MentorBox Book Review: My Favorite Book So Far

Those who have been following PPC Ian for a while know that I love MentorBox. A program co-founded by Alex Mehr, Ph.D. and Tai Lopez, MentorBox provides a truly unique self-education platform. As a paying customer, MentorBox got me reading again, and has me consuming and putting into action two books per month! These are books that are taking my life to the next level. I’m investing aggressively in my self-education.

MentorBox Mastermind Meetup In San Francisco

Having written a variety of posts here on PPC Ian about MentorBox and having filmed a variety of video reviews on YouTube, I often receive questions about the program. One of my recurring questions goes like this, "Hey Ian, it seems like MentorBox offers a variety of books, mainly around sales, marketing, and professional success in business. However, I was wondering: Does the program also mix in books about other topics as well?"

Today’s post is a response to this very question. In short: Yes, MentorBox absolutely provides value above and beyond sales, marketing, and business. I’m on the physical box product and love the randomness of the books I receive spanning all different topics. As the most avid readers I know (including Tai Lopez, the man who reads a book a day), I truly enjoy how the MentorBox team chooses books for me each and every month. Most books are ones I would have never picked on my own – how amazing! (It’s this curation of books alone that provides a tremendous value in my life, but I’ve already covered that in length in my other reviews.)

You. Are. The. One. By Kute Blackson

Just recently, I received a book about spirituality called “You. Are. The. One.” by Kute Blackson. While I have enjoyed all of the MentorBox lessons that have come my way, this book is my favorite so far. In fact, I not only enjoyed the cheat sheet, study guide, nearly 2-hour video interview with Kute himself, but also read the book cover-to-cover. I don’t read all of the books in MentorBox, but I do from time-to-time when the topic really draws my interest.

An Adventure In Spirituality

I consider myself a spiritual person, increasingly so over the last few years. Spirituality has become an important component of my life, and one that I want to develop substantially. Spirituality brings comfort, motivation, big ideas, energy, caring for others, purpose, and so much more! As soon as I received this book, I knew it was going to be a great one!

Kute Blackson: The New Voice of Spirituality

Let’s start with the author. I’m really impressed with Kute Blackson. Not only is his message powerful, but his delivery is even more powerful:

Upon watching the video with Jonathan Kendall (COO at MentorBox) and Kute Blackson, you can clearly experience and appreciate the power of Kute’s delivery. Having grown up in a large church environment, Kute is a master of public speaking. In fact, for years he went to his father’s church in the middle of the night to practice preaching. I truly appreciate the preaching style of Kute’s delivery. He’s a pastor for the Internet generation.
Kute Blackson really has a larger-than-life presence. His approach is grounded in confidence, knowledge, power, and caring for others. MentorBox adds a completely new dimension to Kute’s work because the video allows us to all experience Kute’s presence (and this presence does not come across in reading the book alone).
It is a personal goal of mine to smile more frequently, so I really enjoyed seeing Kute’s smile throughout the video. Experiencing Kute’s smile and his ability to toggle between serious and happy topics is truly unique.
Kute’s life experience is incredible and is the source of his great wisdom. I suggest enjoying this book to learn how real-world challenges and life experiences have shaped Kute’s philosophy and timeless wisdom.

Lessons Learned From You. Are. The. One.

I cannot even begin to summarize this book, because the lessons are so incredibly bountiful and deep. However, I want to take this opportunity to share three of my favorite insights from You. Are. The. One. (and the accompanying MentorBox materials).

Lesson 1: Follow Your Authentic Self

Kute explains that we all have greatness encoded in our genes. Literally, he says, "YOU ARE THE ONE." We also all have gifts, passions, and dreams. We have everything we need!

The world does not owe us anything. Nobody owes us anything. Rather, we all owe the world our gifts. We are in a unique time in human history, and the world needs our gifts more than ever before.

It is no coincidence that one has a particular dream. It is not by accident. Your dream has chosen you. Go after that dream with everything you have. Make sure that your dream aligns with doing greater good for society. It’s time to serve others!

Lesson 2: Your Thoughts Are Not Who You Are

How many of you reading have negative thoughts come up from time-to-time? How about de-motivating thoughts, ones that tell you that you are not good enough or may never live the life you want? Reality check: Everyone has these thoughts. And, they are absolutely not real.

Kute explains that thoughts are completely different from who we are. They are a representation of our brains trying to be cautious and protect us, a relic from old times. We need to observe our thoughts, but we do not need to dwell on them. If a de-motivating thought comes up, it’s important to realize that it’s just a thought. And, it’s important to give it no power!

On a higher level, Kute asks us to challenge our entire way of thinking. Are there certain beliefs that we hold because of our conditioning? It’s important that we all seek our own truth. We should not allow our minds to take away our freedom and dreams.

Lesson 3: Spirituality Is Everywhere

If you’ve been reading PPC Ian for a long time, you may remember that I like to Pray While I’m Running. In a similar way, Kute explains that life is a meditation. Spirituality is everywhere. Spirituality should be a part of every moment of one’s life. There is no separation. Life is about enjoying the ordinary moments, and there is deep meaning in all moments.

Thanks MentorBox, For An Incredible Book On Spirituality

I truly enjoyed this book, and hope my review helps illustrate the diversity of titles and topics within MentorBox. (MentorBox is definitely not only about lessons in sales and marketing.)

Each year, I’m a big fan of giving holiday gifts to business partners, friends, co-workers, and family. The Five Minute Journal has been a favorite gift to give, and I always have a stack of them ready to go. In fact, I just handed out two Five Minute Journals last week!

I’m pleased to now have another go-to gift book, "You. Are. The. One." by Kute Blackson! I just ordered a stack, and look forward to giving these out as gifts too. This holiday season, I already have a list of friends and co-workers who will receive this book from me – how neat! (As a bonus tip: Whether I’m giving away The Five Minute Journal or You. Are. The. One., I like to take the time to write a heartfelt message inside the cover. It’s all about making gifts personal and meaningful!)

Say Thank You To PPC Ian – My MentorBox Affiliate Link

Stanford University (My Alma Mater) Is The Perfect Place To Take In Mentor Box

Before I sign off for today, I want to let you know that I am an affiliate of MentorBox. What does this mean? When someone purchases via my affiliate link, the customer pays the same price, however I earn a commission. If you enjoyed my review today and plan on signing up for MentorBox anyways, I would be forever grateful if you signed up via My MentorBox Link (affiliate link). It would mean the world to me, and help keep the lights on here at PPC Ian.

Of course, you can always head directly to MentorBox as well. At the end of the day, I just want to see you thrive. I wish you all the success in the world!

Want To Learn Even More?

Want to learn even more about MentorBox? I have a variety of posts here, and YouTube videos too! I hope you enjoy all of them. Another fun recent one is My 15-Day MentorBox Challenge. Learn how I personally approach MentorBox each month, getting maximum time efficiency and results. On a related note, my other recent post Is MentorBox Worth It? (Of Course!) elaborates on my MentorBox process even more. I think you will enjoy these posts, as they mark the evolution of my own personal self-education strategy. Just beginning on your journey? My Original Mentorbox Review is a brilliant place to start, offering an overall review of the program and also several video reviews. It’s the hub of all things Mentorbox here on PPC Ian.

Affiliate Disclosure: I am a MentorBox affiliate. If you find my review helpful and end up purchasing via my affiliate link, I will earn a commission and be grateful for your support.

My London Real Academy Review

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Dec 12 3

About two and a half years ago, when I made the transition from the corporate world to full time entrepreneur and investor, I started investing heavily in my self-education. Historically, the bulk of my education has been formal (BS in Computer Science and Minor in Economics from Stanford University) and on the job (high-powered executive roles at successful Silicon Valley technology companies).

