I share my journey into B2B sales, detailing the strategies that helped me land clients for my company, Podsqueeze. I discuss the differences between B2B and B2C, the importance of identifying target leads, and effective outreach methods, including using WhatsApp. I cover the demo process, follow-up negotiations, and the significance of maintaining customer relationships post-sale. I emphasize the need for patience and persistence in B2B sales, as well as the importance of setting appropriate pricing. Finally, I reflect on my experiences in Portugal and the challenges of expanding into other markets.

Timestamps by PodSqueeze

Introduction and Podcast Consistency (00:00:08)

B2B vs. B2C Sales Overview (00:02:05)

Podsqueeze’s Client Types and Initial Focus (00:03:11)

Shifting to B2B and Sales Process Stages (00:04:23)

Finding Leads and Identifying Champions (00:05:30)

Making First Contact: What Works and What Doesn’t (00:07:45)

Crafting Effective Outreach Messages (00:10:51)

Scheduling and Conducting Product Demos (00:12:53)

Demo Best Practices and Collecting Feedback (00:14:52)

Follow-Up and Negotiations (00:15:48)

Role of Conferences and Building Relationships (00:16:50)

Navigating Internal Company Processes (00:20:51)

Free Trials, Deadlines, and Closing the Sale (00:22:43)

Post-Sale: Customer Success and Retention (00:24:27)

Reflections and Future Plans (00:26:17)

Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement (00:27:18)

I share a recent breakthrough in my entrepreneurial journey with Podsqueeze. After experimenting with various marketing strategies, I discovered the power of targeted press releases. Initially, I struggled with traditional PR methods, but I found success by reaching out to niche podcasting newsletters. This approach not only increased our visibility but also connected us directly with our target audience. I emphasize the importance of finding your niche and leveraging industry-specific channels for effective outreach. Tune in to learn how to apply these insights to your own projects!

Timestamps by PodSqueeze

Introduction and Podcast Promotion (00:00:07)

Early Perceptions of Entrepreneurship (00:01:12)

First Tech Job and Startup Culture (00:02:25)

Discovering Bootstrapping vs. VC Startups (00:04:48)

Growth Plateau and Entrepreneurial Skills (00:05:57)

Defining Startups vs. Businesses (00:07:00)

Learning Marketing Channels (00:08:02)

Initial Attempts at PR and Press Releases (00:09:16)

Press Release Agencies and Fiverr Experience (00:11:31)

Understanding Press Release Feeds (00:13:48)

Breakthrough with Niche Newsletters (00:16:53)

Success with Newsletter Outreach (00:18:57)

Key Lesson: Go Niche for PR (00:21:16)

Closing and Call to Action (00:22:18)

Here are the mentions with timestamps arranged by topic:

Tools and Websites

"Twitter": "00:00:07"

"Fiverr": "00:11:31"

"Reddit": "00:17:57"

"Yahoo": "00:14:54"

"MSN": "00:14:54"

"Google": "00:08:02"

Concepts and Terms

"Press Releases": "00:09:16"

"SEO (Search Engine Optimization)": "00:08:02"

"Backlinks": "00:09:16"

"Cold Emails": "00:08:02"

"Niche Marketing": "00:21:16"

Notable Mentions

"Podsqueeze": "00:05:57"

"ChatGPT": "00:16:53"

"Peter Levels": "00:04:48"

Summary of Key Points

"The importance of finding niche newsletters for press releases": "00:21:16"

"The difference between startups and bootstrapping businesses": "00:07:00"

"The realization of using press releases effectively within the podcasting community": "00:18:57"

I discuss the definition of a successful entrepreneur and what constitutes a company. I share my perspective on profitability and value creation, emphasizing that a true business should be self-sustainable. I explore the role of luck in entrepreneurship and reflect on my journey with Podsqueeze, including the challenges of replicating success. I conclude that a great entrepreneur can build multiple successful businesses or maintain one over time. I also touch on the importance of continuous learning and the potential of diversifying ventures.

Timestamps by PodSqueeze

Introduction and Listener Appreciation (00:00:08)

Defining a Company and Profitability (00:01:27)

The Reality of Unprofitable Startups (00:02:32)

Tiago’s Definition of a Business (00:03:47)

Value Creation and Self-Sustainability (00:05:00)

What Makes a Great Business (00:06:02)

Entrepreneurial Spirit vs. Entrepreneurial Success (00:07:17)

The Role of Luck in Entrepreneurship (00:08:31)

Podsqueeze: Luck or Skill? (00:10:44)

Trying to Replicate Success (00:11:52)

Redefining a Great Entrepreneur (00:12:46)

The McDonald’s and Amazon Example (00:13:54)

Longevity and Sustaining Success (00:16:15)

The Challenge of Competition (00:18:32)

Continuous Learning and Growth (00:19:47)

Future Goals and Diversification (00:22:00)

Finding Good Advice and Building a Network (00:23:05)

Delegation and Serial Entrepreneurship (00:23:45)

Conclusion and Farewell (00:24:11)

I share my journey with Podsqueeze, reflecting on two years of entrepreneurship. I discuss the impact of seasonality on our business and the brutal nature of the market. I explore the challenges of balancing investment and salary, leading to a decision to scale down operations. I highlight our shift towards B2B clients and the lessons learned from targeting larger companies. I also address the differing motivations between my co-founder and me, and my thoughts on potentially selling the company. Lastly, I invite listeners to reach out with questions or for support.

