Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

Trudy Rankin
  • 5.0 (14)
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This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

  1. 48M AGO

    From SEO to GEO - How to Stay Visible in an AI-Driven World with Expert Jared Bauman

    Jared Bauman didn’t expect to compete for his own name online. But when a state representative with the exact same name started appearing everywhere in search results, it forced him to confront something bigger: search engines — and now AI tools — don’t guess who you are. They connect dots. And if your digital presence isn’t clearly connected, someone else may become the “expert” instead. In this episode, we take a calm, strategic look at how search is evolving from traditional SEO into what Jared calls “GEO” — Generative Engine Optimization — and what that means for solopreneurs and small business owners who want to remain visible in an AI-first world. No panic. No hype. Just clarity. Jared Bauman is the founder of 201 Creative, a marketing agency specializing in SEO and emerging AI search optimization strategies. He’s also the host of the Niche Pursuits podcast and has been an entrepreneur for more than 25 years, building and selling multiple businesses. As AI began reshaping search behavior, Jared studied the data, adapted his agency, and developed practical frameworks to help businesses stay visible and credible. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT Why SEO isn’t dead — it’s evolving. What “Generative Engine Optimization” (GEO) actually means. The shift from focusing on keywords to focusing on entities. Why AI tools care deeply about accuracy, consistency, and freshness. How inconsistent business information erodes trust with AI systems. What schema (structured data) is — explained in plain English. Why third-party mentions and citations matter more than ever. The danger of “set it and forget it” websites. What a GEO Snapshot Audit reveals about your visibility gaps. CALL TO ACTION If you want your business to be recommended — not overlooked — in an AI-driven search landscape, this episode is essential listening. Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations that help you grow the online side of your business strategically and sustainably. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your businesshttps://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED 201 Creative Website - https://201creative.com/  GEO Snapshot Audit (free audit discussed in the episode) - https://201creative.com/geo-snapshot/  Niche Pursuits Podcast - https://www.nichepursuits.com/category/podcasts/  Jared Bauman on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredbauman/  My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.:https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min

  2. MAR 18

    What to Say First So People Actually Buy (Without Feeling Salesy) with Conversion Copywriter Juzbi Walia

    “If I really want to make wealth for myself, I need to bet on myself.” That’s how Juzbi Walia explains the moment she stopped playing the corporate game and started building her own. And that same energy runs through this whole episode: sell with integrity, don’t slime people into a ‘yes’, and stop guessing what your audience is thinking. If you’ve ever read bro-marketing copy and felt like you needed to wash your eyeballs afterward, you’ll love Juzbi’s approach to persuasion that’s effective and ethical. Juzbi Walia has spent over a decade in persuasion and influence, working in corporate communications with major global agencies and a wide range of organisations across sectors. Now she brings that same influence skillset into the online business world as a conversion copywriter and email strategist, helping course creators launch with messaging that converts without crossing into manipulation. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT Why most course creators don’t actually know their real objections (and keep answering outdated ones). The hidden cost of over-persuasion — even if it “works” in the short term. Why “copy is assembled, not written” (and how customer research is the real work). How to find your sales argument (the unique point of view that makes your offer stand out). The power of message hierarchy: primary promise first, then secondary angles in the right order. Using a custom GPT to pressure-test messaging angles (without randomly “testing everything”). Why copywriters who step into the strategist role will thrive (and “selling words as a service” won’t). A very real take on business growth: “spaghetti on the wall” is sometimes the job description early on. If you’re building a course (or launching anything online) and you want to sell without sounding like a late-night infomercial, you’re going to get a ton from this one.  Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED Juzbi on Instagram: @juzbi.copy To get Juzbi’s free resource -  “How to Write Non Manipulative Emails That Sell” (a checklist of persuasion triggers for launch emails).  Or you can send her a DM on Instagram. Suggested Timestamps 00:00 – Intro + why “non-sleazy persuasion” matters 00:01–00:04 – Juzbi’s background in persuasion + corporate comms 00:05–00:08 – Why she left corporate: “bet on myself” + designing work around life 00:13–00:17 – Objections, customer research, and the danger of over-persuasion 00:19–00:25 – Messaging hierarchy + sales argument example (Instagram course) 00:25–00:26 – GPT bot + Danny Page 00:32–00:34 – Copywriter vs strategist (and why strategy is the moat) 00:35–00:38 – Lead gen experiments + “spaghetti on the wall” phase 00:40 – Where to find Juzbi + free checklist My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    41 min