However, one day while watching Tai Lopez on YouTube, it hit me: I need to be investing (heavily) in my self-education via books. Time is scarce, but I need to make the time, I need to do it. So, I started reading and eventually discovered Mentorbox. (If you’ve been reading PPC Ian for a while, you know that I love Mentorbox and have thrived under that program, reading two books per month.) However, before Mentorbox was even invented, Tai Lopez brought me to London Real.

I wanted to learn more about Tai Lopez, this man who reads a book a day. I wanted to find out what he’s all about. So, I searched and found that Brian Rose interviewed him (several times) on London Real. Upon finding the London Real YouTube Channel and the London Real Academy, I was immediately intrigued. After enjoying London Real’s extensive free content for quite some time, I decided to sign up for the London Real Academy. Today’s post is a review of my personal experience. It covers exactly what this exciting program offers.

What Is London Real?

Let’s start with the man behind London Real. Mr. Brian Rose is an ex-banker, based out of London. US-born and educated, Brian left the US to pursue his banking career in London. Eventually, he achieved incredible success, but knew something was missing, he knew that banking was not his forever path. So, he took the entrepreneurial plunge and created London Real, a platform that educates others (like you and me) via interviews with the most interesting and brightest minds in our world.

A YouTube-centric business, London Real offers new interviews with amazing people each and every week, for free. Brian typically offers the first half of each episode on YouTube. Then, if you want to enjoy the rest, you can head over to his website (it’s free), and watch there.

If you’ve been following PPC Ian for a while, you know that I enjoy Mentorbox because the program curates the books for me. I love the element of surprise, I enjoy the diversity and unexpectedness of the titles chosen. In a similar fashion, Brian’s interviews are truly diverse. One week, he could be interviewing British boxing legend, Chris Eubank Sr. The next, he might be interviewing Alex and Mimi Ikonn, entrepreneurial leaders and creators of The Five Minute Journal (also one of my favorites). I’m a big believer that the best lessons come from unexpected sources. Without London Real, I would have never known some of these leaders. I would have never listened to their wisdom. London Real curates a diverse set of the best and brightest mentors out there, imparting their life lessons and wisdom. How amazing!

Enjoy London Real For Free

When I first got introduced to London Real via those Tai Lopez interviews, I enjoyed the program for free, for months. The amazing thing about London Real is it’s free. A huge wealth of knowledge is there for anyone, and that’s why Brian’s YouTube channel has so many subscribers.

As a side note, this business model really resonates with me. As a YouTuber myself, one that aspires to help as many people as possible, I do believe in the power of offering free content. My education from London Real has helped on my own broadcasting journey.

Get Even More With London Real Academy

One day, after learning so much for free, I decided to pay and give the London Real Academy a chance. More than anything, I viewed this as my opportunity to pay Brian Rose for his hard work. Regardless of what the Academy had to offer, I wanted to step up and say, "thank you". Of course, the London Real Academy exceeded my expectations.

As a paying member of the Academy, here’s what I enjoy the most:

Early access to upcoming London Real episodes. Brian uploads his latest work, before he’s had a chance to fully edit for general release. This is my favorite benefit of the Academy, and I enjoy the early access videos weekly. This alone is a huge benefit that pushes my self-education to the next level.
Access to the exclusive Facebook Group of like-minded entrepreneurs and individuals taking their lives to the next level. London Real attracts some of the coolest people around. While I haven’t made full use of the Facebook Group, I see this as an asset that could truly help during my entrepreneurial journey.
Weekly challenges (based on best practices from those interviewed on London Real) that push my comfort zone. Being an entrepreneur is all about challenging one’s comfort zone, and the London Real Academy provides a great platform for getting in the right mindset.
Bonus content such as Dan Pena’s exclusive seminars at the Ritz.

Some of My Favorite Episodes

My favorite part about London Real is that many of my favorite episodes are truly unexpected. London Real connects me with bright people and perspectives that I would have never found myself. Here are a few of my favorite episodes:

The True Geordie: When I first saw the thumbnail for this episode, I didn’t know what to expect. I saw a big, strong guy with tattoos. I assumed that he must be here on London Real to talk about weight lifting. How interesting that The True Geordie is one of the must successful YouTubers around, someone who literally started with nothing. His story is so incredibly motivating, and I have since become a True Geordie fan and follower. This is a quintessential example of how London Real connects me with amazing people who I would have never known about otherwise.
Chris Eubank Sr.: Another interesting one, I was not sure what to expect since I’m not big on watching sports. Being a British boxing legend, I assumed that Eubank would discuss his craft. And, he did. However, his message is so much larger! I learned about the importance of impeccable speech. Moreover, I learned a multitude of philosophical lessons on life itself. Mr. Eubank is a true student of life and taught me that, "Genius is obsession in one area."
Dan Pena: London Real also connected me to this interesting businessman who lives in a castle in Scotland. While he may come across a little strong at times and I don’t always agree with the language that he uses, Dan’s message sure is important: Get up and get stuff done. A no-nonsense kind of guy, Dan encourages everyone to be their personal best and push their limits. He argues that most of us are barely scratching the surface of our potential.
Alex and Mimi Ikonn: The Five Minute Journal literally transformed my morning (and nighttime) routine. I love this journal and it makes my life so much more fun, productive, and exciting. I also regularly gift The Five Minute Journal to friends, family, and business colleagues. I would have never known about this amazing journal if it were not for London Real. More than that, the episodes with Alex and Mimi have helped shape my perspectives on life and entrepreneurship. They are amazing!
Tai Lopez: When people see Tai Lopez in his garage with Ferraris and books, some are immediately intrigued. Others are immediately skeptical. You’ve seen his "in my garage" video, right? As a marketer myself, I truly respect Tai’s methods of attracting people to his message, because his message is empowering and needs to be heard (read more books and find mentors who can elevate your game). The London Real interviews with Tai Lopez provided a traditional, interview-based forum to really get to know the man who reads a book a day. These are some of the first London Real episodes that I enjoyed, and I’m still a Tai Lopez fan to this day.
Dorian Yates: I am very familiar with Dorian Yates, and most men who grew up during my generation are too! A legendary bodybuilder, Dorian’s interviews showed me the power of "going into the lab". Unlike some of his United States counterparts, Dorian did not live a flashy lifestyle. To the contrary, he was all about keeping a low profile and hard work. At times, he would isolate himself to fully focus on his craft. In life and business, this mentality can truly help at times, and I really enjoyed Dorian’s episodes on London Real.

The London Real Accelerators

London Real, in addition to their Academy, now offers Accelerators. These premium courses offer the student a one-on-one opportunity to partner with Brian and his team on specific areas of life. So far, Accelerators offered include the Business Accelerator, Broadcast Yourself Accelerator, Life Accelerator, and Public Speaking Accelerator. While I have not had the chance to try a London Real Accelerator yet, I hope to at some point in the future. While these are more expensive courses, they offer the ability to really take one’s game to the next level (in a huge way).

Thank You, Brian and Team

I wanted to close out by thanking Brian and the London Real team. My experience has been truly wonderful and London Real has been a truly important piece of my self-education puzzle. London Real has also played "connector" role in leading me to other sources of information (and people) who have helped me tremendously.

I am so excited about the future, because I know that London Real will keep evolving and getting better. A closing tip for everyone reading: This weekend, instead of watching your normal TV programs with friends and family, consider London Real instead. It will teach you new skills, give everyone topics to talk about and debate, and elevate everyone’s game!

Affiliate Disclosure: Right now, there is no affiliate program (to my knowledge). However, I hope to be an affiliate of London Real at some point in the future.

Image of Ian Lopuch © PPCIan.com

Advice For Entrepreneurs Who Face Setbacks

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Dec 2 0

Today, I realized that I made an entrepreneurial mistake, one that created a setback (monetary, time, and some ego too). There’s no doubt about it: Being an entrepreneur has its ups and downs. Today, I experienced one of the entrepreneurial downs. When I realized the magnitude of my mistake, I ended up dwelling on the mistake way too long. When you’re an entrepreneur, your work has so much meaning, it’s so personal. This is a good thing, it’s that sense of pride and ownership that makes entrepreneurship so rewarding. That being said, mistakes can really hit home hard, as they challenge your life’s work.

