In The Trenches with Tom Morkes provides behind-the-scenes look into the life and work of entrepreneurs, writers, artists, warriors, and leaders.
Episodes
Monday Mar 11, 2019
Monday Mar 11, 2019
Antonio Centeno, originally a US marine, worked for Google writing over 100 men’s style and fashion articles that have over 800,000 views. Today, with over 11 years of experience in men’s style, Antonio is CEO of Real Men Real Style where he creates videos, podcasts, and articles on Men’s Style. With a focus on dressing men to impact others and make more money, Antonio has turned his content platform into a million dollar business.
Today, I sit down with Antonio to better understand what it takes to monetize content (to the tune of 7-figures), reframe failure, and create meaningful relationships.
In this broadcast, Antonio and I talk about:
- How to start creating content and monetizing it fast
- How to bounce back from failure
- Why creating content to sell information rather than products is an important differentiation
- How creating content for larger profit items is a more streamlined approach to make money
- Why three types of people are attracted to content
- Why Antonio chooses to host events and why he does it even with little to no profit
- How limiting the number of people who can attend events is beneficial for a business
- The pros and cons of an in-person event versus an online event
- The importance of true relationships in business and how events can nurture them
- Why it is important to plan events and content with the end in mind
- How to fill events without a website sales page
How to Connect with Antonio:
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Wednesday Jan 09, 2019
Wednesday Jan 09, 2019
Ajit Nawalkha is the Co-founder of Mindvalley Teach, Evercoach, and Global Grit Institute. He is also the author of Live Big: A Guide to Passion, Practicality and Purpose. Starting as an intern in Mindvalley Ajit quickly moved up the ranks to become CEO of the company. He has a unique perspective on business and shows us how we, too, can have it all - Passion, practicality and purpose.
In today’s conversation, we talk about how we can reframe business to make it work for us and our life. We look at how creating and scaling a business can be a simple mindset switch. Ajit highlights the major stumbling points of entrepreneurs and how we can avoid them. If you are an entrepreneur creating your own business, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
In this broadcast, Ajit and I talk about:
- How Ajit´s childhood created the mindset he has today
- What makes us a product of the people who have impacted us
- Why we need to take off of our blinders when we are chasing a dream
- What it means to live big
- A business cannot be a copy of a business. It is created to move the needle.
- How disjointed learning is a way to grow as a person
- If you want to grow, you must learn from sources that are contradictory
- Why you should always start with the outcome
- Why having choices is living big
- When creating a business, you can´t be one side focused. No one person has all the insights
- There are no rules or extremes in business
- How ¨having it all¨ is possible by reframing business
- Why perspective is more important than a step-by-step ¨how to be successful¨
- Why the Matrix of Practicality is the cornerstone of businesses
- Everybody has a process but only a few people document it
- When you are a solopreneur, having a support system to keep you on track is critical
- How to tackle scaling a business
And much more.
How to Connect with Ajit Nawalkha Online:
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Did you enjoy today's broadcast of In The Trenches? Please click here to leave an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your review helps me spread the word of this podcast, which allows me to line up amazing guests and continue to produce this podcast ad-free. Thanks so much in advance for your support.
Monday Dec 17, 2018
Monday Dec 17, 2018
Michael Zipursky is the CEO of Consulting Success, and is a coach, consultant and author. Michael´s list of clients include organizations like Panasonic, Dow Jones, Financial Times, Royal Bank and many others. He has written 5 books including “Profitable Relations: How to Dramatically Increase Your Profits By Giving Customers What They Really Want,” and “The Consulting Success System: How to Become a Successful Consultant.”
In today’s conversation, we talk about how to grow a successful coaching or consulting business. Michael imparts the four pillars of consulting success that are proven to add value for a client and create a sustainable consulting business that does not rely on its network. He also shares how to convert client consultations into long-term (and high-paying) clients, and how to handle initial intake / consultation calls, to get someone to make a decision on whether to hire you now, rather than waiting in limbo for a reply.
If you are a coach or consultant, this is going to be one of those interviews you’ll want to come back to again and again. Enjoy!
In this broadcast, Michael and I talk about:
- How Michael started several consultancies
- Why he switched from "doing" to "sharing" his experience via a blog
- How to approach a conversation with a client
- Advice for someone who wants to start a consultancy
- How Michael organizes marketing funnels for his clients to realize continual flow of clients
- Why client clarity, magnetic messaging, and ROI positioning creates the business you want
- The four pillars of creating a sustainable consulting business model
- How to differentiate yourself from everyone else in the market
- Why clients want to know what the "output" would be and how you can add value for them
- Why knowing your ideal client is important
- A critical message: people are not buying the deliverable; they are buying the results.
