How to start a matchmaking business: the offer, the price and your first clients
Learn how to start a matchmaking business by picking a niche, building high-ticket offers, and creating a sales process that turns consultations into clients.
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WGN news contact: how to reach WGN 9 and get your story on air
The contact routes WGN 9 Chicago lists, which one to use for a news tip, how to find the right producer, and how to pitch WGN Morning News and Midday News.
Raising capital for real estate: how sponsors find investors beyond their network
Your network gets a raise started. Here's how sponsors find accredited investors who don't know them, and what each lead and booked call should cost.
TIME magazine contact info: how to reach editors and pitch a story
The emails and phone number TIME lists for letters, subscriptions and permissions, plus how to find the right TIME writer and pitch your story.
506(c) vs 506(b): what's the difference, and which one should you use for your raise?
506(c) lets you advertise your raise, but every investor must be accredited and verified. 506(b) bans advertising but allows up to 35 non-accredited investors. Here's how to pick.
How to contact the Wall Street Journal: tips, pitches and what reporters want
The Wall Street Journal's newsroom email is wsjcontact@wsj.com, and tips go through Signal, SecureDrop or mail. Here's every route WSJ lists and how to pitch the right reporter.
CNN contact email: how to send a news tip and get on CNN
CNN's news tip email is tips@cnn.com, but CNN says it isn't for press releases. Here are the routes CNN lists, how to find the right producer, and how to pitch them.
KTLA news tip: how to contact KTLA and get your story on air
KTLA's contact page doesn't list a news tip email. Here are the routes the station does list, how to find the right producer, and how to pitch the KTLA 5 Morning News.
In-house marketing vs agency: how to choose, and what to keep doing yourself
What in-house marketing and an agency each do well, where each one falls short, what to keep inside your company no matter what, and how to decide which fits you.
AI automation tools for business: what each type does and what to automate first
The main types of AI automation tools, what each one does, the five jobs a founder should automate first, and the parts of selling you should keep doing yourself.
Lead follow up: how fast to reply, what to say, and how long to keep going
How fast to reply to a new lead, what to say in the first message, a sample two-week follow up schedule, and how to win back old leads you never called.
Press release format in AP style: the rules that matter, with a sample
The AP style rules a press release needs, from the dateline and state abbreviations to dates, times, numbers and titles, plus a made-up sample release.
Cold email outreach: how to set it up, who to email, and how to get replies
How to run cold email outreach as a founder: the sending setup that keeps your main inbox safe, building and checking a list, what to write, when to follow up and which numbers to fix.
Buyer persona template: what to fill in, with B2B and B2C examples
A buyer persona template with 12 fields, made-up B2B and B2C examples, and how to fill it in from real buyers and sales calls instead of guesses.
Order bump: what it is, examples, and how to add one to your checkout
Order bumps are checkbox add-ons buyers pick right before they pay. Here's how they differ from upsells, what to offer, how to price one, and the mistakes that lead to refunds.
Media advisory template: how to write one, with examples
Every part of a media advisory in order, a fill-in template, three made-up examples, and when and how to send it so reporters and camera crews show up.
Ideal customer profile template: what to include, with examples
A copyable ideal customer profile template with 12 fields, two filled-in examples, the steps to build yours from customers who already paid you, and where to use it.
What is a discovery call? How to run one, and the questions to ask
How a discovery call differs from a sales call or a demo, the questions to ask, a sample 30-minute outline, and how to follow up after you hang up.
Fractional marketing: what it is, the roles you can hire, and when it makes sense
The fractional roles you can hire, from a part-time CMO to an ads or email specialist, how they compare to an agency, and how to tell which one you need first.
Press release format for an event: what to include, with a template
What goes in an event press release, in order, with a template you can copy, when to send it, how it differs from a media advisory, and why a short pitch to the right reporter does more than the release.
Sales prospecting: what it is and how to do it step by step
How sales prospecting works for founders: who to look for, where to find names, what to say in the first message, how to follow up, and what to track.
Conversion landing page: what it is and what to put on one
What to put on a landing page so more visitors book a call or buy, why high-ticket pages keep premium prices off the page, and what to check before you lower your price.
Press release boilerplate: what to write in the About section, with examples
What to put in the About paragraph at the end of a press release, with a fill-in-the-blank template, three examples and the five mistakes to skip.
