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

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.

Image in this post © PPCIan.com

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, including my video about Investing $25 Per Month Commission Free. 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!

Image of workspace © PPC Ian

Presenting At The California Self Storage Association

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Aug 29 0

Recently, I enjoyed the honor of presenting at the California Self Storage Association conference in Redondo Beach, California. My good friend, Ryan Barnhart from G5, and I co-presented 2.5+ hours of digital marketing tips for self storage owners. This was a really fun time, especially after having the honor of presenting at the Self Storage Association Spring Conference in New Orleans earlier this year. Today, I want to share my top takeaways and insights from this experience.

Long-Format Presentations Are Fun: Ryan and I co-presented for 2.5+ hours. This presentation reminded me of my two Stanford Graduate School of Business Workshops from a few years back. There is only so much value one can pack into a shorter presentation. When you can secure a few hours and turn your presentation into a workshop, it’s possible to truly empower the audience. I feel like Ryan and I did exactly that!
Co-Presenting Is The Best: It’s so much more fun to co-present than solo-present, especially when both presenters have unique styles. If you have a big presentation coming up or a big public speaking opportunity, consider approaching the opportunity as a team with a valued colleague. It’s easier to prepare that way, and the audience will get more value from two opinions on the same topic. And, it’s my belief that it’s easier to secure great speaking opportunities because you’re bringing double the value.
Your Network Is Everything: I have been blessed with an incredible network, and I take so much pride in turning business partnerships into personal friendships. (If you check out my Digital Marketing and Business Quotes, you’ll see that quote 3 reads, "It’s all about the people. Turn business partnerships into friendships.") This CSSA speaking opportunity was a really special one, and we didn’t even need to apply! Those organizing the event knew of our prior interest and skill level. They knew we would be a great fit, and brought forth the opportunity. There is nothing better than world class opportunities coming your way because of those that trust and value you. It was a true honor to be selected, and totally underscored the value of building world-class friendships.
Smaller Businesses Are the Best: We had some smaller businesses in the audience (and larger ones too). We had the joy of sharing marketing strategies that actually place smaller operators at a competitive advantage over larger companies (with more money). Sometimes, your very perceived weakness can be your greatest strength. Don’t be afraid to fight above your weight class!
Pre-Presentation Preparation Is Key: Ryan and I have two very different pre-presentation strategies, and I truly love that fact. While I tend to turn inwards and get "in the zone" during my Presentation Warm-up, Ryan takes the different approach of meeting and greeting each audience member as they walk through the door. How neat to see how we approach things differently, and complement each other as presenters.
It’s Totally Worth It: I am actively mentoring a few people, and I consistently push them to seek public speaking opportunities. It’s a ton of work, but it’s always worth it. If you’re on the fence as to whether you should go for it, please do it!

I just got selected for another big upcoming presentation, and am so blessed that these opportunities are coming my way. I’ll definitely update everyone here after my next big public speaking event!

Image of Ian Lopuch and Ryan Barnhart © PPCIan.com

My 15-Day Mentorbox Challenge: Investing In Myself

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Aug 17 4

Those who have been following PPC Ian for a while know that I’m a huge proponent of Mentorbox by Tai Lopez and Alex Mehr (also known as Mentor Box). In fact, My Mentorbox Review is one of the more popular posts on this blog. And, my three YouTube videos have done quite well too:

Ian Lopuch Mentorbox Stanford University

Ian Lopuch Reading Mentorbox At His Alma Mater, Stanford University

I Have Something To Admit: I Underinvested In Myself Last Month

I have something to admit: Some months I don’t get as much out of Mentorbox as I could. Sometimes I’ll get so busy with work and life that I don’t take the time to invest in myself. I don’t take my own advice! Perhaps I’ll skip one of the books. Or, I’ll forget to watch some of the video content. (Of course, I still get incredible value out of Mentorbox and make sure it’s always present and always a critical part of my self-education.) That being said, I sometimes short change myself by not taking advantage of the entire program. Last month was one of those months. This month will not be the same!

My 15-Day Mentorbox Challenge

Over the next 15 days, I will challenge myself. I will go "all out" and make full use of this month’s Mentorbox, and all of its value. I’m giving myself 15 days (instead of 30) for a few reasons:

I want to "get it done". By shortening the timeframe, I will over-invest in myself this month, early on. I will make myself the priority.
I want to leave a buffer just in case I run over. Rather be safe than sorry.
I want to prove to myself and everyone reading that one can obtain the full value of Mentorbox quite easily. It doesn’t take a huge commitment. Rather, investing in small increments each and every day have big results.
I want to leave extra time to execute upon the breakthroughs and lessons that I learn from this month’s Mentorbox. I want to take theory into practice.

