Hey there not-so-average marketers! 

I'm bringing you something special today - a guest interview that I'm genuinely excited about. You know I don't bring guests on very often, but when I do, they have to bring serious value.

Meet Kimberly Espinel, a London-based food photographer, Instagram expert, and author of two books including her latest "How to Make Your Food Famous." Now, you might be thinking "Zach, I don't sell food or do photography" - but here's the thing: some of the best marketing insights come from studying adjacent industries.

In this episode, Kimberly shares data-driven strategies from interviewing 40+ content creators who have 100k+ followers (many with over a million). This isn't the watered-down Instagram advice you see everywhere - this is deep, strategic insight into what actually works.

What we dive into:

• How often you really need to post for growth (spoiler: it's not daily)
• The real stats that matter for organic growth beyond likes and views
• Why your first 3 seconds are make-or-break for any content piece
• How to analyze your top-performing content and actually replicate it
• The difference between content that grows followers vs. content that nurtures existing audience
• Bio optimization that actually converts visitors into followers

I'll be honest - I've paid good money for Instagram courses that didn't give me half the actionable insights Kimberly shares in this conversation. This is the kind of strategic, data-driven approach that actually moves the needle.

Whether you're struggling to break out of "200 view jail" on reels or you're ready to get serious about organic Instagram growth, this episode will give you a completely new framework for approaching the platform.

Links Mentioned:

• Kimberly's Book - How To Make Your Food Famous
• @TheLittlePlantation on Instagram
• @ZachSpuckler On Instagram

I had to address something I keep hearing from clients, students, and potential customers: "I just want it to be more passive."

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what "passive income" really looks like in the online course and membership world. 

Spoiler alert: it's not as passive as you think. I'm breaking down what I call the Four P's of Passive Income:

• Process: Your sales systems and funnels
• People: The team you need to make it all work
• Predictability: How you consistently fill your funnel
• Persistence: The willingness to keep testing and evolving

I share real numbers from our business - we've have near daily sales this year.

The truth? Passive income is really the result of active engagement, active growth, and active management. You can absolutely build systems that generate revenue while you sleep, but maintaining and growing those systems requires ongoing work.

If you've been chasing the "passive income dream" or wondering why your funnels aren't running themselves, this episode will give you a realistic roadmap for what it actually takes to build sustainable, semi-passive revenue streams in your business.

Links Mentioned

• Zach On Instagram
• The FB & IG Ads Bootcamp

In this episode, I'm breaking down the seven biggest Facebook and Instagram ad mistakes I see businesses making repeatedly - costing them thousands in wasted ad spend and missed opportunities. 

Based on patterns I've observed in our membership community -- and with personal clients -- these insights will help you avoid the painful trial-and-error process most advertisers go through.

• Discover why skipping the testing phase is the #1 reason most ads fail (and how to properly test creative, copy, and audiences)
  
  
• Understand the "faucet problem" - why turning ads on and off destroys your momentum and results
  
  
• Get my practical advice on why you need at least 90-180 days to truly evaluate if ads are working for you

If you've been struggling with Facebook and Instagram ads or you're hesitant to start because you're afraid of wasting money, this episode will save you countless hours and dollars in preventable mistakes. 

Listen now to transform your approach to advertising and start getting the results you've been looking for!

Links Mentioned

• Zach On Instagram
• The FB & IG Ads Bootcamp

In this week's episode of the podcast, I'm breaking down EXACTLY what I would do if I had $1,000 to spend on ads in 90 days.

The goal? Generate 200-300 new leads and create a profitable return. 

This step-by-step breakdown shows you how to structure your quarters and ad spend spend for maximum impact, even on a limited budget.

When you tune in you're going to...

• Learn how to execute a proper 2-3 day testing phase (and why skipping this costs you more in the long run)
  
  
• Discover why listbuilding is the center of my strategy - including tripwire setup that generates revenue while you build your audience
  
  
• Understand why the "dollar in, dollar out" mentality is killing your results (and how to think quarterly instead)

If you've been hesitating to run ads because you're unsure how to allocate your budget or afraid of wasting money, this episode gives you a clear roadmap to follow. 

