understand why. But it was a family decision: KB took it to an unthinkable level and could have easily gone on to the next stage of her career (we had label deals on the table), but it wasn't right for our family. So now, instead of splitting our attention between the automotive sales industry, training, consulting, digital marketing, and the music industry, we eliminated the music industry and immersed ourselves in our core competency with more intensity. We purchased a building in New Jersey for our production studio and to house our growing team of talented digital marketing specialists, graphic designers, social media content writers, online reputation managers, and, of course, our amazing video production team.
The past two-and-a-half years have been incredible and diverse. I have recently achieved my CSP accreditation from the National Speakers Association, which is the highest certification in the world for a professional speaker. It is like an accountant achieving his or her CPA.
I have had the honor of working with a wide group of clients. Above and beyond my core of automotive dealerships and recording artists, I have worked with professional athletes such as a Philadelphia Eagle who started his own fitness center (I helped consult on his digital marketing strategy). In addition to an NFL superstar I have worked very closely with Phil and Ricardo Migliarese, the co-owners of Balance Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They have one of the most prestigious Brazilain Jiu-Jitsu and MMA schools in the United States, and numerous schools throughout the country and overseas. What is awesome about my relationship with the Migliarese brothers is that even though I have taught them so much in regards to digital marketing, SEO, video SEO, and so on, I have learned so much from them as well! Balance Studios is one of the most successful martial arts schools in Philadelphia and the tristate area. What is amazing to me is that Phil and Ricardo are not only world champion martial artists who train other champion martial artists, including numerous UFC fighters, but they also have by far the best digital marketing, SEO, video, social media, online reputation, digital PR, and branding compared to other martial arts schools in the country. They personify the Googleopoly strategy. My relationship with Balance Studio and its owners helped me understand the martial arts school business model and allowed me to work with other martial arts schools; one of my newest clients is Full Circle Martial Arts in Marlton, New Jersey. The owners are incredible: Steve, Deb, Matt, and their new partner, Paul Felder, “The Irish Dragon” – a CFFC champion and now an undefeated UFC fighter! We are working to crush the competition with a Googleopoly strategy.
I tell you all this not to impress you at all, only to impress upon you how serious the chapters in this book are. Like anything else in life, what you put into it is what you will get out of it. You can read this book and say wow, this is cool and not do anything with it, or you can truly internalize the lessons in this book, absorb all of the direction, tips, advice, secrets, and so on, and create a Googleopoly strategy for you or your business.
I charge $7,500–$10,000 to be a keynote speaker – that is usually one hour plus expenses (travel, lodging, etc.). This book, Win the Game of Googleopoly, is more than 76,000 words from 16 years of frontline experience and success, plus some wisdom from industry experts, pioneers, gurus, and leviathans in the Google/SEO space. I have all that information here in one consolidated format. One cohesive and holistic strategy for $25 – I implore you to use this book as a reference guide for your evolution and success!
But wait…there's more! (I couldn't help it. It is the car salesman in me, LOL.)
I have put my whole Ninja Digital Marketing Team on creating the ultimate membership website: www.GoogleopolyBook.com.
GoogleopolyBook.com is only for people who purchase this book. Think of it like a DVD or Blu-ray Disc that has a ton of extra content above and beyond the movie itself. My feeling is that digital marketing, Google, algorithms, and technology change so quick that I felt the need to create a resource website for my readers that elaborates on the chapters in the book and contains:
● Video interviews with experts that contributed to the book
● Video tutorials on how to do the strategies that were listed in the book
● PowerPoint presentations
● Infographics
● Webinars
● List of social media sites
● List of Google algorithms and its updates in real time
And much, much more.
Enjoy this book and when you are done reading it, don't worry. There is a 24/7 interactive resource for additional information, education, training, guidance, resources, videos, and interviews at your fingertips!
Chapter 1
Either You Are Visible or You Are Invisible
As the old adage goes, if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? What about your marketing strategy? If you have the best product, service, widget, or invention and no one knows about it, does it truly exist? If the most talented person, the most innovative product, the greatest sales pitch to pass one's lips is created and no one is around to witness it, does it, he, or she exist?
The point is, you need an opportunity to do business, in order to do business. And regardless of your paradigm, whether you are a recording artist or owner of a small family–owned and operated bakery, your craft, talent, or passion is indeed a business and must be treated as such, if you expect it to evolve and earn money. Sure, I understand it is your passion, and it is easy to get caught up in the love of it, but at the end of the day, your passion is a business. Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Beyoncé are all brands, and despite all the fun it appears to be, they are in the business of sales: merchandise sales, record sales, concert sales. So yes, you need an audience. You can't sell something to an inanimate object. You need a real, live, breathing, responsive being to act as your audience, who essentially is going to purchase your product, idea, or talent.
In the performance and entertainment arena, you need an audience to develop a fan base from. You can't become famous if no one has ever heard of you. Even if you have the most incredible powerhouse singing voice known to man, if no one has ever experienced your game-changing talent, it is entirely irrelevant. The late Michael Jackson, formerly known as the King of Pop, exuded more talent in one pinky than some of us in our entire body. Yet, if Michael Jackson had a severe case of performance anxiety and put on historic concerts only in the privacy of his bathroom, with a shampoo bottle acting as his microphone, would he have left a legacy? Of course not! Because no one would have ever known of his talent. If no one has ever heard you or heard of you, you will never develop a fan base, get bookings or gigs, land a record contract, or become famous.
You could have the most amazing keynote speech, or be the most incredible speaker, trainer, or consultant, but if no one knows of your expertise, accomplishments, or capabilities, chances are you will not be recognized by the elite speaker bureaus and booked for speaking gigs worthy of your talent.
A career as a sales professional is no different. It can be rather frightening entering a career field that is solely or mostly based on commissions, such as a real estate agent or an automotive sales professional. Without the appropriate level of visibility, market awareness, and branding, you are going to have minimum success and starve (metaphorically speaking and sadly, in some cases, literally). On the other hand, a commission-based career can be extremely rewarding.
The field of sales is one of the most incredible careers one can embark upon. It allows you the ability to make as much money as you can earn, yet a large majority of those who enter the sales arena crash and burn, and are forced to leave their sales position for a traditional
