In this episode, I’m joined by stand-up comedian and public speaking expert, Jenn Lederer, and we delve into the fascinating parallels between stand-up comedy and business presentations. Jenn shares how lessons from stand-up comedy—like structure, timing, and audience connection—can be applied to business and keynote speaking, and how those skills …

production company. Previously, C.A. Green worked on major film and television productions for big media organizations, including NBC, ABC, and Netflix. He now owns his own company and makes promotional videos mainly for non-profits and small businesses. In this episode, we talked about his journey of working in the film industry before striking ou…

A lot of people think cold calling is dead. John Waller disagrees. John Waller is a true, old-school salesman and the founder of The OnHold Experience, a company that produces audio recordings that promote your business to your customers over the phone while they’re waiting on hold. John’s been selling since he was a kid growing up in England in th…

Vance Morris is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and an authority on customer experience & customer service. Vance previously worked at Walt Disney World where he managed multiple restaurants and nightclubs. At Disney, he learned much about customer service, paying attention to small details, and creating memorable guest experiences. In this episo…

Mark Schaefer is a digital marketing consultant, a globally recognized keynote speaker, a futurist, a university educator, a renowned expert in marketing and personal branding, and the bestselling author of many books, including "Belonging to the Brand," "Marketing Rebellion," "Known," and "Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World". His b…

In this episode, Jordan and I talk about his transition from freelancer to strategist, how he found his niche working with Amish farmers, and more. • Transitioning from freelancer to strategist (and the steps he took in between) • How he repositioned himself to sell more strategic offerings • Exploring alternative niches before stumbling into a new…

John "the Video Guy" Vlach talks about how to get started with online video, even if you're not a professional and you've never recorded or posted a video before. John gives you the hardware and software tools you need, and more importantly, great how-to's on what video(s) to make, how to edit, and how to share them. Brought to you, as always, by M…

Start the new year off right with sales strategies and tools that will help you build connections, cultivate strong relationships, and win more referrals! Reuben Swartz is the host of the Sales for Nerds Podcast and founder of Mimiran, the fun "Anti-CRM" CRM solution for solopreneurs and consultants who hate "Selling" but love serving clients. Util…

Photo Credit: MARGARET CORONA/DFP Enjoy a jolly conversation between Zev Gotkin and Jim Manning, the official Santa Claus of Boston, and the state of Massachusetts. Happy holidays! 🎄 Jim Manning is a motivational speaker and an in-demand Santa Claus who has even charged as much as $700/hour for the gig. He has been featured in numerous media outlet…

My guest, Allison Kade is a content marketer, writer, brand journalist, and the founder of Contented, a boutique content marketing agency based in Philadelphia providing content strategy, writing, editing, copyediting, and more. Drawing on her eclectic interests and areas of expertise, her agency focuses on creating content about finance, climate, …

Differentiation is hard. So many people try to differentiate themselves in ways that aren't meaningful, or hard to prove. What if you could let your ideal prospects in on your secret(s)? What if you could help them see their world with new insight? In this episode, I delve into the secret of "secrets". (You can catch more information and a free tra…

PPC (Pay-Per-Click) and SEM (Search Engine Marketing) Strategies for Non-Profit Organizations In this episode, my guest is Sean Littman, a Search Engine Marketing and Google Ads expert who focuses on helping non-profit organizations grow. Sean Littman is the founder of GiveSuite and the host of the podcast, “Profiting with Non Profits.” While he sh…

Organic Growth on YouTube: Tips from a Marketing Pro In this episode, we sit down with Mary Ann Bautista, a YouTube strategist and direct response marketing expert based in San Francisco. Mary Ann specializes in organic YouTube optimization, leveraging search strategies to help you gain visibility, succeed on the YouTube platform, and convert views…

When you've got a tiny business, getting people to know about you is often your biggest problem. Getting other people to talk about your business can be a huge help, but how do you get them to do that? In this episode, PR expert and author Jill Lublin discusses how she got into publicity, and how you can use it to your advantage. Have something int…

They say your network is your net worth. My guest, Rachel Rozen, believes networking is a skill like any other. While some might have more of a natural affinity for networking than others, anyone can improve and get better at it with the right strategy and plenty of practice. In my conversation with networking coach, Rachel Rozen, we discussed tips…

NAKED Networking expert Kari Mirabal stops by Sales for Nerds to discuss better ways to network. Make sure you're nurturing your network the right way with Mimiran. Find out more at www.mimiran.com.By Reuben Swartz

Tiffany Wilburn is a fractional food & beverage Chief Marketing Officer, the founder of Clever Disruption, and brand strategist who has been published in AdWeek. Throughout her career, she has helped larger-than-life brands such as Nestle, TGIF Fridays, Hot Pockets, and Southern Comfort (AKA: SoCo) revamp their marketing strategies, develop new pro…