Listen now to transform your advertising approach and create sustainable growth, even with just $10 a day (about $1,000 a quarter) to spend!

Link Mentioned

• The FB & IG Ads Bootcamp
• Zach on Instagram

In this counterintuitive episode, I'm revealing why strategically "losing money" on certain types of advertising is actually the secret to long-term profitability. 

I break down my three-part advertising framework that creates sustainable growth while avoiding the trap of obsessing over immediate ROI.

• Discover the three distinct types of advertising I use (long-term, launch-term, and short-term) and why they work together as a system
  
  
• Learn why I intentionally run list-building ads at a slight loss and how I offset those costs through tripwires and email sequences
  
  
• Understand why cold traffic is getting harder to convert and how this three-part strategy solves that problem
  
  
• Get my step-by-step approach to implementing this strategy

If you're tired of stressing about day-to-day ad performance or feeling like advertising just "doesn't work" for your business, this episode will completely shift your perspective.

Listen now to discover why zooming out and playing the long game is the true path to sustainable ad success!

Links Mentioned:

• TheAdsBootcamp.com
• Zach on Instagram

In this episode, I'm breaking down my complete Facebook and Instagram ads approach for 2025 and why the "old way" of advertising no longer works in today's "trust recession." 

I reveal exactly how I'm structuring my ad campaigns for maximum long-term growth instead of chasing quick ROI.

• Discover my four-part advertising framework that's built for sustainable growth (not just quick ROI)
  
  
• Learn why I'm spending $150-$200 daily on list-building ads and how I plan to scale to $500/day
  
  
• See how I'm strategically layering content engagement ads to build trust before making offers
  
  
• Understand the "compounding phenomenon" that makes each launch bigger than the last
  
  
• Find out how I balance evergreen funnels with quarterly live promotions for consistent cash flow

If you're frustrated with diminishing ad results or tired of launch strategies that worked in the past but fall flat today, this episode gives you a practical framework for 2025's advertising landscape. 

Listen now to shift your perspective from short-term ROI to sustainable growth that compounds quarter after quarter!

Links Mentioned:

• Zach on Instagram
• The FB & IG Ads for Listbuilding Bootcamp

In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how I ran a successful "non-live  live-launch" that generated nearly $7,000 in revenue without the exhaustion of showing up for live events or trainings. 

I'll share my honest journey of creating a simplified automated webinar funnel when I was too tired to run a traditional launch.

• See the five specific "rules of the game" I created to make this launch work for my energy levels and goals
• Learn how I built a simple funnel using a pre-recorded webinar, thank you page sales hybrid, and deadline funnel
• Discover the exact numbers: the registrants, the conversion rate, and the return on ad spend
• Find out why "imperfect action" (including my robotic-sounding webinar recording!) still produced results
• Understand the power of adaptation versus blindly following marketing blueprints

If you've ever felt too burned out to run a live launch but still need to generate revenue, this episode shows you a practical, replicable approach that prioritizes simplicity over perfection. 

Listen now to see how you can adapt marketing principles to work with your energy, not against it!

 Links Mentioned:

• TheChallengeLaunchEngine.com
• Zach on Instagram
• The FB & IG Ads Bootcamp

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Jena Castro-Casbon, who has used my five-day challenge framework to generate over $2.3 million in sales for her speech pathology education business.

I'm pulling back the curtain on how a real student has created consistent six-figure launches in a niche market through challenges that convert at 17-18%.

• Discover Jena's "micro-decision" approach that guides participants through daily steps to plan their private practice
  
  
• Learn how Jena scaled from a team of 3 to 8 people while creating a rinse-and-repeat challenge system that runs quarterly
  
  
• See exactly how she structures her Facebook groups, content delivery, and follow-up strategy
  
  
• Find out why consistency and repetition (not perfection) were key to her $268K best launch
  
  
• Hear why offering unexpected support (like 15-minute phone calls) converted 80% of fence-sitters into customers

If you've been on the fence about running challenges or wondering if they can work in specialized markets, this real-world success story will show you what's possible. 