A little more background: This is one of those mistakes that’s done. I Just have to sit back and let time pass, something that can be challenging for someone used to taking action.

While I do not consider myself an expert handling these types of setbacks (I’m still growing and learning as an entrepreneur and student of life), I have compiled some strategies over the years that help. I want to share some practical business advice today for entrepreneurs facing challenges. The next time you make an entrepreneurial, business, or life mistake, I hope you can refer to this list and speed up your time to productivity and happiness.

Today’s list is meant to help you move forward and leave your setback behind. Your most valuable asset as an entrepreneur is time, and the last thing we want to do is waste valuable time that could otherwise move one’s business forward. Let’s jump into my advice and tips!

Tip 1: Just Do Something, Anything

Once you’ve made that mistake (and/or faced a setback), it’s so easy to dwell and relive the situation over and over. I have to admit: I probably spent a few hours today analyzing my situation from every possible angle. Ultimately, one strategy that helped me move forward is finding small wins on other projects. I just started doing easy, small tasks such as approving invoices. Any activity can help one more forward. It’s all about creating momentum and moving on to productive work that can move your business forward.

Tip 2: Listen To Music

There’s a reason that I donate so much money to The Fender Music Foundation and Musicians On Call via Lopuch.org: I love music, I find motivation in music, and I want a bright future for music. Put your headphones on, find some motivating and inspiring tunes, and start listening. The music can get your mind off the challenge at hand. More than that, music brings us all together. When I’m facing a challenge, I love music that addresses challenges in a positive light!

Tip 3: Go For A Walk

Just sitting at my desk, I was getting nowhere. I felt unproductive. So, I went outside for a walk. While the walk did not completely change things, it was a start. The fresh air helped clear my mind.

Tip 4: None of Us Are In Control, Trust In God

Of course I’m going to make mistakes and face setbacks! After all, I’m not in charge here. After my mistake, I ultimately ended up praying and placing my worry on God. He’s got it from here! If you’re a spiritual person, mistakes can be a really wonderful time to embrace your spirituality.

Tip 5: Talk To Someone Knowledgeable and Experienced at Business

Just talking about your setback can help. Upon discovering my setback, I immediately called my wife. And, then I called her again later in the day. And, I called her a third time even later. I am so thankful and lucky to have such an amazing wife that will listen, share logic and reason, and support me through a rough day. (Bonus Tip: Know someone else who is facing a setback? Has someone come to you to chat? Make sure to help them in their time of need. As entrepreneurs, we’re all in this together and need to help one another.)

Tip 6: Let Time Do It’s Thing

Time is an amazing force. In the moment, setbacks can sometimes take over. They seem like the only thing that matters. However, with each passing day, your setback shrinks and fades. A year from now, your setback will seem small. Five years from now, you may not even remember what you were worrying about! Time can be your greatest ally.

Conclusion: Nobody Is Immune From Mistakes, We’re Human

At the end of the day, none of us are immune from mistakes and setbacks. Being an entrepreneur sets you up for more challenges than the average person, because you are pushing the limits, multitasking, wearing many hats, and starting something new from the ground floor – all incredibly hard (yet rewarding) work!

The reason I’m sharing my story and advice today is to show everyone that I am human (just like you), despite my great success. We are all in this together! If one does not make mistakes, they are not pushing themselves hard enough. If one does not make mistakes, how can they possibly learn? The silver lining from my experience today: I’m learning and improving, in real time. The next time you make a mistake, remember these tips and remember that you’re in great company! It’s all part of being an entrepreneur, and comes with the territory. Keep learning and moving forward!

Stay on Your Grind Quote © PPCIan.com

Journaling Our Philanthropy This Thanksgiving

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Nov 22 1

Here on PPC Ian, I blog about digital marketing, investing, and business. Once in a while, I also enjoy sharing personal stories, such as my recent posts about My Dad Bod and Lessons Learned From Running. At the end of the day, it’s these personal stories and experiences that make life fun. And, it’s the non-work experiences where I often learn the most about life. Today, I want to share another personal story, one about our dedication to philanthropy. I’m sharing this story just in time for Thanksgiving, as our philanthropy is just one way we like to say, "thank you".

Over the years, I have always had a heart for others. I like helping other people, and that’s actually the genesis behind this very blog. I also like serving others via community service and charitable contributions. There are few things that give greater purpose to life, in my opinion, than family and helping others.

A few years ago, when I discovered Jesus Christ (or, rather, he discovered me) and got baptized, the concept of charity became even more important in my life. I started learning about the power of tithing. These days, I am more committed to charity than ever before. In fact, one of the driving forces behind my quest for massive success in the business and investing worlds is the ability to give back.

From a financial and digital marketing background, I am also very well grounded in the power of numbers and the power of documenting numbers. Anything that is tracked and monitored can be improved. Moreover, the very process of journaling amplifies success, in my opinion. For this very reason, I write down my goals each and every day in My Five Minute Journal. And, I keep my stock portfolio as up-to-date as possible.

A few months ago, after finding a really amazing web developer and having such great success re-launching the website for my business IJL Productions, an idea was born! Why not create a website that shares our philanthropic contributions with the world, a journal of sorts? And, the rest is history!

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Lopuch.org, my newest website. You’ll find details about our favorite charities and a really neat history of charitable contributions (that I plan on updating quarterly). I’m so excited about this website because I am confident it will take our charitable contributions to the next level (remember, documentation fuels success) and I’m quite hopeful it will motivate others to give back.

I hope you enjoy my new website, and learning a bit about our giving history and favorite charities. More than anything, I think you’ll enjoy my thoughts and prayers that are recorded each time we give. While we have a long way to go until our eventual goals are met, I am so happy with our progress to-date. Just as investments compound over time, I am certain our charitable contributions to follow a similar trajectory! This Thanksgiving, remember to be thankful for everything you and your family have. And, remember to give back to others. No matter how small your contributions, every penny donated and act of kindness given can be life-changing for others.

Image of Lopuch Dot Org © Lopuch.org

How I Lost 40 Pounds: My Dad Bod

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Oct 25 5

When we had our son just around 2.5 years ago, some of my co-workers at the time joked that I would get "Dad Bod". At 210 pounds, I had already gained quite a bit of weight in recent years (largely due to an unhealthy diet, very long hours worked, and insufficient exercise). So, gaining even more weight frightened me quite a bit. I still remember coming home from work and telling my wife about my fear of getting dad bod. I didn’t want to lose even more traction on my health and fitness.

Ian Lopuch In Maui, Hawaii

Over the 2.5 years that followed the birth of my son, I actually ended up losing 40 pounds for a variety of reasons, something I would have never forecasted nor imagined. I’m now in the best shape of my life, and couldn’t feel better. Today’s post is a chronicle of my dad bod (a good thing, in my case!) and the strategies (both intentional and unintentional) that have transformed my life. I’m very proud of my health and fitness, so I probably can’t help but brag a little. That being said, the purpose of this post is one of inspiration and positivity. I’m hoping that my post inspires change, helping others regain their youth, energy, and happiness in life!

My Son: My Greatest Purpose In Life

Being a father has been life-transforming. I cannot begin to describe the tremendous sense of purpose that my little guy has brought into my life. My son is also behind my amazing physical transformation.

Now that I’m a dad, I just don’t understand this concept of dad bod. Our little guy is so energetic. I’m always playing with him, chasing him around, and even exercising together. We have so much fun together, and I’m constantly in motion. Being a dad is exercise in itself, and one of the main drivers behind my weight loss. While I used to sit around in my spare time, I now never have a dull moment (unless I’m sleeping). I’m constantly on my feet, having fun with our little man.

This brings me to the point: If one takes an active role in parenting, your child could be a great driver in your own physical fitness, whether you’re the dad or the mom.

