David's Recent Favorites

Greetings from San Diego. Made the trek here last night and gotta tell you this place rocks.

Anyhow…

You begged, you pleaded, you sent me love notes and I’m going to do it in honor of reaching episode #300 of The Rise To The Top and a passion to want to help the next generation of online talk show hosts. Of course I’m referring to do ANOTHER FREE HUGE JUICY WEBINAR for you on Thursday, May 3rd at 1 PM CST (2 PM EST, 11 AM PST). And put your right guard on because this webinar is turned up a degree.

I’m going to be covering the THREE (not 1, not 2) most requested topics from you guys:

• From athletes to celebrities to best-selling Authors: The secrets to getting ANYONE to agree to do an interview with you If they are alive, I’ll show you how to track them down.
• The super easy way to record online video interviews without a tech degree from the college of (insert something techy here…MIT?).
• And I will be going over the top ways to turn your online interviews into bling bling.

Register for the aptly named: 6-Figure Interview Empire: How To Land Amazing Guests, Shoot Video Interviews Easily & Turn Your Interviews Into Bling Bling right here. Seating is definitely limited.

Also…

1. If you know some aspiring online talk show hosts or folks that have started but are a bit stuck, please do pass on the webinar info.

2. Can’t make it? While nothing beats the live experience, I know you might have to take Scruffy to the vet or something on Thursday. Make sure to sign up anyway and I’ll get you a replay.

OK, gotta go outside, don’t want to waste the California weather while I’m here!

-David

UPDATE: WE DID IT!!!!! Thank YOU SO SO SO much for voting. I won Iron Man Magazine’s/Bodybuilding.com’s “most inspiring fitness transformation” and the story will be featured along with photos in a TWO-PAGE spread in Iron Man Magazine this July!

So, as many of you know I’m up for being selected as the “Most Inspiring Fitness Transformation” by Iron Man Magazine (I’m one of five finalists).

The winner gets a two-page spread in the magazine and, more importantly, gets the opportunity to tell their story and inspire others.

This week I’ve been all over calling in a favor or two for you to vote for me. And the response has been ridiculously awesome between folks sharing it all over Facebook, blogging about it, tweeting it, painting it on a sandwich board and running around town (well…maybe not that one) etc. And I’m so insanely grateful that I’ve almost teared up a few times.

That being said, I wanted to tell you WHY I want to win (besides a ridiculous sense of pride and accomplishment of knocking off something on my “Dream List” which reads “Be featured in a fitness magazine”).

Honestly, because this isn’t about me. It is about inspiring others. It is about helping you or your friend or your dad or whomever start making healthier life decisions. Eating better. Moving more. Feeling amazing. Confidence. Health. Happiness.

In business, like me, I bet you get inspired when you hear stories of success. Someone who ACTUALLY did it.

Same thing applies for fitness, nutrition and health. I want my story to be catalyst to others.

I remember sitting there looking at photos of myself and being upset and then thinking it must have been a bad angle or something.
I remember when my pants had gotten too tight and I blamed it on the laundry machine. I remember getting a bit lethargic during the day thinking about taking a nap.
I remember flipping through photos of fitness people and thinking to myself “I could never look like that!”
I remember thinking I “knew everything” about fitness and nutrition when I actually didn’t know anything at all.
I remember thinking I was “too busy” with The Rise To The Top, my wife and family, etc. to do a massive fitness transformation.
I remember thinking, “If I get into amazing shape, how will I be able to maintain for more than a few weeks?”

And many more questions. This opportunity is incredible to help others and I wanted to thank you for being a part of it.

Voting continues now until NOON PST on lucky Friday the 13th. You can vote right here (and you can vote up to once per hour if you get bored).
And, thank you in advance, for helping spread the word. Every tweet, Facebook share, blog post, email, etc. means a lot. Every vote counts. The link to send peeps to is this: http://ironmanmagazine.com/transformation/

Always appreciative,
David

If you are an email subscriber of The Rise To The Top, you should have received an email over the last 24 or 48 hours that has the subject line:

RESPONSE REQUIRED: Confirm Your The Rise To The Top Email Subscription

And then there is a confirmation button below. Why? What’s going on? Is it super-spam-spam-phish?

Nope!

