Ray Edwards Show

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How to Have More Money, Margin, and Meaning in Your Life Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

Who are you, and why are you here?

That's the question my podcast guest, Graham Cochrane, is helping us answer today.
"Most of us," Says Graham, "are living a life crafted by other people: family, social media, societal expectations, etc. We've conformed to the patterns of everyone around us without even meaning to."
Graham shows how to truly create YOUR life of freedom, joy, and meaning—on your terms, not someone else's.
During this conversation, he walks us through his simple five-part framework, and you will discover how to create the life you've always wanted.

Key Insights

Wake up from the world's sleepy autopilot way of living
Leave behind a legacy that others will want to emulate
Stick to a set of values as you navigate the big decisions in life
Determine what your ideal life looks like (in your work, business, relationships, finances, health)--and chart a path to get there
Dismantle harmful mental scripts and limiting beliefs that have kept you stuck (potentially for years)
Figure out what your dreams really are (or perhaps dream for the first time)

Video and Transcript

Links

Rebel: Find Yourself by Not Following the Crowd - The upcoming book from Graham Cochrane. Like I said, this guy is the real deal and I can't wait to get my hands on this book. There are some great reasons to preorder - Check Them Out Here

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show.
Questions or comments?

Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

He Makes $1,500 per Hour Using A.I. May 21, 2024

Show notes

Many technological advances come with a healthy dose of fear, and that has definitely been the case with AI - especially with writers and artists.
"Why would someone pay me when they can just ask an AI to generate something for them at virtually no cost?"
This week, I have an answer...one that gives me the right to gloat a bit.
Since the beginning of the A.I. craze, I have maintained that A.I. is a tool...An extremely powerful tool that works best when wielded by a skilled artist.
On this episode, you'll hear about an "A.I. Artist" who is making $1,500 an hour using this tool - and he's completely upfront about who (or what) is doing the heavy lifting.

Key Insights

A.I. will help us, not hurt us (IF we use it correctly)
My earlier email from the Daily Ray (details below)
Use A.I. as your "Unfair Advantage"
The article about the titular artist (linked below)
Why didn't the company just use the same tools the artist used?
"We don't care how he makes it. We only care that the end user enjoys our game." (let that soak in)
Sign up for our upcoming free workshop about building your writing business

Transcript and Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/660

Links

Yahoo News Article: On which this episode was based
Writing Business Roadmap: This FREE Online Class is hosted by Ray Edwards, who writes and creates marketing campaigns for top leaders like Michael Hyatt, Amy Porterfield, Stu McLaren, Donald Miller, Jeff Walker, Tony Robbins, and many more. Ray will "pull back the curtain" and reveal how to run your own writing business, based on the proven systems and tools that he uses himself.
Register now and get a free BONUS report: 10 Copywriting Packages You Can Sell to Clients (and pricing strategy & suggestions)
The Daily Ray: Every day, my goal is to send you something that you're glad you took the time to read. Subscribe at the bottom of this page (No spam...unsubscribe anytime if you're not a fan)

How You Can Help

7 Moves to Make Now May 15, 2024

Show notes

Economic "Tough Times" are here, but not yet fully here. What can you do to protect yourself and your business? I've got some wisdom to share from someone who's been through tough economic times before...Me.

This week, I'll give you the 7 moves you should make right now to not just survive, but thrive in this economy.

I make no claims to be a financial expert, and I'm not handing out any investment advice or the like. What I'm sharing today are 7 things that I'm doing to prepare for a tougher economy which seems to be looming ahead.

Some of these are so simple that you may be tempted to skip them...don't. I'm doing everything I can to make sure that my business continues to thrive while weathering any storms that lie ahead, including each and every one of these steps:

Recognize the season - For the world, for you, and for your business
Check the Basics of your business - Know the state of your List, Traffic, Conversion, and Retention
Gather Your Assets - Get an accurate read of what your assets really are
Go Premium - Shift to premium offers for premium clients
Be Essential - Put yourself in your client's shoes...could you live without you, or would you get cut?
See the Opportunity in Adversity - Sounds bad, but it's not. People struggling need help. Provide them the help that you are able to render.
Guard Your Mind - Disconnect from the news, the social sewers, and as much negativity as possible. Be conscious of what you're feeding your brain. Worry solves nothing.

Click Here For The Video and Transcript

Links

The One Person, $1-Millon Virtual Workshop: Registration closes soon for this unique, three-day virtual workshop meticulously designed for coaches and consultants, online educators, membership owners, or budding entrepreneurs like you. We're here to guide you in scaling your business to a One-Person $1-Million per year operation, without the need for additional employees or stress.

How You Can Help

Writing as Sacred Work May 08, 2024

Show notes

I want to talk to you about the incredible power of writing.
The power of storytelling.
And how it can help you connect with your divine purpose. Yes, even if the writing you do is marketing or sales copy.
That's the subject of this week's podcast episode.
In the podcast, I propose the idea that we writers are, in a sense, prophets. And as prophets, we are tasked with spreading a message of love, hope, and purpose to the world … through our work.
I know it's a little "out there" - but it's short.

