Craig Duswalt is a Keynote Speaker, Author, Podcaster, and the creator of the brands Rockstar Marketing and Rock Your Life. He has written 11 #1 Amazon Best-Selling books. His background includes touring with Guns N’ Roses, as Axl Rose’s personal assistant, and Air Supply, as the band’s personal assistant.
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Guest Resources
Craig Duswalt – Check out and Rock Your Life.
Rock Your Life Conference – Connect with Craig with his conferences!
Thredge Band – Check out Thredge Band Website.
3 Value Bombs
1) Thinking outside the box and adopting unconventional methods to succeed in the industry.
2) Becoming a speaker is essential, even if you are not a professional.
3) Show up in body and mind, and watch your life improve significantly.
Sponsors
HubSpot: With the HubSpot for Startups program, you can save 30-90% on a platform that scales right along with you! To see if you’re eligible to join the HubSpot for Startups program and take your growth to the next level, visit HubSpot.com/startups!
Field of Greens: Just one scoop a day and you’ll be getting in loads of fruits, veggies, herbs and spices all at once! Visit FieldOfGreens.com and use promo code FIRE for 15% off your first order AND free rush shipping!
Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
Today’s Audio MASTERCLASS: Deliver Your Message Like a Rockstar with Craig Duswalt
[1:23]– Craig shares something he believes about becoming successful that most people disagree with.
- He believes in thinking outside the box and adopting unconventional methods to succeed in the industry.
[1:58] – Craig talks about the three most effective ways to deliver your message – Speaking, Podcasting, and Writing a Book.
- You have many marketing options, from social media to various traditional methods. However, Craig distilled it down to three essential strategies that can make you stand out regardless of your profession, whether in insurance, real estate, coaching, speaking, or running a brick-and-mortar store.
- These three strategies are speaking, podcasting, and writing a book.
- Through his Rockstar Marketing Boot Camps held biannually in Los Angeles and Dallas, Craig emphasizes these three pillars to attendees. Just like music rockstars, who often perform on stage, engage in interviews, and write songs, you must embrace tactics similar to those of business rockstars.
- Speaking allows you to showcase your expertise on stage. In contrast, podcasting enables you to interview others and be interviewed, amplifying your reach and writing a book, akin to creating songs, establishing you as an authority in your field, and attracting clients and customers to your expertise.
- Craig witnessed real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and insurance salespeople leverage books to showcase their expertise and draw clients to their businesses.
[5:49] – Craig believes a positive attitude and vibrant energy will help you stand out.
- Craig graduated college in 1983 and landed a job at Westbury Music Fair in Long Island, New York, right after graduation. The band Air Supply performed at the venue two weeks into the job.
- Although Craig was initially a low-level runner backstage, his life took a turn when his mother wanted to see Air Supply’s show the next day. Craig took her, and she insisted on meeting the band. As they went backstage, Craig was approached by a large security guard who had seen him working the night before. The guard asked Craig how much he made and then offered to quadruple his pay because the band liked his positive attitude.
- This led Craig to join Air Supply on tour for seven years. Later, the same security guard, who became the manager of Guns and Roses, recruited Craig to tour with the band for four years. Craig’s life-changing opportunity came from doing his best at a seemingly unimportant job, showcasing a positive attitude and energy.
- This experience taught him the importance of always giving his best, which can lead to unexpected opportunities.
[9:19] – Why is it important that your goal in life is to command your audience with confidence?
- Craig emphasizes the importance of becoming a speaker, even if you are not professional.
- It is a vital tool in your marketing toolkit. For instance, hosting a podcast can be a great way to build confidence gradually. When you start, you might interview people you know, and since your podcast isn’t widely promoted yet, you have room to make mistakes without a large audience noticing.
- Podcasting allows you to practice speaking and interacting with others, which boosts your confidence over time. Initially, it might be daunting to put yourself out there, but with practice, you become more comfortable.
