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ConvertKit founder and CEO, Nathan Barry, returned to the podcast this week and joined host Darrell Vesterfelt to talk about how he got his start, the competitive advantage of email marketing, and the future of email. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Nathan Barry founded his company to help founders, creators, and digital marketers serve their audiences better with email … and earn a living doing it. ConvertKit is an “email marketing company for creators” that offers its users powerful segmentation and automation tools without a lot of resources to implement. In this week’s episode Darrell and Nathan dig into email marketing from beginner to advanced, including: Nathan’s early views on digital marketing and why his core values haven’t changed How to build your audience (the right way) Why “Teach everything you know,” and “Work in public,” are still Nathan’s mottos The right time to build a product or sell something to your email list Why email is still the central hub for building your business And best practices for cleaning your list Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Copyblogger.com Nathan’s Website Nathan on Twitter ConverKit The Future Belongs to Creators [Podcast] Resources Mentioned: Article: The ladders of wealth creation: a step-by-step roadmap to building wealth Article: Endure long enough to get noticed Article: Be Everywhere: Building a Profitable BRAND by Thinking Outside the Blog by Pat Flynn Darrell on Twitter Tim on Twitter

Copyblogger s Editor-in-Chief, Stefanie Flaxman, joined host Darrell Vesterfelt this week to talk about translating the traffic that comes to your website and how to create compelling content to keep them there. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Stef is a professional writer and editor who manages the editorial calendar for Copyblogger.com, where she helps publish one of the most popular [and influential] content marketing and writing blog[s] , for a very large audience of online writers and entrepreneurs. In this week’s conversation, Darrell and Stefanie dig into her mission to help create content that persuades, converts, and helps fellow online marketers stand out from the competition. In this episode, Darrell and Stefanie talked about: How to get started creating compelling content that resonates with your audience Why understanding your customer is the foundation for attracting and keeping their attention How to return to a younger version of yourself to build empathy The secrets for beating content writer’s block and lifting your content to the next level Why your writing needs to be clear, detailed, and written with a specific person in mind The counterintuitive methods for writing hyper-specific content And much more! Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Copyblogger.com Free Workshop — How to Transform Your Writing into Content That Gets Shared Meticulously Edit Your Own Writing: The Traffic Light Revision Technique Attract Better Clients and Customers with the Chuckle Point Technique Why Content Marketers Need Editors Darrell on Twitter

The founder of Smart Gets Paid and sales coach for women entrepreneurs, Leah Neaderthal, joined host Darrell Vesterfelt this week to talk about strategies to “… master business development and land higher-paying consulting clients.” Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In this week’s conversation, Darrell and Leah dig into her unique methodology, the how of selling, and untangling the myths of doing effective client work. In this episode, Darrell and Leah talked about: How Leah overcame introversion and her fears of selling The “signed” methodology she discovered from reading 65 books related to the sales process Why you need to understand the fundamentals of your sales pipeline How to talk about what you do as a value proposition Why asking smarter questions is at the heart of closing The difference between good clients and bad clients Why recognizing commitment bias can save you time and money And much more! Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Copyblogger.com Smart Gets Paid Leah Neaderthal on LinkedIn Darrell on Twitter Tim on Twitter

This week on The Copyblogger Podcast, Tim Stoddart had the opportunity to speak with entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and founder of iwillteachyoutoberich.com, Ramit Sethi. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In this week’s conversation, Tim and Ramit dig into tricks for great copywriting, going for “big wins” to move the needle in your life and business, and product development that serves your audience better. In this episode, Tim and Ramit talked about: How Ramit defines a “rich life” and the origins of the concept of “big wins” $3 questions vs. $30,000 questions The myth of shrinking attention spans and the value of long-form copy Why you need to challenge your own assumptions about the best channels for your business Suggestions on how to get started And much more! Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Copyblogger.com iwillteachyoutoberich.com How to Write Emails that Get Opened with Ramit Sethi The Briefcase Technique Earnable – iwt.com/earn Ramit on Twitter Ramit on Instagram Darrell on Twitter Tim on Twitter

