The Influencer Empires Podcast With Walt Bayliss

Hamza Baig: Intentional Influence and Removing the Gatekeeper

Hamza Baig has transformed from finance graduate to AI automation authority, building a massive online following and 35,000-member community in just 18 months through intentional, data-driven content creation. • Started in finance but quickly realized the corporate path wasn't fulfilling • Moved into tech sales to develop fundamental business skills • Recognized the business potential of ChatGPT early in 2023 • Created practical AI implementation solutions for businesses • Started creating educational content that unexpectedly went viral • Built a community that evolved from free resource to coaching program • Approaches content creation with scientific precision, analyzing metrics obsessively • Tests speaking tone, speed, and even individual words to optimize engagement • Expanded from a one-person operation to a team of about 20 • Transitioned from hands-on building to CEO/decision-making role • Recommends affiliate marketing as the initial monetization strategy • Values authenticity and real expertise over "fake it till you make it" Check out our community at school.com/automate to see how we're teaching thousands of people to build AI automation businesses with no technical background required. Influencers: Add a powerful monetisation strategy to your audience. Click Here [https://influencerempires.com/partners%20]

Mike Putnam: Becoming the Person You Need to Be to Achieve Success and Wealth

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Putnam, a real estate powerhouse, coach, and author. He shares how he built a 7-figure income by selling over 2,700 homes in one of the toughest industries on the planet. Mike walks us through his journey from being a restaurant consultant to becoming a real estate millionaire. He explains how making thousands of cold calls, despite constant rejection, helped him master the art of selling and build lasting success. 🔥 What you'll learn in this episode:  👉 How Mike went from restaurant consultant to real estate millionaire  👉 The secret to making high-volume cold calls work  👉 His “Be The Person You Want to Be” method for bypassing burnout  👉 Why sales skills (not just leads) make or break your career  👉 How coaching and self-investment fast-tracked his growth  👉 The role of social media in building authority and attracting clients Mike’s passion for teaching, personal growth, and leadership will leave you fired up and ready to take action. 📘 Mike’s new book is on the way, so stay tuned  👊 Ready to level up your mindset and results? This conversation will get you moving Influencers: Add a powerful monetisation strategy to your audience. Click Here [https://influencerempires.com/partners%20]

Blake Hutchison: CEO of Flippa.com on Building Channels To Exit

Imagine building a digital empire that someone would pay millions to acquire. For content creators and online entrepreneurs, this isn't just a fantasy—it's happening every day.  Blake Hutchinson, CEO of Flippa, pulls back the curtain on the thriving marketplace for digital assets where YouTube channels, e-commerce stores, SaaS businesses, and more change hands for anywhere from $10,000 to $35 million. What began as a platform for small digital assets has transformed into "the investment bank for the 99%," democratizing exit opportunities previously reserved for corporate giants. For creators wondering if their audience has monetary value beyond sponsorships and ad revenue, Hutchinson delivers eye-opening insights. YouTube channels have become particularly hot commodities, with "faceless" channels (those not dependent on a specific personality) often commanding premium prices due to their transferability. However, any channel with consistent viewership and predictable revenue can become a valuable asset. The timing of your exit proves crucial to maximizing value. Hutchinson advises entrepreneurs to begin planning their exit strategy at the first signs of waning enthusiasm, not after burnout has set in. "A buyer will sense when a business has been neglected," he cautions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clean financials and documented procedures well before listing. Perhaps most compelling is the ROI comparison between digital assets and traditional investments. While a property in Melbourne might require a million-dollar investment, digital assets can be acquired for a fraction of that cost while potentially generating $150,000-$200,000 in annual profit. This dramatic return has attracted a massive buyer ecosystem, with Flippa adding up to 20,000 new buyers monthly to their network of 1.6 million. Whether you're building a digital brand with future liquidity in mind or looking to acquire established online businesses, this conversation reveals the mechanics of the digital asset marketplace that's creating millionaires from passionate creators. The question isn't whether your digital presence has value—it's whether you're positioning it for maximum value when you're ready for your exit. Influencers: Add a powerful monetisation strategy to your audience. Click Here [https://influencerempires.com/partners%20]

Molly Mahoney: From Broadway to Big Time – Embrace Joy, Own Your Weird

Molly Mahoney, Broadway performer turned AI specialist, shares her journey from stage to digital influence and reveals strategies for building authentic connections that convert to business success. • The vanity metrics trap: why chasing followers doesn't necessarily translate to business success • How having a video reach 39 million views caused anxiety rather than celebration  • The "Party Bus Strategy": a system for promoting content before and after publication • Why what you do around your video matters more than what's in the video • Leveraging affiliate relationships not just for revenue but for expanding visibility • Finding your "weird" as your superpower in content creation • The surprising power of GIFs - how Molly's Giphy account generated 268 million views • Using AI to amplify your authentic voice rather than replace it • Building backup systems to navigate technology failures and platform changes. Influencers: Add a powerful monetisation strategy to your audience. Click Here [https://influencerempires.com/partners%20]

Sara Hardwick: The Relationship-Building Power of GIFT·OLOGY

From Googling “gift-giving companies” in college to becoming the Community Relationship Strategist at GIFT·OLOGY, Sara Hardwick’s journey is proof that genuine connection still wins in business. Working closely with the late John Ruhlin—author of GIFT·OLOGY and a pioneer of relationship-first leadership—Sara now carries forward his legacy through the Rich Relationship Society and their newest release, Beyond Gift·ology. In this episode, we unpack: ✨ How thoughtful gifting creates "peak moments" that cement long-term partnerships 📦 Why home-delivered gifts outperform workplace drops 🚫 What to avoid when gifting (hint: no branded merch or wine baskets) 💌 How Gen Z professionals can stand out with handwritten notes and real-world connection strategies 🧠 The business psychology behind “useful luxury” and lasting impressions GIFT·OLOGY isn’t just about gifts—it’s a strategic framework for turning networks into next-level referral engines. Influencers: Add a powerful monetisation strategy to your audience. Click Here [https://influencerempires.com/partners%20]