Networking and Marketing Made Simple

When people ask me how I generate leads on LinkedIn, they often expect me to talk about searching for prospects and sending connection requests. In this episode, I’m covering three other ways I use LinkedIn to find people who have already engaged with my content.I’ll walk you through how I use polls in relevant LinkedIn groups, review who voted, and connect with people who fit my ideal client or business ally profile. I’ll also explain how I browse my LinkedIn newsletter subscribers and reach out to people I’m not connected with yet.Finally, I’ll show you how I follow up with first-degree connections who vote in polls on my personal profile. Because we’re already connected, I can reference the poll in a direct message and use it as a natural way to restart a conversation.These are three activities you can work into your weekly LinkedIn routine. Listen in for the steps I use and examples of the short, personalized messages I send.Optimize Your Profile Free Guide: I’ve also put together a step-by-step guide to optimizing your LinkedIn profile. You can download it using the link in this episode’s description.https://www.thetimetogrow.com/ecsoptimizeyourprofile

Stephen Somers is the founder of Marketplace SuperHeroes, a leading online education company that has helped over 10,000 people build side incomes selling on platforms like Amazon and Whatnot. Before launching the business, Stephen worked as a data processor in a 9-5 cubicle in Dublin, Ireland. After a lot of trial and error, he built a multi-seven-figure Amazon business from scratch, an experience that led him to create Marketplace SuperHeroes. Alongside his sister and CEO, Lisa Somers, he's a seven-time Two Comma Club Award winner, Two Comma Club X Award winner, and ClickBank Platinum Partner, with the two of them generating over $35 million in revenue together.Connect with Stephen here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/somersstephen/https://www.facebook.com/stevosomershttps://www.instagram.com/stephenjsomers/https://marketplacesuperheroes.com/startDon't forget to register for my FREE LinkedIn Sales Workshop here: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/YourLinkedInSalesSystem

Sara Vezensek walked away from a six-figure career on luxury superyachts to build a business entirely on her own terms, because strategy delivers logical results, but it's the unconventional approach that creates an extraordinary life for her and every client she works with. In her first year, she closed $100K in sales in just 30 days. Now she's a Quantum Strategist & Business Architect who helps CEOs escape the delivery-heavy, founder-dependent model that's keeping them capped and burned out. Sara specializes in packaging your genius into scalable offers, elevating your client experience, and creating a freedom-based business while playing in the quantum field! Connect with Sara Here: https://www.saravezcoach.com/Don't forget to sign up for my FREE LinkedIn Sales System Workshop here:https://www.thetimetogrow.com/YourLinkedInSalesSystem

Vadim Voss is the founder of Next Level DeFi, where he's personally coached over 440 students to earn income from decentralized finance without gambling on tokens.His path there was expensive. Vadim moved from Belarus to Brooklyn at 11 with $100 in his pocket, built businesses across four countries, then lost nearly everything twice: once to a bank that used his deposits to bail itself out, and once to a crypto team that rugged and walked off with his funds. Both failures taught him the same lesson. If you don't hold the keys, you don't own the money.Today he teaches regular people to become the house instead of the gambler: providing liquidity into trustworthy DEXes, collecting fees on the traders' activity, and earning returns that run well ahead of the bank. His HOUSE Method™ has one filter for every move: it all works if you work it, as long as the numbers make sense.Connect with Vadim here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadim-voss/https://nextleveldefi.com/homeDon't forget to learn about our Expert Authority Mastermind here: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/expertauthority

