Expert In Demand Podcast With Dean Seddon

In this episode, I dig into the 15 practical reasons sales calls fall apart for coaches and experts. If your calls feel messy, you lose control, or you come off a call wondering what went wrong, you’ll hear exactly why it happens. Most coaches don’t struggle because they lack skill. They struggle because the call slips out of their hands early. The prospect talks too much, the conversation drifts, the value gets lost, and by the time the price comes up, the call is already weak. If you’ve ever had a call where the person said, “Let me think about it,” this will make sense of it. Here are the 15 issues I cover: No agenda Not leading the call Talking about your work too early Not learning enough about the person Weak diagnosis Slipping into coaching Trying to prove value Using jargon Labelling their problem Avoiding money talk Saving the price for the end Not tying the price to a real problem Skipping objections Taking rejection personally Poor or missing follow-up I show how these mistakes create confusion, weaken trust, and make the prospect drift instead of deciding. If you want calls that feel cleaner, clearer, and more controlled, this episode gives you the pressure points you need to fix.

Most coaches never get enough clients. In this podcast, I explain the four core reasons why coaches struggle to grow their business, stay stuck relying on referrals, and often end up going back into corporate. You will learn: • Why lack of clarity on the problem you solve stops clients choosing you • Why trying to serve “everyone” kills demand • Why your message feels vague and gets ignored • Why missing systems for leads, trust and sales keeps you in feast-and-famine If you want a coaching business that is predictable and profitable, this breakdown shows you exactly what is going wrong and how to fix it.

If your pipeline is empty and you don't know where to start, this episode gives you three things you can do this week to change that. Most business owners live on referrals until they dry up. Then they panic. Set massive outbound targets. Hate every minute of it. Get nothing back. Quit within a fortnight. Paul Owen knows this pattern well. He was broke at 32. Earning £8k a year doing data entry. £30k in credit card debt. Sleeping on a mate's bedroom floor. Three years after getting his first sales job, he was debt free and building the business he runs today, training sales teams across the world. In this episode, Paul shares the three things he tells every business owner who needs to fill their pipeline now. Why the first step has nothing to do with picking up the phone. The weekly number that makes outbound feel doable instead of draining. And why most people never build the one thing that takes someone from "sounds interesting" to "here's my money."

I was crippled by content creation for years. Staring at blank pages. Searching for something original that nobody had ever said before. It nearly stopped me putting anything out there at all. Then I cracked it. Three frameworks that give me hundreds of ideas from a handful of topics. In this episode I'm sharing my APE framework, the TASTE formula, and how I split content into attract, nurture and convert so every post has a purpose. The same system I use with my clients at Salesforce, Microsoft and Citibank. You'll never stare at a blank page again. Hit play.

Response rates on cold outreach have dropped to 0.02%. Sales teams are sending 70% more messages than ever. And results are getting worse, not better. In this episode, I break down why the "more volume" approach to sales outreach has hit a wall, and share what's filling pipeline right now instead. You'll hear: Why your prospects spot automated outreach instantly, even when it mentions their name, company and latest LinkedIn post The real numbers: how 5 ultra human outreaches are outperforming thousands of automated messages How one of my clients hit a 30% response rate by going one to one Why salespeople who rely on automation are putting their careers at risk The simple maths behind booking 3 meetings a day in 90 minutes What driverless taxis in Phoenix taught me about the future of sales roles If you're a salesperson, sales leader or business owner who feels like outreach is getting harder, this episode explains why and gives you the fix.

Most LinkedIn creators think more followers and more engagement equals more money. It doesn't. In this episode I walk through the full maths behind my $1M year on LinkedIn, including my offer stack, the four client paths I run every week, and why I only need 20 clients and 60 meetings to hit my number.

I sat down with Kris Ward who went from working 16 hour days to six, and built a business that runs without her.   She was pulled away from her business for two years to care for her husband during his cancer journey. When she returned, her clients had no idea she'd been gone.   That's when she realised what she'd built was different.   One of her clients quadrupled her income while cutting her hours after her cortisol levels had got so high she needed medication.    Within a year, that same client took a month off in Costa Rica with no WiFi and her VA ran the business without her.   In this episode, you'll learn why your to-do list is draining you even when you're not working.    Why writing instructions for your VA gets you lost and what to do instead.   The hidden problems with VA agencies that nobody tells you about.   Why are you doing 10 dollar tasks when you should be doing 1000 dollar work.   And the simple screen recording method that works better than any 52 page manual.   If you've ever thought it's quicker to just do it myself, this conversation will change how you think about getting help.

Discover why most LinkedIn marketing and B2B sales outreach fails - and how to fix it. In this episode, we break down the #1 mistake consultants, coaches, and B2B professionals make: talking about root causes instead of observable problems their buyers actually see. Learn why expertise can hurt your marketing, how to craft messaging that resonates, why going niche beats staying broad, and the difference between treating symptoms vs. solving problems in your sales approach. We discuss why experts overthink their messaging to death, the vital difference between observable problems and root causes (the "burnout vs. overworked" example that transformed my coaching), and why 22-year-olds with basic knowledge often outmarket 20-year veterans.

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Radford to unpack what selling actually looks like in the real world - especially when you’re early in your sales career, hate cold calling, or feel uncomfortable “being salesy”. Steve has spent years building sales apprenticeships and training teams, and this conversation goes deep into the mindset shifts that make selling feel more human and far more effective. We talk honestly about why so many people fear contacting prospects, why discovery calls feel overwhelming, and how sales models can sometimes get in the way of genuine conversations. Steve explains why sales isn’t about persuasion or pressure, but about helping people make informed decisions - and how reframing selling this way changes everything from cold outreach to closing deals. We also explore conversational selling in practice: how to prepare without over-preparing, how to know when you’ve uncovered the real problem (not just the surface one), and why talking too early about your solution is one of the most common mistakes - even for experienced salespeople. Steve shares practical ways to simplify questioning, stay present in conversations, and build trust without trying to “perform”. Beyond technique, we get into how AI is reshaping sales roles, why bad SDRs are at risk, and what actually makes a salesperson valuable in a world full of automation. We finish by discussing why sales is becoming more complex - not less - and why human judgement, curiosity, and empathy are the skills that will future-proof your career. If you’re in sales, running a business, or simply trying to get more comfortable selling yourself and your ideas, this episode will change how you think about selling.

In this episode, I sit down with James to talk about the realities of running a small business when margins are tight and costs keep creeping up. If you’re a business owner or solopreneur, this conversation is all about protecting your profitability without feeling like you’re constantly firefighting. We dig into where profits are often lost without anyone really noticing — things like insurance, mobile contracts, waste, subscriptions, and supplier price increases that start to feel “normal” in an inflationary market. James explains why many of us have become numb to rising costs, and why that mindset can seriously damage the bottom line. One of the key points we explore is that just because prices are going up everywhere, it doesn’t mean you should stop challenging them. We also talk about why the businesses that save the most money aren’t usually the ones in trouble. They’re the calm, well-run companies that regularly review their costs and look for small, meaningful improvements before problems appear. James shares how specialist benchmarking and expert insight can quickly show whether you’re paying a fair price or overpaying without realising it. Beyond costs, we get into the mindset shift from employee to business owner — especially the uncomfortable move into sales and putting yourself out there. I share my own experience with LinkedIn, webinars, and content, and how focusing on being genuinely useful, rather than salesy, changed everything. We wrap up with an honest discussion about AI, what it can realistically help with today, and why human judgement still matters more than ever.

I’ve always said that increased competition is basically a tax you pay for not being unique enough. If you feel like you’re constantly shouting into a void or defending your prices to people who don't "get" your value, it’s time to stop playing the mass-market game. In this episode, I’m sharing my framework for building a Micro-Monopoly. This isn’t about being the next Amazon; it’s about becoming a "Category of One" in your own corner of the market. I’m breaking down why the "bigger is better" mindset is a trap that kills margins, and how shrinking your target audience can actually be the fastest way to grow your revenue. What I’m diving into today: My "Big Fish, Small Pond" Strategy: Why I’d rather own a market of 2,000 people than get lost in a market of 2 million. The Competition Tax: How to stop paying it by embracing your "uncopyable" uniqueness. The Ultra-Human Moat: My take on why being high-touch and specialized is your best defence against the AI revolution. The Rolex Lesson: Why I use pricing as a filter to attract the right clients and protect my time. If you’re a coach, consultant, or small business owner tired of being treated like a commodity, this episode is your roadmap to standing alone and charging what you're worth.

How do you grow an online coaching business when referrals run out? In this video, Dean explains how to grow an online coaching business from scratch using clear, practical steps. No funnels, no ads, no hype. You will learn: How to grow an online coaching business by picking one clear problem Why most coaches struggle to stand out online How to build an offer people actually understand and buy How to find the right audience (and where to find them) How to create a message that feels like it is “talking to me” A simple system to get leads, calls, and clients consistently This video is for coaches who want to grow an online coaching business without over-complicated marketing, paid ads, or pretending to be someone they are not. If you are asking how to grow an online coaching business sustainably, this video gives you the foundations that actually matter.

We’re in a trust recession. Buyers aren’t cynical, but they are cautious. Big promises feel cheap. Engagement can be faked. Testimonials can be bought. Even five-star reviews raise suspicion. So how do you win clients when people don’t trust what they see anymore? In this episode, I break down what’s really killing trust online - and what actually rebuilds it in 2025 and beyond. We talk about why confidence no longer converts, why “just book a call” repels the right buyers, and how consistency, relevance, and restraint now matter more than persuasion. You’ll learn: Why trust is no longer created in a single post or conversation How to build credibility without over-explaining or sounding desperate The 11-touchpoint reality every expert must understand Why being specific beats being broad every single time How small “breadcrumbs” outperform big claims Why trying to convince people quietly destroys trust If you sell your experience, expertise, or know-how - and you’re tired of competing with people who look louder but aren’t better - this episode will change how you show up.

If referrals keep you afloat but nothing outside referrals converts, there is a single blind-spot creating that pattern. In this episode, you’ll see where that blind-spot hides in your copy, your positioning and even how you speak about what you do. It explains why smart buyers don’t enquire, why peers engage more than prospects, and why your process—no matter how strong—never converts. The odd thing is that referrals disguise this weakness, so you think you have clarity when you don’t. Once you spot it, you’ll notice how it affects the quality of leads, the price people accept and the confidence buyers have in you. You’ll see it clearly, but you won’t unsee it. Tune in and you’ll realise exactly what has been holding you back when you’re not being recommended.

Everyone’s noticing the same thing on LinkedIn right now: Their posts stall. Their reach drops. Their feed shows the same recycled stuff for days. This isn’t just an algorithm story. It’s a content story. In this episode, I break down why some posts now spread and others die, why random topics kill your visibility, and why your visuals matter far more than you think. You’ll see how LinkedIn is rewarding experts who stay on-topic, use clear visuals, and stick to a simple mix of attract, nurture, and convert posts. By the end, you’ll know exactly why your content dropped off—and what your posts need to cut through again.

Most experts think no-shows happen because people are flaky. But that’s not the real reason. In this episode, I break down what’s actually going on when someone books a call, blocks out time… and still never turns up. You’ll see why this keeps happening, what it really says about your leads, and the unseen factors that decide whether someone shows up or disappears. By the end, you’ll look at your calendar in a completely different way.

Take the quiz: https://www.5pathstogettingclients.co.uk/quiz I’m asked all the time how to make your first 100K on LinkedIn and most people are shocked when I tell them the real reason they’ve been stuck. In this episode, I walk you through a completely different way to think about LinkedIn, why the usual advice keeps you spinning your wheels, and the simple shifts that unlock predictable revenue without living on the platform. If you’ve been posting endlessly, overthinking the algorithm or feeling like LinkedIn just isn’t clicking for you, this will change how you see everything. Hit play and let’s get you moving toward that first 100K.

In this episode, I dive into one of the biggest challenges experts face when they leave corporate life: turning all that deep experience into a clear, sellable offer. In a job, your expertise sits neatly inside a role. When you go solo, that structure disappears. Suddenly you’re holding a huge basket of skills with no container. My goal here is to help you build that container so people instantly “get” what you do. I break everything down to one simple truth: people buy what they want, not what they “should” want. If your offer is built around what you think they need, you’ll always have to work harder. Instead, I show you how to anchor your offer to one specific problem your market is already motivated to solve and one outcome they actively desire. From there, we shape your expertise into a sellable package using four parts: The problem you solve The outcome you deliver The process you use The milestones (the mini wins) along the way Those milestones matter because they give buyers confidence. They can see how your steps translate into real progress, rather than vague promises. I also talk about how to market and sell this offer without becoming a full-time content creator. You need flow: awareness, trust, and conversion. Social media builds awareness and trust. Systems like newsletters and webinars handle the conversion so you’re not glued to LinkedIn all day. And finally, we tackle the emotional side – choosing a niche. It can feel limiting, almost like you’re shrinking your potential. But in reality, focusing on a small slice of the market is what creates stability, profitability, and momentum. Once you own that slice, you can take on the rest. This episode is all about making your expertise easy to buy so you can spend more time doing what you’re brilliant at.

Take the quiz: https://www.5pathstogettingclients.co.uk/quiz Most experts on LinkedIn are doing all the things: posting, networking, running events, yet still not seeing results. The truth is it is not about doing more. It is about doing the right things with clarity and consistency. In this episode, we break down The 5 Ones: one audience, one offer, one clear message, one system, and one year. This framework has helped consultants and service providers grow from inconsistent income to multi six and even seven figures on LinkedIn. If you are ready to simplify, focus, and finally turn LinkedIn into a reliable client engine, this is the roadmap. Next steps you can take... Win clients on LinkedIn in 30-mins per day - Check out the Accelerator My weekly newsletter to grow your business - Check out Signal Ask me any question you have about winning clients - Ask me anything on LinkedIn

Are you struggling to get leads on LinkedIn? You’re not alone. Most professionals think LinkedIn is the problem—but the truth is, it’s usually a business strategy issue, not a platform issue. In this podcast, I break down: 🔹 The REAL reasons why you’re not generating leads on LinkedIn 🔹 Why focusing on problems (not just solutions) attracts more clients 🔹 How to avoid generic, confusing LinkedIn messaging 🔹 Why content alone won’t reliably bring you clients 🔹 The 5 proven paths to winning clients on LinkedIn 🔹 How to build a systematic process that turns connections into clients If you’ve been posting, messaging, and spending hours on LinkedIn with little to no results, this video will give you the clarity and proven strategies you need to finally make LinkedIn your #1 client acquisition channel.   -------- Ready to get leads and clients CONSISTENTLY? Join the Social Selling Accelerator https://www.linkedin.com/smart-links/AQGebA_wEbJbWg ✍️Subscribe to my newsletter: https://signalnewsletter.deanseddon.io/ 💰 7 Day Client System: https://www.deanseddon.io/7-day-client-system   -------- 🔗 Connect with my on socials: ➡️ 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealdeandean ➡️ 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: https://www.instagram.com/therealdeandean