Amy has built a freaking empire (and quickly, I might add) by creating high quality digital products/training focused on Facebook marketing. And she has a podcast on the rise as well, which has been an absolute force.

Amy is a one-woman wrecking crew and today on the show she is candid as ever talking about everything, including what is working in her business right now, her top strategies for marketing her products, why she is doing a podcast, and so much more. Trust me – this is juicy!

Listen below.

PS: I mentioned this last week, but very soon (next week if all goes to plan) we are unveiling the NEW The Rise To The Top show format. Get ready to cry…with happiness.

I use RISE partner Wistia for video hosting because they rock. Check ‘em out.

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Amy’s website
Amy on Twitter
Amy on Facebook

Giving Away a Free Camera!

Our good friends at Citrix Online are back with a kick butt giveaway. So, as you probably know, GoToMeeting comes with HD Faces (so you can actually SEE who you are meeting with, which is awesome).

To encourage peeps to turn on their webcam, we are giving away a brand spanking new Logitech B525 HD Webcam to a lucky member of RISE Nation.

How do you enter? Really simple. Tweet your answer to this question (make sure to use the hashtags #risewebcam and #gotomeeting):

If you could have a meeting with anyone famous (living or not), using GoToMeeting with HD Faces, who would it be and why? Click here to tweet your answer!

Enter as many times as you want, between now and June 2nd at midnight.

Free Training Is Coming!

If you haven’t already heard, I’ve got some FREE training (and then an opportunity to join my new program) on its way to teach you how to turn your platform (blog, web show, podcast, etc) into revenue by creating your own online course . Creating an online course completely changed my business and if I can do it, you definitely can –  just like all the top mediapreneurs out there. Make sure to sign up for free right here if you are interested, as the first training video is going to be out shortly – and trust me, it is SUPER actionable and step-by-step.

To encourage peeps to turn on their webcam, we are giving away a brand spanking new Logitech B525 HD Webcam to a lucky member of RISE Nation.

How do you enter? Really simple. Tweet your answer to this question (make sure to use the hashtags #risewebcam and #gotomeeting):

If you could have a meeting with anyone famous (living or not), using GoToMeeting with HD Faces, who would it be and why? Click here to tweet your answer!

Enter as many times as you want, between now and June 2nd at midnight (go crazy with it!).

I use RISE partner LeadPlayer for DSG TV, which helps me build my list with video. Check ‘em out here.

A few years ago, Dan Andrews and a buddy decided to start a podcast – The Lifestyle Business Podcast. They had no previous built-in fan base and no traditional media audience. They started it from scratch.

Now, the podcast has over 1,000,000 downloads, has received 200+ 5-star reviews on iTunes, and is often ranked as a top 25 business podcast in Apple’s directory.

How about the business side (it’s one thing to build an audience, and another thing to build a PROFITABLE audience)? Dan experimented with many different monetization models and in today’s episode, he reveals which one “worked” for him (and how they are generating money). Plus, Dan has all kinds of cool insights and more. Listen below.

PS: I’ve gotten a few (ahem, like 3948855858.8) emails lately saying something like, “David! I’ve noticed that the last few episodes have been audio only. Are you getting rid of video?”. The answer is a resounding, “Nope!”. In fact, quite the opposite. Actually, we have a brand new format coming very, very soon. I don’t want to reveal too much more (tee-hee). But trust me, it shall be epic.

I use RISE partner Wistia for video hosting because they rock. Check ‘em out.

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The Lifestyle Business Podcast
Tropical MBA
Dan on Twitter
Empire Flippers
Modern Cat Designs

This Episode Of The Rise To The Top Is Exclusively Sponsored By GoToMeeting:

A few weeks ago we made a big decision at The Rise To The Top to move to a really cool software/business program for all our emails, customer management, etc. called Office Auto Pilot. A big migration like this can be a huge pain in the butt, but I was able to meet with the OAP team with the greatest of ease thanks to GoToMeeting. They showed me exactly how the software worked, how we could use it, etc. by sharing with me video, their screens, and more all on GoToMeeting. GoToMeeting is super essential for any mediapreneur. Nab a 45-day free trial just for RISE Nation.

Create Awesome Online Courses

If you haven’t signed up already, I’ve got some FREE training (and then an opportunity to join my new program) on its way to teach you how to turn your platform (blog, web show, podcast, etc) into revenue by creating your own online course. Creating an online course completely changed my business and if I can do it, you definitely can. Make sure to sign up free right here if you are interested, as the first training video is going to be out shortly – and trust me, it is SUPER actionable and step-by-step (I pride myself on giving away far more than what people charge for!).

Behind door #1: Build a fan base and an audience and then come up with a product/service/something awesome to sell to them.

Behind door #2: Create an awesome product/service/something to sell and then go build the audience.

Spoiler alert…both work.

However, let’s say you decide to open door #1. You are hustling to build your audience. Creating awesome content. You’re rocking and rolling. Bee-bopping-and-scootin’.

And then you start to get stuck. When should I release a product (aka. sell something)? Is there a perfect time? Do I need a certain amount of subscribers? Ahhh crap!

If this is where you are stuck, I’m going to give you a straight-up dose of delicious reality in today’s DSG TV where I answer the question: “Is there a ‘right time’ to come out with a product and sell it to my audience?”. Watch below.

In the comments section, what is your take? Do you think there is a “right time” to come out with a product? What has been your experience with it? Leave some love and let’s discuss it up!

I use RISE partner LeadPlayer for DSG TV, which helps me build my list with video. Check ‘em out here.

John Romaniello is one of those peeps. In just a few years, he went from a random trainer to one of the top online fitness personalities with a multiple six figure (now 7-figure) mediapreneur empire, a passionate audience, a ridiculously awesome book deal (7 figures, once again). Now that book is a New York Times bestseller.

How the heck did he do it? I grill him in today’s episode of The Rise To The Top. Listen below. Roman has a super unique style (which I love and appreciate anyone being themselves without apology). See you in the comments section (make sure to leave some love).

I use RISE partner Wistia for video hosting because they rock. Check ‘em out.

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Roman’s new book, Man 2.0: Engineering The Alpha (affiliate)
Roman’s fitness site
Roman’s personal site (cool design, btw)
Follow Roman on Twitter (and tell him you saw him on @therisetothetop)

This Episode Of The Rise To The Top Is Exclusively Sponsored By GoToMeeting:

A few weeks ago we made a big decision at The Rise To The Top to move to a really cool software/business program for all our emails, customer management, etc. called Office Auto Pilot. A big migration like this can be a huge pain in the butt, but I was able to meet with the OAP team with the greatest of ease thanks to GoToMeeting. They showed me exactly how the software worked, how we could use it, etc. by sharing with me video, their screens, and more all on GoToMeeting. GoToMeeting is super essential for any mediapreneur. Nab a 45-day free trial just for RISE Nation.

Free video training is on its way to help you create, promote, and profit from your own online course (and an invitation/opportunity to nab my new course). Make sure to enter your email.

He has the essentials down. Great ideas on content. Great looking website (sexy!) that was also setup nicely to turn folks into subscribers (encouraging them to sign up via email, of course). A very clear message. A very clear target audience. The foundation is set and he is ready now for domination.

The question then became, what is the “quickest” way he can bring in some delicious traffic to his platform?

Here is the advice I gave him, in today’s DSG TV. Watch below. And let me know in the comments – have you used this strategy? What have been your results?)

I use RISE partner LeadPlayer for DSG TV, which helps me build my list with video. Check ‘em out here.

See, here is the crazy thing. Heather used to be a corporate accountant (not that it is a crazy thing to be an accountant, but once you get to know Heather in this conversation today you will giggle when you think about her nerding it up).

But, she decided she wanted to do something far more awesome and share her huge knowledge of healthy foods. And now she continues to build her online empire as she revolutionizes how entrepreneurs are eating (pretty cool, right?).

Be a fly on the wall in today’s chat with Heather as I blitz her on all kinds of juicy topics, ranging from how she got started, to the good, bad, and ugly with her first major online product, and more.

Listen below and make sure to leave a little love in the comments.

I use RISE partner Wistia for video hosting because they rock. Check ‘em out.

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Heather’s site (awesome stuff) – Make sure to take the eating personality quiz!
Follow Heather on Twitter (and tell her you saw her on @therisetothetop)

This Episode Of The Rise To The Top Is Exclusively Sponsored By GoToMyPC:

Fun fact about GoToMyPC. Not only can you access the files from your home computer from pretty much every device (iPad, iPod, Kindle Fire, Android, etc), but did you know that you can also access the PROGRAMS on your home computer (even if they aren’t supported by the device)? Now that is kick butt. No more downtime at the airports, dentist, etc. Nab a free 45-day trial right here.

Free video training is on its way to help you create, promote, and profit from your own online course (and an invitation/opportunity to nab my new course). Make sure to enter your email.

I was talking the other day with a friend about what I call the “content treadmill”.

