My first coaching session almost made me quit. I was sitting in my laundry room on a landline doing a practice session as part of my coaching certification. Forty-five minutes in, the woman just goes off on me. "Colin, you are pissing me off." I walked out and told my wife, "I don't know if this is for me." Now, over 17 years later, I've done over 4,500 hours of paid coaching at $3,800/hour. I keynoted at the American Institute of Hypnotherapy and Neurolinguistic Programming. And this week, I've got 55+ people flying in from around the world to spend three days with me. In this episode of The Expert Edge, I break down the exact three skills that transformed my coaching from "I'm pissing people off" to commanding premium rates and creating real breakthroughs with high-level clients. This isn't about being nice. It's about being transformational. What you'll learn: → Master powerful questions - Why asking the right questions creates breakthroughs (not giving advice first) → Use reframes to shift perspective - Stories, metaphors, and the feel-felt-found structure that changes how clients see their situation → Blend all three together - Questions + reframes + advice = transformational results → The difference between okay coaching and premium coaching → How to hold space for new possibility in your clients → Why awareness creates breakthroughs (not information) → Real questions that work with high-level clients → The metaphor approach (airplane in liftoff example) → How to give advice without being prescriptive Real insights from the episode: My first coaching disaster in the laundry room (and what it taught me) Why that experience was actually the best thing that happened to my coaching The mentor who saved my coaching career with one question How I went from free coaching to $125/hour to $3,800/hour Why questions create awareness and awareness creates breakthroughs "For what purpose are you choosing to be angry?" - The question that reframes everything "When did you create that belief?" - Getting people to take responsibility for their own beliefs "Who taught you that?" - Tracing beliefs back to the source The airplane metaphor - Why liftoff is supposed to be hard The feel-felt-found structure - How to pace, lead, and reframe in one move Why the best coaching is a blend of asking, showing, and telling How versatility and behavioral flexibility separates transformational coaches from transactional ones Premium Private Client Masterclass: I'm hosting a live masterclass on building premium private clients-everything from positioning and messaging to structuring your offers and attracting the right clients. Discover how to add $10-20K/month in new revenue by working with just 3-6 premium clients per year. Go to colinboyd.co/premium to register. It's completely free and I'll be answering questions live.   Interested in Elite? If you're interested in finding out more information about our Elite Coaching Program, make sure to DM me the word "ELITE" on Instagram, and I'd love to have a chat. https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd Discover how to authentically connect with your audience & fill your programs with a Conversion Story - Version 2.0 (AI Edition) is now available. https://www.conversionstoryformula.com Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode! Love this podcast? Write a review and give it a 5-star rating!  For all the show notes and links: https://www.expertedgepodcast.com/blog/episode339 Connect with Colin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd/  

I just coached someone to $3.2 million in a launch. Now, I've never personally made $3.2 million in a single launch myself. But here's what changed everything for me: I don't have to have done what they're doing. I just have to know how to solve the problems they face. In this episode of The Expert Edge, I break down the premium private client model-a revenue stream that's sitting in plain sight that most coaches miss because they haven't repositioned how they think about pricing. Over 17 years, I've built multiple revenue streams: courses (14,000 people through Conversion Story Formula), group coaching, masterminds, and advisory boards. But premium private clients sit at the tip of the spear. I've made $300K-$600K per year from premium clients while only working with 15 total clients per year. Right now, two clients just signed this week for $62,000-that's for about 10 coaching sessions. Here's the shift: the price of your coaching isn't determined by your current audience. It's determined by who buys it. What you'll learn: → Price is determined by the person, not your current audience - Why context changes everything → Solve urgent, important problems - The "broken tooth" problem that demands premium pricing → Be a stallion whisperer - Why you don't have to have done it to coach someone through it → Why one-on-one coaching at premium rates isn't the same as a one-on-one coaching business → How to attract the right premium clients without changing what you teach → The structure of premium private client offers ($3K-$10K/month models) → Why scarcity in premium clients actually increases the value of everything else you offer Real insights from the episode: Why I charge $3,800/hour now when I used to charge $125/hour The manny example: same job, $40-55K for a regular family vs $150-200K for a high-net-worth family How executive families will pay premium rates for parenting coaching when the stakes involve billion-dollar deals Why Olympic coaches didn't all win gold medals themselves The difference between building a one-on-one coaching business vs adding premium private clients How 15 clients per year can generate $300K-$600K in revenue Why 3-4 month engagements work better than long-term coaching relationships The Kajabi feature that brought 14,000 people through Conversion Story Formula How premium pricing affects perception and scarcity of all your other offerings Premium Private Client Masterclass: I'm hosting a live masterclass on building premium private clients-everything from positioning and messaging to structuring your offers and attracting the right clients. Discover how to add $10-20K/month in new revenue by working with just 3-6 premium clients per year. Go to colinboyd.co/premium to register. It's completely free and I'll be answering questions live.   Interested in Elite? If you're interested in finding out more information about our Elite Coaching Program, make sure to DM me the word "ELITE" on Instagram, and I'd love to have a chat. https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd Discover how to authentically connect with your audience & fill your programs with a Conversion Story - Version 2.0 (AI Edition) is now available. https://www.conversionstoryformula.com Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode! Love this podcast? Write a review and give it a 5-star rating!  For all the show notes and links: https://www.expertedgepodcast.com/blog/episode338 Connect with Colin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd/  

