DarkHorseEntrepreneur.com Why 82% of Parents Are Using ChatGPT Wrong (And How the Smart Ones Save 20 Hours Weekly)

In this episode, Tracy Brinkmann dives deep into how parent entrepreneurs can leverage AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to boost productivity and streamline their online entrepreneurship journey. Discover proven AI strategies designed specifically for busy parents juggling side hustles and family life. Learn how smart marketing strategies and digital marketing tips can help you make money online efficiently.

Tracy breaks down four core AI principles that transform this technology from a basic search tool into a powerful automation engine that works while your kids sleep. Whether you're new to AI or struggling with generic AI responses, this episode will change the way you approach AI for your digital products, marketing efforts, and overall business growth.

Stay tuned for actionable entrepreneur tips on strategic AI prompting, email strategy automation, and digital courses creation that help build passive income streams. This episode is essential listening for anyone focused on balancing side hustles with parenting, online business development, and effective email marketing tips.

00:00 - The 10 PM Reality Check
00:50 - Episode Overview
01:15 - The Uncomfortable Truth
02:25 - Principle #1: Context Is Everything
04:10 - Principle #2: Use AI's Memory Features Properly
06:05 - Principle #3: Master Chain-of-Thought Prompting
07:20 - Principle #4: Choose Tools Strategically, Not Emotionally
09:35 - The Bigger Picture
11:00 - Whiskered Wisdom

1. Context-Rich Prompting
   
   

   • Include who you are, what you're selling, target audience, constraints, and desired outcomes

   • Transform questions into detailed briefings

   • Give AI everything it needs to help you specifically

2. Strategic Memory Usage
   
   

   • Spend 15 minutes teaching AI about your business, style, and goals

   • Save key processes, templates, and constraints

   • Build compound knowledge instead of starting fresh each time

3. Chain-of-Thought Implementation
   
   

   • Break complex projects into logical sequential steps

   • Refine each step before moving to the next

   • Create compound results through systematic progression

4. Strategic Tool Selection
   
   

   • Identify your biggest bottleneck first

   • Master one tool completely before adding others

   • Match tools to specific workflow needs, not emotional appeal

• Who you are (role/business type)

• What you're selling/offering

• Target audience specifics

• Budget/time constraints

• Desired outcome definition

• Success metrics

• ChatGPT-4 - For customer communications and general business tasks

• Anthropic's Claude - For content creation and detailed writing

• Perplexity AI - For market research and competitive analysis

• AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Weekly practical strategies at DarkHorseInsider.com

• Yale University Research - Referenced study on AI productivity gains

1. Pick one regular side hustle task (social media posts, competitor research, email drafting)

2. Write a detailed brief including your role, audience, constraints, and desired outcome

3. Test your old vague approach vs. the new briefing method

4. Compare the quality and relevance of results

1. Choose your biggest time bottleneck (research, content, or communication)

2. Select the appropriate AI tool for that specific bottleneck

3. Spend 15 minutes teaching that tool about your business context

4. Set up memory features with your processes and preferences

1. Implement chain-of-thought prompting for one complex project

2. Build templates for your most common AI requests

3. Track time saved and quality improvements

4. Gradually automate additional workflow components

"Your side hustle is competing against parents who've figured out how to make AI work 10 times harder than you have."

"AI isn't a search engine – it's a machine you program with words."

"The people making real money with AI aren't using more tools – they're using the right tools better."

"The parents who learn to work with AI effectively won't just build better businesses – they'll reclaim time that seemed impossible to find."

"The question isn't whether AI will change how work gets done. That's already happening. The question is whether you'll be among the people driving that change or getting left behind by it."

AI side hustles, entrepreneur AI tools, make money online with AI, AI productivity, ChatGPT for side hustles, AI automation, parent entrepreneur productivity, AI prompting strategies, ChatGPT, GPT-4, Large Language Model, OpenAI, Anthropic, Claude AI, AI tools, side hustle automation

5 brutal truths about why you should ignore everything I say (and why that makes me the right mentor for your escape plan)

https://DarkHorseEntrepreneur.com/s6e536 

In this episode, Tracy breaks the mold of typical success podcasts by revealing why listeners should question conventional success mindset habits. He shares 5 compelling reasons to ignore his advice, from lacking a classic rags-to-riches story to his ongoing struggles with productive mindset habits. This candid approach exposes the manufactured authenticity pervasive in the personal development industry, offering honest insights for corporate professionals planning their entrepreneurial escape. Through his personal failures and hard-won lessons, Allan illustrates how imperfect mentors can provide more valuable guidance than polished gurus flaunting impossible success stories. Tune in for a fresh perspective on authentic success habits and self improvement habits that can truly transform your approach to achieving success.

00:00 - The problem with origin stories in personal development
00:30 - Introduction and Episode Overview
01:05 - The Truth Bomb: Personal Development as Fantasy
02:25 - The Pivotal Moment Story
04:20 - Reason #1: No Rags-to-Riches Story
05:20 - Reason #2: Failed More Than Succeeded
06:25 - Reason #3: Still Has a Day Job
07:20 - Reason #4: Doesn't Always Follow Own Advice
08:20 - Reason #5: Can't Promise Riches
09:40 - Intelligent Elevation: Manufactured Authenticity
11:20 - Whiskered Wisdom: Stop Looking for Perfect Mentors

• Challenge the Origin Story Myth: Question polished success narratives that seem too perfect

• Embrace Failure as Education: View setbacks as expensive but necessary learning experiences

• Value Transition Experience: Seek mentors who understand building while still employed

• Accept Imperfection: Recognize that consistency isn't about perfection, but about recovery

• Redefine Success Metrics: Focus on alignment and freedom over just financial outcomes

1. No Dramatic Backstory: Relates better to professionals transitioning from success to meaning

2. Multiple Failures: Provides real-world education that success stories can't teach

3. Current Employment: Understands the practical challenges of transition

4. Personal Struggles: Demonstrates humanity and relatability over superhuman discipline

5. Realistic Promises: Offers authentic expectations over false guarantees

• From Rags-to-Riches to Riches-to-Meaning: Reframe the entrepreneurial journey for already-successful professionals

• Golden Handcuffs Recognition: Acknowledge that comfort can be its own prison

• Failure Reframing: See business failures as education investments, not personal defeats

• Imperfection Acceptance: Understand that temporary setbacks don't equal permanent failure

• Authentic Mentorship: Choose guides based on honesty and relatability, not just achievements

• AI Escape Plan: Weekly newsletter for aspiring entrepreneurs and 9-to-5 escapees

• Sign-up: https://DarkHorseInsider.com

• Content Promise: Real strategies, honest failures, hard-won insights without hype

1. Identify Your Perfect Advice Trap: Recognize one area where you've been seeking "perfect" advice or waiting for the "right" mentor

2. Find an Honest Guide: Locate someone 1-3 steps ahead of you who's willing to share real experiences, including failures

3. Reframe Your Story: If you're successful but unfulfilled, shift from seeking rags-to-riches inspiration to riches-to-meaning guidance

• Question Polished Success Stories: Apply healthy skepticism to overly perfect narratives

• Embrace Your Imperfections: Stop using temporary setbacks as evidence of permanent inadequacy

• Seek Authentic Community: Connect with others building meaningful work while managing real-world constraints

• Practice Honest Self-Assessment: Regularly evaluate alignment between your work and your values

• Failure as Education: View setbacks as expensive but necessary learning experiences

• Progress Over Perfection: Focus on consistent forward movement rather than flawless execution

• Authentic Success Definition: Define success by alignment and freedom, not just financial metrics

Tracy Brinkmann reveals the $50 billion agentic AI revolution that's creating a new class of parent entrepreneurs who build "ghost businesses" - income streams that run themselves, make decisions without human input, and generate real money while the owner is completely offline. This isn't basic automation; it's AI agents that think, decide, and execute entire business workflows. Tracy breaks down his Weekend Warrior Blueprint showing exactly how to build your first profitable AI agent in 48 hours, even with zero coding experience.

00:00 - Opening 00:45 - Episode Overview 01:55 - The Age of Doing vs Orchestrating 04:25 - Weekend Warrior Blueprint - Complete System

• Phase 1 Foundation Agent setup

• Phase 2 Intelligence Layer

• Phase 3 Profit Engine implementation

05:05 - Five Best Business Verticals for Parents 06:10 - No-Code Platforms 06:25 - Decision Trees Explained 07:26 - Intelligence Layer Strategy 09:00 - Profit Engine Implementation 10:30 - Monitoring and Optimization 12:45 - The Bigger Picture: Democratization of Business 14:00 - The Psychological Barrier 14:45 - Whiskered Wisdom: Tonight's Action Step

Phase 1: Foundation Agent (Saturday Morning - 2 hours)

1. Choose business vertical from the five best opportunities

2. Set up infrastructure using Make.com or Zapier

3. Create decision trees for automated choices

Phase 2: Intelligence Layer (Saturday Afternoon - 3 hours)

1. Connect to multiple AI models (Claude, GPT-4, specialized tools)

2. Build memory systems using Notion or Airtable

3. Create feedback loops for continuous learning

Phase 3: Profit Engine (Sunday - 4 hours)

1. Implement revenue-generating workflows

2. Set up automated upselling and dynamic pricing

3. Create monitoring and optimization systems

4. Plan horizontal scaling strategy

• Tier 1: Simple task agents

• Tier 2: Decision-making agents

• Tier 3: Full business orchestration systems

• Focus on orchestrating, not doing

• Start with one automated task, master it, then scale

• Use AI agents that get smarter over time

• Build systems that work 90% without human intervention

• Make.com - No-code AI agent platform

• Zapier - Automation platform with AI capabilities

• Notion - AI memory system and database

• Airtable - Alternative database for AI memory

• Claude - AI for complex reasoning and analysis

• GPT-4 - AI for creative content generation

1. Content creation and social media management

2. Customer service and support

3. E-commerce order processing and inventory management

4. Lead generation and email marketing

5. Data analysis and reporting

1. Write down three repetitive tasks you do in your business or side hustle

2. Research automation for ONE task using Make.com or Zapier's AI features

3. Don't overthink - pick the task that resonated most when you heard the list

1. Saturday Morning (2 hours): Set up your Foundation Agent

   • Choose your business vertical

   • Create Make.com or Zapier account

   • Build your first decision tree

2. Saturday Afternoon (3 hours): Build Intelligence Layer

   • Connect multiple AI models

   • Set up memory system

   • Create feedback loops

3. Sunday (4 hours): Launch Profit Engine

   • Implement revenue workflows

   • Set up monitoring systems

   • Plan scaling strategy

• Master one agent before adding another

• Focus on 90% automation, 10% human intervention

• Scale horizontally once profitable

• Consider teaching others as additional revenue stream

https://DarkHorseInsider.com - Join the AI Escape Plan newsletter - your twice-weekly roadmap for parents ready to break free from the 9-to-5 grind. Each issue delivers practical, AI-powered strategies to start, grow, and streamline side hustles, all designed to protect your family time while boosting your income. Your roadmap to more money, more freedom, and more of what truly matters.

Don't wait for the "perfect time." The 18-month window for maximum advantage is open now. Start with one task automation tonight and begin building your escape from trading hours for dollars.

In this game-changing episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, we're tearing down the walls of traditional local business marketing. We introduce revolutionary strategies that can take any local business from hometown hero to global sensation.

The episode kicks off by challenging the traditional notion of "local" in business. We argue that in the age of digital marketing, being local is a mindset, not a market. If you're not online, you're invisible.

We dive deep into the concept of Virtual Dinner Parties, a disruptive marketing strategy that transcends geographical boundaries. These aren't your average Zoom calls; they're highly engaging events that can attract customers from different states, countries, or even continents.

The episode also explores the untapped potential of celebrity endorsements in local business marketing. We discuss how even small businesses can leverage the power and reach of celebrities to gain instant credibility and a broader audience.

Lastly, we address parents who want to make a difference in their local business community. We outline how they can offer Virtual Dinner Parties and celebrity endorsements as a service, turning them into local business marketing superheroes.

Throughout the episode, we punctuate each segment with provocative thoughts and real-life case studies, challenging listeners to rethink their marketing strategies and take action.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in innovative marketing strategies, from business owners to parent entrepreneurs. Tune in to discover how you can revolutionize your approach to local business marketing.

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com

What if I told you that being a parent could be your secret weapon in entrepreneurship? And what if I also told you that most parent entrepreneurs are doing it all wrong? Intrigued? Stick around, because today we're diving deep into the controversial and untold truths about being a 'parent entrepreneur.' You won't want to miss this.
https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/tribe

In this episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, we explore the journey of two parents, Sarah and Mark, who aspire to be digital entrepreneurs. Using the "2 People 1 Difference" technique, we delve into how their choices in continuous learning, time management, and resource investment lead to contrasting outcomes. Sarah enjoys success and a balanced family life, while Mark faces struggles and overwhelm. Tune in for actionable tips and strategies to help you succeed in your own journey as a parentpreneur.
https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/tribe

In this episode of the podcast, we are going to delve deep into the unique challenges and rewards of being a Parent Entrepreneur. Drawing inspiration from Michael Hyatt's insights, this episode is a clarion call for parents to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and challenge the status quo.

Navigating the dual roles of parenting and entrepreneurship is no small feat. We debunk common misconceptions and shine a light on the resilience and creativity required to juggle these responsibilities.

Michael Hyatt's "Entrepreneurs Will Save The World" serves as a beacon, guiding us through the transformative power of entrepreneurship. We challenge some general assumptions and align Hyatt's message with our mission.

Reflect on the corporations you support and their alignment with your values.

Visualize a day in your dream life, balancing work and family seamlessly.

Identify actionable steps to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode, we not only discuss the importance of financial freedom but emphasize the legacy we're building for the next generation. Join us as we challenge the norm, celebrate the journey, and inspire a new wave of parent entrepreneurs.

http://DarkHorseSchooling.com/tribe

Parent Looking For Side Hustles Lets Start Pushing Past Limits: How Jerry Itzler's Pull-Up Challenge Can Transform Your Side Hustle and Family Life

Ever felt like you've hit your limit, only to discover you've barely scratched the surface of your potential? Dive into this episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast and uncover the transformative power of pushing past perceived boundaries.

Discover the riveting story of Jerry Itzler and his unexpected lesson with a Navy Seal—a tale that challenges everything we believe about our own limits. Learn how this lesson isn't just about physical endurance but a masterclass in mental resilience.

Explore how the principles from Jerry's experience can be seamlessly integrated into the digital nomad journey. From launching side hustles to navigating the unpredictable world of digital entrepreneurship, this episode offers invaluable insights for every aspiring digital nomad parent.

