How He Used THIS Business Coaching Program To Future-Proof His Online Income
Matt: Good day everyone. It's Matt Raad, CEO and co-founder of eBusiness Institute, where we teach beginners how to earn online income, in a variety of ways, actually. And today's interview I'm really excited about because it's a little bit different to some of our other interviews because I've got one of our recently graduating students, Greg. Hi Greg, and the reason I'm excited for having Greg along today is because he actually started our course as quite an advanced student. Now, he already had an up and running membership website where he sold information products. So what we're going to do is have a look at what
he used to do there. And the reason why he came on our course and what he does now. Now there's still some really cool lessons here, even if you're a complete beginner. Because that's how we treat everyone when they first come on our courses anyway. So Greg, welcome aboard, and thank you for
coming along the chat about your experiences. Greg: Oh, thanks so much, Matt. It's a pleasure to be here and I'm very humbled to be on your show today. Thank you so much. Matt: Ah, thank you. Well, Greg, I'm super impressed because mate, you've just sent through to us your,
what we call, your final accountability, there it is. You can see I've highlighted so many things, but what was exciting to me and why I've asked you on is to share with our audience in our community, some of your experience. Because it is quite interesting, your background, you were already online before you came on here. You okay to mention, because mate, you got the trendy background there and everything. What was your online business? Pardon?
Greg: Welcome to the dojo. Matt: That's right. So what is your online business? Greg: Well, my online business that I've been running for quite a long time is called FretDojo. So fret is like the metal bars on the guitar neck. So it's a guitar education site. I've been running that site since about 2015. And made it into a full-time pursuit in 2017. And yeah, so been running it since then. So initially I'm basically self-taught until I met you guys in online marketing.
So, I was doing the typical things, like lots of YouTube videos that were starting to get a bit of traction. It was a bit hit and miss though. Sometimes I'd do a video and it might have gone well, another one, it didn't work at all. Even though I put lots of effort into it. And blog posts and things like that. But it was all very unstrategic and piecemeal. And getting reasonable results. But yeah, since I've been working with you guys, things have started to
change quite dramatically, Matt: They have, of course we're going to talk about that as well too. So let's start basically you'd been online for what, you said you started in 2015 and you've joined us in, what is it, 2022? Greg: 2021. Matt: Yeah, 2021. So, okay. So six years, you'd already been online. And I remember, and this is important if you're listening, what my concern was for Greg when he first met us. And I did a call with him and we did an interview with him.
And Liz and I were talking about Greg, because we could, we looked at his site, we could see how he's doing really well with it. Selling an information product, teaching people how to play guitar. Okay, so it's a really good niche. But our main concern was one is a dangerous number. Remember Greg, when we're on that interview, I said to you, "Mate, what I'd love to do, is broaden out your horizons. You are very focused on this one website. I know you're at home there on the central coast, down near Sydney. And I know it's lovely living there. But you can get very insular when you're working on that one site." And what my concern was, is for your family sake,
because you've got a family and everything. And you're supporting your family with that one business. My gut feel was that you need to broaden your horizons and secure your income for the future by either owning more websites and just having a fuller strategy online. And that was the basis on which you came onto our program, wasn't it? Is just to sit back, relax and learn basically the whole digital marketing skillset, if you like. Greg: Yeah, exactly. Well, the main motivation is
with the site as it was, it was puddling along, but it wasn't like I was doing amazingly well out of it. It was like I was sort of doing okay, but getting nervous. And actually it was starting to dip down a little bit by the time I met you guys. And it's like, I've got to... And we moved actually to the central coast, after living many years elsewhere and living expenses are a bit higher here. And I started to feel the pinch a bit. And it was time to do something about it. So, yeah. And also I was a bit worn out to be honest. I was doing lots of content, not necessarily getting great results. You know, the conversions to customers was, everything just was sort of okay, but it was quite a grind and I've been doing it for a number of years like that. Matt:
Awesome. So what I really admire about you, Greg, and when we look back over the last year that you've spent with us. And so I should mention Greg's on our champions program, so I've personally coached Greg as well as running weekly lessons and things. And part of Greg and my strategy was, I said to Greg, "Look, just come onto the program. Pretend you're a complete beginner, relax with it and just have a crack at everything. Just take it all in and try multiple strategies. And then we'll see where you end up at the end of the year."
