Episode #12
From Selling to Serving: A Top Affiliate's Journey
In this episode of the Invisible Marketer Podcast, I sat down with David Sedman. David is an expert funnel builder, agency owner, and affiliate marketer. David shares his journey of shifting his focus from selling products to building relationships and helping people. He discusses the importance of networking, putting positive vibes out into the world, and the joy of seeing others succeed. David shares one secret that even after knowing him for a long time, I was shocked by it.
How to connect with David:
David Sedman isn't just any entrepreneur; he's a funnel builder and the owner of a thriving agency. In the challenging world of digital marketing, David has carved out a niche by mastering the art of creating effective sales funnels. Despite his success, he realized something was missing a sense of personal fulfillment and genuine connection with his clients. I recently sat down with David to discuss the significant changes he implemented to align his business practices with his personal values.
Here are seven key takeaways:
1. Making Friends Beats Just Selling Stuff
David emphasized the shift from purely transactional relationships to building real, lasting connections. "The moment I started seeing people over profits, everything shifted for me. It wasn't about selling anymore; it was about connecting on a human level," David explained. This approach not only improved his business environment but also led to more fulfilling interactions.
Actionable Tip
: Start by reaching out to past clients with no agenda other than to check in and offer assistance. This can often lead to new opportunities in an organic way.
2. Doing Good Things Can Pay Off
One memorable story David shared was when he helped a startup refine their marketing strategy for free. This act of goodwill led to a lucrative referral that earned him a $600 commission unexpectedly. "I never expected that helping someone with no strings attached would come back to me in such a rewarding way. It reinforced my belief in the power of good karma in business," David recounted. This experience showed him that doing good things without always looking for a profit can actually lead to more opportunities and rewards.
Actionable Tip
: Consider offering a free webinar or consultation session once a month to help potential clients and build goodwill in your community.
3. Keeping Up the Motivation When Things Get Rough
David finds motivation by aligning his tasks with his values and passions. "The key is to find joy in what you do—even on the hard days. If you can find that joy, it fuels you to keep going," he advised. Maintaining a network of supportive peers is also crucial.
Actionable Tip
: Join or create a mastermind group with other entrepreneurs to share challenges and solutions.
4. Finding What You Love to Do
Exploring various aspects of your industry can help pinpoint where your true interests lie. David experimented with different types of marketing before settling on funnel building. "I tried everything from email campaigns to social media ads, but nothing clicked like funnel building. It was like finding the missing piece of a puzzle that I didn’t know I was missing," he explained. This journey helped him identify his true passion in the niche of funnel building.
Actionable Tip
: Allocate time each quarter to review your business activities and identify which tasks you enjoy most and find most rewarding.
5. Balancing Work and Life
David highlighted the importance of setting boundaries between work and personal life. "You have to protect your time. My family time is sacred, and when I'm there, I'm fully present—not half working, half listening," he emphasized. This helps him avoid burnout and stay productive.
Actionable Tip
: Set specific work hours and stick to them, and make sure to schedule regular breaks and vacations.
6. Learning from Mistakes
Reflecting on past failures, David believes these are opportunities for growth. He shared, "Every mistake is a stepping stone. Instead of letting them weigh me down, I use them to step up my game," illustrating his proactive approach to setbacks.
Actionable Tip
: Keep a journal of challenges and solutions in your business to reference and learn from in the future.
7. Staying Connected and Helping Others
David is active in several online communities and regularly contributes to discussions on Facebook and Instagram. He also runs a community group where he mentors upcoming entrepreneurs. "It’s incredibly rewarding to see others succeed using the advice and techniques we discuss in the group. Sharing knowledge is not just about giving back; it’s about building an ecosystem where everyone grows together," David shared.
Actional Tip
: Engage regularly on social media and consider starting a blog or podcast to share your insights and connect with a wider audience.
Wrap-up: Keeping It Real
David’s story shows that being true to yourself and building genuine relationships are key in the business world. By sticking to these, you can face challenges, find what you love, and really succeed.
Want to Join David's Community?
Below is the show notes from this episode...
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
4:33 Building Authentic Relationships
8:33 Finding Joy in Helping Others
10:35 Milestone in Affiliate Marketing
13:06 The Power of Confidence and Recognition
15:38 Dealing with Personal Life Challenges
16:53 Defining Success Beyond Money
19:02 Connecting with David Sedman
20:06 Final Thoughts on Passion and Persistence
Long Summary
In this episode of the Invisible Marketer Podcast, Coena interviews David Sedman, an expert funnel builder, agency owner, and affiliate marketer. David shares his journey of shifting his focus from selling products to building relationships and helping people for free, which has brought him greater satisfaction. He discusses the importance of networking, putting positive vibes out into the world, and the joy of seeing others succeed.
David talks about the launch of his agency, the power of community building, and the impact of putting people first in his business. He reflects on the challenges he faced in affiliate marketing before experiencing a breakthrough that changed his outlook on success. David emphasizes the importance of following your passion, pivoting when needed, and not giving up on your goals.
The conversation delves into personal struggles affecting business decisions, the significance of family happiness as a measure of success, and the value of financial freedom without defining success solely by monetary wealth. David shares his social media profiles, website, and community where he offers training and support for fellow entrepreneurs. He encourages listeners to pursue their passions wholeheartedly and be willing to pivot towards what truly drives them. The episode concludes with a reminder to stay true to oneself and seek fulfillment in one's endeavors.
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