1435: Don't even try to grow an audience... this is WAY faster! (And free!)

Ever feel like you’re stuck trying to build an audience from scratch, wondering where your next customer will come from? In today's episode, Brian continues his special 7-day solo series by revealing one of the most powerful (and underrated) growth strategies he’s used across every business he’s built over the past 17 years. In this episode, he takes you all the way back to his dorm room days—starting with just three readers—and walks you through how leveraging other people’s audiences became the ultimate shortcut to growth. From guest posting and event sponsorships to podcast tours and course bundles, this episode is a masterclass in accelerating traction without waiting years to build your own platform.

✨ Why This Matters for You

This isn’t just a tactic—it’s a mindset shift that can dramatically speed up your growth:

• You don’t need to build an audience from scratch to succeed—you can tap into ones that already exist.
• It eliminates the slow, frustrating grind of trying to get attention in crowded spaces.
• It creates win-win opportunities where you provide value and gain exposure.
• It works across every business model—content, services, courses, and beyond.

📝 Key Takeaways

• Leverage Beats Starting From Zero. You don’t need to wait until you “have an audience.” Growth accelerates when you plug into audiences that already exist.
• Guest Content Is a Growth Engine. Whether it’s blog posts, podcasts, or webinars, contributing valuable content to others’ platforms is one of the fastest ways to get discovered.
• Solve Their Problem First. Brian’s success with guest posting came from understanding one key pain point: content creators always need more content. Lead with value.
• Partnerships Create Shortcuts. From sponsoring events to joining course bundles, strategic partnerships can instantly put you in front of qualified audiences.
• Exposure Over Immediate Revenue. Sometimes the smartest move is to sacrifice short-term income (like free course bundles) in exchange for long-term audience growth.
• Repeatable Across Every Stage. From his first blog to his podcast and beyond, Brian has used this same strategy over and over—it’s not a one-time trick, it’s a core playbook.

🚀 Put It Into Action

Start leveraging other people’s audiences today:

• Identify 5 platforms (podcasts, blogs, communities) that already serve your ideal customer.
• Reach out with a specific value offer—a tailored topic, article, or training just for their audience.
• Think win-win: how does your contribution make their platform better?
• Don’t overcomplicate it—your first opportunity could come from a simple, thoughtful email.
• Challenge yourself: secure at least one collaboration or guest opportunity within the next 14 days.

🔗 Stay Connected

• Subscribe so you don’t miss the rest of this week’s unconventional growth strategies
• Get a FREE paperback copy of Brian’s book Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur!
  → Email hello@imetbrian.com to claim yours
• Connect with Brian on Instagram: @imetbrian
• Share this episode with someone who’s tired of trying to grow alone and needs a smarter path forward