And if you think that's all, wait until you hear about the surprising ways these lessons can redefine your approach to family life. A game-changing revelation awaits!

Ready to unlock a world of untapped potential? Tune into this episode and embark on a journey that promises to transform your entrepreneurial endeavors and family dynamics. Listen now and redefine what's possible!

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/Tribe

Unleash your inner digital nomad with today's episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, 'The Digital Jungle: Mastering the Art of Online Collaboration and Fair Play.' Discover how the laws of the jungle apply to the world of digital marketing and learn to navigate this landscape like a pro.

As, we delve into the importance of recognizing your role in the digital ecosystem. Whether you're the lion leading the hunt or the fox contributing to a larger cause, understanding your position is key to success. We also explore the art of rewarding fairly, a crucial strategy for building strong, successful collaborations in the digital world.

But that's not all. We've got a third, game-changing insight that's guaranteed to revolutionize the way you approach your digital marketing efforts. Curious? You'll have to tune in to find out.

So, are you ready to conquer the digital jungle? Listen to 'The Digital Jungle: Mastering the Art of Online Collaboration and Fair Play' now, and take the first step towards becoming the ultimate digital entrepreneur.

#DigitalMarketing, #OnlineCollaboration, #FairPlay, #DigitalNomadLife, #RecognizeYourRole, #RewardFairly, #Entrepreneurship, #GlobalDigitalMarket, #CollaborationSuccess, #DigitalEcosystem

#ParentEntrepreneurs #DigitalNomadLife #WealthCreation #DanKennedy #MindsetMatters #BusinessGrowth #SideHustles #WorkLifeBalance #FinancialIndependence #EntrepreneurialJourney #SuccessMindset #BusinessTips #Entrepreneurship #BusinessStrategy #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessSuccess #Motivation #Inspiration

#makemoneyonline #businessideas #digitalnomad #passiveincome #escapethe9to5 #quityourjob #entrepreneurship #digitalmarketing #socialmediamarketing #contentmarketing

Ready to unlock the secrets of persuasion and supercharge your entrepreneurial journey? Tune to this episode where we delve into the art of persuasion, a skill that's not just for salespeople, but for anyone looking to influence others - including parents guiding their children.

In this episode, we reveal the power of three little words that can break sales records. We'll show you how a simple change in language can create a surge in sales, and how you can apply this strategy in your own business and even in your interactions with your kids. 

We also explore the magic of relatable testimonials. Discover why testimonials from people who mirror your target audience can be far more effective than those from high-profile figures. This insight could be a game-changer for your side hustle.

But that's not all. We also delve into a third, surprising strategy that can help you sell more, even if people don't necessarily like you. Intrigued? You should be. 

So, if you're a parent dreaming of escaping the 9 to 5 grind and turning your side hustle into your main income stream, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in, take notes, and start transforming your entrepreneurial journey today. Your future self will thank you.

Ready to unlock the secrets of persuasion and supercharge your entrepreneurial journey? Tune to this episode where we delve into the art of persuasion, a skill that's not just for salespeople, but for anyone looking to influence others - including parents guiding their children.

In this episode, we reveal the power of three little words that can break sales records. We'll show you how a simple change in language can create a surge in sales, and how you can apply this strategy in your own business and even in your interactions with your kids. 

We also explore the magic of relatable testimonials. Discover why testimonials from people who mirror your target audience can be far more effective than those from high-profile figures. This insight could be a game-changer for your side hustle.

But that's not all. We also delve into a third, surprising strategy that can help you sell more, even if people don't necessarily like you. Intrigued? You should be. 

So, if you're a parent dreaming of escaping the 9 to 5 grind and turning your side hustle into your main income stream, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in, take notes, and start transforming your entrepreneurial journey today. Your future self will thank you.

Calling all parent entrepreneurs! In this compelling episode of The Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, we're unlocking the secrets to wealth creation with a transformative lesson from marketing guru, Dan Kennedy. Discover how the attitudes of those around you can significantly impact your journey towards financial independence and the digital nomad life you yearn for.

Learn how one strategic change in a team led to a 30% increase in profits, and how you can apply this wisdom to your own entrepreneurial journey. But that's not all. We're also sharing a third, game-changing insight that promises to revolutionize your approach to business.

Are you ready to boost your income, regain control over your schedule, and build a life that aligns with your dreams? Then keep listening and let's navigate the path to wealth creation together. This episode is a wealth creation mini masterclass you won't want to miss!

Embracing Change: A New Chapter for Parents and Side Hustles on The Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast

Welcome to a new chapter of The Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, where we're shifting our focus towards parents eager to embark on the journey of becoming digital nomads via side hustles.

Our host, Tracy Brinkmann, draws on their personal experiences of juggling work, kids, and the arduous quest for a work-life balance. Realizing that a large part of our listeners share similar struggles and dreams, we've decided to gear our podcast to cater explicitly to hardworking parents.

This shift in focus isn't just on a whim. We've narrowed down three compelling reasons why parents are the perfect candidates for starting a side hustle:

Parents face unique financial pressures, such as daycare and education costs. A side hustle can alleviate these pressures by providing an extra income stream.

Parents yearn for control over their schedules to spend quality time with their kids. Side hustles offer the flexibility to achieve this.

Parents aim to set good examples for their kids by demonstrating that hard work and creativity can lead to success. Side hustles are perfect platforms to demonstrate this.

In this new chapter, we also share practical advice for parents ready to plunge into the world of side hustles. Here are three quick tips:

Start with something you love. It's easier to find time for a hustle when it's something you're passionate about.

Start with achievable goals, celebrate small victories, and allow your hustle to grow organically.

Remember, you're a parent, you're working, and you're starting a business. Take it slow and be patient with yourself.

Join us in our new journey on The Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, where we transform from hardworking parents to trailblazing digital nomads. Let's make the dream a reality, together!

Host Tracy Brinkmann reveals how a Phoenix mom of three built a $2,847/month income stream by creating custom GPTs during her kids' naptime. This episode breaks down the exact 3-step system for turning parental pain points into profitable AI solutions, featuring real strategies that work around family schedules without sacrificing precious time with kids.

00:00 - Opening

00:51 - Podcast Introduction & Episode Overview

01:20 - The Naptime Entrepreneur Revolution

02:42 - Lisa's Breakthrough Story

04:15 - Step 1: The Pain Point Audit (15 minutes)

06:05 - Step 2: The Naptime Build (45-90 minutes)

06:25 - Step 3: The Family-Proof Launch (30 minutes setup)

08:20 - The Bigger Picture: AI Democratization

09:40 - Whiskered Wisdom: 15-Minute Pain Point Inventory

Episode on using AI for Deep Research - https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/EP513

1. Pain Point Audit (15 minutes during morning coffee)

2. Naptime Build (45-90 minutes focused time)

3. Family-Proof Launch (30 minutes setup, then runs itself)

• Birthday party planning

• Meal planning for picky eaters

• Youth sports team organization

• School fundraiser coordination

• Family budget tracking

• Start pricing at $3-5 per conversation

• Upload to ChatGPT store

• Share in relevant parent communities

• Let word-of-mouth drive growth

• OpenAI GPT Store - Platform for selling custom GPTs

• AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Weekly strategies for parent entrepreneurs https://DarkHorseInsider.com

• Facebook Groups - Primary distribution channel for parent-focused GPTs

• Parenting Forums - Secondary distribution for validation and sales

• 15-Minute Pain Point Inventory: Set timer, brain dump every frustrating task you've Googled as a parent in past month

• Circle the 3 most frustrating problems

• These become your first 3 custom GPT ideas

• Choose your most frustrating pain point

• Validate demand in 3 relevant Facebook groups

• Block out 90 minutes for your first GPT build

• Build and launch your first custom GPT

• Price at $3-5 per conversation

• Share in parent communities where your audience gathers

Join the AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Your weekly roadmap for parents ready to break free from the 9-to-5 grind. Each issue delivers practical, AI-powered strategies to start, grow, and streamline side hustles—all designed to protect your family time while boosting your income. https://DarkHorseInsider.com

Key Message: Your goal isn't to become an AI expert—it's to use AI to get your life back.

"The custom GPT market isn't being dominated by tech bros in Silicon Valley. It's being conquered by soccer moms in suburbia."

"Your pain points are your profit points. If you're struggling with it, thousands of others are too."

"The parents who take action on this simple exercise will be the ones building their first GPT next week."

"Stop waiting for the perfect time. Start building during naptime. Your future self and your family will thank you."

Struggling to expand your customer base and enhance the traction for your offerings? Well, today's episode delves into a proven, yet underutilized strategy that's an absolute game-changer - Strategic Marketing Partnerships.

We break down the process of forming a powerful alliance with non-competing businesses that share the same target audience. Discover the incredible potential these partnerships unlock in driving exponential growth and boosting customer retention. You'll learn how to identify prospective partners and integrate your services in a way that amplifies the value you deliver to your customers.

And that's not all. We also discuss how to effectively leverage your partners' user bases to promote your product or service, resulting in unprecedented traffic to your offerings.

But wait, there's a third point - a secret sauce if you will, that ties all of these strategies together. It's a game-changing insight you can't afford to miss.

Ready to unlock massive growth for your business? Well listen closely and dive into a world of strategic alliances and the incredible potential they hold.

Get ready to revolutionize your sales strategy with Joe Graham, a three-time President's Circle award winner, in this enlightening episode of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast. Discover how Joe turned his initial fears and challenges in sales into a successful career by focusing on one simple truth: sales is about helping people. Dive deep into the art of problem-solving and the power of relationship-building in sales, two key elements that have defined Joe's success across various industries. But that's not all. Joe also shares a game-changing perspective on productivity in sales, a secret that has helped him maintain his peak performance. Tune in to uncover this hidden gem and more!

Imagine the power of a single sentence. Just a few carefully chosen words that have the ability to captivate, persuade, and ignite action. That's the magic of a compelling headline. In the vast realm of content and sales copy, the headline is your golden ticket to grabbing attention, arousing curiosity, and driving conversions. Whether you're an aspiring marketer, an entrepreneur, or a seasoned professional, mastering the art of writing irresistible headlines is a skill that can supercharge your business and set you apart from the competition. So, if you're ready to uncover the secrets behind crafting headlines that command attention and unlock the door to explosive sales success, you've come to the right place. 

Get ready to dive into the world of headline alchemy and watch your business soar to new heights

 Dive into this enlightening conversation with Lauren Petrullo, the founder of Mongoose Media, as she shares her journey from working with Disney to establishing her own successful marketing agency. Discover how she leverages the power of referrals to grow her business and her unique approach to transparency in reporting. But that's not all - Lauren also reveals her fascinating views on a futuristic concept that could revolutionize content creation. Tune in to find out more!

Ever heard the saying "stand for something or you will fall for anything? That will mean a little more to you here in a few minutes…why?  Well today we dive into the intriguing world of making money online no matter what direction the winds of the market are taking. Today, we have an exciting case study to share with you, one that may be considered clever and even a bit diabolical. But hey, sometimes unconventional approaches lead to extraordinary results.

Discover powerful strategies to make money in any market! Join us in this engaging podcast episode as we explore the diabolically clever approach of our expert, Jill, who shares actionable tips and insights for financial success. From stocks to cryptocurrencies, commodities to digital products, learn how to navigate market fluctuations and unlock new opportunities for wealth creation. Tune in now to gain an edge in your financial journey. Don't miss Episode 416 for more income generation and entrepreneurial tips.

#digitalmarketing #entrepreneurship #passiveincome #financialsuccess #marketinginsights #digitalproducts

Are you ready to take your marketing to the next level and captivate your audience like never before? Join us in this compelling podcast episode as we dive deep into the world of teasing as a smart marketing strategy. Discover how the art of withholding just enough can make your customers crave more of what you have to offer. In this episode, we unveil the secrets behind the effectiveness of teasing and its profound impact on sales growth. Learn how to create an irresistible desire for your products or services, leaving your audience eagerly coming back for more. We'll share actionable tips on how to implement this strategy in various business scenarios, whether you sell memberships, ebooks, services, or consumed products. Don't miss out on this opportunity to revolutionize your marketing approach and witness a surge in customer engagement and sales. Tune in now and unleash the power of teasing to propel your business to new heights!

 Do you struggle with creating products that don't sell? Are you tired of feeling stuck in a cycle of failed product launches? In this episode of The Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, we explore the #1 reason why JVzoo products fail and how to avoid this common mistake.

First, we discuss the importance of solving a problem that customers are willing to pay to solve. It's not enough to simply solve a problem that you think needs solving - you must understand your target market and their pain points to create a product that truly resonates.

Secondly, we delve into the power of market research and testing. By gathering feedback and data from your target market, you can ensure that your product solves a real need and has the potential to succeed.

And finally, there is third key point that will revolutionize the way you approach product creation and launch.

Don't miss out on this game-changing episode. Listen now to learn how to avoid the common mistake that causes JVzoo products to fail and take actionable steps towards launching successful products that solve real problems for your target market.

Are you tired of lackluster landing page images that just don't convert? In this episode, we'll reveal the power of using the right images on your landing page. We'll show you how to showcase your product and evoke emotions that will make your visitors want to buy. Plus, we'll share a surprise tip that just might revolutionize your image strategy. Don't settle for subpar conversions - listen to this episode now and start optimizing your landing page images for maximum impact.

Do you want to know how to generate a steady and reliable income as an entrepreneur? Well, in this episode, we'll reveal the secret weapon that helped Judy (not her real name) earn well over $50,000 a year while spending only about 10 hours on it per month. And the best part? You can do it too!

The first key to Judy's success is promoting her newsletter as her flagship product. By doing this, she can build trust with her subscribers and sell more of her own and affiliate products. Plus, most of her coaching clients come from her newsletter, which pays her $1,000 a month for just two one-hour sessions. That's $500 an hour!

The second key to Judy's success is using her newsletter to create and test new products. She asks her readers for feedback and uses the most popular articles to determine which products to create next. This saves her time and money by avoiding products that would have flopped. Plus, she repurposes her newsletter content into new products, like books and guest blog posts."

But that's not all. In this episode, we'll also reveal a third key that's even more powerful. Hint: it's about how Judy leverages SMS messages to drive snap buying decisions and instant money. You don't want to miss it!

Are you ready to unlock the power of newsletters and earn a steady income as an entrepreneur? Then listen to our full podcast episode to discover the third key to Judy's success and learn actionable tips on how to create, promote, and monetize your own newsletter. Click now to listen to 'EP 414: 17 Expert Methods to Grow Your Email List.'"

Looking for a quick cash injection? Look no further! In this episode, we're sharing a proven method that can help you make up to $100,000 in just one week.

