Business For Superheroes

This week's podcast is brought to you by cartoon TinySheep, misery tea, and a LOT of interruptions. Vicky and Joe answer more of your questions, hindered by the cats. Want to know if there's any point trying to get traditionally published? How to get your book printed? How to design a cover? Listen in, because we answer your questions. You'll also hear all about Picard the naughty miniature sheep and how he got his comeuppance.   Key Takeaways: [1:15] Vicky and Joe have some new chickens!   [4:05] Today we answer your questions! First from Charles: Is there any point in trying to get traditionally published? [8:20] Is there a point to paying an editor? [10:30] How do you decide what to put in a book? [14:45] Terry asks: How do you get your ebook printed? [20:00] How do I get an amazing cover?  [22:55] Dennis asks: What new spin can I include in my book that will make it unique? [24:00] How can I get my content to really stick in people’s minds?  [25:35] Have you listened to every podcast episode? Email Vicky

Vicky drags her good buddy Dominic Hodgson (the UK's leading Pet Biz Wiz) onto the podcast and grills him about books. Because they like big books and they cannot lie. Dom talks about his big pile of tomes, how he wrote them, why he bothers, and explains how they've helped him claim the top spot in his industry. He is a book machine – although that wasn't always the case. Tune in to find out what was stopping him writing his first book, how he pulled himself together, and what he's doing now.   Key Takeaways: [1:15] Why did Dom decide to write his first book?  [4:40] Dom also has a fun new book (Dirty Derrick) coming out as well!  [9:30] How has Dom’s business changed ever since he started writing his books?  [12:05] What has writing a book done for Dom’s brain? [13:15] Dom shares what he likes the most about writing books.  [15:45] What has been the hardest part about writing a book? [17:30] You can’t wait for your muse to show up.  [22:05] Dom will be hosting a pet summit this April 6th. Link in the show no

This week, Vicky and Joe answer YOUR questions. Vicky's been asking her email subscribers if they have any questions for her about writing and publishing books, and boy do you have questions! Great questions. The BEST questions. And Vicky and Joe drink misery tea and answer them. Tune in: if you've a burning question about books and publishing, maybe we've answered it. This episode contains bonus Angry Cat.   Key Takeaways: [1:45] Vicky gives a quick update on her latest soon-to-be-released book.  [3:55] Vicky will be answering your questions today!  [4:05] Roy: What bits of digital marketing actually work?  [8:15] Leslie: I don’t have anything unique or novel to say. Where does inspiration come from?  [14:45] Leslie: Do I really need a website?  [18:00] Charles: I don’t know enough to position myself as an expert.  [22:00] Charles: What would you do differently about writing your book knowing what you know now?  [27:30] Tune in next week as Vicky will answer loads, loads more of your questions!    Mentioned

Vicky and Joe answer every budding author's burning question: if I write a book, will I be in line for a £34 million J K Rowling payday? Answer: probably not. But that doesn't mean your book won't pay you handsomely. Just not in the way you might think. Join the Podsters as they wax lyrical on cooking with phalanges, sock-based tea, and the secret joys of writing a book. Plus a FREE bonus Dingle update.   Key Takeaways: [1:00] Vicky and Joe are still drinking old socks (tea).  [1:55] Vicky and Joe have a Dingle update for you!  [5:20] You should not be writing a book for the money. [6:20] So, why should business owners consider writing a book?  [10:40] It’s not easy to write a body of work, but you gain authority and become an expert by doing it.  [11:00] Vicky doesn’t think most people can knock out anything that’s worth reading in a weekend. These things take time!  [13:30] Vicky has people writing in to tell her that her book (which she spent a lot of time working on) has changed their life.  [14:25] Books

Vicky and Joe drink herbal tea flavoured with steeped socks and swerve wildly away from the topic they'd planned to talk about. Instead, they clamber gracelessly out of the boozy wardrobe and go on a verbal safari about The Alcohol Experiment, journaling, habits, and failing to do the splits. This episode is not powered by gin, but it just might help you if you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or basically like you'd just like to improve your life a wee bit. Oh, and you get the opportunity to join Vicky's Launch Team for her brand new book, out soon.   Key Takeaways: [1:30] Vicky and Joe drink….tea! They are doing an alcohol experiment.  [8:25] Since going alcohol free, Vicky is surprised that other people around her are doing the same!  [12:55] Vicky recently signed up to a habit builder that helps you with your daily writing. [19:40] Why do people fail to write their book? They just don’t form the habit.  [20:15] What other habits has Vicky been building? [25:55] Vicky and Joe feel pretty good about this p

