The $100 MBA Show

You’ve gotta do what’s best for your business. But you also have to do what’s best for the customers — especially the ones who supported you early on.. What happens when those two principles conflict? It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got a listener who wants to niche down their coaching business — which would mean leaving some happy clients behind. Can you do this without hurting your reputation and...

You’re ready to spend money on advertising. The question is: do you know how to get the best results? And if not, should you learn, or should you put that advertising budget into the hands of a pro? We had to ask ourselves those questions as our business grew. Paid advertising is complex, and only getting moreso. Whether it’s social media advertising, Google ads, or sponsoring things like podcasts...

Why did I do that? It’s a question we don’t ask ourselves enough. As small business leaders and entrepreneurs, it’s crucial to understand the human decision-making process. This week, we take a look at a Must-Read that does exactly that. Jonah Lehrer’s How We Decide challenges the myth of rational, logical, even self-serving decision-making. Instead, it delves into the emotional reasons we do what...

Every brand needs a story. Every story needs a hero. And every hero needs a villain. Don’t get us wrong; we’re not talking about “vilifying” the competition. We’re talking about differentiating. To build your brand’s narrative and stand out, you have to tell the world what you’re doing differently. In other words, you need contrast. Consumers are triggered to action by their “pain points,” the thi...

Teaching, training, and coaching online: everybody’s doing it for a reason. It’s one of the most profitable ways to monetize your expertise. But that comes with a downside — a ton of competition.  With so many courses, webinars, and videos out there, how can you stand out? Today, we’ll explain exactly how to set up your own paid, live workshop or course. We’ll discuss what tools to use, how to mar...

*Checks notes* Yep, the money’s still in the list.  Email is everything when it comes to marketing. It’s the #1 way to nurture leads, and move them closer to becoming customers. But how do you know if you’re…y’know, doing it right? How do you measure the success (or failure) of your email campaigns? Open and click rates, of course. It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got one listener who isn’t quite sur...

Want to innovate your marketing? Study marketing innovation. That’s what we’ve been doing, as we followed the launch of HEY , a new take on email from the guys who created Basecamp. And no — we’re not affiliated with Hey in any way.  We just paid close attention to Hey’s pre-launch marketing strategy, and felt compelled to share it with you. We’re not discussing Hey as a product. We’re discussing...

No more “post & pray.” It’s time for a strategic approach to social media. Social media advertising is a tricky business. But right now is a great time to get into it — costs are down, and folks are spending more time than usual scrolling around.  So how can you get the most out of your ad budget? Erin Corn of Shorebird Media is here to help. Corn knows what works in the world of social. Today, sh...

If you’re cutting costs this year, you’re not alone.  One of the easiest ways to boost profits is to cut down on overhead. But lowering expenses can cost your business in ways you might not realize — especially when it comes to ditching providers and suppliers in favor of cheaper options. Whether it’s digital providers (of things like CRM software), or suppliers of physical materials, breaking up...

Where are your (potential) customers? More importantly, how do you get their email addresses? Today, we’re talking top of the funnel. We’ve got 3 creative ways to find your audience, and get them to opt into the conversation. You probably haven’t tried these (or all of them, anyway), but they work — if executed properly. Give them a try! Consumers guard their inbox more fiercely than ever. Earning...

Swag is fun. But is it effective? What’s the real power of t-shirts, mugs, stickers, and all the rest? What’s a reasonable ROI, and how do you even measure it? We’ve given away lots of branded gear over the years. Was it worth it? At least one listener wants to know.  It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’re discussing how to produce and distribute swag as a marketing strategy. Our listener has an up-and-com...

How good can 2020 be? Crazy question, right? But it’s one you should be asking.  This sh*tshow of a year has derailed businesses and shattered motivation around the world. But entrepreneurs thrive on challenge — even if it’s just the challenge to survive. So how can you get the most out of this wacky year? Today, we’ve got some answers. There are a few pieces you can put in place now, so you can l...

How much revenue are you leaving on the table? Rob Ristagno knows data. From baseball to balance sheets, he specializes in figuring out what the numbers are saying — and what they’re hiding. Today, he’s here to teach us a simple exercise to get the most out of the data we already have. Best of all? This method works for any size business. You don’t need years of analytics experience, like Rob has....

