The $100 MBA Show

What are people really buying when they buy your product?The answer to that question can make selling it dramatically easier.Of course, it requires a little thought. Whatever your product or service is, it’s a means to an end for the consumer. And the end is all that matters, when it comes to your marketing and sales approach. What will the customer actually get once they put your product into action?Answer that honestly and fearlessly, and you won’t have to do much “selling.”Today, we share examples of the businesses that do this best. They look beyond the sale to the meaningful, real-life result their product brings. By understanding the real benefit of what they sell, these entrepreneurs make their products impossible not to buy.This strategy is all about simplicity and clarity. Get to the heart of what gives your product its true value, and it’ll almost sell itself. Hear some of the best examples of this principle at work — Click Play!SUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The better you communicate, the better your business will do.And yes, for almost every entrepreneur, that means having to write well. Whether it’s books, e-books, blog posts, sales copy, or even just social media, you need the written word. Even if it’s just for that all-important SEO, you have to write.The good news? You don’t have to be Stephen King to produce great writing.…just ask Stephen King.Today, we review his classic On Writing, where the mega-best-selling author shares a powerful secret: anyone can write, if you just put in the effort.Of course, a little strategy helps too. In this episode, we share the entrepreneur’s take on King’s book, and share the takeaways that business people can use to enhance their communication, from marketing copy to partnership proposals.Learn how the entrepreneur in you can unleash the writer in you! Click Play!On Writing by Stephen KingDiscover all our must-read book reviews at https://100mba.net/bookreviews.SUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

No business product magically solves everything.Lately, we’ve seen more and more companies offering pre-fabricated marketing and sales “funnels.” Some of these companies claim that their funnels can replace things like your company website.It’s not that there’s anything wrong with these funnels. But the way they’re marked misses the point.Today, we explore the value of specific, targeted funnels and the products designed to build them. More importantly, we dig into how your own website is an irreplaceable complement — or even an integral part of — your marketing and sales funnels.Some of this debate is semantic, but most of it is strategic. Learn exactly what funnels are and how they work, and why you should always maintain a website, even when you have other assets doing some of the marketing and sales work for you.Click Play!SUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Recessions are like rainstorms. They’re not something you can avoid.They’re something you prepare for.Just as you might keep an umbrella or a raincoat around, a business owner needs a plan in place for when the economy takes one of its natural, cyclical downturns. And that plan should not include winding down or stopping your marketing efforts.You just need to approach the market with a recession mindset.An ugly economy can be just as good a reason to buy something as to not buy something. When consumers experience financial anxiety, they don’t respond only by hoarding cash. Many respond by looking for more value in every purchase.In other words, people don’t always shop less in a recession. They often just shop smarter.All you have to do is position your product or service as the smartest choice! Today, we share our approach to marketing when things aren’t exactly bullish. With a little strategy, optimism, and trust in the good sense of your customers, you can not only survive a recession, but thrive in it.Click Play!SUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A bad hire can cost you.There’s nothing worse than wasting time, money, and effort bringing in someone new, only to lose them shortly thereafter.Maybe they don’t have the right skills. Maybe they lack the right work ethic. More often, they don’t have the right attitude. But that’s not the most important reason it didn’t work out. The most important reason is that you didn’t see what they were lacking before you hired them.It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got a listener who’s having trouble finding the right help.In this episode, we share our exact system for hiring, for any position. From the initial job posting to the final interview to the trial period (yes, there should be a trial period), we share step by step how we almost always manage to find a great fit. Before your next hire, hear how our process works — and decide if it can work for you. Click Play!To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.SUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale feels almost as obligatory as Thanksgiving itself.But do you have to do it?Sometimes, following the herd is the best way to get lost in the crowd. With a billion promotional emails hitting inboxes this time of year, is your holiday sale a smart play, or just adding to the noise? Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean you have to — but it doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t, either.So what are your options?Today, we explore different takes on the Black Friday/Cyber Monday strategy. When you run your own business, you get to decide how — and even when — to do promotions like this. And by doing things a little differently, you can stand out while staying true to your company’s core values.Hear what other businesses (including ours) do to put our own twist on the holiday sale. Then, do things your way. Click Play!SUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Success is never immunity.Even the biggest businesses fail, as explored in this week’s Must-Read book review. Jim Collins’ How the Mighty Fall is a fascinating look at the demise of huge, multi-billion dollar enterprises — but its lessons are just as applicable to small businesses.If success leaves clues, so does failure.Your business isn’t FTX, or Blockbuster, or Nokia. But the same patterns of leadership (or lack thereof) can sink a small business as easily as a giant one. As the leader of your business, it’s critical to avoid doing what more high-profile founders did wrong.Learn what caused some of the most successful companies in history to crash and burn. Hear the telltale signs of trouble on the horizon, and position your business for longevity, not just growth.Click Play!How the Mighty Fall by Jim CollinsDiscover all our must-read book reviews at https://100mba.net/bookreviews.SUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Affiliate marketing: one of the best ways to grow your business.We would know! There’s currently a small army of content creators and other industry pros pushing our SaaS platform, and we couldn’t be more grateful. But if you’re thinking about having affiliates sell your own product or service, give this episode a listen first. It’s slightly more complex than simply “You sell my thing, you get a cut.” There’s more than one way to set up your affiliate program — and choosing the way that best suits your business is critical.Today, we share 4 specific models. We’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each, and what you’ll need to consider before choosing one. Having non-employees act as marketers and salespeople on your behalf is definitely a good thing, but you have to approach it strategically. The more intentional you are at the beginning, the better the results will be later. Click Play!SUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Does your business have roller-coaster sales?Up and down, feast and famine; if your sales fluctuate too much, you can’t really run your business effectively. You can’t rely on a predictable revenue stream and plan accordingly. You just go into each month without even a rough idea of what you’ll take in.It’s time to smooth out the ups and downs. It took us years to realize that consistency is key — and a lot of experimentation to achieve that consistency.Today, we share a 3-step system for generating consistent, month-over-month sales. No matter what you sell, creating a steady revenue stream comes down to nailing these 3 key areas. With a little patience and strategy, you can find the “sales machine” system that works for you.Hear the 3 key components, and how we address them in our business. Then, build your own system. Click Play!Download the Lead Magnet Templates here: Download LinkSUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sometimes, “just being yourself” is more complicated than it sounds.What if some aspects of “yourself” are potential turn-offs for customers? Where’s the line between authenticity and being…obnoxious?It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got a listener whose language skews a little salty (they are Australian, after all). The question is: would a bit of natural, casual cussing on their online content come off as genuine and unpretentious, or would it drive leads away?It’s a tough f%$@#ing question.Today, we explore the line between respect and self-censorship. It’s always great to be mindful of your audience and their feelings, but too much politeness can be perceived as boring or phony. And the line can be hard to see.The good news: there’s always a sweet spot between the two extremes. Click Play!To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.SUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.