Julians Hints, Tips and Hacks

Hints, Tips and Hacks that Julian finds helpful in life, marketing and business.

The Alligator Email – a crafty email that re-engages prospects who have “gone dark”

Posted on by

Use The Alligator email to re-engage with prospects who have "gone dark" and fail to respond to your emails and phone calls. Every time I deploy this crafty email from The Entrepreneurs Circle it makes me smile - because it works. Each time I send it to a prospect who is failing to respond to my emails or phone calls it works - because it stands out in the inbox, it's engaging and makes the...
Read More

80 Hour Cash Machine email campaign from the Entrepreneurs Circle

Posted on by

Turn your older prospects into paying customers in 3 and a half days. This is a tried and tested 3 step email campaign designed to turn non-buyers into customers. If you have lists of old enquirers and prospects then this campaign is the ideal way too to extract the gold from your older lists. As an Entrepreneurs Circle member, you can access all the copy and instructions on how to set up t...
Read More

How to make sure your proposals and quotes increase your conversion rate and not detract from it…

Posted on by

“Sounds good, send me a proposal.” How many times have you heard that? Too many? So you run back to your office, put together a proposal, send it to the prospect, and start the follow-up process (and the prayer vigil)… Or do you? I mean the sale should be solidified BEFORE the proposal is written. Your proposal, or quote, should be the essence of what has been decided by you and your pro...
Read More

Know when your website goes offline – free service

Posted on by

There is one thing more annoying than when your website goes offline. And that is when you do not realise for days (or even longer) that there is a problem and you have had visitors and prospects trying to find you that have been lost forever. It costs you in lost opportunities and gives a really bad first impression. Common causes are unreliable hosting or a pesky hacker that needs sorting out. ...
Read More

How to visually map out your sales & marketing automation before buying Keap or ActiveCampaign

Posted on by

Most people buy into marketing automation systems like Keap and ActiveCampaign before they have even considered what they actually want to automate in their marketing. When you visually map out what you require then it becomes much easier to select the right marketing automation platform and to build an organised and integrated system from the start. Check out my 12 minute video below which ...
Read More

The best and quickest way to convert old family photos to a digital format and share them

Posted on by

I presume that most families will be like mine. They have hundreds, if not thousands of old photo prints stashed away in draws, boxes, albums and in those paper sleeves/folders you used to get your photo prints in. And all the while they get forgotten about they deteriorate to a point where those valued memories get binned by future generations. My father has thousands of printed family pho...
Read More

How automation can save time when recruiting staff

Posted on by

For the past 12 years I have been helping clients to automate their marketing and to sell stuff. But business automation tools can be used to streamline some areas of business that you would not expect. For instance when recruiting staff. If you have ever had to recruit staff you will know how time-consuming the interview process can be. Especially 1 stage interviews where you have to spend ...
Read More

How to MASSIVELY increase the effectiveness of your marketing… (without changing a single word)

Posted on by

Here’s the problem… People are busy. People are lazy. People don’t care about you (at least not as much as you think they do). It’s harsh but true! Your prospects are NOT taking the time to read your sales letter, email or landing page copy as thoroughly as you think they are. FACT: people are skimmers They glance at a page and decide whether or not to read it. They half-read t...
Read More

Do you offer customers a guarantee – if not – why not?

Posted on by

Are you offering your customers a strong and creative guarantee? If not then you are losing valuable sales and customers. Download my free guide here. Guarantee image by - www.freepik.com
Read More

Don’t make your emails boring – 3 top tips guide

Posted on by

Our prospects receive more emails now than ever before. So standing out in the inbox is becoming more and more important. Here are 3 tips to help make your marketing emails more exciting! Use emojis, countdowns and mega-merge fields If you swipe these tactics and use them in your email they’ll stand out in the inbox, get more opens, more clicks and boost engagement!
Read More

