The Productive Insights Podcast is for independent professionals who want to become the obvious choice in their field. That's lawyers, doctors, consultants, advisers and other experts who run their own practice. Host Ash Roy is a CPA with an MBA who helps independent professionals build authority so they attract high-quality clients who pay their full fees without haggling. He does this through content marketing: a podcast, YouTube videos, and AI that turns every episode into LinkedIn posts, short clips and newsletters. Since 2015 Ash has talked with guests including Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, James Clear, Neil Patel, Rand Fishkin, Brian Tracy, Derek Sivers and Amy Porterfield about building a business around your expertise. Show notes: https://www.productiveinsights.com/podcast Newsletter: https://www.productiveinsights.com/join Launch your own podcast with Ash: https://www.productiveinsights.com/podcaster
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November 14, 2026Episode 2894 min
289. Justin Welsh: No-BS LinkedIn Advice in 5 Minutes
Want LinkedIn advice without the fluff? I asked Justin Welsh, who built an $8 million business on LinkedIn, six rapid-fire questions. Justin hasn't missed a day of posting in two years, and with one hour a day he says to write one idea five different ways and post it once a week for five weeks. To reach people with big followings, he helps them first and never asks for a favour on first contact. The lesson works for any consultant or expert who sells what they know. Show up every morning with something useful, help people before you ask them for anything, track where every subscriber comes from, and test what works for you, because Justin says all advice is contextual, his included. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/DbItHkZf3-E Want to talk about this? Email us at team@productiveinsights.com
November 12, 2026Episode 2889 min
288. Ryan Deiss: How to Find Clients Who Are Ready to Buy Now
Want to talk about this? Email us at team@productiveinsights.com Watch Ryan on why growing revenue can sink a business: • Ryan Deiss: Why Growing Revenue Can Sink a... I asked Ryan Deiss, co-founder of DigitalMarketer and The Scalable Company, how he finds clients who are ready to buy. After 8.2 million dollars of marketing tests, his answer is that only 3 to 6% of your list is ready at any time, and pushing everyone burns out the rest. He explains how his team sells every day, but only to the people who put their hand up, and the one question that sorts them. Timestamps 0:00 Only 3 to 6% of your list is ready to buy now 0:14 The question I asked Ryan 0:31 8.2 million dollars of marketing tests 0:50 Why the funnel as we knew it is dead 2:06 It's not a funnel, it's a popcorn popper 2:55 The two mistakes marketers make 3:39 Sell every day, but only to the 3 to 6% 4:21 Ask a readiness question when people opt in 6:00 10% book, 70% show up, half buy 6:30 Send hand-raisers instead of offers 7:34 What to do if you sell your expertise 8:11 Want help with this? 🍿 WATCH NEXT: Chris Do: How Consultants Can Double Their Fees: • Chris Do: How Consultants Can Double Their... Seth Godin on Selling Your Services Without Feeling Salesy: • Seth Godin on Selling Your Services Withou... 💌 Free Weekly Productivity Insights: https://www.productiveinsights.com/ne... MY FAVOURITE TOOLS & GEAR ⏰ Thrivecart- Grow income from your existing traffic https://thrivecart.com/private-pilotp... ✍️ Shortform - My favourite place for book summaries - https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?... ⏰Rescue Time - Track your time and increase effectiveness https://www.rescuetime.com/rp/timesav... 💬TextExpander- Speed through your emails https://shareasale-analytics.com/r.cf... MY OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍 My website / blog - productiveinsights.com 🐦 Twitter -
November 5, 2026Episode 2878 min
287. Chris Do: How Consultants Can Double Their Fees
