Farnoosh Torabi's Blog, page 14

So Money Makes Inc. Magazine List of “Best Podcasts to Grow Your Business!”

I can’t believe this. So Money just earned a spot on Inc Magazine’s list of the Best Podcasts to Grow Your Business. I’m beyond honored for this recognition and want to take a moment to relay some of the steps that have helped my podcast earn hundreds of thousands of downloads in just a few months time.

Study the masters. I take inspiration from John Lee Dumas for his incredible format and professionalism and Tim Ferriss for his unique insights and takeaways in every conversation, as well as his broad variety of guests.
Create a method to the madness. I decided to be daily partly because I’m crazy like that and partly because I wanted to position the podcast to have a strong chance of monetizing well. To do this I need lots of support. I have an editor and a copywriter (who also does podcast related social media).
Get transcripts created. This is not only useful to listeners. It’s invaluable to you, as you can slice and dice the content to create blog posts and content for other sites. You can also use it to create a book or ebook in the future. I used my first 25 interviews to create a free ebook to website subscribers. Sites like Odesk can offer transcriptions for as little as $10 or $13 for every 30 minutes.
Speaking of…find a few strong content partners to help promote your podcast. I realize this isn’t super easy for everyone. As a reporter this, I think, has been my professional advantage. I have relationships with Money, DailyWorth, Business Insider…and I’ve given them written excerpts from my podcasts in the form of interesting blog posts. It’s not that much extra work for me because I can just copy/paste from the transcript, but helps immensely with marketing.

So Money has been on a steady incline since it launched Jan 14, 2015.

Have a format but don’t be married to it. I love my So Money questions, but sometimes I’ve catered the interview more to my guests’ expertise, especially when I feel the guest will bring tremendous value to listeners. For example, with Seth Godin, he didn’t want to follow my format, so I researched every single bit of content he’s put out related to “money” and catered the questions to him. I slipped in some of my standard questions, of course…But I also quoted his work and asked him to expand on them. This made the interview a total home run.
Take iTunes reviews seriously. It’s really important to get lots of positive review. Don’t be shy to ask. If you don’t, you won’t get them.
Have patience. Just 3 months into the podcast and I’m getting antsy…I want to monetize yesterday…But I know this is a marathon and I’m just happy to see my numbers growing. I have surveyed my audience so I’ll have the sales kit ready to go soon…But, like John did, I want to wait until I can be selective about sponsors and feel as though I’m not “diluting” the brand and the message of the show.
Last but not least, put your listeners first. They are the most important aspect to your podcast’s success. I dedicate Saturdays and Sundays to answering their questions. I hold 15 minute money clinics with one reviewer each week which not only adds value to my community…it helps me to better understand their pain points.


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“So Money” Awarded “Best Financial Podcast of 2015″

In the 4th grade, little Farnoosh won the local spelling bee in Auburn, Massachusetts. I was up against some 50 other 10-year-olds. I think the winning word was “revise” (funny enough, as I’d go on years later to be a writer.) My mom was in the front row cheering her head off.

It was the best of days.

Just like today.

Today, I’m beyond thrilled to say that thanks to your many, many votes, my podcast officially won “Best Financial Podcast of 2015.”

Can you believe that?

I feel like that 10 year-old kid standing up on that wooden stage with a room full of smiles staring back at her.

Thanks to you, my loyal listeners, who voted (and voted)…you helped me beat out 13 other radio shows and podcasts including Freakonomics and The Dave Ramsey Show in this year’s “Money on the Air” competition. I earned a whopping 44 percent of the vote!

I searched and searched for the newspaper clipping from 1990 that showed me holding up my wooden plaque from the county spelling bee, but I think it’s in a storage box in my parent’s garage. Instead, I give you a nearly 4-year-old Farnoosh decked out in party mode.

Cheers and Thank You!

Then you'll love my newsletter. Join my private online community and receive exclusive content, updates and freebies. Plus, get instant access to my new mini e-book, So Money Secrets, a compilation of expert financial habits shared on my new podcast, So Money.