Santa Pause is coming – to HighLevel

Have you ever received marketing emails over the Christmas holidays – it just seems wrong when you get an email on Christmas day asking you to take action today. Know what I mean? Well this is no longer a problem for HighLevel users. At a global account level we can pause workflows and emails from going out over the Christmas holiday time – and they just resume after the holidays, a neat little feature. Here is more detail:- Managing workflows efficiently is crucial for businesses, especially when certain processes need to be temporarily halted during specific periods, such as holidays or maintenance windows. GoHighLevel’s “Pause Workflow” feature offers a streamlined solution to manage these pauses without the need to deactivate or delete entire workflows. Understanding the Pause Workflow Feature The “Pause Workflow” functionality allows administrators to temporarily suspend specific workflows for designated date ranges. This is particularly beneficial for workflows with seasonal actions or those requiring periodic adjustments. By utilizing this feature, businesses can ensure that certain processes are paused and resumed seamlessly, maintaining operational efficiency. How to Implement the Pause Workflow Feature Access Global Workflow Settings: Navigate to the “Global Workflow Settings” within your GoHighLevel dashboard. Set Start and End Dates: Click on the “Start Date and Time” field to select the desired start and end dates and times for the pause period. After making your selections, click the “Confirm” button. Select Workflows to Pause: In the “Select Workflows” field, choose one or multiple published workflows you wish to pause. Note that only published workflows will appear in the dropdown menu. Add Multiple Date Ranges: If you need to pause workflows during multiple periods, click the “Add Date” button to include additional date ranges. You can add up to 15 different date ranges. Enable Annual Pauses: For recurring pauses on the same dates each year, check the “Annually” box for the corresponding date range. This ensures the selected workflows are automatically paused annually on the specified dates. Clone or Delete Date Ranges: To duplicate a date range, click the clone icon next to the desired row. To remove a date range, click the delete icon. Monitor Paused Status: When workflows are paused, their status will be highlighted as “Paused” on the Workflow Landing Page. Access Builder Settings: Within each workflow’s builder settings, a “Pause Workflow” section provides details about the pause schedule. You can also access the “Global Workflow Settings” from this section to make any necessary changes. Important Considerations The maximum allowed duration between the start and end dates for a pause is 15 days. Ensure that a workflow is not included in overlapping date ranges to prevent conflicts. By leveraging GoHighLevel’s “Pause Workflow” feature, businesses can effectively manage their workflows, ensuring that specific processes are paused and resumed as needed without disrupting overall operations. For a detailed walkthrough and additional information, refer to GoHighLevel’s official support documentation.
Read more...
What the Thryv Takeover of Keap Means for Small Business Owners

The recent acquisition of Keap by Thryv marks a significant shift in the CRM and small business software landscape. For many Keap users, this merger brings up key questions about platform integration, product evolution, and the potential for new tools. In this post, I’ll walk through what this change means and what small business owners should expect. Why the Merger? Thryv, known for its comprehensive business management solutions, has strategically acquired Keap to expand its reach among small businesses looking for robust yet accessible CRM systems. Keap’s user-friendly automation features, coupled with Thryv’s broader suite, means enhanced capabilities for current and future clients. What Changes to Expect For current Keap users, you can expect gradual changes, likely with added features and expanded integrations. Thryv’s emphasis on streamlining business operations suggests more tools to simplify client interactions, appointments, and marketing processes. Is This Good News for Keap Users? Absolutely. Thryv’s resources and support structures will likely bring increased development and security to the platform. While there may be a transition period, the overall integration should enhance Keap’s tools and provide access to new solutions without losing the functionality and simplicity Keap users rely on. Looking Forward Change can be daunting, but this merger could offer significant advantages for small business owners looking for reliable CRM solutions. Thryv’s larger framework could make automation and client engagement even easier to manage, with new possibilities for growth and scalability. For any small business looking to stay on top of client management, this merger might just be the beginning of an era where user needs are met more effectively than ever before. Stay tuned as I continue to follow these developments, keeping you informed about how they impact your CRM strategy.
Read more...
Free Google Review Card with NFC and QR code – ReviewBoost-Pro

Do you want to capture more Google Reviews from your customers? Do you interact with your customers face to face? Say in a restaurant, shop, dental practice etc etc? If yes, then a Google Review card makes it super easy to ask for and capture Google reviews from your happy customers. It all starts with a ReviewBoost-Pro NFC / QR code enabled card. Simply tap the card on the customers phone – or scan the QR code and your Google My Business review page pops up immediately. So making it really easy to ask happy customers there and then for a Google Review. Want to give it a try? Get a free card – just pay £2 towards postage and packing. (one card per customer/company)
Read more...

How to Migrate from Wix to HighLevel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you ready to take your business to the next level by transitioning from Wix to HighLevel? This migration guide will help you make the switch smoothly, enabling you to enjoy HighLevel’s advanced marketing automation and CRM capabilities. Step 1: Prepare for the Migration Before diving into the process, take stock of your existing Wix site. Audit your website content, assets, and integrations. Identify which features need to be transferred and ensure you have backups of key data like forms, blog posts, and customer information. Step 2: Set Up HighLevel Start by creating your HighLevel account. Set up your subdomain, customize your funnels, and configure your pipelines. HighLevel’s intuitive interface makes it easy to replicate or improve upon your existing site structure. Step 3: Transfer Content and Assets Manually transfer your website’s critical content, such as service pages, contact forms, and images, into HighLevel’s drag-and-drop page builder. For blogs, use HighLevel’s blog feature to host your posts, optimizing them for performance and SEO. Step 4: Rebuild Forms and Automations HighLevel’s automation tools are more robust than Wix’s, so this is your chance to upgrade. Recreate your forms and workflows in HighLevel’s system, ensuring a seamless experience for your leads and customers. Step 5: Test Before Going Live Thoroughly review your migrated site. Test your forms, automations, and integrations to make sure everything functions as expected. HighLevel’s all-in-one platform means you can consolidate and streamline multiple tools, giving you a competitive edge. Step 6: Launch Your New HighLevel Site Once satisfied, point your domain to HighLevel and go live! Your business will now benefit from enhanced functionality and a platform built for growth. By following this guide, you can ensure a seamless migration from Wix to HighLevel while unlocking the full potential of this powerful platform. For the full detailed migration guide, please visit this link: Wix to HighLevel Migration Guide If you need any further pointers I would be happy to get on a quick discovery call. If you have yet to set up a HighLevel account then I suggest you reach out to MarketerM8. They are a HighLevel agency that can support you during the set up phase. Check out MarketerM8 here.
Read more...
Why expensive “Guru” Cookie-Cutter Strategies and Templates Don’t Work for Your Business