And my main concern was, is to get Greg's income up ASAP. So you just heard, Greg was filling the pinch a bit, you had a site, but it wasn't going that great. So the first thing I got Greg to do to focus on, was get out there and get his cash flow going. And one of the strategies we teach to do that is building websites for local businesses.
Now, as I said to you, Greg, at the beginning of the year, and I really admire mate what you've done. Because that was a challenge for you and hats off to you. You've done every single strategy that we've taught. Every single week, you've had a crack at absolutely everything. And so that's what I want to look at here, because I know you're smiling. What was it like for you when Matt said, "Greg, you got to get off your butt and get out of your beautiful guitar dojo and be in the real world and meet people." Greg: So well, this was the problem. When you've been behind a computer screen for five years typing away and doing little videos and things like that. It's amazing. You can have like hundreds of thousands
of people look at your stuff, but it's still just you behind the computer in the real world. And so, I would consider myself, I think I'm naturally a bit like that. A little bit on the socially anxious side, but especially back when we met each other. And so, what you got me to do is to start to get out there and build some websites for people. Start networking, and which the word
networking makes me want to hide under my bed. Well, previously anyway. But it was clear you guys definitely have taught a lot of people, you knew what you were doing. So I just basically went, "I'm just going to do what I'm told." And got out there, joined a
business networking group. It was incredibly difficult and awkward for me to do that. But- Matt: I know. Greg: ... what I've realized is, several months later into it. Just practicing networking weekly with this group and working with
those guys. You can really overcome that stuff. It's more about practice, I think. If you practice networking, it gets easier and easier. And that's where a huge amount of opportunities can come. And, interestingly, a lot of just the conversations I've had with other really good business people have really informed my own business. But even the guitar sites,
the way I run it and different perspectives on that. So it is really important in business to get out and meet a lot of people and have good conversations, I think. Matt: And what I'm really proud of Greg. Like you said, you did exactly what we said and it's worked really well for you. And I know you're very humble guy. But I am going to, because Greg, I've got it highlighted here and we don't have to mention names or anything. But you do have to mention some of the numbers, come on. So people realize,
let us know your latest, you've written here, you last couple of SEO builds or website builds. Tell us what numbers you're charging for now. Greg: Okay. Initially, I did one for free, for a nonprofit. Matt: That's good.
Greg: And then I ended up doing one for $1,300 or something, for a basic build. And I got a great piece of advice from, when we went to that flipper conference in Sydney, there was a fellow there that gave me some advice. Just every time you win a job, just increase your price by 20%. And so, that sounds like a good idea. So I just kept doing that. And just a couple of days ago, I secured a website build, a very standard website build for $6,000. And that's only been six to eight months into the process. Matt:
Yeah. So mate, six to eight months ago. You'd have no idea how to do that, and you would never have done it. Greg: Oh, I remember me and my wife, she also helps work on the business. We were going, "I don't know if we could charge $2,000 for a website build." And it's funny how your perspective changes with pricing. Because, it just didn't even have much impact when I secured that deal that, "Oh yeah, no, that's great. Okay." It just felt normal. It's weird, isn't it?
Matt: Well, and now you've got the skills though, too. So you were blinked on that one. As you were successful with a particular kind of information website, because it was passive or semi-passive. But now, your skillset's broaden, and you're seeing all the other champions. What they're doing and achieving and there're total beginners doing the same sorts of numbers. And so you are already charging $6,000 for a website build. And what about recurring, like SEO? Are you doing that sort of a strategy as well? Greg: Yeah. I do have a couple of ongoing SEO clients.
