In this episode, I take you on a thrilling journey from my days as a nervous wreck to becoming a confident public speaker. It's a tale of transformation that many can relate to, filled with challenges, breakthroughs, and valuable lessons learned along the way.

I'll reveal four game-changing strategies that not only revolutionized my approach to public speaking but also helped me overcome my fears and anxiety. These aren't just theoretical concepts - they're battle-tested techniques that I've personally used to go from shaky starts to standing ovations.

Whether you're a seasoned speaker looking to refine your skills or someone who breaks into a cold sweat at the mere thought of addressing an audience, this episode promises insights that could transform your public speaking experience.

Strategy #1 - Developing a Reproducible Outline

Strategy #2 - Audience-Centered Mindset

Strategy #3 - Master Your Bookends

Strategy #4 - Out-Loud Rehearsal

• Link to Episode 275 - My First Paid Opening Keynote
• Link to Next Level Mastermind Page to see my “Upgrade Your Peer Group Talk.”
• Ken Davis's book "Secrets of Dynamic Communication."
• The SCOORE Speaker Training is now available as an Online Course

If you're an early-stage entrepreneur or aspire to elevate your business and life, I'd like to personally invite you to take the next step towards building a thriving, sustainable business.

Many people falter not due to a lack of passion or effort, but because they overlook the crucial foundational steps in creating a solid business. I've developed a proven 11-Step Formula for Building an Online Business and packaged it into an online course that has already transformed the lives and businesses of numerous entrepreneurs.

I'm currently offering this course for FREE!

Yes, you read that right! You can access the same strategies that have helped other entrepreneurs transition from merely surviving to thriving in their online businesses.

To get free access to this transformative course, simply email me at Cliff@CliffRavenscraft.com with the subject line "Free Building an Online Business Course".

In your email, briefly share how you discovered me, your entrepreneurial aspirations, and where you currently stand in your journey. Keep it concise—two or three paragraphs—and I'll provide you with free access to the course.

Don't pass up this chance to unlock the strategies and insights that will propel your business from survival to success. I'm eager to hear from you—and even more excited to learn about your transformation after you dive into the first module!

Email me today! Cliff@CliffRavenscraft.com

In this episode, I introduce the inaugural installment of the newly relaunched Building A Life And Business Together podcast! I host this show with my wife, Stephanie Ravenscraft, and we're excited to revive the podcast we started a few years ago. We've returned with fresh perspectives, valuable lessons learned, and a clear vision for the direction we want to take with this show.

In this episode, we share our journey of navigating life and business as a married couple. We recount our entrepreneurial beginnings, our personal growth, and how we've learned to support each other in our marriage, especially during times when our paths weren't always perfectly aligned.

We also share the origin story of this podcast, including how our initial attempt, though imperfect, yielded valuable insights. Now, with a renewed focus, we've crafted this description for our show:

Building A Life And Business Together is our podcast dedicated to entrepreneurial couples navigating the complexities of business and marriage. We provide a blend of personal stories, practical advice, and lessons learned from our long-term journey as a married couple working together. Whether you're the entrepreneur in the relationship or the spouse who's feeling anxious about the financial security of your family, our goal is to guide you in getting back to "building your life together."

We focus on helping couples align on a shared vision, moving from fear and doubt about leaving the "responsible path" of a guaranteed paycheck to embracing the freedom of building a business. Each episode tackles the realities of entrepreneurship, balancing personal and professional growth, and navigating the ups and downs that come with pursuing success as a couple. Tune in for our honest conversations about creating a unified vision for your life, and learn how to get on the same page with your spouse as you build both your life and business together.

• Website: BuildingALifeAndBusinessTogether.com
• Click Here For Apple Podcasts
• Click Here For Spotify

Stephanie Ravenscraft shares her heartfelt journey through the Five Stages of the Entrepreneurial Marriage, offering raw and personal insights into what it truly takes to navigate life as the spouse of an entrepreneur.

In this talk, Stephanie opens up about the shock of unexpected career changes, the challenges of building a life and business together, and the sacrifices made along the way. From early struggles and financial hardships to a life of abundance, Stephanie’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, partnership, and unwavering support in marriage.

Whether you're the entrepreneur or the spouse, this talk will inspire you to embrace your role in building a shared vision for your life together. You’ll learn how to communicate effectively, work through fear and doubt, and ultimately, thrive both personally and professionally as a couple.

Call to Action: Gain free access to Stephanie's talk, The Five Stages of the Entrepreneurial Marriage, and discover how to build a stronger partnership while pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams. Visit MindsetAnswerMan.com/fivestages to access this talk now and take the first step toward aligning your marriage and business for long-term success!

