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 By David Kersten
The famed Napoleon Hill, in perhaps the most influential business development book ever written, “Think and Grow Rich,” wrote that “the most intelligent man living cannot succeed in accumulating money—nor in any other undertaking—without plans which are practical and workable.” “Just keep this fact in mind, and remember when your plans fail that temporary defeat is not permanent failure. It may only mean that your plans have not been sound. Build other plans. Start all over again,” Hill wrote in this classic text. As I am sure any seasoned and successful entrepreneur would agree, understanding this key concept is essential to success in business. Hill gives the example of Thomas A. Edison who “failed” ten thousand times before he perfected the incandescent electric light bulb. “That is—he met with temporary defeat ten thousand times, before his efforts were crowned with success. Hill goes on to state that “Temporary defeat should mean only one thing—the certain knowledge that there is something wrong with your plan. Millions of men go through life in misery and poverty, because they lack a sound plan through which to accumulate a fortune.” “Henry Ford accumulated a fortune, not because of his superior mind, but because he adopted and followed a plan which proved to be sound. A thousand men could be pointed out, each with a better education than Ford’s, yet each of whom lives in poverty, because he does not possess the right plan for the accumulation of money,” Hill goes on to write. “Your achievement can be no greater than your plans are sound,” Hill concludes, in a line and summing up a line of argument that strikes a cord with me as perhaps one of the most important passages in his seminole book, which is filled with wisdom and insights that would benefit any business owner. With that said, there are many options available to the entrepreneur to grow their business, and always some new “fad” in marketing and business development. But I can tell you from my personal experience and where I see the potential for marketing and business success going in the COVID-19 world in which we live, that I would urge business owners to strongly consider starting a video blog (Vlog) or podcast to promote their business and their brand--particularly right now. While my Quantum Leap Podcast, co-hosted by myself and co-host and top business coach Cory Nott, is still only a few months old, I already feel like I have “struck gold” in terms of a successful marketing and promotional tool, and perhaps more importantly a transformational tool for myself and my business, particularly in this COVID-19 environment. Sure, there are downside to consider in terms of opportunity cost, production time and actual costs, but there are huge upsides. There is not enough space in this column to discuss all the positives, however, one key positive for me has been the energizing nature that a podcast can have on you and your business marketing. I realize that the reasons for this require significant understanding of one’s own situation, capabilities and the existing market and community in which you operate. Yet I would argue that these conditions are altogether favorable if the right steps and analysis is conducted for many more individuals than may believe they are well-suited at first glance. One key thing that I have learned about marketing from many of my colleagues here in the Bay Area, is that it is much more effective to attract potential clients, referral partners and business associates than to seek them out yourself. Seeking out potential clients is the most work of all, and is essentially the equivalent of “cold calling” or “knocking on doors,” which can have value. But is a non-starter for most business owners and, in my opinion, hugely inefficient when the alternatives are considered. Now there are many things that must be considered to make your podcast successful, and this is where I see a huge corollary to Hill’s above explanation regarding a sound and viable plan for your business to generate money. In short, you need a sound and viable plan for your vlog or podcast to generate you business. Furthermore, you might not get it exactly right the first time, but if you take the right actions and gain some useful insights from others such as myself, I believe you can be successful and far surpass your initial expectations within a relatively short period of time. This is where I believe there is huge benefit to hiring out the development and production of a vlog or podcast because I have seen how a fruitful collaboration can produce exponential results, and even has the potential to generate what I call a quantum leap. That’s why a key new package that I’m offering, called the “Pandemic Package,” at least for now, offers a full-service development, creation and operation of a Vlog or podcast for your business or organization. Furthermore, I am continuing to develop and evolve some very interesting “hybrid” products and services such as quick training videos, quick tips, “docu-series,” mini-documentaries, and other similar digital content that serve a similar purpose to a Vlog or podcast. What makes me unique in offering this package, is that I combine powerful business development tools with the best practices of videography, podcasting, vlogging and what I call “hybrid” digital products. Lastly, I wanted to point out that I have been vlogging, blogging, podcasting and producing videos for almost 10 years now and the Quantum Leap Podcast results in the culmination of many other vlogs and podcasts that I have produced over the years. So, like Edison and Ford, I am no stranger to what some