Joey Ragona | Strategic Business Academy

Home
Author: Joey Ragona

Market Your Product

LinkedIn Marketing (LOSER) Scripts

This dude tries his LinkedIn Marketing with one of the WORST intros ever.

He’s not the only one, but I’ll pick on him because it happens every week, and I’m kinda getting tired if it:

“Hey Joey, I’m looking to expand my network of coaches and consultants. Would you be open to connecting?”

GAWD.

I’ll break down why this is one of the worst linkedin marketing “intros” ever in a moment.

But first, I like to stir the pot – as you know 🙂

So I ask him “ did you have something specific in mind?”

Because I smell someone looking to shove their sales pitch down my throat.

And BOOM he doesn’t disappoint…

”Thanks for reaching out (um, no, I didn’t – I’m just responding to you dumbass) My magic is helping business coaches and consultants generate 3-5 “QUALIFIED” inquiries a week WITHOUT AD SPEND. If you think this can be a good fit for you or someone else you know, I’d love to connect”

Now, WHAT pops out when you read that LinkedIn marketing message?

Aside from my “dumbass” comment, I haven’t changed anything.

If you said “QUALIFIED”, “WITHOUT AD SPEND” you’re bang on.

Um, yea.

WHO are these “qualified” people? And why does he feel the need to put “qualified” in quotes?

But it gets better.

Because when I asked him the SAME thing, here’s what he says:

“LOL…that’s a fair response. (I know) “Qualified” means it’s specific to the target market you’re going after, and you have control over that. (really? thanks for giving me the basics of marketing 101). Our process only works if you have your target audience and the magic you do for them dialed in.”

There's that magic word again.

And I LOVE (that’s sarcastic btw) how his “process works” only if I have MY “magic” dialed in.

So I HAVE to have magic, so HE can do HIS “magic”.

Odd.

I always thought magic was doing the seemingly impossible. And getting “qualified” leads without ad spend is right up there in my books.

I dunno about you, but I don’t fall for this crap

Perhaps I’m overly sensitive when it comes to this kind of linked in marketing because I’ve pulled clients out of script suicide before.

I don’t even buy “discounted speakers” from dudes driving around in a van who happen to “find me” while I’m pumping gas.

But digress.

These linkedin marketing scripts that amateurs use are what makes us real marketers look bad.

I’ll prove it.

Here’s his linkedin marketing script broken down:

Hey [insert name], I’m looking to expand my network of [whatever the LinkedIn bio of the dude you’re soliciting says]. Would you be open to connecting?”

See how cheezy it is?

And THIS is the boloney they teach in some “marketing” classes.

Imagine if YOU went to the LinkedIn’s and Facebooks with that crap.

I know. Funny, right?

IF you really want to connect with your audience, put the time and effort into learning more about how to HELP them first, without giving them a sales pitch.

One of the ways I do it is by having a conversation and giving you a REAL blueprint that removes the overwhelm and simplifies the implementation process.

AND, my stuff actually works because there’s NO “magic” – because anything worth its weight comes with actual work. But it doesn’t mean you need to struggle.

If that’s what you’re looking for, and want to set up a blueprinting call with me, click here.

Write Copy That Sells

How to use persuasive words in your copy

Let's talk about the power of persuasive words

I'll use an example of those pesky door-to-door solicitors.

My wife and I sit back and chuckle watching 99% of solicitors come to our door – well, they ATTEMPT it because by the time they’re about to take a second step…

…they STOP. Look. And briskly turn around and leave.

Without knocking – or ringing the doorbell.

Why?

Here’s a clue.

“ABSOLUTELY”

Let me explain.

I’m sure you’ve seen the “No Soliciting” sign before.

It doesn’t work well – because people are “used” to seeing it. It scores a big fat ZERO when it comes to persuasive words.

So, I have a sign (it’s just small sticker thingy) on my door that says:

“Absolutely No Soliciting”

It’s the word “absolutely” that does all the magic.

Think about it.

‘Absolutely’ is such a POWERFUL statement. It’s FINAL.

There's NOWHERE to go after someone says ‘absolutely'.

“Absolutely not” or “YES! Absolutely!”

In my opinion, it’s even more powerful than the word “final”.

And, it scores almost 100% on the persuasive words list.

In this example, the word absolutely interrupts the “pattern” solicitors are used to seeing. AND, it tosses curiosity in the mix.

Here’s what I mean:

I’m sure they're thinking “WHAT or WHO is on the other side of this door – that has taken the time to put this message on their door? And WHAT will happen if I ignore this message?”

I can definitely tell you that 99% of ‘em don’t take the risk to find out.

For all they know, I could be a psychopath with a clever in hand on the other side of the door just waiting for someone to test that sign 🙂

It’s brilliantly simple (not the clever – the MESSAGE) lol

That's kinda like having a sign that says:

“Dog in Yard – Enter at Your Own Risk”

Rather than “Beware of Dog”

Can you ‘feel’ the danger of the first one?

Heck, if I was thinking of wondering about going into that dude’s yard, I would totally think twice about it, wouldn't you?

WHO goes to that length to put “enter at your own risk?”

Know what I mean?

And THIS is the power of words when it comes to persuading your prospects.

The examples I’ve shared here are ways to persuade someone NOT to do something.

But what if we want our prospects to DO something? Like, BUY our stuff?

Well, that’s what I’ll be talking about in the Email Copywriting Formula –

I’ve set up a waiting list for it because I’m getting it ready. You’ll be able to buy it at a discount during the launch period – but only if you’re on the waiting list. Sign up here.

Write Copy That Sells

the email writing & chicken wing saga

I was talking about email writing with my buddy over chicken wings…

…and he says: “I’m dealing with FREE”.

He goes on to say how he’s competing with the “Free” stuff his audience can get if they just “google it”.

I told him how my business is the same:

People spend hours of their lives on the google and the YouTube’s trying to source down free information to build their business.

Our “markets” are similar. We both see people wasting time trying to find and piece everything together themselves just to save a buck.

When that time could be spent being productive and implementing so they can actually grow their business and not worry about $$$.

We’re ALL competing against “FREE” with our email writing.

It’s because the world quickly changed from the Information Age to the Knowledge and Transformation age:

+ Information age – was “WHERE do I get the information?”

+ Knowledge & Transformation age – “WHAT is the RIGHT information and HOW do I use it?”

Knowledge and Transformation are where it’s at.

I told him “listen, who do you want to deal with? People who are always seeking free sh!t and will never use it anyway?

Or people who know the value of what you offer & you can actually HELP when they buy your stuff?”

I’m sure you can guess what he said.

But then he asked another question: “ok, HOW do I GET those people?”

When I gave him a simple example (it was an email copy thing) his eyes sparkled and lit up.

“Yea, but I can’t write like you. You’re really good at this stuff” he says.

“I got good by doing it every day – because email is the KEY to reaching your market,” I said. “So if you care about your audience, then you’ll care enough to learn how to communicate with them.”

Then I gave him a simple formula to be a better writer in minutes. Yea. MINUTES.

And if I can prove it to my buddy, who’s one of the most skeptical people I know, I can do the same with anyone.

I’m putting this stuff into a new email marketing program, and I’m starting a waiting list if you’re interested in using email 100X better than you are now.

Click here to add yourself to the Email Copywriting Formula waiting list

Spark Entrepreneurship

What P.T. Barnum said is inspiring entrepreneurs all over the world

“The Greatest Showman” is inspiring entrepreneurs all over the world.

The P.T. Barnum story.

Have you seen it?

We just saw it over the weekend. I know. It’s old news to those who go to the movies a lot, but we aren’t one of ‘em.

Usually, we see movies once they’re “on-demand” conveniently in our home.

But that’s not important.

What’s important is the powerful meaning and inspiration of the movie and how it's inspiring entrepreneurs.

If you’ve seen it, did you catch everything?

Here’s a hint.

P.T. is quoted as saying:

“No one ever made a difference being like everyone else”

Now. If you haven’t seen “the Greatest Showman”, I won’t spoil anything by telling you it’s all about #confidence…

…and, the hidden agenda of inspiring entrepreneurs

The movie CRUSHES the #doubtingdan in our heads.

Especially in TWO spectacular parts (OK, now is a spoiler alert)

When a critic calls his show a “circus” (the beginning of the movie)
When P.T. loses his place in a fire (the end of the movie)

Those TWO parts of the movie identify a true visionary. In other words, an entrepreneur.

What did P.T. do when a critic tries to mock his show by describing it as a “circus”? He RENAMES his show using “circus” from there on in.

THAT’S brilliance.

It’s #confidence.