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Let Tony Robbins Help You With Your Taxes

Known for his work advising Fortune 500 CEOs, professional athletes and even the president, Tony Robbins recently published his first book in 20 years, “MONEY: MASTER THE GAME – 7 Steps to Financial Freedom.” You can listen to my interview with him right here.

The tome has remained at the top of The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestseller lists, and earned rave reviews from both the financial community and major news outlets, with Tony appearing in more than 100 print features and broadcast segments to share his learnings on personal finance.

One of the biggest themes of the book was how tax burdens can deeply impact people’s ability to achieve the financial freedom they deserve. The single largest expense that paid on one’s lifetime is taxes — and many people are overpaying because they don’t know the rules (or opportunities) that apply to them.

Now he’s release an easy-to-follow online tax guide that leverages all of the insider knowledge that Tony discovered during his book research and lays out core strategies to employ for 2015 tax planning so that this time next year, the “sting” of tax season won’t be nearly as painful.

As you make your way to the April 15th deadline, do check out Tony’s tools, resources and guides to help you maximize your return.

Then you'll love my newsletter. Join my private online community and receive exclusive content, updates and freebies. Plus, get instant access to my new mini e-book, So Money Secrets, a compilation of expert financial habits shared on my new podcast, So Money.

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$200,000 on a College Degree? You Crazy?

Let’s say you or your child gets accepted to Stanford or Harvard, an elite private college that consistently ranks in the tippity top of higher ed rankings and where graduates tend to get the best jobs with the best pay. But here’s the catch: It’ll cost close to $200,000 to attend. In the grand scheme of life, is it worth it?

I posed this question to a recent guest on my podcast, Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, a financial expert who’s published a great book called “College Secrets: How to Save Money, Cut College Cost, Graduate Debt Free.” Lynnette’s own daughter is currently considering colleges and so this question is hitting very close to home.

Below, an exclusive excerpt from my interview with Lynnette about whether paying upwards of six figures to attend college is really “worth it.”

You can check out the transcript here. And the full interview with Lynnette is right here.

 

Then you'll love my newsletter. Join my private online community and receive exclusive content, updates and freebies. Plus, get instant access to my new mini e-book, So Money Secrets, a compilation of expert financial habits shared on my new podcast, So Money.

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Join me on the Podcasters’ Paradise Cruise!

Exciting announcement for all my podcasters!

On Nov 1, 2015 I’ll be embarking on the Podcasters’ Paradise Cruise, a tight-knit conference experience with a dozen other amazing speakers (like John Lee Dumas, Chris Brogan, and Andrew Warner) and a crew of just 50 attendees.

Our goal? Well, it’s a 6 night cruise to the Caribbean, so we’re going to be having a ton of fun in the sun all while creating an amazing experience with those on board; but we also want to share top strategies, latest trends and best practices to help you create, grow and monetize your podcast.

If you’re looking to take your podcast to the next level, and build some incredible relationships with other like-minded people in the process, then this cruise is where it’s at.

The Podcasters’ Paradise Cruise is being hosted by the couple behind the EntrepreneurOnFire brand, John Lee Dumas and Kate Erickson, along with two of the Co-founders of Podcast Movement, Dan Franks and Jared Easley, so we’re all in for a big treat in terms of quality!

Out of 50 spots, there are only 45 left, and due to the limited space, our hosts are holding open applications.

Note: You do NOT have to have a podcast to apply.

Interested? **If you apply before Friday, March 27th you’ll get $250 off!**

Click here to find out everything you need to know about the 1st annual Podcasters’ Paradise Cruise and apply today!

Then you'll love my newsletter. Join my private online community and receive exclusive content, updates and freebies. Plus, get instant access to my new mini e-book, So Money Secrets, a compilation of expert financial habits shared on my new podcast, So Money.

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Be Weird. Make Money.

