The Three Month Vacation Podcast: Online Small Business|marketing Strategy Plan| Sean D'souza | Psychotactics

No matter where you go, you run into people with the same problem?time. Whether you're a small business owner, or run a big company, it's all about time, and getting things done. A lot of time saving can be done without too much effort on your part?and by simply using software. Software that does very smart stuff is what we all need. Here's the list of three core areas where I use the software. -------------------- Useful Resources To access this audio + transcript: http://www.psychotactics.com/57 Email me at: sean@psychotactics.com Twitter/Facebook: seandsouza Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic -------------------- Software and Hardware Mentioned In This Episode: Mac  Default Folder: http://www.stclairsoft.com/DefaultFolderX/ Text Expander: https://smilesoftware.com/TextExpander/index.html Dragon Naturally Speaking: http://www.nuance.com/dragon/index.htm Mailbox: http://www.mailboxapp.com Evernote: http://www.evernote.com Dropzone: http://www.mailboxapp.com Plantronics DSP400: Plantro

Storytelling has a lot of guidelines and rules. Yet, some of the critical elements slip under the radar. You don't realise storytelling elements and secrets that are hiding in plain sight. And storytellers can't always explain what they're doing?and so these elements of storytelling get left out. And yet, they're incredibly powerful. Like for instance, the concept of "anticipation" before the "problem". It's nowhere to be found? Unless of course you listen to this episode on how to tell riveting stories. Welcome to Goldilocks land!  -------------------- Resources To access this audio + transcript: http://www.psychotactics.com/56 Email me at: sean@psychotactics.com  Twitter/Facebook: seandsouza Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic -------------------- In this episode Sean talks about how to create stories that are very powerful. Part 1: How the ‘The Wall’ changes the pace of a story Part 2: The power in using the ’The Reconnect’ Part 3: Why anticipation is so critical in storytelling Right c

When you're writing articles, it's easy to get locked into the mistake of simply starting up the article. That's a mistake—a big mistake. Outlining is what counts most of all, and yet outlines are hated with a vengeance. Is there a way to create outlines so you don't drive yourself crazy? And how do you create outlines for products, workshops etc? Let's find out in this episode on outlining, in The Three Month Vacation.- ------------------- Note: To access this audio + transcript: http://www.psychotactics.com/55 Email me at: sean@psychotactics.com  Twitter/Facebook: seandsouza Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic -------------------- In this episode Sean talks about Part 1: What is the ‘Concept of Curiosity’? Part 2: The Three Part Outlining System Part 3: What is the Extraction Method? Right click here and ‘save as’ to download this episode to your computer.   Useful Resources and Links 5000bc: How to help you layer out distractions, and focus on the things you want. Read or listen to : 

It's easy to pick up bad habits. Knowing what causes bad habits to succeed enables you to make good habits meet with similar success. In this episode we dig deep into the trio of trigger, routine and reward mechanisms. And how every one of them play their role. But then we go deeper into the world of groups and how the groups matter. If you've struggled to maintain good habits on an ongoing basis, this audio (and transcript) will show you the elements you have to put in place to succeed. ==== Useful Resources To access this audio + transcript: http://www.psychotactics.com/54 Email me at: sean@psychotactics.com  Twitter/Facebook: seandsouza Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic To subscribe to the podcast, please use the links below: iTunes   |  Android   |  E-mail (and get special goodies)   | RSS -------------------- In this episode Sean talks about To create a good habit or a bad habit you have to have three core elements in place. Part 1: How a good habit start with the cue Part 2: Why

Haven't you visited a web site and left shortly after reading an article? Why did the site fail to get you to sign up? Or why didn't you buy a product or service? The answer lies in the content of your articles and the way you structure them. Article writing is about creating a solid "next step", so that clients follow one of three sequences. What are those sequences? Find out in this podcast on the "next step". In this episode Sean talks about The 3 successful ways to creating a next step with your articles.Using these steps you will sell more products or consulting or workshops or whatever it is that you want your customer to go ahead or go forward with. Part 1: The importance of the 'Editorial Next Step' Part 2: The 'Sales Next Step' and how it causes resistance Part 3: The 'Embedded Next Step'  and how to use it.    This is The Three Month Vacation, and I'm Sean D'Souza. Christmas for me was the most fun time of the year when I was growing up, and that was because as a kid, there were always presen