First, we'll reveal how Vinnie, an online marketer, made this happen using an exclusive VIP club limited to just 100 people. We'll explore the perks he included to make the membership highly desirable and how he sold it in less than five hours.

Next, we'll share how you can use this same method to help a local business owner, such as a restaurant, and help them bring in more profits. We'll dive into the details of creating a VIP club and how to market it effectively.

But wait, there's more! We have a third point to share, but you'll have to listen to the episode to find out what it is.

Ready to take action and start making some serious cash? Remember to check out: 

EP 417 How To Earn 6 Figures By Capturing Birthdays

#digitalmarketing #digitalmarketingagency #digitalmarketingtips #digitalmarketingtraining #digitalmarketingcourse #smallbusiness #marketingtips #entrepreneur #businessstrategy #cashflow

#VIPclub #lumpsum #financialfreedom #businessgrowth #moneymanagement

Tracy exposes the uncomfortable truth about AI productivity tools: they're creating more burnout than breakthrough for parent entrepreneurs. Through real client stories and practical frameworks, he reveals why having more AI tools is making parents more exhausted and provides the 3-2-1 Digital Minimalism Framework to reclaim mental space, family time, and actual productivity.

00:00 Opening

00:51 Episode Overview

01:45 The Maria Case Study

04:00 The 3-2-1 Digital Minimalism Framework

• 3-Tool Rule: ChatGPT/Claude, Zapier/Make, Notion/ClickUp only

• 2-Hour AI Window: 30 minutes morning planning + 90 minutes execution

• 1-Week Digital Detox: Monthly recalibration period

• 4-week implementation timeline

07:10 The Bigger Picture

08:30 Whiskered Wisdom - Tonight's Action

• The AI Tool Audit: List every AI tool used in past week

• Tomorrow's reflection questions about time saved vs. feeling busy

• Awareness as first step toward digital freedom

1. Limit to 3 AI tools maximum

   • One AI writing assistant

   • One automation platform

   • One organization system

2. Restrict AI interaction to 2 hours daily

   • 30-minute morning block for planning/content

   • 90-minute execution block during work time

   • No AI interaction outside these windows

3. Take 1 week off monthly

   • Complete digital detox from all AI tools

   • Manual planning, writing, and thinking

   • Brain recalibration and dependency prevention

• Week 1: Audit current AI tool stack

• Week 2: Cut ruthlessly to 3 essential tools

• Week 3: Implement 2-hour AI windows with alarms

• Week 4: First digital detox week

• AI Escape Plan Newsletter (family-tested AI strategies) https://DarkHorseInsider.com

• ChatGPT and Claude (AI writing assistants)

• Zapier and Make.com (automation platforms)

• Notion and ClickUp (organization systems)

1. Open notes app on your phone

2. List every single AI tool used in the past week

3. Don't judge yourself - just document everything

Ask yourself for each tool:

• Did this actually save me time?

• Did this make me feel busier or more scattered?

• Use this awareness to identify which tools serve vs. overwhelm you

Begin Week 1 of the 4-week implementation:

• Complete comprehensive audit of all AI tools

• Prepare mentally for the "cutting" phase

• Start noticing your current AI interaction patterns

Join the AI Escape Plan Newsletter - https://DarkHorseInsider.com - Weekly roadmap for parents ready to break free from digital overwhelm and build sustainable income streams using AI the right way. Focus on protecting mental energy while boosting income, designed for more money, more freedom, and more peace of mind.

Key Message: The goal isn't to use more AI tools—it's to use the right ones, the right way, so you can actually live your life.

• "You're not using AI tools—they're using you."

• "The most productive parents aren't the ones using the most AI tools—they're the ones who've learned to say no to digital noise so they can say yes to what actually matters."

• "Your kids need you present, not productive. Your family needs you peaceful, not optimized."

• "Stop collecting AI tools like they're Pokemon cards and start using them like the precision instruments they're designed to be."

Are you ready to discover a sneaky yet effective way to build an SMS list fast and increase profits for your small business? In this episode, we're going to dive into a case study of how a guy named Mark earned six figures by capturing birthdays and setting up SMS messaging for businesses. By the end of this episode, you'll have a step-by-step guide on how you can start providing this SMS service to business owners and see the same success as Mark. So grab a notebook and let's get started!

Mark is a successful entrepreneur who has earned six figures by taking advantage of a creative, yet effective way to increase profits for his small business - capturing birthdays and setting up an SMS messaging service. This episode provides a step-by-step guide on how to provide this service to business owners and replicate Mark's success. It also provides advice to business owners who are looking for ways to increase their profits. Mark's story shows that entrepreneurs can be successful despite feeling overwhelmed by technology.

Mark is an entrepreneur who works with businesses to implement an SMS messaging service that captures customers' phone numbers and birthdays. The businesses then send out a free birthday gift redeemable on the person's birthday. This strategy helps the businesses build an SMS list quickly, as well as increase their profits, as two birthdays a week can bring in an extra 200, and ten can bring in an extra thousand. To make it even more effective, Mark suggests creating a real tangible product to be shipped out to the birthday customers, which commands a higher price and results in more positive reviews. To get started, businesses must implement the SMS messaging service and then begin capturing customers' birthdays.

Tracy Brinkmann explores the concept of using an SMS service to help businesses build their customer list and increase customer loyalty. It is a powerful tool for increasing revenue and foot traffic, as well as saving on marketing costs. The steps for entrepreneurs looking to provide this service to businesses are outlined: research SMS services, create a website to showcase the services, and use Groove Funnels to collect emails.

Tracy talks about creating an SMS marketing service for businesses in the food and entertainment industry. The speaker suggests taking advantage of the free level of service for 30 or 60 days to get the service up and running. Potential clients should be identified, and customized SMS marketing campaigns should be created for each one. These campaigns should include personalized birthday greetings and incentives to encourage customers to visit the business. Staff should be trained on how to capture customer data and create an SMS calendar to include special promotions and offers for different times of the year. Tracy suggests leveraging special days of the month to build up to a big movie release or other promotional events. 

Timestamps

0:00:00 "Unlock the Secrets to Building an SMS List and Increasing Profits for Your Small Business"

0:01:17 "Unlock Six-Figure Profits with Birthday Capturing: An Interview with Mark, a Savvy Entrepreneur"

0:03:46 "The Benefits of Using a Birthday SMS Service for Businesses"

0:08:18 "Creating an Effective SMS Marketing Strategy for the Food and Entertainment Industry"

0:09:47 Heading: Leveraging SMS Marketing to Increase Customer Loyalty and Profits

Are you ready to turn your passion into profit and earn thousands by developing and selling digital products? Look no further because this podcast episode has got you covered. Based on Neil Patel's million-dollar formula, we'll be taking you through a step-by-step process to help you create and sell digital products without the guesswork. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you reach your earning potential. So tune in and learn how to turn your ideas into a successful digital product business.

The podcast episode delves into the topic of creating and selling digital products using Neil Patel's million-dollar formula. The hosts provide a step-by-step guide to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful digital products. They also aim to help those who are battling technology overwhelm, procrastination, and imposter syndrome.

The conversation discusses the seven steps to making serious money online through selling information products. The first step is finding a niche where people are willing to spend money on info products. The conversation emphasizes that making money through this method requires work and effort, but the amount of money earned is up to the individual. The conversation also mentions Neil's success in selling info products and how he eventually transitioned to building bigger businesses. The process takes time and effort, but can lead to significant earnings.

To find out what the audience is willing to pay for, the hosts suggest running surveys, reaching out to social media, and looking at best-selling products in the niche. They also emphasize the importance of paying attention to the main themes and pain points addressed in sales letters and testimonials. The ultimate goal is to create a product that solves the audience's issues and gets straight to the point.

One way to make money is by offering an upgrade for people who don't want to do the work themselves. The podcast gives the example of offering a course on how to build an ideal website that converts visitors, with the option to upgrade to having the work done for them. The ideal product not only solves a problem, but it also gives the opportunity to offer an upgrade for many people who will want it. The conversation emphasizes that people are passionate about finding solutions to their problems and are eager to buy even before the product is created.

Webinars are discussed as a way to sell high-ticket information products. To make a successful sales pitch during a webinar, the hosts suggest providing valuable information to the audience and keeping them engaged. They also emphasize the importance of offering a trial offer to reduce resistance and increase the number of people who will try the product. The speaker suggests making a sales pitch at the end of the webinar, offering an incentive to make a purchase right away. Follow-up emails can also be used to remind potential buyers of the benefits of the product.

Step four highlights the importance of delivering ongoing updates, coaching, and training to customers after the sale. By doing this, entrepreneurs can increase customer satisfaction, reduce refund requests, and have a reason to stay in contact with them, which can lead to more sales. The conversation also suggests offering a $1 trial offer to increase sales and gain confidence in selling on webinars.

Creating a community and staying in contact with customers after the sale is also important. By offering updates, group coaching, and other products, entrepreneurs can increase customer satisfaction, reduce refund requests, and create a tribe that people want to be a part of. The focus should be on helping customers achieve their goals and showing that entrepreneurs care about their success, which will lead to them being more receptive to future offers.

To scale up revenue, the conversation suggests building a tribe and surveying them, using relationships with other movers and shakers in the niche to get their audiences on the webinar, and using paid ads for a continuous stream of new attendees. The speaker emphasizes the importance of perseverance and not quitting, even if you don't see immediate success. Paid advertising on platforms like YouTube and Facebook is also recommended as an effective tactic.

The conversation concludes with advice on how to overcome the fear of failure and practice public speaking for webinars. The importance of monitoring metrics and identifying choke points to make necessary corrections is emphasized for a successful webinar. Strategies to keep attendees engaged, such as providing value and incentives, are also discussed. The conversation suggests creating a course and a funnel then holding the first webinar four to six weeks later. The speaker predicts that after two to three months, decent money can be earned, and after six months, one webinar with 1000 sign-ups can generate $15,000.

[CHAPTERS]

[0:00:00] "Learn How to Develop and Sell Digital Products with Neil Patel's Million Dollar Formula: A Step-by-Step Guide"

[0:02:30] "Insights into the Online Marketing Strategies of Top Marketers"

[0:04:34] "Seven Steps to Making Serious Money Online: A Professional Writer's Guide"

[0:06:18] Tips for Finding Out What Your Audience is Willing to Pay For

[0:10:11] Creating an Ideal Product: Solving Problems and Offering Upgrades

[0:11:50] "Monetizing Your Expertise: Offering Courses and Services to Generate Income"

[0:13:43] Tips for Selling High Ticket Information Products through Webinars

[0:19:04] Tips for Selling on Webinars: Revealing Secrets, Creating Urgency, and Removing Risk

[0:24:08] "Using Trial Offers to Increase Sales and Reduce Resistance: Insights from Neil"

[0:26:18] Maximizing Sales on Webinars: Tips and Strategies for Entrepreneurs

[0:28:33] "Importance of Customer Service in Increasing Customer Satisfaction and Sales"

[0:30:27] Creating a Robust Community: The Power of Building a Tribe in Entrepreneurship

[0:32:11] "6 Steps to Scale Up Your Revenue with Webinars: Tips from a Pro Writer"

[0:34:22] Tips for Selling via Webinars: Strategies to Boost Your Sales and Audience Engagement

[0:35:58] Tips for Improving Your Webinar Performance and Increasing Engagement

[0:40:47] "Maximizing Webinar Results: Strategies for Increasing Sales and Engagement"

[0:43:05] Transcript of "Step-by-Step Guide to Earning Thousands by Developing and Selling Digital Products" on the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast.

This episode revolves around increasing conversions on landing pages and other website pages. Tracy Brinkmann shares ten proven tweaks that can help increase conversions, such as adding a call-to-action in each section, removing all navigation options except for the desired action, and making all text easy to read. They emphasize that these tweaks have been tested and proven to work, and encourage listeners to implement them to see increased results.

Tracy discusses several tips to improve conversions on landing pages, including making the page visually appealing and easy to read, engaging readers with questions and customized results, using GEOIP to personalize content, adding calls to action within blog content, and making the landing page congruent with the ad that brought the traffic. Tracy also suggests using a GIF in exit pop-ups and recommends services that can help create interactive quizzes. These tips can increase conversions by up to 30% or more.

One of the tips discussed is to add a call to action in each section of the landing page, while the second tip is to remove all options and navigation to go anywhere else. The third tip is to make all text easy to read. The speakers emphasize the importance of actually using these tips and testing them to see what works best for each individual business.

Tracy advises making it difficult for customers to buy a product as it can increase conversions, by making them jump through a few hoops to qualify for the product. They suggest taking customers to a landing page that is congruent with the ad or page that sent them there as incongruencies can cause them to leave. Another tip is to add a checkout bump to the order page, offering a second product at a discounted price, which can increase profits. Tracy recommends pricing the checkout bump at 50% or lower than the main product and explaining the benefits in just a few sentences.

Tracy Brinkman discusses the counterintuitive technique of making it difficult for prospects to buy a product in order to increase conversions. He suggests making the prospect jump through a couple of hoops to see if they qualify to buy the product, by asking them questions about their age, health, etc. This technique can be used to weed out customers who are not a good fit for the product or to make the prospect work to earn their right to buy the product. Brinkman advises testing this technique and all others to see what works best for each individual business.

Tracy suggest adding calls to action inside blog content instead of just placing them in the sidebar or at the bottom of the blog. They also recommend using GEOIP to personalize landing pages with location-based language, which can bump conversions by 10 to 25%. Another tip is to make your landing page congruent with the page that visitors came from, to avoid incongruencies that could cause them to bail. Finally, adding checkout bumps to order pages can increase profits, and they should be priced at 50% or lower than the main product.

In conclusion, this episode provides several tips to increase conversions on landing pages and other website pages. The speakers emphasize the importance of testing these techniques to see what works best for each individual business. They also promote the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast as a resource for entrepreneurs struggling with technology overwhelm and imposter syndrome.

[CHAPTERS]

[0:00:00] "Boost Your Landing Page Conversions: 10 Proven Tweaks for Success"

[0:01:48] "10 Proven Tips to Improve Your Landing Page Conversion Rates"

[0:07:48] "8 Proven Strategies to Boost Your Website Conversions: Tips from a Professional Writer"

[0:10:16] "10 Tips to Boost Your Online Sales and Increase Profits"

[0:13:35] "Using Counterintuitive Strategies to Increase Conversions: Making it Difficult to Buy"

[0:15:22] Podcast Episode: Boosting Conversions on Your Website with Tracy Brinkman

Digital marketing,  digital marketing agency, digital marketing tips, digital marketing training, digital marketing course, website conversions, how to increase website conversions,boost website conversions,conversion rate optimization,increase website conversions,conversion rate,conversion optimization,increase conversion rate,boost your website conversions,more website conversions,boosting website conversions, landing page optimization

#digitalmarketing #digitalmarketingagency #digitalmarketingtips #digitalmarketingtraining #digitalmarketingcourse #searchengineoptimization #WebsiteConversion #websiteconversions #conversion #conversions #conversionrateoptimization #conversionrate #conversionoptimization #conversionmarketing #ConversionRates #landingPage #landingpages#LandingPageOptimization

Tracy Brinkmann shares challenges of building and maintaining a profitable email list for entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators. The emphasis was on continually adding new subscribers to the list and offering simple and effective methods for doing so.  He also shared the importance of keeping subscribers engaged and loyal.

