Relaunch U
This podcast helps solopreneurs and entrepre-newbies like you turn your passions into paychecks. Listen for lightning-quick tips to help you generate the opportunities you have dreamed about. Now is the time. Don’t let another year pass. If it’s an income-generating business you’re after, Relaunch U is the podcast and program to give it life.
Episodes
22 hours ago
22 hours ago
Know Your Audience. Accomplish the Impossible. Daryl Davis is a blues musician. One night after a show he is approached by a man who compliments his music. After a drink at the bar and some bonding over the blues, the man drops a bombshell on Daryl.
You see, Daryl is African American. And this gentleman who loves his music happens to be white. The bombshell he drops on Daryl? He is also a member of the KKK.
Daryl thought, how could this man hate me without even knowing me?
This encounter lit a fire inside Daryl.
This fire fueled Daryl on a mission to better understand the KKK which in turn created unimaginable results.
Listen in for the whole story and how you can apply Daryl’s methods to get to know your prospects—even better than they know themselves.
To learn how to build your brand in an environment built for scoring, visit us at Relaunch U at joinrelaunchu.com or, click the link to join my masterclass: https://www.joinrelaunchu.com/masterclass-register
7 days ago
#14 How to Turn Failure into Success
7 days ago
7 days ago
Have you ever heard of a failure resume?
The idea behind a failure resume is to track those times we didn't quite hit the mark.
Reflecting on these moments can be beneficial lessons learned.
Here's a little something from my failure resume:
I got my first chance to be a “floor director” during a live video shoot.
Among other things, my job was to count down the talent.
I was on set, I couldn’t speak so I counted down the talent this way:
“5…4…3” (and then a silent) “2…1” with a finger point to on-camera talent
I counted down properly, and the talent was rolling.
30 seconds into the shoot, the director said something from his soundproof booth into my headset. I thought he was speaking to me. I responded out loud,
“What did you say?”
It stopped the entire shoot.
The crew glared at me, the director was furious, and I wanted to disappear.
But this failure taught me an important lesson.
Now, when I interview people, I stay completely silent until they finish speaking.
And even after they are done speaking, I give it another full beat, just to be doubly sure that I'm not talking over them.
That failure happened 25 years ago. I think about it today.
What are some of the lessons in your failure resume?
How did they help shape what you are today?
To learn how to build your brand in an environment built for scoring, visit us at Relaunch U at joinrelaunchu.com or, click the link to join my masterclass: https://www.joinrelaunchu.com/masterclass-register
Thursday Jun 13, 2024
#13 Why You Need to Research Your Market Opportunity
Thursday Jun 13, 2024
Thursday Jun 13, 2024
A new client with a funny little idea walked into our office.
He was selling car antenna ornaments.
Yes, silly little decorations you can affix to the antenna that was attached to your car.
He couldn’t keep these things on the shelves. People loved them.
He didn’t see his product’s obsolescence coming as fixed car antennas became a relic of the past.
This product had its (literal) day in the sun, but sales died when fixed antennas died.
This happens in business. Markets increase, decrease, or die altogether.
That’s why it’s important to zoom out and anticipate what’s ahead.
If your market is shrinking, it’s time for some rethinking.
To learn how to build your brand in an environment built for scoring, visit us at Relaunch U at joinrelaunchu.com or, click the link to join my masterclass: https://www.joinrelaunchu.com/masterclass-register
Monday Jun 10, 2024
#12 Branding Yourself: When Will You Not Suck
Monday Jun 10, 2024
Monday Jun 10, 2024
I have a dream of owning a lake house. Or a beach house. Or a mountain house. Or all three! I’d like to build a minor empire in real estate that earns income while I’m biking through Europe.
Nice vision, right?
After talking with a few friends in real estate, my beautiful vision started to crack.
The process of renting and/or flipping sounded insanely hard: Pulling permits. Inspections. Taxes. Insurance. Contractors.
All I saw were the pitfalls.
Props to all my friends earning a living in real estate. It looks hard to me.
But when they explained real estate to me, they explained it like those pitfalls were minor inconveniences. No big deal.
They were so matter-of-fact about it all. They’ve seen it, experienced it, and aren’t afraid of it.
Conversely, when I explain what I do they look at me like I’ve just sprouted a second head.
“What do you do, again?” “People pay you for that?”
