In this episode, Matt Levenhagen shares his personal story of overcoming email chaos in his agency. This solo episode of The Builders takes listeners through Matt’s transition from managing multiple inboxes, struggling with scattered communications, and searching for a more efficient system to finally discovering Front. The episode highlights the difficulties he faced with previous tools like Zendesk and Help Scout and how his decision to adopt Front has transformed his agency’s email management. Listeners will hear about Matt’s journey from frustration to success, as he reveals the real-world challenges of juggling emails across multiple clients and partners. He explores how Front's features like inbox zero, tagging, and seamless integration with tools like ClickUp helped streamline communications and improve productivity. Matt’s story illustrates how the right email management tool can prepare an agency for growth, ensuring better organization and response times. Key Takeaways: The Struggle with Multiple Inboxes: Matt shares his early struggles managing various inboxes and tools, explaining how this chaos affected his efficiency.Exploring Solutions: Learn about the pros and cons of tools like Zendesk and Help Scout, and why they ultimately fell short.Discovering Front: Matt’s transition to using Front and how it revolutionized his workflow, particularly in handling tasks, linking email threads, and improving collaboration.Inbox Zero in Practice: Hear about the impact of achieving inbox zero, reducing clutter, and increasing focus within the agency.Scaling for the Future: The episode also explores how Front prepares Matt’s agency for growth, ensuring the system can handle more team members and incoming emails as the business scales. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this episode, Matt sits down with father-daughter duo Steve and Suzy Kirch to explore how AI can transform small businesses. Drawing from Steve’s extensive experience in business coaching and Suzy’s technical expertise in AI, they break down the practical ways artificial intelligence can revolutionize business operations, especially for knowledge workers. The conversation highlights why businesses must adopt AI to stay competitive, emphasizing the rapid rise in AI tools and their diverse applications. Suzy shares her journey from mathematics to AI expert, focusing on making AI accessible for non-technical users. Throughout the discussion, they address common misconceptions about AI, such as the fear of job displacement. Instead of replacing jobs, AI is portrayed as a tool to enhance efficiency, automate mundane tasks, and free up time for strategic thinking. The duo also explains generative AI, custom GPTs, and AI agents, offering concrete examples of how businesses can use these technologies for tasks like content creation, brainstorming, and workflow automation. The episode wraps up with actionable tips for getting started with AI and insights into Steve and Suzy’s comprehensive AI training program, designed to help businesses and employees maximize AI's potential.Key Takeaways: AI is becoming essential for modern businesses, especially for knowledge workers. Companies that don’t embrace it risk falling behind.Generative AI can streamline tasks, making work faster, easier, and more efficient, allowing businesses to focus on strategic goals.Providing clear context in AI prompts greatly improves the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated outputs.AI offers fresh perspectives on problem-solving, generating novel ideas and approaches that humans might not consider.Comprehensive AI training can significantly boost productivity for both individual employees and entire organizations. Free Masterclass Offer: Steve and Suzy Kersh are offering a free 1-year access to their AI Transformation Masterclass exclusively for The Builders listeners. This training will help you implement AI in your business, guiding you through practical steps to boost efficiency and productivity. You can access the Masterclass via the special link below: Special Masterclass Link for The Builders Listeners:https://simpleacademy.ai/6825/the-builders-podcast Additionally, they offer their AI Transformation Method™ Black Belt training for businesses looking to further empower their team and scale AI integration: AI Transformation Method™ Black Belt Training:https://simpleacademy.ai/6825/levenhagen --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this episode of "The Builders," Matt sits down with Nancy Zare, the "Sales Whisperer," for an insightful discussion on the power of softer selling through understanding buyer personalities. Nancy, a psychologist turned sales expert, shares her journey and reveals why the Platinum Rule—Treat others the way they want to be treated—is the cornerstone of her Likeability System. Built on 35 years of research, this system transforms traditional sales tactics into authentic, buyer-centered conversations that foster trust and genuine connections. Nancy introduces her framework for classifying buyers into four distinct styles—Buyers 2, 4, 6, and 8—each with its own decision-making process and communication preferences. By matching your sales approach to the buyer’s personality, you not only build rapport but also minimize sales resistance. Throughout the conversation, Nancy provides actionable insights on quickly identifying these buyer types, emphasizing the importance of listening, adapting, and being present in every interaction. She also discusses how the shift to digital communication has changed the sales landscape and how her system helps navigate these changes effectively. Key