Tracy discussed some simple and effective methods for building an email list faster. One strategy suggested was to encourage subscribers to forward emails by adding a button that says Email to a friend and including it in the call to action. Another strategy was to revive an old email list with an opt-in campaign, which involves creating a series of fun emails promising an awesome gift if they re-opt in. The third strategy was to add Easter eggs to your emails, such as hyperlinked words that lead to a surprise or clues to a special URL. Other methods include creating new lead magnets, free online tools, and unique email content.

The importance of providing value to subscribers with each email and making a human connection was emphasized. Tracy also shared tips for email marketing, including segmenting email lists based on demographics and interests, hosting contests, and providing value to subscribers in every email. Tracy  emphasizes the importance of making a human connection with subscribers and offering specific freebies or surveys to understand their interests better.

This episode continues with various strategies to increase email list subscribers, such as segmenting the email list based on interests, demographics, and psychographics. Another strategy was to host giveaways that require contact information to be entered, and to offer something that only the target audience would love. Shortening lead capture forms, adding CTA buttons to social media pages, and sharing newsletter previews via social media were also suggested. Additionally, adding gated content to Facebook, asking for feedback on websites, and adding outros to YouTube videos with links to landing pages were recommended.

Overall, the conversation provided 17 useful insights and practical tips on how to build and maintain a profitable email list. Whether it's encouraging subscribers to forward emails, adding Easter eggs to your emails, or segmenting email lists based on interests, it's important to make a human connection with subscribers and provide value with every email. By implementing these strategies consistently, entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators can build a profitable email list and engage their audience effectively.

[CHAPTERS]

[0:00:00] "Effective Strategies for Building and Maintaining a Profitable Email List for Entrepreneurs"

[0:01:58] "Effective Techniques for Building Your Email List Faster"

[0:04:03] "6 Creative Ways to Boost Your Email List and Engagement"

[0:09:04] Tips for Creating Valuable and Engaging Email Content for Subscribers

[0:10:24] "Effective Email Marketing Strategies: Segmenting Lists and Hosting Contests"

[0:12:38] Tips for Increasing Email List Subscribers through Social Media and Website Optimization

[0:17:56] 17 Effective Strategies for Building Your Email List: A Professional Discussion.

[0:19:48] "Tips for Building Your Email List: A Conversation with Tracy Brinkman"

Email marketing is an essential tool for small business owners and marketers to connect with their audience, build relationships, and drive conversions. In this episode, Tracy Brinkmann provides five simple steps for successful email campaigns. These steps included building and growing an email list, having a strong email marketing strategy, creating engaging and valuable content, optimizing for mobile devices, and analyzing and refining campaigns.

To build an email list, the speaker recommended offering lead magnets, using social media and referral programs, and leveraging paid advertising. Segmenting email lists based on demographics, behaviors, and interests is essential for creating targeted and relevant lists. Personalization and automation can be used to create targeted and relevant email lists for each segment, with dynamic content and merge tags used to personalize emails with subscriber information.

A strong email marketing strategy involves defining goals and objectives, developing a content strategy that aligns with those goals, testing and optimizing campaigns, and staying compliant with email regulations.

Tracy also discussed the importance of using automation to create triggered emails, such as abandoned cart emails and welcome email series. By sending targeted emails, businesses can increase their sales and nurture their subscribers. 

Concise language and consistent brand voice are necessary in creating attention-grabbing headlines and engaging content. Additionally, using paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings can help break up the text and make it scannable for subscribers.

Testing and optimizing email campaigns can improve results and maximize return on investment. AB testing is a powerful strategy for testing different elements like subject lines, call-to-actions, or images. Compliance with email marketing regulations is also emphasized as an essential aspect.

Stay In Compliance With Your Email Marketing

Tracy discussed regulations like the Can Spam Act, GDPR, CASL, and CCPA. Compliance can be achieved by obtaining consent for email addresses, providing transparency on how the data will be used, including an unsubscribe link, optimizing for mobile devices, using personalization and segmentation, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

In summary, email marketing is a powerful tool for small business owners and marketers to connect with their audience, build relationships, and drive conversions. By following the five steps outlined in this conversation, businesses can create successful email campaigns that engage subscribers, increase sales, and build a loyal customer base.

In this episode, Tracy Brinkmann discusses search engine optimization (SEO) and how it can help businesses rank higher in search engine results, driving more organic traffic to their websites. 

1-keyword research

2-online page optimization

3-offline page optimization

4-technical SEO

5-content marketing. 

Tracy explains that keyword research involves identifying the keywords and phrases that your target audience is using to search for information. 

Online page optimization involves optimizing the content on your website to make it easier for search engines to understand and index. 

Offline page optimization involves optimizing external factors such as backlinks and social media presence. 

Technical SEO involves optimizing technical aspects of your website such as page speed and mobile responsiveness. 

Finally, content marketing involves creating high-quality, engaging content that is optimized for search engines and targeted towards your audience. By incorporating these strategies, businesses can improve their online visibility, attract more organic traffic, and ultimately drive more sales.

Tracy discusses the key elements of search engine optimization (SEO) that can help businesses improve their website's ranking on search engine result pages. The first step is to identify high-value keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner and Semrush. On-page optimization involves optimizing individual pages of a website, including page titles, meta descriptions, headings, content, images, and internal links. Off-page optimization involves building backlinks from other reputable websites, which helps improve a website's authority and relevance. The technical piece of SEO includes optimizing website speed, mobile responsiveness, architecture, security, and crawlers. Content marketing is also an essential part of SEO, as it attracts and engages the target audience with valuable content. It is crucial to ensure that the content is relevant and provides value to the audience, as search engines pay attention to user engagement and drive more traffic to websites that provide value. By implementing these SEO strategies, businesses can improve their website's visibility and attract more relevant traffic to their website.

Tracy discusses the importance of keyword research in digital marketing. They emphasize that it is critical to identify the keywords and phrases that the target audience is using to search for information related to the business or service. 

Tracy explains that seed keywords, which are the broad keywords relevant to the industry, should be identified first. He suggests using tools like Google Keyword Planner and Semrush to expand the list of seed keywords and identify related keywords from the target audience. Tracy  highlights the importance of analyzing competitor keywords to gain insights into their strategies and potentially identify gaps in the market. Overall, the Tracy emphasizes that keyword research is a crucial component of digital marketing and should not be overlooked.

Tracy advises business' to analyze their competitors' keywords to identify gaps in their own keyword strategy and find new opportunities. By finding these gaps and filling them, it can help entrepreneurs achieve faster rankings and improve their overall SEO. 

It is important to understand the intent behind each keyword, whether they are searching for information or a specific product or service. By delivering the right kind of value, it can improve the relevance and lift up the value for the writer. High-value keywords are those with high search volume, low competition, and high relevance to the writer's business. The speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing these high-value keywords and doing research to identify which ones are in demand. By doing so, writers can improve their SEO and gain a competitive edge in the market.

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com

In this episode, host Tracy Brinkmann discusses the importance of social media for digital entrepreneurs. He highlights the billions of users worldwide, providing unique opportunities to reach target audiences, build brand awareness, and drive engagement. Tracy offers tips and strategies for creating engaging content, building a following, and measuring results.

Tracy emphasizes the crucial role social media marketing plays in a successful digital marketing strategy and provides helpful insights for beginners. Overall, the conversation aims to help entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators build a business online by leveraging the power of social media.

Tracy discusses the importance of social media marketing in a digital marketing strategy. He advises listeners to choose the right platforms based on their target audience and the type of content they need to create, and to create engaging content that adds value to their audience. Leveraging the power of influencers is another key point, as it can help businesses reach new audiences and drive traffic to their website. Paid social media advertising is also recommended as an effective way to generate leads and sales, and engaging with the audience is essential for building a loyal following. The host emphasizes the importance of measuring the results of social media marketing campaigns and making adjustments as needed. By implementing a strategic approach that includes these key points, businesses can create a powerful social media strategy that promotes their brand and drives engagement. 

Choosing the right social media platform is essential for reaching a target audience and promoting a brand effectively. Factors to consider when selecting a platform include the target audience, type of content, business goals, and competition. Different platforms attract different age groups, demographics, and interests. Instagram is popular amongst younger audiences, while LinkedIn is popular amongst more professional folks. Certain platforms are more visually focused on images and videos, while others are more text-based. Businesses should also consider their competition when it comes to choosing social media platforms. Facebook is great for building a loyal following and promoting a brand through targeted ads, while Instagram is ideal for showcasing products or services through images and videos. Ultimately, picking the right platform for a business's target audience will make building an audience a whole lot easier.

The importance of choosing the right social media platform and creating engaging content for businesses was discussed in a recent podcast. Twitter was identified as a more tech-savvy platform, popular among professionals and journalists, while LinkedIn is a professional networking platform used by job seekers and sales professionals to promote their brand. Choosing the right platform can be critical to reaching the target audience and achieving business goals. It is also important to consider the type of content that the target audience wants to see and ensure that it is engaging to drive engagement on social media. Once engagement is established, more people will be exposed to the content. The speakers emphasized that while TikTok is a popular platform, it may not be the best choice for all businesses, and it is important to consider the target audience and their reasons for using a particular platform. Overall, businesses can benefit from considering their target audience, the type of content they want to create, and their competition when choosing the right social media platform and creating engaging content.

By choosing the right platforms, by creating engaging content, by leveraging the power of influencers, by using paid advertising, by engaging with your audience and measuring your results, you can create a successful social media campaign that will drive engagement, promote your brand, and drive up sales we all want. At the end of the day, of course it is. But wait, don't leave me just yet. In our next episode, we're going to be discussing the importance of SEO yeah. Search engine optimization.

Now, a B and test involves having two versions of a campaign and testing them against each other to determine which one of the two performs better, right? This can include testing different ad formats, different headlines, different call to actions. Some folks call them Ctas and determine which one is the best. And once you have figure out which one's the best, then you make that one your primary. And then you add another one. And then you change one thing.

Okay? So before launching any digital marketing campaign of any type, it's important to set clear Achievable goals and objectives. Now, whether you're looking to generate leads, whether you're looking to increase sales, whether you're looking to build your following, build your email list, or drive more traffic to your website, have a clear goal in mind. This is going to help you determine the best approach in your campaign.. Grab your analytics tools. Make sure they're set up. Maybe it's Google Analytics. Maybe it's Facebook Insights. Twitter analytics. All of these can help you drive, track what's going on, track your website traffic, track your engagement rates, or any other key metrics that you need to monitor to reach the goal that you've set right. Use any of these tools. Use all of these tools to monitor the success of your campaign.

Respond. Yeah. When they leave a comment, respond. Right. When they message you and messenger respond. Responding to comments and messages on social media is essential for showing your audience that you give a damn. Right. That you value their feedback and their opinions. Respond as promptly as possible and as thoughtfully as possible to the comments and the messages. Right? That's don't just copy and paste bullshit. How does that not aim to provide helpful information and helpful and heart centered responses?

And then finally, and I've done this one before, brand ambassadors. Now, brand ambassadors are the influencers who kind of represent the brand on an ongoing basis. They attend events, they participate in product launches, they help create content on your behalf for your brand, or they act almost as this spokesperson of the brand. You see a lot of that out there, folks wearing other folks'gear and what have you. That helps show that influencer marketing is a powerful way to reach new audiences and promote your brand on social media. By choosing the right influencers and collaborating on content using and remember to use those micro influencers too. Don't always have to be the big guys. Measure results and build those relationships. You can create a super successful influencer campaign, drive engagement, and promote your brand. Now, we got two more here, right?

Again, some of the metrics you want to look at are engagement rates, follower growth and website traffic to determine whether or not these folks are working or not. And then finally build relationships. Man, a relationship is going to build your sales a lot faster than anything else. So build relationships with influencers to create a long term success. Engaging with influencers by liking and commenting on their posts, sharing their content, and then inviting them into events or product launches that you have going on.

[Quotes]

When choosing influencers, it's really important to consider their audience, their engagement rate, and their alignment with your brands. Looking for influencers that have a genuine connection with their audience and aligned with your brand's value. And messaging is something you really want to look for. Before you say, hey, do you want to partner together with something because you might be getting folks into your following that really just end up being dead weight and end up leaving later on. Collaborate on Content collaborating with influencers on content is a great way to showcase your products and your services and again reach those new audiences. This could include some sponsored posts, some sponsored videos or stories that showcase your brands or products.

There you go. And give folks a behind the scene peak. Use that in your content. Behind the scenes content gives your audience kind of this peek behind the curtain into your brand, into your mind, into your world. This is a great way to showcase your personality, your brand's personality, and really connect with your audience on a whole nother level. All right, so what are we talking about? Creating this engaging content again, is essential for building your following, driving your engagement on social media. So by knowing your audience and using visuals, keeping it short and sweet, providing value, using storytelling, and being consistent, you can create content that resonates with your audience that will help you drive that engagement.

This includes providing tips, providing advice, giving industry insights, showcasing your customers success stories, showcasing their problems, showcasing some potential solutions, showcasing that, you know what, the pain points that they're having out there. And here's some ways to solve it. Give them the farm. Give it all away for free. Here's the thing. If you give it all away for free, 99.8% of the people are not going to take action.. They're going to need you to step in and help them. It's just facts and tell you what it is. Now, there is a small percentage of folks that will take your advice and integrate it into their life and go, oh, my God, it worked. Thank you so much. Which almost provide you with proof, social proof right there. Use storytelling. Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with your audience and create this emotional content, right? This emotional connection with them. They're like, even if they don't relate directly to the story, I'm leaning into the microphone so you'll hear me better.

Talk about Facebook. With their 2.8 billion active monthly users, facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms out there. It's a great platform for businesses that want to build a loyal following and promote their brand more often through targeted ads. Right? Again, they don't have to be very expensive. We can talk Instagram, as I mentioned earlier, very visual platform, popular amongst a younger crowd, and I say younger than me. You can see the gray beard here, right? It's a great platform for businesses that want to showcase their products or services through images and videos.