Growing up in Massachusetts, in a predominantly Irish Catholic neighborhood, I was constantly reminded of the fact that I was different. My parents were Iranian immigrants. We spoke a foreign language and my name was Farnoosh. Not Julie or Nicole or Stacy.

If only I had blonde hair and blue eyes.

If only my parents didn’t have thick accents.

If only I had a different name like Julie, Nicole or Stacy.

I wished things were different… so that I could be the same.

As adults, the fact is that we sometimes have the same desires we had as children: to assimilate, and maybe even be invisible at times. After all, it’s human instinct to want to “follow the herd.” In ancient times, assimilating meant survival.

But if you want to lead a rich and meaningful life, it pays to be different. It pays to be authentic… and even weird.

In the words of Chris Brogan, my special guest today on So Money, “The stranger I became, the weirder I became, the more money I made. The more true I was to who I really was…and the more I started making money.”

Chris is The New York Times bestselling author of 8 books, including The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth, and Just Start Here. He is an expert in leadership development who works with individuals and well-known brands like Disney, Coke and Google.

In our conversation we explore exactly how being yourself can lead to a richer life. Chris also shares a habit that helps keep his financial health in check and how to – once and for all – accomplish goals.

Click here to listen and read the full transcript

Enjoy!

– Farnoosh

P.S. So Money has hit a major milestone today – over 100,000 downloads in just six short weeks!  I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you enjoy the show and want to support it, please leave a review here on iTunes. And let me know when you do by emailing me here. Each week I pick one new reviewer to receive a 15-minute private money session with me! 

Then you'll love my newsletter. Join my private online community and receive exclusive content, updates and freebies. Plus, get instant access to my new mini e-book, So Money Secrets, a compilation of expert financial habits shared on my new podcast, So Money.

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How I Conquered My Fear of Going Broke

“I’ve had a scarcity complex – always worried I’m about to go broke.”

James Altucher is an American hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and podcaster. He’s founded or cofounded over 20 companies. He’s published about a dozen books, and is a frequent contributor to myriad publications. The USA Today named his book, Choose Yourself, as one of the “12 Best Business Books of All Time.”

I’ve had the privilege of working side by side with James when we were at TheStreet.com. And I’m honored to call him a friend. Although, it wasn’t until I interviewed him on my podcast So Money recently, that I learned a darker side to James’ financial history and the scarcity complex he’s combatted over the years.

Here’s how he explained it to me on my show…and how he’s overcoming it.

JA: Psychologically, like internally, for a long time I’ve had what I’ll call a scarcity complex. I’m always worried, or I have in the past always been worried, that I’m about to go broke. And even though that’s not the case, every now and then that thought comes up.

FT: How did you develop the scarcity complex?

JA: think I was always worried. Every month, my father, he was an entrepreneur and he had a computer software business in the 1980s. And every month, every day, he would come into the door and say, “Next month is gonna be our big month. We’re gonna sign a big deal and everything’s gonna be huge.” And so, I was always thinking we’re about to be rich, and it never happened. It was always “the next month” and it just never ever happened. He never really achieved his financial goals. But there was always this constant sense of anticipation and then eventually, he went totally broke and his business went out of business. And I think that really scared me [to think] that I was gonna repeat his pattern.

I was always afraid that this was gonna happen to me and I guess I still am afraid. You never really give up on this things. I think it’s important to realize that, as they say in the investment world, “Prior performance…is not a predictor of future performance.” And, I think that’s what I’ve always had to convince myself of, and it’s only in the past few years that I’ve really, more or less convinced myself of that.

A few years ago I kind of hit bottom. I sold a company…and I sold it for a lot of money. And then I just kind of spent [the money] like crazy and it really was just insane the way I would just spend money like it was nothing. And so I ended up losing all my money, losing my house, getting divorced and really being too ashamed. I was ashamed to tell people about it. This has happened to me before. This happened to me like four, five times. The exact same thing. And so I had to say myself, “Well what worked on the way up? And what didn’t work on the way down?”