Welcome back to The Copyblogger Podcast, and this week Darrell Vesterfelt speaks with podcasting expert Tara McMullin about the ins and outs of podcast production for content marketers. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In this week’s conversation, Darrell and Tara dive into what you should be talking about on your podcast, and how you can use content strategy to drive business growth. In this episode, Darrell and Tara talked about: How Tara got into podcasting The importance of pivoting for podcasters How to decide what content resonates most with your audience Why you need to start your podcast content strategy with the right questions How to use your value proposition to determine the premise of your show Why the positioning of your podcast is so critical to discovery Suggestions to overcome analysis paralysis And much, much more! Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Copyblogger.com Tara’s Website Tara on twitter Tara’s Podcast Get Tara’s “Podcast Premise Worksheet” at Yellow House Media “The Elements of Value” – Harvard Business Review Darrell on Twitter Tim on Twitter

This week, Copyblogger partners Darrell Vesterfelt and Tim Stoddart returned to talk about the importance and opportunities of SEO for today’s content marketers. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In this conversation, Darrell and Tim get back-to-basics to discuss the power behind search for businesses. In this episode, Darrell and Tim talked about: Why it’s a mistake to ignore the basics of SEO The importance of establishing yourself as an authority How to set yourself apart from your competition through positioning Tools that any good SEO needs to utilize 3 fundamental things you can do to make Google love your website Commonly undervalued strategies for building your backlink profile Keys to proper site and content structure for optimal SEO Location-based search and Google My Business for beginners And a teaser for a free SEO workshop by Copyblogger Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Copyblogger.com Darrell on Twitter Tim on Twitter Free SEO Workshop Backlinks Article Tools Mentioned: Google Analytics Google Search Console Google My Business SEM Rush (7-day Pro Trial) Ahrefs Yoast

Darrell had the opportunity to interview guest Ed Gandia — from High-Income Business Writing — on what it takes to go pro as a freelancer. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In this conversation, Ed talks about the power of copywriting, clear goals, pain points and strategies for freelancers, and why he created a coaching business to “help writers … earn more in less time doing work they love for better clients.” In this episode, Darrell and Ed talked about: How Ed transitioned to a full-time freelance copywriter (with no writing background) The moment he narrowed down to his target market and the rapid change that followed What your prospects really want to know about you Short-term vs long-term mindset, and building a freelance career that you love Why “hope” is not a professional strategy Proven strategies for building recurring income and clients Why luck is a myth, and why you should never trade your time for money And much more … Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Copyblogger.com High-Income Business Writing High-Income Business Writing Podcast Follow Ed On Twitter Darrell on Twitter Tim on Twitter Darrell on Tim’s Podcast

Darrell interviews Brennan Dunn, the founder of the popular online course Double Your Freelancing Rate, and the software RightMessage. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! In this conversation, Brennan talks about how we naturally use segmentation and personalization in our everyday lives, and how we can use simple tools to create a better connection and build trust with our audience. In this episode, Darrell and Brennan talked about: How Brennan got his start as an online entrepreneur Why you may not be doing as much segmentation and personalization as you need to be How vertical and horizontal tweaks to your funnel can help you build a better relationship with your list Why RightMessage is like MadLibs for your email marketing The staggering difference personalized content can make for your brand Tips and tricks on how and where to get started Why personalization is so much more than email And more … Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Copyblogger.com Follow Brennan On Twitter Read Brennan’s Blog Take Brennan’s Courses at Double Your Freelancing Sign-up for Right Message Why You Shouldn’t Use Tags To Segment Other Tools We Talked About: Sign-up for ConvertKit Typeform Darrell on Twitter Tim on Twitter Darrell on Tim’s Podcast

In this episode, Darrell talks with Pat Flynn from Smart Passive Income about why it’s not too late to start a podcast, and why it’s one of his favorite content marketing platforms. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! These days it seems like everyone has a podcast, but there are some pretty staggering stats that show podcasting is just as viable for connecting with an audience as it ever has been. In this episode, Darrell and Pat talked about: How Pat got his start in podcasting, and why Why its not too late to start a podcast The reason you don’t need to break the bank or get in the weeds launching your show Why podcast production gets easier by the minute The power of storytelling and teaching in content production How Pat’s podcast strategy has changed over the years and the 20% rule he uses An examination of Super Fans and their importance for your business And a defense of self-publishing Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Copyblogger.com Pat’s Website Follow Pat on Twitter Pat’s YouTube Channel Pat’s Podcast (Smart Passive Income) Pat’s Podcast (Ask Pat) Pat’s Course, Power Up Podcasting Darrell on Twitter Tim on Twitter Darrell on Tim’s Podcast