About Maria VorovichMaria Vorovich is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of GoodQues, the “anti-research” research company she launched in 2019 to rid market research of its biggest blind spot: a lack of creativity. Under her leadership, GoodQues has doubled revenue year over year for three consecutive years, earned a spot on Inc. Magazine’s list of America’s fastest-growing companies (2023), and was named a top global market research firm by StartupPill (2020, 2021), all while partnering with Fortune 500 brands including P&G, PepsiCo, Adobe, and Pernod Ricard.Maria has redefined her own role from standard CSO to “Data Storyteller,” replacing the industry’s 100-page decks with insights that are vivid, action-oriented, and built to be shared across an entire organization. An early adopter of AI in market research, Maria has integrated machine superpowers into every stage of GoodQues' process. This includes methodology development and data analysis to the outputs themselves, which allow for creative and unexpected deliverables like podcasts and cinematic highlight reels, instead of the industry standard 100-page decks."She has become a sought-after voice on the future of AI in research, speaking at SXSW, lecturing at Columbia, and contributing editorially on where the industry goes next.Before GoodQues, she honed her craft at Grey and as Chief Strategy Officer at Air Paris, launching and repositioning brands such as CoverGirl, Marriott, Kiehl’s, and McCormick, work recognized by Effie, Cannes Lions, and Clio awards. A pioneer of human-centric research design (from in-survey meditation to moderator casting), she continues to push the field toward work that is both more dynamic and rigorous.About Holland MartiniHolland Martini is the co-founder and Chief Insights Officer of GoodQues, where she has built a career proving that data, applied creatively, can grow companies and move culture. A pioneer in fusing empathetic methodology with emerging technology, Holland was among the first in her field to put AI to practical use. Since 2020, she has architected GoodQues' breakthrough tool "smart qual," which blends human and machine analysis, and AI-driven consumer personas.Her early, hands-on work building these tools has made her a recognized thought leader on applied AI in insights. She has been the go-to insights consultant for brands including Pfizer, McCormick, and AARP, and has evolved her own role from Chief Data Analyst into the “Voice of the Consumer,” ensuring every output helps brands connect more meaningfully with the people they serve. Her work and perspective have been featured across Inc., Adweek, Business Insider, and SXSW.Outside the boardroom, Holland is a seven-time global marathon runner immersed in NYC’s international running community, and a part-time welder specializing in ceramic and wrought-iron design.Get in touch with them here: https://www.goodques.com/Don't forget to register for our upcoming LinkedIn Workshop from September 28th to October 2nd here: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/AtoEonLinkedinWorkshop

John W. Munsell is the CEO of Bizzuka, author of "INGRAIN AI: Strategy Through Execution" and the creator of the AI Strategy Canvas® and Scalable Prompt Engineering™ frameworks. These frameworks help companies scale AI effectively and efficiently across all departments. Most companies lack a unified approach, resulting in a lack of ability to share knowledge or scale expertise. John’s proven frameworks solve this problem by providing every team member with a common foundational understanding of AI, from strategy development all the way through tactical execution. The result is a workplace where people actually want to use AI and spread their enthusiasm and expertise throughout the organization.Connect with John here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwmunsell/https://www.facebook.com/bizzukahttps://www.instagram.com/bizzuka_inc/https://www.bizzuka.comDon't forget to sign up for our limited-space LinkedIn 5-Day Workshop from Sept 28th to Oct 2nd here: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/AtoEonLinkedinWorkshop

About Mark: They call me the Event Maestro. Here's why that matters to you.Your last event was a success. Yet, you left a fortune on the table. The feedback was great. The room was full. And still — the mission didn't accelerate the way it could have. Not because the event failed. Because no one showed you what the room was actually capable of. For one brief window, you had your investors, donors, board members, team and community leaders in a single space. Most leaders use that moment to share updates and deepen connections.The “Event Maestro” uses that moment to activate these stakeholders. Investors who came to observe - write a big check. Donors who increase their giving without being asked. Board members who become more cooperative. Sponsors who witnessed your culture and expanded their commitment on the spot. That's not a better agenda. That's a gathering engineered to turn your mission into a movement. For 30 years, I've been in the business of turning audiences into believers — and believers into buyers.I've strategized 900+ events over three decades. I help Impact CEOs activate stakeholder engagement through immersive experiences that don't just captivate rooms — they move people to act, lead and invest. As Co-Founder of BigImpactHQ, my wife Shannon and I have trained over 3,000 leaders to harness the power of speaking and live events. Our "Speak Your Path to Cash" System has generated more than $150M in revenue for our clients and landed them on stages most people only dream about — Tony Robbins, TED Talks, CNN, The View, Brendan Burchard, Mama Gena, and more. Before BigImpactHQ, I spent years as a Senior Branding Strategist for Clear Channel, writing 1,100+ radio ads and campaigns for Porsche, Harley-Davidson, AFLAC, and Marriott. That background wired me to think in messages that cut through noise and land with precision. I've shared stages with Jack Canfield, Robert Kiyosaki, Les Brown, and others — not just because I'm a good speaker, but because I understand the science of influence and the art of transformation. My work sits at the intersection of conscious leadership, transformational influence, and the inner game of business success. I help companies live from their higher purpose, build conscious cultures, and follow the principles of Conscious Capitalism — because mission-driven businesses outperform, period.Connect with him here: www.MAGspeaks.comDon't forget to register for our limited-space 5-day LinkedIn workshop here: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/AtoEonLinkedinWorkshop