My Personal Mentorbox Diary

I’m ready! Following, you will find my day-by-day 15-Day Mentorbox Challange diary. Each day, I will report back here highlighting what I accomplished, how long it took, and what I learned. Whether you’re an existing Mentorbox customer or considering the program for the first time, I think you’ll find this view of my day-to-day quite helpful and actionable. I hope you enjoy my diary, and don’t forget to scroll to the end, as you’ll find my big takeaways on the other side!

Day 1 (invested about 35 minutes): I started with the intro video by Alex and Jonathan. Helped me frame the two books this month in that they offer tools for me to overcome obstacles that may be holding me back. Jumped into the first video for The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Some takeaways: If you understand habits, you can change them at any scale. 45% of what we do every day is a habit. In a habit, we stop thinking about what we do. Cue awareness is key. What cue is triggering the habit. For every habit, there is a reward. The reward is even more key. You can’t break a habit, but you can change a habit. Insert a new routine to fit the cue and reward. At a high level, started thinking about my own habits, and which ones I want to change. At the top of my list is my habit for frequently checking social media accounts, rather than focusing on other activities.
Day 2 (invested about 40 minutes): Continued to watch The Power of Habit video with author Charles Duhigg. In forming a new habit, need to experience small wins. Need to have reward. Keystone habit: A habit that affects every other habits. Exercise is a keystone habit. Exercise changes how you see yourself. Willpower is like a muscle. It is finite. Willpower depletes throughout the day. Be careful when you use your willpower muscle. Also, find ways to exercise it so it gets stronger. It’s ok to let your willpower rest before a big event/project. Started filling out the workbook. Determined that my queue for social media consumption is taking a break from an intense work. The reward is getting to do something mindless. I’m going to replace my cell phone / social media routine with something else that can produce relaxation: meditation, doing push-ups or sit-ups, walking around the block, or even watching a Mentorbox video.
Day 3 (invested 0 minutes): Sick Day
Day 4 (invested 0 minutes): Sick Day
Day 5 (invested 0 minutes): Sick Day
Day 6 (invested 0 minutes): Sick Day – I learned through the last several days that it’s key (for me) to over-invest in Mentorbox certain days. I have found it easier to chunk my time, making room for the inevitable. I will still get through my Mentorbox 15 day challenge, thanks to the fact that I over-allocated in the beginning, and will continue to do so going forward. I also realized via getting sick and not having the strength to work on Mentorbox the last few days, that my 15 day challenge should be my own personal challenge each and every month. I want to finish ahead of schedule. Aiming for 15 days gives me a 15 day buffer should I run over.
Day 7 (time invested 15 minutes): I completed watching The Power of Habit video and completed my workbook. I will introduce the following new habits into my life. (New Routine 1) In addition to filling out my Five Minute Journal, my morning routine will now include 10 minutes of Bible reading and at least 10 minutes of Mentorbox (or reading) every single morning. (New Routine 2) I will film a weekly video on investing for my YouTube channel. I have been on a roughly every other week cadence, and will changing this to every week. (Bad Habit Change) Also, as discussed previously, I will be eliminating my cell phone / social media habit. I have a variety of alternate routines that I’ll be testing to substitute that habit. Thanks to this Mentorbox, I have not only identified these new and old habits, but also have the tools and frameworks to experience success.
Day 8 (time invested 40 minutes): Started watching the video for the second book this month, Scrappy by Terry Sjodin. Some takeaways: Being scrappy allows you to stand out from the masses. Don’t ever settle. Being scrappy allows you to achieve your goals faster. Scrappy ideas have the potential to blow past traditional approaches. There is usually a back door that will be cheaper, faster, and easier. Scrappy people get irritated enough that they will no longer accept the status quo. What is something you complain about? How can you change it? You are responsible for changing your circumstances. Even small efforts can make a difference. Trick your brain with discomfort to get it into a different thought pattern. Always create an audacious goal. We all create excuses and self-sabotage our big goals. Don’t "not try" because you’ve already decided in your head it won’t work. Don’t have to score on every play, just advance the ball. Nurture networking relationships that allow you to get elegant introductions to others. Felt that I was losing attention at the end of 40 minutes, so probably try to keep to a maximum of 30 minutes per day going forward.
Day 9 (time invested 35 minutes): Continued watching the video for Scrappy by Terry Sjodin. Some more takeaways: If your first strategy does not work, you may need to try a second or third time. Don’t give up. Your brainstorming creative time can be in the shower or during a run. Your strategy has to be in alignment with your core values and your brand, but also needs to be in alignment with the recipient’s expectations. If someone says "no", it’s not the end of the game. Sometimes the win is immediate, sometimes the win can come years later. What you do today will have a lasting impact. Showing up is the most important part of execution. (This is huge.) Put yourself in the game. Keep a journal of your progress. Mentorship is protege-driven.
Day 10: Found real-world organizational application of The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Mentorbox is making me better at my job, and making me look really good at work! I finished this Mentorbox book just in time to experience the benefits at work.
Day 11: Took day off, got caught up in work and had to skip Mentorbox.
Day 12: Took another day off, got caught up in work and had to skip Mentorbox.
Day 13 (time invested 25 minutes): Decided to skip ahead to the bonus workshop before filling out the Scrappy memorization booklet. Watched the Reach Out by Molly Beck bonus workshop video! My takeaways: What is the difference between my average friends and my super successful friends? It really comes down to who you know. Your business and your social network. Helps you in both good and bad times. You have to make active and conscious decisions to build your network. Doesn’t matter if you are an introvert, just have to reach out. The one thing that will change your life: Make reaching out a daily habit. Every single day, reach out to a new person. Put it into your calendar. Put it into your schedule. Five days a week (workdays only). Who do you reach out to? You need to start with five names. There are contacts in your phone right now that have gone to the shadows. What articles are you reading? What blogs are you reading? What books? These are influencers you may want to reach out to. Who do you look up to? Who would you like as a mentor? Any connection is give and take. You need to give something, then you should also have a favor to ask. Have a call to action. Filled out workbook and determined five people I’m going to reach out to. Also remembered my People Day and People Database and realized I need to do another one of these, as it’s way overdue.
Day 14 (time invested 25 minutes): Completed the Scrappy memorization booklet. While I have a variety of virtual mentors (such as the Mentorbox program), I have been struggling to decide (1) who I should target as a real life mentor and (2) how I will approach them. I experienced a breakthrough in this particular book, and identified a few people I would like to target. Additionally, this memorization booklet helped me form a strategy to take one of my companies, IJL Productions, to the next level.
Day 15: I finished early. Gives me more time to execute on my action items from this month’s amazing Mentorbox.

