The Solopreneur Hour Podcast with Michael O'Neal

In this solo Solopreneur Hour (See what I did there?) I wanted to help de-mystify the launching process...whether it was a product, a service, or an affiliate business.  I used a guide created by the Suitcase Entrepreneur herself, Natalie Sisson. You c...

You’ve heard the expression: behind every great man is a great woman. And that’s equally true, if not more so, in the world of podcasting. A prime example is Kate Erickson. Don’t recognize her name? She’s the content genius behind the  Entrepeneur on Fire podcast. This special episode shares a real behind the scenes look at how Entrepreneur on Fire came to be, and how important content is to grow your brand. From her early days as an athlete to her career path in advertising and marketing agencies, Kate shares her personal journey and the story of how her relationship with John began and how she became an integral part of the Entrepeneur on Fire community. You’ll hear Kate talk about: Her first six months with EOFire.com and how she came onboard full-time Her thoughts on beginning strategies for podcasters The Pat Flynn Effect How she and John work side by side every day while still keeping a great personal relationship Would she ever host her own podcast? It was a pleasure to have Kate join us for episode 78 and she BROUGHT IT. She’s a wise and talented woman who knows how to create great content for any solopreneurial business - not just podcasts. And in this show, she shares important nuggets she’s gleaned over the years. Take a listen and then let Kate know how much you loved having her on the show! Click This Link To Send Kate a Tweet & Tell Her How Awesome She Was!  Facebook Twitter  Resources from this episode: Entrepreneur on Fire Entrepreneur on Fire blog PRweb.com Help a Reporter Out (HARO) David Roth: Episode 8 and Episode 25   The Pat Flynn Effect blog post Rick Steves' podcast Cinque Terre

Have you heard the joke from Seinfeld about public speaking? It goes something like this: people’s top fear is public speaking followed by death. That means we’d rather be IN the casket than giving the eulogy! Our guest today is working to change that. Joining us for episode 77 is Bryan Kelly from the video podcast What the Speak. What the Speak is dedicated to helping people learn the true art and science of public speaking. Bryan and I had a rousing chat about professional singing, the world of podcasting and what makes a good speaker great. You’ll hear lessons like: Are the best public speakers extroverts or introverts? Bryan's lesson from his first experience with podcasting to his present day system: how he now systemizes and leads a team to produce each of his shows All of us have the ability to master effective communication skills Why the first thing people buy is YOU and not your message, your service or your products What Derek Halpern had to say about both of our podcasts Bryan also shares his six psychological secrets for successfully connecting with any audience you speak to, regardless of the topic. It’s the same six secrets he gave in a guest blogpost he wrote for Michael Hyatt. Here's a quick recap of the six; you can read the full description in the link in the resources section: We follow leaders; as the speaker, you have the authority. We instantly read people. We assign meaning to body movement. We pay attention to vocal tone. We imitate emotions. The wo strongest emotions you can convey as a speaker are nervousness and passion. Our brain patterns sync up when we listen to someone; our audience is more strongly affected by our listening than by reading slides. Bryan knows his stuff when it comes to public speaking so be sure to have a listen to his podcast and connect with him online. Send him a tweet on Twitter and like him on Facebook! Facebook Twitter Resources from this episode: What the Speak video podcast Six Psychological Secrets of Public Speaking Prairiemod.com

Dr. Paul, a bona fide audiophile (aka a sound junkie), was the first ever co-host to record with me in the studio. And it was a pleasure having him here. We talked sound equipment, his early days of being a math & science nerd as well as his progression in the field of medicine, including the many successes and many failures he’s had. You’ll hear how: Dr. Paul was willing to be wrong, til he got it right. Simple tips to maximize your health in everyday life, including one that will turn off 2,000 of your inflammatory genes Dr. Paul’s mindset to overcoming setbacks and learning the necessary hard lessons His structure for bringing products to market: how he creates good products THEN creates good businesses using those products Why you don’t always hit a home run and how to channel what you learn when you don't As Dr. Paul shares his thoughts on medicine, you’ll hear the relevant messages to your solopreneur journey: everyone has to learn the hard lessons in any business and there’s an art to applying what you learn from those lessons. Dr. Paul even shares a present day example of something he's creating and the many, many setbacks he's faced during the process. After you’ve listened, share some Soloist love with Dr. Paul on Facebook!   Resources from this episode: Joseph Audio Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Contact Michael to use Dr. Paul’s products Neurovigil