Right now, there is somewhat of an existential crisis going on. People are questioning: What value do I bring to the world? How can I, if I'm not smarter than AI, really add value? Where is my business and career direction going? I also think there is a strong movement towards people wanting authentic connection and an incredible opportunity right now for you to stand out in the marketplace as you. In this podcast, we unpack how to capitalize on the human advantage that is right now. With three big ideas, we explore: The use of sprinkling in some sweat so that you can connect with your current clients. Connecting with your audience more authentically so that they feel connected to you and want to buy from you. Why creating real-time interaction with your audience is one of the most profitable strategies right now I also announced that we are hosting another implementation workshop for premium private clients. This experience sold out last time, and Colin Boyd will be hosting it personally. To put down your name to get on the waitlist, to be the first to find out, click the link below: Get on the VIP waitlist here: https://learn.colinboyd.co/high-ticket-interest Interested in Elite? If you're interested in finding out more information about our Elite Coaching Program, make sure to DM me the word "ELITE" on Instagram, and I'd love to have a chat. https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd Discover how to authentically connect with your audience & fill your programs with a Conversion Story - Version 2.0 (AI Edition) is now available. https://www.conversionstoryformula.com Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode! Love this podcast? Write a review and give it a 5-star rating!  For all the show notes and links: https://www.expertedgepodcast.com/blog/episode337 Connect with Colin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd/  

You're booked solid. All the creative projects you wanted. All the clients saying yes. Your portfolio is overflowing. But you're exhausted. Overworked. The money isn't matching the hustle. And you're wondering if building a bigger creative business means becoming a manager of people you don't want to manage. In this episode of The Expert Edge, I sit down with Laura Higgins, who went from struggling with pricing and positioning to building a multi-seven-figure creative business. More importantly, she did it without losing the freedom, fun, or creativity that makes the work worth doing. Here's what most creatives don't realize: being good at your craft isn't enough. A photographer can take stunning photos. A designer can create beautiful work. An agency owner can deliver incredible results. But when it comes to pricing, selling, marketing, and building systems? Most creatives freeze. We talk about how Laura got the "niche slap" early on, shifted her entire positioning, and built a tiered system that serves creatives at every stage-from beginners to six-figure earners making $150K/month. What you'll learn: → Get the niche slap - Why serving everyone means helping no one (and how narrowing down changes everything) → Solve for what they don't want - Why negative positioning attracts better clients than positive promises → Build a tiered approach - How to serve different avatars at different revenue stages with different offers → Promise identity, not income - Why shifting from "make $30K/month" to "become this version of yourself" keeps clients longer → The creative business problem - Why photographers, designers, and agencies stay booked but broke → How to position yourself as the expert in the creative space → The benchmark that works (and why it matters for your pricing) Real insights from the episode: Laura's journey from starting a creative business at 23 with no idea how to sell The moment Colin told her "you're serving too many people" (the niche slap) How she started with a $9 product (Fully Booked) to filter for the right people Why her original promise of "$5K to $30K/month" had people leaving when they hit $30K How shifting to a $10K/month benchmark changed her entire business The difference between marketing to income vs identity Why some clients want $30K/month with 20 hours of work, others want $150K/month with a small team How creatives lose their creativity when they scale (and how to prevent it) The role of messaging when different people have different goals Why "what they don't want" matters more than "what they do want" Connect with Laura on Instagram @laurahiggins (it's aura, not laura, because she's Australian). DM her, tell her you listened to The Expert Edge. She's crushing it in the creative space and if you're a photographer, designer, web designer, or agency owner looking to scale without losing your mind, check out her work. She also has a podcast called My Business Playbook if you want more from her every week. Join us at Sell From Stage Live in-person event September 18th and 19th in Huntington Beach, California Register here: https://training.colinboyd.co/ssa-live-event Interested in Elite? If you're interested in finding out more information about our Elite Coaching Program, make sure to DM me the word "ELITE" on Instagram, and I'd love to have a chat. https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd Discover how to authentically connect with your audience & fill your programs with a Conversion Story - Version 2.0 (AI Edition) is now available. https://www.conversionstoryformula.com Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode! Love this podcast? Write a review and give it a 5-star rating!  For all the show notes and links: https://www.expertedgepodcast.com/blog/episode336 Connect with Colin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd/  