Two big reasons:

1. Honestly, the The Rise To The Top has evolved big time since 2008 so I want to make sure the list is exactly the people that are interested in the direction it has been going the last year. Meaning…The Rise To The Top is all about helping you take your passions/interests/ideas and making money from it online. It isn’t about start-ups, brick and mortar, big ass tech companies, etc. It is about Internet Lifestyle businesses/marketing. Sounds like that’s for you? Sweet. Get on the list

2. Also, there is exclusive content, resources and other goodies that I’ve been creating to help you and much of it is going to be reserved for the VIP List (who always here about things first).

If you want to hop onto the list (for free of course), awesomeness. Enter your email below & receive:

• Surprises and VIP-only content for badass online brand builders like you.
  
• Extra commentary on The Rise To The Top episodes, tips & more to help you dominate online.
  
• Find out about all kinds of cool stuff FIRST (including The Rise To The Top episodes).

To the top,

David

Want to come on The Rise To The Top and teach our community of passionate entrepreneurs something amazing?

Putting out a VERY RARE call to guests for the new (and extremely popular) series on the show called “Learn How To Do Cool Stuff.” This new series has taken off like a (um something that takes off quickly). The focus is 30-minute, actionable-advice interviews to help our community of entrepreneurs/Internet Marketers/mediapreneurs, etc.

Maybe you are expert copywriter who can teach us how to avoid stupid copywriting mistakes.

Or you are a master at Pinterest who can show us how we can all dominate on Pinterest.

You might be the master of the world of teaching people how to get their book published.

Perhaps you are the warlord/goddess of positioning and can teach us how to position ourselves in the market.

Or…..the list goes on.

Bottom line is we are looking for knowledgeable, passionate experts who can rock out teaching something useful and actionable for our community and if you fit the bill, would love to hear from you.

The more interesting, specific useful the topic, the better. For example: “Sales Tips” or “Marketing Tips” or something like that is a bit broad; however, here are some examples of some “Learn How To Do Cool Stuff” shows that have ROCKED:

Jules Watkins came on and taught us super cool tips and tricks to shoot amazing videos with your iPhone

Amy Porterfield rocked out teaching actionable tips to dominate Facebook

Justin Brooke taught us how to buy web traffic really cheap

Think you are a fit? Sweet! Just fill out the form below:

(NOTE: Last time we put out a call for guests, we got about a zillion or so responses, which is awesome but please don’t be offended if we can’t respond to every one personally!)

Today on The Rise To The Top: A little different today. Why? Because I’ve got a gift for ya!

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

Audio Only Player:

Click here to download the audio file.

I was so excited last night I could barely sleep. Awesome…except for now I can barely see straight.

Today is the official launch of my big-freaking-badass online course: Create Awesome Interviews: Learn “The Rise To The Top” System for Creating, Promoting & Profiting from Online Interviews and I’ve got a free video series for ya!

As you know, I don’t come out with products extremely frequently because I’m a freak when it comes to over-delivering and have been working on this in a bomb-shelter for over 6 months. I never want to put something out to our community unless I’m 100% pumped about, know it will work for those that put the effort in and that can be make a big difference in your life.

The funny thing, is Create Awesome Interviews was actually your idea. Maybe not YOU individually, but RISE Nation as a whole. Let me explain.

#1: The most frequently asked questions that I get all the time (and I mean ALL the time) are in regards to peeps wanting to start their own interview show, series, etc. online. How to find guests (even without a rep). How to conduct an amazing non-boring interview. How to build a passionate fan base. How to shoot, edit and produce the show SIMPLY.  How to leverage the show into bling bling.

#2: I put out a short survey last year asking people if they were interested in doing their own interview show and if they had any questions about interviewing, the interviewing business, etc. I was expecting about 4 responses. I received nearly 1,000. Wow.

#3: The mission of The Rise To The Top is super simple: Help you turn your passion & expertise into a badass brand (especially online). What does it take to have a badass online brand?

Here are a few things:

• An online platform
• Credibility
• Reputation
• Great positioning and messaging in the marketplace
• A specific topic you rock out with
• Consistently getting the word out & helping others
• A raving fan base/community who loves you (they would make out with you if they could)
• Connections: A sweet network of people in your space (influencers, cool people, bloggers, etc.)
• A monetization strategy (yes, if you have a badass brand…it makes money. Bling bling.)

Now, there are many ways to skin a cat (worst phrase ever by the way. Who wants to skin a cat? And are there really multiple ways?). And there are many paths to get to the point where you have all of those things mentioned above including a profitable business, raving fans, awesome credibility and reputation in your space, etc.

But, I have to tell you, one of the most amazing ways to get there is by doing your own interview-based web show.