Vicky sits down with the UK's answer to Don Draper – direct marketing expert Drayton Bird, described by David Ogilvy as the man who "knows more about direct marketing than anyone in the world". And described by Vicky as a "cheeky bugger with the best tall tales ever". Drayton talks about what businesses find most difficult about marketing, the only three questions you ever need to answer in order to sell more, and why he lived under an assumed name for seven years. Not your usual marketing interview – but if you listen up, you're in for a treat.   Key Takeaways: [1:30] Why do small businesses struggle with marketing?  [3:20] What can you do for your customer, and can you do it better than anybody else?  [5:30] We’re living in a pretty easy time despite the craziness that’s going on with Brexit.  [7:40] What do you do when you go broke? Drayton has gone broke twice. All you can do is cry.  [9:10] How did Drayton get started? [14:45] If you have a skill, nurture it. If you don’t have any skills...well, go out t

Drugs, kids: just say NO! Also say "NO" to things that make you feel small, things that make you feel clammy, and things that you just plain don't want to do. Join Vicky and Joe as Vicky explains how saying "NO" made her taller, and Joe dispenses the best piece of advice he's ever offered on this show. Also: there is pride because neither of them managed to electrocute themselves. Hurrah!   Key Takeaways: [0:50] Vicky and Joe are very cold. Their house is filled with gaps. [4:20] Let’s talk about the power of ‘no’!  [5:25] Do you feel like you have to say yes to everything?  [9:00] We all know people who are chronically negative.  [15:00] If people know you say yes to everything, you’re training them to keep asking you for things!  [16:00] If you’re not enthusiastic about doing the task, then say no.  [18:00] Everything you say yes to is incrementally one more thing to support and you die a death by a thousand paper cuts.  [24:15] Next time you feel like saying yes, first ask yourself why!    Mentioned in Thi

Do you have a Zombie Plan? You'd better. And not just because it's a fun game to play. Find out how putting together a Zombie Plan gets you using your noggin for creative problem solving – and find out what Jon Maiden's Top Secret survival plan is. This week, Vicky ditches Joe in favour of a chap who's changing the face of education – and not before time. Tune in and find out why you ought to be gamifying your business, and dig up other nuggets of purest gold.   Key Takeaways: [:50] Who is Jon and what does he do for Panjango? [2:05] Why did Jon start Panjango? [4:55] How does Jon teach ‘contextual learning’ to children? [6:35] What results has Jon seen so far? [7:55] What kind of proposal does Jon give to schools for them to see the benefits of this new and more modern way of teaching children? [11:25] Jon shares the story behind the name ‘Panjango’. [14:25] Are teachers incorporating games into their lesson plans now that they’ve been introduced to Panjango? [15:40] What has been Jon’s biggest challenge so

Have you ever seen tiny sheep doing agility courses? Well, hold onto your hats, because this episode contains sheep agility. Also Dingle renovations – all because Vicky and Joe abandoned their Not-A-Plan in favour of a Plan, which is much more useful. Grab a cuppa and a pen and paper, because Vicky is about to organise your entire life so you can achieve all the things you want to – without giving up sleep, family, or general chilling out (because after all, those things are flippin' majestic, amiright?)   Key Takeaways: [1:45] Vicky and Joe have a Dingle update.  [2:35] Vicky has been teaching sheep agility training. [4:30] Most people have intentions, not plans. [5:55] Vicky and Joe have been overwhelmed with renovations to-dos because they didn’t have a plan. [8:50] Vicky and Joe now know what they’re going to be doing in the next 12 weeks. It feels great and exciting! [9:25] But what does this really have to do with your business? [10:40] Always start from the end point and then work backwards. [14:50] Vi

Blogging, Brexit, Rupert Murdoch, and the future of video: this podcast has it all. Joe and Vicky are back in the saddle with the final installment of the 7 Quirks of Successful Business Owners series they started approximately 4,873 years ago. Tune in for the scoop on why you need to have your own media platform, which options you can choose from, and what to do if you can't decide (hint: get yourself an amazing red lippy). Vicky also reveals the launch date of her new book. OooooOOOOOOoooooo! Key Takeaways: [2:20] Vicky and Joe are back from Christmas break to continue their 7 Quirks podcast series.  [2:30] Today we’ll be diving into Quirk number 7, which is owning the media!  [4:00] It’s important to read multiple sources about a certain news topic, even if it’s an opinion you disagree with. [4:20] Quick update about Vicky and Joe’s cottage house, The Dingle!  [5:40] What is classified as ‘media’? [11:00] There are a lot of local radio stations who are in desperate need of content!  [12:00] By the way, Vic