may mistakenly call “failure.” If the thought of a vlog, podcast or similar “hybrid” product resonates with you and your business, I can help make this a reality, or at least help better sound this idea out with you and your team. I am currently offering a free 10-minute consultation to see if some of these products might be of use to help you generate your “Quantum Leap.” Please email me at [email protected] or give me a call at (510) 725-7658 to learn more. I wanted to give a special thanks to my co-host Cory Nott, who has been hugely instrumental to me in helping me develop my business and a lot of the content and framing for the Quantum Leap broadcast, as well as serving as an excellent co-host. For more info on Cory and his new platform for freelancers and entrepreneurs called "Lift," check out Episode #1 below or click here. And if you have not been keeping up with recent Quantum Leap podcasts, check out these recently released episodes now: Quantum Leap Podcast Episode #3 “Mastering the Visual Arts During COVID-19: A Conversation with David J. Toman.” Link: https://www.davidmkersten.com/blogevents/quantum-leap-podcast-2020-released-72620-mastering-the-visual-arts-during-covid-19-a-conversation-with-david-j-toman Quantum Leap Podcast Episode #2 “Life & Career Success During COVID-10,” with Louise Goeckel.” Link: https://www.davidmkersten.com/blogevents/quantum-leap-podcast-episode-2-life-career-success-during-covid-19-with-louise-goeckel-released-71920 Quantum Leap Podcast Episode #1 “A Sneak Peak at the Lift Platform for Freelancers and Entrepreneurs,” a discussion with Cory & Gail Nott, creators of Lift. Link: https://www.davidmkersten.com/blogevents/quantum-leap-podcast-episode-1-released-7920-a-sneak-peak-at-the-lift-platform-for-freelancers-and-entrepreneurs-deadline-for-initial-enrollment-is-july-11 ### By David Kersten, Creator of Quantum Leap In this Quantum Leap Podcast, Cory Nott and I interview David J. Toman a Bay Area creative who specializes in high quality photography and videography. I have known David for about a year now and he has taught me a lot about the visual arts, as well as hired me and helped me with a number of major projects in both photography and videography. Most recently, David produced my business headshot, and I was impressed with how supportive and easy to work with David was, as well as producing images that surpassed my initial expectations. David has a lifetime of experience in headshot photography, but discusses how he has had to “pivot” his business during COVID-19 due to there being less headshot work and more potential in the related but different video field. Overall, this has been a good thing for David in recent months as I have seen him grow dramatically as a professional in both is work and offerings including mastering real estate video, capturing great aerial views using drones, creative camera movements using gimbals, as well as video storytelling and creative video editing. Here is the link to one recent innovative real estate video David produced for a property in Berkeley that caught my eye and encouraged me to ask him on Quantum Leap: https://vimeo.com/433648166 (Note: This is the higher quality version that viewed in the podcast through Zoom) In our interview, David calls the COVID a “great opportunity,” while acknowledging that “it’s a bad time and a good time for me.” One of David’s clients, Pricilla, the owner of a prominent recording studio, also joined the interview to give a brief testimonial. Pricilla said she has “always been really impressed with his work, it is so much more creative than the average photographer,” she said. “David has a great eye…you can’t teach that,” Pricilla said noting that you either have it or you don’t and David definitely has a great eye. In this interview, we review and briefly analyze the real estate video above and a number of David’s headshots and other creative photographs he has produced for Bay Area small business owners, actors, and visionaries. David is in the process of completely revamping his website to reflect his increased focus on video work. To get in touch with David to book a session please visit: https://davidjtoman.com/ for the video work and http://www.headshots360.com/ for headshots and other creative photography projects. Thanks for joining us David, your work and professionalism speaks for itself. We know you will continue to add value and help Bay Area business owners and visionaries shine in the years to come.   Do you have an interest in accomplishing new health and fitness goals but you do not know how? Have you considered joining a community network to help you achieve your health goals?
My immediate goal is to lose 10 pounds by the end of summer, and I know I can do it if I do the right things to take me to that goal. Join Erika Gimbel and I this coming Tuesday at noon for the Ripple Effect where we will discuss how to get you on the path to accomplishing your health and fitness goals. Erika and I will discuss the Shred Rockers 2020 group, which is a community group that can get you on the path to accomplishing your health goals immediately. This week we welcome special guest Harold E. Burton who will discuss the connection between spiritual, physical and mental health. Join us on Tuesday at noon to find out more about it and how you can join our community group. What are your health and fitness goals for 2020? Do you think you can accomplish them on your own or are you open to working with us to help you accomplish your goals? We hope to see you then. Zoom Login https://zoom.us/j/5230095876 (Password: DKWAM510) Here's a quick tip on how to visit a BNI chapter. All meetings are currently meeting virtually.