Tools and Websites

- "Podsqueeze": "00:01:35"

- "Google Services": "00:09:22"

- "GPT (likely referring to OpenAI's GPT)": "00:07:14"

- "Twitter": "00:24:18"

- "LinkedIn": "00:24:18"

- "Email": "00:24:18"

Books

- "\"How to Exit\" by Rob Walling": "00:22:16"

- "Book on Selling a Company": "00:23:19"

Introduction to the Episode (00:00:08)

The speaker welcomes listeners back after a long hiatus and shares personal reflections on entrepreneurship.

Realizations and Learnings (00:01:35)

The speaker discusses significant realizations and lessons learned during their entrepreneurial journey.

Seasonality in Business (00:02:49)

Insights on how Podsqueeze experiences seasonal fluctuations in customer engagement and business performance.

Market Realities (00:04:58)

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding market dynamics and how they impact business success.

Understanding Market Size (00:06:04)

Discussion on measuring market size and the challenges of identifying potential customers for Podsqueeze.

Investment and Expenses (00:08:18)

Overview of the financial structure of the company and the investments made to support growth.

Challenges in Entrepreneurship (00:10:25)

The speaker reflects on the harsh realities of entrepreneurship and the market's indifference to hard work.

Co-founder Dynamics (00:12:25)

The speaker shares their experiences and challenges in the relationship with their co-founder.

Decision to Scale Down (00:14:15)

Discussion on the decision to reduce costs and scale down operations instead of seeking external funding.

B2B Targeting Strategy (00:18:09)

The speaker explores the transition towards targeting larger companies and the challenges faced in this approach.

Cultural Differences in Sales (00:20:19)

Insights on the difficulties of expanding sales efforts outside Portugal and the importance of cultural understanding.

Future Considerations (00:21:19)

The speaker contemplates the future of Podsqueeze and the differing motivations between them and their co-founder.

Preparation for Selling (00:23:19)

The speaker discusses the importance of preparation for selling their company, Podsqueeze.

Reflection on Business Journey (00:24:18)

The speaker shares thoughts on their entrepreneurial journey and invites listeners to reach out for questions.

Conclusion of Episode (00:24:33)

The episode wraps up with a farewell and a promise to see listeners next time.

I share a wrap-up of 2024, discussing both successes and challenges with Podsqueeze. I reflect on our disappointing growth compared to 2023 and the importance of sustainable marketing, particularly through SEO, which significantly increased our traffic. I analyze our MRR growth of 18% and the ongoing issue of churn, which remains a focus for 2025. I also touch on personal insights regarding my relationship with my co-founder and the need for confidence in our journey. Lastly, I outline goals for 2025, including reducing churn and exploring new monetization avenues.

Contact Information

Twitter: https://x.com/wbetiago

Tools and Websites

"Podsqueeze": "00:01:14"

"SEO": "00:03:42"

"Flarecut": "00:18:30"

"Auto Shorts": "00:21:37"

Metrics and Concepts

"Domain Authority": "00:04:56"

"Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)": "00:08:30"

"Churn Rate": "00:10:35"

"Keyword Research": "00:04:56"

"Backlinks": "00:04:56"

"Conversion Rate": "00:15:02"

Timestamps by PodSqueezePodcast Introduction (00:00:08)

Tiago introduces the episode, reflecting on the year 2024 and sharing lessons learned.

Disappointment in Growth (00:01:14)

Tiago discusses feelings of disappointment regarding Podsqueeze's growth compared to the previous year.

Sustainable Marketing Focus (00:03:42)

The realization of needing a sustainable marketing strategy leads to a focus on SEO starting in late 2023.

SEO Success (00:04:56)

Tiago shares the achievements in SEO, including significant traffic growth and improved domain authority.

Monthly Recurring Revenue Growth (00:07:16)

The company's MRR grew by 18%, which Tiago considers a decent achievement in a competitive market.

Churn Rate Challenges (00:10:35)

Tiago addresses the ongoing challenge of customer churn, which remains a focus for improvement in 2025.

Marketing Experimentation (00:12:52)

The team experimented with various marketing channels, including YouTube and TikTok, yielding mixed results.

Conversion Rates Insights (00:15:02)

Tiago explains the importance of conversion rates and how they vary by marketing source.

Co-founder Relationship Dynamics (00:17:21)

Tiago reflects on the close relationship with his co-founder and the challenges faced during tough times.

Seasonality Effects (00:18:30)

The impact of seasonality on business performance becomes evident, particularly during the summer months.

Lessons from New Product Attempts (00:19:23)

Attempts to replicate success with new products prove difficult, highlighting the unpredictability of entrepreneurship.

