. Jay Baer joins Donald Miller to talk about “talk triggers” -- moments you can create for your customers that they’ll tell their friends about. He’s full of specific, practical examples that will inspire you. You may very well transform your whole business ...
Dec 24, 2018•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Should your company take a stand on a social issue? There’s no better person to ask than TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie. He and his team have built a thriving footwear brand on the One for One model of giving a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair they sell. And recently, they launched a bold campaign on the controversial issue of gun violence. In this episode, we examine the finer points of what happens when your company takes a stand on a social issue. How does it affect your employees...
Dec 17, 2018•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast We business leaders like to talk about our "core values," but all too often, those values don't actually show up in our products, services, and business practices. That's not the case at Brandless, an online retailer with a wholly different approach to how people shop for home essentials. They've built everything around core values like quality, community, and kindness. On today's episode, our guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge talks with Tina Sharkey, the co-founder of Brandless, about the ...
Dec 10, 2018•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Enneagram is a personality typing system that teaches there are nine basic personality styles in the world. These styles, or “Types,” deeply influence how we think and act. But what does that mean for us as leaders? Enneagram teacher Ian Cron is back for part 2 of our Enneagram series for leadership. This time, he shows you how to leverage the strengths of your own Enneagram Type in order to lead your team well. (Not sure of your Type? You may have a better idea of it after you listen to thi...
Dec 03, 2018•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Enneagram is a personality typing system that teaches there are nine basic personality styles in the world. These styles, or “types,” deeply influence how we think and act. Today on the podcast, we welcome Ian Cron, an Enneagram teacher, to walk us through leadership “do’s and don’ts” for each type so we can lead our teams well. Download the cheat sheet for this episode: http://storybrand.com/enneagram http://buildingastorybrand.com/124...
Nov 26, 2018•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast By now you know the framework of story can transform your marketing. But how can story make you a better leader? Today on the StoryBrand podcast, the tables turn as Andy Stanley interviews Donald Miller about how to invite those you lead into a bigger story. Learn the 3 questions you need to answer for your organization and you’ll be ready to re-energize your team. Listen now! http://buildingastorybrand.com/123...
Nov 19, 2018•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Got something you need to communicate to a crowd? You KNOW it needs to be clear and memorable. But that’s easier said than done. Today on the podcast, we welcome one of the finest communicators we know, Andy Stanley. As a pastor and bestselling author, he knows how to craft a message that sticks. Listen to learn the 5 questions he asks himself as he prepares a talk. They’ll help a ton the next time you need to win over a crowd. http://buildingastorybrand.com/122...
Nov 12, 2018•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast How on earth does a summer league baseball team in Savannah, Georgia sell out every game? Well, it has nothing to do with the baseball -- and everything to do with the team’s philosophy of putting fans first. In this episode, we sit down with Savannah Bananas GM Jesse Cole. He shares the unique and fun philosophy that’s fueled their success and how we can apply it to delight our customers and grow our businesses. http://buildingastorybrand.com/121
Nov 05, 2018•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re gearing up for a strong economy this holiday season. Is your marketing ready? If you’re not sure, listen to this episode. Don and JJ talk through the four simple tasks you need to create in order to have a great fourth quarter (and beyond!). They don’t cost much -- just a little time. But execute them well and you’ll be crushing your revenue goals for Q4. http://buildingastorybrand.com/120
Oct 29, 2018•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Leadership, character, performance, and competition. All part of our lives as business leaders -- and also the driving forces for sports teams. So this week, as the NFL season heats up, we’re honored to have Ben Malcolmson, the assistant to Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, with us on the podcast. He and Donald Miller talk about Coach Carroll’s leadership, the surprising role persistence plays in our success, and the “x-factor” quality they look for in every player. Give this episode a l...
Oct 22, 2018•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s not a question of whether or not we’ll face adversity. It’s a question of how we’ll respond when we do. So today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, we’re featuring interviews with two incredibly resilient people. First, Donald Miller sits down with Bonnie St. John, who despite having her right leg amputated as a child, became the first African-American to medal in Winter Olympic competition. Second, Allison Trowbridge talks with Jason Russell, who experienced worldwide acclaim with Invis...
