Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

Hosted by Trudy Rankin

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

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60 recent

August 11, 202634 min

Why Being Invisible Online Is Costing You More Than You Think with Ange Dove

For years, Ange Dove ran a successful copywriting agency in Singapore with no website that had her name on it, her photo on it, or any trace of her online. "I had no visibility whatsoever," she says. Then a coach gave her one blunt instruction — Google yourself — and what she found (nothing) changed how she thought about her business for good. Ange has run her own business from Singapore for more than twenty years, first as founder of a copywriting agency serving multinational companies, and now as a coach helping business owners build the visibility she once avoided entirely. She's also the host of her own podcast and YouTube channel — a full turnaround from someone who once needed a whole afternoon to record a 30-second video. We Also Talked About How a competitor's decision to close her business after 10 years in the same industry made the shift feel suddenly real for Ange. Why "people buy from people, not companies" cost Ange work for years without her realizing it. The line from a coach — "it's not about you, it's about who you serve" — that changed how Ange thinks about showing up online. How a 21-day group challenge got Ange comfortable on camera, and why doing it alongside others made the difference. A simple trick for talking to a camera lens without it feeling like talking to nobody. Why Ange thinks older generations may be more addicted to social media than the younger ones now pulling away from it. How repeated waves of technology — Google, content marketing, and now AI — forced Ange to keep reinventing her business model. Want this kind of practical, expert help every week — before your competitors do? Get tips and strategies for growing your business delivered straight to your inbox: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter Resources Mentioned Ange Dove's website: https://angedove.com Ange's 12-week personal branding challenge: https://coach.angedove.com/aa12 Scrivener (the writing software Ange used to build her copywriting business): https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview My newsletter is for people who want to build a real income from home — practical, doable ideas each week for creating a better life for you and your family, without the overwhelm: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 28, 202645 min

AI Is a Toddler With Crayons - How to Rein It In and Put It to Work with Dan Kurtz

Chosen episode title: AI Is a Toddler With Crayons: How to Rein It In and Put It to Work You don't expect a digital marketer to say this out loud: "Let's call cold email what it is. It's spam. It's B2B spam." But Dan Kurtz has spent twenty years learning exactly where the line sits between marketing that works and marketing that gets you deleted — and these days he's building AI systems that let one person do the work of ten, without crossing it. Dan started out getting mom-and-pop shops found online, scaled his skills across a 300-location national fitness franchise, and did stints inside Nielsen and Microsoft Bing before founding Miss Pepper AI, where he builds marketing automation and AI-driven sales systems for businesses. We Also Talked About Why your Google Business Profile only ranks if your website mirrors it, with pages for every service and area you claim. How a modest press release can land a local business in Google's AI answer boxes. What "black hat" actually means, and the irony Dan spotted at a major SEO conference. The permission gates that keep automated outreach on the right side of spam — and the law. Using AI as an "assembly line worker" instead of a creative that veers off the path. Why Dan starts every automation project with the most overworked employee in the building, stopwatch in hand. How to bring managers on board by showing them productivity, not problems. Who gets replaced and who gets promoted when AI arrives — the line-worker-to-plant-manager shift. Dan's advice for employees: use AI to optimise your own work first, and become the use case. Want this kind of practical, expert help every week — before your competitors do? Get tips and strategies for growing your business delivered straight to your inbox: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter Resources Mentioned Miss Pepper AI — https://misspepper.ai/ Dan Kurtz on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtzdan/ Linchpin by Seth Godin (affiliate link) Pipedream (secure integration platform) — https://pipedream.com/ My newsletter is for people who want to build a real income from home — practical, doable ideas each week for creating a better life for you and your family, without the overwhelm: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 15, 202640 min

The Two Questions That Take the Guesswork Out of Pricing with Per Sjofors

“Your price selects your customers.” That one line from Per Sjofors stopped me in my tracks. Per — known as The Price Whisperer, a name he didn’t even give himself — has spent years running pricing experiments across companies in four countries. Some sent revenues up 30% in a quarter. Others were complete disasters. And that’s exactly why he says small businesses shouldn’t run pricing experiments at all — there’s a smarter way. Per has been the CEO of multiple companies across the US, the UK, Switzerland and Sweden, and his secret sauce is applying behavioral science to pricing and go-to-market strategy. He’s also the best-selling author of The Price Whisperer: A Holistic Approach to Pricing Power . We Also Talked About Why everything your business does — marketing, messaging, targeting — affects what you can charge. The two exact questions to ask 50 potential customers to find your pricing range. Why copying competitors’ prices means following someone else’s guess. Why cost-plus pricing ignores the only thing that matters: what buyers think it’s worth. The pricing-page mistake that preconditions customers to think you’re expensive. Why you should always present a proposal rather than just sending it — and what to say when a client insists you just email it through. How price anchoring works, from a Thai restaurant menu to Apple’s $17,000 watch. Why raising your prices can attract better customers and slash support costs. Want this kind of practical, expert help every week — before your competitors do? Get tips and strategies for growing your business delivered straight to your inbox: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter Resources Mentioned Per’s book, The Price Whisperer: A Holistic Approach to Pricing Power (affiliate link) Per’s company, Sjöfors & Partners — https://sjofors.com Per’s YouTube channel — https://www.youtube.com/@thepricewhisperer My newsletter is for people who want to build a real income from home — practical, doable ideas each week for creating a better life for you and your family, without the overwhelm: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 1, 202642 min