Want the worksheet that goes with this episode? Email team@productiveinsights.com with "Episode 287, three steps" in the subject line. Watch the full conversation with Chris: https://youtu.be/wmqMyJ-jW48 Ash Roy asks Chris Do how he went from charging a couple of hundred dollars an hour to 30,000 dollars for a 45-minute talk. Chris explains why he doubled his fee in one jump instead of small steps, why you name your price and let the client decide, and how event organisers judge you before they book you. It's for consultants, coaches and independent experts who know they should be charging more. Timestamps 0:00 — You don't get what you don't ask for 0:41 — From a couple of hundred an hour to 30K a talk 1:09 — Put in the reps first 1:31 — Get the worksheet for this video 1:45 — Why a following changes how buyers see you 2:47 — How the pandemic changed the negotiation 3:52 — "That's the price": name it, then ask for a deposit 4:32 — Doubling from 15K to 30K in one jump 5:33 — If you don't ask, they won't pay you more 5:40 — Bring more value than you charge 6:01 — Buyers watch you before they book you 6:56 — The three things that need to be true 7:15 — The full conversation with Chris Watch Next Ali Abdaal: How Consultants Can Get More Clients: https://youtu.be/_hkAbiYnIgI Seth Godin on Selling Your Services Without Feeling Salesy: https://youtu.be/VfX3lFTBc1Q Free Weekly Productivity Insights: https://www.productiveinsights.com/newsletter
October 26, 2026Episode 2868 min
286. Ali Abdaal: Why You're Not Getting Enough Clients
Want to talk about this? Email us at team@productiveinsights.com Watch the full conversation with Ali: https://youtu.be/O895g9gBrMw Ash Roy asks Ali Abdaal what an independent professional should do when they swing from too much client work to an empty pipeline. Ali explains his LASER method for finding the one thing that's stopping you getting clients, and the simple test that tells you whether your problem is attracting people or converting them. FREE 1-PAGE GUIDE: email team@productiveinsights.com with "Episode 286 resource" in the subject. Timestamps 0:00 — Intro: doing seven things at once 0:30 — Ali's LASER method 1:18 — L: Lifestyle first 2:01 — A: Find your area of constraint 2:57 — The 3-to-5 sales calls test 3:13 — S: The five S's 4:56 — E and R: Experiment and review 5:34 — Priorities and the 80/20 split 5:50 — The mistake: trying to do everything at once 6:19 — Ash's takeaway 6:58 — Full conversation and the free one-page guide Watch Next Seth Godin on Selling Your Services Without Feeling Salesy: https://youtu.be/VfX3lFTBc1Q These 5 Mistakes Will Destroy Your Service Business in 2026: https://youtu.be/McPmLxKu8fI Free Weekly Productivity Insights: https://www.productiveinsights.com/newsletter
October 12, 2026Episode 2858 min
285. Seth Godin on Selling Your Services Without Feeling Salesy
Ash Roy interviews bestselling author Seth Godin on why imposter syndrome is a sign of doing important work, and how to use honest tension — not pushy tactics — to sell your services, membership, or community. Timestamps 0:00 — Intro: Imposter syndrome & selling 0:23 — Ash's background & the question 0:51 — Seth: "You are an imposter — and that's a good thing" 1:19 — Why selling requires creating tension 2:06 — The law firm directory story 4:00 — How do I create tension for my membership? 4:49 — The Joe Mancuso CEO circle story 6:28 — The flu shot analogy: tension because it's true 6:43 — Ash's takeaway: tell the truth about what's at stake 7:32 — Outro & link to full conversation 🍿 WATCH NEXT: - Seth Godin Full Conversation: https://youtu.be/yKPYFcdQNnI - Fishburners CEO on startups and entrepreneurship https://youtu.be/kaT_FCCJ5zo?si=YaFBNPf25uSCzupy - Hiring The Best People: Tips to find great employees In 2024 - https://youtu.be/3dXSdnHYpyc 💌 Free Weekly Productivity Insights: https://www.productiveinsights.com/newsletter MY FAVOURITE TOOLS & GEAR 📚Kajabi- Go from creator to business https://kajabi.com/?utm_campaign=home_trial&utm_content=19224&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Ash+Roy ⏰ Thrivecart- Grow income from your existing traffic https://thrivecart.com/private-pilotprogram/?affiliate=productiveinsights ⚙️ Automation Agency - A virtual marketing tasks team https://affiliate.automationagency.