How do you handle sales objections? What to say to the ones you'll hear most
A sales objection is often a question the buyer hasn't asked out loud yet. Here are four simple steps to find the real concern, plus lines to try for price, timing, trust and "I need to think about it."
What is a cold call in sales? How it works and what to say
How to run a cold call step by step, with a simple script, answers to the brush-offs you'll hear first, and the five numbers that show whether your calls are working.
What is a funnel in sales? The stages, real examples, and how to find where you lose buyers
Learn the four stages of a sales funnel, see real funnels for high-ticket services, webinars and low-price products, and find the one step that's costing you sales.
What is a lead magnet? How it works, examples, and what to do after the download
The 8 common types, how to build one in a week, and the follow-up after the download that turns a free signup into a paying customer.
AI sales tools: what each type does and which ones a founder actually needs
The six types of AI sales tools, the names to look at in each, the three a founder should start with, and the parts of selling AI can't do for you.
Sample cold email: 7 examples you can copy, and the format behind them
Seven sample cold emails you can copy for sales, old leads, investors, journalists, partners and follow-ups, plus the five-part format they all share.
B2B sales: what it is, how it works, and how to do it as a founder
What B2B sales means, how it differs from selling to consumers, the eight steps from first outreach to a signed deal, and why founders should take the first calls.
ChatGPT for small business: how to use it day to day and get good answers
Eight practical ways a small business can use ChatGPT, how to write prompts that get useful drafts, and what to keep out of it.
Cold email subject line: how to write one that gets opened, with examples
Seven rules for writing a cold email subject line, fill-in-the-blank examples for customers, investors, journalists and partners, and the subject lines to stop using.
AI agents for business: what they are, what they can do, and where to start
What an AI agent is, how it's different from a chatbot or an automation, which jobs to give one first, and what to keep doing yourself.
Fractional CMO: what one is, what they actually do, and how to pick one
What a fractional CMO does week to week, how the role differs from an agency or a consultant, how they charge, and the questions to ask before you hire one.
AI tools for marketing: what to use for each job, and what to keep doing yourself
A plain guide to AI tools for marketing, sorted by job: research, landing pages, ad creative, video and press, plus the parts you should still do yourself.
Media pitch examples: 6 pitches you can copy and why they work
Six media pitch examples you can copy, from news tie-ins and data pitches to exclusives and podcast guest spots, plus the five parts every pitch needs.
Cold email follow up: when to send it, what to say, and when to stop
When to send each follow-up, what to put in it, three fill-in-the-blank examples, and the signs it's time to stop emailing.
High ticket sales: what it is, how it works, and how to close
Learn what high ticket sales is, the step-by-step process for closing premium offers, and why your price is rarely the reason you aren't closing deals.
How to calculate customer acquisition cost without fooling yourself
The CAC formula is simple. This guide shows what to count, why leads are not customers, and how to read the number when sales take time.
15 Hook Examples for Better Marketing Content
See 15 practical hook examples for articles, emails, videos, landing pages, webinars, and social posts, with a plain-language explanation of when each one fits.
What Does a Full-Service Marketing Agency Actually Do?
A practical guide to what a full-service marketing agency should handle: traffic, landing pages, follow-up, sales handoffs, reporting, and when one specialist is enough.
Conversion Metrics That Help Founders Make Better Growth Decisions
Learn the conversion metrics that help founders define better goals, compare against their own baseline, and connect growth work to lead quality and revenue.
Follow-Up Email After a Sales Call: What to Send and When
A follow-up email after a sales call should repeat the problem the prospect told you they have, confirm what happens next, and ask one simple question.
Stop Renting Attention: What Is Earned Media Coverage and How to Get It
Stop renting attention. Learn what is earned media coverage and how to get third-party validation that builds real brand trust without a PR agency.
What Is a VSL Funnel? A Plain English Guide for Founders
A VSL funnel is a page with a pre-recorded sales video followed by one clear next step. Learn how it works and why it filters high-ticket leads while you sleep.
How to Write a PR Pitch That Actually Gets a Reply
Stop sending generic press releases. Learn the 5-part anatomy of a PR pitch that earned 200+ media placements in The New York Times, BBC, and TechCrunch.
Press Release Example: The Exact Format (and the Mistake That Gets Zero Replies)
Learn the standard press release format with an example you can copy, and discover why a personal pitch is more effective for earning media coverage.
This Plan Ahead Strategy Feels Illegal (But It Works)
I've started 6 businesses and realized the smartest ideas don't win, the ones who plan ahead and build systems for the boring days do. Here is how to build your roadmap.
This Social Media Optimisation Strategy Feels Illegal (But It Works)
One hour of talking into a tripod becomes two months of content. Discover the exact social media optimisation system I run for fractional CMO clients to scale reach.
7 Presentation Techniques Mistakes That Are Costing You Engagement
Stop pitching what you do and start pitching the story. Learn the presentation techniques that helped me land 200+ features and a TEDx talk.
Marketing Consultant: The Strategy I Wish I Knew 15 Years Ago
Learn what a marketing consultant actually does, how they differ from agencies, and the specific strategic shifts that doubled close rates and landed the NYT.
The DIY Public Relations for Small Business Owners Secret That Changed Everything for Me
Learn how to land Tier-1 media coverage without a $10k agency retainer. My DIY public relations roadmap shows small business owners how to pitch, find journalists, and win.
Stop Guessing Your Growth: When Should a Startup Hire a Fractional CMO?
Stop guessing your growth strategy. Learn the revenue milestones and trigger points that signal the exact moment your startup needs a fractional CMO to scale.
11 Zero Dollar Growth Hacks That Actually Work for Startups (And the Proof They Succeed)
Discover zero dollar growth hacks that actually work for startups. Learn the secrets I used to scale Filteroff to 2M+ video dates without an ad budget.
Community Led Growth Strategy for Startups: The Strategy I Wish I Knew 14 Years Ago
Learn the tactical community led growth strategy for startups that helped me build a 18K user community and exit a video dating app. Real stories, no fluff.
Why Hiring a VP of Sales Is Wrong (And How to Master a Founder Led Sales Strategy High Ticket)
Stop hiding behind your product. Learn how to master a founder led sales strategy high ticket approach to close $50k+ deals by leveraging your unique authority and building deep trust.
I Got 200+ Press Features Without an Agency. Here's How to Pitch Journalists for Press Coverage.
I’ve landed 200+ features in the NYT and Forbes without a PR agency. Here is the exact process I used to pitch journalists and get noticed.
Why Traditional Retainers Are a Waste of Cash (And How to Pitch Journalists Without a PR Agency)
Stop wasting $10k/month on retainers. Zach Schleien shares the exact framework he used to get 200+ media features like NYT and Forbes without ever hiring a PR agency.
AI PR Tools for Startups: What to Look For Before You Pick One
I got 200+ features without an agency. Learn how I used AI PR tools for startups to scale my outreach and get into the New York Times and Forbes.
7 Critical Mistakes When You Cold Email Journalists for Press Coverage
Stop wasting money on PR agencies. I landed 200+ features in the NYT, Forbes, and BBC using these cold email secrets. Here are the mistakes killing your coverage.
5 Proven Strategies That Show You How to Get Press as a Startup Founder
Stop wasting money on PR agencies. Learn how I got 200+ media features in NYT and Forbes using cold outreach and the exact strategy you can use today.
Why Hiring a PR Agency Is Wrong (And How to Get Featured in the New York Times)
Stop wasting $15k/mo on PR agencies. Learn how Zach Schleien landed the New York Times and 200+ other features using cold outreach and proprietary data.
How One Founder Got 200+ Features: How to Get Press Coverage for a Startup Without a PR Agency
Learn how to get press coverage for a startup without a PR agency using the exact cold email strategies I used to land 200+ features in Forbes, NYT, and BBC.
How to Build a Personal Brand on LinkedIn as a Founder
Stop acting like a corporate bot. Learn how to build a LinkedIn brand that drives press, users, and sales by using Zach Schleien’s "Origin Story" framework.
How to Get Press Coverage Without a PR Agency (The Founder's Guide)
Learn how to get press coverage without a PR agency. Use Zach Schleien's proven cold email strategies that landed him 200+ features in the NYT, Forbes, and BBC.
3 Major Differences That Help You Choose a Fractional CMO vs Marketing Agency
Founder Zach Schleien breaks down the difference between a fractional CMO and a marketing agency using lessons from Filteroff and 18percent. Stop wasting your marketing budget.
