Insight Out : Big Ideas for the Modern Entrepreneur Podcast

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through your LinkedIn feed, connecting with professionals left and right, only to realize that your network feels more like a collection of random profiles than a genuine community?

In today’s episode of the Insight Out podcast, I am excited to be joined by Liam Darmody, a personal branding consultant with a wealth of knowledge on leveraging LinkedIn for building authentic relationships. 

In our conversation, we delve into the value of human connections, the power of conversation, and LinkedIn's community aspect. Liam advises enjoying content creation without being hindered by engagement metrics, treating it like a journal. He shares his transition from corporate to consultancy, emphasizing the importance of building connections and attracting meaningful relationships. Liam and Billy discuss LinkedIn strategies, the role of analytics, and the importance of engaging with comments as part of building a community. They also pay homage to influential LinkedIn figures like Andy Foote and John Espirian, highlighting the importance of learning from experienced users and sharing content authentically.

In this episode, you will learn:

The art of authentic connections and personal insights

The importance of human relationships

LinkedIn: The serendipity manifestation platform

Why every post is a networking event

Paying homage to LinkedIn influencers

The role of analytics in content strategy

The joy of content creation

The efficiency of posts



In This Episode:

[00:10] Building authentic relationships on LinkedIn

[00:28] The role of insights in personal growth

[04:26] Transitioning from corporate to personal branding consultancy

[08:20] Reflection on the journey of building a business and a flashback to a pivotal moment in 1997

[11;12] The power of human connections

[11:40] LinkedIn as a serendipity manifestation platform

[14:50] The power of conversation on LinkedIn

[18:38] Relationship with LinkedIn OGs

[19:27] Understanding LinkedIn community

[24:37] The power of engagement metrics

[26:21] Analyzing content performance

[32:22] Experimenting with posting frequency

[31:22] Importance of human connection

[37:03] Studying engagement metrics

[37:42] Building engagement

[38:36] Tracking engagement

[39:34] The power of conversation

[41:17] Content creation strategy

[43:10] Efficiency in content creation

[45:36] Creation process

[49:39] Experimentation and enjoyment

[52:12] Liam’s engagement strategies

[56:38] Increasing visibility through early comments 

[57:53] Effectiveness of reposting in gaining traction on social media

Notable Quotes

[11:56] "Once you get to a place where you don't feel inhibited and you feel like I'm just going to be myself and I'm going to invest in the people that find that to be worth paying attention to, it shifts your perspective and your experience on this platform significantly."- Liam



 [16:51] "Every post is an opportunity to start a conversation with people who are passionate about that topic and who have a lot of value to add, and you're sort of the host of that conversation." -Liam 



[31:53] "For me, I consider a successful post one that starts a lot of conversation."- Liam



[37:42] "There's no slight on you; it doesn't mean that you're any less of a human being. You're just sharing content that is valuable to you, and some people might see it and react, some people might not." - Liam



[39:38] "When somebody shows up to your post and leaves a thought in the form of a comment, respond to it. They're doing you a favour”-Liam

Resources

Liam Darmody

https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamdarmody1/

Billy Samoa

https://www.instagram.com/billysamoa/

https://www.youtube.com/@BillySamoa

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/⁠

This is an encore episode and was originally published on January 26, 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever watched a viral video on social media and wondered how it captured millions of views? What magic formula did the creator use that made you hit the share button without hesitation? In today’s episode of Insight Out, I'm thrilled to have ⁠Joel Lalgee⁠, a social media sage and content wizard, especially when it comes to making waves on platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok.

In this episode, we discuss the craft behind viral content, the importance of developing a recognizably unique voice, and the strategies for keeping viewers hooked from the first second. Joel shares the invaluable insights he gained from his triumphs on TikTok and LinkedIn. We explore the world of social media algorithms, discover what makes posts attention-grabbing, and look into the effectiveness of niching down to create impactful, resonant messages. Joel opens up about the balance between entertaining and informative content, the value of engaging directly with your audience, and the relentless pursuit of improvement through content iteration.