The name's Pond. Jill Pond. (Like a small body of water, rather than a hot male spy.) This week, I abandon Joe and instead talk to Jill about boobs, pubes, and your smallest viable product. Jill's on the show because her pitch made me snort tea out of my nose, and because she's a copywriter and marketing strategist who GETS IT. Tune in, pay attention, then get cracking.   Key Takeaways: [1:00] Who is Jill and what does she do?  [4:10] Failing is important! It’s the best way to learn!  [7:00] What kind of copywriting does Jill do now? [12:45] Jill is awesome because she sent Vicky the best pitch...ever! [16:15] You have to find that special thing about you. That thing that lights clients up.  [16:35] How does Jill bring on a new client? [18:30] Nobody wants to build a business around an idea that doesn’t even work.  [22:00] What tips does Jill have for someone who is struggling to be unique?   Mentioned in This Episode: Vicky Fraser Vicky’s Podcast Vicky’s Blog Join the Superheroes Vicky’s Business For Superhe

Want to make more money fast? Of course, you do. So this week, Vicky dragged Neil O'Brien and a dead Italian dude onto the podcast to show you how. Okay, there are no zombies, but Neil shares the secret of how he's taken the 80/20 principle and used it to give his clients HOOOOOOOOGE profit-boosts. You can do the same, and it'll only take you around 30 minutes, a stiff gin, and a couple of uncomfortable conversations. A bit like a first date, really. Tune in, and spend the festive period plotting.   Key Takeaways: [1:05] Who is Neil and what does he do?  [1:55] How is Neil a consultant for the 80/20 principle?  [3:40] Neil explains his business process. [4:05] There’s a lot of emotional attachment towards firing some of your clients. [5:20] How can people get started in this process? Know your numbers!  [7:55] What kind of improvements has Neil seen in his clients after they’ve fired some of their clients? [9:35] Look at your gross profit and see how much time goes into each of your clients. [13:40] Just by t

Joe is back–hurrah! Just in time to talk about feet in buckets of porridge and goats on a string. Yep–we're on about the Freemasons, and why you oughta get your own set of rituals in place. Starting a club is a profitable gig, you know–and not just for your business. Tune in and find out why the Freemasons play with porridge, how you can Spotify your business, and why starting a club is good for humanity as well as your bank balance.   Key Takeaways: [4:15] Vicky and Joe will be talking about gang culture today! [5:40] Have you ever been a member of a club? [7:35] Being a part of something taps into one of our core human needs. [11:25] Throughout history, being an outcast was a death sentence.  [13:25] What have psychologists and medical professionals found about being social vs. lonely?  [15:50] Stressful things are more stressful when you’re alone.  [19:35] Socializing in a club allows for us to participate in things safely.  [22:55] What do the Freemasons even do?  [27:25] You should always offer your clie

Last time Vicky went away to write a book, she managed the grand total of 2,803 words in a week. That's not a book. It's barely a boo. So this time, she kidnapped three fellow writers and whisked them away to Lanzarote for a week of sunshine, beer, and book-writing. It was EPIC. Tune in and find out what they got up to – including their biggest struggles with writing a book, and how they got over them.   Key Takeaways: [1:10] Vicky and friends are in Lanzarote to write their books!  [1:25] Why did Kendall come out to Lanzarote? [2:45] Why did Jennifer come out to Lanzarote? [3:25] Why did Mike come out to Lanzarote? [4:55] What is Kendall’s book all about?  [6:50] What is Jennifer’s book all about? [8:15] What has been Mike’s biggest challenge with writing his book so far? [11:05] It stops a lot of people in their tracks from writing their book because they think they’re not a good writer. [13:20] Just tell people! Tell people your story. [15:00] What has been Jen’s biggest challenge with writing her book?  [

Vicky's replaced Joe with TWO MEN. And not just any men at that; they're circus freaks just like her. Rob and Kennedy are a brace of mind readers and stage hypnotists, and they use their powers to help the likes of you and me sell more. Vicky got them talking about mind-bending, what questions to ask people if you want to sell them stuff, and how technology can help you glue it all together. Tune in, learn stuff, make more money.   Key Takeaways: [1:45] With only a $1,000 investment, how would Rob and Kennedy rebuild their business today? [3:50] What do Rob and Kennedy typically do? [6:00] How did Kennedy learn about reading minds?! [7:10] How did Rob learn about becoming a hypnotist? [9:40] What are Rob and Kennedy’s top tips for persuasion? [11:45] The biggest problem is that people make huge assumptions without asking first. [13:45] Allow your audience to choose their adventure.  [17:10] What kinds of things do Rob and Kennedy say to find out more about someone? [22:45] What is Rob and Kennedy’s business,

