Never Been Promoted: No-BS Lessons to Fuel Your Hustle

Some people dabble; others dominate. This week, I sat down with five pros who don’t just play in their industries—they own the field. From making marketing a science to turning soft skills into a superpower, these conversations were packed with insights for anyone hungry to grow, lead, and scale smarter.

Marketing Tip of the Week: Keep it simple.

Overcomplicating processes, messaging, or strategies only slows you down. Whether it’s SEO, automation, or building trust through clear communication, the common thread across these episodes is this: clarity beats chaos every time. Simplicity isn’t just elegant—it’s effective.

Here’s your dose of inspiration...

Episode 184

Robert Brill Shares Secrets to Transform Marketing into Growth

Robert Brill , founder of Brill Media , doesn’t just talk about marketing—he turns it into a science. With 21 years of ad-buying expertise and 11 years of running his agency, Brill Media, Robert knows how to take businesses from “this should work” to “this will work.” His process? A proven, data-driven framework that sprints from guessing to growth in just two weeks.

Key Takeaways:

• Stop Guessing, Start Testing: Great marketing isn’t a lucky shot. Robert's “Sprint Test” approach identifies what works—problem statements, solutions, and images—all validated by real-world data.
• SEO as Your Secret Weapon: Not ready for big ad spends? Invest in Search Engine Optimization. Robert emphasized that focusing on bottom-of-funnel keywords brings in high-intent buyers, driving over $100K in revenue for his agency.
• It’s About Strategy, Not Spray-and-Pray: If your marketing isn’t working, it’s likely not about bad platforms; it’s about a lack of strategy. Robert's approach aligns messaging, targeting, and offers to create a scalable growth engine.

Expert Recommendations and Resources:

• SEO Tools: Moz, SEMrush, Ahrefs—essential for keyword research and competitive analysis.
• Platforms to Watch: Meta (Facebook/Instagram) for targeted ads, Google for intent-driven searches, and LinkedIn for high-value B2B leads.
• Landing Pages vs. SEO Pages: Robert stresses that each has a distinct purpose. SEO drives organic leads while landing pages are conversion machines.

Check out the full podcast episode HERE.?

Episode 185

Rishi Khanna Explains Why Startups Are Burning Cash Faster

Rishi Khanna , CEO of ISHIR, has dedicated over two decades to helping startups and enterprises innovate effectively and navigate challenging times. From building software in his early school years to founding ISHIR, a global digital product studio, Rishi's journey is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and purposeful problem-solving. His team excels in leveraging talent from around the globe, including Latin America, Eastern Europe, and India, to solve complex challenges and drive business success.

Key Takeaways:

• Leverage Your Network Early: Rishi’s initial clients came from personal connections, underscoring the value of building relationships before launching a business.
• Resilience is Key: From surviving the dot-com bust to the post-9/11 market shifts, Rishi emphasizes the importance of adapting and protecting a core team through turbulent times.
• Purpose-Driven Innovation: The most successful solutions come from understanding and validating real-world problems, not chasing trends or shiny new technologies.

Expert Recommendations and Resources:

• Book: The Lean Startup by Eric Ries – Essential reading for entrepreneurs aiming to validate and iterate their ideas quickly.
• Mindset: Rishi draws heavily from Stoicism, using its principles for introspection and intentional leadership.
• Pro Tip: Before building, assess if existing tools can solve the problem efficiently. Avoid reinventing the wheel.

Dive deeper into Rishi’s strategies, insights, and actionable advice for entrepreneurs - check out the full podcast episode HERE.?

Episode 186

Michael Greenberg Shares How a '3rd Brain' Boosts Operations

Meet Michael Greenberg , founder of 3rd Brain , a cutting-edge digital operations company revolutionizing how businesses leverage technology for growth. With a career spanning AI, automation, and growth consulting, Michael’s entrepreneurial journey is packed with invaluable insights for any business leader aiming to scale smarter, not harder.

Key Takeaways:

• Simple is Scalable: Michael highlights the power of simplicity in business. Start with clear, streamlined processes before diving into automation or AI.
• Swing the Axe Before the Chainsaw: Before automating, understand and master the manual process. It ensures clarity, efficiency, and better implementation of technology.
• Adapt or Die: Businesses stuck in outdated mindsets or resistant to tech adoption risk falling behind. Embrace technology, but don't skip the foundational work of documentation and strategy.