Tune in now, and gain the knowledge you need to make your content truly stand out.



Here's what you can expect in this episode:

Loving content creation means consuming and understanding it. - (06:01)

Social media platforms focus on revenue through ads. - (13:30)

The Power of Niching Down - (19:10)

Joel covers LinkedIn credibility and text in videos for attention. (20:18)

Simplify speech and writing for more impact.- (25:03)

Competition for attention in content creation. - (30:06)

Blocking time for priorities in calendar is key for building a brand. - (34:00)

Using funny, entertaining content for marketing strategy. - (38:50)

Monetizing meme accounts and TikTok challenges, preferring content monetization - (47:20)

Building relationships through unique content is essential. - (57:07)

Focus on real relationships, not just gaining followers.- (1:04:19)

Key insights:

Mastering the perfect hook, line, and sinker for your videos

Riding the hashtag highway to get your content seen

Time juggling like a boss between work, family, and content creation

Real talk on the common facepalms content creators make

Notable quotes:

“At a certain point, you have to just do some of this stuff... you've got to do it as well and test it out.” (10:46) - Joel



“After four years of just creating content, I just don't care... I'm just more interested in what works and what doesn't.” (11:10) - Joel



“Once I get past that three to five-second mark... whatever I say after that doesn't matter as much... So that's what I think of with a good video.” (20:23) - Joel

"You're not just competing against other people on LinkedIn, you're competing against Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, the news, the newspaper, every podcast in the world. Everybody's competing for that same thing." (39:29) - Joel



“At the end of the day, if you just do trending stuff all the time, you're never gonna really create like something that people recognize because it's just they're following the trend. They're not following you.” (46:58) - Joel



"having a point of view is so important. And whatever the point of view is, a point of view is what's going to get the conversation going." (48:45) - Joel



Resources

Joel:

Joel's Company Website:

⁠https://www.therealestrecruiter.com/⁠

Social Media

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellalgee/⁠

⁠The_realest_recruiter⁠

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Therealestrecruiter⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_realestrecruiter/⁠

⁠https://twitter.com/Humanheadhunter⁠

Billy Samoa 

https://www.instagram.com/billysamoa/

https://www.youtube.com/@BillySamoa

https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/

This is an encore episode and was originally published on February 2, 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the Insight Out podcast features part 2 of my in-depth discussion with Brenden Kumarasamy, a renowned communication expert and the founder of MasterTalk. a coaching business dedicated to helping executives and business owners become top 1% communicators in their industries.

In Part 2 of our conversation, we dive into the transformative power of empathy in public speaking. Brendan shares a golden nugget: picture yourself talking to a younger you, someone who's walked in your shoes and felt your fears. That's the secret sauce to forging a real connection with your listeners. And if you've ever been mesmerized by Elon Musk's ability to cast a vision that captivates the globe, we've got the scoop on his communication style, the good, the quirky, and how his fame plays into his storytelling prowess.

We don’t stop there! Brendan and I dissect TED Talks, highlighting the thin line between intellectually stimulating and snooze-inducing. We look at how thought leaders like Yuval Noah Harari and Adam Grant master the art of making brainy topics relatable and downright captivating. Plus, we tackle the underestimated role of energy in public speaking – that authentic zest that can magnetize your audience or leave them checking their watches.

And let's not forget the importance of tailoring your message. Knowing your audience is like having a secret map to their hearts and minds, turning a solid talk into an experience they'll carry with them. This episode is brimming with wisdom that could revolutionize your communication game. 



So, If you're itching to learn how to engage and move your audience, whether you're a pro at the podium or just stepping into the spotlight, this episode is your golden ticket!