The first one I charged around a $1,000 a month. It's an ongoing client. And recently, it was quite funny actually, recently someone approached me through my guitar site asking for some back links. And I looked at her website and went, "Oh, your website needs a bit of work. I'm afraid before I put back links on it. Oh, by the way, I'm a web developer. I can help you with it." And so, long in the short of it, she's become an SEO client as well. And I think which, charging about $1,300 a month for that particular retainer. Matt:
Yeah. That's unreal. And so what you said to me, Greg, and this is what I want everyone to realize, is there's a wide range of skills you can learn online. So Greg already had a certain skill set, but by doing this now, that's secured your family's income, hasn't it? That's what you were saying to me in, how did you word it? Money's no longer a problem. I think that's-
Greg: Yeah. That's that's right. I think what I've learned from the program is just a much more robust strategy and also those marketing fundamentals that we covered early on in your course. And just how to understand what the market needs. And that was a very entry level sort of thing. But I generally had forgotten about that stuff. I hadn't been thinking in that way. And if it's one of the crucial aspects of business, find out what people want. And so, I would say that I am financially much more secure now because of the program. But also, regardless of
what the focus is, whether it's on the FretDojo guitar site or the agency stuff, that's the big focus at the moment. I've really got that robust knowledge of how to provide value to people. And to find out what they want, and to provide a great experience, and all that sort of thing. And so, if you can provide those things to people then money generally would never be a problem, I would imagine. If you can provide that value to people. Matt: And that's certainly something we've seen within the champions community, isn't it? That's what all the champions are doing. But it is really interesting talking to you, Greg, because
you now, like you said, I think the words were, sorry. It was mission accomplished. That's what you wrote. And you and I were chatting about this on a recent call. You said, awesome. You look back over the year. Mission accomplished from both mine and your point of view in that, you are now financially secure with your family. But from my point of view, I'm really happy because you've taken in all the strategies that we teach and you've got this full knowledge now. So now in this next year, you can go and create the life and the lifestyle that you want. That's the main outcome that we want people to get out of this program.
Because let's choose your own adventure with whatever you want to do with our strategies. And one of the things that I wanted to ask you as well, because whilst cash flow wise came really quickly for you through building websites. With your portfolio site, which is semi-passive selling guitar lessons, essentially. Let's talk about that because you've had some massive success there. That's not now just puddling along, is it? That's changed quite dramatically over the
last year too. Greg: Well, this is the ironic thing. So, because I was a bit burnt out trying to run that site and not getting the results. I've had enough, I want to try something different. This sounds great. Yeah, let's do some web builds and SEO for local businesses. And I realized that I needed to basically, it forced me to put that site on autopilot. Otherwise I wouldn't have had the time
to devote to the agency builds. And there was this one piece of advice you gave me Matt about setting up an autoresponder, shadow sequence. Which is basically once a prospect opts into my email list through some content or whatever, they then go through, every Friday they get one of my older posts. It's not like I'm continually posting content. Actually, for a number of months, I haven't posted anything to that site. The people that are coming in are just receiving content every week. And then periodically they go through like a launch
sequence where they get offered one of my courses for like a discounted rate or something like that. And so, just that one strategy, and it was just piecing together what I already had. It wasn't like I had to create the heaps of new stuff. It's basically like instantly it started to
double the revenue of the website. But also, I'm spending one 10th of the time actually maintaining the site because I'm not manually trying to do an email launch or launch a new product. I'm just basically recycling all the content and courses and things that were already there. And so that's basically just ticking along. It feels like that's what the internet was built for, right?
Matt: Yeah, that's right. And that's what the golden outcome is, from everything we teach here at eBusiness is, ultimately creating these truly passive websites or, well, let's call them they're semi. They always take work, semi-passive. So in your case, it certainly became a lot more passive because you had to go off and build websites for businesses. Like you said, plus the money went up. But also, in the course Greg mentioned. How
we teach the content strategy as well. Once we got to that part of the course, you applied that very effectively as well to this existing website. Greg: Yeah. We should talk about that. Okay. So, I think we've touched on this earlier, but it was very
piecemeal, the sort of strategy I was doing for content before. It was basically based on what I was interested in. Matt: Ah, okay. Greg:
And sometimes that would be what a lot of other people are interested in as well, but often it wasn't. Because I'm a more advanced player, I guess. But there's not a lot of advanced players on the internet. So I'm not my customer. And so once I started doing SEO research, following your methods and techniques, I started to be much, much more strategic about the selection of the topics.
I was doing a little bit SEO and your course definitely helped me streamline my SEO application. But just finding out what people were interested in and being able to assess the data, rather than thinking that's what people want, but not necessarily knowing for sure. And so, we assembled a topic list and I started to do posts that were much more strategic and focused on particular topics that was indicated in the research. And the results have been really good. Matt:
Yeah. And again, you're being very humble there Greg, come on, mention one of that. You got to tell me. Even I was surprised. But the first article that you did, that was quite good fun, because you didn't get instant results. Exactly like I say, it takes time. But ultimately what were the results, so after about six months with it? Greg: Yeah. Okay. So, about,
when was this? It was about when we started the course, in September or so. I thought let's just give one last sort of crack at sort of this guitar site. So I'll put a lot of effort into a particular guitar lesson, did some research. I wasn't very good at SEO, back then as much as I am now, I think, but sorry, after you. Matt: This is the one that you shared at the bootcamp, wasn't it? The first bootcamp I think. Greg: No, that was actually an earlier one. But that one's actually going really good as well.