How do you dramatically increase your rate of learning? And why do we get stuck when we're trying to learn a new skill? Strangely the concept of boxes comes into play. We move from beginner to average—and then we spin in that middle box, never moving to expert level. So how do we move to expert level? And how can we do that without instruction? Interestingly, there's an answer. Listen to the episode to find more about not just how to learn, but how to teach as well. ----------------------------------------- In this episode Sean talks about Part 1: Understanding the three boxes of learning Part 2: How construction and deconstruction plays a role in learning Part 3: How you can start using this accelerated learning system, today. Right click here and 'save as' to download this episode to your computer.  ----------------------------------------- Useful Resources and Links  Special Bonus: How To Win The Resistance GameDaVinci Cartooning Course:  How to draw cartoons to liven up your website, blog or presen

How many hours do you work on vacation? You don't. But then what about the e-mails? How do you deal with clients? Are you supposed to just close down your business? This episode shows you how we deal with vacations at Psychotactics. We've been going on our "three-month" vacations since 2004 and have had to work out a few "tricks". And you can use them too—and ensure a splendid vacation, instead of just "work by the beach". -------------------- In this episode Sean talks about Part 1: The Secret to handling email on holiday Part 2: How to handle social media while on holiday Part 3: How to deal with clients if there is an emergency Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.   Useful Resources About Time management—The Carpe Diem Method of Finding Work (And Vacation) Time 5000bc—How to get reliable answers to your complex marketing problems? Bonus Book—How To Win The Resistance Game Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic Products under $50: http://www.psychotact

How did you get to New Zealand? That's the question I get most of all from clients. And there's a story, a very interesting story behind our move from India to New Zealand. Here it is?and with some cool music too.  How did you get to New Zealand? That's the question I get most of all from clients. And there's a story, a very interesting story behind our move from India to New Zealand. Here it is—and with some cool music too. In this episode Sean talks about Part 1: What I was looking for, when I was 13 years old Part 2: Getting to New Zealand Part 3: What were the early years at Psychotactics like? Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.   Useful Resources and Links The Power of Chocolate: The Power of Psychotactics Chocolate Marketing Episode #8: The Power of Enough—And Why It’s Critical To Your Sanity The Brain Audit: Why Customers Buy And Why They Don’t -------------------- So how do you subscribe to this free podcast? To subscribe to the podcast, please use the links

How do you avoid losers as clients? How do you completely sidestep the clients that don't pay, cause trouble and push you around? Surprisingly, the answer lies in testimonials. There are elements of testimonials that cause clients of a certain kind to get attracted to you. So how do you harness that latent power of testimonials? And how do photos, details and tone come into play? Find out in this podcast. -------------------------------------- In this episode Sean talks about The whole concept of testimonials and why we are more like elephants. He covers: Part 1: How photos act as a mirror on your website Part 2: Why you need to explore the detail in your testimonials Part 3: What is tone and how does it affect your testimonials Right click here and 'save as' to download this episode to your computer.  -------------------------- Useful Resources and Links 5000bc—How to get reliable answers to your complex marketing problems? Learn more about Testimonials—The Secret Life of Testimonials Psychotactics News

Is it really easy to build a cult-like following for your brand? Yes, but the core of that branding lies in the "adjective". Yes, that very same grammar lesson you had at school. When you look at the biggest and most well-defined brands in history, you find they are defined by a single word. Let's take Volvo, for example. The word "safety" came to mind, didn't it? That's the power of the adjective. Let's learn more in this episode of the Three-Month Vacation  Details To access this audio + transcript: http://www.psychotactics.com/48 Email me at sean@psychotactics.com  Twitter/Facebook: seandsouza Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic -------------------- In this episode Sean talks about Part 1: What is the adjective and how one little adjective can define your business? Part 2: How we get to this adjective and the biggest mistake you can make Part 3: How do we expand it further so that it becomes your whole DNA Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer. -----