In this episode, you will learn the following:

Importance of empathy in public speaking

Approach to studying TED Talks

Communicating complex ideas in a compelling and relatable manner

Significance of energy in public speaking

Impactful communication and effective public speaking

In This Episode:

(06:45) Criteria for selecting TED talks

(07:40) Effective communication in TED talks

(10:49) Effective storytelling and communication

(14:44) Common mistakes in public speaking

(19:50) Gary Vaynerchuk's speaking style

(23:00) GaryVee's Evolution as a Speaker

(25:00) Alex Hermosa's Rise to Fame

(31:01) Tony Robbins' Mastery of Storytelling

(33:15) Effective Speaker Study Technique



Notable Quotes:

 [18:38] “If you don't have the luxury to have a conversation with your audience, study them. Learn what is most important to them, and what they going to want. And then give them what they want.”- Billy





[25:33] “Always communicate the truth that you believe in, even if other people might not agree with you”-Brenden





[28:44] "Empathy is not about speaking to the person you are today but speaking to the person you used to be—the person who was stuck, who didn't know who they wanted to be, who didn't know how to make money, who was sick or was making a lot of mistakes." -Brenden



Resources and Links

Brenden Kumarasamy

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/masteryourtalk/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/mastertalkyt/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendenkumarasamy/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://twitter.com/masteryourtalks⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/MasterTalks⁠⁠



Billy Samoa

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/billysamoa/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BillySamoa⁠⁠



Mentioned

⁠⁠Yuval Noah Harari's TED Talk⁠⁠

⁠⁠Brené Brown's TED Talk⁠⁠

⁠⁠Adam Grant's TED Talks⁠⁠

⁠⁠Gary Vaynerchuk's TED Talks⁠⁠

⁠⁠Alex Harmozi⁠⁠

⁠⁠Lewis Howes⁠⁠

⁠⁠Tony Robbins⁠⁠

This is an encore episode and was originally published on May 17, 2024

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the InsightOut podcast, I am delighted to welcome back Brenden Kumarasamy, a renowned communication expert and the founder of MasterTalk, a coaching business dedicated to helping executives and business owners become top 1% communicators in their industries. Today, we unravel the secrets behind becoming an exceptional speaker and mastering your talk. Brenden zeroes in on the common crutch of filler words, providing techniques to eliminate them, thereby sharpening your delivery. Brenden's insights extend to the nuances of vocal variety—how the modulation of tone and the rhythm of your speech can captivate an audience. He introduces listeners to the "random word exercise," a powerful tool to bolster your impromptu speaking abilities, ensuring you're never caught off guard. Understanding that fear and a lack of motivation can be significant hurdles, Brenden shares his wisdom on how to conquer these challenges through dedication and regular practice. He champions the art of storytelling, urging listeners to harness its potential to connect and resonate with their audience. To make the journey of improving communication skills less daunting, Brenden suggests focusing on one aspect at a time, turning the process into an enjoyable endeavor.  If you're looking to finesse your communication skills and take your public speaking to the next level, then this episode is a must-listen for you! In this episode, you will learn the following:

The importance of effective communication in case competitions and business.

Techniques to eliminate filler words and enhance speech credibility.

The impact of vocal tones and how to use them to connect with audiences.

The "random word exercise" for improving impromptu speaking and small talk.

Strategies to overcome common barriers to developing communication skills.

The role of storytelling in creating emotional connections with the audience.

In This Episode:

(02:52) How case competitions helped Brenden become a better speaker and coach 

(05:53): How Brenden improved his speaking  

(10:53) The competitive nature of case competitions  

(17:21) Overcoming speaking challenges  

(21:43) Importance of removing filler words  

(24:54) How to get good at smiling

(26:45) Self-awareness and feedback  

(27:38) Self-assessment through video review  

(33:58) Masculine and feminine tone of voice  

(48:34) The Power of Storytelling  

(59:12) The importance of having fun in communication  

(01:01:07) The concept of sequencing in learning  

Notable Quotes  [06:47]” I didn't think communication was that important. It wasn't really a focus. I only learned later in my career that communication is really important. -Brenden

 [18:03] “When you teach something, you embed it way more than if you just learn it and just let it sit.”- Billy 

 [22:53] “If you have the best ideas in the world, if people don't listen to them, if people don't hear them, if people don't take action on them, it's almost as if they were never heard in the first place.”- Brenden

 [44:47] “We don't get points for doing this exercise well, we get points for doing it a lot.” -Brenden