It’s taking the negative and spinning it to work for you. And negative stuff happens to us ALL the time. So how can you take a negative and make it work for you?

The second piece, when P.T. loses his building to a fire and realizes he can’t rebuild with the high real estate prices…

…spins it in his favor AGAIN!

“We don’t NEED a building, all we need is a TENT”

And the rest is history – as they say.

The movie is brilliant. It’s entertaining, inspirational and powerful for us as entrepreneurs.

I always look for motivation like this because I know how difficult our journey gets sometimes.

Stuff happens.

But I’ve learned from working with the best in the world, they do ONE thing differently than everyone else.

They just handle adversity better.

So, that ONE strategy leads everything else I do for entrepreneurs who are building their business.

When it gets hard, and you need a guide, advice, to vent, or even a shoulder to cry on (as corny as it sounds) the Strategic Profit Lab Insiders’ Circle is the place you want to be in.

Here’s where you can join us so we can help you too:

Spark Entrepreneurship

Why (many) Entrepreneurs are like the Toronto Maple Leafs

Last night (April 26, 2018) watching the Toronto Maple Leafs lose another final 7th game to the Boston Bruins got me thinking about how to be an entrepreneur…

…and how so many of ‘em are like the Leafs.

Not losers – but quitters.

Here’s why.

MOST entrepreneurs just don’t WANT it bad enough.

Here’s what I mean:

(forgive my crappy hockey analysis here, I’m don’t watch sports. I’m only a “fan” when it matters – like in playoffs)

The Leafs were only in this 7th deciding game because they fought back from a 3-1 deficit. Their backs were against the wall, with nuthin’ to lose.

That’s GOOD.

So yesterday, it’s all ‘even-steven’.

Winner takes all.

You already know Boston prevailed.

But this isn’t about hockey.

It’s about DESIRE. A BURNING desire.

It’s about Boston, who were outplayed and down a goal going into the third period, having a NO QUIT attitude.

What about Toronto?

Well, like a lot of entrepreneurs, they sat “comfortable” on their 1 goal lead – without the drive or desire to KEEP taking chances and continue scoring.

Again, I’m not pretending to know everything about hockey, or debate on the performance of one dude over another.

The end result proved Boston WANTED IT more. They TOOK MORE RISKS.

That's How To Be An Entrepreneur

Even though we can argue “but, TORONTO ‘wants’ it too…”

Sure, nobody ‘wants’ to lose…but when we don’t do what’s needed to win, (keep pressin' forward, not sitting inside our comfort zone) we’re headed down that path.

It’s kinda like saying “all these people sitting in seminar rooms want to be r!ch and wealthy too”.

Thing is, 95% are UNWILLING to do what it takes to get there.

Ask me how I know.

Because over the last 7.5 years, I’ve coached and trained thousands on how to be an entrepreneur.

And I’d be an idiot not to “see” the patterns in winners and quitters.

All I know is when I’m down and out – I FEEL LIKE QUITTING. I’m human too (even if my wife says different 🙂 ) Damn #doubtingdan.

But I’m only a quitter if I actually STOP committing to doing EVERYTHING I can to make my business work. Don't you agree?

We don’t “lose” until we stop playing.

I’ve been at this almost 8 full years, and approaching $200k investing in myself and this online business thang…

…yet I’m still not a “millionaire” hand-over-fist.

Sure, I’m making money. I LOVE what I do. And, I have the BEST tribe (that’s you) in the world.

But when I wake up to a message from the Google tellin’ me my $10 Gsuite payment was declined because my credit card was maxed out again (must be that damn investing in myself thing and actually running Facebook Ads to test my marketing)

…it deflates me – I’ll admit.

But it doesn’t DEFEAT me. #Confidence rules!

To finish using this analogy, even though I’m a Maple Leafs “fan”, if I want to know how to be an entrepreneur, I’m gonna use the BRUIN'S strategy when it comes to my business.

I ain’t givin’ in.

Because it matters. EVERY moment matters. Each “FAILURE” matters – because I’m learning what NOT to do.

And the SAME type of people is in the Strategic Marketing Lab – helping, supporting and encouraging.

They aren’t quitters. They’re winning.

You can join us here:

Strategic Marketing Lab

(it's a waiting list as of this writing – because it only opens 4 times a year – so you don't want to miss the next opening ceremony)

Talk soon – Joey

Page 1 of 8

First

Last