Summary and Conclusion: My 15-Day Mentor Box Challenge

I impressed myself. I experienced Mentorbox like never before and successfully completed my challenge. And, four days were sick days, two days were days off, and one day was extra since I finished early. Moral of the story: I experienced the entire benefit of this program with only 8 days invested! This is critical because it gives me extra time to really take the theory and put it into action, in my life.

Also, time commitment in terms of raw hours was not bad either. I ended up investing 215 minutes, or 3.58 hours. Taking 215 and dividing by 30, I get 7.16 minutes/day if I did theoretically spread over 30 days (one month), although that will not be my strategy going forward since I just don’t work like that. I have proved that Alex and Jonathon are right, you really can change your life with just a few minutes per day invested!

Support Me: I’ll Be Forever Grateful If You Use My Mentor Box Affiliate Link

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

I care about everyone reading and want you to experience the growth that I have experienced in my career and life. If you found this blog post helpful and you plan on signing up for Mentorbox, I would be forever grateful if you sign up via My Mentorbox Affiliate Link. You will pay the same price that you otherwise would, and I will receive a commission that helps pay the bills here at PPC Ian. Readers like you who choose to support PPC Ian make an incredible difference in my life and the lives of everyone reading. I thank you for your continued support and wish you all of the success in the world. And, I’m happy to answer questions and help in any way I can. If you have a question, please feel free to ask below! Here’s to your future!

My New Mentorbox 15-Day Challenge Video

I just created a YouTube video to complement this blog post. Want to learn even more about my 15-Day Challenge? I hope you enjoy my video review!

My Latest Mentorbox Challenge

I just published a new Mentorbox blog post! This one features my 7-Day Challenge and ponders the question, Is Mentorbox Worth It? (Hint: Of course it is.) I’m really proud of my latest post. If you liked this one, you are sure to find incredible value in my new post as well. In addition to featuring a 25-minute video, my newest Mentorbox post shares my latest and greatest tips and strategies for getting the most out of this amazing self-education program.

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.

Images in this post © PPCIan.com

Lessons Learned From Running 5K Races

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Jul 7 1

This is the sport where everyone truly comes together. I’m talking about my favorite sport in the world, running. Over the past few months, my wife, son, and I have participated in four separate 5K races. Over the last few years, 5K races have become a family tradition. This incredible sport has the power to transform our world.

Ever since high school, my favorite sport has been cross-country running. I am significantly better at swimming, and enjoy that sport as well, however there’s something about running that intrigues me. In addition to the fact that it brings everyone together, I love the distance covered, the scenic views, the diversity of terrain, and the thrill of pushing further and faster with each run. You may be thinking, "This blog is all about business, digital marketing, and sometimes investing, Ian. Why are you writing about running?" I personally believe that there is a huge tie between the mental side of things and the physical. I’m thrilled to share life lessons I have personally learned from running.