Books that inspired me to become a writer (a storyteller)
Writers create Worlds
We should transport our readers, viewers, and listeners to somewhere good
I literally copied people's work...but not to steal - to learn
Regardless of the business you're in, you're telling a story
Writing is not a job...it's a noble calling
Whatever you're writing, do it as an act of devotion
Your words have power

Transcript and Video

https://www.rayedwards.com/658

How You Can Help

14 Days Unplugged Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

Let me preface this by acknowledging that most people (myself included) cannot instantly, and completely "disconnect" for two weeks. In my case, I had a full two years of notice, and it still wasn't easy.

Back in 2022, my wife and I decided to actually take the trip we'd been talking about taking for decades: A trip to the Netherlands. We purchased a non-refundable, non-transferable, two-week package for the two of us. I was committed. No turning back.

Like any driven entrepreneur, I had concerns about how well my business would run without me. 14 days of being off-the-radar...How could I possibly plan for every scenario? How could I deal with all of the "what if's" that were consuming my thoughts? Short answer...I couldn't. I had to trust that my business, my team, and my normal life, would all be waiting for me when I returned. And, guess what...I'm back, everything is intact, and I am much improved.

I (and probably you, to some degree) have an addiction to staying connected. For the first week of our trip, I had to stifle my little bouts of anxiety until I could completely let go, and be fully present with my wife, her family, the amazing people I met, and my unusual surroundings. My memories of this adventure are clear – unclouded by "doom scrolling", work check-ins, and phone calls.

This internet-free clarity allowed me to jot down a few observations that I thought were worthy of sharing. That's what I have for you on this week's episode.

5 Things I Learned After Being Unplugged For 14 Days

Endless striving does not produce more freedom - It produces more bondage
The best, intentional marketing campaign is simply to help people
The best way to get a bigger vision of the world is to "get out in it"
Recreation re-creates us
Writers will save the world

Transcript of this Episode

rayedwards.com/657

Listen to get the complete breakdown of each of these observations. I'll be back next week with another fresh episode.

How You Can Help

Writer's Rewind: 5 Common Copywriting Mistakes That Kill Sales Conversions Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

This week's episode is Part 3 of my Writer's Rewind Series, and it's all about why your copy isn't performing the way you think it should.
There's a reason it isn't converting, and most likely, it's one (or more) of the 5 reasons I'm about to give you.

Listen to learn what they are, and how to fix them.

5 Reasons Your Copy Is Failing

Failure to understand the "P" in the P.A.S.T.O.R. Framework
Not doing enough research
Not dealing with competing solutions
Your not getting the offer right
Not enough editing, revising and rewriting your copy

Transcript of This Episode:

https://www.rayedwards.com/656

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will definitely mention you on this show. We are also on Stitcher.com, so if you prefer Stitcher, please subscribe there.
Connect with Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Visit Ray's community on Facebook – This is a friendly group of writers, entrepreneurs, and coaches who share ideas and helpful advice.

The Most Important Skill For Any Business Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

This is part 2 of the "Writer's Rewind" series. I'm devoting this month to covering some of the fundamentals of great copy, and in the case of this week's episode, why copy itself is so fundamentally important to the success of your business, regardless of what that business is.

This episode was originally released almost a decade ago (the day I celebrated my 50th birthday). I must admit, I was pleased that none of this content is "outdated". All the reasons I gave to support my claim are no less true today than they were then.

Five Reasons Why Copywriting is the Most Important Skill For Any Business

It costs nothing, but returns can be huge
It can generate instant cash infusions
Copy builds stabilized income streams
Write once, profit indefinitely
Copy provides strategic positioning

Links

The Membership Experience - Part 2 of Stu McLaren's once-a-year training workshop is happening later today (4/8/24). If you're seeing this on that day, count yourself lucky and grab your free seat. This is must-see training for anyone who is interested in creating recurring revenue for their business. It's live at 3 p.m. Eastern, and I highly recommend watching the live stream if possible. Stu typically has "bonus content" that doesn't make the replay, but if the replay is all you can get, take it!
Get the transcript for this episode

How You Can Help

Why Your Copy Fails - P.A.S.T.O.R. Review Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