Angela Mulrooney is known as The Arsonist.She is a former dentist turned serial entrepreneur who helps highly accomplished professionals burn down identities, systems, and business models that no longer serve them, and rebuild something they actually own.She has built five companies across industries including dentistry, movement and performance, media, personal branding, and AI.Each company emerged from evolution and was designed around a deep understanding of human behavior, untapped potential, and strategic simplicity.Today, Angela helps seasoned professionals turn their life’s work into intellectual property, influence, and scalable assets.Personal branding is the core engine, not for self-promotion, but for credibility, visibility, and long-term leverage in an AI-disrupted world.Through her work, clients stop renting their expertise and start owning it.They build lean, profitable companies that reflect who they are, protect their value, and create impact on their own terms.Connect with Dr. Angela here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelamulrooney/If you're accomplished, underleveraged, and ready to stop building on someone else's platform, start with The Relevance Quiz to find out where your genius is sitting untapped: https://quiz.unleashinginfluence.com/trqDon't forget to sign up for our 5-Day LinkedIn Workshop here: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/AtoEonLinkedinWorkshop

Jim Padilla is the founder and CEO of Gain The Edge - a done-for-you provider of industry-leading sales systems and unicorn sales professionals, which he co-heads with his wife and entrepreneurial partner-in-crime, Cyndi Padilla. Through their unique blend of laser-targeted selling systems, inspirational team-building expertise, and 60+ years of combined sales experience, Jim and his wife have generated over 1/4bn in sales for a long line of high-level, visionary entrepreneurs. Jim’s mission is to help purpose-driven thought leaders untangle themselves from the day-to-day minutiae of seeking leads and sales for their business so they’re free to amplify their impact.When Jim’s not making dollars rain down from the sky, you’ll regularly find him at the driving range - hitting a bucket of balls. Jim credits his time on the driving range as the main source of his best ideas.That…and spending time with his 3 grandsons…and exploring his new home state of Tennessee alongside his wife, Cyndi. 💯 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨:💯👔Create a business that is designed to generate revenue at scale?👔Count on predictable revenue month after month👔Get out of being the only one who can generate sales.👔Create compelling offers that clients are happy to pay for𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁!💻 https://connectwithjim.com/📱 Call Jenny, my AI voice assistant, to speak with me ‪(737) 215-4182Interested in leveraging LinkedIn to grow your business? Sign up for our Amateur to Expert LinkedIn workshop here: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/AtoEonLinkedinWorkshop

Matthew Fornaro provides practical, strategic legal guidance for businesses across South Florida. With over 20 years of experience, he helps entrepreneurs, startups, and established companies manage contracts, disputes, and risk—clearly and efficiently.Connect with Matt here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewfornaro/https://www.facebook.com/fornarolegalhttps://www.instagram.com/fornaro_legal/fornarolegal.com Don't forget to take our FREE LinkedIn Thought-Leadership Scorecard here: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/ecs-scorecard

