As we continue our recording studio makeover at Ray Edwards, International, I’ve been going through some past episodes, looking for those that stood out…episodes worth a second listen.

The one I found for this week seemed oddly prophetic. It was released about a year before the pandemic began and actually seems even more appropriate in 2021.

Don’t take my word for it…listen, and hear for yourself.

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Feature Presentation: “The Single Best Business to Start (If You Need Money Now)”

While thinking about this idea of the “ideal business”, I ran across an article by John Forde at AWAI. I will link to the article in the show notes. (https://www.awai.com/2009/05/is-copywriting-the-worlds-best-business/)

Forde argued in that article that he has a set of objective criteria for what makes “The Ideal Business” … and these reasons actually go back to an article written in the 1970’s by financial guru Richard Russell.

Russell was the writer and publisher of “The Dow Theory Letters”, starting in 1958. Russell died in 2015. But as of the date of his passing, the Dow Theory Letters was the longest-running service continuously written by one person in the business.

So no, he wasn’t writing about copywriting as we know it. And yet – he was a master of the craft.

Anyway, with credit to John Forde and Richard Russell, here are the essential qualities of “the ideal business” for anyone to start.

1. “Sells the World.”
2. Enjoys Inelastic Demand”
3. “Cannot Be Easily Copied”
4. “Has Low Labor and Overhead Costs”
5. “Takes in Cash Billings”
6. “Is Free of All Kinds of Regulation”
7. “Is Portable”
8. “Satisfies Intellectual Needs”
9. “Leaves You With Free Time”
10. “Is Not Limited By Personal Output”

I have two more “reasons why” to add to the list… (these are my own additions.)

11. “Easily Profits Whether Markets Are Up or Down”.
12. “Is a Minimalist Business”.

Sponsor

This episode of the Ray Edwards Show is made possible in part by The All-New Ray Edwards Enhanced Certified Direct Response Copywriter Program, where I help anyone who wants to make big money from their writing without getting a publisher or having a bestseller, and even if nobody knows who you are. Get my proven methods, systems, and even my endorsement – go to RayEdwards.com/CDRC2021

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

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This week, we decided to use some studio downtime to revisit our most downloaded, most commented episode, and strip it down to the meat and potatoes. The original episode, which you can find in its entirety here, focused on the importance of the order in which entrepreneurs should do things to successfully create a personal-brand based business.

Three years later, the out-of-sequentialism problem still exists and the solutions in this episode are still valid. Even if you heard the original, this condensed, straight-to-the-point version may help you stay on track as you start or grow your business.

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Feature Presentation

The premise for today’s podcast: Every person listening to this show can and should build a prosperous personal-brand business by following 5 proven phases.  

If you get these phases out of order you will have problems. If you are frustrated with lack of traction in building your personal brand online, chances are you’re out of sequence.  

• If you want to start a platform-based, personal-brand business by taking your knowledge, your wisdom, your expertise, and your gifts and you can share them with people (the world) via the power of the Internet.
• You can establish your global reach for $50-$100 by creating a radio show (podcast), TV show (YouTube channel) and other various ways of having people communicate with you (social media).
• Many businesses have done just that.
  • Casey Neistat  started out with a video camera and making movies and had no audience, no following, and built a seven million follower YouTube channel. Part of his company was purchased by CNN for $25 million last year.
  • Peter McKinnon, a photographer, cinematographer, and videographer who lives in Canada has built a million subscriber YouTube channel.  
  • It’s not just YouTube channels, there are people in all social media markets like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You know the names of the people who rule these marketplaces, but you may not know the people in the niches that are getting wealthy serving a small, few thousand people in their particular niche.

“The internet and the ability to build a personal brand online is the great equalizer of all entrepreneurs.”  Ray Edwards

5 Phases of a Prosperous Business

1. Determine the meaning of life and the meaning of your business.
2. Define your mission, your vision, your goals, and your tasks.
3. Clarify your message. (Who you help, why they need you, what you do that helps)
4. Create marketing materials. (Marketing that is clear, repeatable, and sticky.)
5. Collect money.  (Give value first.)

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray’s community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

Right-click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.

You already are a personal brand, and as my friend Mike Kim says, you might as well be a better one. Personal branding isn’t just for celebrities, public speakers, or internet gurus…It’s for YOU! 

This week’s episode will help you make big strides in your own personal brand, thanks to Mike’s expert advice.

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Feature Presentation

Throughout my years of consulting and training, I have encountered a common sentiment among many would-be content creators – “How can I succeed when so many others are already doing what I want to do?” I get it…Most likely, you’ve already been inspired by content creators in your field of expertise. Perhaps you are even a devoted, multi-platform-following fan of some of them. Why would anyone choose your content over theirs? It’s a one-word answer: You.

Your personal-brand is where your power lies…It’s not simply a battle of Your Content vs. Their Content – It’s a Battle of the Brands. The fact is, even though someone else may have more resources than you (more time, more money, more support staff, better equipment), your personality, your style, YOUR BRAND, can serve as an equalizer. It’s the unduplicatable part of your content, and Mike Kim has the knowledge to raise your branding game to a new level.

Listen to the episode (or read the transcript linked below) Then, grab Mike Kim’s book here.

Links From This Episode

You Are The Brand – The 8-Step Blueprint to Showcase Your Unique Expertise & Build a Highly Profitable, Personally Fulfilling Business. No matter where you buy your copy of Mike Kim’s book, You Are The Brand, make sure you go to this official site to claim many awesome bonuses.

Norm McDonald’s Moth Joke – I mentioned it, so I felt the need to throw this in.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Visit Ray’s community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

Get The Transcript

Right-click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.