The Brand ED Podcast

Robby Fowler: Hi, I'm Robby Fowler
you’re listening to the 4 Wins . Each

week, solopreneurs and entrepreneurs
like you discover something to

try, apply, ponder, and relate to.

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That's R-O-B-B-Y f.com.

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Lastly, I recently published the first
post in a new section on my substack

called Biblepreneur, where I explore how
scripture shapes the life and business

of solopreneurs and entrepreneurs.

If you're intrigued by the
possibility of blending faith

in business, go check it out.

No obligation, just an invitation
for those who are interested.

A special note, if you're signed
up for other things from me, please

note that the new Biblepreneur
section is a separate subscription.

Now here's today's issue of the four wins.

The 4 Wins, Issue 239.

Win #1: Something to try.

You feel it.

AI clipping at the heels of connection
within your team or community.

As if screens, dopamine inducing
algorithms and instant alerts

weren't challenging enough.

You want a space that allows for
some more thoughtful connection.

Instant messaging apps like
Slack, boink you on the head

with attention demanding alerts.

Social apps suck you into
an abyss of scrolling.

And community membership apps are
bloated and overkill for what you need.

You're looking for something as simple
and cozy as the coffee shop on friends.

Ponder is your quiet, cozy, online
space to talk, connect, and consider

more deeply it's private and invite
only slow on purpose with paced

notifications, it has a flat learning
curve, and there's no data mining.

That means your
conversations or yours alone.

Imagine a private place for a
weekly question where your team

or community can ponder together.

Win #2, Something a client recently asked:

This is part one in the lead
magnet architecture problem series.

You spent weeks building your
quiz, agonized over button colors,

rewrote the CTA copy 17 times, and
wrestled with tech integrations.

Boom, it's finally launched.

Opt-ins look good.

A solid 68%.

You've even got some heartwarming
thank you replies, but nobody's buying.

The challenge: My coaching client showed
me his work burnout, lead gen quiz.

Robby, people are taking
the quiz, but crickets.

After that, what am I missing?

He asked.

First we looked at what users
got once they completed the quiz.

Honestly, it's Christmas.

They get a burnout score and breakdown
their burnout, risk level, and

a practical guide built just for
their burnout segment and score.

And that was the problem.

His potential clients, high
achievers, take the quiz and get

their achievement hit immediately.

Question answered.

It's scratched.

No reason to check their inbox,
meaning follow up emails where coaching

businesses like his butter, their
bread, those get undesirable open

rates before we all throw stones,
let's not miss the real problem here.

The tactical fixes, everyone usually
suggests like a better subject

line, shorter follow up emails
that won't solve the problem.

This is a strategic architecture problem,
not a tactical optimization problem.

Next time, how three days
buried my client's hopes.

Win #3, Something to think about.

With AI on the rise, there's a renewed
interest in personal branding, and when

it comes to personal branding, most people
think authenticity is about sharing more.

What if it's actually
about removing the mask?

The shift isn't about sharing
more, so you're seen, it's about

removing what blocks you and
others from seeing you clearly.

Win #4, Something personal.

if I say, let's get you micd
up, what's your response?

What I mean is what is your
relationship to the mic?

Mine feels weird.

Let me explain.

Last weekend was dad's
day for the fraternity.

Our youngest is in at the
University of Arkansas.

He is our second son in the same
fraternity, which means this was

my sixth dad's day weekend with all
the fellas and their dads Each year.

It's a relatively large crowd pledge
classes range from 50 to 60 guys times

four years of members and their dads.

What's that experience like for me?

Awkward.

That is not an environment I thrive in.

I was never in a fraternity.

I grew up in Texas, not Arkansas.

I didn't go to the University of Arkansas.

I know three dads and by appearances,
those three dads know all the other dads.

For the record, I classify myself as a
mature introvert, moderate, not extreme.

At 53 years mature, I've picked up some
self-awareness and know I need to muster

all my energy to push beyond my normal
limits in these kinds of settings.

But I gotta say, it sure looks
more natural for many other dad

dudes, boisterous, energetic,
cocky, or at least confident.

This year's version ends like the
last five half, the drawing of raffle

ticket winners for a number of prizes.

It's hosted by the same alum dad,
who mic in hand proudly boast.

You're listening to the official
voice of the University of

Arkansas Phi Delta Theta.

Cue the fraternity, bro.

Laughter for six years, his voice and
that line coming across the mic mark.

The events end is almost ni.

In other words, I'm almost done.

As I stood amidst the throng this
year, this thought occurred to me.

I would much rather be behind the
mic staring into the crowd than

in the crowd staring at the mic.

Weird.

Now it's your turn.

What's one insight from today's wins
that you're gonna take with you?

Keep building a life-giving brand

PS still trying to optimize your
way to more sales conversations

before you redesign another CTA
button or sync money into a quiz,

let's diagnose your architecture.

Reply to this by shooting me an email
and tell me about your lead magnet.

I'll tell you if you have a
tactical problem or a strategic one.