Naphtali Hoff is a coach for busy executives who takes leaders from overstretched to over-delivered. He is also a sought-after speaker, the founder of Impactful Coaching, and the author of Becoming the Productive Boss: 5 Proven Steps to Leading High Performing Teams. A leadership coach for for-profit and non-profit leaders alike, Naphtali Hoff help…

Wow-- episode 100! Podcasting expert John Tyreman provides tips on using your podcast to get clients, including: Figuring out the right format for your podcast. How to get guests without stress. How to promote your podcast. What equipment you do (and don't) need And so much more. And if you're a solo professional, looking to convert podcast energy …

Peter Shankman is a serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, podcaster, and thought leader in marketing and public relations. Ever wanted to be quoted in a major news outlet as an authority or an expert in your space? Now, you can get valuable PR placements for free. In this conversation, we talked about Peter’s free new online service, Source of Sour…

Make no mistake; people don't just buy the product. They're also buying YOU. When you're selling anything, remember that you're also selling yourself. One man who has done a great job selling himself -- and B2B solutions -- is our guest, Luca Giorgiantonio. To succeed in sales, your prospect needs to feel that you're passionate about what you're se…

Sometimes the allure of working for yourself turns into just having a lot of bosses and you can end up getting burn out all over again. Lydia Lee walked down that path and learned how to put her life first, despite some interesting obstacles (there's a literal exploding toilet), and build her business around her life, instead of trying to squeeze h…

Coach Dan Gordon is a sales trainer, podcaster, and the author of No Douchebag Selling “Sell like a badass…Not like a douche!” Dan Gordon’s training and workshops (link below) are designed for badass entrepreneurs who want more clients, but selling makes them feel sick. Coach Dan Gordon is here to help you reframe how you look at sales and selling …

My guest is Ardor Technologies Head of Sales (North America), Brian Hellgeth. Business travel can be difficult. Last-minute schedule changes, new cities to visit, clients to support, etc. Wouldn't it be great for your travel partner to support you? Ardor is a next-generation all-in-one business travel and expense management platform focused on busi…

Matt Stein is the Founder and President of Unique Luxury Travels, a custom travel consultancy where he combines his knowledge and expertise in luxury experiences with his deep-rooted love for art and wine. Driven by his unwavering passion for exploration and voracious curiosity about other cultures, Matt Stein made the daring choice to leave an ill…

Doug Wood is the CEO of Tommy Bahama, the world-renowned American fashion and lifestyle brand. Tommy Bahama sells tropical island-inspired casual clothing, accessories, footwear, and home furnishings for men and women. Toward the end of 2023, the brand opened Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, a luxury resort in Indian Wells, California. Learn Mo…

Rochelle Lisner is the founder of Dynamic Business Growth. She is a sales and customer service coach who has worked with corporations, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and solopreneurs for two decades, helping them perfect their elevator pitches, be more interesting, and, as she puts it, “story tell” rather than “boring tell.” Rochelle Lisner …

Aaron Itzkowitz is the founder and CEO of EmotionTrac. EmotionTrac is an AI-driven AdTech tool that replaces the need for a focus group. Using insights from real people combined with AI, EmotionTrac uncovers the emotional triggers that tell you how people respond to your ad. In this episode, Aaron Itzkowitz describes how EmotionTrac works and outli…

Selling the way your customers want to buy makes sales (and marketing) so much easier, but most businesses refuse to do it. In this episode, veteran market Kristin Zhivago (and author of Roadmap to Revenue: How to Sell the Way Your Customers Want to Buy) discusses how you can uncover your best customers' buying behaviors so you can align your marke…

Marty Katz is a Marketing Consultant with over 40 years of experience specializing in brand messaging. He is also the founder of Connectors 360. Marty Katz helps retail, entertainment, and packaged goods companies develop a message that connects them with their audience, creates engagement, and generates sales. In this episode, Mary Katz and I disc…

In this episode, we sit down with Darryl Haberman, a digital media strategist, consultant, and fractional COO with a passion for driving business growth through innovative content and collaboration. With over 25 years of experience working with industry giants like Disney+, ESPN, Major League Baseball, and the National Hockey League, Darryl shares …

AI is all the rage these days (I get lots of pitches, some of them seemingly AI-generated, to come on Sales for Nerds and talk about AI). I decided to go to the source and have a conversation with ChatGPT from OpenAI. It was mindblowing, scary, and uncanny, all at the same time. Take a listen and decide for yourself, plus get tips on using AI for y…

Neco Turkienicz is the president and CEO of Leib Productions, a video marketing agency that specializes in shooting testimonial videos remotely. He is an experienced videographer and marketer who has shot documentaries and commercials for big brands and offers his remote testimonial video packages at refreshingly affordable, reasonable rates. In th…