Are you weird? Do you know how to find fellow weirdos and drag them into your blanket fort? No? Well, tune into this week's Business For Superheroes Show and find out how (in a non-creepy way). If you want to grow your business and work with people who make your toes tingle and your face smile, you definitely need to look for people who are as weird as you. Then you need to protect them and nurture them and make them want to spend all their time with you. Vicky and Joe will give you a few pointers and loudly include disclaimers about not being inappropriate.   Key Takeaways: [3:30] Vicky has very bad sheep that like to disappear!! [6:20] By the way, blanket forts with cheese and gin are great.  [7:10] The biggest businesses in the world create ‘blanket forts’ for their customers. [10:00] Businesses offer certain benefits to their most loyal customers.  [10:25] How can you attract (and keep) loyal customers? [13:15] Create paid-for events like workshops and trainings.  [16:50] Most networking groups are awful!

Who knew palm trees were so frickin' HUGE? Not Vicky and Joe, that's for sure – but now, recording this episode under a giant specimen, they're feeling dwarfed. This episode is coming at you from the California desert, where our intrepid travellers are nattering about why books are so amazing, what the Breaking Bread Mastermind Bread Heads are getting up to, and why YOU should write your book. Because you can, you know. You are capable of so much more than you think. Tune in for giant palms, cacti, and a roadrunner. Oh, and Vicky's personal plan to come up with an idea for your book.   Key Takeaways: [1:05] There are roadrunners here!!! [2:30] Vicky had an amazing time at the Breaking Bread Mastermind. [3:15] Why should you write your own book? [4:55] What did Vicky and the Bread Heads do during the mastermind? [7:10] How do you reach the next level of clients? [12:00] Should you be giving away all your best secrets in your book? [15:45] How can you start writing a book? [18:00] Take that one question your ta

Live-ish from the Whale's Vagina, tune in and listen to five supercool business owners who travelled all the way to California to change the course of history. Joe is busy being Pit Crew, so Vicky drafted in Misty to co-present this podcast. The two Master Bakers chatted, giggled, and roared with laughter as their five magnificent Bread Heads talked about the life-changing weekend they've just spent together in one of the most beautiful parts of the United States. No gin – just beer, wine, sun, and burritos. Key Takeaways: [1:00] The Breaking Bread attendees (as well as Misty) are all here to say hello! [2:25] Everybody here has their action plan in tow as well as their three burning business questions answered! [3:25] What was Terry’s biggest ‘ah-ha’ moment? [5:55] What was Lindsey’s biggest ‘ah-ha’ moment? [7:55] What was Steph’s biggest ‘ah-ha’ moment? [10:55] What was Chazz’s biggest ‘ah-ha’ moment? [14:00] What was Dom’s biggest ‘ah-ha’ moment? [16:45] It’s highly recommended you come join us next time!

It's rock and roll at The Dingle tonight as Vicky and Joe are drinking peppermint tea. The Dingle features heavily at the start of this episode, but the new staircase is totally relevant to your business. As is storytelling. Yep: we're on the storytelling train AGAIN and you'd better buckle up and listen in if you want to build the kinds of connections that create raving fans who pay you lots of money for what you do. Tune in to hear Joe's shock at discovering he's the sidekick in this podcast – and find out why they're talking about sidekicks at all. This quirk is easy to jump on – so pour us into your ears and get cracking.   Key Takeaways: [1:35] The stairs are almost finished in the house!  [2:50] Sometimes, in your business or in your life, it can feel like you’re not getting anywhere.  [4:55] We are diving into quirk number 3 today! [6:10] Facts tell and stories sell!  [6:55] Why are stories so powerful?  [8:25] What stories should we be telling? [12:15] Your story has to be REAL. Don’t try to fake this

Neat gin? Again? Yep. And also interesting history lessons. Although it sounds like Vicky swallowed a Wikipedia page, she didn't. She's just a language nerd who goes off on Esperanto Safari – stay with us, because it's all relevant to how you can grow a more successful business. Yep, we're on Quirk Number 2, and Vicky and Joe explain why you need your own language, and how it'll help you gather more raving fans. This podcast also contains sheep, and roofs that aren't collapsing.   Key Takeaways: [2:30] Handmade, custom oak staircases are actually really expensive. FYI. [5:40] Today, Vicky is going to teach you how to speak Esperanto! (Not really). [5:55] What is Esperanto? [8:50] There are several thousands of people who learned Esperanto as their native  language.  [9:55] There are people who have also learned Klingon just for fun!  [10:30] Vicky has a quick Star Trek tangent. [11:25] Joe finds all this unofficial language stuff absurd.  [17:40] Do you have your own language? Well, you should. Vicky explains