In this episode, I share an insightful response to a question presented in a recent session of my Next Level Coaching program. A participant asked for advice on how to handle it when others don't understand, and perhaps even question or doubt the unique vision you have for your business or entrepreneurial ventures.

I open up about my own experience with my mastermind group questioning my decision to leave Podcast Answer Man behind and pursue my current coaching and mindset work. I emphasize the importance of being your own number one cheerleader, and how seeking encouragement within yourself through journaling, prayer, and meditation is crucial.

I also discuss the role of a supportive spouse, if married, and the value of having a peer group that believes in you, even if they provide constructive feedback. Navigating the motivations behind others' doubts is key - some may fear your success or feel threatened by your ambition.

Ultimately, I share that if you can't be talked out of your vision, even by your closest advisors, it's a testament to how vital that vision is for your future. Your number one cheerleader must be you.

Takeaways and Action Items:

• Consider others' feedback carefully, evaluating it for new perspectives and potential pitfalls you might have overlooked. If, after reflection, you still believe your vision is worth the inherent risks, others' skepticism will likely strengthen your commitment to your desired outcome.
• You must be your own best cheerleader and source of encouragement.
• If married, foster a supportive partnership with your spouse.
• Surround yourself with a peer group that believes in you and your vision.
• Understand the motivations behind others' doubts and feedback.

If you're on an entrepreneurial journey and looking to take it to the next level, I want to hear from you. Email me at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com and share a short (3 paragraph or less) summary of where you're at. I have an unbelievable offer for my Next Level Coaching program that I believe could be a game-changer for your business. Don't miss out on this opportunity - reach out today!

In this episode, I reveal the complete 11-step formula I recommend for building an online business. This valuable content—which people have paid thousands of dollars to receive in my in-person workshops—is now being shared with a wider audience.

I start by sharing my own entrepreneurial journey, which began with launching a podcast as a hobby. Over time, I discovered a desire to turn my passion for content creation into a full-time business.

However, I quickly realized that most people attempting to create an online business were failing because they started by creating content without first laying the necessary groundwork. Instead of following a strategic sequence, they jumped straight into content creation.

As a result, I developed an 11-step formula for building a successful online business:

1. Determine your destination - What do you want your life and business to look like?
2. Identify where you already add value - What are your gifts, talents, and areas of expertise?
3. Determine your ideal customer - Who has the money, problems, and willingness to pay for your solutions?
4. Learn about your ideal customers' problems - Conduct research to deeply understand their struggles.
5. Determine your products and services - Align your offerings with your customers' needs.
6. Create a value proposition statement - Clearly communicate who you are and how you help.
7. Validate your business model - Get paid customers before creating content.
8. Create Content - Create environments for people to discover who you are and what you have to offer.
9. Attract Your Ideal Customer - AKA Grow Your Audience
10. Market your products and services - Develop your sales and marketing skills.
11. Test new products and services - Continuously innovate and improve.

I'm offering you free access to the $2,000 "Building an Online Business" course I've taught in-person. All you need to do is email me at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com and share a bit about your entrepreneurial journey and aspirations.

If you take me up on this offer and complete the course, I'll also invite you to be my guest for two free sessions of my Next Level Coaching Program, where I can answer your questions and provide personalized guidance.

Don't hesitate - email me today and let's get you on the path to entrepreneurial success!

Have you ever felt the magic of something you love slowly slipping away? In this episode, I share how my experiment with creating a video version of this podcast was diminishing the magic of my beloved audio-first approach to creating podcast content.

Tune in to this in-depth exploration of the potential value of creating a video version of an audio-only podcast. I share the highs, lows, and the pivotal decision that brought the spark back to my content creation journey.

Summary:

I recount my recent journey of returning to a consistent weekly production schedule. With a desire to maximize my reach, I decided to create a live-streamed video version of my podcast. Despite my extensive experience with live streaming and video production, I soon realized that my current approach was introducing more challenges than benefits.

I share my history with live streaming, from early audio live shows via SkypeCast to video streaming on Ustream, and the transition back to audio-only content, until just recently. I discuss the technical hurdles and time demands that came with producing high-quality video content, and how these challenges led me to reconsider my approach.

After recounting my recent explorations and the lessons I've learned, I offer recommendations for those considering adding a video version to their audio-first podcast. Join me on this evolving journey as I deliver valuable insights to help you weigh the pros and cons of creating a video version while preserving the essence of your audio-first podcasting approach.

Are you an early-stage entrepreneur or an aspiring one? If so, I have some exciting news for you! I am launching a brand new group coaching program starting on January 9. This weekly, 90-minute session is designed to teach you everything you need to know about building a successful and profitable online business.