Expert Recommendations and Resources:

• Digital Operations Playbook: Michael offers a comprehensive resource for businesses aiming to modernize their workflows. Check it out at DigitalOpsPlaybook.com.
• Go High Level: A recommended tool for marketing automation—great for businesses with a solid workflow foundation.

Scale your operations and future-proof your business! Check out the full podcast episode HERE.?

Episode 187

Mastering Soft Skills for Success with Evgeniy Kharam

Evgeniy Kharam is a cybersecurity expert, author of Architecting Success, and the founder of SoftSkillsTech.com. With decades of experience bridging technical expertise and human connection, Evgeniy has mastered the art of blending soft skills with professional excellence to transform not only careers but lives.

Key Takeaways:

• Soft Skills Are the Secret Sauce: Evgeniy emphasizes that no matter how technically skilled you are, success often hinges on your ability to connect with people. From slowing down your speech to using metaphors that resonate, communication is a critical bridge to influence.
• Overcoming Fear is a Learnable Skill: Fear and excitement exist on the same spectrum. Learn to reframe fear into excitement by breathing techniques like box breathing (used by Navy SEALs) or simply focusing on the positive unknowns. Fear is a sign you care, so use it to your advantage.
• Adaptability is Everything: Whether it's communicating with diverse audiences, adjusting to Zoom interactions, or tailoring your sales pitch, flexibility in approach leads to stronger connections and greater results.

Expert Recommendations & Resources

• Book: Architecting Success by Evgeniy Kharam – A practical guide for mastering communication and unlocking potential.
• Technique: Box Breathing – A simple and powerful tool for managing anxiety and staying focused.
• Person to Follow: Robert Herjavec (Shark Tank star) – Evgeniy credits part of his journey to working with Robert’s organization.

Check out the full podcast episode HERE.?

Episode 188

Andy Crestodina Reveals Secrets to Building an $8 Million Business Without Ads

Andy Crestodina , co-founder and CMO of Orbit Media Studios , has grown his web development and optimization agency to $8 million in annual revenue—all without running ads. Starting with just two founders in 2001, Orbit Media now boasts a 55-person team, long-tenured employees, and award-winning projects.

Key Takeaways:

• Laser Focus Pays Off: Orbit Media sticks to what it does best—web development and optimization. By narrowing their scope, they've built deep expertise and avoided the pitfalls of trying to do too much.
• Content Marketing is King: Andy emphasizes creating value through content. Whether it's the annual blogger survey or insightful resources, his strategy revolves around educating and serving the community, leading to natural growth and authority.
• Hire to Fill Your Gaps: Recognizing his limitations, Andy brought in a professional CEO to streamline operations, freeing him to focus on marketing and content. “Find people who are better at doing the critical business functions than you are,” he advises.

Expert Recommendations and Resources:

• Books: Content Chemistry by Andy Crestodina (7th Edition) – a must-read for practical content marketing strategies.
• Technologies: Google Analytics 4 (GA4) – critical for measuring website performance and optimizing landing pages.
• Tips: Audit your landing pages using AI-driven prompts to identify gaps and improve conversion rates.

Check out the full podcast episode HERE!?

Up Next on Never Been Promoted...

• Boosting Your Brand on LinkedIn with Brenda Meller??
• Empowering Patients Through Direct Primary Care with Monica McKitterick-Smith
• Building Trust in Pet Grooming with Aaryn Mistrot
• Bringing ReboundTAG to the World: Sheldon Scipio on Smart Luggage Solutions
• Embracing Fearless Creativity with Sean McKnight

Serious About Growing Your Business With LinkedIn?

?? DM: Thomas HelfrichChris Abdey - Certified Life Coach | Procrastination | Time Management

?? Email: Send your inquiries to [email protected]

??? Schedule a Chat: Book a time via CALENDLY

Instantly Relevant: https://www.instantlyrelevant.com

Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your business and mindset. Let's soar to new heights together!

CONNECT WITH NEVER BEEN PROMOTED:

LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/never-been-promoted

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@neverbeenpromoted

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neverbeenpromoted

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/NevBeenPromoted

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@neverbeenpromoted

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverbeenpromoted

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neverbeenpromoted

Website: www.neverbeenpromoted.com

Podcast available on all platforms!

Apple

Spotify

Google