The One Thing ChatGPT Can’t Do for Your Business with Sara Lohse

“I don’t have a story.” Sara Lohse hears those words almost every day, and she doesn’t buy it for a second. Her proof? A spot on one of the biggest finance shows around — landed by offering to tell the story of a regrettable tattoo she got on holiday in Ireland. As Sara puts it, “you don’t need to have that massive story. You just need to tell it to people in a way that connects with them.” This episode is about finding, and finally telling, the stories you’ve been sitting on. Sara is a podcast producer and strategist, and the founder of Branded Media and Favorite Daughter Media. She started in advertising, landed in wealth management where she was handed a podcast and told she was now the executive producer, and fell so hard for the medium she went all in — now helping everyone from wealth managers to solo creators use podcasting and storytelling as genuine marketing tools. We Also Talked About Why “I don’t have a story” is almost always false — and how to spot the story you should tell first. The “use your outside voice” test for finding a podcast topic you’ll never run out of steam on. Why we’re not short on information anymore — we’re short on connection, the one thing AI can’t fake. The counterintuitive trick of giving away the ending up front, and why it works especially well for ADHD brains. What podcast monetization really looks like — and why “return on impact” beats “return on investment.” The reframe that turns 20 downloads from an empty stadium into a crowded living room. How short-form video and long-form audio feed each other, and why your face on screen builds the trust that sells. Want this kind of practical, expert help every week — before your competitors do? Get tips and strategies for growing your business delivered straight to your inbox: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter Resources Mentioned openthisjournal.com — Sara’s hub: download her storytelling journal exercises free, grab the book, and find her socials and calendar. Open This Book: The Art of Storytelling for Aspiring Thought Leaders (affiliate link) – Sara’s book Branded Media — Sara’s podcast production company. Favorite Daughter Media — Sara’s strategic podcast guesting company. Podmatch (affiliate link) — the guest-matching tool Trudy uses (and how she found Sara). Descript (affiliate link) — the tool Trudy uses to transcribe and edit episodes. My newsletter is for people who want to build a real income from home — practical, doable ideas each week for creating a better life for you and your family, without the overwhelm: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 18, 202634 min

Why Human Stories Are Winning in a World of AI Content with Travel Writer Lindy Alexander

"I had no idea that even existed. I didn't even know that you could do that. What a dream job!" When Lindy Alexander first discovered that travel writers could be flown around the world to write about their experiences, it opened a door she never knew existed. But her journey into travel writing didn't begin with exotic destinations. It started much closer to home, with a curiosity about writing, a willingness to learn, and a determination to create a flexible career that fit around family life. In this episode, Lindy shares what it really takes to break into travel writing, why human stories matter more than ever in the age of AI, and what she learned from launching her own podcast. Lindy Alexander is an award-winning freelance writer, travel writer, educator, and founder of The Travel Writer Accelerator. After spending a decade as a social worker and completing a PhD, she transitioned into freelance writing and built a successful career writing for major publications while helping aspiring travel writers get published. Through her courses, coaching, newsletter, and podcast, she helps writers develop the skills and confidence needed to land regular commissions. We Also Talked About How Lindy transitioned from social work into a full-time freelance writing career. Why travel writing is about much more than exotic destinations. The surprising opportunities that emerged for travel writers during the pandemic. Why human experiences are becoming more valuable as AI-generated content increases. The thinking behind launching her new podcast, Inside Travel Writing . The benefits of creating short, practical podcast episodes. How podcasting helps build trust and authority with an audience. The role AI can play in research, editing, and idea generation—and where it falls short. Why reading the publications you want to write for is still one of the most important success factors. What editors are really looking for when evaluating story pitches. The difference between a great experience and a great story. How The Travel Writer Accelerator helps writers get their first commissions and build long-term careers. If you've ever wondered whether freelance writing or travel writing could become part of your business or income strategy, this episode is packed with practical insights and encouragement. Listen now and discover how small steps, consistent effort, and strong storytelling can open unexpected opportunities. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED Lindy's Website https://www.lindyalexander.net/ The Freelancer's Year https://thefreelancersyear.com/ Inside Travel Writing Podcast https://thefreelancersyear.com/podcast/ Travel Writer Accelerator https://thefreelancersyear.com/ Instagram – Lindy Alexander Writer https://www.instagram.com/lindyalexanderwriter/ Instagram – The Freelancer's Year https://www.instagram.com/thefreelancersyear/ Publications Mentioned BBC Travel https://www.bbc.com/travel National Geographic Travel https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/ Condé Nast Traveler https://www.cntraveler.com/ Lindy mentions that writers who have completed her travel writing training have gone on to secure publication opportunities with outlets including BBC Travel, National Geographic Travel, and Condé Nast Traveler. Tools Mentioned Claude https://claude.ai ChatGPT https://chatgpt.com Airtable https://www.airtable.com My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 26, 202635 min