- How to conquer the client consultation calls
And much more.
How to Connect with Michael Zipursky Online:
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Did you enjoy today's broadcast of In The Trenches? Please click here to leave an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your review helps me spread the word of this podcast, which allows me to line up amazing guests and continue to produce this podcast ad-free. Thanks so much in advance for your support.
Friday Nov 30, 2018
Friday Nov 30, 2018
Jordan Harbinger is the host of a top 50 iTunes podcast (The Jordan Harbinger Show) with over 4 million downloads per month. This makes Jordan's show one of the most popular shows in the world. Today, I sit down with Jordan to discuss how he grew his podcast from scratch in such a short amount of time, how he was able to recover from a challenging business breakup, how he was able to reframe "starting over" as a positive, and tips and tricks you can use to grow your reach and influencer through a podcast.
If you enjoyed today's interview, please do me a favor and share! This podcast spreads through word of mouth alone (I don't advertise). So thank you in advance for your support.
In this broadcast, Jordan Harbinger and I talk about:
- How Jordan was able to get 1 MM downloads on his new podcast
- What it was like to start a business over from scratch
- Why it is important to reframe ¨starting over from scratch¨ to ¨moving forward with new experience¨and the role this played for Jordan
- How a personal brand allows a podcaster to have a wider array of guests and topics
- Why strong brand alignment doesn't need an explanation
- How pivoting a business can give you the opportunity to better server your clients (even if you're serving the same market)
- Growth strategies that accelerate the reach and downloads of a podcast show
- Why it is important to share your success and struggles with your audience
How to connect with Jordan Harbinger online:
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How You Can Support In The Trenches
Did you enjoy today's broadcast of In The Trenches? Please click here to leave an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your review helps me spread the word of this podcast, which allows me to line up amazing guests and continue to produce this podcast ad-free. Thanks so much in advance for your support.
Thursday Nov 22, 2018
Thursday Nov 22, 2018
Today, Seth Godin, a 19 time bestselling author and long-time marketer, joins me on In the Trenches. Seth Godin has been featured in the Guerrilla Marketing Hall of Fame, the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, the Marketing Hall of Fame, and was recently quoted on the TV show "Billions" (which is braggable, so I had to add that). A self- proclaimed teacher, Seth inspires and teaches others how to level-up their life and business.
In today's conversation, we talk about the state of marketing, what is working and what's not, and this critical idea of "the smallest viable audience." Seth and I also dive into some more contentious marketing topics like growth hacking (good or bad), how we can do meaningful work while avoiding the race to the bottom, how to be an agent of change, and more.
Oh, and if you enjoyed today's interview, please do me a favor and share! This podcast spreads through word of mouth alone (I don't advertise). So thank you in advance for your support.
In this broadcast,
Seth Godin and I talk about:
- Why a Marketer is a change agent
- The difference between self-publishing books and going through a publisher
- How Seth shifted from blog writing to book writing
- Why Seth doesn't market his writing to people but with people
- The two key characteristics that are important in growing your new business
- Why growth hacking isn't about shortcuts but something much more important
- How and why systems thinking and network effects are key in growing your business
- There are no shortcuts in marketing
- Why there is power in shifting from writing to grow an audience to writing for an audience
- Why marketing for the smallest viable audience is a new way to think about succeeding at marketing
- How to focus on your smallest viable audience and succeed doing it
And much more...
How to connect with Seth Godin Online:
- Seth Godin
- This is Marketing by Seth Godin
Get the Latest Broadcasts of In The Trenches
Subscribe to In The Trenches on iTunes
How You Can Support In The Trenches
Did you enjoy today's broadcast of In The Trenches? Please click here to leave an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your review helps me spread the word of this podcast, which allows me to line up amazing guests and continue to produce this podcast ad-free. Thanks so much in advance for your support.
Thursday Nov 08, 2018
Thursday Nov 08, 2018
Today, I delve into Kindle publishing with Steve Scott, who is the author of over 70 self-published books. Steve Scott pivoted from being a blogger to a self-publishing machine, and that change enabled him to start making $30,000 every month from his writing.
Steve and I take an in-depth look at the digital publishing realm.
Steve highlights why he started self-publishing and the tricks of the trade that allowed him to get to where he is today. From self publishing process details to larger digital realm logistics, Steve gives us a peek into the life of a writer in the age of e-commerce and the internet.