What if you could legally reduce your tax bill by 25–50% and put more of your hard-earned money toward building wealth?In this episode of Networking and Marketing Made Simple, I sit down with Ethan from Exponential Freedom to discuss how high-income earners and business owners can use strategic tax planning to keep more of what they earn.Ethan shares his journey from traditional financial advising into the world of tax optimization and explains why finding the right CPA or tax attorney should often come before choosing a financial advisor. We also explore how having the right team of financial, tax, and legal experts working together can completely change your approach to wealth building.During our conversation, Ethan breaks down several tax strategies, including energy credits and battery investment programs, that may help qualified individuals reduce current tax liabilities, potentially recover past tax payments, and create additional opportunities for tax-advantaged growth.Most importantly, this conversation is about being proactive rather than simply accepting your tax bill as something you cannot control. Ethan explains how Exponential Freedom approaches tax planning legally and ethically while helping clients uncover opportunities they may not have known existed.We also talk about Ethan's definition of success: creating the freedom to achieve what you truly want out of life.If you're a high-income earner, entrepreneur, or business owner looking for smarter ways to approach taxes and wealth creation, this is an episode you'll want to hear.Learn more about Ethan and Exponential Freedom at TheExponentialFreedom.com.Don't forget to take our 3-minute LinkedIn Thought Leadership Scorecard here: https://www.thetimetogrow.com/ecs-scorecard

Charles Stovall is a seasoned Franchise Advisor and consultant dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of business ownership. With a career rooted in identifying the perfect "franchise fit," Charles leverages his deep industry knowledge to guide candidates through the selection process, ensuring they find opportunities that align with their professional goals and lifestyle aspirations.As a franchise consultant, he brings a wealth of practical experience to the table, offering a strategic approach to franchise investing. His expertise is built on a foundation of professional advocacy, where he serves as a bridge between high-potential candidates and world-class franchise brands. Whether he is consulting one-on-one or speaking to larger audiences, Charles is passionate about empowering others to achieve financial independence through proven business models.Outside of his consulting work, Charles is a devoted family man and an active member of his community in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. An avid golfer and automotive enthusiast, he often balances his professional life with his love for the outdoors—whether he’s on the golf course or planning the next family ski trip.To learn more about his work or to book him for an event, visit his websites:www.charlesstovall.comwww.charlesstovall.com/speaking

About James HaydenI’ve generated over $1B in revenue across SaaS, marketplaces, and enterprise services — and built first revenues for companies from zero across 140+ engagements.Book a Free 30-Min GTM Diagnostic →I build go-to-market engines for B2B companies that drive lasting revenue. Over 38 years, I’ve transformed sales teams, opened new markets, and created new revenue streams for more than 140 companies. I serve as a multi-company advisor to US enterprises, the government of New Zealand, and several Central American governments.My client and employer roster spans enterprise technology, SaaS, hospitality, automotive, and government sectors across four continents:Enterprise & Technology: Microsoft, Oracle, Cendant, TravelClick (acquired by Amadeus), Zipwhip (acquired by Twilio for $850M), Zumobi, Uniken, RESAAS, LodgIQ, FingermarkAutomotive: Ford, GM, Stellantis, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Lexus, KiaMedia & Partnerships: MSNBC, StarbucksGovernment & Trade: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), Government of Costa Rica, Government of GuatemalaStartups & Ventures: Hotelscan (successful exit), Ortega Expansion Consulting, Hayden Marketing Inc., Dignity For DivasWhen I took over TravelClick’s lowest-performing division, it ranked last out of four. Within a year, I turned it into the company’s top-performing unit — a turnaround that directly contributed to the company’s successful exit. If your sales org needs a reset, this is the kind of result I deliver.I was a founding member of Hotelscan, where I built over 140 partnerships from scratch. That groundwork drove the company to a successful exit in 2019. I know what it takes to build revenue from zero — because I’ve done it repeatedly.I learned to sell young — door-to-door as a kid — and never stopped refining the craft. My methodology is built on decades of real-world results, not theory. I wrote Adapt or DIE to share the approach that has driven my results, available in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook.Don't forget to check our Expert Content Society LinkedIn Content Community here:https://www.thetimetogrow.com/expert-content-society