Episode 75 is another installment of the popular Find Your Swing™ show where Dawn Marrs (dot com) and I answer your questions about how to take what you know and what you love and turn them into a thriving solopreneurial business. Before we dove into your questions, Dawn and I had a quick catch up on what’s been happening in our respective businesses. Dawn is rockin’ it with a new network marketing company she’s in; she absolutely loves it! If you’re curious to know more, you can connect with her via the link in the resources section. And I have some exciting things going on with the Solopreneur Hour. In the last month, I have cracked the code on blowing up my download numbers for the podcast. I’ve had some of my biggest days yet in February and we’re going to exceed any previously set totals. If that wasn’t enough, I’ll be launching my first podcasting product later this year. I’ll take you through my entire creation process, step by step. If you want in on that action, join the list here or in the Resources section and you’ll be updated with launch details! And then we jumped into answering your questions, dear Soloists. We heard from a few of you and we gave some universally-applicable advice and ideas, such as: FB advertising strategies for expanding her business for an Etsy photographer: How you can apply it and work it in your biz Our idea for a virtual placement service for janitorial staff How our classical guitarist listener can leverage Fiverr to go viral and increase his profits Suggestions we have for an auto worker turned mediator on how to make the leap to solopreneurhood. What is SoloLab™, what value would you get out of it, who is in it and is it for you? What universal steps apply to our professional chef listener’s business idea - and how it also relates to your business? And in one fell swoop at the end of the show, I bring all of their ideas for a master business! Like all of our FYS shows, there are plenty of nuggets for every level and every stage of your solopreneurial journey. If you’re starting out or in full-swing mode, check out the show to get some fresh perspectives, new ideas or just a shot of energy. Resources from this episode: Episode 14 with Franco Gonzalez Contact Dawn Episode 65 With Rick Mulready Fill this out to join my product launch list Sarah the photographer, mentioned on this show Darren Roebuck on Episode 39 Mike Johnston on Rick Mulready's show SoloLab info Leave a review on iTunes Mike Johnston

Just a few of the topics you asked about and I answered are: A step by step breakdown of how Amy Porterfield would use $1,000 to turn it into $10,000 in a month. (Something anyone can do) Podcast growth: my conscious strategy for growing and expanding my podcast audience - tips you can use for yours The book I recommend to uncover how to differentiate yourself and your business in any market What the weekly game plan is for the Solopreneur Hour Alec Baldwin’s podcast: why you should listen and what you’ll learn Podcast interview strategies that will take you to the next level The three steps I recommend to get started - whatever your endeavor We covered a lot of ground on other topics too like best podcasting techniques, guest interviewing strategies and car racing. Whether you’re just tossing around ideas at your desk and planning your way out or you’re already well underway with your solopreneurial adventures, there are more than a few nuggets for you in this show. Episode 74 is like all the other shows here: they are all about you, your solopreneurial endeavors and showing you how the best & brightest have been where you are and what they did to propel themselves forward. I’d love to hear your thoughts, takeaways and your 2 cents on this episode and all the others. Find me on Twitter and Facebook. Twitter Facebook Resources from this episode: The "Sexy Six" Books. Get the first one for FREE here. Natalie Sisson the Suitcase Entrepeneur Solopreneur Hour Facebook group Private Coaching with me Basecamp Zag by Marty Neumeier 8 Steps to Becoming a Solopreneur Solopreneur Hour Mastermind group Episode 20 Ritetag.com SCCA: The Sports Car Club of America Klout Solopreneur Hour on Pinterest Chris Cerrone Show Alec Baldwin's podcast Social Media Ninja Tactics course Solopreneur Hour on iTunes