They hear what I do and don’t even know where to start.
But I can explain it in a matter-of-fact way, because I know my business so well.
When does a hard thing become easy?
I won’t hit a grand slam at my first real estate deal.
And you might strike out in your first branding effort.
Sucking is part of the process.
My advice is to suck at it and keep on sucking at it until you, well, suck less at it.
That’s also called a breakthrough. Your breakthrough will come and it will feel great.
But you have to stay committed to sucking for a bit—I can promise you it gets easier.
And maybe even easy.
To learn how to build your brand in an environment built for scoring, visit us at Relaunch U at joinrelaunchu.com or, click the link to join my masterclass: https://www.joinrelaunchu.com/masterclass-register
Thursday Jun 06, 2024
#11 How to Maintain Client Relationships
Thursday Jun 06, 2024
Thursday Jun 06, 2024
I met up with a friend who I hadn’t seen in ten years.
It felt as if we’d never been apart.
The relationship picked up exactly where we had left it.
The decade of time in-between shrank to nothing.
This is a goal for brand-building: to create an experience that your customers come home to again and again.
When your customers exit your life and re-enter (sometimes years later), the same vibe, feel, and energy should be present.
Like a beat that hasn’t been missed.
I’ve worn Nike. I’m not wearing Nike now, but I may in the future. When I do, I expect what I remember from Nike. The intersection of design, comfort, and performance.
The key is to maintain a consistent brand experience for customers.
That’s how you become timeless in their eyes.
That’s how you make old friends feel welcome once again.To learn how to build your brand in an environment built for scoring, visit us at Relaunch U at joinrelaunchu.com or, click the link to join my masterclass: https://www.joinrelaunchu.com/masterclass-register
Monday Jun 03, 2024
#10 Lead Gen Tip - Spark Curiosity
Monday Jun 03, 2024
Monday Jun 03, 2024
My old agency found a scrappy way of attracting new clients.
We scoured the newspapers (yes, actual newspapers) for current ads that local businesses were running.
We found the ads that were, well, less-than-good.
We redlined the heck out of ‘em searching of every detail that we could improve. Copy, design, photography, logo, tagline, call to action, everything.
Even though we experienced a bit of sadistic joy in finding fault, the criticism was always constructive.
We then mailed (yes, the post office kind) our red-lined handiwork to the owners of the businesses with a call to action to reach back to us for more insights. (
Check out this pod to hear how someone turned the tables on me using the same strategy!)
The results?
Half of the business owners responded to us. 50%. That’s pretty massive for cold outreach.
Those responses led to conversations, and we gained a couple of new clients.
Silk Plants Plus and Black Angus Steakhouse: two clients who didn’t know we existed before the cold outreach campaign.
Why were these business owners so responsive to this strategy?
We sparked curiosity.
We opened their eyes to a problem they didn’t know they had.
When these founders saw that we knew something they didn’t, they wanted more.
Intrigue your potential clients by shining a light on a problem they may not be aware of.
That will spark a conversation, and possibly a sale.
To learn how to build your brand in an environment built for scoring, visit us at Relaunch U at joinrelaunchu.com or, click the link to join my masterclass: https://www.joinrelaunchu.com/masterclass-register
Thursday May 30, 2024
#9 The Secret To Hosting An Unforgettable Event
Thursday May 30, 2024
Thursday May 30, 2024
I attended a business event unlike any other. And it wasn't until the very end that I found out why it felt so unique.
The hosts, Kristin and Chuck, revealed that they do not shy away from doing the "elaborate and unnecessary."
What does that mean?
Well, the event was camping-themed. This theme played into the presentations, the communications, the dress code, and the overall feel of the event. We even had a field trip to get out of the event and bond with one another.
These elaborate and unnecessary details created an environment that made this business event different.
1. The presenters felt comfortable and trusted the audience from the start.
2. The energy was jacked—the presenters were on and had everyone's attention.
3. Buzz. I couldn't stop talking about this unforgettable event!
All these elements that may seem elaborate and unnecessary were essential in creating an electric environment.
To learn how to build your brand in an environment built for scoring, visit us at Relaunch U at joinrelaunchu.com or, click the link to join my masterclass: https://www.joinrelaunchu.com/masterclass-register
Monday May 27, 2024
#8 How To Create Content For Your Audience.