You are welcome to come join me at my chapter called the Abundant Referral Circle, we meet every Wednesday at 7am. Just message me or email me at [email protected] if you are interested in learning more. Here's the link for the Bay Area Chapters: https://lnkd.in/gjZXFF4 Join David Kersten and Cory Nott for the Quantum Leap Podcast live on Tuesday July 28th at 1pm.
Our special guest is Cheryl McCarthy to discuss the mortgage industry and reverse mortgage solutions in the time of COVID-19. Cheryl’s Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-mccarthy-510/ See you then. Zoom Login https://zoom.us/j/5230095876 (Password: DKWAM510) Here is a link to the event on Facebook Events: https://www.facebook.com/events/1167214720302180/
Do you have an interest in accomplishing new health and fitness goals but you do not know how? Have you considered joining a community network to help you achieve your health goals? My immediate goal is to lose 10 pounds by the end of the summer, and I know I can do it if I do the right things to take me to that goal. Join Erika Gimbel and I this coming Tuesday at noon for the Ripple Effect where we will discuss how to get you on the path to accomplishing your health and fitness goals. Erika and I are going to discuss the Ripple Effect and our Shred Rockers 2020 group, which is a community group that can get you on the path to accomplishing your health goals immediately. Join us on Tuesday at noon to find out more about it and how you can become part of the Ripple Effect. This week Erika and I will welcome special guest Noosha Kahali who will discuss Chinese health remedies. What are your health and fitness goals for 2020? Do you think you can accomplish these goals on your own or are you open to working with us to help you accomplish your goals? We hope to see you then. Free Zoom Login https://zoom.us/j/5230095876 (Password: DKWAM510) In this timely and engaging interview David Kersten and Cory Nott interview Career and Business Coach Louise Goeckel who discusses a wide range of pertinent issues regarding the current employment and job search environment in the time of COVID-19.
Louise touches on both challenges as well as key opportunities which are likely often overlooked by many. She discusses the current “climate of creativity” that results from more “consciousness” and “awareness” in the world today. “I call it a great awakening,” Louise, says about 2020, noting that we are currently in the midst of a “major shift in the world” which makes it even more important for job seekers to have a “vision for yourself and your business.” In addition to the recent wave of job losses, Louise says she sees a lot people leaving jobs because a “bad boss.” She provides a wealth of wisdom about how job seekers can set themselves up for long-term success, life, and prosperity by doing things such as “committing to personal and professional development,” taking care of your health, and “finishing tasks” which gives a “tremendous energy.” In terms of the emerging work world, we have to get comfortable with “remote work” and “remote relationships,” Louise says. Employers are commonly only hiring for their “big needs” in this environment and letting their “little needs” slide by. Louise says there is “more need for workers to have strong communications skills” due to the nature of remote work and the importance of explaining things briefly, with clarity and engagement. There is a great need for people with “initiative,” who are “growth oriented” and people who are savvy as to “who they are.” Listen to the full podcast by clicking above to hear more of the great insights shared by Louise in this timely and engaging interview. Louise Goeckel was voted 2018 Best of Alameda Life Coach. Her website is www.letsgoforward.biz. She can be reached at (510) 749-9624. Do you have an interest in accomplishing new health and fitness goals but you do not know how? Have you considered joining a community network to help you achieve your health goals?
My immediate goal is to lose 10 pounds over the next month, and I know I can do it if I do the right things to take me to that goal. Join Erika Gimbel and I this coming Tuesday July 14 at noon for the Ripple Effect where we will discuss how to get you on the path to accomplishing your health and fitness goals. Erika is going to discuss the July Shred Rockers 2020 group, which is a community group that can get you on the path to accomplishing your health goals immediately. Join us on Tuesday at noon to find out more about it and how you can join our community group. What are your health and fitness goals for 2020? Do you think you can accomplish them on your own or are you open to working with us to help you accomplish your goals? We hope to see you then. Free Zoom Access https://zoom.us/j/5230095876 (Password: DKWAM510) |
David Kersten, AuthorDavid is a specialist in multimedia campaign development and production. Archives
November 2024
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