In episode 73, we welcome back to the show the one and only, Amy Porterfield. Amy originally co-hosted episode 31 of the Solopreneur Hour, in which she talks about working on Tony Robbin’s staff and Harley-Davidson tattoos. In this show, we chat about everything from sales funnels and affiliate marketing to her husband’s love of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and what her business is focused on this quarter. If you know anything about Amy, you know she has made her mark in the online world through Facebook advertising. Of late she’s branched out into list-building and other online strategies but her original brand was launched because of her tremendous Facebook advertising success. In this show, Amy shares her pre-launch fears and stresses as well as what she’s done along the way to continually grow and expand a thriving online presence. Specifically she delves into topics like: How to build a post-sale funnel for your list to keep them engaged and happy with their purchase The one thing Amy says “changed her business dramatically” Whether Amy suggests doing webinars live or pre-recorded The program Amy attributes her success to: how she went from a 30k launch to 150k launch to 283k launch using the same program, just different techniques from this program Amy's actionable steps for your next affiliate launch: what to do, what NOT to do for high conversion rates no matter how big or small your list is Amy's FB tip for increasing attendance at a webinar Whether you have a list, are building a list or just wish you knew how to build a list, Amy’s knowledge will inspire and educate you. Amy candidly talks about how even today - with all of her success - she still gets nervous. In fact, she admits she is uncomfortable on a weekly basis - and why it’s one of the keys to her success. Amy’s a true gem and she generously shares all she has learned from her failures and successes.  Ask yourself how you can apply what we talk in this episode about for greater success in your business; there's some gold she's giving away so listen in! After you've loved what Amy's shared, find her on Facebook and Twitter: Twitter Facebook Evernote Moment: When you're launching a new product, here's what Amy suggests doing to plan appropriately. Start a new notebook for your new product and in that note ask yourself these questions: What is your product? Who is it for? When is it launching? If it's an event, where is it happening? How long will the event be or will the program be live? From there, look at your calendar and say "when could this go on sale?".  After you do that, work backwards to today's date. Be sure to buffer in the time you need to create your product, market it and then put those dates on the calendar. Resources from this episode: Episode 31 with Amy Solopreneur Hour Resources page Songza James Wedmore Marie Forleo Shane Johnston Ryan Skelly Michael's Social Media Ninja Tactics Course Amy's Facebook Marketing Course Amy's B School Affiliate Program Clickbank - to find and market affiliate programs To join Amy's list Facebookadsinsider.com Social Media Marketing World - where you can see Amy in March!    

Today's episode is a culmination of questions and case studies from various coaching calls I've done over the last few weeks.  Some of the most common questions or problems have to do with identifying your perfect business, defining your audience, and truly nailing your brand, which will completely illuminate the correct path for you to take from that point. There were a few links I discussed on the show...here they are: Get Your Free Audiobook!  Sololab™ - The official group Mastermind of The Solopreneur Hour 47 Dollar Social Media Ninja Tactics Sale Mike Johnston Interview on Inside Social Media Podcast   That's it for now...thanks for "tuning in". :)