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=pinsights ✍️ Shortform - My favourite place for book summaries - https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8FmFGcVNrjtTAiEtPFjyhIVlIVVhoJ9S74Ssr_K8G6Q63dYi3FAfFoeCSxz_tJahH2WLhb ⏰Rescue Time - Track your time and increase effectiveness https://www.rescuetime.com/rp/timesave/plans 💬TextExpander- Speed through your emails https://shareasale-analytics.com/r.cfm?b=1512519&u=1911347&m=81274&urllink=&afftrack=&shrsl_analytics_sscid=b1k4%5Fsdaur&shrsl_analytics_sstid=b1k4%5Fsdaur MY OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍 My website / blog - productiveinsights.com 🐦 Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/AshRoyHelps 📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/AshRoyHelps 📱 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/AshRoyHelps 👨💻 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashroyhelps/ 🎥 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AshRoyHelps WHO AM I? If we haven’t met before - Hi, I'm Ash Roy I Help High-Achieving Professionals to Turn their Ideas into secondary income streams, in weeks, not months. Embracing the journey of diversifying income streams entails prioritizing independence, flexibility, and fulfillment alongside established careers. Through my videos here on this channel, my podcast Productive Insights Podcast and via my blog, I share strategies and tools to help you find financial freedom and build a life you love. PS: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I may get a kickback from at no additional cost to you 😜
May 6, 2026Episode 28450 min
284. How Dr. Ali Abdaal Accidentally Built A $6M Business
Sign up for our upcoming workshop on how to use LinkedIn and AI to attract your ideal clients within 90 days. Happens on the 22nd of May 2026. Early bird tickets still available. Grab them before they're gone https://www.ProductiveInsights.com/workshop-may Ali Abdaal didn't plan to quit medicine or build a 6M-subscriber channel. He just wanted an extra £3,000 a month to work as a part-time doctor. Eight years later, the side project became the main thing. In this conversation, we get into what actually grows a service-based business in 2026 — without burning out or chasing every shiny tactic. The journey to financial freedom isn't easy, but it's worth it. Timestamp: 00:00 — The accidental 6M-subscriber story 01:00 — Doctor by day, YouTuber by night 03:00 — How Ali found 40 extra hours a week 06:00 — The LASER method for service businesses 13:00 — Why LinkedIn beats YouTube in 2026 17:00 — The bullseye: niching without losing clients 23:00 — Become the "AI person" for your niche 27:00 — Paper tigers and paper walls 30:00 — The 4 levels of AI tools 34:00 — Turning conversations into content 36:00 — AI, privacy & data security 45:00 — Final advice: pay the price for what you want 🍿 WATCH NEXT: - Neil Patel Story from $5 an hour to $100m a year in business - https://youtu.be/tZHLwgm6TsY - Hiring The Best People: Tips to find great employees In 2024 - https://youtu.be/3dXSdnHYpyc 💌 Free Weekly Productivity Insights: https://www.productiveinsights.com/newsletter MY FAVOURITE TOOLS & GEAR 📚Kajabi- Go from creator to business https://kajabi.com/?utm_campaign=home_trial&utm_content=19224&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Ash+Roy ⏰ Thrivecart- Grow income from your existing traffic https://thrivecart.com/private-pilotprogram/?affiliate=productiveinsights ⚙️ Automation Agency - A virtual marketing tasks team https://affiliate.automationagency.