Tim Hyde from Win More Clients shares his entrepreneurial journey and the importance of using a CRM to get and stay organized. Tim also delves into how to find your ideal customers, and why you have to go where they are, because the number one problem solopreneurs face is that their best clients don't even know they exist... Brought to you by Mimir…

Sales may feel "icky", but serving others feels good, and leads to great results. In this episode, Steve Ramona, host of the Doing Business with a Servant's Heart podcast and the Together We Serve TV show discusses how he learned that his network was his net worth, and how you can do the same, even (especially?) if you're an introvert who doesn't l…

Josef Katz is a senior-level marketer and CMO known for his expertise in helping startups grow. Nicknamed the “Direct Maestro” and the “Startup Marketing Guy”, Josef Katz is specialized in building strategic and growth marketing programs for startups. Josef Katz is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Jewish Learning Initiative on Ca…

Sydney Campos believes social media can be better and live up to its potential. Join us for a lively conversation about social media, community, and human connection! Sydney Campos is an accomplished author, serial entrepreneur, and the founder of Ascend as well as the Chief of Staff of Mattermore. She is passionate about mental health, human conne…

A lot of people hate public speaking. But whether you're officially a "speaker", or just someone who needs to talk to a "Zoom room" now and again, speaking effectively is critical to your business. Speaking coach Meridith Grundei shares how she went from shy kid who didn't want to answer questions in class to helping others overcome their fears of …

In this episode, we're joined by Tina Liu, a seasoned financial professional based out of San Diego, California, and President of TSL Partner, a consultancy that provides fractional accounting and financial advisory services to guide entrepreneurs through every phase of their company's growth and journey. They say you should start with the end in m…

Recorded June 8th, 2023 Zev Gotkin in conversation with Adam Karofsky. Two content writers continue their conversation about AI and its impact on the written word. Adam Karofsky is a professional content writer and editor, and the owner of the business, ASK Writes. Adam specializes in creating content, such as articles, blogs, and books that are tr…

In his new book titled Get Over Yourself: How to Lead and Delegate Effectively for More Time, More Freedom, and More Success, Dave Kerpen teaches effective strategies for leadership and delegation. Written in a quick and readable style for the modern-day entrepreneur, manager, or leader operating in our new world of hybrid and remote work, this use…

I recently interviewed Reza Saeedi—a marketing strategist and former Director of Marketing at On Deck—about his transition from employee to marketing advisor to employee again with advising as a side venture. In this episode, we chatted about things like: How Reza got into marketing and eventually, as a mentor/advisor to entrepreneurs How he was ab…

Today my guest is Jesan Sorrells, a management consultant and the dynamic CEO of Leadership Toolbox, the host of the “Leadership Lessons From The Great Books” Podcast, author of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership, and a trusted mentor and adviser to numerous startups. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Jesan has …

Thomas Helfrich is a professional sales trainer, B2B marketer, and lead generation expert. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of InstantlyRelevant.com and the author of Never Been Promoted. On this episode, we talk about how to be relevant and capture the attention and interest of your target prospects. Learn more: https://www.instantlyrelevant…

Alistair McDermott sits down with some whiskey to talk about becoming the Recognized Authority in your consulting niche. This leads to easier marketing and sales and less wasted time and effort. Alistair shares his 5 step process for niching down and becoming that Recognized Authority. (An approach that dovetails nicely with the Mission & Positioni…

So, you want to publish content to attract clients. Do you start a blog? Hammer out posts on LinkedIn every day? Start a YouTube channel? A podcast? Good question. I get asked it a lot. In fact, someone in Mindshare asked me about it again today, so I thought I'd break out my mental model for how I think about publishing and distributing content. H…

Scott Rosenblum is the President and founder of LEVEL PR, a tech-focused PR agency. His course, “PR Toolkit for Tech Startups,” can be found here: https://courses.levelpr.co/ Zee Learning Podcast listeners will get 25% off whenever they register for any of Scott’s courses by using the coupon code, zev25. This discount code is exclusively offered to…

It's easy to make sales overly complicated. (I've been guilty of that many times.) So here's the simple, 2-step sales process for consultants that doesn't require fancy sales skills or any of the hard selling at all. You can implement it when you're busy with clients or don't have any client work. And it's fun, sustainable, and effective (Naturally…

To perform at our best, we need to fuel and nourish our bodies properly. But most fitness advice has everything backwards. In this episode, learn how personal fitness coach Rachel Nigro flips the conventional wisdom on its head, so you can feel better, look better, and perform better, without crash diets and/or self-loathing.…

While publishing a book is a great way for experts to gain (and broadcast) authority, you don't need to write a whole book to benefit from publishing. Erica Holthausen shares how you can get published in magazines and journals to boost your profile and attract ideal clients. Brought to you by Mimiran, the fun, "anti-CRM" for independent consultants…