Lesson 1: It’s All About Pushing Through

When I train, I’m typically running about 5 or 6 miles at a time. I exclusively train with hills because I like a good challenge. I have always found that around mile two (right before the half way point), everything gets easier. I’m actually approaching some of the most difficult terrain of the journey (steepest hills), yet things just start flowing. I attribute this to the phenomenon known as "runners high". There’s a point where you cross your largest challenge, and things just start getting easier.

I believe the same is true in life, business, and investing. Far too many people give up when they reach challenging times. The challenges seem to pile up, just as the summit of my run. It’s difficult to see past the challenges since the hills are so steep. However, it’s often at this very moment that you’ll get a surprise. In the case of running, it’s the endorphins kicking in (or runners high). In the case of life, I believe it’s a little help from up above. The moral of the story: Don’t give up. When things keep getting more difficult, know that you are incredibly close to your big breakthrough. Persistence is the name of the game.

Lesson 2: Sportsmanship Is Alive And Well

Over the years, I have participated in a multitude of 5K runs. Some are more fun than others. My personal favorite is the annual Lupus 5K in beautiful Saratoga, CA. I actually just completed this 5K, along with my wife and son. There is a great cause behind this event: Raising money and awareness to find a cure for Lupus. The event is team oriented and often teams are rallying around someone they personally know with Lupus.

I have found that this event is really special, and am proud to call it my favorite 5K run. It’s hard to explain, but when you are in this race, you feel a common bond with everyone there. Everyone is so kind, so well-spirited, and in it for the greater good. Nobody is trying to "win". Nobody is trying to beat their neighbor and cut around others. While I was participating in this race, I had one thing on my mind and that was giving it my all to truly support Lupus. I even found myself praying for those with Lupus. I imagine that others felt a similar experience and that is why the sportsmanship at this race is so amazing.

In business, it often becomes extremely competitive. We’re competitive with one another. (Who will get promoted first?) We’re competitive with our competitors. (Can we beat the competition?) We can lose sight of the big picture. Running provides the perfect framework for business. Look at everything from a team perspective.

A real world example: In the self storage industry, we are sometimes out of a certain unit size (they are all taken). We make a point of referring potential customers on these units to our "competitors" down the street. At the end of the day, we don’t even look at other facilities as competitors, we look at them as friends and neighbors. It’s all about good sportsmanship.

Lesson 3: It’s Your Race

I participated in four 5K races recently. Of all the races, the San Carlos Fun Run felt the most competitive. It’s in a town that has incredible athletes and the runners take this event with complete seriousness.

I ran my heart out in all races. I would say that I had the most people pushing me to do my best in San Carlos since it was a close race and people were actively passing each other to get an edge at the finish line. The interesting fact: I ran the fastest (by far) in the Redwood City 4th of July Parade Run, even though I literally had nobody pushing me other than myself.

At the end of the day, it’s your race and nobody else’s. Running is a sport where you are pushing yourself to do your personal best. The only thing that pushed me in the 4th of July Parade Run were the thoughts and prayers running through my mind.

In business, it’s so easy to compare yourself to others. Am I making enough money? Why does somebody else have more responsibility than me? Is my title good enough? The list goes on… Rather than compare oneself to others, why not focus on your personal race. After twelve years in pure play digital marketing roles, I said, "To heck with it. Why not take a completely different route and pursue my dreams of investing full time." It was an unconventional move, but has paid great dividends in a variety of ways. Remember that this life is your race alone. Benchmarking against others can be helpful at times, but the most important benchmark is yourself.

Lesson 4: Take Time To Meditate

Any of us with a digital marketing background know that ads are everywhere in this digital age. It’s difficult to get a moment to oneself. The noise is always there. Aside from ads, we all have persistently growing checklists, phone calls, work. It can become really "loud" in one’s life. I have found running to be the perfect avenue for meditation. I like to run long distances. I like to push myself and feel the pain. It is in this precise moment that the noise goes away. I can meditate and pray. I can reflect. Whether it’s running or something completely different, I challenge you to find your avenue for unplugging. Find that time. This is when you will have your best ideas and gain inspiration to fuel your best work.