You’ve seen them: the gurus in your industry flashing their fancy cars, designer watches, and million-dollar homes. They’ve got the “winning system” and are more than happy to sell you the so-called “secrets” behind their success. But here’s the harsh reality: these cookie-cutter solutions rarely, if ever, work. Take it from my client, John (name changed, but the story is 100% real). John came to me after years of frustration. He was exhausted. He’d followed every step the gurus laid out—buying courses, bought that latest software tools, buying Keap campaign templates, copying HighLevel snapshots. You name it, John had tried it. Every guru promised the same thing: “Just follow this blueprint, and you’ll be making six figures in no time.” (As an aside – as soon as a potential JV partner, affiliate etc says “we will make a fortune together then run a mile – they will never deliver) So John did. He followed every script, every formula. No shortcuts. And guess what happened? Nothing. Each time, it flopped. Over and over again. John wasn’t just disappointed—he was on the verge of giving up. His business wasn’t just stagnant; it was going backward. He was wasting time and burning through money, trying to force-fit his business into someone else’s mould. Here’s the thing: These “winning systems” may have worked for the gurus, but they’re not built for your business, your audience, or your goals. (Often the winning system is the system that sold you on buying the winning system – and that is now what you sell.) Every business is different, and what works for one person often fails for another. Yet, that’s exactly what John had been doing—forcing his unique business into a generic template. And it was costing him more than just money—it was draining his energy, his time, and his sanity. When John came to me, we took a step back. We stopped trying to squeeze his business into a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we created a personalized plan, tailored to his strengths, his audience, and his vision. Within just a few months, John saw results that completely turned things around. He went from feeling like he was drowning to generating more income in a week than he had in months. That’s what happens when you ditch the cookie-cutter formulas. I’ve spent the last 20 years learning and studying the stratergies and tactics the “gurus” preach—and yes, there’s value in understanding them. But the difference is, I don’t just copy and paste. I apply the right mix of strategies that work for your specific business. If you’re tired of following cookie-cutter formulas that don’t work, I’m here to help. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions—I believe in your solution. Let’s sit down, look at where you are, and create a plan that actually works for you. If you’re ready to stop wasting time on ineffective tactics, I’d love to chat. Let’s schedule a Discovery call and find the right path forward for your business. You can book a Discover Call here.
Read more...
Industrial Espionage on the cheap – a nice little growth hack

I was just reading my recent copy of The Circular (Issue 168, page 27) from the Entrepreneur’s Circle and had to chuckle at this smart little growth hack. Nick Jenkins who founded Moonpig.com was telling EC members how he had grown his business from £2.5M to £45M. He was looking to scale and had discounted TV advertising as too expensive. But he noticed one of his competitors was using TV. So in a nutshell by placing a regular order for a greetings card from the competitor and recording the order number he was able to get a good estimate on the number of sales they were doing. (Because most companies accounting systems use a sequential ordering number.) And from this and making informed assumptions he was able to work back that the average cost per customer was £10, which was the magic number. And so this gave him to confidence to throw £50,000 into a TV advert. And the rest as they say is history. This is just one example how over the past 5 years the EC has made me a smarter entrepreneur and positively impacted on my business growth – try for yourself and take a look at The Entrepreneurs Circle, they even do a free trial.
Read more...

Julians Hints, Tips and Hacks

The Alligator Email – a crafty email that re-engages prospects who have “gone dark”

80 Hour Cash Machine email campaign from the Entrepreneurs Circle

How to make sure your proposals and quotes increase your conversion rate and not detract from it…

Know when your website goes offline – free service

How to visually map out your sales & marketing automation before buying Keap or ActiveCampaign

The best and quickest way to convert old family photos to a digital format and share them

How automation can save time when recruiting staff

How to MASSIVELY increase the effectiveness of your marketing… (without changing a single word)

Do you offer customers a guarantee – if not – why not?

Don’t make your emails boring – 3 top tips guide

Selling to Serve – James Asford – GoProposal

Have you read ‘They Ask You Answer’ by Marcus Sheridan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Outrageous Multi-Step Marketing Campaigns That Are Outrageously Successful by Bill Glazer

Making Websites Win by Karl Banks & Ben Jesson – founders of Conversion Rate Experts ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Have you read “The Ultimate Sales Machine” by Chet Holmes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review – Duct Tape Marketing by John Jantsch ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself by Mike Michalowicz ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jordan Belforts Straight Line Selling methodology applied to Keap / Infusionsoft marketing

Top 10 Marketing Business Books for Entrepreneurs ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Work the System’ by Sam Carpenter

Learn why entrepreneurs want me to work with them?

Within a year I enabled Celia to more than double the size of her wedding venue business, take on staff and have free time for holidays!