My first business…

I became involved in entrepreneurship early on, whether it was selling popcorn for the Boy Scouts or chocolate bars to earn money to go to Northern Pines church camp in the summer.

Another 25 Cents!

However, I think my first “business” was a partnership with my friend Randy. We would head out to the local golf course and wade in the ponds, fishing out golf balls.

Cleaning them up would reveal several that were still nearly brand new. We then sold the good looking balls back to golfers and promptly spent our earnings on snacks and sodas (a.k.a. “pop” in Northern Minnesota) right there at the golf course.

I’ve had several businesses over the years, some successful, some not so much. And, I remember vividly when the internet arrived.

I’ve been involved in Strategic Internet Marketing since the 1990’s.

At that time, I owned a hiking tour company and immediately latched onto the internet as a cost-effective means to get my message out.

Marketing involved a lot of hope. I had to hope that a story or blurb about my company would be written up in some magazine or another.

I had to hope that a story or blurb about my company would be written up in some magazine or another.

I spent countless hours trying to woo columnists and editors into featuring our tour company in an article.

I gave away free trips worth tens of thousands of dollars.

I had to hope people would read the articles, hope they would like what they read, hope they would call, hope they would get the brochure, hope they would sign up, hope they wouldn’t cancel…

Then the “World Wide Web” arrived and the game totally changed. I was completely blown away.

I could publish my extremely expensive 4-color brochure online for a fraction of the cost.

I no longer had to then spend several more thousand dollars to get this brochure (website) into the hands of prospects. Email handled that just fine, for free.

And, online magazine (blog) writers were seeking me out for content to engage their readers. Wow.

Wearing ALL the hats…

I’ve done it all when it comes to internet marketing. When I owned Crutch Buddies, my crutch accessories business, I became a master of SEO, website construction, social media and more.

I had to, I was a solopreneur who wore all the hats.

Following my years as an educator and entrepreneur, I’ve come to realize the most powerful form of marketing is to position yourself as an expert, as an educator and advocate for the success of your customers.

Think of people like Suze Orman, Dave Ramsey, Jillian Michaels or even Richard Simmons.

Do you know where they went to college? Or what their actual credentials are? Probably not, but they have used media to position themselves as experts and they are respected, listened to and revered.

Probably not, but they have used media to position themselves as experts and they are respected, listened to and revered.

Do you know where they went to college? Or what their actual credentials are? Probably not, but they have used media to position themselves as experts and they are respected, listened to and revered.

They don’t call themselves experts, they let their work, actions, and others label them as experts in their industries.

My new focus.

Through my own personal challenges with addiction and recovery, I have developed a deep fascination about how our brain works, what makes it tick and the untapped power it contains.

My personal story is rich with experiences directly related to understanding thought and emotion, then using those learning moments and that knowledge to live a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life.

In my personal mission to help those find freedom from addiction I have become a Certified Addictions Recovery Coach and Interventionist, a podcast, radio show, and online conference host.

Now I am using my experience and skills to help Addictions Recovery therapists, counselors, coaches and other professionals effectively get their message of hope, healing, and serenity to those who need it most.

You and your business can quickly be seen on Fox News, NBC, CBS, ABC and more.Today, you can leverage the power of the internet and online media like never before to position yourself as the trusted authority and expert.

You can start a blog or podcast, be interviewed on others.

And, you can publish a best-selling book, setting you apart from your competition, standing out as an Addictions Authority.

Contact me today and find out just how in just 15 minutes I can help take you, and your business, to the next level.

Best wishes, James

p.s. I have used these strategies to position myself as a Recovery Coach & Interventionist, a Podcast Host & Radio Producer, Host of The Addiction Breakthrough Summit, and a Best-Selling Author.

And I can do the same for you.