There’s no way around meetings. But they don’t have to suck. Today, we’re sharing our best tips for ensuring that your team’s meetings are tight, efficient, and not a boring slog. Most importantly, these 4 “Must Do’s” guarantee that your meetings aren’t the worst possible thing: a waste of time. It just takes a little planning. These are the tactics we use for each and every one of our meetings, b...

If business isn’t doing any good…what’s the point? We’re interrupting our regular podcast stream to bring you something special. It’s the first episode of Real Good, a new podcast about people using the power of their business to make a better world.  Seriously. These stories aren’t about PR or charity.  They’re about businesses and leaders who found ways to invest in the people, places, and ideas...

They say success is mostly perspiration, with a little inspiration. But what about motivation? Keeping spirits high is a team leader’s responsibility. The best way to do that? Breed success with success by regularly celebrating wins. By making a point of basking in small victories every week, you keep the motivation going.  Feeling the little wins paves the way for the big wins. Today, we’ll discu...

Solo no mo’.  It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got a listener who’s finally making enough revenue to double the size of their one-person team. The only problem? This soon-to-be-former solopreneur isn’t sure what position to fill. What’s the priority?  Your first hire is a big investment (and commitment). It’s crucial to find someone that doesn’t just do a job, but maximizes the ROI of their salary — ...

We dare you. Seriously, we want you to do this. Raise your prices, even if it’s just a little. Do it this month, and you’ll learn something very powerful. You’ll learn that you can charge more than you think — without pissing off your customers. And there’s one way to prove it. A few factors keep small business’ prices artificially low. Mostly, it’s fear. Fear that your product isn’t worth that mu...

Let’s talk about death — but in a good way! This is a very different “Must Read.” Neville Medhora’s You’re Gonna Die isn’t exactly about business. Or it’s not only about business. It’s about life, how it ends, and how we all need to make every second of it count. Especially entrepreneurs. Subtitled “A framework for happiness,” this book is pound-for-pound one of the most impactful we’ve ever featu...

This crisis will end. But when? And can your business last ‘till then? Let’s find out. Today, we’re discussing what your company needs to come through the other side of this whole COVID thing. How can you navigate the tunnel when you can’t yet see the light? How do you know when it’s smarter just to tap out? It’s probably time to ask yourself. We’ll explore a few strategies you can use to keep you...

Should onboarding cost the customer money? Can “set-up” fees backfire?  Once you’ve made the sale, is it smart to immediately tack on an extra charge just to get someone up and running? It depends.  Today, we’ll discuss why businesses charge these initial, one-time set-up fees. By understanding why companies do it — and how it can protect their own balance sheet —  you can make a better decision a...

Entrepreneurs are different. We don’t work the same. We don’t live the same. And we face challenges that the conventionally employed just don’t. For example, it can be incredibly tough to “leave work at work” when we’re solely responsible for our businesses. Our brains are full of hamsters, spinning away on wheels that never stop. So can we treat this condition?  It’s Q&A Wednesday, and one listen...

Don’t miss this one.  It’s an in-depth interview with someone who saw a special niche in a very, very competitive industry, and filled it successfully. It’s a true Master Class in both business-building and one of the most important aspects of digital marketing: email. No, email isn’t “dead,” or anywhere close to it. Yes, the money is still “in the list.” Today’s guest, and his story, are proof. S...

Retention is the new acquisition. As business people, we put a ton of effort into getting new customers. But so many of us fail to devote adequate focus to keeping the customers we have. It’s a plague! A syndrome. A common pitfall that’s swallowed a million businesses.  So how can you keep — and keep profiting from — existing customers? Joey Coleman’s Never Lose A Customer Again has been on our “t...

Are your finances getting too big to handle? That’s a great problem to have! But it’s a problem nonetheless. Hiring a CFO is a sign you’ve arrived. It means you’re dealing with so much revenue and expenses that it’s no longer something you can just…do. You need a professional who can take total command of your business’s money. It’s a lot of control to give up — but it frees you up to do more of w...