Ever notice how the most successful people also DO the most with their days? Hugh Culver is no exception. He spent 18 years growing a successful coaching, speaking and consulting business, Hugh is also a seminar leader and author. While he was racking up those achievements, he has also competed in 4 Ironmans, 10 marathons and won the world’s longest river race. Clearly he has a competitor’s blood in his veins. Now he has created yet another successful endeavor out of helping people become successful coaches, speakers, consultants, leaders and authors - only he helps them do it better and faster than he did. As one of nine children, Hugh became an entrepreneur from the age of 15. He has made millions and has made every mistake anyone could make along the way. In episode 71 he shares golden nuggets from his journey: Micro-outsourcing: what is it, how do you do it and how will it help you be more successful? His lessons from Ironman competitions The trick to relaxing your busy solopreneur mind The one question to ask yourself every day as a solopreneur that will move you forward. Hugh offers his thoughts on how to make the best decisions with your money. The key to starting a viable business, whatever your skill set and whatever your industry. There were so many great nuggets of gold on being productive, creative and how to get the most out of each day as a solopreneur. When you listen to this show, it’s easy to hear how and why Hugh has achieved so much in his lifetime. Listen in to hear his passion, conviction and lifelong wisdom. There’s plenty of great takeaways in the Evernote Moment and throughout the show, so enjoy! And after you've listened and loved what you heard, let Hugh know on Twitter and Facebook! Twitter - Click to Tweet Hugh! Facebook Evernote moment: Hugh's suggestions for the top 4 ways to really getting things done: Take advantage of the mornings. Time boundaries. Make yourself strategically unavailable for a portion of your day. Blocking. Block off sections of your day for various tasks and use multiple Google calendars to do so. Friday 15: Take 15 minutes on Friday and look at your list of what you're doing and check your progress. Find out what worked, what didn't work and what is holding you back. Look for opportunities to micro-outsource and then do it. Finally, review and revise for next week.      Resources from this episode: Experts Enterprise Eric Fisher from Beyond the To Do List Bufferapp.com Buffer blog focusatwill.com asana.com teespring.com/solohourshirt SoloLab: A Unique Kind of Mastermind Advanced Speaker Academy

Did you know that an estimated 350 million people in the world suffer from depression? That's according to the World Health Organization as of October 2012. What does depression have to do with solopreneurship and your journey? Plenty according to my guest for episode 70, Amy Clover. Amy is the lovely and talented wife of Rick Mulready, who was featured on Episode 13 and Episode 65. But Amy’s not just Rick’s partner, she’s also a solopreneur in her own right. She is the driving force behind her health and fitness brand, Strong Inside Out. Strong Inside Out’s mission is to show people they are stronger than their struggles and they can live a full, extraordinary life through fitness and positive action. In episode 70, Amy is honest and transparent about her experiences with body image disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. The key in this show is to listen to Amy’s story and hear how she is like so many solopreneurs; she took her own struggle and turned it into an opportunity. She learned how to turn her adversities into opportunities, opportunities to connect with others, make a real difference in the world and create a thriving business in the process. In episode 70, some of the lessons Amy relates from her struggles are: Entrepeneur Syndrome: what it is, how to know if you’ve got it and how to combat it The importance of making a commitment to yourself that you’ll keep fighting for you no matter what The 5 person rule: you are the sum of the five people you surround yourself with and you are one of those five people How to use comparison so it is NOT the thief of joy, but rather the injection of power Amy’s personal protocol for combatting an experience of depression, and how it pertains to your solopreneur life Whether or not you’ve ever dealt with an eating disorder/body image disorder, depression or suicide on a personal level, Amy’s experiences are relatable to solopreneurs everywhere. We all, at one time or another, struggle on our path. We wonder if we’re going in the right direction, if it will ever work out and if what we’re doing today will be worthwhile tomorrow. Episode 70 lets you know you are not alone in that struggle and you’re not the only one with those thoughts. This show also shares with you ways to arm yourself for those dark nights and moments of doubt. Amy is candid and transparent about her struggles and her triumphs; we can all learn a thing or two about how to gracefully deal with those trying times the way Amy has. Wasn't Amy awesome?  Click the link below to tell her so on Twitter: Click Here to Tweet Amy Connect with Strong Inside Out on Facebook Evernote Moment: Fantastic App for Overlaying Text onto Pictures (Great for Pinterest and Instagram): PiclabHD Similar Tool for Desktops: Picmonkey and Picasa Amy also suggests utilizing a combination of physical, creative and therapeutic outlets to get yourself out of any struggle you're in. Resources from this episode: AMDA World Domination Summit 30x30 Project TWLOHA.com Songza Amy’s events About Amy Picmonkey Picasa Piclab  