Oct 15, 2018•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you manage a team, it’s way too easy to just give advice and demand action. But if you want to get the best from your team so your business can grow, you’ve got to coach your people, not manage them. In this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Michael Bungay Stanier. He talks us through seven questions we can ask our team members if we want to have better conversations. http://buildingastorybrand.com/117...
Oct 08, 2018•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sales minus expenses equals profit, right? Not exactly, according to Mike Michalowicz, our guest on today’s episode. A lot of business leaders aren’t maximizing their profits because they’re thinking about them as what’s “left over.” He shares his system for structuring your business’ finances so you put the priority on profit. It’s remarkably simple and will help you reshape your entire mindset around how you look at profit and expenses. http://buildingastorybrand.com/116...
Oct 01, 2018•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you lead a business, you’ve got a huge opportunity to add value to your product or service. Trouble is, most everybody overlooks it. On today’s episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge talks with Gina Bianchini. She’s the founder and CEO of Mighty Networks and a pioneer in online community building. She’s helped countless businesses offer value in the form of a niche community where customers can share ideas and experiences. She’ll show you how, too...
Sep 24, 2018•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you’re a business owner, then you know how to pay your taxes. But do you understand the basic economic principles of how those taxes work? Or how economic policy affects your business’s growth? Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller talks with Dr. Arthur Laffer, a prominent American economist whose ideas have shaped policy from the Reagan administration through today. He gives us an accessible primer on how taxes work -- plus, we dive into other economic policy like trade, ...
Sep 17, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York is on the podcast! Sarah Ferguson sat down with our correspondent, Allison Trowbridge, for an inspiring conversation about how we can all bring an entrepreneurial spirit to improve the lives of those around us. She’s winsome and full of wisdom -- and, having married the son of the Queen of England, she has found a way to use her considerable influence to be a voice for those in need. Don’t miss this uplifting episode! http://buildingastorybrand.com/113...
Sep 10, 2018•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at how music artists and managers develop their brands in a rapidly changing landscape. In part one, guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge interviews Russell Redeaux, the manager for Snoop Dogg and many other fantastic artists. Then, in part two, Donald Miller sits down with musician Ben Rector. From balancing commercial success with artistry, to cultural diversity in our entertainment, to the way streaming works, to the backstory of global marketing ...
Sep 03, 2018•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wondered how songs get written, pitched, and cut? How songwriters and publishers work together? How the creative process unfolds? The role publishers play in getting a song out there? To answer all these questions, we sat down with legendary Nashville songwriter Tom Douglas and the president and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Troy Tomlinson. It’s a fascinating look at both the art and business of songwriting. If you’re in a creative field, you’ll find plenty of takeaways for your own bus...
Aug 27, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Your customers are leaving in droves. Today’s guest, Joey Coleman, has the research to back it up. So if you want to keep your customers and grow your business, don’t miss this episode. In it, Joey highlights the 8 phases of customer experience so you never lose another customer again. http://buildingastorybrand.com/110
Aug 20, 2018•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast We talk a lot about “trust” in our businesses. But a lot of us are getting it wrong. On this episode, Oxford lecturer and bestselling author Rachel Botsman joins us for a fascinating look at how trust works in the business world, how it’s changing, and what we need to do to keep up. http://buildingastorybrand.com/109
Aug 13, 2018•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast A vibrant company culture is a silver bullet for success. But how does culture work? What makes it gel? On this episode, we talk with NYT bestselling author Daniel Coyle, who unpacks 3 traits of great cultures and how we can develop them in our businesses. http://buildingastorybrand.com/108
Aug 06, 2018•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast What is the “ideal” entrepreneur like? The answer may surprise you. Why? Because our assumptions about what it takes to run a business don’t really line up with what successful leaders actually do. Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge talks to esteemed Oxford economic sociologist Marc Ventresca. He debunks 3 myths about entrepreneurship. Listen for an inspiring new outlook on how to lead your business well. http://buildingastorybrand.com/107...
Jul 30, 2018•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