Listen now to see exactly how a speech pathologist became a multi-million dollar challenge expert!

Links Mentioned:

• Jena (@theindependentclinician on IG)
• Zach (@zachspuckler on IG)
• The Challenge Launch Engine FREE Training
• The FB & IG Ads Bootcamp (Zach’s Challenge)

In this episode, I'm taking you behind the curtain to reveal exactly how my recent five-day challenge generated over $52,000 in sales from products priced at just $25-67. 

I'm sharing an unfiltered look at what actually works in my business as you'll discover:

• My complete financial breakdown—including $21K in ad spend, affiliate costs, and true profit margins
  
  
• The "Three C's" framework I use for challenges that converted 17.66% of participants
  
  
• My day-by-day content strategy that gets people results before they even see the sales pitch
  
  
• Why I create themed challenges (like my Taylor Swift "Eras Tour" theme) for memorable experiences
  
  
• The exact email and communication strategy I use to maintain 50%+ retention across all five days

If you're tired of launch strategies that sound too good to be true, this behind-the-scenes episode delivers the honest numbers and proven tactics you can actually implement.

Listen now to transform how you approach your next launch!

Links Mentioned:

• Zach on Instagram
• The Challenge Launch Engine

Looking for a more sustainable way to generate consistent revenue? 

In this episode of the podcast I’m going to reveal our battle-tested 90-day framework that's transformed how we approach business growth and profitability.

You'll discover:

• The "Triple Threat" quarterly system that creates predictable revenue without burning out—including why traditional day-to-day profit tracking might be holding you back

• The counterintuitive truth about running a "boring" business - and how predictability actually creates more freedom and excitement in your life

• Why having a dedicated "build month" could be the missing piece in your business growth (and how we use it to strengthen our systems, team, and customer experience)

• The crucial difference between launches and promotions - and how to strategically use both to create a "snowball effect" with your marketing budget

Whether you're struggling with inconsistent income or looking to take your already successful business to the next level, this episode will show you how to create a more predictable, profitable, and enjoyable business model.

Hit play to discover how you can implement this framework in your own business starting today!

Links Mentioned

• Zach on Instagram
• The Challenge Launch Engine (Waitlist)
• Behind the Scenes of a $100k Month

When it comes to growing your email list, should you focus on getting as many free leads as possible, or is it better to attract buyers right from the start with a low-ticket offer? 

This debate has been heating up in the online marketing space, and in this episode, we’re breaking down the pros, cons, and hidden truths behind both strategies. 

Before you make your next move, you’ll want to hear this. Here’s what you'll discover when you tune in!

• Why some marketers claim "free leads don’t work"—and what they’re not telling you
• The surprising math behind customer acquisition costs and conversions
• How to balance short-term cash flow with long-term audience growth
• The critical mistake many people make when running ads to a low-ticket offer
• My approach to blending both free and paid strategies for sustainable success

Whether you’re just starting out or refining your marketing game, this episode will give you the insights you need to make an informed decision. 

Hit play now and let’s dive in!

Key Timestamps

04:56 - The “Cost Dynamics of Paid Leads" that most people aren’t talking about when the tout the value of paid lead generation…

09:18 - Audience Growth Challenges with Low Engagement

12:25 - Is Email List Building REALLY good for business growth, let’s talk about it!

19:37 - The “hidden” value in using lead magnets (hint: the industry is facing severe skepticism!)

20:54 - Having a warm audience is a HUGE benefit when it comes to this…

Links Mentioned:

The $100k Month Breakdown Blog

The FB & IG Ads for Listbuilding Bootcamp

Not Your Average Membership

@ZachSpuckler on Instagram