Bonus Tip: Doing some dad/toddler squats is one of my favorite exercises. It’s easy: Just hold your child in your arms while squatting. Get in a good 20-30 reps at a time. It’s great exercise and your child will have a blast, bonding with you and laughing!

Running and Swimming: Establishing New Routines

These days, I’m doing everything in my power to challenge traditions and establish new routines. I’m mixing exercise with my workday (during my lunch break), and have experienced a new surge in energy, happiness, and productivity.

Over the last two years, I phased my favorite exercise routines (those that I had largely ignored for years) back into my life: running and swimming. First, I started running (typically between 6-8 miles) once per week. As a bonus, I really enjoy Praying While I Run. And, my wife, son, and I have been Competing In 5K Races.

More recently, we also joined a fitness club with an amazing pool, and I started swimming about 1,500-2,000 yards once per week. I also pepper in impromptu exercise such as pushups and jump lunges a few times per week on my off-days. Slowly but surely, I have phased exercise back into life. While I didn’t do it all at once, I started seeing results immediately. And, things only got better with time.

I’ve now found the perfect routine, one that has helped drive my waist size down from size 38 to size 32. Many view exercise as time wasted, or time that could have been spent working. I am here to say that it is the opposite. Exercise gives me energy. It increases my focus and productivity at work. It makes me a better employee and entrepreneur.

Bonus Tip: Even if you can’t get out of the office, you can stay active. Consider doing some pushups, sit-ups, jump lunges, and squats throughout your day. Don’t worry what others say (or if you look wacky). Just go to a spare conference room or even in your office parking lot. You’ll often find me staring an impromptu set of jump lunges just about anywhere.

The Emergency Room Visit That Changed My Life

Those who used to work with me remember me as the guy that always ordered a soda at lunch. I also enjoyed a variety of unhealthy foods including chocolates, donuts, and sweets available in our office kitchen. To make matters worse, I would get out of the office regularly to visit the local coffee shop, even when I was not hungry. (It was a reason to take a break and get out of the office.)

One day, all of this unhealthy eating caught up with me! I ended up in the emergency room late at night, chocking on broccoli from dinner. It was really terrifying: The food was stuck and wouldn’t pass from my esophagus to my stomach. Ultimately, I ended up going into emergency surgery and the doctor had to "scope out" the food. The doctor determined that my situation was the result of acid reflux, which was the byproduct of my poor diet.

After this incident, everything changed. I had to improve my diet for my son and my wife. I just couldn’t do it anymore. Thankfully, I had all the help and support in the world from my amazing wife. She bought me a game-changing book on transforming to a diet low in acidity, and transformed the foods in our house and kitchen.

Now, I have a very different diet, one that is healthy and low in acidity. In fact, I quit beverages other than water cold turkey! At first, it was a little difficult. Now, I rarely have a craving for low-quality foods. While I took Prilosec as part of my recovery as well (the first 9 months), I am now officially off the medication without issue. My renewed diet has been a game-changer for my health and fitness.

The weirdest part of it all? My acid reflux did not have the typical symptoms (I experienced zero heartburn). I challenge you to truly debate and refine your diet. Even if you feel great now, those unhealthy foods (unless consumed in moderation) can land you in the emergency room when you least expect it, with no advanced warning.

You Can Do It Too

Back when I weighed 210 pounds, I would have never imagined that I’d be down at 170 in only 2.5 years time! (More than that, it was not even a goal of mine. At 210, I was still among the slimmest of my male colleagues and felt reasonably comfortable with my weight.)

Looking back, it has been quite a journey. It has been all about incremental, baby steps. I have implemented one small improvement at a time, sometimes without even thinking about it. I know you can do it too. I truly hope this post serves as motivation for others out there who want to lose weight and/or improve their health. Here’s to our collective health, fitness, and happiness!

Image in this post © PPCIan.com

My Experience Speaking at G5 In Bend, Oregon

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Oct 17 7

If you’ve been reading PPC Ian for a while, you know that I’m a huge fan of public speaking. It’s so much fun and such an adrenaline rush. I enjoy adding great value to the audience, while also learning from audience questions and other panelists. More than anything, I enjoy the thrill of becoming a better public speaker each and every time.

Ian Lopuch At The G5 Headquarters In Bend, Oregon

Just recently, I had the tremendous opportunity to present on an esteemed panel at the G5 all hands meeting. For those that don’t know, G5 is the leading digital marketing and technology platform for commercial real estate (verticals like self storage, multi-family residential, and senior living). G5 is one of my personal favorite business partners and I cannot say enough great things about their platform. (A Fun Fact: My history with G5 and public speaking has quite the track record. I Presented at the Self Storage Association Conference in New Orleans with Christine Munther, and I more recently Presented at the California Self Storage Association Conference in Redondo Beach with Ryan Barnhart.)

The Oxford Hotel In Bend, Oregon, My Favorite

This time, G5 hosted my teammates and I for a fun week at their headquarters. We met with all of their teams: executive leadership, product, marketing, sales, client services, and others. In addition to collaborating, brainstorming, and having fun in beautiful Bend, Oregon (the home of G5 and an amazing place overall), G5 invited me to present on a panel at their all hands meeting. A rapidly growing technology company, I had the opportunity to share insights and answer questions (the client’s perspective) in front of hundreds of employees. Our panel lasted over one hour, so we had a great time going into depth about all topics related to digital marketing.

Incomparable Drake Park In Bend, OR

Some of my favorite takeaways from this business trip:

In-person meetings are everything. I work with G5 on a day-to-day basis via email and phone. However, having that in-person face time with the team took our relationship to the next level. Business is all about the people, and it’s important to make time for in-person meetings, meals, and fun activities. I thank G5 for taking the initiative to invite us out, and for the amazing 5-star hospitality. You went above and beyond to make our experience a memorable one.
Great companies truly value customer feedback and insights. I’m incredibly impressed with the entire G5 team, and this experience took everything to the next level. G5’s level of dedication to customer success serves as a case study.
Bend, Oregon is a really special place. While it can get quite chilly in the fall and wintertime, Bend ranks amongst my favorite places ever. It’s all about the amazing downtown (with incredible shops, cafes, and restaurants), the scenic outdoor active lifestyle (it’s the best being in a very active and athletic city), and the people. Case in point: I found myself striking up conversations with random people at the hotel, cafes, and airport. People here are friendly and down-to-earth. Coming from a big, busy city atmosphere, I really cherished the Bend, Oregon experience.
The Oxford Hotel is one of my favorite hotels around. I had the pleasure of staying at this beautiful place a few years back when I visited G5 for the first time, and I enjoyed it even more this time around. The Oxford Hotel ranks among my favorite hotels in the entire world. The vibe, customer service, size (not too big, not too small), location, amenities, and quality of this hotel place it in a league of its own.
It’s a very different experience running in the cold! I went out for an early morning run my last day and it was incredibly chilly. I think it’s the first time I went running without breaking a sweat (while still pushing myself quite hard). As a traveler, I did not bring the right attire (a hat and gloves would have helped). Needless to say, I felt frozen in my hands and head. After taking a warm shower after, I felt so incredibly refreshed. I’m going to have to try this more often. While running in cold weather has different challenges from my typical running routine (warm and sometimes hot weather), it’s a really special and invigorating experience.

I wanted to close out by sincerely thanking the entire G5 team, especially Dan Hobin (CEO), Patrick Davidson (COO), and Taylor Kimberly (our incomparable Account Manager). Without the people behind G5, our digital marketing (and so much more) would not be where it is today. Here’s to many more years of amazing partnership.

Just For Fun: My Video From Drake Park

Having a little free time while visiting Bend, I made sure to spend some quality time in Drake Park, one of my favorite places in Bend (and arguably one of the most beautiful parks in the world). While chilling in Drake Park, I enjoyed filming some PPC Ian YouTube videos about investing (I always travel with my selfie stick and microphone). In the inspired state this type of setting creates, I especially enjoyed filming this video about how Dividend Growth Investing Brings Hope and Purpose To One’s Life. I hope you enjoy the content of the video, and also the scenery.