In this broadcast,
Steve and I talk about:
- How Steve got into the digital realm
- How Steve pivoted from blogging to self publishing and the lucrative results
- How Steve leverages his subscription and email lists to sell his books
- Why Steve chooses to use paid advertising
- How changing online regulations can hurt profits
- Why it is important to diversify income streams
- How the release of the audiobook can complement the release of your ebook
- Why the title of your book is important
- Why Steve slowed down his creation process from 3 weeks to 3 months
- Why collaborating with other authors can be a powerful approach to your books
- How Steve chooses the topics he writes about
- Why evergreen topics sell more over the long-term
- Why Steve stopped selling courses
- How you can succeed in self-publishing
And much more...
How to connect with Steve Online:
- You can email Steve at stevescottsite@gmail.com
Get the Latest Broadcasts of In The Trenches
Subscribe to In The Trenches on iTunes
How You Can Support In The Trenches
Did you enjoy today's broadcast of In The Trenches? Please click here to leave an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your review helps me spread the word of this podcast, which allows me to line up amazing guests and continue to produce this podcast ad-free. Thanks so much in advance for your support.
Wednesday Nov 07, 2018
Wednesday Nov 07, 2018
Today, I am joined by Jeff Cohen, a Senior Executive from Seller Labs. Jeff specializes in helping sellers win at Amazon every day with his wide array of software tools. Seller Labs was featured on INC 500 Fastest growing companies, and it continues to grow each day which means Jeff is continuously finding ways to adapt and scale Seller Labs.
In this episode, Jeff and I talk about the intricacies of scaling a business and how to invest your time so that it adds value for the business. As the business grows and evolves, the business faces different problems which require new solutions. Jeff shares how he has adapted and scaled Seller Labs business while imparting with us some of his best practices.
In this broadcast, Jeff and I talk about:
- Why Seller Labs was recognized on INC´s 500 list
- How businesses qualify for INC´s list
- How Seller Labs has evolved from 2012 to 2018
- How Seller Labs uses the market to test the popularity of their new software apps
- Why time and place were important factors when developing Seller Labs
- How Seller Labs monetizes four tools currently in the amazon ecosystem
- Why pivoting your product is more important than launching it
- Why using principles is important in decision making
- How you can focus your time to make the biggest impact in your business
- Why you must adapt your metrics as your company grows
- Why looking at your ROI is an important metric to decide where you should invest your time as your business evolves and grows
- Why your strategy as a big company is not going to be the same when you were once a small company
- Why change has to occur for the business to grow
- Why we have to be ok with great employees finding jobs at other companies
- Why building a company that is attached to another company's success can be intimidating
- Why it is important to focus your time in areas that will add value for your company
- How new problems have new solutions
- How attacking the problem in a different way can allow you to scale
And much more...
How to connect with Jeff Online:
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How You Can Support In The Trenches
Did you enjoy today's broadcast of In The Trenches? Please click here to leave an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your review helps me spread the word of this podcast, which allows me to line up amazing guests and continue to produce this podcast ad-free. Thanks so much in advance for your support.
Thursday Oct 11, 2018
Thursday Oct 11, 2018
Today, I sit down with the founder and creator of Live your Message, Marisa Murgatroyd. According to Marisa, At 4’11 and a quarter, she’s called the shortest woman in marketing, but that doesn’t stop her from having huge ideas. She’s the “go to” brand builder for industry luminaries and heavyweights such as Justin Livingston, Callan Rush, and Danny Iny.
Marisa helps entrepreneurs create a business that is authentic and aligned with who they are, to empower them to turn up the dial on their “inner superhero,” so they can be the superhero to their tribe, as well as in their own lives.
In today's conversation, Marisa shares how she pivoted her career from documentary film-making to creating and selling digital products. She reveals how to engage a community successfully and create content that makes a difference.
In this broadcast, Marisa Murgatroyd and I talk about:
- How a career in NGO film-making led Marisa to creating digital content and courses online
- How Marisa was able to gain initial traction in an industry
- How Marisa structures her service-based business offer
- How transitioning from Agency to digital products helped Marisa rebalance her life
- The challenges that come with engaging students in elearning.
- Integrating psychological studies to keep students engaged at a record-setting rate
- Why results are invaluable and the power of winning fast
- How to help your clients get better results faster
- Why less is more in digital content despite popular belief
- How to use guarantees in your marketing approach to get more sales (and increase your profit)
- Why you should get your students and clients to win fast
- How to setup the back-end of your program so you can empower your students and clients
- How integrating constant small wins throughout a program can make creators and students successful.
- Why ¨Earn while you learn¨ is the new approach to learning
And much more...