 [47:32] “If you become the purple cow of your own industry and the ideas that you want to share with the world, that is how people will remember you.” -Brenden 

Resources and Links Brenden Kumarasamy

https://www.instagram.com/masteryourtalk/

https://www.facebook.com/mastertalkyt/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendenkumarasamy/

https://twitter.com/masteryourtalks

https://www.youtube.com/c/MasterTalks

Billy Samoa

https://www.facebook.com/BillySamoaSaleebey/

https://twitter.com/BillySamoa

https://www.instagram.com/billysamoa/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa/

https://www.youtube.com/@BillySamoa

Mentioned Seth Godin Purple Cow Keynote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ammimNTfaG0

This is an encore episode and was originally published on May 10, 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis Brown jumped up to 90,000 followers on Instagram in just six weeks, and he’s joining us on today’s Insight Out episode to give YOU the tools you need to make that happen on your own social media platform. 

As we dive into how his hit idea Pod Decks came to fruition, media consumption, the pressure to create viral content, secrets to a great hook, and more, you’ll learn about his journey to his multitude of business endeavors, how he hopes to help fellow content creators, and get a peek into his own content creation process.  You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to hear about how the man who lived and breathed podcasts broadened his business and his audience! 

Let’s Meet Our Guest Travis Brown is a social media content creator, keynote speaker, and Social Boom coach who believes in helping creatives, entrepreneurs, and business-minded individuals of the world reach their audience and their goals. While his own social media content focuses on business and income-inspired content (beginning with his unique tagline “Here’s a business idea – do something with it!”), his work for Social Boom centers on supporting and encouraging the rapid growth of anyone he seeks out his expertise. 

Here’s What You’ll Learn

How to manage your expectations and anxiety for your own creative output (3:30)

Why testing your strategies before committing to them is important (9:50)

Mindless scrolling vs. conscious consumption (17:00)

How to do your research in this field and why it’s essential (42:10)

Brown’s tips for crafting hooks and calls to action (45:08)

His top two tools for content creation right now (57:23)

Where you can find his content, a community of like-minded individuals, and resources for your own growth (1:00:18)

Travis Brown’s Thoughts on Content Creation & Research Media Consumption:

Manage the habit (and comparison) by setting a timer before you scroll. 

Pay attention to what’s working and what draws you in. Use this time to research!

Creating Content:

Let go of the expectation that your content needs to always succeed or go viral. Manage your anxiety about the pressure so you can create freely! 

Do your research by paying attention to popular content, hooks, etc. 

Define your outcome. What are people going to get from consuming your content?

Test your ideas to see what works and what doesn’t. 

Once you find what works, stick with it! Your hook should remain constant, and keep your content within your niche. 

Crafting a Hook:

Your hook can play on people’s fear of missing out, be a listicle, or even work to relate to your audience. 

Whichever you choose, you want to draw them in with a big statement that requires a reveal.

After your big statement, offer your audience that instant gratification with an answer! If you wait around to reveal, you risk losing their attention. 

How to Research on TikTok:

Open TikTok and filter by content made in the last three months and “most liked” content. This will show you what’s working RIGHT NOW. 

Look around and pay attention to hooks, video formatting, graphics, etc. 

Let this inspire you and fuel the success of your own content! 

Quotes Billy Samoa Saleebey

“Sometimes you gotta slow down to speed up.”

“Being able to pivot is a superpower.”

Travis Brown

“You don’t need more information. You need more action.”

“Nobody cares; we’re just making chairs.” (Originally Chris Ballew)

“Research gives me a lottery ticket with five of the numbers already filled out.”

“Virality comes from predictability, not creativity.”

Resources & Links to Travis Brown’s Socials  Travis Brown Instagram: @travisbrown (If you DM “pm22” to Travis on Instagram, you’ll receive his 10,000 Follower Blueprint book.) Social Boom: https://www.socialboom.club/signup Travis Brown’s Everyday Tools: Capcut: A free resource for adding captions to music, videos, etc.  Copy.ai: A tool for generating ideas for blogs, emails, etc.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices