No BS Agency Podcast Pia Silva

What makes messaging stick?Today, I’m digging into that question with marketing and communications expert, Ben Guttmann. Plus we’ll talk about his experience of growing and then selling an agency, and the opportunities that have opened up as a result.Ben Guttmann is a marketing and communications expert and author of Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win–and How to Design Them. He’s an experienced marketing executive and educator on a mission to get leaders to more effectively connect by simplifying their message. Ben is former co-founder and managing partner at Digital Natives Group, an award-winning agency that worked with the NFL, I Love NY, Comcast NBCUniversal, The Nature Conservancy, and other major clients. Currently, Ben teaches digital marketing at Baruch College in New York City and consults with a range of thought leaders, venture-backed startups, and other brands.Tune into this episode to hear:* The story behind the sale of Ben’s agency* The intangible benefits of having taken an agency through a sale* Five key qualities of simply, effective messaging* What we can learn about effective messaging from political campaign slogans* Why designers need to remember that design is first and foremost about businessLearn more about Ben Guttmann:* Website (https://www.benguttmann.com/)* Connect on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/benguttmann/)* Instagram: @ben.guttmann (https://www.instagram.com/ben.guttmann/)* Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win–and How to Design ThemResources:* Read the first chapter of Simply Put for Free* No BS Agencies Mastery (https://www.nobsagencies.com/program)* The Price to Freedom Calculator™ (https://www.nobsagencies.com/freedom)* No BS Launchpad (https://www.nobsagencies.com/launchpad)* No BS Agency Owners Free Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsagencyowners)* Start reading the first chapter of my book (https://www.piasilva.com/ch1)* Piasilva.com (https://www.piasilva.com/)

This month, I’ve been talking about the value of building an Authority Machine, what it is, what it can give you and your business, and what you need to focus on to make it successful.So at this point you might be asking yourself, “So how long is this going to take?”Here’s the truth: It’s not simple, fast, or free. Building an Authority Machine that produces results takes time, effort, and consistency that isn’t accessible to everyone.That might sound discouraging, but I actually think it’s part of what makes an Authority Machine such an impactful asset for your business. So today, I’m going to explain why “how long does it take,” is the wrong questionTune into this episode to hear:* The difference between creating content and building authority* Why there is no one guaranteed timeline to building your Authority Machine* Key skills that are part of building authority* How having a community around you is so beneficial to sticking through the processResources:* The dilemma of the timid trailblazer | Eleanor Hancock | TEDxBrayford Pool (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5rMJGlTI2o)* No BS Agencies Mastery (https://www.nobsagencies.com/program)* The Price to Freedom Calculator™ (https://www.nobsagencies.com/freedom)* No BS Launchpad (https://www.nobsagencies.com/launchpad)* No BS Agency Owners Free Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsagencyowners)* Start reading the first chapter of my book (https://www.piasilva.com/ch1)* Piasilva.com (https://www.piasilva.com/)

Over the years, I have taken a lot of people through the process of building their Authority Machine.One of the most common reasons people get stuck or can’t even begin is the thought that they don’t have anything new, unique or interesting to add. Others know what they want to say, but  feel like an imposter and not successful “enough” to share their point of view.But there’s a big secret that no one knows and almost everyone has a hard time understanding when they first get going on building their Authority Machine.Tune into this episode to hear:* How building an Authority Machine hones your process and your voice* What actually builds your authority* Why waiting to become an authority before creating the Authority Machine isn’t a good strategy* Why using AI will never help you build your authorityResources:* No BS Agencies Mastery (https://www.nobsagencies.com/program)* The Price to Freedom Calculator™ (https://www.nobsagencies.com/freedom)* No BS Launchpad (https://www.nobsagencies.com/launchpad)* No BS Agency Owners Free Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsagencyowners)* Start reading the first chapter of my book (https://www.piasilva.com/ch1)* Piasilva.com (https://www.piasilva.com/)

Most entrepreneurs I meet built their businesses because they want more agency over their lives. They want to make more money and have more freedom over how they spend their time.And yet, starting a small business usually comes with anything but financial freedom and stability, at least at first. But once you nail down your processes you’ll start to feel like you’re the boss of your business instead of being employed by it. That’s what the first two phases of building a No BS Agency are all about.The third phase, building your Authority Machine, is really the key to building long-term stability.The reason I love teaching people how to build an Authority Machine is because I have personally experienced just how much financial independence and freedom the Authority Machine grants you.Today, I share how an Authority Machine can give you the freedom and independence you want.Tune into this episode to hear:* How an Authority Machine does the heavy lifting of bringing in and nurturing leads* How your Authority Machine leverages supply and demand to allow you to consistently raise your prices* How an Authority Machine builds an audience large enough to diversify your income streamsResources:* No BS Agencies Mastery (https://www.nobsagencies.com/program)* The Price to Freedom Calculator™ (https://www.nobsagencies.com/freedom)* No BS Launchpad (https://www.nobsagencies.com/launchpad)* No BS Agency Owners Free Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsagencyowners)* Start reading the first chapter of my book (https://www.piasilva.com/ch1)* Piasilva.com (https://www.piasilva.com/)

Everybody wants to be seen as an authority or an expert, whether you use those words or not.Why? Because being seen as an expert or an authority is what allows you to continuously raise your prices, sell more and more profitable projects, and achieve higher and higher levels of freedom and ease in your business and your life.Inside Mastery, we talk about building an Authority Machine as the third phase of building a No BS Agency. So this month, I’m going to tackle the most common questions I get about it, starting with, “What is an authority machine, anyway?”Tune into this episode to hear:* Why an Authority Machine is not the same thing as creating content* The three main elements of an Authority Machine* Why your point of view has to be unique and specific, now more than ever* How an Authority Machine brings people into your orbit for the long haul* Why building an Authority Machine is the last step in the No BS processResources:* No BS Agencies Mastery (https://www.nobsagencies.com/program)* The Price to Freedom Calculator™ (https://www.nobsagencies.com/freedom)* No BS Launchpad (https://www.nobsagencies.com/launchpad)* No BS Agency Owners Free Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsagencyowners)* Start reading the first chapter of my book (https://www.piasilva.com/ch1)* Piasilva.com (https://www.piasilva.com/)

Today I’m talking with one of my star students turned No BS Mastery coach, Sara Chambers, about ditching proposals, committing to the No BS process even through bumpy times, and how she’s been able to up level her business since joining the program.Sara Chambers loves collaborating, community, and coffee. Alliteration is clearly her favorite literary device and she’s a fierce advocate for the Oxford comma. Before Sara founded Elly and Nora, she spent the greater part of her career helping non-profits, authors, and lifestyle brands in marketing, public relations, communications, and everything in between. She is passionate about helping her clients achieve results that grow their income and ultimately their impact.Tune into this episode to hear:* How the lead product process helps Sara build trust and rapport with clients* The “hole” Sara fell into when her retainer work slowed down* How Sara went from “Who am I to charge that?” to embracing value-based pricingLearn more about Sara Chambers:* Elly and Nora Creative (https://ellyandnoracreative.com)* Instagram: @sarachamberscreative (https://www.instagram.com/sarachamberscreative)* Connect with Sara on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-chambers-phx/)Resources:* No BS Agencies Mastery (https://www.nobsagencies.com/program)* The Price to Freedom Calculator™ (https://www.nobsagencies.com/freedom)* No BS Launchpad (https://www.nobsagencies.com/launchpad)* No BS Agency Owners Free Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/nobsagencyowners)* Start reading the first chapter of my book (https://www.piasilva.com/ch1)* Piasilva.com (https://www.piasilva.com/)