Marketing Secrets

I had the pleasure of sitting down with McCall Jones, founder of Charisma Hacking, and together we dove deep into a topic every entrepreneur struggles with: how to be your authentic self on camera. McCall has a powerful framework that makes it easier for anyone to present with confidence, without trying to mimic people like Tony Robbins or Gary Vee. If you’ve ever felt awkward or out of place while speaking or presenting or when making a video, this episode is for you. McCall shares how understanding your unique "charisma type" helps you stay true to yourself while still connecting with your audience. We also talked about how storytelling—when done right—can increase the value of what you’re offering. Whether you’re speaking on stage, on a Facebook Live, or filming ads, knowing how to tap into your charisma can make all the difference in your results. Key Highlights: Discovering Your Charisma Type: Find the style that fits you, so you no longer feel fake or uncomfortable in front of a camera. Emotionally

Welcome back to part two of my deep dive with Josh Forti into Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. This conversation is a continuation from the first episode, where we explore some of the philosophical themes in the book and their real-world applications. If you missed part one, I recommend starting there before diving into this episode—it’ll give you the full context of our thought-provoking journey. In this episode, Josh and I discuss topics that go beyond just the book itself. We explore ideas about ambition, productivity, and personal fulfillment, as well as how these concepts influence the way we build businesses and lead our lives. It's not just about scaling companies but also understanding the motives behind why we create, strive, and continue to produce—even when it seems like we've already achieved success. Key Highlights: Greed vs. Growth: We question how ambition is often misinterpreted as greed and explore how personal growth transforms with life stages. Sedation vs. Creation: A deep dive into why so

Nathan Barry, the creator behind ConvertKit (now rebranded as Kit) came to visit my Inner Circle and gave a very special presentation. Nathan’s journey from a designer to building a software empire fascinated me. He originally tried to solve his frustrations with MailChimp and, in doing so, founded a business that today generates $45 million annually. In this episode, Nathan and I unpack the lessons he’s learned from building and scaling ConvertKit to rebranding it into something bigger. He offers transparent insights into the challenges of entrepreneurship, including the crucial moments when you have to either shut down or double down. Throughout the conversation, Nathan opens up about the turning points that shaped his business. From battling churn to leveraging direct sales in the early days, he shares how a relentless focus on product quality and customer experience laid the foundation for his success. He also discusses his decision to turn down a $200 million acquisition offer and the ripple effects it h

A little while back, I had the opportunity to sit down with Josh Forti for an in-depth discussion about one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve ever read: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. This wasn’t just your typical business or marketing chat. Josh and I went deep into the themes of personal responsibility, capitalism, government overreach, and the pressures entrepreneurs face when they carry the weight of the world. If you’ve ever felt the strain of growing a business, this conversation will resonate with you. We talked about what happens when the “producers”—those who drive society—decide to walk away and let it all crumble. In this first part of a five-part series, we explore the impact of Rand’s philosophy on business and life, touching on the tension between personal ambition and societal good. We didn’t shy away from controversial subjects, discussing politics, religion, and the complex emotions that come with building something meaningful. I even share how reading this book during a pivotal moment in

I had an amazing conversation with Hala Taha, someone who has not only been instrumental in running my podcast but has also completely transformed the way I think about podcasting as a business. We dive deep into her journey from working in radio and starting her own blog to creating the hugely successful Young and Profiting Podcast and founding YAP Media. Hala taught me how to grow, monetize, and structure a podcast, changing my podcast from a fun hobby into a thriving business. If you've ever wanted to take your podcast to the next level or even start one, you’ll want to hear what Hala has to say! During our chat, we also covered how Hala is one of the few people I know successfully using LinkedIn to drive massive traffic and grow a business. By the end of our conversation, I was so impressed that I was ready to hire her and her team to run my LinkedIn strategy. Hear not only how to run and scale a podcast but also how to leverage LinkedIn to increase visibility and connect with your audience in powerful wa