Images in this post © PPCIan.com

Is Mentorbox Worth It? (Is It Worth The Money?)

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Sep 30 2

I’m back with another Mentorbox challenge! If you’ve been following PPC Ian for a while, you know that Mentorbox (a product founded by Tai Lopez and Alex Mehr) has been taking my business, entrepreneurial, and life skills to the next level. You also may know that I recently completed My Mentorbox 15-Day Challenge with great success.

Well, this month, it happened again. I have to admit: I procrastinated and let a week slip by with no Mentorbox. It was just sitting there. I got caught up in my day-to-day work. That’s not right and not aligned with my goals, so I decided it’s time for another challenge. There’s nothing like a good challenge to push momentum in my favor. This time, I’m going to challenge myself to complete Mentorbox in 7 days. And then, I’ll have the entire rest of the month to implement lessons learned and take my new found life and business to the next level.

Just like last month, I’m going to share my personal journal and chronicle my 7-Day Mentorbox Challenge, right here for you to see. And, I’ll catch you again after my journal with major conclusions and thoughts. Ultimately, the purpose of today’s post is to discuss the question: Is Mentorbox worth it? Is Mentorbox worth the money? Let’s follow my Mentorbox challenge and see. See you below, after my journal.

My Personal Mentorbox Journal

Day 1, Part 1 (5 minutes): It all started by watching the intro video to learn about this month’s themes. Alex and Jonathon explain that this Mentor Box offers insights on how to get ready for the long-haul. Do I have a moonshot dream in my personal life or business life? I need to think into the future. What would I like to have happen? Sometimes we are so focused on "the now." We say, "I want a return right now." That being said, wouldn’t it be nice if my product sold in 50 years, in 70 years? What if my product had a real lasting value? I’m really pleased with this month’s themes because I regularly think about these very questions. At heart, I’m all about the long-term and love long-term goals because I believe that compound interest applies to all aspects of life (not just financial).
Day 1, Part 2 (60 minutes): Next, I transitioned into the video for A Mind for Numbers by Barbara Oakley. When I first received this month’s Mentorbox, I was a bit confused by the title of this book and thought that it would help me be better at math. It turns out that this book is not about math at all! Interestingly, this video covers two of Barbara’s books. It covers Mindshift too, which is not included as a physical book but covered in the video. This particular video presented so many amazing insights that I was regularly pausing to catch up on my note taking. While I experienced at least ten big takeaways, I want to highlight two of my favorites: (1) Selective ignorance. You should say "no" to most requests and a strategic "yes" to a few. I have learned this lesson in the real world, and just completed a blog post and video about The Power of Saying No. (2) If you create a habit of procrastination, it can change your life for the worse. Best way to tackle it is the Pomodoro Technique. Here’s how: Turn off all distractions. Set a timer for 25-55 minutes. Go into deep work. When you’re done, award yourself. I love this!
Day 2, Part 1 (30 minutes): Today, I got out my office and went out into the field. I took at working sushi lunch followed by some time at one of my favorite coffee shops. I have found that Getting Out of The Office Increases My Productivity. During my working lunch, I completed a good portion of A Mind For Numbers workbook. A few big breakthroughs that came from this exercise. (Breakthrough 1) I want my second skill to be videography. In particular, I want to become an expert on filming, acting, and producing the best YouTube videos in the financial space. I’m already making great progress, and you can read more about my Top 20 YouTube Tips in my recent blog post. That said, I have a long way to go until this is a true second skill the way that digital marketing and investing are primary skills. I will be able to evaluate my success by hitting 100,000 YouTube subscribers, a lofty goal. (Breakthrough 2) Selective ignorance: It’s ok to say "no". This topic is very timely for me because I just got finished saying "no" to a particular opportunity. I have gotten a lot better at this over the years. (Breakthrough 3) I face the challenge of being distracted by my phone and social media. I will practice the Pomodoro Technique to break the cycle and become even more productive.
Day 3: Very busy day with work, unfortunately did not get to Mentorbox.
Day 4: Very busy day with work, unfortunately did not get to Mentorbox.
Day 5: Very busy day with work, unfortunately did not get to Mentorbox.
Day 6 (73 minutes): Another busy day, but had to jump back into it. At the end of the day, despite being a bit tired, I decided to finish A Mind For Numbers. I finished the video and completed the workbook during the video. Following are a few interesting thoughts and lessons from today’s Mentorbox session. Never brag about not getting enough sleep. You have neurocognitive needs to solve big problems. That said, if you have the next big idea, it’s ok to lose sleep from time to time. (Reminder To Self) This is something that has been a personal focus on mine. Need to stay focused on getting quality sleep. (Reminder To Self) There is no better way to learn than testing oneself. While I’m already a really great investor, I can always be better. This is one more reason that my YouTube Investing Videos are so important. They help others, while training the teacher as well! (Reminder To Self) I need to remind myself daily of how it will actually feel to achieve my goals. In addition to writing down my goals, I literally need to visualize and feel what it will be like!
Day 7 (15 minutes): Today, during some downtime at Starbucks between meetings, I jumped into Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday. I’m really excited since I truly enjoy and identify with Ryan’s work (perhaps because we both have digital marketing backgrounds). This book is all about creating work that lasts and adds value forever (a theme I really identify with). Following are some lessons from the video interview with Ryan Holiday. You should spend 80% of your time making and 20% marketing. (Cool Thought From Ryan) Your idea should be this secret plan that you are quietly working on. Don’t tell anyone!
Day 8, Part 1 (40 minutes): While I’m now officially behind deadline, that’s ok! I wanted to finish in 7 days, but it’s now looking like 9 days. 9 days is great and still leaves me plenty of time to apply Mentorbox lessons to my real life, before the next one arrives. Today, I continued watching the Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday. Your first attempt at a book (or project) is not good enough. You need an editor and should have four or five submissions (rounds of revisions) before you are complete. The role of the editor is huge. Take advice from people who are better than you. It’s important to create an email marketing list. (Action Item) I need to spend more time building my email lists. I have lists, but have not focused enough effort on them.
Day 8, Part 2 (23 minutes): Next, I transitioned into the bonus workshop, Your Hero’s Journey, based on The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. Everyone is on a hero’s journey. When you are facing a big calling in life, you will be faced with doubt (all hero’s face this). Then, you will be a new world and face trials (with a big trial at the end). You find a mentor. Different hero’s journeys for different areas within your life. Ultimately, when you finish the journey, you become a leader and train others.
Day 9 (30 minutes): Today, I completed the Perennial Seller workbook. This one was really great. (Breakthrough) I basically formulated the blueprint for building my own YouTube channel to 100,000+ subscribers, and a huge brand within personal finance. (Reminder to Self) Refer back to this particular workbook whenever I want to craft a business plan for future businesses.

How Did I Do? This Month’s Mentorbox Challenge Stats

While I was hoping to finish in 7 days, it took 9 days (2 extra days). During the middle of my Mentorbox challenge, I got sidetracked with work, and that’s ok. The main purpose of this challenge is to push myself to complete Mentorbox quickly (and receive the full value of the program). In past months, in the absence of a challenge, I sometimes did not finish all of Mentorbox. So, I’m really happy that I finished. And, I’m thrilled that I did even better than last month. Let’s look at the numbers:

Days from start to finish: 9 days (Last month: 14 days)
Days of actual work: 6 days (Last month: 8 days)
Total minutes invested: 276 (Last month: 215 minutes)
Total hours invested: 4.6 (Last month: 3.58 hours)
Total minutes per day over course of 30-day month (theoretical): 9.2 (Last month: 7.16)

Is Mentorbox Worth It?