Self-Publishing Success: A Practical Guide for Aspiring Authors with Dr Rhonda Lawson

“If you want to write a book in five minutes, I’m not the coach for you.” That strong declaration from Dr. Rhonda Lawson sets the tone for an enlightening and refreshingly honest conversation about authorship. In this episode, Rhonda shares what it truly takes to write, publish, and promote a successful book. From navigating self-publishing to leveraging AI responsibly, this discussion offers practical insights and inspiration for anyone ready to turn their ideas into impact. Dr. Rhonda Lawson is a literary strategist, author, and founder of Meet the World Image Solutions. With a background as an Army journalist and public affairs professional, she combines storytelling, marketing expertise, and modern technology to help writers publish and promote their work. She has authored multiple novels and anthologies, empowering aspiring authors to bring their stories to life. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT The differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing—and how to choose the right path. Why writing a book is only half the journey and marketing is essential for success. Practical strategies for promoting a book through events, social media, and targeted outreach. How to plan successful book signings that attract the right audience. The importance of identifying and understanding your ideal readers. Designing professional book covers and formatting for a polished final product. The role of AI in organizing ideas, editing manuscripts, and enhancing productivity. Why authenticity and human creativity remain essential in the writing process. Tools and platforms that help authors streamline content creation and promotion. How storytelling can build credibility and support business growth. Enjoyed this episode? Tune in to hear Dr. Rhonda Lawson share expert insights on writing, publishing, and marketing your book. Subscribe to the Online Business Launchpad Podcast so you never miss an episode. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED Meet the World Image Solutions: https://mtwimagesolutions.com Canva: https://www.canva.com Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): https://kdp.amazon.com Find great podcast guests: PodMatch ( affiliate link ) Content 360 (social media scheduling platform) - https://get.content360.io/ Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Substack My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 12, 202641 min

Finding Clients as a Writer in the Age of AI with Emily Aborn

“It doesn't have any friction with the real world. It doesn't have the contact with the real world that we do, you know, to like immerse ourselves in experience.” That’s how Emily Aborn describes the difference between AI and human writers — and it perfectly sets the tone for this conversation. If you’ve been wondering how freelance writers (or anyone who uses their words to make a living) can continue finding clients in today’s economy, this episode is for you. We talk about what’s actually working right now — from collaborations and in-person networking to brand cohesion and creating a client experience people can’t stop talking about. This isn’t hype. It’s practical strategy grounded in lived experience. Emily Aborn has been running her copywriting business since 2018, though writing has always been the undercurrent of her life. She works with entrepreneurs and small businesses to create clear, compelling messaging that reflects who they truly are. Beyond writing, she’s deeply focused on community, collaboration, and building long-term business relationships that lead to sustainable growth. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT Why collaboration is one of the most powerful (and underused) growth strategies for service providers How in-person connections can lead to unexpected opportunities and referrals The importance of cohesion between your online presence and your real-world personality How Pinterest can become a long-term traffic driver when used strategically Why your client experience is your most reliable marketing asset The role AI can play — and where it still falls short If you’re building a business using your expertise, your creativity, and your words — this conversation will give you practical ways to strengthen your visibility and client pipeline. Tune in to hear the full discussion. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED Emily Aborn’s podcast: Small Business Casual Pinterest (as a long-term content strategy platform) LinkedIn (for conversations and professional visibility) My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 28, 202645 min