Here's what you can expect from this program:

• Weekly 90-Minute Sessions: Each session will cover essential elements of building an online business. I will share all the valuable insights and strategies I have learned over the years.
• Access to Exclusive Course: You will get access to my existing "Building an Online Business" course, along with all-new content created during our sessions.
• Direct Interaction and Q&A: Every session includes a direct Q&A segment where you can ask me anything related to your business journey.
• Ongoing Support: Whether you're just starting or already running an online business but not yet hitting the $10,000/month income mark, this program is for you.
• Recorded Sessions: Can't make it to a live session? No problem! Every session will be recorded and uploaded to a dedicated archive. You'll receive an email notification with a summary and timestamps, so you can easily find and revisit the topics that interest you most.

This program will provide you with incredible access to mentorship, coaching, and the support you need to take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level.

Interested? Here's How to Join: Email me at cliff@cliffravenscraft.com with the subject line "Online Coaching Program For Business Owners". Let me know you heard about this offer, and I'll get back to you with more details and answer any questions you might have.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your business and achieve your goals. Take action now and secure your spot in this transformative coaching program.

Until next time, I encourage you to take everything you do to the next level.

Cliff Ravenscraft

I’ve been observing an alarming trend. Many people are prematurely quitting their day jobs, having fallen for the myth of overnight success. In this episode, I will discuss the myth of overnight success and its negative impact on the wellbeing of those who believe in it. I will introduce three questions to consider before quitting your day job and four essential business foundations to establish beforehand. Additionally, I will provide three suggestions for those who may have prematurely left their day jobs.

As a self-employed business owner, applying for the Next Level Mastermind could be the transformative decision that propels your business and personal growth to unprecedented heights. This mastermind group is designed specifically for driven entrepreneurs like you who seek not only to excel in their business ventures but also to live a life marked by fulfillment, peace, and continuous learning.

By joining, you will connect with like-minded professionals in a supportive, collaborative environment that challenges you to surpass your current boundaries. Whether it's overcoming obstacles, strategizing for growth, or simply finding your path to personal satisfaction, the Next Level Mastermind provides the community, resources, and expert guidance necessary to make each step forward impactful.

Don't miss this chance to elevate your business and yourself. Apply today at NextLevelMastermind.info.

Central Theme(s)

• Let’s put an end to the Myth of The Overnight Success.
• Let’s stop the trend of people quitting their day jobs prematurely.

Three Questions To Ask Before You Quit Day Job

1. Do I have a track record of meeting the needs of a community of people?
2. Are people telling other people about the important work that I am doing in the world?
3. Are people coming to me and asking me for help with an offer to pay for that help?

Four Key Foundations For A Thriving Business

1. Financial Stability

   • A Proven and sustainable business model.

     (Validated Products/Services)

   • Significant Savings (Min 9-12 months runway)

2. Revenue Consistency
   • A regular and sufficient income from the business.
   • An understanding of the true timeline for building a profitable business.
3. Mindset Development
   • An ability to manage emotions, unmet expectations and significant risk.
4. Skill Development

   • A commitment to developing necessary entrepreneurial skills.

     (Time Management, Pricing, Sales, Marketing, Software, etc.)

Three Recommendations For Those Who Have Quit The Day Job Prematurely

1. Review The Financial Health of the Business
   • Evaluate current financial situation. Discover and document any potential financial gaps.
   • Identify alternative income sources if necessary.
2. Strengthen Business Foundations
   • Focus on building a consistent client base.
   • Refine products/services to meet market demand.
     • Your Product/Service should MEET DEMAND, not try to create it.
3. Mindset and Continued Learning
   • Invest in your growth in the area of mindset and emotional state management.
   • Consistently expand your professional skill development. (Especially in the areas of sales and marketing)

In this episode, I open up about the top three mistakes I've made over the past.

I'll share how stopping my weekly podcast content, neglecting consistent email communication with my audience, and abandoning my life-giving early morning routine impacted my journey.

Join me as I share the lessons I've learned from these mistakes and how they are shaping my approach moving forward.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, content creator, or someone striving for personal growth, there's something valuable in these reflections for you.

As a self-employed business owner, applying for the Next Level Mastermind could be the transformative decision that propels your business and personal growth to unprecedented heights. This mastermind group is designed specifically for driven entrepreneurs like you who seek not only to excel in their business ventures but also to live a life marked by fulfillment, peace, and continuous learning.

By joining, you will connect with like-minded professionals in a supportive, collaborative environment that challenges you to surpass your current boundaries. Whether it's overcoming obstacles, strategizing for growth, or simply finding your path to personal satisfaction, the Next Level Mastermind provides the community, resources, and expert guidance necessary to make each step forward impactful.

Don't miss this chance to elevate your business and yourself. Apply today at NextLevelMastermind.info.