Copyblogger partners Darrell Vesterfelt and Tim Stoddart use this episode to talk more specifically about the new content marketing plan for 2020. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Darrell and Tim also also share strategies from behind the scenes. In this episode, Darrell and Tim talked about: How Copyblogger is restructuring its content and how Why traditional content marketing distribution is outdated The renewed importance of “series-style” content Why user experience and serving your audience is still priority #1 Tips, tricks, and the technical side of strategic SEO How a couple of dynamite pieces of content can completely change your inbound traffic Why 90% of your content will never be seen (and how to change that) Successful examples of modern content strategy, and a teaser for the new Copyblogger member opportunity Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes ConvertKit Blog SmartPassiveIncome.com Darrell on Twitter Tim on Twitter Darrell on Tim’s Podcast

In this episode, Darrell and Brian share about a new change to Copyblogger Media, and expose some of their exciting plans for the future of Copyblogger in 2020! Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Brian, Darrell, and Tim Stoddart also explore the future of content marketing. In this episode, Brian, Darrell, and Tim talked about: How Copyblogger’s hierarchy and business model has changed in the last year Meet Tim Stoddart, the newest Copyblogger partner. Tim is the CEO of a major SEO agency. A preview of the big changes coming to Copyblogger in 2020 How the leadership team plans to utilize a modernized style of content strategy Why success in digital marketing hinges on this one critical factor How a “new wave” of education will influence Copyblogger’s content And why “The Killer and the Poet” still informs the future of content marketing Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes

In this episode, Darrell talks to John Jantsch — the founder of Duct Tape Marketing — about his new book titled The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! The two talk extensively about the why behind entrepreneurship, and how writers like Emerson and Thoreau give lessons to modern-day entrepreneurs. In this episode, Darrell and John talked about: Where John found inspiration for his new book Why classic literature can offer entrepreneurs important lessons for today How radical ideas written 150 years ago stand the test of time Why self-reliance is the cornerstone for John’s writing How small business owners eventually shift their perspective to “marketing is everything” And why mindfulness is so critical to your success Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur: 366 Daily Meditations to Feed Your Soul and Grow Your Business by John Jantsch Duct Tape Marketing

In this episode, Darrell talks with Matt Ragland, the Director of Customer Success for Podia. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Darrell and Matt Ragland dive into more thoughts about online education, Matt shares his story of building an audience, and the time-tested secret that helped him get to more than 35,000 subscribers today. In this episode, Darrell and Matt talked about: What Podia is and how they view the future of online education Why “one thousand true fans” is still such a strong model Why Matt put so much time into creating content on YouTube The story of how Matt consistently built an audience over time Why Matt is creating a weekly email newsletter, course, and community for his channel And great advice on starting small, listening to your audience, and being consistent Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Podia MattRagland.com MattRagland.com/Copyblogger – resources and opportunities from this podcast Matt Ragland’s YouTube channel

In this episode, Brian Clark and Darrell Vesterfelt talk about the past, present, and future of online education. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Brian shares about his most recent product and launch, and he and Darrell compare notes on how things have changed over the years. In this episode, Brian and Darrell talked about: What inspired Brian to launch a new product (unrelated to Copyblogger) How technology is helping solo founders and small teams scale with less resources Why Brian opened an exclusive community prior to the launch of his new coaching program The evolution of online education, it’s perception, and positioning How to build a real business around online courses And why succeeding in online business is about iteration and nailing product to audience fit Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes

Productivity coach Charlie Gilkey talks about going from ideas to completed projects — and how to take a more balanced approach to getting it all done. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! We all have amazing ideas for projects. What we don’t all have is amazing finished projects. Charlie Gilkey is on a mission to help you out with that. In this 30-minute episode, Charlie and Sonia talked about: What Charlie sees as the missing piece of most productivity advice What to do if you feel like you’re one of those people who’s “doomed” to procrastinate Why our current environment makes it so tricky to ship our important work Addressing real obstacles that can stand in the way of getting stuff done Why Charlie didn’t finish his PhD … and why that’s ok with him Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Charlie’s book Start Finishing publishes September 24, 2019. You can learn more about Charlie (and order Start Finishing) at his site, Productive Flourishing For more reading, you can check out Charlie Gilkey’s posts on Copyblogger