I've run close to a thousand workshop days over 17 years. And if there's one thing I know: it doesn't take thousands of people to change your business. Ten people in a room? Game changing. In this episode of The Expert Edge, I break down the five execution ideas that separate successful in-person workshops from expensive flops. This is Part 2 of the in-person workshop formula—the strategy was Part 1, this is how to actually run them. Get these five ideas right and people walk out with finished products, deeper connections, and they'll be begging to buy your next offer. Get them wrong and you'll have an expensive gathering with no results. What you'll learn: → Go from warm to cold in your marketing - Why starting with your warmest audience gets butts in seats → Focus on finishing - Why people want to leave with a finished product, not notes → Set up expectations with pre-framing - How 20-30 minutes of framing changes the entire engagement level → Fill out boxes to break down complexity - How to turn complex concepts into simple fillable templates people actually complete → Design the room for discussion - Why roundtables convert better than U-shapes or classroom setups → The psychology of immersion - Why two days in a room changes more than months of online content → How to structure activities that actually stick - Breaking the complex into simple, fillable boxes → Why AI-generated content overwhelms people (and how to fix it) → The role of logistics in transformation - How room setup determines engagement level Real insights from the episode: Why I don't try to fill rooms with cold traffic (warm is where the magic happens) The Bonjoro approach to personal outreach (and why it works) How to design activities with five fillable boxes (story mapping example) The pre-framing that makes everyone feel like friends immediately Why finish-focused workshops convert better than content-dump workshops The mini U-shaped roundtable setup that beats all other configurations How to handle people facing backward in roundtables (without awkwardness) Why one big influencer was SMSing old clients to fill their event The immersion principle from Anthony Robbins (and why it works) How to set expectations so people show up ready to engage The difference between knowledge and knowing (and why it matters)   Join us at Sell From Stage Live in-person event September 18th and 19th in Huntington Beach, California Register here: https://training.colinboyd.co/ssa-live-event Interested in Elite? If you're interested in finding out more information about our Elite Coaching Program, make sure to DM me the word "ELITE" on Instagram, and I'd love to have a chat. https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd Discover how to authentically connect with your audience & fill your programs with a Conversion Story - Version 2.0 (AI Edition) is now available. https://www.conversionstoryformula.com Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode! Love this podcast? Write a review and give it a 5-star rating!  For all the show notes and links: https://www.expertedgepodcast.com/blog/episode335 Connect with Colin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd/  