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=pinsights ✍️ Shortform - My favourite place for book summaries - https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8FmFGcVNrjtTAiEtPFjyhIVlIVVhoJ9S74Ssr_K8G6Q63dYi3FAfFoeCSxz_tJahH2WLhb ⏰Rescue Time - Track your time and increase effectiveness https://www.rescuetime.com/rp/timesave/plans 💬TextExpander- Speed through your emails https://shareasale-analytics.com/r.cfm?b=1512519&u=1911347&m=81274&urllink=&afftrack=&shrsl_analytics_sscid=b1k4%5Fsdaur&shrsl_analytics_sstid=b1k4%5Fsdaur MY OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍 My website / blog - productiveinsights.com 🐦 Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/AshRoyHelps 📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/AshRoyHelps 📱 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/AshRoyHelps 👨💻 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashroyhelps/ 🎥 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AshRoyHelps WHO AM I? If we haven’t met before - Hi, I'm Ash Roy I Help High-Achieving Professionals to Turn their Ideas into secondary income streams, in weeks, not months. Embracing the journey of diversifying income streams entails prioritizing independence, flexibility, and fulfillment alongside established careers. Through my videos here on this channel, my podcast Productive Insights Podcast and via my blog, I share strategies and tools to help you find financial freedom and build a life you love. PS: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I may get a kickback from at no additional cost to you 😜
February 16, 2026Episode 28315 min
283. The Growth Trap That Nearly Destroyed a $30M Business
Did you know your business could be growing by millions in revenue while you're actually going broke? In this eye-opening conversation, Ryan Deiss reveals how he scaled three companies to the Inc 500 list—only to have two of them completely fail. He shares the painful lesson of losing $2 million in a single month and having to lay off 180 employees just weeks before Christmas. Ryan breaks down: ✅ Why revenue growth doesn't equal business health ✅ The hidden difference between profit, cash flow, and distributable cash ✅ His "Cashflow Waterfall" system for building sustainable businesses ✅ How to stop chasing vanity metrics and start building real wealth If you're tired of the hustle culture mentality and ready to build a calm, profitable business with steady cash flow, this video is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for more insights on building sustainable businesses 💼 Join our YouTube membership for early access to full conversations ⚠️ Disclaimer: None of this should be construed as financial advice. Please consult with your own financial advisor. Timestamps: 0:00 Growing broke while revenue grows 0:27 Inc. 500 success → business collapse 1:00 Why profit matters more than revenue 1:23 The trap of vanity metrics 1:59 Distributable cash = real business health 2:54 Choosing sustainability over hustle 4:38 The $30M company that lost $2M 6:01 Cashflow Waterfall explained 7:08 Why taxes come first 8:02 Emergency fund (3–6 months) 8:55 Distribution fund strategy 10:00 Why you must pay yourself 12:08 How this connects to Profit First 12:33 Profit is a decision 13:35 Closing + next episode teaser
December 12, 2025Episode 2827 min
282. The 5 Business Mistakes I Wish I'd Fixed Sooner
Get my 9-Step Business course here: https://productiveinsights.com/9-steps 9 Step Email Framework: https://www.productiveinsights.com/su... Are you making these common business mistakes? After 12 years of working with top entrepreneurs and running my own membership program, I’ve seen the same pitfalls derail service-based businesses again and again. In this video, I’ll share the five biggest mistakes I wish I’d fixed sooner—so you can avoid them and set your business up for real success. Timestamp: 00:00 - Introduction: 5 Mistakes That Destroy Service-Based Businesses 00:35 - Mistake #1: Confusing Movement with Progress 01:41 - Mistake #2: Not Creating an Offer Early Enough 02:46 - Mistake #3: Getting Obsessed with Revenue 03:22 - Mistake #4: Trying to Scale Too Early 05:05 - Mistake #5: Not Connecting with People Ahead of You 06:12 - Final Thoughts & Next Steps 🍿 WATCH NEXT: Neil Patel Story from $5 an hour to $100m a year in business - • Neil Patel Story from $5 an hour to $100m ... Fishburners CEO on startups and entrepreneurship • Fishburners CEO on startups and entreprene... Hiring The Best People: Tips to find great employees In 2024 - • How to hire The Best People In 2024 💌 Free Weekly Productivity Insights: https://www.productiveinsights.com/ne... MY FAVOURITE TOOLS & GEAR ⏰ Thrivecart- Grow income from your existing traffic https://thrivecart.com/private-pilotp... ⚙️ Automation Agency - A virtual marketing tasks team https://affiliate.automationagency.co... ✍️ Shortform - My favourite place for book summaries - https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?... ⏰Rescue Time - Track your time and increase effectiveness https://www.rescuetime.com/rp/timesav... 💬TextExpander- Speed through your emails https://shareasale-analytics.com/r.cf... MY OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍 My website / blog - productiveinsights.com 🐦 Twitter -
November 28, 2025Episode 2815 min
281. I Met My Client at the Australia Business Show 2025
Don’t miss my special Black Friday offer—visit https://productiveinsights.com/bf25 for exclusive deals before November 2025! Join me for a behind-the-scenes look at the Sydney Business Show! Meet inspiring business owners, get insights from Clayton Navarro, and see what these events are really like. If you enjoyed this vlog, let me know in the comments and subscribe for more! Timestamp: 0:00 — Arriving at the business show 0:23 — Entering the venue 0:50 — Meeting Clayton Navarro 1:12 — Clayton on his business 1:32 — Results for clients 1:50 — Fun facts about Clayton 2:08 — Hair care & CPA milestone 2:29 — Award & humor 2:47 — Clayton’s event feedback 3:00 — Putting green & closing 3:21 — Wrap-up & call to action 3:41 — Black Friday offer & thanks 🍿 WATCH NEXT: - Neil Patel Story from $5 an hour to $100m a year in business - https://youtu.be/tZHLwgm6TsY - Fishburners CEO on startups and entrepreneurship https://youtu.be/kaT_FCCJ5zo?si=YaFBNPf25uSCzupy - Hiring The Best People: Tips to find great employees In 2024 - https://youtu.be/3dXSdnHYpyc 💌 Free Weekly Productivity Insights: https://www.productiveinsights.com/newsletter MY FAVOURITE TOOLS & GEAR ⏰ Thrivecart- Grow income from your existing traffic https://thrivecart.com/private-pilotprogram/?affiliate=productiveinsights ⚙️ Automation Agency - A virtual marketing tasks team https://affiliate.automationagency.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=pinsights ✍️ Shortform - My favourite place for book summaries - https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8FmFGcVNrjtTAiEtPFjyhIVlIVVhoJ9S74Ssr_K8G6Q63dYi3FAfFoeCSxz_tJahH2WLhb ⏰Rescue Time - Track your time and increase effectiveness https://www.rescuetime.com/rp/timesave/plans 💬TextExpander- Speed through your emails https://shareasale-analytics.com/r.cfm?b=1512519&u=1911347&m=81274&urllink=&afftrack=&shrsl_analytics_sscid=b1k4%5Fsdaur&shrsl_analytics_sstid=b1k4%5Fsdaur MY OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍 My website / blog - productiveinsights.com 🐦 Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/AshRoyHelps 📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/AshRoyHelps 📱 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/AshRoyHelps 👨💻 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashroyhelps/ 🎥 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AshRoyHelps WHO AM I? If we haven’t met before - Hi, I'm Ash Roy I Help High-Achieving Professionals to Turn their Ideas into secondary income streams, in weeks, not months. Embracing the journey of diversifying income streams entails prioritizing independence, flexibility, and fulfillment alongside established careers. Through my videos here on this channel, my podcast Productive Insights Podcast and via my blog, I share strategies and tools to help you find financial freedom and build a life you love. PS: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I may get a kickback from at no additional cost to you 😜
November 11, 2025Episode 28012 min
280. I Asked a 7 Figure Coach How to Scale in the AI Era