Rejoining the Solopreneur Hour is our friend, ultra-successful multi-preneur and fellow podcaster, Chris Ducker. If you’re new to the show, check out Episode 18 with Chris in which he does an amazing Yoda impersonation! When he wasn’t speaking like Yoda, he shared his background and what led him to be the leader in the virtual assistant industry. In episode 69, we revisit Yoda and Star Wars. Although he doesn’t do another impersonation, we talk about the incredible business savvy of George Lucas and how evergreen Star Wars is. When we weren’t discussing Star Wars, we hit on such topics as watches, outsourcing and the necessity of taking action. I also gleaned some amazing nuggets from Chris, including: The unusual tactic he uses to keep his meetings short and on point. What Chris did when he hired his 100th employee: the reward he promised himself and why it’s an important lesson for you. Questions to ask yourself before hiring a virtual assistant. What Chris would’ve done differently if he started over today. Superhero Syndrome: what is it, do you have it and how do you get over it? Chris shares his personal lesson. As always, Chris was a terrific guest. He speaks with honesty, passion and true knowledge of what it takes to be a success in the business world. Whether you are simply contemplating leaving your job or you’re ready to take your business to the next level, you’ll discover something in the conversation Chris and I have in this episode. As a special gift just for Soloists, Chris has given each of you a shot at winning a free copy of Virtual Freedom. Here’s what you do: click the link below to send a Tweet and mention @solohour and @chrisducker with the #VF book along with the reason why YOU need to inject virtual freedom into your life right now. Click This Link to Send The Tweet And Get a FREE Book! Send that Tweet by Monday Feb 10th and Chris will pick one of you to receive a free copy of his Virtual Freedom book! Now here’s how to find Chris on Twitter and FB: Twitter Facebook Evernote moment: Take a screencast of any task you want to teach someone else: talk through what you're doing while you're doing it on the screencast, and also explain why you want it done that way. Record it and give video to a VA so you don't ever have to do that brain-draining task ever again. Keep that video for future VAs!! Resources from this episode: Peter Mayhew, aka The Wookie from Star Wars Star Wars George Lucas Chris' book: Virtual Freedom Chris’ web site Episode 18 with Chris Chris’ 2014 speaking engagements Jay Samit on the show

As solopreneurs we pride ourselves on taking action, creating change and making waves in the world. But have you ever felt like you were “stuck” in some way? Or have you wondered what your genius is and how you can make a (great!) living doing it? Then this episode is one you’ll love listening to! MORE ABOUT THIS SHOW In episode 68, success coach and business optimizer, Melanie Benson Strick joins me to talk neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), choosing the stories we tell ourselves and finding your genius. Melanie is a wealth of information. She shares her personal struggles, triumphs and real-life experiences with authenticity and clarity. You’ll hear how she’s been where you are and what steps she’s taken to propel herself into the elite realm of six and seven-figure income earning coaches. We talk about topics like: How she used NLP to go from $1k a month to 6 figures in 9 months. She hasn't made less than 6 figures in the 12 yrs since How to create common ground with ANYONE, in biz or life Why it’s critical to Design a business that supports the lifestyle you want - rather than starting your business and THEN designing your lifestyle The law of unattachment: how to practice it to become a successful entrepeneur Everything you say yes to means you're saying no to something else This show is a must-listen for anyone shifting their mindset from a solopreneur to a successful solopreneur. Whether you’re still driving a desk and dreaming of your solo lifestyle or you’re in the trenches creating that dream, Melanie and I discuss the process of her journey and what she’s learned along the way that will make a difference in yours. After you’ve rocked out listening to Melanie, find her on FB and Twitter. She’d love to hear from you! Click This Link to Thank Melanie on Twitter Facebook Evernote Minute Get out your Evernote and get ready to take notes! This section is where we list a few of the actionable takeaways from this show. Melanie tells us the two signs you’re in your genius mode: When you do something it’s SO easy for you, that you actually question why someone would pay you to do it. When you do it, you feel like you're doing the most blissful, effortless thing in the world. Two automation tools Melanie recommends using when you're just getting started: Paypal for accepting online payments and Teamwork Live for scheduling projects and appointments with ease. Resources from this episode: Melanie’s site Iwantsololab.com Soloists Group on FB How to Recode Your Money DNA for Automatic Success How to Make Someone Like You in 90 Seconds or Less