In this episode Brian Clark and Darrell Vesterfelt dive deep into the topic of email. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Think email is an outdated tool? Think again. After learning some interesting data, you might reconsider past conceptions about the most powerful tool on the internet. In this episode, Brian and Darrell talked about: Why email isn’t even close to dead and why it’s still so important for your business Hot takes on “trendy” marketing tactics versus the tried-and-true ROI of the inbox Why your email newsletter should be the value proposition itself The paradigm shift for media companies based on email and why it’s more than a marketing tool How list segmentation and automation are changing the game And why trust is king Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes What s Next for Copyblogger Media? The Ultimate List of Email Marketing Stats for 2019 ConvertKit RightMessage Pat Flynn Val Geisler Further Substack The Hustle Sam Parr on Brian’s Podcast Morning Brew theSkimm NextDraft

In this episode, Brian Clark hosts the Copyblogger FM podcast for the first time, and reveals — among other things — why he’s returning to Copyblogger and aiming to reinvent it along with new partner Darrell Vesterfelt. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Brian shares some exciting news about the future of Copyblogger Media, along with his co-host and new business partner Darrell Vesterfelt. Listen in to hear about exciting things to come. In this episode Brian and Darrell discuss: How and why Darrell joined Copyblogger Media Darrell’s storied history as a digital marketer The past, present, and future of content marketing Exciting changes in store for Copyblogger, and Brian’s return Darrell’s vision for an on-demand, educational content strategy Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes Does Email Marketing Still Work? by Darrell Vesterfelt

Copywriter and webinar strategist Beth Hayden talks about some of the most effective ways companies are using webinars. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Some people feel that webinars seem a bit old-fashioned. But there are a lot of fresh, effective ways that smart companies are using webinars for lead generation, prospect maturation, and customer retention … as well as getting the sale. In this 27-minute Episode, Beth and I talked about: How smart companies are using webinars to drive business results Ways to use webinars other than sales presentations (although those are great, too) Recommendations on specific platforms and their benefits Some do’s and don’ts for your own webinars Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes The best place to connect with Beth is her website at BethHayden.com You can also catch up with her at LinkedIn.com/BethHayden Beth has written a lot of terrific articles for us, including many on webinar strategy. Find her complete Copyblogger archive here: Beth Hayden on Copyblogger At Copyblogger Media, we use GoToWebinar for our educational and marketing webinars Another option is StealthSeminar, particularly if you hold evergreen webinars BigMarker is a webinar platform that doesn’t require users to download anything For a simple way to get started with webinars, Beth recommends Zoom (which I like, as well) We mentioned YNAB as an example of a cool company using webinars for customer onboarding Here’s a classic Seth Godin post on bad PowerPoint — for lessons on how to create a compelling visual deck for your webinars Another good resource for webinar slide design is Beyond Bullet Points

Tim Brownson talks about how we can use our values to design our businesses and make wiser decisions. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Tim Brownson has been coaching (and teaching coaches) for decades. In that time he discovered that working with clients’ values is one of the most useful tools for change. His new book, The Clarity Method, explains his process for uncovering the values that matter most to you, and how that knowledge can help you in virtually any aspect of your life. In this episode, Tim and I talked about: Some of the ways values can drive motivation and behavior Whether “safety and security” are a true value, or another factor The role of risk-taking in business The problem both Tim and I have with the “Law of Attraction” A giveaway for Tim’s book! Leave us a comment below (ideally mentioning some of the values that matter to you) for a chance to win a copy of Tim’s book! U.S. residents can choose between a physical or Kindle option. Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes More information about Tim’s book, The Clarity Method For more on Tim and his business, see his site, CoachTheLifeCoach.com Some thoughts on Kelly McGonigal’s book, The Upside of Stress Some thoughts on Robert Cialdini’s book, Pre-suasion My podcast episode on how values can inform your business decisions as well as a few other mindset “hacks” My podcast episode on the business value of being naive

Challenges and opportunities for content-driven business in 2019 and beyond … and a new look at a content marketing platform. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! Ed Bardwell, president and new owner of Rainmaker Digital Services, dropped by to talk about digital marketing and advertising, as well as content marketing and business trends that are informing site design. And he talked with us about Andromeda, the brand-new version of the Rainmaker platform. Listen to Copyblogger FM: Content Marketing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, and Social Media Marketing below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes To get the latest scoop on Andromeda, boogie on over to RainmakerPlatform.com Related to my conversation with Ed on privacy and transparency trends, check out this conversation with Tara Gentile on How to use the GDPR to make your business stronger than ever For more thoughts from the Rainmaker Digital team, here’s a conversation I had with Robert Bruce on What nobody wants to hear about content marketing