Join our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4AyHQoKs9H4bpfSIUbE6iA/join Productive Insights Membership: https://www.productiveinsights.com/membership In this video, I interview a 7-figure coach Olly Richards about how coaches and consultants can adapt and thrive in the AI era. Discover the impact of AI on Google search, content marketing, and email strategies, and learn why building a strong personal brand is more important than ever. Perfect for anyone looking to future-proof their business in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Timestamp: 00:00 - Introduction: Adapting to AI as a Coach or Consultant 00:21 - Meet Olly Richards: Business Model Shifts 00:42 - How AI is Changing Google Search & Content Marketing 01:04 - The Impact of ChatGPT on Online Courses 01:16 - Is Google Search Dead? 02:34 - The New Google: AI Summaries and Fewer Results 02:54 - What’s Next for SEO-Driven Businesses? 03:16 - Diversifying Beyond SEO: YouTube & Paid Ads 03:33 - The Power of Personal Brand in the AI Era 04:18 - The Growing Importance of Personal Brand 04:23 - Debating the Future of Google Search 04:41 - Pivoting to YouTube: Results & Membership Launch 05:20 - Learning from Ali Abdaal & Email Marketing 05:36 - The State of Email: Spam, Open Rates, and Clicks 05:55 - How Niche Businesses Can Still Thrive 06:14 - The Changing Landscape of Email Marketing 06:33 - Why Factory Email Marketing is Failing 08:00 - Creating a Red Carpet Experience for Email Subscribers 08:31 - Treating Email as Personal Brand Real Estate 08:56 - Earning Your Place in the Inbox 09:16 - Writing Emails Without AI 09:21 - The Process of Writing Effective Emails 10:15 - How Long Does It Take to Write an Email? 10:51 - Writing Like You Talk: Adding Personality 🍿 WATCH NEXT: - Neil Patel Story from $5 an hour to $100m a year in business - https://youtu.be/tZHLwgm6TsY - Google Search Is Broken. What AI Recommends Instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsPb7gkRTWc&t=13s - Seth Godin Conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKPYFcdQNnI 💌 Free Weekly Productivity Insights: https://www.productiveinsights.com/newsletter MY FAVOURITE TOOLS & GEAR ⏰ Thrivecart- Grow income from your existing traffic https://thrivecart.com/private-pilotprogram/?affiliate=productiveinsights ⚙️ Automation Agency - A virtual marketing tasks team https://affiliate.automationagency.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=pinsights ✍️ Shortform - My favourite place for book summaries - https://www.shortform.com/app/signup?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8FmFGcVNrjtTAiEtPFjyhIVlIVVhoJ9S74Ssr_K8G6Q63dYi3FAfFoeCSxz_tJahH2WLhb ⏰Rescue Time - Track your time and increase effectiveness https://www.rescuetime.com/rp/timesave/plans 💬TextExpander- Speed through your emails https://shareasale-analytics.com/r.cfm?b=1512519&u=1911347&m=81274&urllink=&afftrack=&shrsl_analytics_sscid=b1k4%5Fsdaur&shrsl_analytics_sstid=b1k4%5Fsdaur MY OTHER SOCIALS: 🌍 My website / blog - productiveinsights.com 🐦 Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/AshRoyHelps 📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/AshRoyHelps 📱 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/AshRoyHelps 👨💻 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashroyhelps/ 🎥 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AshRoyHelps WHO AM I? If we haven’t met before - Hi, I'm Ash Roy I Help High-Achieving Professionals to Turn their Ideas into secondary income streams, in weeks, not months. Embracing the journey of diversifying income streams entails prioritizing independence, flexibility, and fulfillment alongside established careers. Through my videos here on this channel, my podcast Productive Insights Podcast and via my blog, I share strategies and tools to help you find financial freedom and build a life you love. PS: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I may get a kickback from at no additional cost to you 😜
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