As you know (you do know this, right?), one of the ABSOLUTE KEYS to success is posting regular free content consistently. Blog posts, web show, podcasts…whatever your style is. At least once a week. EVERY WEEK. Because consistency definitely brings trust, expectations, and all that good jazz (people know when to show up).

But, sometimes creating an epic blog post/web show/podcast every week can be a little…umm…tricky. And by tricky, I mean it can start to feel like a treadmill. The ole content treadmill. And things start to become less fun. You start burning out. And it sucks.

And yes, I’ve felt that horrible feeling of the content treadmill before, but thanks to some epic advice I haven’t felt it in a long time.

In today’s DSG TV, I share with you that kick-butt advice (and a shift in the way you can look at creating your content). Watch below. And let me know in the comments if this “trick” will help you get off the treadmill.

I use RISE partner LeadPlayer for DSG TV, which helps me build my list with video. Check ‘em out here.

May is the magic month to Create Awesome Online Courses. Soooooo, enough teasing. My brand spankin’ new course – Create Awesome Online Courses: The proven step-by-step system for creating promoting and profiting from your own online course – is going to be released this May. Interested? Awesome! Make sure to enter your email here to get on the VIP course creators email list and get some epic free content AND be the first to get your grubby hands on the course this May (with special VIP bonuses).

I met Stu McLaren a few years ago and, gotta say, he is one badass mediapreneur (to say the least).

Now, if the name Stu McLaren doesn’t ring a bell, don’t fret or cry. I bet the name “WishList” means something to you (WishList is the membership solution for WordPress that is now trusted by over 40,000+ blogs, online communities, and membership site owners). WishList is Stu’s baby.

But the funny thing is, like all of us mediapreneurs (well, most), Stu isn’t a techy dude. He isn’t a software programmer. He is a marketer/business builder/content creator/speaker/all of the above.

So, how does someone as “non-techy” as Stu create something as wildly successful as WishList? That is EXACTLY what I set out to learn for all of us in today’s interview. Regardless of your business model (whatever you sell), you are going to take away some HUGE insights from this.

Listen and learn below. And, as always, your comments keep me going like the Energizer Bunny, so make sure to let me know your thoughts in the comments section.

I use RISE partner Wistia for video hosting because they rock. Check ‘em out.

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WishList (my yummy affiliate link)
Rhino Support (also my yummy affiliate link).
Stu’s Personal Website
Stu on Twitter (tell him you saw him on @therisetothetop)

This Episode Of The Rise To The Top Is Exclusively Sponsored By GoToMeeting:

A few weeks ago we made a big decision at The Rise To The Top to move to a really cool software/business program for all our emails, customer management, etc. called Office Auto Pilot. A big migration like this can be a huge pain in the butt, but I was able to meet with the OAP team with the greatest of ease thanks to GoToMeeting. They showed me exactly how the software worked, how we could use it, etc. by sharing with me video, their screens, and more all on GoToMeeting. GoToMeeting is super essential for any mediapreneur. Nab a 45-day free trial just for RISE Nation.

May is the magic month to Create Awesome Online Courses. Soooooo, enough teasing. My brand spankin’ new course – Create Awesome Online Courses: The proven step-by-step system for creating promoting and profiting from your own online course – is going to be released this May. Interested? Awesome! Make sure to enter your email here to get on the VIP course creators email list and get some epic free content AND be the first to get your grubby hands on the course this May (with special VIP bonuses).

When I started building The Rise To The Top in 2008, I basically “acted” like I thought I was supposed to act. Meaning, slicked back hair, suits, very little personality, very calculated.

Looking back now, I’m super embarrassed by it. Because, honestly, sometimes all of us are scared to show our true selves (flaws and all!).

One of the key moments that skyrocketed my fan base was when I finally said “Screw it!”. Meaning, I decided to talk on camera like I talk in real life (and to my friends). I decided to write like I talk in real life. Just being me (including the occasional curse word and douche-a-saurus reference).

And the results were HUGE.

In today’s quick DSG TV video, I talk about this shift and some MAJOR lessons of being comfortable with your own style and personality. Watch below (and let me know in the comments section, are you being “you” online?).

I use RISE partner LeadPlayer for DSG TV, which helps me build my list with video. Check ‘em out here.

May is the magic month to Create Awesome Online Courses. Soooooo, enough teasing. My brand spankin’ new course – Create Awesome Online Courses: The proven step-by-step system for creating promoting and profiting from your own online course – is going to be released this May. Interested? Awesome! Make sure to enter your email here to get on the VIP course creators email list and get some epic free content AND be the first to get your grubby hands on the course this May (with special VIP bonuses).