If you want to know how to get an online content creator’s attention, check out this email I recently got from James Ashenhurst, of Master Organic Chemistry.

I’m posting it here to encourage others to send me feedback.

1) How I use mixergy

I download Mixergy podcasts and listen to them while I work, usually while doing something boring like Photoshop edits. It’s an alternative to radio/TV for me. Beyond TED talks and my RSS feed mixergy is really the only media I am consuming right now. No other radio TV or video.

I have probably listened to about 60-70 interviews by now.

2) Favorite interviews

The #1 thing that makes me love an interview is if it’s inspirational. After listening to them I feel energized, ready to move forward with whatever I’m doing.

The second thing I’m looking for is highly detailed, tactical tips on marketing, sales, setting up a website, you name it. LIttle tips to get ahead.

My favorite interviews:

1) Gary V – infectious energy. He just has an inspiring story and a ton of enthusiasm.

2) Your interview with Owen McGab – I was inspired by your story of how you would have regretted it more if you *hadn’t* run for student body president vs. not trying at all.

3) In no particular order

–Patrick McKenzie – extremely detailed advice, like his checklist he uses every time he logs onto the server. Detail about the programs and software he uses. I LOVE THIS.

–Gary Kremen – great story, inspiring, lots of energy. The story about Steve Cohen was insane, but it opened my eyes to just how far some people will go.

–Christine Comaford – inspiring, lots of energy, specifically what I got out of this was advice to ask people for advice versus asking for help. I have used this advice in my business.

–Little Things Matter (the real estate agent, forget his name). Just that he would go to the trouble of compiling something like 700 individual small things he did that made him more successful. Lots of great quotes here.

–Gourmet Gift Baskets – inspiring. Love how he says he enjoys beating the pants off companies that are bigger than his, because he delivers quality and great customer service. Great interview. Loved this guy.

3) Things you do right:

1) Finding an audience and knowing them, first of all. I feel like I fit into your audience of an “ambitious upstart”.

2) Going deep into tactical details. Not letting people get away with generalities. I like that you stop people and say, “could you be more specific”. KEEP DOING THIS.

3) I like that you ask people about financials. I will never give you hell about this. Your job is to ask the questions your audience is thinking about and even to push things a *little* bit.

4) i like the questions about the failures. I also find failures almost more interesting the successes.

5) I like the question about “how did it feel when you made that first million dollars”, even though the answers are almost always disappointing.

6) I like questions about how they got started – teenage businesses, etc.

7) I like it when you’re just a little bit skeptical, at least in the beginning. Like that guy who recently was promoting the business book and you “grilled” him at the start. He turned out to be very knowledgeable but it was helpful that you did this, because your audience was no doubt asking the same questions. One suggestion – I wish you’d done this a bit more with Rick Kash.

4) Suggestions:

1) I like to get to know them a bit better as people. I don’t want to hear about when they lost their virginity or anything, but I’m interested in what makes them tick.

– “What do you see as your biggest strength” would be a question I’d like to hear more. Neil Patel was very forthright that he didn’t understand code, but he loved doing deals. I found this really interesting. How do you recognize your talents and weaknesses and go about finding someone who is complementary?

Or the converse: “What *don’t* you do well and how have you compensated for it?”

2) Sometimes – “what’s a typical day like for you?” might be a good question to ask. Just interested in tactical issues like what they read, where they get ideas, etc.

3) Who inspired you/ mentors ? I know you ask this, but I still like to hear it.

5) Interviews I didn’t like

In general when I don’t like an interview it’s because of the guest. There’s not much you can do if they talk in a monotone about uninteresting stuff. Also I can understand how shy/modest people make bad inteviews.

-[name removed before posting] – spoke too much in generalities. Could have been challenged more – “Isn’t this obvious to ask the customer what they want? Are you saying [name of company interviewee mentioned removed] didn’t do this at all, that was the only reason why they failed?”. Not deep enough.

-[name removed before posting] – probably just a poor fit for me, I can see how he would be a good guest for many people. Personally, if I lived my life trying to calculate the impact of every little decision I made on how it would affect people’s opinion of my “brand”, I’d go nuts.

-[name removed before posting] – he got into too much detail, more than we needed to know. You did your best to push him along but it was hard.

-[name removed before posting] – probably just a tough guest (shy) but got better near the end.

About me

I started a tutoring business called “Master Organic Chemistry” 6 months ago. I tutor organic chemistry online, and only organic chemistry (this is super-niche!). There’s a big demand however, since this is the course that pre-meds need to conquer in order ot get into med school.

I know I’ll succeed because traditional universities are extremely bad at giving the personal detail/attention students need. Even though students pay out ridiculous tuition fees, they ultimately look at students as a hassle! My objective is to beat the pants off the universities at their own game. That’s why I consider myself an “ambitous upstart”.

It might take some time but I am confident I’ll get there. I love running my own business.

Thanks again Andrew
best wishes – James Ashenhurst