- Eventually, you’ll exude confidence in everything you do, whether speaking on stage or positioning yourself as an expert in your field. While many people fear speaking on stage, podcasting offers a more manageable way to develop speaking skills.
[13:33]- A timeout to thank our sponsors!
- HubSpot: With the HubSpot for Startups program, you can save 30-90% on a platform that scales right along with you! To see if you’re eligible to join the HubSpot for Startups program and take your growth to the next level, visit HubSpot.com/startups!
- Field of Greens: Just one scoop a day and you’ll be getting in loads of fruits, veggies, herbs and spices all at once! Visit FieldOfGreens.com and use promo code FIRE for 15% off your first order AND free rush shipping!
[16:50] – Craig talks about his motto: “Live with passion and be authentic.”
- Craig is passionate about helping people and witnessing their success. He’s also deeply passionate about music, especially since his experiences touring with Guns and Roses and Air Supply.
- He lives each day enthusiastically and credits his family, particularly his passionate kids, for bringing joy to his life. One of his children is a drummer for a heavy metal band called Thredge, and Craig manages the band, finding it invigorating. His son’s dedication to drumming, practicing six hours daily, reflects the importance of passion and commitment. Despite initially pushing his son towards golf and realizing his true passion for music, Craig and his wife supported his decision, leading to his son becoming a top young drummer.
- Craig believes genuine passion is crucial to success; it requires wholehearted dedication and cannot be approached half-heartedly. He applies this principle to his work in marketing, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and passion for achieving success.
[21:51] – Craig gives examples of his success from thinking way outside the box with marketing.
- Craig hosts Rockstar Marketing Boot Camps and Rock Your Life conferences, offering innovative marketing ideas.
- He shares his two favorite outside-the-box marketing strategies.
- He uses “blank envelopes” to connect with people he wants to engage with, such as potential event sponsors or podcast guests. He addresses an empty envelope to them with his return address and phone number, prompting curiosity and often leading to productive conversations.
- Craig emphasizes the importance of writing tiny books and employs a technique called “reverse shoplifting.” He places his books strategically in bookstores next to popular titles, which often results in sales and restocking requests, effectively increasing his book’s visibility.
- These unconventional methods highlight Craig’s creative approach to marketing and networking.
[27:31] – Why do you believe you need to focus on being a great storyteller?
- Craig emphasizes the importance of storytelling in selling and mainly focuses on helping speakers. He has a Rockstar Power Program with James Barbour, a Broadway performer. This program teaches speakers how to craft compelling stories and define critical moments.
- Craig is working on a one-person show about his life, with James assisting. Instead of the traditional approach of delivering tips, giving a pitch, and directing people to the back of the room, Craig aims to stand out by sharing captivating stories on stage without a direct pitch.
- Surprisingly, people still approach him afterward, showing interest in learning more or signing up for his offerings. Craig wants to differentiate himself by marketing like a rockstar and not pitching, relying on the power of compelling narratives to attract further engagement.
[29:53] – Craig gives his call to action.
- Craig Duswalt – Check out and Rock Your Life.
- Rock Your Life Conference – Connect with Craig with his conferences!
[30:37] – Craig gives his takeaway.
- Show up in body and mind, and watch your life improve significantly.
[30:03]- Thank you to our Sponsor!
- HubSpot: With the HubSpot for Startups program, you can save 30-90% on a platform that scales right along with you! To see if you’re eligible to join the HubSpot for Startups program and take your growth to the next level, visit HubSpot.com/startups!
Killer Resources!
1) The Common Path to Uncommon Success: JLD’s 1st traditionally published book! Over 3000 interviews with the world’s most successful Entrepreneurs compiled into a 17-step roadmap to financial freedom and fulfillment!
2) Free Podcast Course: Learn from JLD how to create and launch your podcast!
3) Podcasters’ Paradise: The #1 podcasting community in the world!