[CHAPTERS]
[0:00:00] "Maximizing Social Media for Your Business: Tips and Strategies for Creating Engaging Content and Measuring Results"
[0:02:58] "Maximizing Your Social Media Marketing Strategy: Key Points to Consider"
[0:07:17] Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms for Your Business: Factors to Consider and Examples
[0:11:24] Choosing the Right Social Media Platform and Creating Engaging Content for Business Success
[0:13:21] Tips for Creating Content that Resonates with Your Audience: A Conversation with a Professional Writer
[0:15:23] Tips for Creating Engaging Content: A Conversation with Joe Graham
[0:19:04] Tips for Creating Engaging Content and Leveraging Influencer Marketing on Social Media
[0:20:33] Tips for Successful Influencer Marketing and Paid Advertising on Social Media
[0:26:10] Steps to Follow for a Successful Paid Advertising Campaign
[0:28:16] Tips for Creating and Measuring the Effectiveness of Paid Advertising Campaigns and Engaging with Your Audience
[0:29:55] Tips for Engaging with Your Audience on Social Media
[0:33:25] Tips for Effective Social Media Marketing and Measuring Results
[0:35:27] Tips for Monitoring and Improving the Success of Your Marketing Campaigns
[0:36:56] Podcast Episode: Leveraging the Power of Social Media Marketing for Business Growth

#digitalmarketing #digitalmarketingagency #digitalmarketingtips #digitalmarketingtraining #digitalmarketingcourse #socialmediamarketing #socialmediamarketingcourse #socialmedia marketingstrategy #howtodosocialmediamarketing #socialmediamarketingforbeginners #socialmedia

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com

Strategize Your Digital Marketing: Define Goals, Identify Your Audience, and Create Powerful Content.

SUMMARY

In this digital marketing tutorial, the host explains how to create a strategy that works. It is essential for businesses to have a plan in place to make the most of their marketing efforts. The host explains that a strategy should involve creating a plan to use tactics to reach business and marketing goals. Furthermore, the host explains that it is important to understand technology and take action to ensure success. The host also mentions that listening to the Dark Horse Entrepreneur podcast can help entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators overcome overwhelmed feelings, procrastination, and imposter syndrome. Finally, the host emphasizes that setting up a digital marketing strategy is crucial for businesses to succeed in today's digital landscape.

The conversation discussed five key components of a successful digital marketing strategy. The first step is defining goals, such as increasing website traffic, generating leads, and driving sales. The second step is identifying the target audience, which includes understanding their pain points and what kind of content they find valuable. The third step is choosing digital marketing tactics, such as social media marketing, SEO, email marketing, PPC advertising, and content marketing. The fourth step is developing a content strategy, which should be valuable, relevant, and engaging for the target audience. The fifth and final step is creating a plan to execute the strategy.

This conversation discusses the key elements of a successful digital media strategy. It begins by outlining the four essential steps: setting goals, identifying target audiences, determining tactics, and creating content. The speaker then provides two examples of successful campaigns to illustrate these concepts. Nike's Just Do It campaign inspired people to be active, resulting in a 6% increase in sales. Dollar Shave Club's viral video went viral on social media and drove a significant amount of traffic to their website, resulting in a 600% increase in sales. Together, these examples demonstrate the effectiveness of a well-planned digital media strategy.

Setting up an effective digital marketing strategy is essential for businesses looking to succeed. The key steps in creating a successful strategy include defining goals, identifying target audiences, choosing tactics, developing content strategies, and creating a plan of execution.  Zig Ziglar used the metaphor of an archery range to emphasize the importance of having a clear target in mind. Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound and should align with overall business objectives. It is also essential to prioritize goals, taking into account resources, time frames, and potential returns. Finally, progress needs to be tracked with adjustments made as needed.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   Creating a Digital Marketing Strategy: Key Components and Examples

0:02:34   Exploring the Key Components of a Successful Digital Marketing Strategy

0:05:30   Creating a Successful Digital Media Strategy

0:07:23   Creating an Effective Digital Marketing Strategy: Defining Goals, Prioritizing, and Tracking Progress

0:11:02   "Creating a Digital Marketing Strategy: Setting Goals and Identifying Your Target Audience"

0:13:20   Creating a Buyer Persona: Steps to Identify Your Target Audience

0:15:34   "Targeting Your Audience: Strategies for Identifying and Engaging Your Ideal Customers"

0:16:41   Digital Marketing Strategies: Identifying Your Target Audience and Choosing the Right Tactics

0:20:09   Digital Marketing for Beginners: An Overview of Essential Strategies

0:22:00   Creating an Effective Digital Marketing Strategy: Planning for Execution

0:26:35   Creating a Plan of Execution: Building a Timeline, Allocating Resources, Setting a Budget, and Establishing KPIs

0:29:02   "Monitoring and Adjusting Your Marketing Strategy for Optimal Results"

0:30:57   Episode 410: Creating a Digital Marketing Plan for Success

HIGHLIGHTS

We have made it all the way through. Congratulations, ladies and gentlemen. Yeah. Now you have the tools to set up a digital marketing strategy that will help you achieve your goals. By defining your goal, identifying your target audience, choosing the right digital marketing tactics for that audience, developing a content strategy, and creating a plan of execution, you, my friend, will have created a roadmap for success in the digital landscape. But a journey is not over. Oh, no, it is not over yet.

Look, when you create a plan for execution, it's important to prioritize your marketing tactics and allocate your resources, both financial and time bound. Effectively, you're going to need to adjust your plans as you go, depending on your results. Any results you're seeing are going to tell you, go this way because that way is not working. Or maybe that's not working. You're like, I want to go that way, so I've got to get that way to work. You've got to figure it out. You have to adjust and see, based on what you're seeing, the feedback you're getting from your audience. Overall, creating a plan for execution is yet another crucial piece of achieving your business goals through digital marketing. By developing a timeline, allocating your resources, creating a budget, setting KPIs, and monitoring your results, you can create a roadmap to success in the digital landscape. All right, there we go.

Well there's a turnaround time with that. It's not instantaneous, right? So you've got to plan that all in. That leads to the next one, which is create a budget. And really all a budget is the financial version of creating your timeline, right? Because you got to budget your time. Now you're going to budget your money. The budget is going to help you allocate resources effectively and efficiently to ensure that you have the funds that you need to execute your marketing tactics. You've all planned out.

By defining your objectives, by identifying your target audience, right? That target you need to see at first, choosing your content types and creating a content calendar and measuring your results. You can create content that resonates with your audience and drives engagement, which drives leads, which of course, drives sales. All right, here's the last one. What is it? Who remembers? Raise your hand. That's right.. Planning for execution, right? You want to create a plan of execution. Now, they're all critical. You can't take any one of these out and have this work. So I keep saying, it's a critical component of setting up your digital marketing strategy. Well, it's true. You pull any one of these out and your digital marketing strategy falls flat on its face, right? So this one here, the plan of execution is going to involve developing yourself a roadmap of how you will execute your marketing tactics to achieve your business results. How are you going to make them work together? Now, here's some steps you can use for creating your plan of execution.

Here's the cool thing. You're going to start seeing a pattern develop here, because the first step in an effective content strategy is to identify your target audience. Well, if you're already done that for your digital marketing strategy, that step is done. Your content should be tailored to the needs and the interests of that target audience. If you're going after single men versus stay at home dads, your content should be vastly different. You feel me? Okay.. Their values are different. Their interests are different. By identifying who they are and what it is they need and what motivates them, you can create content that resonates with them, that they are going to engage with and that drives that engagement. You're going to choose your content types. There are different types to choose from. We've mentioned a few of them. Blog posts, videos, infographics, podcasts, so many more, right?

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/podcast

The episode is about digital marketing for beginners. It is a continuation of EP408 and goes further in depth about what digital marketing is. Digital marketing is the practice of promoting products and services using digital channels such as social media, search engines, email and other platforms. This episode covers social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising and content marketing. Tracy Brinkmann, talks about how digital marketing can help entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators build their businesses online. He discusses the importance of digital marketing in today's world and provide examples of how to use digital marketing tactics to reach and engage with their target audience.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a practice of optimizing a website and its content so that it ranks higher on the search engine results page. It is an important part of digital marketing as it can help increase visibility and drive organic traffic to the website. Key components of a successful SEO strategy include keyword research, which is the process of identifying the keywords and phrases that target audiences are searching for. On page optimization is another component which refers to elements in the website that can be optimized for the search engines. Additionally, businesses should always try to rank for their own name in order to increase visibility. SEO is an essential part of digital marketing as it helps to drive organic, free traffic to a website.

SEO is a key component of digital marketing that can help increase visibility and drive organic traffic to a website. It encompasses elements like page titles, meta descriptions, headers, content, backlinks, social signals, brand mentions, page speed, mobile-friendliness, and website structure. Examples of successful SEO campaigns include Maas' Beginner's Guide to SEO, HubSpot's Blog, and Backlinko's Skyscraper Technique. Measuring results is essential in optimizing an SEO strategy, and understanding the key components is vital in achieving success.

In this episode, Tracy discusses SEO and email marketing as two key components of digital marketing. SEO involves optimizing content and website structure to generate organic traffic, while email marketing involves sending targeted messages to subscribers to promote products and services, build relationships, and drive conversions. When it comes to email marketing, it is essential to build an email list, obtain consent from subscribers, and segment the list. The average ROI of email marketing is a very impressive 38 to 138 to one.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   "Exploring Digital Marketing Tactics: SEO, Email, PPC, and Content Marketing"

0:02:28   "Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Key Components for a Successful Strategy"

0:04:22   "Understanding the Key Components of a Successful SEO Strategy"

0:08:40   "The Benefits of SEO and Email Marketing for Businesses"

0:10:56   How to Segment Your Email List and Create Compelling Content

0:12:21   "Measuring the Success of Email Marketing Campaigns"

0:14:16   "Exploring the Benefits of Email Marketing, PPC Advertising, and Other Digital Marketing Strategies"

0:16:38   PPC Advertising: Keyword Research, Ad Creation, Targeting, and Measuring Results

0:19:01   Exploring the Benefits of PPC, Content Marketing, and Experiences Campaigns

0:20:56   "Creating a Successful Content Marketing Strategy: Identifying Your Audience and Crafting Compelling Content"

0:22:41   "Establishing Thought Leadership Through Content Marketing"

0:28:01   Digital Marketing Strategies: Establishing Thought Leadership and Driving Conversions

HIGHLIGHTS

This will drive engagement and loyalty that no like and trust me, like, man, I know this person. I've been listening to their podcasts for a year now I've been watching them on social media, I trust them. Yeah, it's going to drive that engagement, it's going to build that loyalty and by creating valuable content that provides insights and advice to your audience you're going to build that trust you're going to build that know like and trust vector and you're going to establish a strong brand identity. Now, when you use each one of those independently, when you use them together, these tactics can create this cohesive digital marketing ecosystem that attracts, engages, and converts prospects into customers, into advocates, into Raving fans. For example, you could use your social media accounts to drive traffic to your website.

You can build their brand awareness. You can create that authority and drive conversions. PPC well, this is advertising that allows you to target a very specific audience with highly relevant ads, driving traffic to your website, generating leads and or sales all by targeting specific keywords and demographics. You can reach the right people with the right message right at the right time. And then finally, we talked about content marketing, which helps establish you, your brand, your organization, your company as a thought leader in your space, in your niche, in your industry.

I get these types of things. You could get them to in your niche. Social media marketing let's talk about that for a second can drive you traffic from your website and increase your brand awareness by creating engaging social media content that encourages that it can be shared and creates that engagement. Right? You can expand your reach and drive more traffic to your website there you go SEO we talked about that helps improve your website's visibility on the search engines driving more organic traffic to your site by optimizing your website's content and structure for relevant keywords what is your folks are searching for? Remember got to know your target audience.

Okay? Again, social media marketing, SEO, email marketing, content marketing, these are all critical components of the successful overall digital marketing ecosystem. Each tactic plays a unique role in attracting, engaging, and converting potential customers into loyal advocates. Right? And then turn your loyal advocates into your raving fans. These are the people that are out there telling people about your services without you even asking them to.. I have one gentleman that this weekend actually was just yesterday, so it wasn't even the weekend. Yesterday sent me two referrals because I helped him start his podcast. He's like, oh, my God, tracy is so amazing. They were in a conversation they were like, I keep being told to start a podcast and he sent them my way, right? Just because I have established myself as the thought leader in that industry.

The program also features a blog that provides tips and advice on beauty and skincare. The program has been such a huge success and has get this, 10 million members. Imagine if you even had 1% of that on your email list by sharing whatever content you have in a newsletter. Yeah, about that. Now, content marketing again, is a powerful tool for building a strong brand identity, a strong thought leadership identity. Establish yourself as that thought leader in your niche, in your area, in your industry, and drive profitable customer actions.

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/podcast
In this episode, the host of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, Tracy Brinkman, dives deep into the world of digital marketing. Explaining why it is essential for businesses today and provides examples of different tactics to reach and engage target audiences.

He acknowledges the feeling of being overwhelmed with technology and provides tips from other entrepreneurs on the podcast to help business owners better understand digital marketing.

In this episode and the next four or five, he breaks down the topic into five sections, including the basics of digital marketing, the various types of digital marketing, how to create an effective digital marketing strategy, and how to measure the success of digital marketing campaigns.

Digital marketing is the practice of promoting products and services using digital channels like social media, search engines, and email. It allows businesses to reach their target audience and build relationships with them. In this conversation, the Tracy discusses five digital marketing tactics: What digital marketing is, setting up a digital marketing strategy, social media marketing, search engine optimization, and email marketing.

He discusses how each tactic works and why it is important. Social media marketing involves creating engaging content and running targeted ads. Search engine optimization involves optimizing content on a website to rank higher in search engine results pages. Email marketing involves sending targeted messages to subscribers to promote products and services. Pay-per-click advertising involves placing ads on search engines and paying each time someone clicks on them. Content marketing involves creating and sharing valuable information to engage with target audiences.

Digital marketing is an effective way for businesses to reach and engage their customers online. Social media marketing is one of the most popular forms of digital marketing, and it involves promoting products or services on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. To be effective with social media marketing, businesses need to understand their target audience, including their interests and the problems that their products or services can solve.

Additionally, businesses need to create content that resonates with their audience and develop a cohesive brand identity that appeals to their target audience. Finally, businesses need to use analytics to track their progress and measure their success. With these steps, businesses can create a comprehensive digital marketing strategy to meet their goals and drive the results they desire.