Takeaways: Understand Buyer Personalities: Learn to recognize buyer types (2, 4, 6, and 8) to tailor your sales approach to their needs.The Platinum Rule: Prioritize the buyer’s preferences—treat others the way they want to be treated—and avoid a one-size-fits-all approach.Confidence is Key: A confident demeanor in your product, company, and self plays a critical role in successful sales conversations.Listening Skills: The best salespeople listen more than they talk, responding to the unique criteria and desires of each buyer.Adapt and Connect: Flexibility in your approach fosters deeper connections, leading to reduced sales resistance and better outcomes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Builders podcast! In this episode, host Matt engages with Bob Taylor, founder of Copybean, to delve into the nuances of copywriting versus content writing, and how businesses can optimize their websites for conversions. Bob shares his insights on creating copy that not only draws in potential customers but also guides them towards taking specific actions, such as joining an email list or making a purchase. Throughout the episode, Bob and Matt discuss the critical differences between content writers and copywriters, emphasizing the strategic approach copywriters take to meet clients where they are and lead them through a journey. Bob illustrates the importance of understanding the customer’s mindset and building a bridge from their current thoughts to the desired solution using SEO-optimized keywords and effective call-to-actions. They also touch on the significance of design elements like color and placement in conversion rates, and the impactful role of understanding buyer awareness stages in crafting persuasive copy. Key Takeaways: Difference Between Content Writing and Copywriting: Content writing is more about informing and educating, while copywriting focuses on persuasion and driving specific actions.Understanding Customer Psychology: Knowing where the customer is in their journey is crucial for effective copywriting. This involves addressing their current thoughts and seamlessly leading them to your solution.Effective Call-to-Action (CTA): Utilizing strategic CTAs throughout a website, and ensuring these are highlighted with distinct design choices, can significantly boost conversion rates.Sales Page Optimization: Crafting a sales page involves careful consideration of the buyer’s awareness level and ensuring the content corresponds to their current needs and understanding.Strategic Utilization of Color and Placement: The use of specific colors and the strategic placement of buttons and CTAs play a vital role in drawing attention and guiding user behavior on your site. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this engaging episode of "The Builders," host Matt Levenhagen welcomes back AJ Saunders for a rich discussion diving deep into the nuances of SEO, content optimization, and strategic marketing. Their conversation is not just a theoretical overview but is filled with practical advice drawn from real-world experiences and case studies that make SEO a tangible and actionable practice for businesses. AJ starts by emphasizing the common misconception that SEO is solely about traffic; instead, he asserts, it’s about conversions. This foundational idea sets the stage for discussing how different business models require tailored SEO strategies. Whether running an e-commerce site or selling high-ticket items like automated recycling plants, the content must drive targeted traffic that leads to conversions. They also delve into the importance of creating content that answers specific user questions, thereby addressing both keyword optimization and user intent. Matt and AJ cover critical aspects of optimizing web pages, from the strategic placement of keywords in titles and meta descriptions to the significance of interlinking and external links. They discuss the art of balancing keyword density and the role of user experience in SEO. AJ introduces the concept of thinking in phrases rather than single keywords to better align with how people use search engines. Additionally, they touch upon the importance of having a structured internal linking strategy to signal to search engines which pages are the most valuable, thereby bolstering site authority. The episode concludes with insights into leveraging content and email marketing for user engagement and retention. AJ and Matt agree that understanding the end purpose of content—whether it’s to book a demo, sell a product, or collect email sign-ups—is crucial. With these actionable insights, anyone from novice marketers to seasoned professionals can glean something valuable to apply to their business strategies. Key Takeaways: SEO is About Conversions: Effective SEO strategies focus not just on driving traffic but on attracting quality traffic that leads to conversions.Content Optimization: Utilize keyword phrases and questions users are likely to search for to enhance relevance and improve search engine rankings.Technical SEO Elements: Optimize meta titles, descriptions, and implement structured interlinking to improve page authority and user experience.Resourceful Use of Content: Create content that not only educates but also integrates well into your sales funnel to move prospects through the buying process.Continual Adaptation: SEO is not a one-time activity. It requires continuous refinement and adaptation to stay aligned with evolving search engine algorithms and use --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this solo episode of The Builders podcast, Matt shares the real-life story of a weekend website meltdown that