Stanford University (My Alma Mater) Is The Perfect Place To Take In Mentor Box

This month’s Mentorbox was serious, and really packed with value. Even before I discovered my new Mentorbox Challenge technique, Mentorbox was worth it to me. Now that I am getting even more value than ever before, Mentorbox is so worth it! It’s worth the time and the money for sure. Here are some of my biggest takeways from this month’s Mentorbox:

(Focus) There is power in saying "no", and I need to remember to focus.
(Productivity) I need to put the Pomodoro Technique into action. This will take my productivity to the next level.
(Second Skilling) Videography will be my second skill. I will become one of the best YouTubers in the personal finance space.
(Life) I need to focus on sleep. Loss of sleep is never worth bragging about.
(Goals) I love The Five Minute Journal, and leverage this great journal to achieve my goals. In addition to writing down my goals, I also need to visualize them and feel what it will be like to achieve my goals.
(Goals) While I’m working aggressively to scale my YouTube channel and achive my goals in the finance space, it’s ok to fly under the radar and keep things quiet. In fact, that is advantageous.
(Tactical) I need to re-focus on my email lists, and start building them again. I lost sight of the value in email marketing, and am totally convinced to invest in my lists again.
(Life) I’m on a hero’s journey, as is everyone else. The challenges I face are predictable and normal on my path to the next level. This is a fun way to look at things.
(Breakthrough) Thanks to the Perennial Seller workbook, I have a business plan for my YouTube channel and related businesses. This workbook is pure gold, and is perfect for developing a business plan. I’m going to refer back to this regularly.

My New Newsletter: PPC Ian’s Mentorbox Tips

Putting this month’s Mentorbox into action, I decided to create a new email newsletter! Do you enjoy these Mentorbox blog posts? Want to follow my Mentorbox journey? Do you want to learn my personal Mentorbox tips? Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive periodic updates about how I’m getting the absolute most from Mentorbox. Whether you are an existing customer or a potential one, these updates are sure to provide value. I will never sell your info, and you can opt out and cancel your subscription at any time.

Want To Sign Up For Mentorbox? Consider Using My Link

I want to share with you My Personal Mentorbox Affiliate Link (affiliate link). If you sign up via my link, you will pay the same price as if you went to Mentorbox directly. And, I will also receive a commission! If you want to say "Thank You, Ian" for all of the work that I invest in these blog posts and videos, this is the greatest way you can thank me. If you choose to sign up via my affiliate link, I will be forever grateful. If you prefer to go direct, that is just fine too. At the end of the day, it makes me happy to know that I am helping out others.

Can’t Get Enough? My Other Mentorbox Blog Posts

If you want to learn even more about my experience with Mentorbox, you may want to read my Mentorbox Review and My Mentorbox 15-Day Challenge. Both are great posts!

Affiliate Disclosure: I am a Mentorbox affiliate. If you find my review helpful and end up purchasing via my affiliate link, I will earn a commission and be grateful for your support.

The Power of Saying “No” (And The Dreaded Tire Kicker)

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Sep 27 2

In life, your most valuable resource is time. You’ll find me blogging quite often about productivity tools and strategies because any incremental gain in productivity is an investment that will pay huge dividends. It’s unfortunate that certain people out there, often unintentionally, do not treat your time with value. Or, they just may not know the true value of your time. I’m talking about the dreaded tire kicker.

Over the last few weeks, I personally experienced a tire kicker situation. After spending about three hours in conversations and demos, I realized that the person/organization I was speaking to had a low likelihood of reaching a mutually beneficial business relationship. They were not even willing to step up to the plate with a conservative test investment. I was just wasting my time.

Thankfully, my tire kicker detection (and handling) skills have matured over the years. Sensitivity is required. It’s a small world and I want to have the best reputation in the market. I want to do the right thing, because I care about others. And, of course, I always want to be open-minded and receptive of new opportunities that may be great.

At the same time, I just had to say "no" (in a graceful way) and move on. (As a side note: Saying "no" is often best for the other party too. A clear "no" can be very helpful and allow the other party to move on and connect with someone else.)

Today’s blog post is a chronicle my personal strategy around saying "no". It’s a blog post about saving time, getting increased business results, staying focused, and ultimately being more happy in business and life. Before we start with today’s blog post, you may want to watch my brand new video on this very topic:

How To Detect A Tire Kicker

I have a sixth sense of sorts in detecting a tire kicker. It was not always this way. In my early days, I would say "yes" to everything. My years and years in business and life have taught me the ability to read people, ask questions, and predict outcomes.

While the reading of people can take time, asking questions is something I want to emphasize to all readers. When a new opportunity comes your way, don’t just say "yes". Think about the opportunity, search within yourself to see if there is alignment with your own goals and dreams, and then ask a ton of questions. It’s through these questions that you can determine (1) if the opportunity is of any interest and (2) if there is a likelihood that a mutually beneficial outcome will happen (of if the other party is just kicking the tires and using your most valuable resource, time).

Bonus Tip: Ask for the money! In business, money is a valuable commodity. See if the person with whom you are speaking is willing to run a small test, one that costs money but not too much. If they cannot part with a small amount of money, they are likely just a tire kicker.

Another Bonus Tip: Always be cordial and assume the best. Even if someone is not willing to part with money, perhaps they can be an advocate of yours in the marketplace. Even if you say "no", always be nice and helpful. Your reputation is everything.

It’s Ok To Be Selfish

Have you seen my PPC Ian Business and Life Quotes? This page is one of my favorites on my entire blog. One of my favorite quotes is one that goes like this, "Invest in yourself. Carve out the time. Nobody else will." If you say "yes" to everything, you will never invest in yourself. You will never grow. You will never accomplish the goals that matter to you.

From an investing standpoint, I just posted a video on YouTube that you might like. It’s all about paying yourself first, and investing in yourself before any other bills are paid. This video is the application of this concept to personal finance.

I’m extremely picky in life. Time is more valuable than money, many times over. When it comes to business and work, I will say "no" to anything that does not further my business goals and objectives (the personal goals that I have on my plate that I like to set up in collaboration with other leaders at the beginning of each year). In my personal life, I will be even more picky and say "no" to anything that is not giving me a 100-1000x return on time (in money or happiness).

Bonus Tip: Put a dollar amount on your time. This dollar amount does not have to be your salary. In my personal life, I value my hourly rate as several times my work salary. If the request does not bring me that equivalent value (either in raw money or happiness), I will say "no".

Another Bonus Tip: Minimalism is really popular these days. Think about saying "no" as minimalism for your mind. Your home is clutter-free. It’s neat and organized. Do the same for your mind by saying no and staying hyper-focused on the things that matter most.

Reminder: Saying "no" does not have to be mean. Always say "no" in a cordial and graceful way. Be thankful. And, know that you are actually doing a good thing for the other party, since it’s always better to give a clear "no" than have unproductive discussions drag on.

Routines Are Key

I recently learned all about routines from The Power of Habit By Charles Duhigg, a book that was part of last month’s Mentorbox. (As a side note, you may want to check out my 15-Day Mentorbox Challenge to learn more.) Positive routines can truly transform ones life, and Duhigg discusses the cue, routine, reward cycle at length.

As a result of this book, I have been placing more and more routines in my life, ones that reinforce my personal goals and dreams. My day is filled! I even have routines for reading the Bible, exercising, and filming YouTube videos. (In fact, I’m producing more YouTube videos than ever before thanks to the power of my new YouTube habit!) Since my day is already filled with routines that are aligned around my life goals, I have very little free space left for net new items, making it easier for me to say "no". My Tip: Fill your own day with routines that align with your life goals. Then, it becomes super obvious when to say "no".

Coming Full Circle: Never Say "No" Again

I’m just getting started on YouTube, however my channel is already scaling. I have effectively multiplied myself since there are now 3.5 of me. You’ve got the real me, and then you have another 2.5 of me on YouTube speaking and educating around the clock. (My PPC Ian channel now experiences around 2.5 days worth of watch time on a good day.) And, you’ve got this blog and my social media too. I’m out there educating, empowering, and enriching online. Even if I’m not physically there (the real me), you’ve got the virtual me available at all times, around the globe.