Monday May 27, 2024
Monday May 27, 2024
After receiving email after email from Squarespace pleading with me to upgrade my website, I reluctantly decided it was time to stop putting it off. I took to YouTube with the search, “Why should I upgrade my squarespace website from 7.0 to 7.1?” A video pops up with the exact title as my search query. It was a good video, I was convinced that I needed the upgrade. My next step in the process was to meet with people who could help me carry it out. After some research, I had a call with a guy named David. As we talked, I checked out his website. Boom. Right there on his homepage was the same YouTube video that I had “found” in my earlier search. Coincidence? Maybe. David’s content wasn’t just helpful for me, he quite literally positioned himself as the answer to my problem. That’s a good strategy followed up by good content. Flanking your customer with relevant content will help position you as the one with the answers. David created his content from my point of view. He even titled his video with the verbatim question I was asking. What questions are your prospects asking? Create your content from there. Where are your prospects searching for answers? Show up there with the solutions. To learn how to build your brand in an environment built for scoring, visit us at Relaunch U at joinrelaunchu.com or, click the link to join my masterclass: https://www.joinrelaunchu.com/masterclass-register
Thursday May 23, 2024
#7 Branding Lessons From A Hall Of Famer
Thursday May 23, 2024
Thursday May 23, 2024
Rick Barry is a basketball Hall of Famer.
He had the highest free throw percentage in the league for seven seasons.
To this day, he has the fourth-highest free throw percentage. Ever.
He played the game 50 years ago. And his record free throw percentage remains in the top 5.
Incredible. Even more incredible is how he did it.
He shot every free throw underhand.
That’s right, granny style.
He didn’t care about looking cool. He was in the game to score.
Some pro basketball players, like Shaquille O’Neill, had terrible free throw percentages. But would Shaq adopt the granny-style shot?
Shaq said, “I told Rick Barry I’d rather shoot 0% than shoot underhand.”
Shaq chose style points over real points.
Well, I suppose Shaq can afford to be Shaq.
But my advice is don’t be like Shaq.
Take the real points.
Don’t waste your time building up style points.
The most pristine marketing funnel will someday break.
The most beautiful website design will eventually need an upgrade.
Be effective. Don’t fret about "perfect."
Always take the points.
To learn how to build your brand in an environment built for scoring, visit us at Relaunch U at joinrelaunchu.com or, click the link to join my masterclass: https://www.joinrelaunchu.com/masterclass-register
Monday May 20, 2024
#6 How to Make Posts Sharable
Monday May 20, 2024
Monday May 20, 2024
Scroll. Consume. Forget. Repeat.
This is how I surf the feeds. Why does the majority of content vanish from our minds as quickly as it appears on our screens?
No impact.
But every now and then you’ll find something that sticks. But the hit rate is very low for two reasons: 1. Low bar on creativity. Most stuff, frankly, isn’t interesting. 2. High noise level. This creates a high filter for tricks and gimmicks to gain attention.
There is also a third reason: Brain Doritos. Brain Doritos is content that is delightful for a moment but not substantial enough for me to remember it.
To make your content stick, focus on these three pillars:
Is it relevant?
Is it interesting?
Is it emotionally captivating?
It's not just about triggering mild attentiveness for a moment (Brain Doritos). It's about creating something that matters to someone in particular. And you need to activate all three pillars as one at the same time.
You can create something relevant that isn’t interesting. You can create something that emotionally captivating that isn’t relevant.
All three pillars need to hold up your content.
To build your brand and amplify your voice in the noisy world of social media, Relaunch U is for you. We're a vibrant community of solopreneurs learning skills and supporting each other on our quest to eradicate anonymity. Join us at joinrelaunchu.com or click the link to join my masterclass: https://www.letsgomonaco.com/masterclass-register
Become a Magnet for the Work You Love
The real you that’s been buried under layers of stress, compromise, self-doubt, and selling out is about to emerge.
If it's change you want, Relaunch U is the coaching program and community that will help you generate the opportunities you have dreamed about, but never allowed yourself to pursue.
And this podcast hosted by Brand and Story Coach, Greg Monaco, will give you quick tips and micro lessons that will reset your mindset, provide strategy skill work, help you write copy that sells so you can market your business like a pro and start generating income doing what you love.