Tracy discusses the five steps necessary for successful social media marketing. The first step is to understand the audience, by learning what their interests and problems are. The second is to create engaging content, since social media is a highly visual medium. This could include eye-catching graphics, videos, and photos. The third step is to run targeted ads to the right audience. The fourth is to engage with followers, by responding to their likes and comments. Lastly, the fifth step is to measure and track results. With these steps, brands and businesses can successfully reach their desired audience and promote their products or services.

Timestamps

Highlights

In this powerful episode, Ace Allan exposes the dark truth about AI side hustles designed by people without kids and reveals his game-changing Family-First AI Framework. Through the heartbreaking story of Sarah - a mom who almost quit her AI journey when her daughter asked "why do you love your laptop more than me?" - Ace demonstrates how parents can build sustainable AI income streams without sacrificing precious family moments. Learn the revolutionary Bedtime Story Test, the One-System Rule, and the 90-10 Automation Split that transformed Sarah from an overwhelmed parent entrepreneur to earning $3,200/month in just 10 hours per week.

00:00 - The Family Time Paradox

00:45 - Welcome

01:15 - The Controversial Truth

02:30 - Sarah's Breaking Point Story

04:05 - The Family-First AI Framework: Three Pillars

07:30 - Tactical Applications

11:45 - Bigger Picture: Wealth Transformation

12:45 - Whiskered Wisdom: The Non-Negotiable Truth

• AI Escape Plan Newsletter - Weekly roadmap for parents using family-friendly AI strategies. https://DarkHorseInsider.com

• Sarah's Success Story - $3,200/month working 10 hours/week case study

• Family-First AI Framework - Complete system for parent entrepreneurs

• Dark Horse Entrepreneur AI Escape Plan Podcast - Main show for parent entrepreneurs. https://DarkHorseEntrepreneur.com

1. Read one bedtime story without rushing or thinking about your to-do list

2. Be completely present during this time

3. Ask yourself: "How can I build my AI business to protect more moments like this?"

1. Write down your family's "sacred times" - moments you refuse to sacrifice for business

2. Choose your ONE AI system to focus on for the next 90 days

3. Audit your current AI activities against the Bedtime Story Test

1. Map your current AI workflow and identify tasks taking more than 15 minutes

2. Implement the 90-10 Automation Split in your chosen system

3. Protect your sacred times by saying no to conflicting opportunities

Join the AI Escape Plan Newsletter - https://DarkHorseInsider.com - Your weekly roadmap to more money, more freedom, and more of what truly matters. Get practical, AI-powered strategies to start, grow, and streamline side hustles designed to protect your family time while boosting your income.

Remember: Your kids won't remember how many hours you worked, but they will remember whether you were there for the moments that mattered. Build your escape plan, but build it the right way.

Think Successfully & Take Action!

Tracy Brinkmann

make money online | entrepreneur tips | ai entrepreneur

DarkHorseSchooling.com/podcast

This episode is about how to use affirmations to help achieve success in the business world. The host, Tracy Brinkmann, is an experienced entrepreneur and coach who started the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast to help entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators battle technology overwhelmed procrastination and imposter syndrome. Tracy believes that driven entrepreneurs and those looking to start, restart, or Kickstart their business need to level up their marketing skills and take action in order to build their business into the empire it deserves to be. However, Tracy acknowledges that along the way, entrepreneurs will hit walls and will have to decide how to proceed in order to get past the obstacle. Tracy concludes by offering three secret steps plus a bonus secret to make affirmations into declarations of achievement.

Tracy is giving three tips and one secret to make affirmations work effectively. The tips are to state the affirmations in the present tense, to believe in what you are saying, and to make them personal and specific. The secret is a tool for those who are uncomfortable reading the affirmations out loud which works every time. Affirmations are positive statements that focus on what you want to achieve and feel in your life and by stating them in the present tense and believing in them, they can help align your body and mind with the desired outcomes.

Affirmations can be a powerful tool to create positive change in your life, but they are not a substitute for action. To make affirmations work effectively, you need to focus on three things. First, make sure the affirmation is stated in the present tense. Second, believe in the truth of the affirmation. Third, take action towards the goal. To reinforce the power of your affirmations, repeat them often and focus on the positive feelings they evoke. Taking action is key to making affirmations work as it brings them to life.

Affirmations are a great tool for helping us manifest our desired outcomes, but it is important to craft them in the present tense. This is because our subconscious mind operates in the now, and is more receptive to suggestions that are framed in the present. Affirmations should be stated as if the desired outcome has already happened or is currently happening, for example, instead of saying I will be successful say I am successful. It is also important to believe in the affirmation and its possibility, as this will send a signal to your subconscious mind that it is something that is important to you and that you are committed to making it happen.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   "Unlock the Secret to Making Affirmations Work: 3 Steps Plus a Bonus Secret"

0:02:37   "Using Affirmations to Achieve Your Goals"

0:04:59   Using Affirmations to Create Positive Change in Your Life

0:06:30   "The Power of Present Tense Affirmations: How to Make Them Work Effectively"

0:11:42   "The Power of Affirmations and Visualization: Strengthening Your Beliefs"

0:13:11   "The Power of Affirmations: How to Make Them Work for You"

0:18:08   Heading: Making Affirmations Work Effectively for Business Success

0:20:10   Conversation on the Power of Affirmations for Entrepreneurs

0:22:20   "Using Affirmations to Achieve Your Goals: A Step-by-Step Guide"

0:26:05   Episode Summary: Affirmations and Subscriber Ratings

HIGHLIGHTS

So his coach and his infinite wisdom patiently explained the three steps I just explained to you to making affirmations work effectively, stating, affirmations need to be in the president. You got to believe in what you're saying. You got to take some action. And then the entrepreneur getting this information from his coach was excited to put these steps into practice and boost their chances of success in business.. But as the discussion continued, the entrepreneur couldn't help but think of their business goals. They're like, wait a minute. I can use affirmations to make my business successful. Of course you can, the coach replied. You can create affirmations that focus on specific business goals, like increasing sales, increasing customer loyalty, and expanding your customer base. This isn't always about right how fat you are, how tall you are, how confident you are.

So by staying open and flexible, you can take advantage of these opportunities and bring your affirmations to life, right? It's like a it's like J. R. Tolkien when he put pen in the paper and he brought all those characters in The Hobbit to life, not just up on the silver screen that we see nowadays, but if you've ever read the book, right? Those were his affirmations. He brought them to life. So what I'm saying, in summary, is that taking action is a critical component to making affirmations work effectively.

These actions help to reinforce the belief and the truth of your affirmation that you are healthy and fit. And it makes it far more likely that you will see the results that you're looking for. Now, it's also important that you stay open to the opportunities that will arise. Because now your brain is saying, okay, this is important to you. You're paying attention to it, and you're taking action to it. So opportunities that are going to arise as you work toward your goals, sometimes the universe and its infinite intelligence will present you with an unexpected opportunity that can help you to achieve your desires far more quickly, way easier than you ever thought possible.

Now, taking action doesn't necessarily mean taking those giant leaps towards your goals. It could even mean making those small daily changes, little tweaks to your daily routine that align the direction you're taking and the actions you're taking every single day to your desired outcome. Or it could help you in taking consistent steps towards your goal every single day. The important thing is to be proactive in moving towards your desired outcome.. Now, of course, you need to know what that desired outcome is, and I spent quite a bit of time talking about that. Oh, gosh way back in episode 176, the IChart Method of Goal Setting. And then episode 398, the I Chart Method for goal Setting and achievement. So I give it to you twice, a little differently each time. So go back and check those out. I don't want to belabor that particular topic again and make this episode an hour and a half long, but you get my point.

When you believe in your affirmation, you're sending that signal back up to your subconscious mind. That amazing tool between your ears that this is something that is important to you and that you're not only committed to making it happen, but you desire to make it happen. As a result, your subconscious mind is going to work to align your thoughts, your beliefs, and your behaviors. Let me say that again.. Your thoughts, your beliefs, and your behaviors with the affirmation making it more likely to come into your life. You're going to start seeing things that you probably hadn't paid attention to before. You're going to start believing things that maybe you doubted before, and you're going to start doing things maybe you hadn't done. On the other hand, if you don't believe in the truth of the affirmation, it's this to be honest, this is not. Your subconscious mind is going to be less likely to even respond to it. And maybe that's why you're still listening to this about twelve minutes in.

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/podcat

This conversation is about the importance of Cornerstone Content on websites. The host of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, Tracy Brinkman, provides seven easy steps to creating these anchor pieces of content. She then explains that she has been in the coaching, course creation and online space since the 90s and is still learning. Tracy then encourages entrepreneurs, coaches and course creators to take action and learn tips from the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast. She believes that driven entrepreneurs should start or restart their businesses with great marketing, personal, or business tips and results.

Cornerstone content is the key to growing a business into the empire it deserves to be. These articles provide the most important, complete information on the topic and should not be written with the goal of selling. They help to raise brand awareness, rank higher in search engine results, and attract prospects that can be nurtured into customers. Writing and publishing this content helps to position oneself as an authority in their industry and builds trust in the brand and its products. Ultimately, the goal is to help other people and build relationships.

Creating Cornerstone Content can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. By following seven easy steps, anyone can create content that will attract their ideal customers. Step one is to choose a topic. When deciding on a topic, it is important to consider if it aligns with your business and will attract customers, if it is something that would make your customers life easier, and if it interests you. If you choose a topic that you are passionate about and have a bit of knowledge on, it will be easier to write and optimize the content.

Creating content for your business can be an intimidating task, but with the right preparation and research, it doesn't have to be. The first step to creating great content is to do extra research which will help your prospects and customers. Research what your customers want to know, talk to existing customers, read posts, books, and interviews, and take copious notes to quote as sources. Once you have a plan, start outlining topics and subtopics, and then write the content. Make sure it is clear, concise, and genuinely helpful in solving one or more of your customer's problems. Also, include links from expert sources, build your keywords in naturally, use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway to make it easy to understand, and get a few people to read it in advance. Lastly, optimize your article with your primary keyword in the URL, title tag, and headline.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   "Creating Core Content: 7 Easy Steps to Becoming an Authority in Your Field"

0:02:10   "Unlock the Power of Cornerstone Content to Build Your Business Empire"

0:04:17   "7 Steps to Creating Cornerstone Content for Your Business"

0:06:10   "Tips for Writing Effective Content"

0:12:08   "Optimizing Your Content for Search Engines: Tips for Improving SEO"

0:13:50   "Six Tips for Promoting Your Cornerstone Content"

0:16:39   Creating Cornerstone Content: 7 Tips for Successful SEO and Reader Engagement

HIGHLIGHTS

Contact every expert and website that you quoted inside your article and let them know about it. Some of them heck, many of them will tell others through their social media, right? Sometimes they'll even link to your content from whatever the article or whatever piece of content that you referenced that you used. They'll link them together. Now you're getting some of that Linked use. You might even consider investing a little paid promotion as well. You can reach a highly targeted audience this way and use the new traffic to further build your email list and becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Make it simple for visitors to share your content with others by adding social media buttons, share me links, email, all the little tricks.

Use your social media accounts to tell your followers about the article, right? Schedule social media posts several times a day for the first couple of days after you post that Cornerstone Content, and then periodiotically afterwards, re remind them. Use personalization whenever possible. Thank you, guys, all my sales folks. I did this amazing piece of content about handling objections, right? I drew blank there for a second. Whatever it might be, you can even take a snippet of this piece of content and use it as your social media content and say, hey, this is just one piece of this amazing piece of content. Put it out there, click the link down in the Show notes or whatever it is, and check out the full content, right?

So wherever your keyword you're trying to tweak for, you're trying to optimize for. Make sure it's an url in the title tag and in the headline. Ideally, the title should answer an exact question being asked in Google, so it might be part of your research early on. What questions are being asked on this topic? Create subheadings that hold keywords as well as other keywords being populated throughout your text.. This will help your readers and the search engines alike to recognize the relevance of your content. This search engine have gotten really smart over the past couple of decades. And so make sure you don't know we're not talking about keyword stuffing here. We're just talking about make sure it's relevant to the content you're trying to the questions you're trying to answer and the content you're trying to share.

Right? Tip number three plan your content. Now this is where the fun begins. You might be writing something called the Complete Guide to Blank whatever the Topic Is or everything you ever wanted to know about. Blank. Again, whatever your topic is or how to achieve blank whatever your topic is. Once you have a basic plan of what your article will achieve, start outlining your topics and your subtopics.. You might want to use a step by structure from beginning to end, or a list, like we talked about in episode 348, ways to Make Your Listicles Amazing. So you can create a listicle or whatever works best for the topic that you have chosen. Okay. By the way, you might want to go back to listen to episode 348 where we talked about listicles. Listicles are very popular. You see them all the time. Where it's like the top ten ways to X or the top whatever. Anyway, you know what I'm talking about. Anyway, I won't beat that one to death.

Please do not be intimidated into thinking that it's beyond the scope of your abilities to create this kind of content. Why? Because I'm about to break it down into seven easy steps. Here we go. Step number one pick your topic. There are three questions that you're going to want to consider when choosing a topic. Does it align with your business and will it attract your ideal customers? Right. Does it align with your business and will it attract your ideal customers? For example, let's say you're in the niche of stock investing. You don't want to create some cornerstone Content about buying a home.

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com

Tracy Brinkman is the host of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, a show dedicated to helping entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators build successful businesses online. In this episode, Tracy introduces the concept of website conversion and explains how having a website can be a powerful tool for any business. Tracy encourages listeners to take action and make their website more effective by tuning in to the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast for tips from successful business owners.

This conversation is about the three essential components to making a website successful. Tracy Brinkmann believes that every website should have a purpose and be designed to achieve this goal, whether it is to make sales, get subscribers, or drive traffic to other offers. They emphasize that without the three components discussed, the website will not be successful. These components include having an engaging and informative design, making sure that it is easy to navigate, and optimizing it for search engine visibility. With these three things in place, the speaker believes any website can be successful.

Driving traffic to a website that isn't working is pointless. To make a website more effective, the first step is to change your thinking and relax. There is no perfect website and it is important to accept that there may always be flaws and typos. The best approach is to think of the website as a perpetual work in progress and to focus on testing and improving instead of aiming for perfection. An experienced website designer can be a great help in achieving this.