Matt: Got it. Greg: Just early on, I sort of spotted a topic that could be good. And I thought, I'll just record a video about it and put a lot of effort into the editing and all that sort of thing. And I was supposed to be studying your course, but I was madly trying to get this video edited and I posted it up and it was just crickets. Like no one watched it or listened to it. And I was like, oh, I've had enough of this. And sort of no traffic at all. But then, about three weeks ago,
the curve has just gone absolutely insane on that video. It went from basically nothing, to a hundred thousand views, in about two weeks. And it's insane. I've got thousands of emails subscribers from that video. And it was exactly what you were teaching. Like when you do content, it takes time to index. And for Google to work out people are enjoying this. And they might show it to three people and they get a bit of data back that, oh yeah, they like this video. So they'll show it to a few more and a few more and then,
but it multiplies exponentially. And so it was a really good lesson for me to be patient with SEO. And as you often said in the course, most people can't hack the journey. So you got to really base it on a clear strategy and then just put trust in that it's
going to work if you persist. Matt: Yeah. And I want to say a big congratulations. And you've shared some of those how you put together the articles following what we teach at some of the bootcamps. I want to say a big thank you for that too, for sharing it. And that's why it's super cool. Particularly for those of us in champions is to listen to this interview and go, all right, go, Greg. It's happened. At the time at the boot camp, when you were talking about them, everyone was super impressed. And then what, six to eight months later, bammo, they've taken off those articles.
And like you said, what did you say to me? It's growing your email list by 16% or something? Greg: 16%, like in two weeks. Matt: That's impressive. Greg: I've never seen anything like it. And I was dumbfounded when I looked at the results. And it was just from making like... It doesn't matter whether it's written or on video or whatever. The medium doesn't matter. But it's important that you spend a lot of time making something that's valuable,
got a unique angle on it and is very high quality. Google is just becoming better at noticing when things are like that, I think. And so that's why I really like your strategy, the emphasis on quality content and not just trying to gain the system, but providing real quality to what- Matt: And you've implemented that perfectly, yet again Greg. You're doing everything in the course perfectly. Greg: I just do what I'm told. Matt: And that's why we're here today. So this is super cool too, to look now back at your journey. Okay, you are in this very
unique position. People can go and listen and go, man, I want to be like Greg, where you've got, basically, you've got options now. At the end of this year, you can go whichever way you want. And that's something that you and I are chatting about on some strategy calls and things for you because, you can either keep growing. You're building websites for local businesses. Obviously,
you are charging a lot of money there's, $6,000 for a website. Or you can just keep that at a premium level, not have too many clients and really look after them well. What's your thoughts with, say your portfolio, because you've got all these skills. And really FretDojo, now it's pretty much semi-passive, you're not doing a lot.
Not putting you on the spot too much or everything, but what's your thoughts over this next year. Now, what do you want to do with your life? Because you've got options to turn this into a lifestyle business now. Greg: Yeah, exactly. Well, I think it's funny, we've come full circle in a way. Because initially when I signed up for the champions program, I was a bit over the whole guitar website thing. But I'm really excited from what's happened with it over the past couple of months. So I'm actually looking at maybe pulling the foot off the gas pedal a little bit with the agency.
And really doubling down hard on the portfolio. But using the cash flow from the agency to really build out the guitar site and perhaps other portfolio websites as well. Because something you do need cash flow, you need a team. It does become pretty onerous,
just doing it all on your own. So if you're going to have a team, you need to have cash flow. So, I believe that both those strategies can work together really well. But, I'd love to really build that site out over the next few years. That's something I'm really excited about. Matt: Yeah, mate, and seriously, congratulations. I know you're going to be really successful with it, that's the cool thing.