  3. MAR 3

    What Happens When You Walk Away From a Dream Job with Sara Vezensek

    "I was working 18-hour days, seven days a week, and my mum said, 'You're making good money, but we have something you don't—free time.'" Sara Vezensek had the kind of job most people fantasize about—flying on private jets, managing superyachts, and earning big. But it came at a cost. In this episode, she shares how she walked away from the dream lifestyle to build a business on her terms—one with time, financial, and location freedom. Sara Vezensek is an online business coach who specializes in helping women build businesses that give them “ultimate freedom.” After leaving a high-flying career managing multimillion-dollar projects, she went all in on organic marketing and intentional strategy to grow her own thriving business—all while working just 15 hours a week. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT Why success on paper doesn’t always mean happiness How to prepare for a business pivot before burning out Strategies for building a business on 2 hours a day (or less!) Why content strategy beats going viral The glass ceiling of “200 views” and how to break through it Using EFT tapping and mindset work to stop sabotaging success How to rewire your relationship with money and self-worth The unexpected power of speaking to just one person in your audience Tune in for a grounded conversation about building a business that supports the life you actually want. 👉 Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter RESOURCES MENTIONED Free Masterclass: Your Million Dollar Course Idea – Sara’s step-by-step guide to turning your current knowledge into a course Money Breakthrough Masterclass – Learn the exact strategy Sara used to hit $100K in 30 days Sara’s Instagram: @saravezcoach See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min

  4. FEB 17

    What Makes a Course Feel Binge-Worthy (Like Netflix) with Expert Jasmine Jonte

    "Just because someone’s great at marketing doesn’t mean they can teach." When Jasmine Jonte invested in a high-ticket online course and discovered it was badly designed and nearly impossible to learn from, she had an epiphany: great teaching is a skill — and it’s one most experts don’t have. So, she used her background as a teacher to build a business that helps experts teach well, turning their brilliance into scalable, binge-worthy programs. Jasmine Jonte is a former kindergarten teacher turned founder of a course creation agency. She’s helped build over 140 programs across more than 70 niches — from real estate investing to tarot to dentistry — helping experts turn their intellectual property into powerful learning experiences that actually get results. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT: The real reason most online courses fail (hint: it’s not lack of expertise) How Jasmine went from teacher to six-figure business owner with a 14-person team The difference between being an expert and being able to teach effectively The framework Jasmine uses to turn expert knowledge into curriculum What to ask in market research interviews to truly understand your audience The two pathways for experts: build a team or build a scalable offer Why completion rates and student results matter more than flashy marketing Using AI in ethical, efficient ways to streamline course creation The surprising AI tools Jasmine uses in her own business CALL TO ACTION If you're ready to turn your expertise into a powerful, scalable program — or just want a peek behind the curtain of what that takes — you won’t want to miss this episode. 👉 “Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business” https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter RESOURCES MENTIONED: Jasmine’s website: https://www.creation.co (note: creation is spelled with an 8) Free guide: https://www.creation.co/netflix — “10 Next Level Strategies to Make Your Program as Binge-Worthy as Netflix” Tools mentioned:  ChatGPT - AI tool,  Claude - AI tool  Descript (affiliate link) - audio and video editor, transcript maker and AI tool Senja - Collect, manage and share testimonials My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families:👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min

  5. FEB 3

    How AI Search Is Changing SEO (and Why You Still Need Both) with Expert Colin Clapp

    “When New Zealand won the America's Cup, it wasn’t the biggest budget that won, it was one key question: Will it make the boat go faster?” That same philosophy drives Colin Clapp’s content strategy in a world now ruled by AI-driven search. If you’ve been told that SEO is dead, buckle up because Colin is here to explain why that couldn’t be further from the truth. Colin Clapp has been in the content trenches for years, helping creators and businesses grow visibility through smart, structured content strategies. From traditional SEO to adapting to the rise of AI search, he brings experience, clarity, and actionable frameworks, like his One Click Content Optimization approach, that get results. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT Why SEO is not dead—and what small business owners need to understand instead The “table stakes” every piece of content needs (hint: meta titles and descriptions still matter) How structure helps AI and traditional search engines find and rank your content Why internal linking is crucial—and how to avoid content cannibalization What schema is, and how it quietly powers discoverability (even if you're not a developer) Colin’s “F1 car” analogy that makes optimization strategies finally make sense The rise of AI search—and what it means for your content's future visibility Practical ways non-techies can improve their site's structure and speed CALL TO ACTION Tune in to this episode and find out what still works—and what’s changed—when it comes to being found online. 👉 “Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business”https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED Colin’s Website:  Online Marketing Done 4 You Colin’s YouTube Video: The 5 Pillars Framework - How to Optimize Content for Traditional SEO & AI Search (AEO & GEO): Colin’s framework: One Click Content Optimization My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min