How to connect with Marisa Murgatroy Online:
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How You Can Support In The Trenches
Did you enjoy today's broadcast of In The Trenches? Please click here to leave an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your review helps me spread the word of this podcast, which allows me to line up amazing guests and continue to produce this podcast ad-free. Thanks so much in advance for your support.
Tuesday Oct 02, 2018
Tuesday Oct 02, 2018
In today's broadcast of In The Trenches, I sit down with author, content creator, brand strategist, and copywriter, Kayla Hollatz. Kayla, a professional copywriter, shares her journey from day job to self-employed. She shares the unavoidable struggles and enthralling successes that make her business what it is today, and shares her journeyfrom employee to entrepreneur.
In this broadcast, Kayla and I talk about:
- How to get started with copywriting
- What does taking the leap from employment to entrepreneurship look like
- The power of copywriting
- How to stand out from the crowd in Copywriting
- Get focused on selling your personal brand
- Do what you do for your clients for yourself
- The wonders of word-of-mouth referrals
- Defining brand voice
- The area where people don`t spend enough time when defining their personal brand
- How to understand your current brand voice
- The area where we have the biggest opportunities
- The website pages with the most traffic
- How to make sure your copy fits with your overall strategy
- How to stay in your ¨zone of genius¨ and why it is important
- Balancing life with business
- Leveraging the power of a calendar
- Fast growth and sustainability of business
- Redefining your business and renewing areas of focus
- Journaling as a tool for personal and business reflection
- Internal before external: Looking within yourself to bring the business together
- Structuring your business model to work for you
- Redefine what work looks like for you
And much more...
How to connect with Kayla Hollatz Online:
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How You Can Support In The Trenches
Did you enjoy today's broadcast of In The Trenches? Please click here to leave an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your review helps me spread the word of this podcast, which allows me to line up amazing guests and continue to produce this podcast ad-free. Thanks so much in advance for your support.
Wednesday Sep 19, 2018
Wednesday Sep 19, 2018
Cary Richards is the founder of infostack.io. Infostack is a company that curates collections of premium tools and resources, and makes them available for limited periods of time at extreme discounts. Cary produces these "stacks" in a number of niches and industries, from self-publishing to entrepreneurship to software development to health, fitness, and beyond.
Cary had a rocky start when it came to entrepreneurship. For years, he hustled to make an extra income on the side - something that would let him quit his job and work full time on his creative and entrepreneurial pursuits - but with limited success. He stumbled into self-publishing as a potential avenue for this type of career, but after years of struggling to get noticed, he realized his breakthrough wasn't going to be from writing. That's when he came across the idea of selling other peoples products instead of his own. And not just as a basic affiliate, but as someone who curates high quality, premium resources and tools, and then sells them together as a collection.
Not long after this epiphany, Cary found my blog, and soon thereafter purchased my course "Influencer Marketing Method," which is all about how to find, connect with, and turn influencers into promotional partners. Cary needed contributors and affiliates for his new business, so he knew instantly this was the solution to his problem.
By following the step-by-step video tutorials inside the course, Cary built up a contributor list of over 30 influencers (authors, course creators, software developers, experts, and more), and another dozen or more affilaites.
In spite of his success in recruiting affiliates and contributors, Cary still felt stuck on the business side of things. How should he pay affiliates? How should he structure the launch window? How should he deliver the digital products? And a dozen more questions...
That's when Cary decided to join $100k Academy, my premiere training program for online entrepreneurs growing 6 and 7-figure businesses. For the next 3 months, we worked together (along with 9 other top class entrepreneurs) to launch his business effectively from scratch.
What ensued blew all of Cary's expectations out of the water:
In the first day, he did about $25,000 in sales. By the end of the week, he had generated just shy of $80,000 in sales. In the end, he did, on average, more than $10,000 in sales per day for his one week launch. Shortly thereafter, Cary quit his job and is now growing Infostack.io full-time.
It took years for Cary to become an overnight success, and I'm excited to share his story with you today.
In this broadcast, Cary Richards and I talk about:
- How Cary got started online
- Why writing and self-publishing is not the key to financial freedom
- Why selling other people's products is sometimes a better idea than creating your own
- What made Cary's first launch such a blowup success
- How to think past your launch to the broader business (and why that's so important)
- How to decide whether to continue to 'side hustle' or to quit your job and go 'all in'
And much more...
How to connect with Cary Richards Online:
Get the Latest Broadcasts of In The Trenches
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How You Can Support In The Trenches
Did you enjoy today's broadcast of In The Trenches? Please click here to leave an honest rating and review on iTunes. Your review helps me spread the word of this podcast, which allows me to line up amazing guests and continue to produce this podcast ad-free. Thanks so much in advance for your support.