Turn Facebook Clicks Into Clients Faster with Neil Shoney

Neil Shoney’s origin story is the kind that makes you sit up straight: six months into launching a major fitness exhibition, he had sold less than 50 tickets, while already committed to over 200,000 pounds of outgoings at 21 years old. Facebook ads were a last-ditch roll of the dice, but after spending around 110 pounds and seeing ticket sales come in, everything clicked. “So if I keep putting that money back in. I can almost choose how many people I want to to be at the show.” This episode is a practical, confidence-building look at ads that actually lead somewhere. Neil Shoney is a Facebook and Instagram ads strategist who has worked with just short of 3000 service-based businesses. He focuses on building repeatable ad frameworks that get people into a system designed to turn a click into a client, rather than chasing vanity metrics. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT Why the most important part of ads is where you send people after they click, and whether your system can convert that click into a client. Neil’s standard for a system: he is not interested if it cannot take a stranger to a client in under seven days. Why small businesses do not need to spend money on brand awareness like major consumer brands. Using lead magnets to collect name, email address, and phone number, with the goal of getting clients and also growing the list as a by-product. The thank-you page approach that can convert between 23% and 26% into booked calls. Why clear offer naming and simple messaging tends to outperform complex wording and puns on Facebook and Instagram. Using Facebook lead forms to reduce friction, and why you do not need a fancy landing page to start. A follower campaign approach: boost a simple direct-ask video, then message new followers with a short yes-or-no question to open a conversation. If you have been avoiding ads because they feel risky or confusing, this episode will give you a simpler way to think about them: build the path first, then amplify it. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED Neil on Instagram: Neil Shoney Mac Neil’s course/workshop recordings: adsandfunnels.com/course My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 14, 202639 min

From Mowing Lawns to $8M Founder with Bryan Clayton

“Like there’s this weird thing of the disappearing lawn guy… he shows up two or three times and then just drops off the face of the earth.” If you’ve ever hired a service provider who mysteriously vanished, you’ll appreciate this episode. Bryan Clayton took that exact frustration and turned it into a multi-city marketplace now used by 300,000 people every week. But this isn’t just about lawn care. It’s about systems, scale, simplicity — and why this might actually be the best time in 30 years to start a business. Bryan Clayton is the CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, the largest lawn care marketplace in the United States. Before launching GreenPal, he built a landscaping company from the ground up to $8–9 million in annual revenue and 150 employees before selling it to a national firm. He combines deep operational experience with tech-driven innovation. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT Why reliability matters more than price when building a service-based business The power of niching down to one core use case instead of trying to do everything How to manage a two-sided marketplace (customers and service providers) Why cancellation policies must balance fairness on both sides The difference between starting in an established industry vs. inventing something new Why Bryan believes this is the best time in decades to start a business How AI acts as “middle-to-middle” acceleration rather than end-to-end replacement Why founders should personally handle customer support — even years into the business If you’re building a service business — or even thinking about starting one — this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. Tune in to hear how Bryan built two businesses in completely different ways — and why simplicity, customer feedback and systems thinking made all the difference. And if you want to stay updated on future episodes: Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED GreenPal – https://www.greenpal.com/ Bryan Clayton on LinkedIn My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 1, 202634 min

From SEO to GEO - How to Stay Visible in an AI-Driven World with Expert Jared Bauman

Jared Bauman didn’t expect to compete for his own name online. But when a state representative with the exact same name started appearing everywhere in search results, it forced him to confront something bigger: search engines — and now AI tools — don’t guess who you are. They connect dots. And if your digital presence isn’t clearly connected, someone else may become the “expert” instead. In this episode, we take a calm, strategic look at how search is evolving from traditional SEO into what Jared calls “GEO” — Generative Engine Optimization — and what that means for solopreneurs and small business owners who want to remain visible in an AI-first world. No panic. No hype. Just clarity. Jared Bauman is the founder of 201 Creative, a marketing agency specializing in SEO and emerging AI search optimization strategies. He’s also the host of the Niche Pursuits podcast and has been an entrepreneur for more than 25 years, building and selling multiple businesses. As AI began reshaping search behavior, Jared studied the data, adapted his agency, and developed practical frameworks to help businesses stay visible and credible. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT Why SEO isn’t dead — it’s evolving. What “Generative Engine Optimization” (GEO) actually means. The shift from focusing on keywords to focusing on entities. Why AI tools care deeply about accuracy, consistency, and freshness. How inconsistent business information erodes trust with AI systems. What schema (structured data) is — explained in plain English. Why third-party mentions and citations matter more than ever. The danger of “set it and forget it” websites. What a GEO Snapshot Audit reveals about your visibility gaps. CALL TO ACTION If you want your business to be recommended — not overlooked — in an AI-driven search landscape, this episode is essential listening. Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations that help you grow the online side of your business strategically and sustainably. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED 201 Creative Website - https://201creative.com/ GEO Snapshot Audit (free audit discussed in the episode) - https://201creative.com/geo-snapshot/ Niche Pursuits Podcast - https://www.nichepursuits.com/category/podcasts/ Jared Bauman on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredbauman/ My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.