  6. JAN 21

    Stop Writing Like Everyone Else: Copy Tips That Actually Get You Clients with copywriter Emily Aborn

    “When I was six, my grandmother gave me a blank book and said, ‘This is for your first novel.’ I didn’t write in it because it had to be perfect.” That’s how Emily Aborn’s writing journey began.  And it’s a relatable tale for anyone who's ever struggled with perfectionism in their content. In this episode, Emily shares why copywriting success is not about perfection.  It’s about connection, clarity, and curiosity. Emily Aborn is a seasoned copywriter, content creator, and podcast host who helps entrepreneurs craft messaging that reflects their personality and drives action. With over eight years of experience, she’s developed a unique process for helping clients find and use their true brand voice. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT The surprising difference between content writing and copywriting and why it matters for your business How to get people to stay on your website with clear, benefit-driven messaging The importance of curiosity in connecting with your audience Emily’s transition from content writing to persuasive website copy Tips for using AI as a collaborator, not a crutch How visibility through collaboration, not just SEO, boosts trust and reach Why niching is less about narrowing and more about clarity Using AI tools ethically while staying true to your own voice The power of coffee chats and real human connections for growing your business Tune in and learn how to craft copy that clicks with your audience. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter RESOURCES MENTIONED Emily’s website: emilyaborn.com Emily’s podcast: Content with Character Donald Miller's book StoryBrand (affiliate link) My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min

  7. 12/31/2025

    What If the Problem Isn’t You, It’s Your Business Model?

    If you’re feeling stuck, maybe it’s not because you’re doing something wrong, but because you’re using the wrong business model. That’s exactly what happened to Stefanie Carlstedt. She’d built a business that looked successful on the outside.  But it felt completely off on the inside … and she was burning out. Then came a moment that changed everything: “I thought it was fluff—just another personality test. But then I read my Human Design chart and started crying. For the first time, I felt seen.” If you’ve ever felt like your business isn’t quite working for you, you’re not alone. In a world of burnout and one-size-fits-all strategies, Human Design might offer something surprisingly useful.  Especially if the usual advice hasn’t gotten you where you want to go. Stefanie has 13 years of experience, multiple businesses under her belt, and hundreds of clients behind her. Today, she helps entrepreneurs design businesses that align with how they’re actually wired—using Human Design as a tool to unlock clarity, confidence, and momentum. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT The pivotal moment Stefanie walked away from the corporate world after a personal crisis How she built a “successful” business that still left her feeling empty What Human Design is (and why she was initially sceptical too) The link between your energy type and your ideal marketing strategy How your personal design might reveal fears holding you back with money Why people-pleasers may need to unlearn business “rules” that don’t fit Using Human Design to rebuild a business that feels good to run Whether AI tools can support authenticity, or risk replacing it Tune in to this episode for a fresh perspective on finding the right-fit business approach for you.Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED Stefanie’s free Human Design Business Report & Audio Series: https://stefcarlstedt.com/hdreport  Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (re: how birth timing can affect success) My emails are for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    Scared by a Copyright Troll Letter? Here’s What To Do

    “I told him not to pay a cent—and definitely not to shut his website down.” What would you do if you got a scary letter using legal language, claiming you owed $700 for a photo on your website? In this episode, I share a true story about an old client who received one of these copyright trolling threats, and how we handled it. From sleuthing image origins to proving usage rights, this is one episode you’ll want to listen to if you’ve ever used photos online. I'm Trudy Rankin and I am the founder of Online Business Liftoff and a seasoned digital strategist who helps people build sustainable, flexible businesses online.  I ALSO TALKED ABOUT What copyright trolling is—and why it’s not quite a scam, but not ethical either. How to verify image licensing years after a website goes live. The steps to take if you receive a copyright infringement notice. Why immediately removing the image can neutralize most threats. How creating a simple image tracking spreadsheet could save hours of work later. The importance of demanding proof of ownership before taking any legal-sounding demand seriously. What to include in a response that shifts the burden back to the sender. If you've ever published a photo on your website, you need to hear this. Tune in to protect yourself and your clients. RESOURCES MENTIONED Wayback Machine: https://archive.org/web/ Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: 👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    10 min
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5
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14 Ratings

About

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

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