This week's podcast is a refresher on the core basics of writing persuasive copy (and everything is copy — it's not ONLY sales pages and emails).
If you can write effective sales copy, you can literally write your own paycheck.
There really should be no such thing as a "broke copywriter".
And there should be no such thing as a business owner or entrepreneur who is NOT a copywriter.
By definition, good copywriters can create money out of thin air. So this leads to a very important question: why does copy so often fail?
Fear not, Grasshopper. I have the answer…
There are universal psychological triggers that help you sell more effectively. Certainly, there are universal principles to writing persuasive sales copy. After all, as John E. Kennedy taught us, copywriting is mere "salesmanship in print".
You can hardly "swing a cat" these days without hitting a copywriter who has a "formula" for writing copy. Most of these formulas are actually quite good. BUT…
The formula I'm going to share with you today is intentionally based on these universal principles (which many of the cocky young yellow belts in the copywriting dojo are not even aware of).
Thus … back to you "PASTOR-ing" your customers.
Most people associate the term "pastor" with the preacher at church. While this is certainly true in most cases, the original meaning of the word "pastor" was actually "to shepherd".
And what does the shepherd do? He or she cares for, feeds, and protects the flock.
Now, before we go any further, I should address the habit that some marketers have of referring to their customers as their "herd". It seems to paint an unflattering picture. That kind of imagery is not what I am invoking here.

The actual role of a shepherd is a loving, caring, and protective one. In fact, Jesus, who called himself the "Good Shepherd", actually laid down his life for his flock.
I am certainly not suggesting any religious overtones for your copy: what I am suggesting is that you adopt the same loving, caring, and protective role as you write copy for your prospects and customers.

And, as you might've guessed, P.A.S.T.O.R. is also an acronym for pieces of your copy. Here is the explanation:

"P" is for PROBLEM
"A" is for AMPLIFY
"S" is for STORY and SOLUTION
"T" is for TRANSFORMATION and TESTIMONY
"O" is for OFFER
"R" is for RESPONSE

I'll promise you this: If you apply the mindset of being a shepherd to your readers, and you follow the sequence of the P.A.S.T.O.R formula, my prediction is you will experience more sales, more profits, and more happy customers… more often.

Links

Read This Or Die - Click to check out my new book, Read This Or Die, where I show you the sales letter I wrote to myself (that saved my life.)
Complete Transcript - Visit the show notes page for a complete transcript of this episode

How You Can Help

How to Un-Stress Your Business - with Stu McLaren Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

Who else wants to reduce your financial stress and create a stable source of income from your business? This is the way: shift to a membership-based business model.

I know what you might be thinking: "Geez, Uncle Ray… that sounds complicated, and anyways… ain't everybody sick of all the subscriptions?"

My answers are: it doesn't have to be complicated, and I can prove it to you. And yes, we are all tired of subscriptions… except for the ones we love. The ones you will only cancel when someone pries them from your cold, dead fingers. Like my Chewy.com subscription (my pugs LOVE their Chewy.com treats)... or my Paramount+ (because.. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds).

You and I need to wise up, and start building recurring revenue streams NOW - cause the coming year is gonna get all kinds of crazy.

My guest this week is the world's #1 expert in creating recurring revenue for virtually ANY business, Stu McLaren.

Key Insights

Why recurring revenue should be the goal of any business or entrepreneur (duh!)
The "death" of TicToc in the US? What would happen to the nearly 7,000,000 businesses that depend on it?
Every business has vulnerabilities - a membership with stable, recurring revenue gives you the ultimate insurance policy
The 4 types of memberships - Product based (e.g. Dollar Shave Club). Service based (e.g. car washes, massage therapy) Knowledge based (helping people solve an ongoing problem, or master a skill. e.g. guitar training) Community based (uniting people with common interests)
Two things that make your members stay: Consumption and Results
If you think your business doesn't fit this model, it's time to shift your mindset. Ask yourself, "How can I continue to serve my customers?"
Stu's live, once-a-year membership training starts April 4th. (Link below)

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/653

Links

The Membership Experience: This is Stu McLaren's live, once-a-year training and it's absolutely free to attend. If recurring revenue is what you're after, but have no idea where to start - This is where to start!

How You Can Help

Writing Gets You Everything You Want - Proof! Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

On last week's episode, I boldly declared, "Writing gets you everything you want." This week, I'm giving you some proof of how that has been true in my life.
You may already be thinking, "But Ray, you're a writer...of course writing has been important in your career."
The thing is, the proof I'm offering today has nothing to do with writing jobs. I wasn't hired to be a writer, but my writing is what got me hired, kept me working, got me promotions, and many other opportunities I would not have gotten otherwise.
Okay, enough of the preamble, let's get to the proof...

Key Insights

Where I came from (and why I didn't want to stay there)
My early marketing lessons - promoting family businesses
Writing increased my value in the radio business - it made me less expendable
Clients loved me because I wrote ads that made them money
My pitch for a six-figure job was written with the same sales-letter tactics I use today
My writing made me a sought-after talent in my industry
My long (50+ pages) pitch for a job with Citadel Broadcasting made me more than a half million dollars in personal income (not bad for a non-writing job)
My writing has allowed me to meet, learn from, and even teach many of my mentors
Subscribe to The Daily Ray for valuable tips, interesting observations, and occasional offers

Video And Transcript

https://www.rayedwards.com/652

Links

Subscribe to The Daily Ray

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