Podcast Summary
Identifying market needs and creating valuable products: Transitioning from a full-time job to entrepreneurship, Mike Geary identified a market need for information about abs and stomach fat and created a successful eBook. This experience led him to build a fitness empire.
Identifying a market need and creating a product that addresses it can lead to building a successful business, even while working a full-time job. Mike Geary, the guest on this podcast episode, shares his journey of transitioning from a hydrogeologist to a fitness entrepreneur. He was inspired by a mentor's product and the high demand for information about abs and stomach fat. Despite working long hours, he self-published "The Truth About 6 Pack Abs" as an eBook and saw significant success. This experience led him to build a fitness empire, eventually becoming an investor, advisor, and operator of various health and nutrition businesses. The importance of identifying a market need and creating a valuable product cannot be overstated. It takes dedication, hard work, and a willingness to take risks, even when resources are limited.
Discovering the power of a compelling title or message: Effective marketing requires a captivating title or message to attract customers. This was discovered accidentally by focusing on article marketing and SEO tactics in 2005, leading to increased sales and eventual business success.
Having an intriguing title or truth about a controversial topic can attract customers in marketing. The speaker discovered this accidentally when they made their first sale from their website, which boosted their motivation to learn marketing and drive people to their site. In 2005, they focused on article marketing and search engine optimization, using tactics like paying for ads in other countries to increase views and sales. This led to more traffic and sales, and eventually, they were able to quit their job and focus on their business full-time. However, it's important to note that marketing tactics have changed since then, and what worked in 2005 may not be as effective today. Nonetheless, the importance of having a compelling title or message to attract customers remains a valuable lesson.
Unintentional Success with Online Advertising: Learning to track and target in online advertising can lead to significant business growth and financial freedom.
Online advertising, specifically through platforms like Google AdWords and later Facebook, can significantly grow a business even when the business owner is unaware of the process. This individual started with an online business, stumbled upon Google AdWords, and unknowingly spent over $1,000 on ads, leading to increased sales from various countries. Although he initially lost money, he later learned the importance of tracking and targeting, which allowed him to optimize his campaigns and eventually quit his full-time job. This experience brought him freedom, enabling him to travel and live anywhere, making a decent income without being tied to a traditional job. However, as his business continued to grow, he mastered Facebook advertising and saw even more success.
Partnering for growth and innovation: Collaborating with friends and hiring skilled team members can revolutionize marketing strategies and boost sales. Taking breaks for inspiration is essential for continued growth.
Collaboration and innovation can lead to significant business growth. The speaker, who initially lacked the technical skills to create video sales letters, partnered with a friend and together they revolutionized their marketing strategy. This shift allowed them to compete better in digital advertising and significantly increase their sales. However, as their business grew, they became overwhelmed and realized the importance of hiring and delegating tasks to build a more structured and efficient team. Taking a complete break from work, such as during a week at Burning Man, also proved crucial for generating new ideas and maintaining a clear mind.
Taking breaks can lead to business growth: Disconnecting and taking a break can lead to unexpected business growth, but it takes time and effort to reach the point where you can afford to do so.
Taking a break from work, even if it's as extreme as attending a festival like Burning Man, can lead to significant business growth. The speaker shares how he was able to disconnect, recharge, and come up with ideas that doubled their conversion rate. However, getting to the point of being able to take a break required years of hard work and long hours. The first step out of the trap of working 12 hours a day was becoming more strategic and hiring the right team to take on responsibilities. This allowed the speaker to focus on high-level marketing tasks, which he enjoyed, and reduced his workday to just 3 hours. In his 3-hour workday, he oversees marketing efforts across multiple companies and finds valuable insights in data analysis that he can share with his partners. The takeaway is that sometimes, disconnecting and taking a break can lead to unexpected business growth, but it takes time and effort to reach the point where you can afford to do so.
The power of passion in business: Passion can help overcome challenges and identify trends, but not all businesses need it for success. Find a balance between passion and strategy.
Having a passion or interest in your business can lead to success and help you overcome challenges. The speaker, who has expertise in digital marketing and a deep passion for health and fitness, emphasized the importance of this. During tough times, his passion kept him going and helped him identify trends in the industry. However, he also acknowledged that not all businesses require a personal passion, and one can still build a successful business around something they're not as passionate about. In such cases, individuals can leverage their success to pursue their passions. For instance, after building a successful business in vending machines, one could put it on autopilot and use the profits to start a dog spa or venture into regenerative agriculture. Overall, the speaker's advice is to find a balance between pursuing what you're passionate about and building a strategic business.
Focus on customer benefits and communicate effectively: Effective marketing involves focusing on customer benefits, communicating clearly, staying open to new opportunities, and maintaining passion for your mission.
No matter the industry or the specific business model, fundamental marketing principles remain the same. When starting a business, focusing on the benefits for the customer and communicating what your product or service can do for them is essential. This concept applies to various marketing channels, including social media, podcasts, and beyond. As for the future, being open to new opportunities, whether it's partnering, investing, or helping other companies, can lead to continued success and growth. Additionally, staying passionate about your mission and focusing on areas that align with your values, such as regenerative farming and health food, can lead to a fulfilling entrepreneurial journey.
Improve sleep quality and overall wellness: To enhance sleep, avoid blue light before bed, wind down with relaxing activities, and consider natural remedies. For overall wellness, use sauna, red light therapy, and manage energy levels.
Prioritizing both sleep and overall wellness is crucial for optimal performance and productivity. To enhance sleep quality, avoid looking at devices with blue light emission for a couple of hours before bed, wind down with relaxing activities, and consider using natural remedies like chamomile tea or CBD oil. During the day, incorporating practices like sauna use and red light therapy can improve heart health, skin health, and aid in recovery from workouts. By prioritizing these habits, individuals can better manage their energy levels and perform at their best.
Join the Empire Mastermind for Business Growth: Successful businesses looking to scale significantly can benefit from the Empire Mastermind program, as demonstrated by guest Mike Geary's success.
If you're running a successful business generating over $500,000 in annual revenues and you're looking to scale it significantly, consider joining the Empire Mastermind program. Mike Geary, one of our esteemed guests on the Empire Podcast, is a testament to the program's effectiveness. The Empire Podcast is always grateful for your support through likes, shares, and 5-star ratings on iTunes. By spreading the word, you help us reach more entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses exponentially. If you're ready to take your business to new heights, visit bedroscoian.com/forward/empire to learn more about the Empire Mastermind program.