How I Left Johnson & Johnson After 6 Years to Build a Startup
I had a safe corporate career at J&J. Then I quit to build a dating app. Here's why leaving was the best decision I ever made.
Long Landing Pages Work: Why Everything You Believe About Conversion Is Wrong
Everyone says keep it short. The data says otherwise. Here's why long-form landing pages outperform short ones for high-ticket offers.
How We Scammed the Scammers on Our Dating App
When catfish and scammers invaded Filteroff, we didn't just ban them - we turned their tactics against them. Here's how.
My Mom Was an Entrepreneur and That Changed Everything
I didn't learn entrepreneurship from a book. I learned it watching my mom build a business from our kitchen table.
The Subject Lines That Got Me Into Forbes, NYT, and GMA
The difference between getting ignored and getting featured often comes down to 8 words. Here are the exact subject lines that landed me major press.
I Turned a First Date Into a Business Plan
On a first date, my future co-founder and I sketched out Filteroff on a napkin. Sometimes the best ideas come from the most unexpected places.
Say Yes to the Recital: Why Personal Challenges Make Better Founders
I signed up for a piano recital as an adult beginner. It was terrifying. It also made me a better founder.
How I Got a 21-Year-Old Into Forbes With One Cold Email
She had no PR team, no connections, no budget. One email to the right journalist changed everything.
How I Would Grow a Barbershop From Zero to Fully Booked
Most barbershops rely on walk-ins and word of mouth. Here's the exact growth playbook I'd use to fill every chair, every day.
From Zero to 50K Per Month: The One Shift That Changed Everything
I went from $0 to $50K/month in consulting revenue by making one fundamental shift in how I positioned my offer.
7 AI Tools I Actually Use as a Founder
Most AI tool lists are written by people who've never built a company. These are the 7 tools I use daily to run my business.
Rejection Never Stopped Me. It Saved Me Time.
I've been rejected by investors, journalists, partners, and customers. Every no was a redirect to a better yes.
Frontier Airlines GoWild Pass Is a Masterclass in Offer Design
Frontier's $599 all-you-can-fly pass isn't a travel deal. It's a brilliant offer design strategy that every founder should study.
5 High-Ticket Sales Mistakes That Kill Your Close Rate
Most founders lose high-ticket deals before the prospect even gets on a call. Here are the 5 mistakes I see killing close rates.
Why I Never List High-Ticket Prices on My Website
Listing your price on a high-ticket offer is one of the fastest ways to kill conversions. Here's why - and what to do instead.
The Biggest Growth Lever Is Proximity, Not Courses
I've spent thousands on courses and barely used them. The thing that actually changed my trajectory? Being in the room with the right people.
How to Hire a Closer (And the One Question I Always Ask First)
Hiring your first sales closer is one of the highest-leverage moves a founder can make. But hire the wrong one and it'll cost you months.
The One Habit That Turned My Sales Team Into Machines
It's not a script. It's not a CRM. It's a 15-minute daily habit that transformed my team's close rate.
Invite Journalists to Experience Your Product, Not Read About It
The most effective PR pitches I've sent weren't pitches at all. They were invitations. Here's why experience beats explanation.
How a 57% Conversion Lift Came From Psychology, Not More Traffic
I didn't increase my ad spend. I didn't change my offer. I changed how I presented it. A 57% lift from psychology alone.
Stop Getting Your Own Leads
If you're still the one prospecting, qualifying, and closing, you don't have a business. You have a job.
Why Every Creator Needs an Email List, Even With 100K Followers
Social media followers are rented. Your email list is owned. Here's why every creator and founder should prioritize email over everything else.
5 PR Tools That Actually Work for Founders in 2025
Most PR tools are built for agencies, not founders. Here are the 5 I actually use to land press coverage without a PR team.
Honor Your Word: The Habit That Separates Founders Who Rise
The most underrated founder skill isn't sales or marketing. It's doing what you said you'd do, every single time.
How to Get Press Coverage as a Startup, Step by Step
A complete step-by-step guide to getting press coverage for your startup without hiring a PR agency or spending thousands on retainers.