On this episode of the Marketing Secrets podcast, I revisit the topic of Extreme Ownership—a principle that has shaped not only my business but also how I approach every challenge that comes my way. In this return episode, I share an interaction I had with someone in our community who was struggling to get traction with her business and explain why it’s critical to take full responsibility for your own success. It’s not about placing blame or looking for others to solve your problems; it’s about owning your journey and being willing to push through the discomfort and setbacks. Throughout the episode, I break down why relying on others, whether it’s a coaching program or a mentor, to deliver success is a recipe for failure. Instead, I emphasize the need to shift the focus back to yourself and the actions you’re taking—or not taking—to move forward. I reflect on my own early struggles and share how consistently putting myself out there, whether it was on a stage or through webinars, was the only way I built the

In this episode of the Marketing Secrets podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brendan Kane, a social media strategist, author, and expert in crafting viral content. Brendan has built a career helping brands and individuals achieve massive social media success. He’s the author of several books, including One Million Followers, Hook Point, and his latest work, The Guide to Going Viral. Brendan was in Boise to spend time with my team, helping us refine our social media strategy, so I took the opportunity to pick his brain and share his insights with you. During our conversation, Brendan shared his unique approach to social media strategy, which he’s used to generate over 60 billion views and 100 million followers across various platforms. We dive into the importance of choosing the right content format, understanding the contextual elements that drive engagement, and how to avoid the pitfalls that many people face when creating content for Instagram, YouTube, or other platforms. Whether you’re lookin

On this episode of the Marketing Secrets podcast, I dive into one of the most transformative concepts in the marketing world—Hook, Story, Offer. This is something I stumbled upon unexpectedly, and it has since become the foundational framework for all my funnels, ads, and landing pages. It’s not just a catchy phrase; it’s the answer to why businesses succeed or fail. When you break it down, if there’s an issue in your funnel, it’s always related to either the hook, the story, or the offer. After testing and refining this concept, I realized it was the key to everything and included it in all three of my major books—DotCom Secrets, Expert Secrets, and Traffic Secrets. In this episode, I share the very first presentation I gave on this concept at Funnel Hacking Live, where I explained how mastering this framework can transform your business. We cover everything from why your hooks are crucial for grabbing attention to how your story connects with your audience, and finally, how to craft an irresistible offer th

On this episode of the Marketing Secrets podcast, I had the honor of interviewing someone whose work has shaped how I lead my team and build my business—Patrick Lencioni. Patrick is the author of "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" and a pioneer in leadership and organizational health. For nearly two decades, I've been following his insights on creating functional, high-performing teams. So, when he released his new assessment tool called "The Six Types of Working Genius," I knew I had to dive in and see how it could help our community. In this conversation, we delve deep into the Working Genius framework and how it revolutionizes the way you build and manage teams. Patrick explains how understanding your team's individual strengths and weaknesses can optimize productivity, increase job satisfaction, and ultimately drive your business forward. He shares how this new assessment is different from other personality tools—like Myers-Briggs and DISC—by focusing on productivity rather than just personality, making it

When was the last time you got to be a fly on the wall for a live coaching session? Ali Abdaal recently interviewed me for his podcast & YouTube channel where I dive into a powerful business coaching session for his business! In this unique and public coaching session, we explore the complexities of scaling a $5 million business to $10 million while detaching the revenue stream from the founder's direct involvement. This conversation delves deep into the balance of leveraging personal branding for growth and making your business self-sustaining by building strong value ladders and evergreen strategies. Throughout the session, Ali and I tackle the challenge of turning sporadic launches into consistent revenue streams without losing personal freedom. We explore how to take successful live launches and transition them into evergreen funnels that can continuously bring in sales. You'll hear my take on solving "math problems" (like optimizing funnels and conversion rates) versus "drama problems" (psychological bar

In this episode of the Marketing Secrets podcast, I had the incredible opportunity to dive into some rarely discussed entrepreneurial strategies of Napoleon Hill. Most people know Hill for his personal development principles in Think and Grow Rich, but what many don't realize is that he was also a master entrepreneur. I recently spent time immersing myself in Hill's old manuscripts, uncovering 10 specific things he did that directly relate to how we, as entrepreneurs, can build and scale our businesses. In this episode, I break down the importance of telling your origin story repeatedly, how to build a core philosophy for your business, and the crucial role of promotion and partnerships. Hill’s journey wasn’t just about success principles — he was a student of marketing and advertising and used these skills to push his message to the masses. These lessons are timeless and still apply to entrepreneurs today, helping us shape our businesses in ways that stand the test of time. Key Highlights: Telling your orig

In this episode of the Marketing Secrets podcast, I share with you another segment from the Selling Online Event, where I had the pleasure of interacting with a range of entrepreneurs at different stages of their business journeys. From building mentorship programs to selling books to libraries, this episode is packed with advice on scaling, making strategic decisions, and optimizing business models. Each question brought forward a unique challenge, and I shared my thoughts on how to approach these situations, offering actionable solutions that apply across various industries. One of the central themes was the importance of creating value through partnerships, whether collaborating with industry leaders or using your platform to attract key players. We discussed effective collaboration models, licensing content, and scaling through community access. Another highlight was how to refine sales funnels, particularly for B2B and high-ticket offerings, where it’s essential to shorten the buying cycle by getting all

At this year’s Funnel Hacking LIVE, I took the stage at the very beginning and took the chance to reflect on some pivotal moments from our journey as FunnelHackers over the last 10 years. This year marks the 10th anniversary of ClickFunnels, and I opened the event with a special presentation, giving what a "ClickFunnels State of the Union." Throughout the episode, I touch on key lessons from my entrepreneurial path, including a personal revelation from a quote by Napoleon Hill that transformed my approach to success. I also reminisce about one of the most important moments that shaped my business—an event from 20 years ago that altered my perspective on what’s possible in the world of entrepreneurship. During this episode, I break down how these pivotal experiences can help you define your own path, focusing on a specific quote from Napoleon Hill that emphasizes the power of "definiteness of purpose." Along with this, I share insights on how radical imbalance and burning desire play critical roles in achievin

A few years back, I made an episode of Marketing Secrets about becoming a "RainMaker"—someone who brings in leads and drives revenue within a company, ensuring unlimited earning potential. I originally shot this for a friend, but this principle is far too easily forgotten so I wanted to return to it with you. So whether you’re an entrepreneur or technician, this concept is critical for anyone trying to increase their earning potential. I explore the three main roles in any business: the entrepreneur, the technician, and the rainmaker. While technicians are vital for a business's operations, they often have income ceilings, unlike rainmakers, who possess the ability to bring in new customers and generate money. Becoming a rainmaker means you're indispensable, and there are no limits to your income because you're directly responsible for the company's growth. I also dive into the mindset shifts required to make this transformation, whether you're a videographer, doctor, or anything in between. Key highlights:

Funnel Hacking LIVE just ended where I spoke multiple times, but I wanted to get my Keynote presentation out to you, titled "FunnelHacker Evolution." This keynote is one of my favorite moments of the event because it gives me a chance to reflect on the journey we've all been on together as FunnelHackers. Over the past decade, we've seen so much growth, both personally and professionally, and I want to do a review of where we've been, where we're going, and how to keep evolving as entrepreneurs in today's marketing landscape. Throughout the presentation, I share some insights into the power of entrepreneurship - how I believe that entrepreneurs, not politicians or big institutions, are the ones who truly change the world. I also discuss the concept of resistance—how it shows up in our lives every day and how overcoming it is key to fulfilling our higher calling. Lastly, I walk the audience through finding their "ikigai," the Japanese term for your reason for being, and how to use that clarity to drive your bus

In this episode of the Marketing Secrets podcast, I share a dynamic Q&A session in the One Funnel Away program where I answer some thought-provoking questions from our community. These are the questions that entrepreneurs, marketers, and funnel builders are grappling with, and it’s always a blast to dive deep into strategies that can take your business to the next level. Listen as we discuss high-ticket funnels and the critical role that messaging plays in their success. I share insights on how to streamline your funnel processes, particularly when it comes to integrating external tools, and why focusing on the messaging can often be more impactful than complex automations. We also explored the importance of consistency in lead generation and how to manage ad spending effectively for high-ticket items. I offered advice on how to scale your funnel without overwhelming your sales team and the importance of refining your approach to cold and warm leads. Key Highlights: High-Ticket Funnels: Tips on optimizing m

Every year at Funnel Hacking LIVE I present a unique Keynote presentation, which is then put on the podcast and on social media. So as we gear up for FHL Online this week, I wanted to share something special: my keynote presentation from last year's Funnel Hacking LIVE. This session is close to my heart, not just because of the content, but because it marks a significant moment in my personal journey of growth and discovery. During this keynote, I dive deep into the concept of "The Calling vs The Resistance," exploring how we all face internal battles that either propel us toward our goals or hold us back. I share my experiences and insights from treasure hunting for personal development wisdom, uncovering the powerful philosophies that have shaped my approach to success. So whether it's understanding the New Thought Movement or embracing the importance of having a definite purpose, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you overcome your own resistance and stay driven on your entrepreneuri

Our first time running our 3-Day Selling Online event gave us 4+ hours of rapid-fire question and answers, and while I want to reserve the full Q&A for those who purchased access, this set of questions are EXTREMELY relevant to a lot of the questions I get from people in our niche. So let’s dive back into the Selling Online Q&A session where we tackled 20 more pressing questions from our engaged community of entrepreneurs, content creators, and business enthusiasts. This time, we covered an incredible range of topics in just over an hour, ensuring you walk away with actionable strategies that you can implement immediately. During this session, we explore fresh, cutting-edge ideas, including:  Protecting your intellectual property in the digital age  Combining live and automated webinars without cannibalizing sales  Strategies for driving traffic and increasing conversions in online communities  The perfect formula for creating high-impact offers  Scaling businesses through franchising and licensing model

As I prepare for Funnel Hacking LIVE Online 2024, our 9 and 1/2 version of our annual event, I’m looking back at previous Funnel Hacking LIVE events and I remembered this long forgotten gem. In this presentation from 2020, right before the pandemic, I delved into the essential frameworks that guide you from dreaming big to becoming the leader your tribe is waiting for. This episode is packed with insights designed to help you not just build successful funnels, but also discover and refine your unique voice in the process. Listen as we explore the crucial frameworks that every entrepreneur needs to master to find their voice, teach effectively, and ultimately sell their frameworks with confidence. Whether you're struggling to find your passion, unsure of how to structure your teaching, or looking for a proven way to create and sell your frameworks, this episode has it all. Key Highlights: Finding Your Voice: Understanding the evolution from a dreamer to a leader and how to harness your unique voice. Teachi

In our first Selling Online Event, I tackled an intense rapid-fire Q&A session, answering over 80 unique questions from audience members in under 5 hours. This was hours of non-stop insights, light-bulb moments and epiphanies, with an average of 3.5 minutes per question! While attendees who wanted to “Ask Russell A Question” were required to pay a premium on top of their ticket price, I'm giving you a sneak peek into the event that I believe will set the standard in the industry for years to come - SellingOnline.com. At the start of this session, I dive into the key takeaways from rooms where I’ve spent a high price-point to hear the opinion of my mentors, so that hopefully you as the audience can walk away with actionable insights you can apply immediately. These segment of just 24 rapid-fire questions cover a wide range of topics, including: - Launching communities - Choosing the right webinar platforms - Mastering persuasion techniques - Perfecting offer positioning - Crafting non-profit strategies - Getti