Tracy Brinkmann discusses the importance of having a well-designed website for customers. They suggest that it is important to start with a head start and to keep adjusting, testing, and learning as you go. The speaker also recommends keeping the design simple and easy to use. They advise against using jargon and big words, and instead suggest talking to customers like you would a friend. Finally, they emphasize the importance of using your stats to make improvements and changes to your website.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   Welcome to the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast: Learn Tips to Build a Successful Business Online"

0:01:56   "3 Essential Tips to Make Your Website Convert Better"

0:03:30   How to Drive Traffic to Your Website: 3 Tips for Improving Your Site's Effectiveness

0:05:52   "3 Tips for Creating an Effective Website"

0:11:09   Analyzing Website Engagement with Google Analytics

0:13:27   Heading: Improving Your Website to Increase Traffic and Earnings

HIGHLIGHTS

Improving the average engagement time spend your money. Spend your time there before you start buying advertising. Now, what are people spending? Five minutes, ten minutes or more on your site, but you're still not getting that many visitors? Well, now it's time to flip the script and you start buying some advertising. Little Google Ads band, little Facebook ads, little ads to start finding a way to drive traffic to your site because you've already figured out how to get them to hang out while longer once they get there. Your goal with your website is to simply make consistent and steady improvements over time.

So while you're even getting 50 people to pay attention to your website, how long are they paying attention? Remember, your website is a journey, not a destination. Yeah. It's a work in progress. And to know how to improve it, you're going to need to know how long those folks are staying on your page. Log into your analytics. Find the graph on the first page that shows you the average time they're spending on your page.

Get a free Google account. The Google Analytics account. Right? Now you're going to look at two things. No, no, no, not the traffic. No, wait for me. The two things you're going to pay attention to is the average time users are spending on your page, which is also called the average engagement time. And of course, then the number of users, you probably want to look at them in that order because in the beginning, the number of users is going to be low.

Number three, use your stats to make your improvements. Yeah, right. So we I kind of grazed over a B testing earlier because it gives you a test and you're going to test again. Your stats are going to be the things that tell you what it is you need to change. There are only two core sets of stats that you need to focus on in the beginning. Later, of course, as you get more experience, you'll start paying attention to other stats. But first, here's what you need to do.

And if you make it difficult for them, they're going to exit and they're going to go to the next person down on the search results. Websites are about one thing communication. The overly complicated designs cost more money, take more time, and make it way more difficult to communicate with those who land on your website. Now, in the beginning, the core set of web pages you're typically going to need are your home page, an about page, a contact page, and maybe a page for your products and services.

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com

Tracy Brinkman is the host of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur podcast, which provides helpful tips for entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators who are feeling overwhelmed or unsure about the technology involved in building their business online. In this episode, Tracy discusses the viability of creating tangible products, like CDs and DVDs, to help entrepreneurs make money online. She explains that although it may seem outdated, creating physical products can still be a great way to supplement a business's income. Tracy encourages entrepreneurs to listen to the podcast to gain more knowledge and take action in order to successfully build their business.

Tracy Brinkmann explains the importance of having tangible products to stand out from other businesses in the same niche and to be able to charge premium prices. They reference an example of when everyone used to be excited about creating tangible CDs or DVDs to distribute digital content. Tracy explains that tangible products can be the key to building a successful business and encourages the entrepreneur to consider including physical products in their strategy.

The conversation discussed the benefits and advantages of physical products compared to digital ones. People tend to perceive physical products as having a higher value and are thus willing to pay more. With digital products, the higher the price point, the higher the refund request rate. To combat this, one suggestion was to drip feed the information gradually and provide a guarantee of a full refund within 60 days. The example given was of a podcast course that sent a surprise coffee cup with the logo on it to commemorate the completion of the course. This physical product was an unexpected surprise that the speaker still remembers and uses to this day.

Tracy Brinkmann is offering advice on how to reduce refund requests as a product creator. They suggest creating a tangible product like a USB or CD and using a service like Kanaki to print and ship it out. Doing this will command a higher price and reduce refund requests because it is a pain to return a physical item. People are excited to receive a tangible item in the mail and they will provide more positive feedback and reviews because of the perceived value. Additionally, customers are more likely to consume digital products if they receive them as a tangible item, as they are more likely to dive right into a physical product than a digital one. Tracy also suggests using an insert with an online access code that can unlock exclusive content, as well as collecting consumer's addresses when they put in the code. This technique is similar to the one used by the music industry, where they include download codes with their physical products.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   "Exploring the Possibility of Creating Real Tangible CDs and DVDs with Konaki: A Discussion with Tracy Brinkman"

0:01:38   "The Benefits of Physical Products for Entrepreneurs"

0:03:17   The Benefits of Offering Tangible Products and Strategies to Combat Refund Requests

0:05:27   "Exploring the Benefits of Creating a Tangible Product for Your Digital Content"

0:11:59   Exploring the Benefits of Repurposing Digital Products into Physical Products

0:13:25   Heading: Leveraging Physical Products to Increase Brand Awareness and Customer Loyalty

HIGHLIGHTS

The whole idea is that you sell your tangible product, have the service provider, in this case, the one I'm talking about, is Kanaki ship it out for you and then collect the consumer's address when they use the code. When they put that code in, they got to put in their email address. Now, you could even sell your products via other avenues. You could put it in a store. You can make it a part of someone else's program.

But I want to talk to you specifically for a minute about Kinaki and here's for one reason. With Kanaki, right? Last time I looked at it, you can get an insert put inside the CD or DVD that you're sending out at no extra cost. And on this insert, you could include an online access code whereby they can unlock and watch the content online. Or you might even offer some exclusive content that they would gain access to via that code.

But here's the thing in all of them that I looked for and I looked at, you. Simply upload your audio or your video files to the website by following their simple instructions. Click a couple of buttons, and bing, bang, boom, you're ready to start sending out products to anyone, anywhere in the world. Now, keep in mind that duplication and distribution services, that's what they give you. They don't master your product for you.

Guilty. I've done it myself. Then a couple of weeks or a month goes by and they've forgotten all about it and why they bought your product. And all they know is they see some 97 to 97 charge in their credit card that they do not want to pay. Or maybe their spouse doesn't want to pay, right? So what do they do? They ask for a refund. In my experience, tangible products get used far more than digital products, and the product creator winds up with far less refunds.

Well, they're still waiting. They're still waiting for week six in week eight and week ten, right? Your real customers, the ones that have zero intention of refunding, are frustrated because they're forced to wait is ridiculously long time for the very content and information they paid for in good faith. And they want it right now. So here's where I offer you a solution. Create a real tangible product that you can ship out.

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com

Tracy Brinkman is the host of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur podcast, which is designed to help entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators who feel overwhelmed and uncertain about their business or technology skills in the online space.

In this episode, Tracy talks about the importance of storytelling and how it can be used to build an empire. Storytelling, Tracy argues, is a great tool for entrepreneurs to reach their audience, build their brand, and create an unforgettable experience for their customers. By sharing their own stories and experiences, entrepreneurs can create a powerful connection with the people they are trying to reach, helping them to stand out from the competition. Storytelling can also help to inspire others, giving them the courage to take action and pursue their dreams. Tracy encourages entrepreneurs to use storytelling to connect with their audience and create an unforgettable experience.

Tracy is advocating for the importance of storytelling, and is hosting a free summit on the topic. However, he believes that the same storytelling strategies that gurus use to gain followers can actually be detrimental to businesses. He gives an example of a story that is often used, where someone goes from being in debt to becoming successful. He argues that this type of story does not actually help customers because it does not provide actionable advice. Instead, he encourages businesses to focus on providing useful tips and strategies that can help customers.

Tracy Brinkmann discusses how rags to riches stories work, and how they may not be the best option for attracting high-ticket customers. He advises using discounts, time-sensitive offers, and stories that illustrate how easy and fast a product will work to attract lower end customers. He suggests dampening the rags to riches stories in order to attract more high-end customers, and to use content that demonstrates results. He suggests doing an A/B test to compare the results of a rags to riches story with more powerful stories such as Here's how we increased our conversions by 93% in 8 weeks.

Tracy shares the importance of using winning stories and messages when trying to increase conversions. Tracy gave examples of stories that could be used to better engage customers, such as earning free publicity and gaining subscribers, customers, and sales in a short period of time. He also suggested telling a story of building a business from $0 to generating revenue in 14 months. He also noted that it's important to make sure that any stories used are ones that have actually been experienced by the speaker. He made the example of a rags-to-riches story to a more effective one of living in a 1971 Vega car to a 442-room mansion in only four hours of work per week.

TIMESTAMPS 

0:00:00   "Unlock Your Potential with Storytelling: How to Level Up Your Business with Dark Horse Entrepreneur"

0:02:32   "The Dangers of Storytelling in Business: How It Could Be Ruining Your Profits"

0:04:02   "The Power of Storytelling: How to Attract the Right Customers for Your Business"

0:09:36   "How to Increase Conversions with Winning Messages and Stories"

0:11:37   Heading: "Authenticity is Key: Proving Your Value to Your Customers"

HIGHLIGHTS 

But keep in mind, you're going to have to continually focus on volume, volume, volume finding more and more and more of these customers to bring through your sales funnel to take them through your ascension letter.

Now, when you want to attract customers on the lower end of this financial spectrum, it's great to use things like discounts, time sensitive offers and the sort of stories that illustrate how easy and how fast your product will work.

I've been there, right? And simply maybe they're not as knowledgeable about the world of business and the world of marketing. Now, these folks, they'll easily spend $17, $47 on a product, but they will likely never shell out hundreds or preferably thousands for training, no matter how good the promise, know how great the product is, or know how bad they need the result that they could get on the other side of it.

Your messaging, your story is going to determine what kind of client demographics you attract. Using a rag to riches story tends to attract the people on the lower end of the financial spectrum.

I just start leveling up with some great marketing, personal, or business tips and results, man, we got to get those results in order to build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it absolutely deserves to be.

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/podcast
Tracy Brinkman, host of the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, talks about the importance of entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators who want to build a business online but are struggling with technology, overwhelmed, procrastination, and imposter syndrome.

Tracy Brinkmann talks about a study done by HubSpot that revealed personalized CTAs (Calls to Action) in marketing emails can result in a 202% increase in clicks, conversions, and revenue. When people join a list, they are at various stages of their journey. For example, some may not even have a sales funnel, some may have a sales funnel but not have started advertising, and some may have started advertising but not gotten it to work. To create an effective CTA, it should be personalized to the person joining the list and the stage they are in their journey.

In this episode, the conversation focuses on how to get the most out of your email marketing. Tracy suggests using personalized offers and segmenting your list in order to get a 202% response rate. Tracy suggests using a welcome email to segment the list by asking what problem they're trying to solve. They also suggest creating a series of emails to help guide subscribers along their journey and offering a bribe to encourage them to complete the segmentation process. Finally, Tracy stresses the importance of follow-up emails, as many subscribers won't respond to the first one.

In this episode, Tracy Brinkmann is giving advice on how to offer bribes to potential customers. A Suggestion of creating four different free offers, each tailored to a different level of customer. The offers could be cheat sheets, learning videos, or anything else that the business chooses to create. When a customer chooses one of the offers, they will be tagged in the business's email list. The key is to give something first, and to ask the customer a question that offers three options, each with a different free offer. This will help the business better serve the customer by segmenting them down.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   Welcome

0:02:00   How to Improve Your CTAs by 202%: A Step-by-Step Guide

0:03:35   "Personalizing Your Offers to Maximize Your Results in Advertising and Social Media"

0:08:41   "Creating Free Offers to Increase Social Media Advertising Performance"

0:10:18   Heading: Taking Your Journey to the Next Level with the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast

HIGHLIGHTS

Are you having troubles with your social media advertising? This free offer will help you. Is your social media advertising doing well, but you would like to do better?. This free offer will help you out.

And here's where some of the magic is offering the right products and the right services to the right people to take them to the next level where you've already set up a series of emails and a series of products and services to help them get to the level after that.

Creating a great sales funnel that's optimized for social media advertising, getting started in social media advertising, or fixing your social media advertising problems, or optimizing your current social media campaigns to maximize your return.

Now, let's start with how to improve your CTAs by 202%. And I come up with this one because there was a study done in HubSpot which they, they analyzed over 300,000 marketing emails, all of which had Calls to Action or CTAs.

And I believe the answer to that is you are a driven entrepreneur, perhaps even an infopreneur that's here because you're ready to start restart Kickstart, just start leveling up with some great personal marketing business tips and results.

This conversation introduces the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast, a show that helps entrepreneurs, coaches and course creators who want to build an online business but are struggling with technology, feeling overwhelmed, and battling imposter syndrome. The host, Tracy Brinkman, has been in the coaching, course creation and online space since the 90s, and is still learning new things. He believes that the listeners are driven entrepreneurs, ready to start or restart their business and kickstart their marketing, so they can build their business into the empire it deserves to be.

Nick and Karen Fitch are a couple in their twenties who have purchased a farm and a heard of cows. One morning, Karen wakes up and is unable to move from the neck down. It is a devastating event, but the Fitches refuse to be held down by it. They have found ways to adapt and take on their challenges with optimism. The conversation is about how they have navigated their situation, started a business, and how others can find inspiration in their story.

Nick and Karen are an amazing couple with an inspiring story of entrepreneurship. They started an online business selling pictures of their beloved cows via their website, CuddleCowCompany.com. They have overcome a lot of obstacles to reach the level of success they have today. The podcast is full of personal and business advice that can be taken away to help listeners become successful entrepreneurs. Nick and Karen shared a bit about their story and how they were able to start their own business.

Three years ago, the Karen woke up paralyzed from the neck down and had to spend six months across three states and seven hospitals. She was closer to death multiple times during this period. In April of 2020, the Karen was sent home from the hospital as the doctor believed it was the best way to keep her safe from infection. The Karen, Nick returned to a small town in Iowa and were determined to pay forward the help they received during their hospital stay. Reflecting on their blessings, they wanted to do something to help others.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   "Welcome to the Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast: Learn Tips from Business Owners to Build Your Empire"

0:02:13   Interview with Nick and Karen Fitch: Overcoming Adversity and Creating a Life of Abundance

0:04:28   Interview with Nick and Karen: Founders of Cuddle Cows

0:06:02   Heading: Reflection on a Journey of Hospitalization and Recovery

0:07:52   Heading: Conversation with Nick and Karen about Cuddles Out and Their Cow Farm in Nowhere, Iowa

0:11:51   Conversation with Nick and Sarah about Starting a Business and Living with an AVM

0:16:59   Heading: Neurosurgery Journey of a Kid with Spinal Cord Issues

0:18:38   Heading: Spinal Cord Injury and Respiratory Failure: A Story of Recovery

0:20:11   Heading: Reflection on Overcoming Adversity and Finding Purpose

0:22:07   Conversation with Karen and Nick about Starting a Blanket Business

0:25:50   Conversation Summary: Navigating Sales Tax as a Small Business Owner

0:27:24   Conversation Summary: Starting a Business with Limited Knowledge

0:29:33   Conversation Summary: Adapting to Life with a C6 Spinal Cord Injury

0:31:14   "Entrepreneurial Journey: Nick and Karen's Experience with CuddleCowCompany.com"

0:34:05   Interview with Entrepreneurs Karen and John on Spinal Cord Research and Bootstrapping a Business

0:38:28   Interview with Karen and Nick of Cuddle Cows: Giving Back Through Cuddly Cows and Cute Shirts

0:40:02   Conversation with Nick and Sarah of Cuddlecat Apparel: A Part of the Solution, Not the Problem

0:44:47   Discussion on the Evolution of Marketing Strategies

0:46:40   Interview with Nick Carryman: How to Start a Business for Free and Sell Your Products Without Ads

0:48:11   Interview with Nick and Karen Fitch of Cuddle Cow: A Story of Overcoming Adversity and Achieving Success

HIGHLIGHTS

Be a part of the solution, not the problem. All right, so I want to be mindful of your time where I could sit here and pick your brain all day long because I'm like you.

