How to Actually Make Money Online in 2025 (Copy Me)
In this episode of the Growth Stacking Show, Dan Martell discusses strategies for building a successful online business. He explains how entrepreneurs can identify and understand their target audience by leveraging personal experiences, and outlines methods for creating valuable content that resonates with potential customers across social media platforms.
The episode covers practical approaches to nurturing leads through social media engagement and qualifying prospects based on their needs and budgets. Martell describes how business owners can position themselves as trusted advisors by taking a diagnostic approach to customer problems, and shares insights on streamlining the sales process with straightforward offers and payment systems.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jul 18, 2025 episode of the Growth Stacking Show with Dan Martell
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1-Page Summary
Identifying and Understanding Your Target Audience
Dan Martell emphasizes the importance of focusing on specific individuals rather than trying to help everyone. He suggests that the most effective approach is to leverage personal experience in overcoming challenges to help others face similar issues. For instance, a fitness coach who has undergone their own transformation is better positioned to guide others through similar journeys.
Martell advises developing a deep understanding of your audience's aspirations, fears, and concerns. By grasping what keeps them up at night and what they're searching for, you can position yourself as a trusted expert who speaks directly to their needs and challenges.
Producing Valuable, Engaging Content to Attract Potential Customers
According to Martell, social media success depends more on content quality and engagement than follower count. He introduces the "Psl" framework for creating content that educates, inspires, and provides value. To maximize impact, Martell recommends researching high-performing content from successful creators and maintaining a consistent posting schedule—specifically, creating daily content for 100 days across platforms like Reels, Shorts, and TikTok.
Building Relationships and Nurturing Leads Through Social Media
Martell suggests using social media's interactive features to engage followers and identify those interested in your offerings. He recommends qualifying leads by asking about their timelines and budgets, helping to focus efforts on promising prospects. Through meaningful conversations and establishing trust, business owners can position themselves as reliable advisors in their industry.
Addressing Pain Points With a Compelling Offer
Rather than simply agreeing with customers, Martell advocates for a diagnostic approach similar to a doctor's methodology. He emphasizes the importance of identifying specific challenges and tailoring solutions accordingly. To streamline the sales process, Martell recommends keeping offers simple and having payment systems, such as Stripe links, ready to facilitate immediate transactions when customers are ready to proceed.
1-Page Summary
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Counterarguments
- Focusing on specific individuals may limit market reach and exclude potential customers who could benefit from a more generalized approach.
- Leveraging personal experience is valuable, but it may not always translate to others' situations, as individual circumstances can vary greatly.
- Understanding the audience's aspirations and fears is crucial, but there may be a risk of overgeneralizing or making assumptions without ongoing feedback and engagement.
- Positioning oneself as a trusted expert requires not just understanding but also proven expertise and results, which may take significant time to establish.
- While content quality and engagement are important, follower count can also be indicative of reach and influence, which shouldn't be completely disregarded.
- The "Psl" framework may not be universally applicable across all industries or audience demographics.
- Researching high-performing content from successful creators can lead to imitation rather than innovation, potentially stifling originality.
- A consistent posting schedule is beneficial, but content overload can lead to audience fatigue; quality should not be sacrificed for quantity.
- Interactive features on social media are useful, but they may not always accurately identify potential leads, as engagement does not always equate to genuine interest.
- Qualifying leads by timelines and budgets is important, but it may also prematurely filter out prospects who could become valuable customers with more nurturing.
- Establishing trust through conversations is essential, but it can be time-consuming and may not always scale well for larger businesses.
- A diagnostic approach to addressing pain points is effective, but it may not account for the complexity of some problems that require a more holistic or multifaceted solution.
- Tailoring solutions to specific challenges is ideal, but it may not be cost-effective or practical for businesses with limited resources.
- Keeping offers simple is good advice, but oversimplification can sometimes undermine the value proposition or fail to meet the nuanced needs of certain customers.
- Having payment systems ready for immediate transactions is efficient, but it may also pressure customers into making hasty decisions without proper consideration.
Actionables
- You can create a personal story bank by jotting down key life experiences that have shaped you, which you can reference when relating to others' challenges. Start by writing down three significant events from your life and the lessons you learned from them. When you encounter someone facing a similar situation, share the relevant story to provide comfort and guidance.
- Develop a habit of daily audience observation by setting aside 10 minutes each day to read comments and posts in online communities related to your interests. Take notes on recurring themes or questions that arise, which will help you understand the collective mindset and concerns of the group. Use these insights to inform your interactions and content creation, ensuring you're addressing what truly matters to your audience.
- Initiate a weekly "solution brainstorming" session where you identify a common problem within your community and spend 30 minutes devising a simple, actionable solution you can offer. This could be a checklist, a step-by-step guide, or a quick tip sheet. Share this with your network as a free resource, demonstrating your commitment to providing value and establishing trust.
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Identifying and Understanding Your Target Audience
Dan Martell underscores the importance of focusing on specific individuals with specific issues to truly make an impact.