FT: How are you overcoming this?

I think less about money and more about my health. For me the key to having a good relationship with money is to realize that money is much less important than I always thought it was. What’s much more important is my belief in myself. I find that money is just a bi-product of living a healthy life. Am I constantly generating ideas and practicing what I call my idea muscle, exercising my idea muscle? And am I grateful for what I have? I started focusing everyday on improving my life physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually…by just 1%.

Instead of going out drinking, and eating, and not exercising, and not sleeping I had to focus on my physical health. I had to focus on just being around people who I really enjoyed, and who trusted me and loved me.

The best predictor of a successful tomorrow is to have a successful today. And the only way to have a successful today is to be healthy in those areas I just described. If everyday I do those things, then…I will have money.

Subscribe  to So Money to get daily doses of financial inspiration from the world’s top entrepreneurs, authors and financial luminaries.

 

Then you'll love my newsletter. Join my private online community and receive exclusive content, updates and freebies. Plus, get instant access to my new mini e-book, So Money Secrets, a compilation of expert financial habits shared on my new podcast, So Money.

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Congrats to Seth Godin Book Winners

A special thank you to all of you promoted my exclusive interview with Seth Godin and leaving a review in iTunes. At random 12 fans who wrote in letting me know that they supported the show have been selected to receive a free copy of Seth’s latest book What to Do When It’s Your Turn. 

Congratulations to:

Rachel Shiff

Chris Kinman 

Mishan Afsari 

Karen Cordaway 

Lilly Cao

Sami Martin

Sukh Singh

Natacha Delienne 

Kelsee Hankins

Jon Barlow

Fred Masouka

Zoraida Cespedes 

Books are soon to be sent in the mail via USPS to your addresses.

Remember, if you’d like to learn about upcoming freebies, just join the So Money VIP list .

Then you'll love my newsletter. Join my private online community and receive exclusive content, updates and freebies. Plus, get instant access to my new mini e-book, So Money Secrets, a compilation of expert financial habits shared on my new podcast, So Money.

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My Interview with Seth Godin

We’re changing things up today. We’re disrupting the So Money interview format…for a special guest who is profoundly changing everything – the rules of business, leadership, entrepreneurship and marketing …and after hearing what he has to say on the show, I think this guest may even change – or perhaps reconfirm – the way you think about money. And that is a good thing.

My guest is Seth Godin.

Seth is the author of 17 books that have been bestsellers around the world and have been translated into more than 35 languages. His newest book is called What To Do When It’s Your Turn available at YourTurn.link. You might be familiar with his other books The Icarus Deception,Linchpin, Tribes, The Dip and Purple Cow.

Seth writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything.

In addition to his writing and speaking, Seth is founder of squidoo.com, a fast growing, easy to use website. His blog is one of the most popular in the world. Before his work as a writer and blogger, Godin was Vice President of Direct Marketing at Yahoo!

In 2013, Godin was inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, one of three chosen for this honor.

A few key takeaways from this interview:

What RICH means to Seth.
How going to the edge in life gives you leverage.
The resources – beyond money – we can all take advantage of to live happier, more meaningful lives.
And so much more. Seth actually took time to answer some of YOUR questions submitted earlier from how to create financial stability as a freelancer to how to develop a business campaign that STICKS in a world where there’s so much noise and so much competition.

Sit back and enjoy! This is probably my favorite interview to date.

Photo of Seth taken by Jill Greenberg.

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SoMoney Featured as New & Noteworthy

Excited to say my new podcast SO MONEY has made it to the New and Noteworthy charts on iTunes. This means that for the next 8 weeks iTunes will feature the podcast prominently in its podcast store. Thanks to all who subscribed and left kind reviews. Hooray!

Then you'll love my newsletter. Join my private online community and receive exclusive content, updates and freebies. Plus, get instant access to my new mini e-book, So Money Secrets, a compilation of expert financial habits shared on my new podcast, So Money.

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