Online events tend to convert weak. Connection feels distant. People disappear after the training. Then you run an in-person workshop. Same content. Same you. And something magic happens. In this episode of The Expert Edge, I break down the in-person workshop formula that separates six-figure coaches from seven-figure coaches. This is Part 1 of a deep dive into the most powerful tool for scaling your business in 2026. One of my Elite clients went from $15K-$20K a month to $90K a month. After Sell from Stage Live, she told me "I never would have created this without your program." That conversation wouldn't have meant the same in a Zoom call. Here's what most people don't realize: in an AI world where information is everywhere, real human connection is becoming increasingly rare and increasingly valuable. In-person workshops create that connection. They build community. They increase enrollment. They create stickiness so clients stay longer. What you'll learn: → The 5 big reasons in-person events work (and why online can't compete) → Results - Information becomes implementation when people are in the room → Ascension - The magnetic pull of being physically present with the leader → Proof - Real footage of you on stage becomes your best marketing asset in an AI world → Community - Peer bonds that can't be created online → Stickiness - How in-person events keep clients longer and more committed → The three types of workshops - Implementation events, signature live events, intimate intensives Real insights from the episode: Why I spent $50K at a free event (the power of in-person) The client transformation story: $15K to $90K through community and connection How in-person creates proof through real footage (critical in the AI age) Why online community can't replace physical proximity The three event types explained (and which one to run first) Why cutoff dates and early-bird bonuses drive registration The follow-up sequence that keeps momentum after the event Join us at Sell From Stage Live in-person event September 18th and 19th in Huntington Beach, California Register here: https://training.colinboyd.co/ssa-live-event Interested in Elite? If you're interested in finding out more information about our Elite Coaching Program, make sure to DM me the word "ELITE" on Instagram, and I'd love to have a chat. https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd Discover how to authentically connect with your audience & fill your programs with a Conversion Story - Version 2.0 (AI Edition) is now available. https://www.conversionstoryformula.com Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode! Love this podcast? Write a review and give it a 5-star rating!  For all the show notes and links: https://www.expertedgepodcast.com/blog/episode334 Connect with Colin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd/  

In Part 2 of our conversation series, we dive even deeper into the art of connecting with others and turning casual conversations into meaningful, lasting relationships. If you've ever felt like you're stuck in "small talk" and can't quite break through to real connections, you're not alone. But the good news is-there's a simple shift you can make that will change everything. In this episode, I walk you through the next level of conversation mastery: How to instantly read the room and adjust your approach to create rapport quickly. The power of asking the right questions to guide conversations toward genuine connection. Why being intentional with your words (and silence) can dramatically improve your impact. Whether you're at a networking event, a business meeting, or just trying to connect with people on a deeper level, these strategies will make your conversations more fluid, meaningful, and, yes-less awkward. If you want to stop feeling like a deer in headlights when talking to strangers, this episode is for you. Let's take your conversation skills from awkward to amazing! I'm hosting the first in person event I've held in 6 years - September 18th and 19th. Less than 2 months away. You have to be a sell from stage academy student to attend so make sure you sign up here: https://training.colinboyd.co/ssa-live-event You'll walk away with:  ✔  Confident mindset   - Master and practice simple mindset strategies to feel confident every time you speak ✔  Live presentation building  - You'll craft your done-in-the-room presentation so that your content connects and converts every time. ✔  Story creation & delivery - Refine, deliver, and receive feedback on your signature story. ✔  Stage craft mastery -  up-level your stage delivery and presence. ✔  Get more stages - Create a strategy to get yourself on more stages than ever before. ✔  Personal feedback - Get real feedback so that you feel clear and excited about your delivery. Discover how to authentically connect with your audience & fill your programs with a Conversion Story. https://www.conversionstoryformula.com Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode! Love this podcast? Write a review and give it a 5-star rating!  For all the show notes and links: https://www.expertedgepodcast.com/blog/episode333 Connect with Colin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd/ Get Colin's favorite ALL-IN-ONE Course, Content and Email System: Optima Funnels https://colinboyd.co/optima    

