More than a Few Words

#1085 Build Relationships On LinkedIn

Let’s face it, people buy from people, and those connections don’t just happen by magic. When it comes down to closing, people buy from people.  So before you can make a sale, you almost always need a relationship.  In B2B sales one of the best places to build that relationship is on LinkedIn.   Relationship pro, Janice has some seriously smart (and surprisingly simple) strategies to share that will take your networking game to the next level.
She believes LinkedIn is underutilized by many sales professionals, who miss the opportunity to make quality connections by interacting authentically on the platform.  Here's how
LinkedIn Is More Than Just a Profile: Janice emphasizes that having a LinkedIn profile isn't enough. To truly leverage the platform, you need to actively engage with your connections, build relationships, and reconnect with past contacts. It's a form of "networking on steroids."
Personalized Outreach Matters: Instead of generic messages, Janice suggests sending personalized, warm messages, especially to existing connections. A simple "How are you doing?" can reignite conversations and open doors to new opportunities.
Breakthrough Messaging with Video: Stand out in a crowded inbox by sending video messages through LinkedIn’s mobile app. It grabs attention and fosters a more personal connection.
Tailor Your Approach to LinkedIn’s Algorithm: Posting from LinkedIn’s mobile app can reach a different audience than the desktop version. Mixing up how you engage on the platform can boost your visibility.
Nurturing Relationships with Value: Building rapport isn’t enough—you need to offer something valuable. Whether it’s a helpful article or a resource, make sure you’ve earned the right to share it by first establishing a genuine connection.
Janice's approach to LinkedIn is all about being strategic, genuine, and thoughtful—proving that relationships are the foundation of business success.
 
Janice is a returning guest to MTFW.  You can listen to our first conversation 
 
What did you think of the episode? I would love to hear from you.  Please take a quick minute to complete the listener survey I can create shows that  that keep you coming back, with a few laughs and a lot of practical tips along the way. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/AWHOIJ0/MTFW

#1084 - A Little Feedback, Please

I've been podcasting for 15 years. And in the early days of the show, I experimented with a lot of different formats.. But I have to admit over the last few years, I've kind of fallen into a rut. And when I look at my listener data, it shows.
So it's time to shake it up a little bit with  feedback from you. What would you like to hear? What would get you excited about another episode of more than a few words in your feed?
DM me on any social platform, drop me a note at hello@morethanafewords.com or take a minute to complete this  survey https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/AWHOIJ0/MTFW

#1083 Take Your Advertising Outdoors | Charlie Riley

 Many small business owners might think that outdoor ads are only for big brands or political campaigns with massive budgets, but Charlie breaks down how businesses of all sizes can benefit from this often-overlooked channel.
We talked about the creative flexibility of outdoor advertising—it’s not just billboards! From wrapping cars to printing ads on pizza boxes, the opportunities to grab attention in unique ways are endless. And here’s the best part—outdoor advertising is measurable. Gone are the days when you'd throw an ad out into the world and hope for the best. With today’s tools, you can track impact, using methods like mobile IDs and even pixel tracking on websites.
We also dove into the importance of simplicity in outdoor ad creative—sometimes less is more. For a billboard, you've got about five seconds to make an impression, so a concise, punchy message works best. And no, don’t even think about using long URLs or QR codes on highway billboards—Charlie and I agree that’s just dangerous!
Overall, it was a great conversation about thinking outside the digital box and exploring new ways to connect with customers in the real world. If you want to learn more about outdoor advertising, Charlie recommends checking out OneScreen.ai to see how they can help businesses of any size.

#1082 Bring a Little Personality to Your Business

I have often been told that I have a strong personality and it kind of came through in my business but I never really thought about the fact that all businesses have personality.
Guest Naomi Gora talks about the  importance of including ourselves in our business strategy. So many business schools teach us to get to know our ideal customers and competitors but none that I’ve seen start the process of looking at ourselves first – how can our businesses thrive based on what works for us as well as our customers.
Yes, your business has a personality, and how you understand and align with it can make a huge difference.  As a self-identified Torchbearer personality type, Naomi spent years in media and advertising, feeling like an outsider until she embraced her own strengths and values to build a business that truly fit her.  
She  begins by explaining that business personalities aren’t always discussed, but they’re crucial. Too often, entrepreneurs build businesses that cater to their ideal clients or competitors, but end up hating their own creations. She urges business owners to first look inward, asking themselves, “Can I do this every day?”
She introduces the concept of business personality types—like her own, the Torchbearer, and others like the Empire Builder or Station Master. These types reveal how you naturally operate. Some people thrive on systems and structure, while others, like Naomi, find those elements exhausting. When entrepreneurs try to mimic personalities that don’t match their own, they often face burnout.
Naomi explains that knowing your business personality helps you work more authentically and reduce stress. She uses a metaphor called the “car model,” where your brain is like a car with a driver, co-pilot, and backseat passengers (a 10-year-old and a 3-year-old). If you let the backseat drivers (stress and overwhelm) take control, your business suffers. By understanding your strengths—your “driver” and “co-pilot”—you can operate in your genius zone, making your business flow more easily.
Naomi’s advice? Don’t fight your nature. Align your business with your true self, and you’ll find running it becomes more enjoyable and sustainable.
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#1081 Who are Your Best Three Clients?

If you've been in business for any length of time, what I want you to do is answer a simple question. If you could only work with three clients, who would it be? Go back, look at all of the companies that you've worked with, all the people you've worked with, and pick your top three.
It's not easy because there might be lots of favorites. When you narrow it down and you identify those three customers, because of the projects that you did with them, because of who they were, or how you worked together whether you realize it or not, you've identified your niche.  This is your your sweet spot.
Now what you need to do is figure out how did they become clients and how can you get more customers just like them? If you're ready to start narrowing in on your niche, give me a buzz. We can set up an office hour conversation and figure it out together.
https://morethanafewwords.com/office-hours/
 

#1080 Build Your Business With a Retreat | Michele Parad

Everybody loves a getaway, and retreats offer the perfect opportunity to renew, refresh, and learn something new. But what if you're a coach or consultant looking to host a retreat? How do you package your knowledge and skills into a transformative experience that draws in your ideal clients?  Michelle Perad, an intuitive guide, consultant, and founder of Multi-Dimensional Leaders (MDL) shared her expert tips on planning a successful retreat that’s not only impactful but also a five-figure opportunity.
Collaborate to Share Costs and ExpertisePlanning a retreat can feel overwhelming, especially when you think about all the logistics—location, content, and invitations. Michelle suggests considering a collaborative retreat model. By partnering with someone who complements your expertise, you can share costs and responsibilities while offering attendees a more holistic experience. This not only eases the financial burden but also allows both you and your partner to play to your strengths.
For example, if you're an educator at heart, you might focus on delivering classroom-style sessions, while a more adventurous partner handles the exploration and experiential activities. This approach can make your retreat more dynamic and engaging for participants.
Know Your Brilliance and Build Around ItBefore you dive into logistics, it's crucial to understand your strengths—or, as Michelle calls them, your “brilliance archetypes.” Whether you’re an educator, explorer, or something else, knowing your archetype helps you design a retreat format that feels natural and fun for you, which in turn enhances the experience for your attendees.
If you're an educator, your retreat might lean towards workshops and learning sessions. If you’re an explorer, you might integrate activities like local tours and cultural immersions that tie into your teachings. Designing the retreat around your strengths ensures that you deliver an authentic and enjoyable experience.
Scout Your Location—It’s More Than Just a VenueThe location of your retreat is more than a backdrop—it can help shape the entire experience. Michelle emphasizes the importance of visiting the retreat site beforehand. Seeing the space in person can inspire new ideas for activities, help you plan the flow of events, and even give you creative ways to use the environment to enhance the retreat.
For example, maybe the venue has a perfect spot for a fireside chat or an ideal space for a morning yoga session. The location can often dictate how you structure your schedule, so it's essential to understand the logistics and feel of the space before you finalize your plans.
Attracting the Right AudienceOnce you’ve nailed down the details of your retreat, the next challenge is filling the room with the right people. Your marketing message should align with your retreat’s purpose and the experience you’re offering. If you’ve clearly defined your "brilliance" and chosen a location that supports your retreat goals, the right people will naturally be drawn to it. As Michelle points out, understanding your own expertise and conveying that in your messaging is key to attracting attendees who will resonate with your retreat.
Start Small and Scale UpIf this is your first retreat, Michelle advises starting small to reduce pressure. An intimate group of 10-15 people allows for deeper connections and easier logistics. As you grow more comfortable with retreat planning, you can scale up and incorporate more elaborate programming. Remember, the goal isn’t necessarily to have a massive retreat but to create a memorable, transformative experience for your attendees.
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#1079 Create Copy that Converts Prospects to Customers | Lewis Dalton

 
In this encore episode I sat down with Lewis Dalton, a copywriting pro and co-founder of Pine, to dig into the magic behind writing copy that actually converts. Lewis shares some fantastic, down-to-earth advice about finding the sweet spot between short-term and long-term benefits in your messaging, how to blend emotion and logic to really hook your audience, and why getting specific with your target market matters more than ever. Whether you’re working on sales funnels or just trying to write better emails, you will find some  great tips to help you turn prospects into customers.
ere are 4 key points from the interview with Louis Dalton on copywriting:
Balance Short-Term and Long-Term Benefits: When writing copy, focus on both short-term wins (quick, immediate benefits) and long-term outcomes. Short-term gains help keep potential customers engaged and excited, especially when selling products with delayed results.
Use Both Emotional and Logical Appeals: Effective copywriting taps into emotions to create interest, but it must also provide logical reasons—such as proof or data—to convince people to buy, especially for high-ticket items.
Tailor Copy to Your Audience: Different audiences respond to different tones. For example, engineers might prefer more logical, fact-based copy, while creatives or coaches may engage more with emotional appeals. Understanding your audience helps strike the right balance.
Qualify Prospects: Breaking down larger commitments (like a 16-week course) into smaller, more digestible steps can help qualify the right prospects. It prevents you from trying to "twist arms" to get clients who aren't truly invested, saving time and effort.
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Connect with Lorraine on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineball/
Check out video versions of these interviews https://www.youtube.com/@MTFWPodcast

#1078 LinkedIn Junkie

I am a LinkedIn junkie, but unlike people with other addictions, I'm not looking for a 12-step program to cure me of my habit because I think LinkedIn is healthy for my business. Instead, what I've done is developed a six-step process that allows me to simplify content creation and improve the quality of the content I'm creating.
The six steps are easy.
Define your objective. Figure out why you're really on LinkedIn and what you can realistically accomplish. Build out your profile and becoming someone people want to get to know.
Identify who your target audience really is and getting laser focused on putting messages out there that are relevant for them.
Spend the majority of my time engaging with the content that other people put out there, strategically connecting with other individuals.
And finally, when you do all those five things well, creating content is easy. 
Looking for a more detailed look at this process?   Watch the Video Now 
 

#1077 Holiday Marketing | Caroline Balinska

This time of year, we always start thinking about the holidays and holiday marketing.  That's why I was so excited to chat with Caroline Balinska on holiday marketing.  Here are 5 key points from my conversation with Caroline
Plan in advance: One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is not planning holiday campaigns early enough. Starting at least three months in advance to set up social media posts, emails, and design imagery is not too early
Focus on relevant holidays: Not all holidays are relevant to every business. It's important to pick holidays that align with your products. For instance, World Animal Day is more relevant for pet-related products than Valentine's Day.
Stand out with unique content: For holiday campaigns, businesses should create fresh and themed content, including new imagery and emotional trigger words that resonate with their target audience.
Leverage post-holiday opportunities: Businesses can continue benefiting from holidays even after they pass by extending promotions or using SEO strategies like Pinterest for long-term visibility.
Budget for ads: Caroline advises putting ad budget behind special event days, especially niche holidays, to maximize marketing.
Learn more:  moreclientslesshustle.com
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#1076 Why You Need to Write a Book

FROM MY ARCHIVE - In this conversation I asked the question  “Why should I write a book?” Let's face it writing a book may seem overwhelming, especially if you don’t think of yourself as an author. But my guest, Kim Thompson-Pinder, overcame her own challenges to become an author and publisher, shares her insights into why a book can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs.
Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
Credibility and Authority: Being an author gives you instant credibility. As Kim shared, "Authors are seen as experts," even if that’s not always true in reality. Perception matters, and holding a book with your name on it can open doors that may have otherwise been closed.
Targeted Marketing Tool: Kim emphasized the importance of writing a book tailored to your target audience. By addressing their specific problems, your book becomes a tool to build trust and convert readers into clients. The more targeted your content, the more effective it is at overcoming objections and positioning you as the go-to expert
Self-Publishing for Control: If you're serious about writing, Kim strongly advises self-publishing to retain control over your message, book design, and profits. The traditional publishing route often leaves authors with little control and lower financial returns. But she highlights the importance of hiring professionals for editing and cover design to ensure a polished, professional product.
Writing the Book: The process of writing can seem daunting, but Kim offered a simple formula: break the book down into manageable sections. Think of each chapter as a smaller problem your target market faces, and by solving them, you create a clear, engaging narrative that speaks directly to your audience.
Positioning the Book: A book is not just about getting your name out there—it’s a powerful marketing tool. You can use it to generate leads and establish long-term relationships with potential clients, leveraging its authority at every stage of your business growth.
Kim’s journey from being told she wasn’t a writer to becoming an author of five books (with two more on the way) and helping over 200 entrepreneurs write theirs is incredibly inspiring. Whether you’re considering writing for the first time or looking for ways to amplify your marketing, this episode offers invaluable insights.
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