Market Timing Realizations (00:20:28)

Tiago discusses the significance of market timing and how competition affects new product launches.

Mindset and Perspective (00:22:47)

Tiago emphasizes the importance of mindset in evaluating business performance and overcoming feelings of inadequacy.

Podcast Timestamps

Confidence and Mindset (00:24:54)

Tiago discusses the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and confidence in the company's growth.

Time as an Asset (00:25:53)

He emphasizes that time is the most valuable asset for entrepreneurs, more than money.

Delegation and Investment (00:26:57)

Tiago reflects on the importance of delegating tasks to expedite growth and improve quality.

Future Goals for 2025 (00:28:04)

He shares his aspirations for 2025, including salary goals and reducing customer churn.

Self-Reflection and Learning (00:29:07)

Tiago expresses his growth as an entrepreneur and the lessons learned throughout the year.

Excitement for the Future (00:30:17)

He concludes with enthusiasm for the upcoming year and invites listeners to engage with the podcast.

I dive into the tricky balance between work and rest that many indie makers face. I share my personal journey and talk about the constant pressure to work long hours and the feelings of dissatisfaction that can arise in both 9-to-5 jobs and startups. I emphasize the importance of finding fulfillment and suggest that entrepreneurs should delegate tasks and hire help to free up personal time. I share stories, including one about my friend Alex, to highlight the common struggles and offer practical advice for achieving a healthier work-life balance.

Mentions

"Tiago's Twitter (X)": "00:01:41"

"Podsqueeze.com": "00:14:10"

"RankChase.com": "00:17:26"

"ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)": "00:23:28"

"SEO Audits": "00:25:53"

"Email Automation": "00:25:53"

Timestamps by PodSqueeze

Introduction to the Dilemma (00:00:10)

Tiago introduces the episode's main topic: the entrepreneur's dilemma of balancing work and rest.

Personal Journey as an Entrepreneur (00:02:57)

Tiago reflects on his fulfilling experience as a full-time entrepreneur over the past few years.

Conversations with Friends (00:04:20)

He shares insights from a conversation with his friend Alex about work fulfillment and dissatisfaction.

Struggles with Work-Life Balance (00:05:23)

Tiago discusses the ongoing struggle between work satisfaction and the need for personal life.

Optimizing Time for Productivity (00:09:51)

He compares entrepreneurship to being a top athlete, emphasizing the need to optimize time and routines.

Realization of Duality in Work (00:11:59)

Tiago reflects on his desire for personal time versus the pressure to keep working.

Phases of Entrepreneurship (00:15:17)

He outlines the two phases of entrepreneurship: exploration and augmentation, and their significance.

The Importance of Delegation (00:19:49)

Tiago suggests raising money to delegate tasks, allowing more time for strategic work.

Wealth Inequality Insights (00:20:50)

He discusses wealth inequality and how it relates to work hours versus productivity.

Conclusion on Time and Investment (00:24:41)

Tiago concludes that investing money in delegation is key, rather than sacrificing personal time for work.

The Importance of Delegation (00:25:53)

Tiago discusses the value of delegating tasks to save time for personal pursuits.

Reflection on Hiring Professionals (00:26:20)

He shares his experience of hiring a professional for SEO audits, which significantly improved efficiency.

Conclusion on Work-Life Balance (00:27:01)

Tiago concludes that delegating tasks allows him to rest and manage his business effectively.

Future Plans and Closing Remarks (00:27:30)

He plans to test his delegation theory and invites listeners to follow his journey.

I dive into the art of networking at conferences, focusing on my experiences at the Web Summit in Lisbon. Having attended for three years, I share tips on navigating the event, securing a media ticket, and making meaningful connections. I emphasize the importance of networking over attending talks, recounting my interactions with various companies, especially in the AI sector. I offer practical advice for improving networking skills and highlight the long-term benefits of building relationships. It's a friendly and insightful guide for indie makers looking to maximize their conference experiences.

"Web Summit": "00:00:00"

"Tiago's Twtter (X)": https://x.com/wbetiago

"Auphonic": "00:15:49"

"AppSumo": "00:09:29"

"Rocket Hub": "00:10:33"

Timetamps

Timestamps by PodSqueezeIntroduction to the Episode (00:00:00)

Overview of the Web Summit (00:01:10)

Ticket Acquisition Challenge (00:02:12)

Conference Layout and Atmosphere (00:03:15)

Networking Over Talks (00:04:23)

Networking Strategies (00:05:27)

AI Trends at the Conference (00:06:22)

Interesting Companies Encountered (00:08:28)

Media Ticket Benefits (00:13:43)

The Power of Networking (00:15:49)

Networking Approach and Mindset (00:17:52)

Conclusion on Networking Importance (00:20:00)

Networking Skills Development (00:21:51)

Positive Web Summit Experience (00:21:51)

Media Ticket Benefits (00:21:51)

Previous Podcast Episodes (00:23:02)

Listener Engagement (00:23:02)

Call for Reviews (00:23:02)