So many struggle with something that has the power to change everything-conversation. The fear of rejection. The worry of not belonging. That awkward moment when you don't know what to say next. We've all been there. But here's the truth: Your ability to make genuine connections will impact your success more than any marketing tactic ever will. In this episode, I break down three simple but powerful strategies to help you engage in conversations with confidence, ease, and real impact: - How your body language shapes the way people perceive you before you even say a word. - A subtle shift that creates deeper, more natural connections. - The key to guiding conversations effortlessly, so they feel engaged instead of forced. If networking, small talk, or meeting new people has ever felt intimidating, this episode is for you. Let's make conversations feel natural - and even enjoyable. —--------------------- I'm hosting the first in person event I've held in 6 years - September 18th and 19th. Less than 2 months away. You have to be a sell from stage academy student to attend so make sure you sign up here: https://training.colinboyd.co/ssa-live-event You'll walk away with:  ✔  Confident mindset   - Master and practice simple mindset strategies to feel confident every time you speak ✔  Live presentation building  - You'll craft your done-in-the-room presentation so that your content connects and converts every time. ✔  Story creation & delivery - Refine, deliver, and receive feedback on your signature story. ✔  Stage craft mastery -  up-level your stage delivery and presence. ✔  Get more stages - Create a strategy to get yourself on more stages than ever before. ✔  Personal feedback - Get real feedback so that you feel clear and excited about your delivery.   Discover how to authentically connect with your audience & fill your programs with a Conversion Story. https://www.conversionstoryformula.com Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode! Love this podcast? Write a review and give it a 5-star rating!  For all the show notes and links: https://www.expertedgepodcast.com/blog/episode332 Connect with Colin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd/  

You may be thinking your course is the problem. Or your offer. Or your pricing. Or your funnel. But can I be real with you? None of those are the problem. In this episode of The Expert Edge, I break down what people are actually buying when they purchase your program. Spoiler: it's not your course content. They're buying something invisible. Something you can't see on the sales page or in your emails. Something that either exists or it doesn't. They're buying certainty. Not information. Not the methodology. Certainty that if they join, they're actually going to get the result you're promising. Most coaches miss this completely. They build beautiful courses, launch with great copy, run solid ads. Then they wonder why nobody's buying when everything looks right. Because certainty isn't about the offer. It's about three specific things your audience needs to feel before they click enroll. Get these three elements aligned and watch what happens: programs fill up, conversions increase, people stop questioning whether to buy and start asking when they can start. What you'll learn: → What people are actually buying (it's not what you think) → Personal Certainty - Why your transformation story matters more than your credentials → Process Certainty - How to show the exact path people will take to get results → Proof Certainty - Why testimonials and case studies convert better than claims → How to tell your conversion story in a way that builds all three levels of certainty → The framework for crafting an offer that sells itself → Why missing one of these elements kills your conversions   Discover how to authentically connect with your audience & fill your programs with a Conversion Story - Version 2.0 (AI Edition) is now available. https://www.conversionstoryformula.com Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode! Love this podcast? Write a review and give it a 5-star rating!  For all the show notes and links: https://www.expertedgepodcast.com/blog/episode331 Connect with Colin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd/  

Most people think the fear of public speaking means you're not cut out for it. But that couldn't be further from the truth. In this episode of The Expert Edge, Colin gets real about one of the most universal fears out there - speaking in front of people. Whether it's a live audience, a Zoom room, or a podcast mic, that nervous energy you feel before sharing your message isn't a flaw - it's a signal. Colin shares personal stories (including a shaky Bible reading in front of his classmates at 13) and practical strategies for turning fear into focus so you can show up with confidence and presence every time you speak. You'll learn: Why focusing on service dissolves fear - and how shifting attention from yourself to your audience instantly builds confidence. How to be truly present - the simple grounding practice Colin uses to stay calm and connected on stage. The one question that rewires your brain mid-panic - transforming anxiety into energy that drives performance instead of derailing it. If you've ever dreamed of commanding a stage or delivering your message with clarity and conviction - but your nerves keep hijacking the mic - this episode will help you finally take your power back. Grab my book One Presentation Away, onepresentationawaybook.com today while it's discounted (like 50% off on amazon). The reviews and feedback have been amazing. You'll discover how to become and irresistible speaker to convert more clients! Discover how to authentically connect with your audience & fill your programs with a Conversion Story - Version 2.0 (AI Edition) is now available. https://www.conversionstoryformula.com Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode! Love this podcast? Write a review and give it a 5-star rating!  For all the show notes and links: https://www.expertedgepodcast.com/blog/episode330 Connect with Colin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinboyd/