#813 7-Figure Marketing with Zero Ad Spend ft. Karla Singson

What marketing strategies are actually working in 2025? Karla Singson shares standout tactics from a DC Mexico meetup she hosted, where 6- and 7-figure founders revealed how they’re landing clients organically through Facebook groups, trade show podcast hacks, and thoughtful LinkedIn comments (no ad spend required).

We also dive into Karla’s own playbook: how she’s built multiple businesses around authenticity, reputation, and smart delegation. She shares tips for handling sales calls, choosing offers that sell themselves, and why relationships (not reach) are her #1 growth lever.

LINKS:

Karla’s Facebook
Karla’s Instagram
Karla’s Business
Dennis Yu’s “Dollar a Day” Strategy
Connect with generous global entrepreneurs
Founders getting together in Bangkok this October for DCBKK 2025
Read Dan’s book “Before the Exit”
Share your story/sponsor the pod

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:13) Intro: Affordable Marketing for Scrappy Founders

(00:01:29) Karla’s Business Portfolio: From Flowers to Facebook Funnels

(00:05:00) Why Founders Struggle to Delegate

(00:10:17) 3 Low-Cost, High-Impact Client Acquisition Channels

(00:12:59) Organic Facebook Marketing Still Works (Here’s Why)

(00:15:34) The 400% Revenue Trade Show Hack

(00:18:29) How to Capture Leads by Commenting on LinkedIn

(00:21:17) Why Most Founders Are Hesitant to Run Ads

(00:22:50) The Rise of Hyper-Authenticity

(00:26:30) Why In-Person Still Matters (But Not for the Reason You Think)

(00:27:25) The '10 Industry Friends' Strategy for Rapid Growth

(00:34:41) Why Karla Keeps a Business Portfolio (Not Just One Focus)

(00:36:30) The “Duh” Test for Business Ideas

(00:38:46) Sales Calls: What Actually Works in 2025

(00:38:54) Building Rapport That Converts (No Cringe Small Talk)

(00:41:23) Refunds, Guarantees, and the Power of Reputation

(00:42:11) Lessons from a Business Partnership Gone Wrong

(00:45:31) Why Golf Is the Best Business School

(00:48:05) Playa del Carmen as a Business Base: Pros and Cons

(00:52:37) Karla’s Love Letter to DCBKK

CONNECT:

Dan@tropicalmba.com
Ian@tropicalmba.com

Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella.

PLAYLIST:

Marketing to High-Dollar Clients

$1.5 Million from LinkedIn: Strategies for Building Influence and Consistent Revenue

Niche B2B Content = Big Revenue on YouTube

50/50 Partnerships: Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud