Whether you're working on a podcast, a social media channel, creative projects for yourself, artwork, photography, social media, writing, journaling, almost any creative endeavor, you can use this technique to help you make a breakthrough to push yourself to the next level. And this works whether you're doing client work or personal work.
First - an important question. Do you want to do more? To be more? To make a breakthrough? Maybe you want to try solo episodes, or keep to a production schedule, add video, or do more social media, get on tick-tock, or study more, read more, learn more about your topic, learn more about your guests, maybe you want to pick up a whole new skill. That's what this process of creative challenges can do for you. In these two episodes, I explain, step by step, why this structure works, how to execute on it, how to design the right challenge for yourself, what to do to increase the chances of success and what to do when you fail. part 1part 2
Sales. That word freaks some people out and excites others. In this episode of the Grounded Content podcast I talk to Donnie Boivin, he's one of those guys who LOVES sales. He brings all those grounded qualities we love on GC to the mindset of selling. Make no mistake, he is a hard-driving salesperson. He's effective. He knows how to get the deals done, to sell what he needs to sell. And he teaches others how to do it. I think this will change the way you think about sales.
Find information about his programs, summit and podcast at DonnieBoivin.com If you have a podcast and you want more reviews - make it as easy as you can for your listeners. Unfortunately it's not easy to find the "write a review" button in the apple podcast app from your phone, but once you do the rest is easy. Consider making a video like this (or feel free to steal mine) or posting the steps to your website or social media (I have them below if you'd like to steal them feel free!) - Whatever it is you want your listeners to do more of, think about how you can make it as easy as possible for them. Here are the steps to leave a podcast review on the apple podcast app from your phone:
1. Open the apple podcasts app 2. Enter the name of the podcast you want to review in the apps search bar 3. Click on the show 4. Scroll down through the list of episodes to the "ratings and reviews" section 5. Just below it you'll see the words "leave a review" - click on that 6. Pick a number of starts, enter a headline and write your review 7. Click "send" at the top right. 
Is your content creating measurable results for your business? It should be. In this episode of Grounded Content podcast I go through a 5 step process you can use to get the tangible results you are looking for from your podcast, emails, youtube channel or social media.
Steve Watt attracted my attention on LinkedIn, his posts are human and effective. He's the marketing director at Seismic and a pro on LinkedIn where he has a solid following. Steve explains that he advises the entire team at his company to be a part of the marketing process by being active on LinkedIn. You'll hear the guidance he gives them, the reasons that he believes it's beneficial both for the company and the employees, and what he thinks makes an effective post - the right mix of attention, curiosity, and information.
FollowSteve on LinkedIn Seismic Find Marion on Instagram Find Marion on Linkedin Show host / producer: Marion Abrams Show editor: Kris Zarnoch 
What creates viral success? The content? The strategy? The product? All three? Tru Earth founder and CMO Ryan McKenzie gives us a look behind the scenes at Tru Earth's viral strategies. How he thinks about his marketing strategy and how they execute on the viral video releases. AND it wouldn't be an episode of Grounded Content if we didn't ask that essential question - does the end justify the means? If the product makes the world a better place, does it matter how you "pitch" it?
AND - because this product DOES make the world a better place - BUY IT. Ryan McKenzie is the co-founder and CMO of Tru Earth®, a leading eco-friendly household product company dedicated to the elimination of plastic from landfills and oceans. Concerned about the future of his three young kids, Ryan’s passion for the future of the environment lead to exploring issues around climate change, overpopulation, food and job shortages, and ultimately, to the creation of #TruEarthMovement™. Through his work, he has built a genuine community and a movement of environmentally conscious consumers More than 200,000,000 watched Ryan's videos, and more than 50,000,000 read his articles. 
You think you have a sales problem, a culture problem, a marketing problem, a team problem, but Chris Brogan says you might actually have a story problem. So how do you use story to fix these problems? That's what we talk about on this episode of the Grounded Content podcast. How can leaders and marketers us story to convey information and change behavior?
Staying creative and staying effective requires a unique blend of resources. Strategy + tactics + inspiration. So what do you read to feed your human creative machine?
- In yesterday's live Paula Jenkins and I talked about books every podcaster should read, but really they are books for anyone who is a content creator, professional creative, professional creator, or content strategists (only one of the books was specifically about podcasting.) Paula and I come at the business from different directions, so the list is a great mix of her take and mine. Here's the quick recap video of the books on our lists. To hear our thoughts on each book in more detail watch the conversation replay: ? Big Magic (paula) ? The War of Art (marion) ? Essentialism (paula) ? Known (marion) ? Braving the Wilderness (paula) ? The Princess Diaries (you'll need to hear why..it makes sense - paula) ? Building a Story Brand (marion) ? Make Noise (marion) ? Jump Start Your Joy (paula) ? Endurance ( a stretch, but it's all about the power of optimism for me - marion) "How to Be a Professional Host & Craft the Show of Your Dreams" on Unconventional Leaders podcast7/8/2021
If you want to how do you produce a show that people WANT to listen to - listen to this episode of the "Unconventional Leaders" podcast. Heather Parady asked me so many great questions about how to really elevate your podcasting game!