Solve a Specific Problem for a Specific Person, Not Everyone
Dan Martell underscores that trying to solve everyone's problems often leads to diluted results and less effective solutions. He pushes for an approach that zeroes in on an ideal customer—the person who truly needs what you have to offer. Martell's core philosophy is that to be of the best help, you must have firsthand experience overcoming the challenge you're addressing. By honing in on a precise issue and using personal insight to guide your solutions, you not only become more relatable but also more efficient in providing help.
For instance, a fitness coach who has undergone a personal transformation is likely to be passionate and effective in helping others achieve similar goals. Martell suggests leveraging one's own experiences by creating a course, providing a blueprint, offering direct assistance, or even developing a tool that facilitates this transformation.
Understanding Your Audience's Goals, Dreams, Fears, and Decisions Helps You Resonate In Communication
Martell advises gaining a deep understanding of your audience's aspirations, unspoken desires, and the obstacles they face. Knowledge of what keeps them up at night and what they seek out on Google or through conversations with AI like ChatGPT can be invaluable. By grasping these elements, you can better resonate with your audience through comm ...
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Identifying and Understanding Your Target Audience
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Counterarguments
- While focusing on specific individuals can be effective, it can also limit the potential market size and scalability of a solution.
- Solving a broad range of problems can sometimes lead to innovative and versatile products that serve a larger audience.
- Not all successful solutions require firsthand experience; research and collaboration with experts can also lead to effective problem-solving.
- Personal experiences may not always translate into universal solutions, as individual circumstances can vary greatly.
- Overemphasis on personal experience might lead to bias and a lack of objectivity in addressing the needs of a diverse audience.
- Understanding an audience's goals and fears is important, but assuming you know what keeps them up at night can lead to stereotyping and miscommunication.
- Deep understanding of an audience is valuable, but privacy concerns and the creepiness factor of knowing too much about someone's personal life should be considered.
- Positioning oneself as a trusted expert is ...
Actionables
- You can create a customer avatar to hone your focus on a specific market segment by detailing their demographics, psychographics, and behavioral traits, then use this avatar to guide all your business decisions and communications.
- For example, if you're selling eco-friendly home cleaning products, your avatar might be "Eco-conscious Emma," a 30-year-old working mother who values sustainability and is willing to pay a premium for products that are safe for her family and the environment. When creating marketing materials or product descriptions, you would speak directly to Emma's concerns and values.
- Develop a feedback loop with your target audience to understand their needs better by using surveys, social media polls, or direct conversations to gather insights about their goals and challenges.
- Imagine you run a small bakery; you could ask your customers what types of bread they struggle to find in your area or what dietary restrictions they face. Use this information to tailor your product offerings, like introducing gluten-free or low-carb options, and highlight these in your marketing efforts.
- Start a content ...
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Producing Valuable, Engaging Content to Attract Potential Customers
Dan Martell emphasizes the significance of creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with viewers to achieve viral success on social media platforms.
Algorithm Prioritizes Quality and Engagement Over Follower Count for Viral Success
Using "Psl," Create Content That Educates, Inspires, and Provides Value
Martell highlights that the number of followers a content creator has is less critical than before for going viral. Platforms now prioritize the quality and engagement levels of content shortly after it's posted. He explains that this holds true across various platforms as algorithms test how people interact with content to determine its reach. Martell stresses the importance of using the "Psl" framework, which advises creators to develop content that educates, inspires, and provides value, effectively solving problems for viewers.
Researching High-Performing Content Helps Create "Pre-validated" Ideas Likely to Resonate
Martell advises using tools like ChatGPT to generate a list of 25 content ideas that fit within the PSL framework. Additionally, he recommends studying content from creators with large audiences to identify topics that have already performed well. This strategy involves looking for "pre-validated concepts" that are more likely to resonate with a broader audienc ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Producing Valuable, Engaging Content to Attract Potential Customers
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Quality over quantity is important, but having a large follower count can still significantly impact content reach and virality.
- The "Psl" framework is useful, but not all content needs to educate or inspire to be valuable; entertainment is also a key aspect of successful content.
- Researching high-performing content can lead to a lack of originality, as creators might end up replicating what's already out there instead of innovating.
- Using tools like ChatGPT can be helpful, but it may not always capture the nuances of human creativity and audience connection.
- Posting daily content for 100 days is a good practice for consistency, but it could lead to burnout or a decrease in content quality due to the pressure of constant creation.
- Focusing solely on platforms like Reels, Shorts, and TikTok might not be the best strategy for all creators or aud ...
Actionables
- You can leverage storytelling by integrating personal anecdotes that align with the PSL framework to deepen audience connection. Start by jotting down interesting or transformative experiences from your life, and then craft them into short, relatable stories that either educate, inspire, or provide value. For example, if you overcame a challenge, share the steps and mindset that helped you succeed, thus providing a blueprint for others to follow.
- Develop a content collaboration strategy by partnering with peers in your niche to co-create PSL content. Reach out to individuals who share your target audience but aren't direct competitors, and propose a content exchange or a joint project. This could be as simple as guest appearances on each other's video content or co-authoring informative posts, thereby tapping into each other's audiences and enhancing content quality.
- Implement a feedback loop by asking your audience direct questions at the end of your content to increase ...