Imagine you got on stage and you had an eager audience ready to buy. Of course there are a few obstacles. The first obstacle is that you have just an hour to convince the audience to buy. The second is you're not the only one selling products?there are others. The third obstacle is that a good chunk of the audience doesn't know you that well and aren't on your list. So three big problems to deal with. Now you may never have the desire to get on stage, but the issues are similar when you're selling a product or service. You have very little time to convince a prospect. You're battling it out with others selling similar products and services. And you're a bit of a stranger to the audience. / / So how do you overcome these issues, and win? Notes: To access this audio + transcript: http://www.psychotactics.com/47 Email me at: sean@psychotactics.com  Twitter/Facebook: seandsouza Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic In this episode Sean talks about Part 1: The Art Of Preparation And The Importan

We're all pounded with the whole concept of success. We think that it means more money, more fame, more power. And yet when confronted with defining our own success, we realise there's something we haven't quite defined. In this episode we explore why feeling like a fraud is normal; why seemingly successful people define themselves differently when the spotlight is removed; why space is so critical to creating that identity. / / Identity is what holds us back. Identity is what can take us further. You'll love this episode! Links: To get the special "Resistance" PDF (It's cool, so get it) http://www.psychotactics.com/resistance To get some magic, go to magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic To get The Brain Audit, go to: http://www.psychotactics.com/brainaudit To leave reviews at iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/three-month-vacation-podcast/id946996410?mt=2  To leave reviews on Android http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=57686&refid=stpr ------------------------ In this episode Sean talks about

When your client picks up your report, can you guarantee they'll read it from start to finish? No matter how good the content, there are precise elements that cause a client to completely consume the report. This episode delves into three of the most important elements that makes your report stand out—and more importantly—get read. In this episode Sean talks about Part 1: What makes a report powerful? Part 2: What are tiny increments? Part 3: How to empower your reader Right click here and ‘save as’ to download this episode to your computer.   Useful Resources and Links Dart Board Pricing: How To Increase Prices (Without Losing Customers) The Headline Report: Why Headlines Fail The 70% Principle: Why It Knocks Procrastination Out of the Ball Park The  Transcript Back in the year 2003  I wrote an article where you just had to take three steps to write a great headline. You could test the headline and you could find out in minutes that it worked for you, and it also got the attention of your customers.

How much is enough? And where do you stop? It's easy to get all wrapped up in this whole concept of passive income and how smart it seems. Yet, you can work yourself crazy if you're not careful. You can work too much, do too much?but even vacation too much. Understanding the power of enough allows you to have a great business plan and a great vacation plan. Whether you're in online marketing or just have a small business, your strategy should be about "enough". ========== Some goodies To find more podcast options, go to http://www.psychotactics.com/podcast To get a short, yet beautiful headline report on "Why Headlines Fail", go to http://www.psychotactics.com ======== Transcript: Power of Enough Sean D'Souza: There's a comic strip called Calvin and Hobbes. Obviously, many of you have read it. In one panel, Calvin is ramping up for Christmas and so is Hobbes. Calvin asks Hobbes, he says, "What did you get on your list for Santa for Christmas?" Hobbes says, "I asked him for a tuna sandwich," and Calvin goes b

Vacations are like a project. There's a before-vacation and an after-vacation period that needs to be carefully managed. After years of taking vacations?and that too thrice a year, we have to do a lot of planning. So how do we make sure everything works when we're away? How do we make sure we don't get tempted by e-mail and work while on vacation? And how do you manage a smooth re-entry back to work? These super-duper secrets are yours for the taking in this super-duper episode. Contact Me: On Twitter: seandsouza On e-mail at: sean@psychotactics.com http://www.psychotactics.com (For all notifications and super-duper newsletters). In this episode Sean talks about Part 1: How to handle the recurring elements of a business—newsletters, podcasts and membership sites Part 2: Finishing of projects Part 3: How to handle coming back to work. Right click here and ‘save as’ to download this episode to your computer.   Useful Resources and Links How To Increase Your Pricing— Dartboard Pricing Why Headlines Fail—The