Including: --> How much to structure your show --> What it means to Improve your craft --> Why being yourself is tactical --> What makes a great host (and what doesn’t really matter)
Stephen Warley, founder of "Life Skills that Matter", and host of the "Life Skills that Matter" podcast interviewed me about story. Some of the things we talk about:
- There's so much more to communication than words - How to start your story - How to improve with practice - Why I love the quote "it's not the plan, it's the planning" Stephen is a great interviewer and this conversation is full of practical tips for telling your story better.
Bill Dolan was part of the Television culture that sold you on the idea that your life would be ok if only you had this one thing, the thing they were selling that day. He had a death experience that changed his outlook. As a result of that clarity he developed his relationship marketing process (the 7DRM - the 7 disciplines of relationship marketing) that looks at selling effectively in a whole new light.
Podcasting is hot right now, that means you can expect a lot of newly minted so called experts, especially in the space of monetization. But we don’t share BS advice, that’s why I invited Christy Haussler, the founder of Team Podcast and the host of the Podcast Monetization Secrets podcast. Christy has been in the business and worked with dozens of podcasters. When she saw how disheartened podcast hosts with good download numbers were getting about the financial side she decided to step in. She clears up some of the misinformation about how podcast sponsorship really works.
More about Christy
https://teampodcast.com https://facebook.com/teampodcast Find Marion Instagram Find Marion Linkedin This episode was edited by Kris Zarnoch
Charlie Epstein brings a unique and human mix of comedy & financial advice in his podcast"Yield of Dreams." The basic idea - be present and don't wait until it's too late to live your life (and spend your money.) I was a guest on his show and we talk about life and the decisions we make and how those chart your course. We also talked about what makes great content and what I learned about it from a position behind the lense for so many years. Thanks for having me on the show.
The episode is called"Remaining True to Your Promise - With Guest Marion Abrams"
Yifat Cohen has an eye on the future, and the future for brands is TRUST. The creator of the Jackpot Moments™ system: From Seen To Sold Out is my guest on today's Grounded Content podcast. We've talked about it before, the field out there is so crowded and filled with brands, Yifat explains the importance of building communities of trust online in order to sell your products, how to create what she calls "Jackpot Moments" that show your value, rather than to talking about it. It's related to her secret to being comfortable on camera, especially when she's live.
Places to find Yifat Cohen: I'm That Geek From Seen to Sold Out Yifat on Telegram Yifat on YouTube Find Marion on Instagram Find Marion on Linkedin This episode was edited by Kris Zarnoch
On the latest Grounded Content Podcast:
How do you develop your public persona and message, and how can acting and comedy inform that? We think of “acting” as a synonym for “fake,” but Charlie explains how it helps him tap into what is essential and real. Entrepreneur, Entertainer and Author, Charlie Epstein always wanted to be on stage. The meandering path he took to get there gave him a unique take on acting, comedy and money. “My ministry in life,” Charlie says, “is to ease people’s pain and suffering about their money and to show them the path they can take to achieve their dreams and aspirations.” He is bringing together his experience as a financial advisor and educator with his passion for acting and stand up comedy to create “Yield of Dreams,” a podcast and a stage show which will open this summer. Find out more about Charlie at http://charlieepstein.com/
There is no one size fits all solution. If someone tells you there is, they are after your money. Your goals + your resources = your plan.
Today on Grounded Content podcast ... me. Yup, just me, no guest. I’m talking about marketing & messaging & podcasting & data & bull shxt... and of course the terror of doing a solo episode ;) Back with a great guest next week.
How do you set yourself apart? If you try to do it like everyone else you'll always be second best. Mike Koenigs, The Superpower Accelerator, and I talk about what it takes to create a category of one. In fact - he tries to make ME a category of one, but I side track him with too many questions.
Should you be creating content? What should you say? What if you don't want to be "out front"? Rich Cardona, founder of Rich Cardona media has created a business saving executives and business leaders from themselves. We talk about that and ... as always ... a lot more, including what makes the best podcast pitch and how to stand out from the pack without looking desperate.
 In the digital age, you're not just competing with your neighborhood. You're competing with everyone in the world. So how do you win? Double down on being you. The world doesn't need another Gary V or another Oprah. Gary V is the best Gary V there will ever be. Oprah is the best Oprah there will ever be. But only you can be the best you.
That's the second P in the 5xPs of podcasting, Point of View. Even if you are one of 30 podcasts about crocheting, when you find your voice yours will stand out. Double down on you! ----- Photo by Andrea Hagarty | Pictured: Marion Abrams, Joe De Sena, Sefra the Seedhuntress, "Dr" Johnny Waite and my son the sound recorder.
Effective marketing is about motivating people to take an action - to follow your podcast, to hear your important message, to buy your product, read your book, or donate to your cause.Dr. Rebecca Heiss is an evolutionary biologist who studies evolutionary psychology. That means she's immersed in the age old baked in behavioral triggers we carry deep within ourselves. She's just published a book called instinct. Our brains excel at making split second decisions based on instinct. She explains the instinctual drivers of behavior that she covers in her book, we look at each of these and how they apply to the world of marketing. They include the drives for survival, procreation, variety and belonging.
More about Rebecca: Rebecca’s Book Instinct: Rewire Your Brain with Science-Backed Solutions to Increase Productivity and Achieve Success https://rebeccaheiss.com/ https://www.thefearlesstheory.com/
How do you make the "ask"? Maybe it's simpler than it seems. On this episode of the Grounded Content podcast I talk to my friend Matt B. Davis. He's not an expert in marketing, or personal branding, or networking. He's the podcast host who created Obstacle Racing Media, a podcast & media business that has grown from a hobby to a full time job. One that supports his family. He and I talk about this stuff a lot - about what we do to be successful in the independent media world, to market our shows (and for me my client's shows,) to market ourselves, and our products. What works, what's sketchy? What's the latest BS being peddled out there?
The reason I really invited him on is because he calls me out on my BS. This episode is really a "spirited" conversation between friends. It may be more conversational than some of the others, but there are some solid tactics and take aways in there too. 
Do you have a podcast? Could it do more for you?
So many people and businesses start a podcast and then stall, in fact of the 2 million podcasts out there today only about 750,000 have published an episode in the last 90 days. Sometimes you just need a fresh look at things. You can use this tool over and over again to define, refine and achieve your podcasting goals. 5 steps to asses, strategize, and elevate. 1. PURPOSE: What do you want your podcast to do for you? Attract sponsors, express your message, serve your community, build authority, have deep discussions, research your market, practice public speaking? Know that and you can start to do the equation and decide how to invest in success. 2. POINT OF VIEW: What makes you stand out? What makes you you? There may be 10, 20 or 100 podcasts on your subject, but none will be like yours. Don't copy everyone else, I can help you understand your unique point of view. 3. PROCESS: Now that you know 1 & 2 we can develop your processes - do you edit or hire an editor, how do you structure your show, how do you design your publications schedule, who are your guests (if you have guests), how do they get booked, who writes copy and creates artwork, how do you design the best titles, how do you understand your podcast data and much more. There are hundreds of tools and tactics for podcasters, but you need to use the right ones in the right ways. 4. PRACTICE: Like everything in life it's a cycle of continuous improvement. Get better, then get even better, that's how you become great. 5. PROMOTE: You may have the most incredible podcast, but If you don't promote it how will anyone know. There are things that really do work - paid and organic strategies - to make sure you reach the right people. Once you have the first 4 steps in place, we can build a strategic promotion plan. I help podcasters like you. You're putting in the work, but are you getting the results you want from your show? You have the potential, that's why you started. What if you didn't have to learn it all the hard way?
Steve D. Sims is my guest on theGrounded Content podcast. He's called "Real life Wizard of Oz," that's because he gets things done. I recommend his book "Bluefishing" if you haven't read it. But like most successful and interesting people, he's checked the box withBluefishing, and he's moved on to new things.
Steve was known as the guy that could get anything done creating incredible experiences for people. But as you know, to get anything good done, you need other people, and you need to convince them to do those things. That's what Steve talks about. Essentially, it's branding, it's marketing, and its relationships. We cover a lot of things in this conversation including the true importance (from a practical and a moral standpoint) of just being yourself, some great networking tips, and some practical personal branding and sales tactics. Steve says, "anyone that did anything fantastical, didn't do it by copying everyone else."
Rich Cardona shares tons of useful insights on his show Leadership Locker. It was a pleasure to be on his show and to share fun stories and talk about what makes great content. I'm looking forward to sharing some of his wisdom soon on the Grounded Content podcast .
Michael Roderick joined me on the Groundeded Content podcast this week. How do you create content that others will share? What if they would share the content without even being asked? Michael Roderick has discovered a framework that you can use - whether you want to be talked about (in a good way) when you leave the room, get people to share your podcast, or need to accelerate the spread of your message. Of course, as always, it's within the context of grounded, genuine conversations and we touch on the big picture philosophy and ethics behind the tactics.
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This blog is a place I share some of the things I think about, the photos I take, and the videos I make. They are about life, family, work, content strategy, content creation and podcasting.
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