How to Write a Cold Email to a Journalist That Gets Opened
Journalists get 300+ emails a day. Here's how to write a cold pitch that actually gets opened, read, and responded to.
What Is a Fractional CMO and Do You Need One?
A fractional CMO gives you senior marketing leadership without a full-time salary. Here's what they do, who needs one, and how to evaluate them.
How to Build a Growth Engine Without a Marketing Team
You don't need a 10-person marketing team to grow. You need one repeatable system. Here's how to build it as a solo founder.
The Best Free PR Tools for Startups in 2025
You don't need a $10K/month agency to get press. These free and low-cost PR tools will help you land coverage on your own.
Good Morning America Contact Email: How to Reach GMA and Get on the Show
Good Morning America has no public booking email. Here's what ABC actually lists, and the pitch process that got my dad on the show twice.
Founder-Led Marketing: Why CEOs Should Own Their Growth
The best growth channels for early-stage companies aren't paid ads or agencies. They're the founder's own voice, story, and network.
How to Build a Sales Funnel That Actually Converts
Most sales funnels are over-engineered and under-performing. Here's the simple framework that drives real revenue.
How to Outsource Lead Generation Using Upwork
I use Upwork to build my lead generation pipeline. Not for cheap labor - for leverage. Here's exactly how I do it.
How to Pitch a TEDx Talk and Get Accepted
TEDx talks build massive credibility. But getting accepted requires a strategic application. Here's how I got on the TEDx stage.
How to Build an Online Community From Scratch in 2025
I built 18percent to 18,000 members. Here's the step-by-step playbook for building a thriving online community from zero.
VSL vs Webinar: How to Pick the Right One for a High-Ticket Offer
VSLs and webinars both work for high-ticket. But they work differently. Here's when to use each - based on real data.
How to Get Into Forbes as a Founder Without a PR Agency
Forbes isn't reserved for billionaires. I've gotten multiple people into Forbes using cold outreach. Here's the exact strategy.
The Psychology Behind High-Converting Landing Pages
High-converting landing pages don't happen by accident. They're built on specific psychological principles. Here are the ones that matter most.
How to Run a Webinar That Actually Sells
Most webinars educate without converting. Here's the structure that turns a webinar into a revenue-generating machine.
Clubhouse Shoot Your Shot: 16 Lessons From Running the Largest Rooms
I built the largest Shoot Your Shot rooms on Clubhouse with 400+ singles nightly. Here are 16 lessons on community, inclusivity, and audio-first dating.
How I Got My Dad in the New York Times (And on GMA, CNN, and FOX)
My dad got COVID, survived, and I turned his story into a NYT op-ed, the front page of Reddit, and national TV. Here's the PR playbook.
How to Prepare for a TEDx Talk: My 10-Step Process
Preparing for my TEDx was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I've ever done. Here's the exact 10-step process I used.
Kill Your To-Do List: A 10-Step Productivity Framework
To-do lists create anxiety, not action. Here's a 10-step framework using calendar blocking, email snoozing, and the 80/20 rule to actually get things done.
7 Reasons Every Founder Should Build an Online Community
Communities don't just grow audiences - they create lasting relationships, break down silos, and position you as a connector in your space.
The Best Online Community Platforms in 2019 (Compared)
Choosing the right platform can make or break your community. Here's a comprehensive comparison of Discord, Slack, Mighty Networks, Reddit, and more.
10 Tips for Building a Thriving Slack Community
I've built 2 successful online communities. Most die within weeks. Here are 10 tips that actually work - from acquisition to moderation to engagement.
Why I Hired a $12/Hour Photographer While Traveling Solo in Taiwan
Solo travel doesn't have to mean selfies. I hired a local photographer on Upwork for $12/hour in Taiwan - and it was the best travel decision I've ever made.
How to Balance a Side Hustle With a 9-to-5 (Without Burning Out)
You don't have to quit your job to build something great. Here's how to maintain balance and still make real progress on your side hustle.
18percent: How I Built a Mental Health Community on Slack
After losing a close family friend to mental illness, I built an online community that grew to 18,000+ members and nearly 2 million messages. Here's the story.
7 Ways to Grow Your Business With Google Tag Manager
Google Tag Manager is one of the most underused growth tools. Here are 7 ways I used outbound link tracking to grow my dating site to 20,000 monthly visitors.