What's your definition of a solopreneur? If you've listened to the show before, you’ve heard it before: solopreneurs and entrepreneurs are people who find solutions to problems and make money in the process. Our guest for episode 67 has built multiple thriving businesses using this principle. Stu McLaren, philanthropist and serial solopreneur, has created several successful businesses by finding solutions to problems he has encountered. He is the brainchild behind the ultra-popular WishList Member site plug-in and the industry game-changer, Rhino Support. On this show, Stu talks about leaving a very well-paying and prestigious job right after college, the blessings of philanthropy as well as valuable lessons like: Why making more money is so critical to making an impact in the world How Stu recently discovered the value in keeping your business top of mind with everyone you know How to work with a programmer, designer or anyone else to create your vision Anchoring: what it is and how to use it when offering your services Why knowing what you DON’T want to do is often just as important as knowing what you do want to do As you listen to this episode, take note of Stu’s real-life experiences and how they pertain to your mission in life. He has paved the way for solopreneurs everywhere and he shares as much in this episode. For more real-world experience with Stu, show him some Soloist support on his web site and on Twitter: Stu McLaren Twitter Resources from this episode: SoloHourBook.com World Teacher Aide Rhino Support Doug Hall WishList Member plug-in Mockflow Balsamiq Fiverr Michael Hyatt 2014 World Cup

He’s been called a digital pioneer and an innovator. Throughout a circuitous career,  Jay has been at the helm of some of the most profound shifts in the music, video and digital worlds. Jay is a clear trendspotter who follows his instincts to create innovation. Jay has pursued his passions and they have led him down a variety of paths. From selling lightbulbs as a youngster, being appointed by then-President Bill Clinton to bring the Internet into every school around the country, Jay is and has been at the leading edge of innovation in music, video and all things digital for his entire career. In this show, he shares a lifetime of wisdom, including: The origins of Virgin Airlines and what you can learn from it for your own business How entrepreneurship is like jumping off a cliff and building an airplane on the way down The 30 day plan Jay gives you to find a better idea and create a better plan without investing a dime Why you should give away part of your business (and the financial benefit of doing so) The lesson to be gleaned from the paradigm shift happening in the music industry - and what difference it will make for you And where to find the best Philly cheesesteak! In addition to ALL of that, we also talked about one of the most valuable lessons any solopreneur can learn: finding and tapping into your essence. We talked about how that essence is the defining element that propels you forward when everything and everyone around you says no. It’s what we Soloists call finding your swing. Jay was incredibly generous with his time and knowledge; there's a treasure chest of info just waiting for you to listen to it in this episode. For daily motivation and inspiration connect with Jay on Twitter: Twitter Resources from this episode: Marco Tempest on YouTube David Geffen Richard Branson ooVoo

There are big businesses nailing it in the social media world: companies like Red Bull and Coca-Cola to name a few. But if you don't have their budget or their resources, can you still make a name for yourself using social media platforms? Rick Mulready says you can and in episode 65, he rejoined the show to chat about just how to do so. We talk about what’s working, what’s not working and what’s ahead in social media for 2014. A few of the lessons you'll learn are: How to use auto and porn sites to test your website What trend-jacking is: an on air, live demo of how to successfully use it for your business How much to spend on Facebook advertising and the guidelines to follow when implementing your campaigns Why it's important to post your updates so they're native to the platform What’s the shelf life of a Tweet? And why it matters to what you’re up to... The one critical question you MUST ask  your audience and your clients: it's a question you may be overlooking. Once again, Rick has brought his considerable knowledge and solopreneurial wisdom to the show; you’ll want to listen with your Evernote open or pen and paper in hand. However you take notes, get ready and then listen in! Want more of Rick’s social media strategy? Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter: Twitter Facebook Resources from this episode: Inside Social Media Rick Mulready Sexy Six Solopreneur Books Red Bull Stratos campaign Red Bull on Twitter Episode 13 Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook Crush It Fast Company article on social media Ritetag.com Bufferapp.com Picmonkey.com Click here to get the Super Discount on the Social Media Ninja Tactics Course.