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Building Relationships and Nurturing Leads Through Social Media
In today's digital marketplace, leveraging social media is essential for businesses to build relationships with potential customers and nurture leads effectively.
Engage Followers to Discover how to Help
Use "This or That" Questions to Identify Followers Interested in Your Offerings for Further Conversation
Martell recommends utilizing Instagram's interactive features, such as stories or reels, to engage followers directly. By posting content that prompts viewers to indicate whether they need assistance, business owners can identify and connect with those who show interest in their services. He emphasizes the importance of making sure followers are aware of what the business can offer before seeking to identify interested parties for further conversation.
Qualify Leads By Asking About Timeline and Budget to Focus On Promising Prospects
Martell suggests asking followers qualifying questions about their pain points, such as how long they've been looking to solve a particular problem and whether they've set aside a budget for this purpose. These inquiries help distinguish serious, promising leads from those that may be less likely to convert. By focusing on prospects with expressed timelines and budgets, businesses can prioritize their engagement efforts on those individuals most prepared for their services.
Building T ...
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Building Relationships and Nurturing Leads Through Social Media
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Counterarguments
- Engaging followers with "This or That" questions may not always identify those truly interested in your offerings; some may engage casually without real intent to purchase.
- Followers might not always be comfortable sharing their pain points, timeline, and budget publicly on social media platforms.
- Qualifying leads based on timeline and budget might exclude potential customers who are in the early stages of awareness and could be nurtured into valuable leads over time.
- Not all businesses may have the resources or capacity to engage in in-depth conversations with all interested followers, which could lead to missed opportunities or a perception of poor customer service.
- Positioning oneself as a trusted advisor requires a consistent and long-term strategy that may not yield immediate results, which could be challenging for businesses looking for quick conversions.
- Recommending someone else if ...
Actionables
- Create a personalized hashtag campaign to track engagement and identify potential leads by encouraging followers to use the hashtag when sharing their own stories related to your business offerings. This not only increases visibility but also creates a community around your brand, making it easier to spot those who might need your services.
- Develop a referral incentive program for your followers to recommend your services to others. Offer discounts or exclusive content to followers who refer new clients to you, leveraging their networks to expand your reach and attract serious leads.
- Host a virtual "office hours" session on Inst ...
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Addressing Pain Points With a Compelling Offer
Entrepreneurs and sales teams who can identify and address customer challenges effectively position themselves as authorities and increase their chances of closing deals. Dan Martell emphasizes strategies to diagnose problems, tailor offers, and streamline sales processes.
Diagnose Challenges, Don't Just Agree, to Establish Authority
Guiding Customers Through the "Buying Zone" Positions Your Offer as the Perfect Solution
Martell underlines the importance of not just agreeing with the customer but providing a detailed diagnosis of their problems. By drawing an analogy with a doctor who identifies the specific cause of pain, such as tight hips resulting in knee pain, Martell argues that a seller should similarly pinpoint the client's business pains to establish authority. Just sympathizing with customers ("it's all good, you're amazing") might alleviate the sense of urgency to find a solution, which can work against the goal of making a sale. Acting like a knowledgeable doctor who diagnoses the problem can effectively guide the customer through the "buying zone," establishing the seller's offer as the perfect solution to the customer's challenges.
Tailor Your Sales Offer to Address Customer Pain Points, Not Overwhelm Them With Features
Streamline Sales By Using a Ready Payment Link to Close Deals While Customers Are Engaged
Martell advises keeping the sales offer simple, focusing on alleviating the customer’s objections, and not overwhelming them with a multiplicity of features. A confused buyer is often hesitant to commit, and simplicity lead ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Addressing Pain Points With a Compelling Offer
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While diagnosing customer challenges can establish authority, it's also important to balance expertise with empathy to build trust.
- A detailed diagnosis is important, but it should be delivered in a way that is understandable and relevant to the customer to avoid overwhelming them with technical details.
- Sympathizing with customers can be a valuable part of building a relationship and understanding their emotional drivers, which can be as important as solving their practical problems.
- Acting like a knowledgeable doctor is a useful analogy, but it's important to remember that sales is a two-way conversation, and customers may not always respond well to a prescriptive approach.
- Tailoring sales offers is crucial, but there must also be flexibility to adapt offers as more information about the customer's needs becomes available.
- While simplicity in sales offers is beneficial, some customers may require mor ...
Actionables
- You can create a customer challenge questionnaire to better understand their specific needs before pitching your product. Start by drafting a set of questions that probe into the common issues your customers face. For instance, if you're selling a productivity app, your questionnaire could include questions like "What part of your day do you feel is least productive and why?" or "Describe a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed by your workload." Use their responses to tailor your sales pitch, focusing on how your product addresses these exact challenges.
- Develop a "solution roadmap" for customers that visually outlines how your product or service will solve their problem. Take a blank sheet of paper or a digital drawing tool and sketch a path from the customer's problem to the solution your product offers. Along the path, mark key milestones or features of your product that specifically address their pain points. This visual aid can help customers understand the value of your offer and how it leads to a resolution.
- Organize a peer-to-peer sharing session wher ...
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