Is FREE worth it? Or should everything be paid for? How does a person go from free to fee? And how do you stand out in a world where so much is free? There's a simple strategy that needs to be followed and once you do, you'll find client will happily move from free to paid clients. Tah-dah?the strategy follows! Notes To access this audio + transcript: http://www.psychotactics.com/42 Email me at: sean@psychotactics.com Twitter/Facebook: seandsouza Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic -------------------- In this episode Sean talks about Part 1: The Reason Why Your Free Should Be Non-Crappy Part 2: How Do You Go From Free to Fee? Part 3: How Do We Get Over This Fear? Right click here and ‘save as’ to download this episode to your computer.   Useful Resources and Links Amazing Cartoons for your ebooks, presentations, blog: Cartoon Stock Series How To Avoid Boring Testimonials : And Get 1000-1500 Word Stories Instead The Brain Audit: Why Customers Buy And Why They Don’t The  Transcript Th

How much time does it take to do research? Yup, those zillions of hours go down the drain and get us exhausted. And that's because we go about doing research the "wrong way". Most of us do our research once we sit down to write an artilce, create a webinar or podcast. A zillion hours later, the content is still not ready and the hours have flown away needlessly. That needn't be the case at all. Almost all research needs to be done in advance and stored away. But how do you find it once it's stored away? That's where the power of "opposite" tagging", default notebook and the phone and iPad come along. Find out how to reclaim those zillions of hours back—right now! -------------------- Useful Resources To access this audio + transcript: http://www.psychotactics.com/41 Email me at: sean@psychotactics.com  Twitter/Facebook: seandsouza Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic -------------------- Time Stamps 00:00:20 Finding Money In My Jeans 00:05:31 Table of Contents 00:06:08 Part 1: How To Take Pic

Success is good. Focus is good. Until it's bad. Incredible as it may seem, focus can cause a massive blindspot in our business. So what's the option? Surely it can't be distraction? Actually it's a mix of both that's required. Using the concept of "spinning plates", you can avoid the blind spot of success and the mindlessness of distraction. -------------------- Useful Resources To access this audio + transcript: http://www.psychotactics.com/40 Email me at: sean@psychotactics.com  Twitter/Facebook: seandsouza Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic -------------------- Time Stamps 00:00:20 Introduction 00:02:20 Part 1: The Rip Van Winkle Effect 00:08:17 Part 2: Chasing Everything In Sight 00:10:03 Part 3: Spinning Plates 00:13:24 Summary 00:14:00 Action Plan: The One Thing 00:14:20 How We Add Plates 00:19:26 End ----   Sean:            This is the Three Month Vacation. I'm Sean D'Souza. Once upon a time in New York's Catskill Mountains lived a man called Rip Van Winkle. You've probably heard of

What makes one presentation far superior than the next? What makes you want to binge-listen to some podcasts and just reject the others? What makes one book so readable while the other one is boring? It's the concept of info-tainment. Where information is used to get attention, but entertainment is used to keep that attention. Find out more in this episode. -------------------- Useful Resources To access this audio + transcript: http://www.psychotactics.com/39 Email me at: sean@psychotactics.com  Twitter/Facebook: seandsouza Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic   For the Headline Report (Free): http://www.psychotactics.com/ -------------------- Time Stamps 00:00:20 Start / 00:01:57 Table of Contents / 00:03:09 Part 1: Analogies / 00:09:45 Part 2: Case Studies / 00:10:00 Case Study: Shantiniketan / 00:13:19 Part 3: History Lessons / 00:17:14 Case Study: Shantiniketan / 00:17:14 Summary / 00:18:14 Final Notes /  ---------------------  Sean D'Souza:            I'm Sean D'Souza. Every morning whe

We ask for testimonials and we get them, but are they any good? Or are they the usual sugary stuff that no one really reads. How do you get testimonials that are "journeys" and weigh in at 800-1000 words? Find out in this episode on "how to plan—and yes—get outstanding testimonials.   Oh, and I'm at sean@psychotactics.com. --------------------   Useful Resources Twitter/Facebook: seandsouza Email me at: sean@psychotactics.com  Magic? Yes, magic: http://www.psychotactics.com/magic For the Headline Report (Free): http://www.psychotactics.com/       This is the Three Month Vacation. I'm Sean D'Souza. It's August 13, 2008. The time? It's 9:56 AM. Olympic champion Michael Phelps is standing behind his starting block. He bounces. He bounces lightly on his toes. Then the announcer calls his name and he steps onto the block. Michael always waves his hands thrice; he's done that since he was a kid. He then steps on the block again. He gets his position, and then the gun goes off and he jumps into the pool.