Ep 202 | How to be a big deal in 2026: Strategic differences between the most popular growth efforts

Six months ago (literally the week Sophia gave birth), she and her husband, Bradley, a Peloton instructor with a built-in community, launched a podcast that got thousands of downloads immediately. No warming up. No convincing. People just showed up. It was such a stark contrast to launching Marketing Unfiltered years earlier without an audience, and it crystallized something Sophia sees coaches mess up constantly: they spend a year perfecting their program while completely forgetting to grow their community. Then they launch a webinar and ask, "who am I promoting this to?" and realize... there's no one there. This episode is Sophia's wake-up call that audience growth can't be an afterthought anymore, it needs seasons, strategy, and to happen alongside (or before) building your offers. Because if you want to be a big deal in 2026, you can't wait until your program is perfect to start growing your audience.

Here's What We Cover:

1. The biggest mistake coaches make with audience growth: Spending a year perfecting the program while forgetting to consistently grow the community
2. The order that actually works: Build the audience and relationship BEFORE or WHILE you build the thing (not after it's "perfect")
3. The difference between passive exposure and real growth: Why podcast guesting and lead magnets are great for consistency but not how you grow BIG
4. The three best ways to own your growth: Summits, Private Podcasts, and Bundles: When each strategy works best and which one matches your sales approach

…and other proven growth principles most coaches overlook.

Resources Mentioned:

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