But spinal cord injury is just kind of an underfunded area where there's not a lot of funds going towards that. But actually, in the last year or so, there's actually been a few new drugs that have been invited and therapies that are going into like a testing phase with the FDA.

And that's the bulk of our income through that. And then I also do a little bit of social media consulting and stuff with people on Facebook stuff because, I don't know, that's one of my passions.

And then here they are given with cuddle cows. You guys got to check this out. The link will be down in the show notes, everybody. I'm going to put all your links, the Facebook link, the TikTok link is going to be down there.

And if this business ends up becoming more part of our income, that would be great. But I would say we started this mainly for how we become part of the solution to find a cure for style for style burden.

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/podcast

In this podcast, Tracy Brinkman discusses how to turn old magazines into valuable content that can be sold online in this unique side hustle idea. He explains that this can be a great way to make money while decluttering your home. He also offers tips on how to get started, including finding sources for cheap or free magazines, and choosing which ones to sell.

In this conversation, Tracy talks about how entrepreneurs can take old magazines and turn them into valuable content or even make money online with them with this unique side hustle. He explains that if you have a collection of magazines, it likely means you have a passion for something, and that these magazines can take up a lot of space.

Tracy discusses choosing the right magazines to turn into online content notes that it is important to carefully select magazines that will be most valuable to whatever audience is consuming the content. He advises to consider magazines that are still relevant today, and offer timeless tips in areas such as style, cooking, and DIY projects.

Tracy discusses that to be successful with this side hustle there is an importance in finding old magazines that are still relevant today. They suggest looking for magazines with unique and hard to find information, as well as those with well-written and informative content.

Timestamps

Highlights

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/podcast

In this episode, host Tracy Brinkmann, introduces a five step method for goal setting and achieving New Year's resolutions. This method includes clarifying what you want, setting realistic goals, breaking down goals into actionable steps, staying accountable, and celebrating your accomplishments. In the next episode, Tracy will share a milieu check to help tie everything together.

The first step in goal-setting and achieving success is to look back at what you have already accomplished, no matter how big or small. This will help you get into the right mindset and remind you of your own potential. Next, look forward to what you want to achieve, imagining it in as much detail as possible. Finally, take action towards your goals, review your results, and be persistent.

Tracy Brinkmann urges the listener to choose a goal wisely, and to break it down into manageable chunks. They explain that it is important to think about what you want for your life, without worrying about what others will think. Once you have chosen a goal, the speaker suggests working on it one at a time.

Tracy Brinkmann is discussing how to achieve goals. They say that it is important to work on one goal at a time, until it is completed. They also say that everyone needs help to achieve their goals, and that this help can come from other people, courses, or training.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   Introduction New Year's Resolutions

0:02:00   The Five Steps to Achieving Your Goals

0:06:09   The Power of Choice

0:09:06   The Benefits of Focusing on a Single Goal

0:10:08   The Power of Goal Setting

0:11:47   The Importance of Taking Action on Your Goals

0:13:20   The Importance of Feedback in Achieving Goals

0:14:54   The Power of Time and Tenacity in Achieving Your Goals

0:20:32   Setting and Achieving Goals: A Conversation on Time, Tenacity, and Review

0:22:07   The Dark Horse Entrepreneur: How to Make Goals Happen

HIGHLIGHTS

When it comes to time and tenacity, you should be regularly reviewing your goals. You hear that? There's that R again. This is why I'm telling you the last two make the biggest difference.

Take a new action, get new results until you get those results that are more in the positive, at least in a neutral sense, right? And then they'll start going towards the positive sense.

And that help may be in the way of another person, a coach, a course, some training, right?. All these other opportunities that are out there, and you're going to go, okay, I need to learn salesmanship, or I need to hire a salesman, one of the two.

Now, some of the other goals you may have may be subparts of your ultimate goal, and you have to put them in the right place. But you don't go working on those parts until it's the right time.

Now, once you've chosen a goal, and I would urge you to work on one single goal at a time. So many people say, oh, I'm multitasking. I'm going to work on this goal.

What if you could know before you build whether people would actually buy?

In this episode, Tracy Brinkmann dismantles the myth of "build it and they will come" and reveals the new model smart parent entrepreneurs are using — sell it before you make it. Learn how to test side hustle ideas using AI-generated prototypes, gather real proof of demand, and protect your most valuable resource: time with your family.

You'll discover:

• Why "build first" is the biggest lie holding parents back.

• How one mom sold 42 planners she hadn't even made yet — thanks to AI.

• The 5-step "Sell It Before You Make It" framework for testing ideas in days, not months.

• The mental shift that turns uncertainty into freedom.

1. Build Blind vs. Build Smart "Build it and they will come" is outdated. Testing before you build lets you see demand before you pour in your time, money, or sanity.

2. AI Is Your New Business Partner AI tools like Canva AI, Midjourney, and ChatGPT make it easy to generate mockups, visuals, and landing page copy in a few hours — not weeks.

3. The 5-Step Framework

1. Generate your prototype with AI. Make mockups, visuals, or previews.

2. Build a simple landing page. Use Carrd, Gumroad, or Leadpages.

3. Put it in front of real people. Run small ads or share in parent groups.

4. Measure reactions. Track clicks, signups, and pre-orders.

5. Deliver or pivot. Build what works. Scrap what doesn't.

4. Proof Beats Perfection Validation matters more than polish. A single $20 test can save you hundreds of wasted hours.

5. Your Ideas Aren't the Risk — Wasted Time Is Every hour saved from guesswork is an hour you can give back to your family, health, and peace of mind.

"They told you to 'build it and they will come.' That's a lie. The winners test demand before they ever build it."

"Your ideas aren't the risk — wasted time is."

"Freedom doesn't come from perfection. Freedom comes from testing, learning, and moving fast."

"You don't need a finished product. You need proof."

• Canva AI – for creating digital product mockups

• Midjourney / Leonardo AI – for generating visuals

• ChatGPT (Custom GPTs) – for writing sales copy and descriptions

• Carrd, Leadpages, or Gumroad – for building simple pre-order or waitlist pages

This episode isn't just about saving time. It's about reclaiming control. AI has flipped the old business model — now, one parent at the kitchen table can test a side hustle idea in a weekend instead of spending months guessing.

Selling before you make it isn't cutting corners; it's cutting waste.

Ready to test your next idea the smart way? 👉 Listen to the full episode: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/EP523 👉 Subscribe to the AI Escape Plan Newsletter: https://DarkHorseSchooling.com/Newsletter

Get weekly (and often twice-weekly) strategies on how to start, grow, and streamline your AI-powered side hustle — all while protecting your family time.

#SellBeforeYouBuild #AIEscapePlan #ParentEntrepreneur #SideHustleFreedom #AIPrototyping #FamilyFirstHustle #MomsWithAI #MakeMoneyWithAI #NoFluffSideHustle #ThinkSuccessfullyTakeAction

DarkHorseSchooling.com/podcast

The problem with SEO is that it can be difficult to get high quality backlinks. However, there is a simple solution!

In this podcast episode, Tracy Brinkman talks about the importance of backlinks in SEO. He explains that backlinks are a crucial component of SEO and that they can help you get more traffic to your website or blog. He also gives some tips on how to get more backlinks, including guest blogging and creating great content.

The secret to getting organic backlinks is to rank number one for low or no competition keywords. This is because as the top pages get more exposure, they get more backlinks.

In order to get ahead of the competition, it is important to create quality content for terms that have little to no competition. This can be done by researching new terms that are being coined in your niche, or by creating content for terms that are already in use but don't have any definitive content. It is important to update your content regularly in order to maintain your position in Google.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   The Benefits and Power of Backlinks

0:00:53   SEO Backlinking: The Key to Successful Digital Marketing

0:02:36   The Secret to Getting Organic Backlinks: Rank Number One for Low or No Competition Keywords

0:05:55   How to Rank on Page One of Google

0:07:49   The Benefits of Creating Content for Low Use, Low Competition Keywords

HIGHLIGHTS

And so you're in the blue ocean creating the great content for those low use, low just up and coming red ocean keywords. And as your articles, your videos, your podcasts and content rank number one for these multiple keywords, you'll start to get your backlinks.

Now, in the experiment that they did, pages on the top spot for low or no competition keywords earned an average of 24 backlinks every year. That's because as the top pages get more exposure, they get more backlinks.

The secret to building organic backlinks is to rank number one for a low or no competition keywords. Yeah, let me say it again. The secret to getting organic backlinks, high quality organic backlinks, is to rank number one for low or no competition keywords, right?.

According to this study, top pages in the top spot get the top number of backlinks. Yeah, okay, stick with me for a minute. I'm going to Roy you the rest way through this.

Well, they're a crucial component of SEO. Now, you can't buy them in bulk well, you can, right? But you can't buy them in bulk and expect to get results.

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com  

The Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast helps entrepreneurs, coaches, and course creators who want to build a business online but are struggling with technology, procrastination, and imposter syndrome. In this episode, Tracy Brinkman discusses five money-generating niches that entrepreneurs can focus on to build a successful business.

Tracy Brinkmann shares that the topic of health is one of the best money generating topics out there. She explains that the health and fitness industry is growing rapidly and is worth billions of dollars. If you are passionate about the topic of health, you can carve out your own niche and make a lot of money.

Tracy discusses how to become a successful fitness content creator by narrowing down your niche and providing value to your audience. They also talk about the importance of money in the fitness industry, and how to make and save money as a content creator within the fitness arena.

Tracy discusses different ideas of possible blogging topics that could be profitable. The topics discussed were health, money, food, fitness and.. one other area of passion. It was noted that while not everybody is interested in every topic, there are ways to cater to different interests within each topic. For example, within the topic of food, one could blog about recipes, cooking classes, or the best places to eat in a certain city. It was also noted that food bloggers tend to make a higher median income than bloggers in other industries.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   The Five Best Money Generating Niches for Content

0:02:21   The Best Money Making Topics in the Blogosphere

0:03:59   How to Make Money in the Fitness Industry

0:05:24   3 Profitable Blogging Niches to Start in 2021

0:08:47   How to Make Money in the Food and Travel Niches

0:10:21   How to Create a Travel Blog That Makes Money

0:12:10   How to Choose a Niche for Your Blog, Video, or Podcast

0:17:29   The Benefits of Leveraging Your Experience to Create Products

0:19:03   The Dark Horse Entrepreneur Podcast: Episode #1 – Why These Five Passions Will Work For You

HIGHLIGHTS

You'll find it far easier to sustain your blog, your video, your podcast, whatever medium you're choosing to share your passion driven niche. You'll find it far easier to get over the hurdles, to crack through the barriers, to dig under the walls that are going to be placed between you and your goal, which is probably earning some money with it, right?.

Heck, you could probably get the folks that come on to your videocast or your podcast or your blog to pay you via their marketing funds that they would use to pay for their advertising.

One of the ladies I'm trying to get on the podcast has five of them  (unique air BnBs) and they're all ones like a spaceship. One is like shaped like a dog crazy.

Try creating a travel blog about the most unique airbnb's that are out there. Think about that for a moment, just for a moment, would you? There are a number of very unique B and B's out there.

There are some of them out there that are in the travel industry. So you could get your travel paid for, most likely, and enjoy the process at the same time.

A special thanks to ConspiracyMusicGuru.com for our new true solfeggio background music

https://DarkHorseSchooling.com

SUMMARY: The Dark Horse Entrepreneur podcast helps entrepreneurs who are struggling with technology, procrastination, and imposter syndrome. In this episode, Tracy Brinkman discusses how to generate endless content ideas. He recommends ten websites that entrepreneurs can use to get ideas for their next piece of content. These websites include sites like BuzzSumo, Quora, and Reddit.

Tracy discusses how important it is for experts in their field to come up with content ideas, and provides a list of ten websites that can help generate an endless stream of content ideas. The websites listed include: Quora, Reddit, Google Trends, and BuzzSumo. Tracy  emphasizes that the purpose of the list is not to provide ideas that can be copied and pasted, but rather to give experts an idea of what their audience might be interested in.

The conversation discusses the website Socrates which is a search engine designed to help you learn more about your target audience. You can use Socrates to find out what topics and keywords that are already popular inside your target audience as well as common problems they're facing and questions they're asking. The information from Socrates can be used to create content that is relevant and useful to your audience.

Quora is a website where people can ask and answer questions on any topic. It is a great resource for finding content ideas, as you can easily find questions relevant to your niche or industry.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00   10 Websites for Endless Content Ideas

0:02:14   10 Websites to Help You Generate an Endless Stream of Content Ideas

0:03:51   How to Use Socrates to Learn About Your Target Audience

0:05:34   How to Use Quora and Answer the Public to Create an Endless Stream of Blog Post Ideas

0:07:07   Quora: A Great Way to Generate Content Ideas

0:08:28   How to Use Various Websites to Generate Content Ideas

0:13:17   How to Use Various Online Platforms to Find Content Ideas for Your Life Coaching Business

0:19:04   How to Use Google Trends to Find Out What's Being Talked About in the Coaching World

0:20:36   10 Ways to Find Ideas for Your Life Coaching Business

0:22:21   Ten Websites for an Endless Source of Content Ideas

HIGHLIGHTS

This is a great way to find some visual content that is relevant to your audience to help you come up with ideas that are both interesting as well as being visually appealing.

Now in this particular example, it's actually the introduction to one of the people Twitter is trying to get me to follow. But if I click on their profile, they have a whole host of great pieces of content in here.

And as you might expect, these conversations can be a great source of content ideas to get started. Once again, type in the keyword or phrase and see what people are tweeting about.

How you can as a life coach to keep up with this example and I beat this one down the ground, could give your prospects, your clients, your customers some great ideas for motivational gifts for their loved ones on the holiday season.

Reddit is one of the most popular websites in the world and it's also a great source of content ideas. Simply browse through all the various Reddits. Some of you may think of them as forums and see what people are talking about.