Episode Details

E1090: If I had to start over at 22 years old with no connections, very little experience, and no audience, this is the exact playbook I'd use to start paying NYC rent in 90 days.

This episode breaks down the credibility-first strategy I would use to get seen, get trusted, get referrals, and start charging more.

The core idea is simple: before people hire you, they Google/ChatGPT you.

So if you can make yourself look credible fast, you make every sales conversation easier.

I cover: - How I would build credibility from zero - Why podcasts are one of the fastest ways to look established - How I used podcast guesting before I had a social media following - Why podcast appearances help with Google, AI visibility, backlinks, brand mentions, and trust - How a 20-year-old operator I'm working with got on 8 podcasts in his first month - Why the real value of PR and podcasting is not always direct leads - How public credibility makes leads easier to close - Why your clients seeing you "everywhere" can reduce churn and increase referrals - How to use LinkedIn to amplify every podcast appearance - Why short-form video is optional, but powerful if you can do it consistently

Then I break down how I would actually get leads.

For in-person networking, I explain: - How to find the types of people most likely to send you referrals - How to use ChatGPT to find events, groups, lists, and newsletters in your city - Why referrals convert better than cold outreach - Why arriving early to events works so well - Why you should focus on one person instead of trying to meet everyone - How taking someone to a second location builds trust faster - How to make people remember what you do without hard-selling them

For remote networking, I explain: - How Mariah Magazine built her SEO business without in-person events - Why paid communities are better than free communities for this strategy - How to find communities filled with people likely to need your services - Why you should focus on helping instead of selling - How service swaps can create referrals, case studies, and credibility - How one PR and SEO service swap helped both people grow their businesses

Finally, I talk about pricing.

I share the Patrick McKenzie story that changed how I think about consulting rates: - Why hourly pricing can hold you back - Why weekly pricing can completely change the business - How he went from $4,000 per week to $8,000, $12,000, $20,000, and $30,000 per week - Why credibility makes it easier to raise prices - Why your rates should increase as your demand and proof increase

The full playbook is: 1. Build credibility with podcasts 2. Share every appearance on social media 3. Meet referral sources in person or inside paid communities 4. Help people before selling 5. Use the credibility to convert leads faster 6. Raise prices as your proof and demand grow

If I was starting over at 22, this is exactly what I would do.

⭐️ My article explaining all this (with more links) - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/if-i-started-over-at-22-credibility-first-playbook/ ⭐️ Podcast guesting tool mentioned - https://aipodcastmatcher.com ⭐️ My guide to getting on podcasts as a guest - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/get-on-podcasts-as-guest-2026/ ⭐️ My Exact Social Media Posting Strategy - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/social-media-posting-strategy/ ⭐️ Content Creation Ideas: How I Never Run Out of Things to Post - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/content-creation-ideas/ ⭐️ Things I've Learned About Networking to Sell a Service -