I have to be guarded with my time because it is so scarce and valuable. I want to invest my time to achieve my lifelong goals. That being said, I like to think of my web presence as my way of never saying "no" again. It all comes full circle. While I may not have time to work on each and every opportunity, I do aspire to add value to everyone who crosses my path. This can be accomplished at scale thanks to the amazing leverage available online!

My closing tip: Be very selective with your time, and don’t be afraid to say "no". That being said, try to help everyone to the best of your ability, leveraging the scale and connectivity of the Internet.

How To Grow Your YouTube Channel: Top 20 Tips

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Sep 18 5

Lately, I learned an important lesson in the world of digital marketing. I learned that I absolutely love vlogging (much more than blogging). I sit in front of the computer an enormous amount of time, and I’m tired of typing. If I’m able to change my routine and spend less time with the computer (while gaining even better results), I need to make that change. Well, I found that very change in my transition from blogging to vlogging.

If you’ve followed the PPC Ian YouTube Channel, you have probably noticed the flurry of activity, ranging from my video about Investing $25 Per Month Commission Free to my Epic 50-Minute Video Interview with Rob Monster, CEO of DigitalTown. Simply put: I have an enormous passion for video right now, and have evolved my online presence to emphasize video. This doesn’t mean I have given up on blogging, it just means that I will emphasize vlogging a bit more in an effort to save my hands from typing while having a lot of fun. And, I believe I can add even greater value to all of you out there because there’s something unique about video that offers a truly unique way of communicating. It’s like having me right there with you!

I’m certainly no YouTube expert. My channel is just getting started, and I have just over 400 subscribers right now, a far cry from my personal goal of 100,000 subscribers. That being said, I have sure learned a lot over the last six months. Today, I want to share my tips on how to grow your YouTube channel if you are just getting started. Welcome to my Top 20 Tips for Starting Your YouTube Channel.

Tip 1: Consistency Is Key

If you are serious about your YouTube presence, make sure to upload a brand new video each and every week, at a very minimum. You have to be consistent. Your subscribers expect it, and I have heard that YouTube’s algorithm does as well.

Have a dormant YouTube account, one that has been neglected? It’s totally possible to revive your account by posting with consistency on a go-forward basis.

Bonus Tip: In the early days, aim to upload 2 or 3 high quality videos per week.

Tip 2: Invest In Video Gear

You can be a great YouTuber on a very scrappy budget. In fact, your smartphone should do just fine as your video camera (I film most of my videos on my iPhone). That said, some basic equipment is essential. I’m talking about a tripod, smartphone tripod adapter, lavalier microphone, and cable to connect your microphone to your iPhone. Since I film most of my videos outdoors, I rely on natural lighting and currently don’t own any lighting equipment. That being said, I have aspirations to develop a studio environment over time. I have achieved stellar results with the basics.

Bonus Tip: Do not film without these basics. I have attempted YouTube videos with just my phone and selfie stick. Those do not perform as well and can come across as unprofessional. If you go to my YouTube channel, and check out the older videos, you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. Basic equipment makes all the difference in the world and is table stakes for launching a successful channel.

Tip 3: Wait For The Right Lighting

This is a huge one. The lighting has to be just right. I personally film early mornings or late afternoons. I have a preference for cloudy days that still have a good amount of light coming through. I’ll film in the shade and make sure that equal light is coming from all directions so there are no shadows on my face. Moreover, it’s essential my camera is in the shade too.

Check out my personal YouTube and you’ll see that I’ve made every mistake it the book when it comes to lighting. It’s only recently that I’ve really acquired the skills to perfect lighting. It’s a skill that comes over time and takes practice. And, that’s ok, because I know I will continue to improve over time.

Here’s one of my videos with excellent lighting. I got up really early and filmed in the early morning hours with the sun behind the camera. Moreover, it was an overcast morning, my favorite outdoor filming conditions.

Here’s one of my videos with great quality content, but poor lighting. Notice how there is a shadow on my face and I’m hard to see in general. While I’m really hard to see, the surrounding grass is green and bright. I made a few mistakes here, especially filming in the middle of the day (with the sun overhead).

Tip 4: Don’t Underestimate YouTube SEO Basics

Many reading this blog are digital marketing professionals, so you know all about SEO. On YouTube, the same SEO basics apply. Make sure your title is eye-catching and descriptive. Maximize use of your description to truly explain what your video is all about. I love including bullet points that take the viewer step-by-step through the actual video they will see. Spend time on your keyword list. Leverage short, medium, and longer keywords to tell YouTube exactly what your video is all about. Leverage "head terms" and also "long tail keywords", just like PPC. Never rush to upload a video without investing the time in this final step.

Bonus Tip: I like to completely separate the activities of filming, editing, and uploading. This way, I give each activity the emphasis and time it deserves. Don’t rush the final step!

Tip 5: Create Captivating Thumbnails

I personally leverage Canva to design my video thumbnails. It’s essential to create custom thumbnails, ones that stand out and grab attention. A huge (and growing) percentage of your viewers are on mobile smartphones, and your thumbnail must be incredibly captivating, even on a very small screen.

Bonus Tips: Leverage filters (brightness and contrast) to make your thumbnail pop. I typically increase contrast by 30% these days, and brightness by 10% (although filters can vary). Make sure your text is easy to read. I like black text with a white box behind.

When you view my YouTube channel, you will notice that even my thumbnails have evolved over time. Here is a sample video where the thumbnail really pops thanks to my outfit (form fitting blue shirt from Lululemon, more on this under Tip 8 below), lighting conditions, and filters in Canva.

Tip 6: Generate Traffic Into YouTube

When you’re just getting started, your videos may not generate a lot of traffic organically on YouTube. Building a channel takes time and views are exponential in nature. To get the ball rolling, share your videos on your personal blog, social media, and even via email with friends (or your email list if you have one). Generating traffic into YouTube can get the ball rolling, and I’ve heard that YouTube greatly values this inbound traffic from a video scoring standpoint.

Tip 7: Script and Practice Your Videos

Before filming, I always jot down an outline of what I’m going to say in my notebook. And, I typically do a practice run before my real filming session. To maximize my time, I don’t really edit, other than adding some opening and closing effects. As such, I need to be comfortable filming a one-and-done session. With practice in front of the camera, this gets easier over time. I could never avoid editing without having my script and practice runs. In the end, this saves me a ton of time and makes the video flow really well. (I personally dislike it when videos have a ton of edits, as they can create a jumpy effect.)

Tip 8: Invest In Solid Color Clothes

Solid color clothes video so much better than complex patterns. They look so sharp and amazing. Additionally, I prefer clothes that are form-fitting as compared to relaxed fit. You want to look your personal best on camera.

Bonus Tip: Consider personal hygiene before filming. I typically floss, brush my teeth, and shave before filming.

Tip 9: Your Posture Is Critical

I have learned this one through trial and error. Never sit in a chair and slouch back when filming. This posture emphasizes your legs and stomach area, and minimizes your head. The wrong camera angle can make you look quite weird on the Internet, forever! I have found that a standing pose works well. I have also found that a sitting pose leaning forward works well. I always like to have the camera at a height slightly above my head looking down. That way, I’m always looking up and forward a bit into the camera. This creates emphasis on my face, and allows me to appear as my personal best. Of course, go to some of my older YouTube videos and you’ll see that I have learned these lessons via trial and error.

Bonus Tip: Try to look right into the camera, so you connect with your audience. You are speaking directly to people here, so you want to address them directly.

Tip 10: Pick A Role Model

YouTube has been around forever. There are thousands of mentors on YouTube who have been there and done that. Find your favorite channels and learn from the masters. I learn new skills each week thanks to the collaborative environment of content creators on YouTube.