turned into a lesson-packed experience. Two of his websites went down due to unexpected memory issues on the server, forcing him to dive headfirst into troubleshooting mode. Throughout the episode, Matt walks you through the steps he took to identify the problem, solve it, and most importantly, the lessons learned from the process. He offers practical solutions for small business owners and agencies on how to prevent these issues, with a focus on the importance of reliable hosting, effective memory management, and the value of having solid processes in place. Whether you’re juggling multiple projects or trying to keep your website running smoothly, this episode provides real solutions and actionable insights from the trenches.Key Takeaways: Reliable Hosting Matters: Why choosing a dependable hosting provider like Liquid Web can be a game-changer for solving issues quickly.Mastering Memory Management: How managing your server’s memory effectively can keep your site running smoothly and prevent downtime.The Right Backup Strategy: Regular backups are essential—but keeping them organized and under control is just as important to avoid server overload.A Plan for Troubleshooting: Developing and following a standard operating procedure (SOP) can make diagnosing and fixing web problems easier.Learning from Experience: With the right processes and lessons from past challenges, you can tackle website issues like a pro. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this insightful episode of "The Builders," host Matt invites Roger Einstoss , co-founder and CEO of Braintly, to discuss the nuances of the nearshore software development industry. With years of entrepreneurial experience, Roger shares his journey from a software developer to a successful business owner, highlighting the advantages of hiring software talent from Latin America. Roger elaborates on the distinct benefits of nearshore versus offshore hiring, such as reduced time zone differences and better cultural alignment. He explains how Braintly bridges the talent gap for U.S. companies by providing dedicated software development teams that are both cost-effective and highly skilled. The conversation delves into specific client scenarios, including staff augmentation and building complete squads to handle projects for clients. Additionally, Roger sheds light on how events like Argentina's economic crises have contributed to a resilient and creative workforce in Latin America. Key Takeaways: Nearshore Advantages: Hiring from Latin America offers time zone compatibility and cultural alignment compared to offshore options like India or the Philippines.Cost Efficiency: Companies can save 50-60% on hiring costs by choosing talent from Latin America.High-Quality Talent: Despite lower costs, the talent pool is skilled and often more innovative, driven by a history of economic challenges.AI Integration: Utilizing AI in the recruitment and development process significantly enhances productivity and quality of work.Client-Centric Approach: Braintly focuses on providing tailored teams that integrate seamlessly with clients' existing structures, offering both technical expertise and project management. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this episode of The Builders, I’m excited to welcome back Per Sjofors, the renowned "Price Whisperer." Per shares profound insights into the art and science of pricing strategies, using compelling real-life stories to illustrate how businesses can harness pricing power to boost profitability and attract ideal customers. Throughout our conversation, Per explains the significance of understanding your market, adjusting pricing models, and the role of effective communication in justifying price changes. We delve into topics such as the psychology of pricing, the importance of customer segmentation, and how targeted marketing messages can make or break your pricing strategy. Per also highlights the often-overlooked impact of non-customers on business growth and the dangers of echo chambers. By drawing from his book, "The Price Whisperer: A Holistic Approach to Pricing Power," Per demonstrates how a holistic approach to pricing can drive sustainable growth and enhance financial performance. Whether you’re running a small business, launching a startup, or managing an established enterprise, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can transform your approach to pricing. Key Takeaways: Pricing Power: Discover how to increase prices without losing sales volume and why it’s crucial for your business’s success.Customer Targeting: Learn why targeting the right customer segments with tailored pricing is more effective than focusing solely on existing customers.Storytelling in Sales: Understand the importance of building a “story vault” to enhance sales and marketing efforts.Market Positioning: Explore how rebranding and repositioning can justify higher prices and attract better customers.Psychology of Pricing: Uncover the psychological impact of pricing and how small adjustments can lead to significant profitability.Loyalty Programs: Discover why paid loyalty programs like Costco’s are more effective than free ones and how they improve cash flow. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this transformative episode of The Builders, I sit down with Joel Salomon, a finance and mindset expert, to dive deep into navigating turbulent economic times with a blend of practical strategies and powerful mindset techniques. Joel, a seasoned prosperity coach and best-selling author, shares actionable insights on how to thrive financially even when the market is volatile. Joel introduces us to the concept of money manifestation, explaining how members of his Money Miracles Membership have manifested over $2.1 million using his techniques. We explore the critical role of mindset in financial success, particularly the importance of combining visualization with “inspired action” rather than sheer effort. Joel emphasizes the value of gratitude and how it elevates your financial frequency, attracting more abundance into your life. Key themes include adapting business strategies during downturns, leveraging resources effectively, and the transformative power of delegating tasks to those who are passionate about them. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to scale your business or someone seeking to improve your financial health, this episode offers invaluable advice on blending mindset with actionable strategies for sustained success. Key Takeaways: Manifestation and Money Mindset: Joel reveals how visualization, coupled with inspired action, can lead to unexpected financial windfalls.Business Leverage: Learn the importance of creating leverage in your business to move beyond the trap of trading time for money.Visualization Techniques: Step-by-step guidance on how to visualize your financial goals effectively, including feeling the outcome and the power of consistency.Adapting Strategies: Practical advice on optimizing resources, cutting unnecessary expenses, and using tools like AI to increase business efficiency.Gratitude and Financial Energy: Understand money as energy and discover how gratitude can transform your financial life. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this episode of "The Builders," I had the pleasure of speaking with Bob Taylor, founder of Copybean.co.uk and self-proclaimed "Persuasive Word Nerd." Bob’s story is a powerful testament to the resilience and determination it takes to carve out a successful career in an entirely new field. From his beginnings as an introverted insurance salesperson to becoming a thriving freelance copywriter, Bob's journey is filled with lessons on overcoming self-doubt, proving others wrong, and finding the intersection between passion and skill. We explore how Bob transitioned from a toxic work environment to building a business centered around his love for writing and persuasion. He shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including how he used harsh criticism as fuel to push forward and succeed where others expected him to fail. Bob’s experience underscores the importance of staying true to yourself, even when faced with daunting challenges or negative feedback. Whether you’re at the start of your career, contemplating a major change, or simply looking for inspiration, Bob’s journey offers valuable insights on persistence, self-belief, and the art of blending past experiences with new passions to build something meaningful. Tune in to hear how Bob turned obstacles into opportunities and how you can apply these lessons to your own entrepreneurial journey. Key Takeaways: Resilience and Self-Belief: How Bob overcame criticism and self-doubt to succeed in a new career.Transition from Sales to Copywriting: Bob’s journey from an introverted insurance salesperson to a successful freelance copywriter.Building a Freelance Business: The challenges and strategies Bob used to establish himself as a copywriter, including the importance of having a website.Creative Portfolio Development: The innovative ways Bob built his portfolio, even before landing his first client.Psychological Impact of a Website: Why Bob believes having a website was crucial for his business legitimacy and self-confidence, plus Matt’s insights on the psychological benefits and structure it provides.Lessons in Persistence: How Bob’s experience in sales helped him navigate the early struggles of freelancing and eventually thrive in his new profession. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this engaging solo episode, Matt Levenhagen delves into the critical importance of list building for online success. He shares personal anecdotes and lessons from his early days in internet marketing forums, emphasizing the need to capture customer details and build lasting relationships. Matt recounts a pivotal moment from 2005 where he realized the missed opportunities of not capturing buyer information and how it transformed his approach to online marketing. Throughout the episode, Matt outlines his current strategies and initiatives towards effective list building. He discusses his recent experiences and the innovations he’s adopted to ensure consistent engagement with his audience, including a year-long, carefully crafted email drip sequence inspired by guest Darrell Evans. This sequence, composed of 52 meticulously designed emails, aims to nurture subscribers, share valuable content, and softly pitch relevant services and products offered by Matt’s companies, Unified Web Design and Unified Plugins. Matt blends strategic advice with actionable steps, making this a must-listen episode for anyone eager to capitalize on email marketing and list building techniques. Key Takeaways: Importance of List Building: Capturing names and details of your audience is crucial for future engagements and sales opportunities.Automation and Consistency: Leveraging tools like Mailchimp to create automated and consistent email journeys can significantly enhance relationship-building efforts.Value-Driven Content: Ensuring your email content is predominantly value-driven and not just sales pitches can maintain subscriber interest and reduce churn.Strategic Segmentation: Segmenting lists based on subscriber actions and interests can personalize the content and make it more relevant.Personal Experience and Stories: Sharing personal success stories and case studies helps build authority and trust with your audience. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this engaging episode of The Builders, host Matt Levenhagen interviews Nick Barrett, the founder of CordBrick. Nick candidly shares his entrepreneurial journey from humble beginnings to creating a successful cord management solution. He delves into the developmental challenges, early validation stages, and eventual market success of CordBrick. Listeners get a first-hand account of Nick's innovative thinking, his hands-on approach to creating a prototype, and how he navigated the hurdles of manufacturing and market entry. Nick elaborates on his philosophy of building businesses, emphasizing the importance of passion, solving specific problems, and incremental validation through true customer feedback. With a focus on practical insights and entrepreneurial strategies, this episode provides listeners with a clear roadmap to turning ideas into tangible products. Nick’s story is not only about product success but also about his mission to inspire and support other entrepreneurs through his "Build Something" initiative. Key Takeaways: Validation and Iteration: Nick emphasizes the importance of creating a minimum viable product and iterating based on genuine customer feedback.Manufacturing Lessons: Early mistakes with manufacturing guided Nick to a better understanding of prototyping, ultimately leading to a quality product and cost-effective solutions.Marketing Strategy: The success of CordBrick was significantly driven by personal sales strategies, including direct engagement with potential customers at markets.Building for Exit: Nick discusses his long-term goal of building his company for acquisition, a strategy that influences his business decisions and development processes.Philanthropic Mission: Alongside his business venture, Nick is committed to giving back by supporting recovery housing and encouraging other entrepreneurs through motivational speaking and mentorship. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this enlightening episode of "The Builders," host Matt Levenhagen welcomes Umar Rana, a pioneering figure in the realm of e-commerce and technology solutions. Umar shares his dynamic journey from working for renowned companies to becoming a successful entrepreneur. His story is filled with strategic experiments, innovative solutions, and an unwavering commitment to solving problems, making it an inspiring listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and technology. Umar's entrepreneurial venture began in 2014 with the founding of Alchemative, and since then, he has made significant strides in the e-commerce industry. This episode delves into Umar's methodologies for nurturing organic growth, his passion for experimentation inspired by his upbringing, and his knack for identifying and solving complex problems ahead of the curve. Key topics include the successful implementation of Shopify in Pakistan, the creation of AI-driven payment solutions, and the development of logistics optimization tools. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI in eCommerce and how Umar integrates it into his solutions. Umar talks about his practical use cases for AI in enhancing logistics and customer interactions, as well as his optimistic view of AI's role in the future of technology. The episode is a must-listen for those looking to understand how to leverage technology for business growth and innovation. Key Takeaways: Experimentation and Organic Growth: Umar emphasizes the importance of a flexible, action-oriented approach to business, driven by constant experimentation and problem-solving.Focus on Core Competencies: Businesses should focus on their strengths and rely on experts for technology solutions, a principle that guided Umar's success with Alchemative.AI in eCommerce: The strategic use of AI can significantly optimize logistics, enhance customer interactions through conversational commerce, and improve operational efficiencies.Market Adaptation: Successful business models are those which can predict future market needs and develop solutions proactively.Global Expansion: Leveraging word-of-mouth and strategic partnerships can facilitate growth into international markets, as demonstrated by Umar's expansion into UAE and other countries. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this episode of "The Builders," we explore the dynamics between makers and managers with executive coach Dave Bates. With a wealth of experience from IBM to venture capital, Dave sheds light on the importance of respecting each team member's deep work and how managing interruptions effectively can lead to better team communication and higher performance. We discuss the critical balance between focused, uninterrupted work and necessary communication, and how both makers and managers can harmonize their workflows to achieve success. Dave offers practical advice on implementing the Eisenhower Matrix, establishing communication protocols, and protecting strategic planning time for leaders. Whether you're a maker immersed in creation or a manager juggling multiple responsibilities, this episode provides valuable insights to enhance your team's productivity and cohesion. Key Takeaways: Executive coaching should be tailored to the individual, focusing on personal growth and specific business goals rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.Makers vs. Managers: Recognizing and valuing different work styles and schedules is crucial for fostering a productive team environment.Effective communication is the backbone of high-performing teams, requiring clearly defined protocols and mutual respect for each role's contributions.Strategy work is deep, uninterrupted work that is essential for a founder's success and should be protected from unnecessary interruptions.Organizational success hinges on valuing all team members and their contributions, ensuring cohesive operations toward shared goals. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this enlightening solo episode, Matt Levenhagen dives deep into the topic of business specialization in business; whether that's an agency or any business. He shares his experiences in refining his agency's services, highlighting the importance of finding a niche and sticking to it to achieve greater efficiency and higher quality results. Matt provides practical insights and recounts stories from his daily business operations, underlining the real-world applications of narrowing one's focus. Throughout the conversation, Matt emphasizes the benefits of specializing, particularly in web design and WordPress development, along with the significance of being clear about what your business does and doesn't do. He underscores how specialization has allowed his team to improve processes, efficiency, and overall client satisfaction. Matt also explains his strategy in dealing with CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization) tasks and shares his thoughts on maintaining passion and enjoyment in one's work. These insights are particularly valuable for agencies and businesses looking to hone their core strengths and deliver superior results to their clients. Key Takeaways: Specialization Benefits: Specializing in a particular area, like custom web development, allows a business to build expertise, improve quality, and enhance efficiency.Passion in Work: Passion and enjoyment in what you do are crucial for long-term success and quality improvement.Client Relationships: Clear communication of services and limitations is essential in building strong, trust-based client relationships.Process Improvement: Specializing helps streamline processes, allowing teams to become more productive and proficient over time.Learning from Experience: Each project, whether successful or not, offers valuable lessons that contribute to refining skills and services. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this solo episode of The Builders Podcast, I’m diving deep into my latest ventures and sharing how all my digital projects interconnect. This episode is all about transparency—what I’ve been up to, how I envision the flow of traffic across my various sites, and the overarching strategy that binds them together. I discuss the intricacies of balancing multiple projects, from agency work to developing WordPress plugins, and how each piece of my digital puzzle complements the others. You’ll hear about my content creation strategies, the challenges of maintaining tech quality, and my personal journey of building a brand around diversified interests. Join me for an insightful look at the innovative journey of a multifaceted entrepreneur, and learn how you can enhance engagement through compelling content and strategic partnerships. Key Topics Technical Challenges: Overcoming podcast audio issues and navigating unscripted episodes.Unified Toolkit: Enhancing the WordPress admin experience with custom plugins.Content Strategy: Creating a cohesive content strategy for multiple blogs and websites.Brand Integration: Building products that align with agency services.Innovative Solutions: Developing and using custom plugins to solve practical problems.Affiliate Program: Insights into developing an affiliate program to boost plugin sales.Personal Insights: Sharing personal experiences and the roller coaster journey I envision my visitors taking. A fun roller coaster! 😀 Tune in to get a firsthand update on what’s been keeping me busy and how I’m strategically navigating the digital landscape to create a unified and engaging experience for my audience. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this solo episode, Matt Levenhagen delves into the intricacies of building strong business relationships, focusing on his new lead magnet, "Outsourcing Fit." He kicks off the discussion by sharing the inspiration and process behind creating the guide, emphasizing the importance of developing a lead magnet that aligns with your passion and business vision. Matt transitions into a thorough exploration of the first pillar of successful outsourcing: Relationship Fit. He outlines the key elements that make a successful business partnership and stresses the significance of shared values, trust, and effective communication in fostering fruitful collaborations. Through various anecdotes and real-life case studies, Matt illustrates how strategic partnerships and strong relationship foundations have propelled his agency to new heights. Key Takeaways: Building Trust: Establishing long-term trust with clients and partners is crucial for navigating crises effectively.Transparency and Communication: Open and honest communication helps in resolving issues and fostering healthy business relationships.Importance of Alignment: Ensuring cultural and operational alignment is essential for successful outsourcing and collaboration.Staying Connected: Regular check-ins and personal touchpoints strengthen business relationships and create lasting bonds.Passion-Driven Success: Aligning your business efforts with your passions can enhance motivation and the likelihood of success. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this engaging episode, host Matt sits down with Danny Nathan, the forward-thinking founder of Apollo 21. They delve into the world of product development, customer-centric innovation, and the significance of lean customer development. Danny shares his professional journey from the realm of traditional advertising to becoming a key player in the innovation sector, emphasizing the importance of building products that solve genuine customer problems. Danny discusses the methodology behind Apollo 21’s success, highlighting the principle of “Crawl Walk Run” in product development. This approach emphasizes starting small, validating ideas through customer feedback, and gradually scaling to meet larger business goals. He also touches on how innovation shouldn’t just be about creating new things but also understanding and embedding meaningful changes within an organization’s culture and operations. Key Takeaways: Lean Customer Development: Begin the product development process by talking to customers to understand their pain points before building anything.Crawl Walk Run: Start with the smallest thing that can be built to create value, then iterate and expand based on customer feedback.Relentless Collaboration: Build strong trust-based relationships with clients to ensure successful partnerships and product outcomes.Expect Clients to Outgrow You: Develop a mindset that allows clients to eventually internalize operations, fostering long-term trust and collaboration.Focus on Solving Real Problems: Ensure that any product or innovation effort is centered around addressing genuine customer needs. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this engaging episode of The Builders, host Matt Levenhagen is joined by marketing trailblazer Daniel Den to delve into the intricacies of designing impactful marketing messages. Den, a luminary in the realm of differentiation and messaging, shares his journey from his early entrepreneurial ventures to becoming a successful digital marketer. The episode is filled with insights about breaking through market noise using the novel X Factor Effect methodology, illustrated with real-world experiences and personal anecdotes. Daniel recounts his early success in 2009 with the innovative car insurance advertorial and the subsequent challenges posed by copycat competitors. He elaborates on their methodology, emphasizing the importance of differentiation through multiple unique selling propositions (USPs) to create a formidable market presence. The discussion also touches on crafting a compelling "microphone message," standing out in competitive markets, and leveraging authentic storytelling to build robust customer relationships. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a budding entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you refine your marketing strategies. Key Takeaways: The Power of Differentiation: Daniel highlights the significance of standing out by stacking multiple unique factors, making your business uncopyable.Crafting a Microphone Message: Importance of creating a marketing message that breaks through the noise, making your audience want to hear more.The Role of Authentic Storytelling: Leveraging real-life stories to resonate with your audience and beat AI-generated content.Building Trust with Your Audience: Creating a trustworthy presence that fosters customer loyalty through consistency in branding and social proof.Action Brings Clarity: Encouraging entrepreneurs to start somewhere and refine their approach through exploration and experimentation. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support

In this enlightening episode, Matt Levenhagen shares a candid behind-the-scenes look at the technology that powers his web design and development agency. Focusing on the transition from an aging MacBook Pro to a new model, Matt underscores the critical importance of performance, multitasking, and convenience in his day-to-day operations. The podcast delves into the decision-making process behind choosing the right tools to support a high-paced, global business environment. Initially, Matt sets the scene by discussing the technical difficulties he faced with his older MacBook Pro, such as battery issues, performance degradation, and the need for a reliable upgrade to sustain his growing business demands. Emphasizing the pragmatics of switching to a new MacBook Pro, he maps out how this change was essential in maintaining a seamless workflow and ensuring that his agency's operations stayed unaffected during the transition. The episode serves as a comprehensive guide for tech enthusiasts and business owners alike, highlighting thoughtful considerations that go into choosing a machine that's a workhorse for a professional running a digital enterprise. Matt articulates the hardware choices he made, including opting for the M3 Pro chip and additional memory for better multitasking capabilities, and explains how the new setup contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of his work. Key Takeaways: The necessity of upgrading to new technology when running a business to ensure continued efficiency and productivity.Selecting the appropriate hardware and software is critical for tasks such as developing, managing team communications, and content creation.The decision-making process behind selecting a new MacBook Pro, focusing on the M3 Pro chip for its multitasking capabilities.The importance of a seamless transition from old to new hardware to avoid downtime in business operations.Understanding personal workflow patterns and the day-to-day tech stack can facilitate smoother technology upgrades. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-builders/support