#259 – Insights from Sandra Holtzman: Copywriting, Marketing Strategies, and Business Building

Welcome to episode #259 of Spun Today. I’m your host, Tony, and in today’s episode, we are joined by Sandra Holtzman, an award-winning copywriter, entrepreneur, and author who has profoundly impacted the marketing world. Sandra will share her transformative journey from aspiring writer and choreographer to becoming a key figure in the realm of marketing and education. We will delve into her book, "Lies Startups Tell Themselves to Avoid Marketing," a must-read for entrepreneurs across various fields. Sandra's insights come from years of teaching at prestigious institutions like NYU and from her real-life experiences in starting businesses and navigating the often-treacherous waters of entrepreneurship.

From adapting to technological shifts and overcoming obstacles such as the 2008 recession and the COVID pandemic to her role in shaping the next generation of marketers and entrepreneurs, Sandra’s story is not only inspiring but also filled with practical advice. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a curious writer, or someone interested in the nuts and bolts of effective marketing, this episode promises to enrich your understanding of these complex worlds. Stay tuned as we explore the lies startups tell themselves, the reality of entrepreneurial challenges, and the strategies that lead to genuine success.

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Links referenced in this episode:

Check out Sandra’s book: Lies Startups Tell Themselves to Avoid Marketing: A No Bullsh*T Guide for P.H.Ds, Lab Rats, Suits, and Entrepreneurs: https://www.amazon.com/Lies-Startups-Themselves-Avoid-Marketing-ebook/dp/B0096XJ8BE/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?dchild=1&keywords=Lies+Startups+Tell+Themselves+to+Avoid+Marketing%3A+A+No+Bullsh*T+Guide+for+P.H.Ds%2C+Lab+Rats%2C+Suits%2C+and+Entrepreneurs&qid=1606084813&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Check out Sandra’s latest venture:

https://marketingcures.com/

https://marketingcures.com/blog/

https://www.facebook.com/MarketingCures/?ref=bookmarks

Here’s a special offer from Sandra:

My colleague, Franne McNeal, and I have developed a winning formula for small business owners to grow their businesses. This is especially important now during COVID times.

So many small business owners work alone and are feeling even more isolated and stressed than ever now. They say it takes a village to raise a child (African proverb). Well it also takes a village to support a growing business as well. You can create your personalized village to support you growing your business.

95% of your success or failure is determined by the people you habitually associate with*. Franne and I will put you in touch with the right people to ensure your success.

Marketing Cures GPS is a mastermind group with peer-advisors who, with you, will provide the structure, support and cheerleading to grow your business while you help them grow theirs. Bonds are developed during GPS that will far outlast the program and not only help your business but change your life as well.

Cohorts for 2021 are forming now! Which criteria for inclusion does your company fit into?

· Group 1: Entrepreneurs who are working on their prototype, just starting their business or been in business less than a year.

· Group 2: Entrepreneurs who have a business (at least 1 year in business, at least 1 full time employee, at least $75,000 in annual revenue).

· Group 3: Entrepreneurs who have a business (at least 2 years in business, at least 4 full time employees, at least $250,000 in annual revenue).

· Group 4: Entrepreneurs who have a business (at least 3 years in business, at least 10 full time employees, at least $1,000,000 in annual revenue).

Details: Each cohort will run one year, meeting one-time a month for 3 hours. There will be accountability partners and assignments between meetings.

The reduced fee for the Covid cohorts is $900.

APPLY NOW FOR A COMPLIMENTARY INTERVIEW TO SEE WHERE YOU FIT INTO THE GPS SUCCESS STORY - And we will send you one of our proprietary DIY self-audits. Learn more https://offer.marketingcuresgps.com/offer

Why you should choose GPS**: Together we have over 30 years' experience as serial entrepreneurs, adjunct faculty, DBA in entrepreneurship, numerous publications, speaking engagements and a track record of generating over $1 billion in revenue for our collective clients.

*Harvard University Dept. of Psychology Study

** Kaufmann Foundation FastTrac Program Facilitators & Coaches * Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program Facilitator * Tory Burch Foundation Program Facilitator * British and Canadian Consulate companies doing business in the United States - Consultant * Fashion Institute of Technology Design Entrepreneurs Mini-MBA Program Mentor * Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center at Columbia University Program Mentor To Your Success Sandra

Instructor Spotlight: Sandra Holtzman: https://blog.fitnyc.edu/hottopicsinsider/2019/10/24/instructor-spotlight-sandra-holtzman/

Interested in the FastTrac course? Check it out here: https://www.fasttrac.org/

Here’s where I signed up via NYC Business: https://www1.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/article/fasttrac

Check out Steven Pressfield’s; The War of Art: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AEBJIM25H7J&dchild=1&keywords=steven+pressfield+s+the+war+of+art&qid=1606084906&sprefix=steven+pressfield%2Caps%2C1282&sr=8-1

Check out Stephen King’s; On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft: https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Memoir-Craft-Stephen-King/dp/1982159375/ref=sr_1_2?crid=13VHYAXJ8RAC4&dchild=1&keywords=on+writing+stephen+king&qid=1606085013&sprefix=on+writing%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-2

Check out The Creative Penn: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/

My expert opinion ep#13: Iron Solomon + ms fit+ jai! New insider secrets! Battle rap jobs exposed!: https://youtu.be/woqKJ2HuS_w

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Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way

FRACTAL – A Time Travel Tale

Melted Cold – A Collection of Short Stories

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