Tip 11: Leverage iMovie

If you don’t have a Mac, you may want to buy one for your YouTube endeavors. iMove makes video editing a breeze. And, you can easily educate yourself on how to effectively leverage iMovie from, you guessed it, YouTube videos!

Bonus Tip: Consider investing in a really sharp logo for your opening sequence. I personally like to have a short teaser clip, followed by my opening sequence/slide, followed by my actual video. I believe a solid logo creates authority and trust with your audience.

Tip 12: Find Settings That Work (and Reuse Them)

Some backgrounds look better than others. Experiment with a variety of settings and find the ones that work the best. Then, get your money’s worth by reusing them over and over.

Bonus Tip: While some people are great at filming in very busy, public places, I have discovered that’s not my cup of tea. Find your own stride. When you’re first starting, odds are a more private setting will provide better results.

Tip 13: Smile

Make sure that you smile at the beginning and end of your video. It communicates positive to your audience, and makes it easier to edit out the content before and after your video (when you’re walking to and from the camera). Also, don’t forget to smile throughout your video and be happy. This is a fun process, and you want to uplift your audience.

Tip 14: Use The Right Camera On Your Phone

This tip is for those filming on their smartphone. Do not use the selfie camera. The selfie camera is typically of lower quality (fewer megapixels), and it’s just weird and ineffective filming a video when you can see yourself the entire time. Rather, use the main camera on your phone. It creates a more calming environment and your video quality will be superior.

Bonus Tip: Avoid a remote Bluetooth on/off camera switch. My process: I hit the record button, I make sure recording is working, I walk over to my stage and film, then I walk back to the camera and end recording when I’m done. This is so much easier than having a remote on/off switch that can easily fail.

Tip 15: Don’t Settle

You don’t want to take this tip too seriously because you’ll never get started. It’s impossible to have every video be the best work of your career. That being said, do not publish a video if you do not feel right about it, even if you invested significant time filming. I ran into this situation just today. I filmed a video yesterday, and contemplated running with it. I just couldn’t settle and re-filmed today. It made all the difference in the world, as the new version is one of my best productions yet. My first filming session acted as amazing practice. The second time around, things went really quickly and efficiently.

Tip 16: Test, But Find Your Niche

My YouTube channel has experimented with a variety of different videos and themes over the years. Some niches clearly resonate with viewers and others do not. Your first five or ten YouTube videos will be experiments. See which ones work and which ones don’t. Take that feedback to craft your channel. As you’re scaling, stay within your lane and double down on content that performs. Once your channel is larger (several thousand subscribers), I have heard that it’s ok to swim outside your lane a bit more, but those early days require focus.

Tip 17: Engage With Your Community

Your community is everything! Make sure to engage with your community and take questions from viewers. Some of my best videos are in response to outstanding questions from viewers. I attempt to respond to all comments (either in comments or video). The value my community brings to the table is substantial, and I’m forever grateful. I get especially excited when I see community members helping each other out, and answering each other’s questions. That’s what it’s all about!

Tip 18: Stay Focused

Building a successful YouTube channel requires persistence and dedication. In the early days, you may be uploading new videos every few days (like myself). To be successful on YouTube, you must really want it and you must stay focused. Don’t dilute yourself across too many projects. Once one’s YouTube channel reaches greater scale (such as 10,000+ subscribers), I have heard that the level of persistence can slow down a bit, and a one/two video per week schedule works just fine.

Tip 19: Don’t Worry About Your Statistics

One of the pitfalls off digital marketing is analysis paralysis. Us digital marketers (myself included) tend to get tied up in statistics. Unfortunately, when you first start your YouTube channel, your stats will not be very positive. There will be many ups and downs. If you have enabled monetization, revenue will be low. You may have surges in views followed by lulls. You are an entrepreneur and must treat YouTube as your business. Don’t give up, and don’t worry about the statistics. Keep your eye on your goal and just keep creating great content. Your will must be strong, and persistence is key.

Tip 20: Go For It

While this may seem overwhelming, it’s actually really easy once you get out there and learn on the job like I did (and continue to do). My parting tip is to go for it. You are going to have so much fun. Your quality will improve over time. It’s ok to look back at your early videos and see that you’ve come a long way. Trial, error, and iteration: That’s what it’s all about.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have enjoyed my tips, and YouTube videos too. Are you a YouTube creator? I’d love to hear your favorite tips.

Breaking Through My Creative Block

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Sep 11 0

The last few weeks, I have been struggling to start a particular project. It’s a data analysis project, involving pivot tables and large data sets in Excel. While I acquired all the information and data sets required to perform the analysis, I just couldn’t start the actual analysis. As someone with a multitude of projects on my plate, I always prioritized other projects above this one. Last week, I figured the time had come. I needed to conquer this project! Today’s blog post is a productivity-focused one, highlighting my experience on how I tackled this project while having a blast.

Mindstate

My New Workspace For The Day

If you’ve been reading my blog over the last few months, you have probably seen that I’m a fan of the Mentorbox book club program. Mentorbox has gotten me reading and learning, while optimizing my valuable time. One of my takeaways from last month’s Mentorbox: According to Terry Sjodin, author of Scrappy, showing up is the most important part of execution. To execute on this very project (or any other challenging project), I just need to show up!

Terry’s advice rings true to me, based on years of personal experience. Every time I experience one of these blocks, I always find that it’s all mental. The anticipation of doing the work is always incredibly different from performing the actual work. I knew I just needed to start, and the rest would be great!

Your Home Base

Over the years, I have learned that your primary office environment is not always the most productive space when one is facing a creative block. When I say "office" here, I’m really referring to your home base, the place were you perform most of your work. If you work at a large corporation, this is likely your corporate headquarters. If you’re a scrappy entrepreneur, this could be your garage. If you’re a consultant, this may be the office of your big clients. (If you’re a really busy consultant, your home "office" may even be an airplane.) Your home base becomes comfortable. It’s easy. When things get too comfortable, complex projects that require creativity and a bit more may look intimidating in that easy environment. Your home base may cause your creative block.

Mixing Up Your Workspace

I used to work in a corporate office environment where it wasn’t easy to leave to actual building. The surrounding community did not offer many places to go, and my schedule was stacked with a plethora of meetings. What did I do when facing a block? I’d literally lock myself in a conference room and draw the shades so nobody could see in. I’d only let myself be interrupted for meetings and emergencies. Otherwise, I would stay in that conference room until the work was complete!

These days, things are a bit different, and I have more flexibility over my workspace. In facing my work block, I decided that I would leave my office for the day, by foot. I would walk around the community, take myself to lunch, Starbucks, the local park, and where I needed to go to feel inspired. I would immerse myself in thought, mix work with exercise (fast walking), and enjoy a new work environment. I would not go back to the office or end my day until the work was complete!

Record Productivity

It just so happened that I had one of my most productive days ever. I found myself working as soon as I set foot out of the office. I worked straight through lunch. I worked for hours at Starbucks. I truly enjoyed the change of pace and produced some of the best analysis in months. In fact, I finished the analysis a bit early, leaving me extra time to jump into another project, all before ending my work day.

Bursts of Energy

A while back, I wrote a blog post about Time Management Tips for Digital Professionals. One of my tips is doubling down on bursts of energy and getting as much work done in a short timeframe as possible. Mixing up my workspace last week not only conquered my creative block, but also instigated a burst of energy where I produced great work in a short period of time.

A New Habit

Also thanks to Mentorbox, I’m actively analyzing and managing my habits these days. I’m improving bad habits and introducing new, great ones. When I run an experiment like this one and have such great results, it’s easy for me to conclude that I have a new habit for my workweek. Each week going forward, you will now find me spending one day "out in the field". In fact, this very data analysis project has a part two that I’d like to conclude this week. As soon as I have the data set required to perform my analysis, I’m going to take another walking venture into my local community to get the work done while having an amazing day!