Lesson 5: Mix An Active Lifestyle Into Your Business Routine

We live in a unique age where we are "always on". Personal time and business time no longer exist. It’s business and personal 24/7. The two blend together. I joke with my wife that I am all about the "athleasure" lifestyle, and it’s true. These days, I mainly wear sneakers and Lululemon clothes. In fact, I feel like I have a shopping addition for both. Throughout the day, I’ll take random breaks to get in a few pushups, jump lunges, or even a quick sprint. For me, the active lifestyle fuels energy, thought, success, and overall happiness. While I still plan longer workouts like my runs and swims, I also like to incorporate impromptu, high intensity training. My advice: Consider bringing this active lifestyle into your life and office. There’s nothing wrong with someone doing some pushups or crunches in the middle of the corporate office. In fact, I hope this becomes the routine.

Lesson 6: We Are The Human Family

I have seen this theme emerge a variety of places recently. As an avid student of life and someone growing in my spirituality, I have learned that we are all part of the human family. We are each a cell in a greater being, a collective being. There is no event where this becomes more apparent (to me, at least) than a 5K race. Each time I complete one of these 5K races, I try to take the good vibes with me wherever I go. It’s all about what one can do for the greater human family.

Thanks for reading. Do you enjoy running? Any lessons you have learned from sports?

Facebook Ads: Are You Allocating As Much As Google AdWords?

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment May 28 1

Are you allocating a similar marketing budget on Facebook Ads as Google AdWords? Here’s how I look at it, at a high level… As of today, Alphabet (the parent company behind Google) has a market capitalization is $678.9 billion. Facebook’s market cap is $440.9 billion. $440.9 billion / $678.9 billion implies that Facebook is about 64.5% the size of Alphabet. Given Facebook’s size and scale, it’s perfectly reasonable to allocate 64.5% as much money on Facebook Ads. So, if you’re spending $100,000/month on AdWords, you may want to consider spending $64,500 on Facebook Ads.

This allocation is far from reality for many digital marketers. Why? A lot of the digital marketing leaders (myself included) grew up on Google AdWords. AdWords is ingrained in our minds. We know it, it works really well, and that’s where we have historically prioritized our budgets. And, AdWords is bottom-of-funnel so it’s easier to measure success from an attribution standpoint.

That being said, things have evolved. These days, I’m the greatest fan of Facebook around, and am constantly discovering new ways to drive success on this incredible platform. On the fun side of things, I have over 100,000 fans on my PPC Ian Facebook Fan Page. On the business / professional side of things, I manage dozens of Facebook pages and advertising campaigns for our local stores, delivering hyper-local content on a daily basis. I have learned that top-of-funnel social media marketing (with appropriate tracking) drives impressive results when executed properly. And, it keeps getting better. Instagram, for example, is a complete game-changer for Facebook advertisers.

Today, I’m excited to share an eBook I recently read that provides incredible insights for anyone advertising on Facebook. I’m talking about Acquisio’s Guide to Facebook Advertising Success, a collaboration with Vector Media Group. Following are some of my favorite takeaways, broken down by section. Rather than elaborating upon each specific insight, I’m listing them here so you can quickly look for them once downloading the eBook.

Strategy #1: Talk to Your target Audience

Facebook offers over 970 targeting variables.
Via data partnerships, Facebook offers some truly unique targeting options.
When targeting on Facebook, don’t go too broad. Stay focused. A few hundred people is a great target audience, but don’t go lower.
While nearly impossible manually, scale with personalization is possible with Acquisio Social.

Strategy #2: Craft Creatives That Convert

Literally let users see themselves in your photos.
90% of accounts don’t leverage CTA (call-to-action). Don’t be one of them!
CTR (click-through-rate) is critical for your relevancy score (Facebook’s equivalent to Google’s quality score). Always focus on CTR.

Strategy #3: Test Your Way to Traffic

Get rid of ads that are not working so they don’t drag down your entire account.
Download the free eBook to learn all about view-through vs. click-through conversions, and exactly how much value Acquisio and Vector Media recommend giving view-throughs. (In my opinion, this is one of the single biggest elements in scaling your Facebook budget.)
Learn how Acquisio Social can empower your advertising campaign with multivariate testing.

Strategy #4: Data Driven Decision Making

Learn about Facebook and Google Analytics integration.
Leverage Facebook data to empower your Google AdWords advertising and vice versa. Learn how Facebook can help power Google RSLA (Remarketing Lists for Search Ads). Uncover how Facebook Custom Audiences can scale with help from your Google data (one of my personal favorite Facebook targeting frameworks).

Strategy #5: Bid on What Matters

Learn about the differences between CPC and CPM bidding. Find out which one works better on Facebook. (In my opinion, this is another one of the greatest lessons in this eBook. I have discovered a similar result via years of testing. Pay attention to this section as bidding is super important and different on Facebook.)
Learn about the different placements and which one converts the best.

I really enjoyed this free eBook. One of my favorite quotes: "With the knowledge and techniques shared in this eBook, there is no reason Facebook should be getting less spend than AdWords, Bing or your other channels, unless you have an attribution model to prove it!" I could not agree more. Whether you’re behind on your Facebook Advertising program or are a Facebook pro, I’m sure you’ll learn quite a bit from Acquisio’s eBook.

If you’d like to learn a little bit more about the companies behind this publication, here are some quick insights:

Acquisio is a performance media solution that enables digital marketers to optimize their search campaigns and report on social, mobile and display initiatives. With a focus on cutting-edge machine learning algorithms and also leveling the playing field for all advertisers (small, medium, and large alike), Acquisio is truly a robust platform. More than anything, they are a team of incredible professionals. In fact, their CEO (and personal friend), is quite involved in Charity and Giving, something that resonates with me personally. Way to go, Acquisio and Marc Poirier!
Vector Media Group is an award-winning digital agency located in NYC. Their full-service agency specializes in web development, design & branding, and digital marketing. While I just learned about Vector via this eBook, I’m quite impressed with everything they are doing and the content they are sharing with marketers like you and me. Thanks, Vector!

Angel Investing: My Approach

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment May 3 1

Recently, I made two angel investments in startup technology companies, signifying my first angel investments in five years. As someone who is a true dividend growth investor, I tend to be incredibly picky when it comes to early stage opportunities. Typically, I stick to big name blue chip companies that have:

Dock and Water

Long track records of raising dividends year-after-year
Huge cash on hand, huge cash flow, and very little (or no) debt
Competitive moats (barriers to entry) that are almost impossible to overcome
Compelling prospects for many decades into the future (my horizon is: never sell)

That being said, I am a Silicon Valley business executive who truly gets excited about early stage companies, especially in the high tech arena. From time-to-time, I’m able to find a great pre-IPO angel opportunity and I’ll go for it. Today, I want to share my personal philosophy on how I approach these types of investments.

Invest In People

At the end of the day, I will only invest in angel companies where I personally know the founder. Small companies can be risky. Small companies oftentimes have to pivot their business strategy. My last angel investment from about 5 years ago is a perfect example of this. I invested in a business that has completely transformed over the years. While the original model had to evolve, the team pulled through and built an incredible, thriving business. In fact, what they have built now is even more exciting than what I ever imagined in the beginning.

With small companies, you are investing in people. It is impossible to invest in a person unless you have a friendship with them. While this can greatly limit your opportunities, it can help you make accurate decisions based on character, intelligence, leadership skills, and sweat equity.

I’m able to quickly filter towards people who are "going places". These are the people I invest in, when the opportunity arises. Build your ability to read people and surround yourself with people that are going places.

Be Patient

It’s a pet peeve of mine that people these days list all of their angel investments on their LinkedIn profiles. I understand if you are a venture capitalist or full time angel investor that this may be important because of your profession. In that case, it makes logical sense to me. However, if your career is somewhere other than venture capital or angel investing, I personally suggest keeping things more confidential. Sure, you may want to list one or two investments, especially if you have taken a large-commitment advisory role or board of directors role.

However, I feel sometimes like people are just investing in a lot of companies to make themselves look more "legit" on LinkedIn. I feel like some of these people are rushing into a lot of investments without exercising patience. Also, they may even be spreading their capital (and time) too thin, without really going big on the investments that matter. This isn’t a popularity contest, this is investing capital for your and your family’s future. The greatest investor around, Warren Buffet, has described his investment strategy as lethargic. He has no problem waiting around for years (or even a decade if he has to) for the right opportunity.

I’m really trying to encourage patience here. There is no rush. There is no need to impress anyone online with your investments. Wait for the right pitch, even if it takes five years (as in my case).

Cultivate Relationships

The best angel investment opportunities are not open to just anyone. Those that have a good thing going don’t need just anyone’s money. They can be picky. They can choose investors who can add value to the company (and they absolutely should). If you have a friend who is building a unique business, understand how you may be able to add value. Can you do some part time consulting to help them out? Can you offer some advice? Are you willing to be on their board of advisors? Are you willing to be patient, until they are ready for your investment? The best investments take time to cultivate. Don’t be in a hurry. Keep your eye on the long-term. More than anything, be a friend and do the right thing for your friendship.

Focus on Financial Performance

I only invest in angel opportunities that exhibit the following combination of qualities:

Strong top-line revenue growth (I will not invest in companies pre-revenue).
Reasonably strong earnings (It’s ok for an early stage company to break even or even slightly lose in an effort to reinvest in the business, but it’s not ok to lose a ton of money).
Strong assets (Whether the assets be intellectual property, an amazing platform, or even world-class domain names, I like to invest in companies that have tangible value).
Willing and able to share financial statements: balance sheet, income statement, cash flows, and other financial documents upon request. (Invest in those teams that are willing to offer transparency.)

Be a Lawyer

I’m proud that my roots are in digital marketing because that profession taught me many skills across disciplines. One area where I feel I am quite strong is the review of legal documents and contracts. When investing in early stage companies, make sure to review all of the documents thoroughly. If something does not look right to you, offer to redline the document yourself (or with the help of your counsel, if you prefer). When it comes to these types of investments, it’s often good to have another pair of eyes as well to make sure all the documents look perfect.

And, don’t feel bad if you missed something. In one investment I just entered, we later found a minor typo. I drafted an amendment and we immediately executed the amendment. (Another reason to invest in people you trust and know.)

Know Where You Stand

As companies raise money, it’s important to understand where you stand. Get your hands on the cap table. The cap table, typically an Excel document, will feature the various rounds of funding, who invested, how many shares each person owns, the valuation at each round of funding, and so much more. This is a living document that you should use for your personal records as well. Angel investments can be illiquid. When the liquidity event comes ten or fifteen years from now, it’s always helpful to have the original cap table so you know your exact level of ownership.

Have A Long-Term Approach

Publicly-traded stocks are liquid. You can buy and sell whenever the market is open. Angel investments are not. Your money could be tied up for an incredibly long time. I approach angel investments with no expectation of getting my money back. I’m not saying this in a negative way. I only invest in companies I truly believe will thrive and flourish. Rather, I’m saying this in the most positive way that I’m a long-term partner. I want to leave my money in the investment as long as possible, so it can keep growing. And, that’s what often happens with illiquid investments anyways.

Get Creative

While I’ve successfully completed a handful of angel investments outside of work, most of my private company investments have come via work. In my earlier career, I made a habit of working for pre-IPO companies on the ascendency. Via my hard work and sweat equity, I was rewarded stock options. These stock options allowed me to eventually own shares in three successful early stage companies (one bought out by private equity for $1.2 bln, one went public, and one had a division acquired for $100 mln with shareholders retaining equity in the rest of the business). These days, I’m a Partner at a commercial real estate firm and plan on building up a real estate portfolio, over time, through hard work and sweat equity. If you don’t have a lot of money to be an angel investor and want to be one, go the employment route. Choose your employers wisely.

That being said, don’t rule out publicly-traded companies. Stock options are still valuable at publicly-traded companies as well, and I lived that scenario first hand as well.

Diversify

On a closing note, I want to reiterate that angel investing is very attractive because it’s the "cool thing". I worry that the allure of it draws people in for the wrong reasons and also convinces them to take undue risk (too much money invested in companies that have not been fully researched and proven). I personally like to diversify and keep these types of investments as a smaller part of my portfolio. Even if one of my investments fails, I can sleep at night knowing that I have diversified wisely.

All this being said, I do want to say that there is something special about investing in people, which brings me back to my first point. Angel investing is unique in that you are really helping make dreams come true for people that are important to you. That is amazing and should be celebrated.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for entertainment purposes only. I am not a licensed investment advisor and this is not investment advice. Please consult your licensed investment advisor before making any investment decisions (including angel investments).

The Day of Your Big Presentation: How To Prepare

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Mar 31 0

I just had the honor of presenting a session titled Expert Marketing With A Lean Team at the Self Storage Association Spring conference in New Orleans. Christine Munther from G5 and I co-presented, and I believe we hit the ball out of the park, driving substantial value and motivation for the audience. I could tell based on the huge attendance (packed room with standing room only) and the incredibly engaged audience (wonderful questions). Today, I want to share the tips that I personally leveraged to put myself in a state of peak performance for our presentation. I hope that you can gain value from these warm up strategies so your next large-audience presentation is your personal best.

Tip 1: Focus On Your Mindstate

The Empty SSA Auditorium Before Our Big Presentation

When I woke up the day of my presentation, I was actually quite tired. It had been a long flight the day before and I didn’t get a ton of sleep due to the time change. That being said, I was able to quickly turn my mindstate into peak performance zone by leveraging my Five Minute Journal. (If you have not checked out my Five Minute Journal Review yet, I highly recommend doing so, as this tool is a game-changer.) The interesting part here is I actually forgot to bring my physical journal, but I was able to recreate The Five Minute Journal (minus the motivational quote) on a piece of blank paper.

Importantly, I set forth three goals for the day, only one related to my presentation. The others involved exercising at the gym and successfully completing an investment project I had been working on. I think this point is key: Don’t just focus on your presentation. Focus on you. Make the day exciting beyond your presentation so you don’t get overly focused and anxious about your public speaking. Your best presentations happen when you are relaxed.

Tip 2: Go To The Gym

I’m a big fan of the healthy lifestyle. I try to do something that benefits my health each and every day. I have learned that the mind and body are closely connected. I have also learned the working out can release positive endorphins and put you in a state of peak performance. In the morning, I did some moderate cardio and also some heavy weights (but not for too long). I didn’t want to exhaust myself for my big presentation, but I wanted to do something for me. I wanted to make sure I enjoyed a relaxed state before getting on stage.

Tip 3: Practice Early

Ian Lopuch and Christine Munther Self Storage Association (SSA) Conference

Ian Lopuch & Christine Munther Presenting at SSA

Christine and I met early and practiced our presentation in the same auditorium of our actual event. I think the location element here is key. Get familiar with your auditorium, if you’re able to get access. Get used to the environment.

When we practiced, we purposefully made it more of an informal conversation. We did not go over every single point. We did not use our full voices. It’s important to conserve your energy and leave room for improvisation during the actual event. Save your personal best for the real deal, and go easy and light during the practice run.

As a practical matter, we also answered some important questions during our practice run. Would we stand on stage or roam the floor? Would we use the microphone at the podium or use lav mics? It’s great to develop your personal answers to these questions and more during the practice run.

Tip 4: Leave Time To Think

Before our big event, I took it relatively easy. I enjoyed the expo hall and some friendly conversations. I had a nice lunch and met some new faces. I left time to just sit and think (mostly thinking through speaking points in my mind). You can go about your day at more of a normal pace after the presentation. Before, it’s important to take it a little light and conserve your energy (especially mental energy). Always remember when going to a conference: You came there to get a job done. All focus needs to be placed towards that goal until it’s successfully accomplished.

Tip 5: Conserve Your Voice

This tip is an extension of the last one. I often find at these conferences that I lose my voice from so much networking. It’s loud and we all tend to speak in loud voices and with more frequency than normal. Make sure this doesn’t happen on the day of your big presentation. Conserve your voice. You can always power network right after (which is exactly what I did).

Tip 6: Don’t Worry About Your Slides

Public speaking is all about connecting with the audience. It’s all about improvising and telling a personal story. While slides can be helpful, I personally recommend speaking as if there are no slides at all. The point here: Your slides don’t really matter (as much as you think). By the time you have arrived at your conference, no additional changes to your slides are going to help. You’ve already done all you can do on that front. Now is the time to really get in that zone so you can speak from the heart and connect with the audience. The slides are just there to support you.

Tip 7: Don’t Eat Too Much

This is a funny one, but I have always found that it’s best to go light and very healthy on days of presentations. You don’t want to have a full stomach when you are about to present. I have found that the body is in peak performance for speaking with a moderate/low amount of food. In fact, I approach this in a similar fashion to sports. I don’t eat a ton of food before an 8-mile run. Rather, I eat that big meal right after. Treat your public speaking like a sporting event.

Tip 8: Talk To A Friend Or Two For Motivation

Your inner circle is key. I’m talking about your family and your very close friends. Ask them to wish you good luck. Leverage their words of encouragement to get excited about your event. Be careful here to not involve anyone who could potentially bring any negativity to the matter.

Tip 9: Start Getting Pumped Up

Right before your event is to start (about 15 minutes before), start moving from a state of calm to a state of controlled excitement. Now, the sports event is about to start. You’ll want to have all of your energy. You want to be a dynamic speaker that is happy and excited to be there. Don’t go too crazy, but walk around and maybe even do a few pushups.

Tip 10: Leverage Positive Images

Right before we went on stage (1-2 minutes before), I viewed photos of my amazing family. These photos brought a smile to my face and reminded me that family is more important than anything. These positive photos put my mind at ease and allowed me to transition into one of my personal best presentations.

In Summary

There is so much work that goes into preparing for a great presentation. In order to prepare for our hour-long presentation, we spent countless days building slides and handouts. That work is so important, as it’s the foundation of one’s presentation. At the same time, I believe that the tips mentioned above are the true game-changers. It all comes down to the single moment of one’s presentation and you have to be in the right state. It’s game day and you have to treat it as such.

As a bonus tip, I highly recommend a strategy of gratitude as well. There are many wonderful speakers out there with incredible stories to tell. Securing a large public speaking event is a big deal. Once your presentation is over, make sure to thank the conference organizers – verbally, via email, and also with a small gift. Your honor of presenting is due to some really special people who deserve thanks. And, of course, thank the audience too. Their time is incredibly valuable and you should strive to add lasting value in their lives.

I hope these tips help and wish you all the best in your next public speaking event.