You've now got this full and your skillset is so much broader. Like when you first came onto this course, you didn't even really know about SEO that much. And now you're charging a lot of money for that from people within your own industry as well. And you're very good at it. And I do want to say congratulations, you've taken all this. You've mastered all the different strategies that we've taught and you're really good at all of them. And now you've got the options to do whatever you want. Will you also, I guess for you are very focused person because someone like you too, maybe should consider, I don't want to take away your focus. But maybe you should own a few other
websites as well. Probably buy a couple of websites. Wouldn't hurt you either. Greg: Oh yeah, no, I've dabbled in that a bit. I feel I've bought one a few months ago for a bit of a laugh. And a few little Amazon affiliate cheques are coming in the mail from that, which is awesome.
Matt: Very nice. Greg: So yeah, one of your guests that's been in your bootcamps before, his story was very inspiring in terms of just how he's been able to scale and buy and build so many websites over time. That path really appeals to me as well. But I think the thing with networking and in person local stuff, you get a lot of benefits that aren't just financial. Like, I've met so many wonderful people, had great conversations. And especially when you meet other business people, because you've got
a common interest you're so passionate about. People that love doing business and it really helps your business as well. Just having conversations with people like that. And so I think that obviously the pipe dream is the whole sort of go out on a beach and sort of have passive income sort of thing. But it's great making relationships and people as well. And that's something that's such a important aspect of life above the money and all that sort of thing.
Matt: Yeah. And thank you for bringing them up. And I know it's been particularly important for yourself. But as you know Greg, privately, you've gotten to know a lot of the champions. As he's one of the big outcomes for a lot of us in the champions realize is wow, having these digital skills, it's not just about working at home, you look like the classic computer expert in your beautiful guitar dojo, but seriously, it's also about, that's something that I did want to communicate with everyone through this interview with you is, that's, it's opened up other doors for you that you never expected and has changed your outlook as well. Like you said, you're a naturally shy person verging on social anxiety. And that's perfectly normal by the way,
like a lot of people experience that. But it can be helpful in that sense as well to realize, oh, wow, I'm not just locked in front of a computer screen every day. Now I'm out there participating. And so, you are so conscientious as well. I think there's another big benefit here for you doing the digital agency thing is, you're really going to look after people in your local community. Because you are mainly working with people in your local community, aren't you?
Greg: Yeah. Mainly just around the area. Matt: Business owners, that is. Yeah. And you really enjoy that. Like you're telling me. And you've made some really good friends through that as well. And like I said, it gives you a different perspective on life. Greg: Yeah. And I think I remember in our last coaching
call, we had Matt was saying like something that I've been really happy about the course is just the challenges put upon you and like off you go, you got to get out and meet people, goobing, as you say, getting out and about. And that was my biggest challenge for this course, is just being able to muster the courage to get out there. And that is life changing. If you can get over that and be able to, just with a few little techniques and you pick them up at business networking groups. Like how to mingle in a room and how to network. It's not really that complicated. And it's just practice basically.
And so I know a lot of people have that sort of anxiety, about those sort of things. But like, I remember you said to me once, "But this is how you get success in businesses. By meeting people and building relationships. So that's what you got to do. Sorry." Matt: Yeah. Even when we're online and mate,
I do want to say a big thank you for coming on to share that. When you think about it, Greg, it is, and you know our community really well, not just champions, but everyone in our community. People look to you as someone who's already experienced online, but there's just so much more to it.
Sometimes you need a little kick up the butt, from someone like myself, and get you out there. And I do want to say a big congratulations as well for all the success that you've had this year. And really well done. And thank you for helping to inspire so many people as well, mate. Greg: Oh, really appreciate your kind comments, Matt. But I can't take all the credit because I had no idea what I was doing before I started
working with you guys. So, I think- Matt: Thank you. Greg: ... you should share a great deal of the credit, I think. Matt: Oh, awesome. Thanks so much for that Greg.
Well, thanks for that. And guys, if you are interested in starting your own journey online and learning how you can replace your income. Make sure you check out our free masterclass, where we go through our overall strategy of how we buy and sell and renovate websites. It's exactly what Greg's doing. Just heard his story, he's applying it to his own passive website. And I'm sure you got a lot out of this interview and would join me in saying a special thank you to Greg. Thanks Greg. Greg:
Thanks everyone. And keep on trucking, you'll get there. Just be persistent and don't give up Matt: Awesome.
2022-08-18 11:05