I knew I had an obligation to help those interested in doing this and avoid all the trial and error I had to go through over the past few years (including thousands of hours of “wasted” time and thousands of dollars of wasted cash money). This is exactly what I would have wanted when I was getting started and at times when I was just stuck.

And that is the reason Create Awesome Interviews was born.

Now a few things you can do:

#1: Check it out and nab the absolutely free video training series right here.

#2: Think your audience/peeps/family members/dog might be interested? We have a great affiliate program setup right here and if you do interviews, happy to come on your show/blog/podcast, etc.

And of course, it might not be for you and that is totally cool as well. You know I’m not gonna be a douche-a-saurus about it. You know if it is for you.

Finally, it goes without saying, I could not have done this by myself. A big thanks to you for being a part of RISE nation, my wife Marcie for putting up with me, our “web master” Brad Hogan for rocking out EVERYTHING, Natalie McGuire for her great design skills, Michael Zenga for countless hours talking things over, “Coach” Ryan Lee for his guidance and support, Marie Forleo for helping move things forward, Lewis Howes & Sean Malarkey for putting up with my endless questions (sorry fellas!), Daniel Morley at ClickBank, Srini Rao, Andrew Warner, Jonathan Fields, Rob Murgatroyd (and Kim of course), Scott Raab for all contributing to the course by being interrogated by me, Rachel Kersten who is our secret weapon, Jocelyn and the team at Citrix Online, Chris and the team at Wistia, Ian for rocking out with the CAI intro music and video, and VIPs who are already getting results from Create Awesome Interviews, my team (especially Lisa!), and everyone else I might have accidentally forgotten. You all rock.

-David

Holy bananas you guys move quickly!

The VIP List for Create Awesome Interviews is now 100% full! If you missed it, don’t fret as you will be able to get your sticky fingers on Create Awesome Interviews on March 19th. Keep an eye out. In the meantime, think creating your own interview show might be for you? Head over to CreateAwesomeInterviews.com and enter your email to nab a special video “11 Benefits Of Creating Online Interviews”

Yes my friends the special VIP only launch is next Tuesday (March 13th!)

Final chance to get on the VIP list: Just head over to CreateAwesomeInterviews.com and enter your email. Boom.

Sometimes to find a little clarity, direction and get those juices flowing, it takes a little fun little game. A different way to think about something you probably think about a lot.

Let me explain.

So, I was talking to my good buddy Rob yesterday about his brand and the direction he is taking in the future with a combination of his passion/expertise.

One exercise we went through is what I’m calling “The Today Show” Test.

Here it is: If you were asked to be on The Today Show and give 5 tips ON ANYTHING YOU WANT, what specific topic would you give the tips on?

Of course, this doesn’t LITERALLY need to be The Today Show (meaning if The Today Show audience isn’t relevant to you, chose another show). Bottom, line you are on some kind of big show.

One of hardest things to do is narrow down your topic/expertise/passion and this exercise can seriously have an impact on the direction you take your brand in the future.

For example, my friend Liz has a really clear target market: She gives weight loss advice for women and I know specifically she works with a lot of brides. Boom!

Her “Today Show” topic would most likely be weight loss for brides.

And maybe it would be something like “5 Weight Loss Tips For Brides Who Want To Be In The Best Shape In The History Of Mankind  And Make People Swoon On Their Wedding Day” …a little long but you get the point.

Imagine if your market was this clear. You could easily:

-Create endless content, blog posts, videos, interviews, etc. on this topic.
-Create some kind of cool product. Maybe a book? Training course? Info product?
-Create a speech on this topic.
-Host a seminar or event on this topic.
-Write for publications on your topic.

….and that’s just the beginning.

Give it a shot and leave your topic below. What would your specific topic be?

The more you learn to identify “a hah” moments the more often
they will happen.

What about you? What was the exact “a hah” moment when you came up with that awesome idea, book, business, lifestyle change, etc. And what was your first action step?

Too young. Not enough experience.
Too old. The opportunity has passed.
Too busy. Where am I going to find the time?
Not enough money.
Too little experience. I don’t know what I’m doing.

It’s easy to come up with excuses and justify not getting started.

It’s easy to put it the idea away into a closet and wait for a rainy day.

It’s easy to say, “I’m going to start when I have more experience” or “I’m going to start after we have the baby.”

It’s difficult to start taking the steps.

And that’s exactly why you should start taking them.

There is NEVER a perfect time to start pursuing your passion.