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the gann geek

GROWTH HACKER

Turn Small Ideas into Big Wins:
The Art and Science of Explosive Growth.

Author: Phil Matthews

  • STOP. Let’s Get Real About $500 a Day.

    Dear Overwhelmed Dreamer,

    Let me ask you something:

    What would $500 a day mean for you?

    Would it mean:

    • Paying off debt faster than you ever imagined?
    • Finally quitting that 9-5 you hate?
    • Having the freedom to live life on your terms?

    Here’s the kicker: It’s 100% doable.

    And you don’t need:
    ❌ A fancy website.
    ❌ Complicated software.
    ❌ A huge audience.

    You only need:

    • 1 sale at $500 … or
    • 25 sales at $25.

    That’s it.

    Simple. Achievable. Life-changing.


    The Big Problem: Overthinking Kills Action

    Let me guess:

    You’ve been sitting on ideas for weeks—maybe even years.
    You think:

    • “Where do I start?”
    • “How do I sell this?”
    • “What tools do I need?”

    And you’re stuck.

    Here’s what I’ve learned after building online businesses for the last 20+ years:

    Overthinking = No Action = No Results.

    The simpler you make it, the faster you’ll get results.

    That’s why I’ve created a simple 3-phase roadmap to take you from idea to making money—starting right now.


    The 3-Step Roadmap to $500 a Day

    Over the next 3 days, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to get there:

    1️⃣ Phase 1: Nail Your Offer (Today)
    2️⃣ Phase 2: Build Your “Ghetto Funnel” (Tomorrow)
    3️⃣ Phase 3: Drive Traffic & Get Paid (Day 3)


    Today’s Focus: Nailing Your $500 Offer

    Here’s where most people get stuck: “What do I sell?”

    But it’s simpler than you think. Let me help:

    Ask yourself three questions:

    1. What’s a problem you’ve solved for yourself?
      • Lost weight? Fixed your credit? Learned to code?
    2. What’s something people always ask you for help with?
      • Are you great at budgeting, cooking, or organizing?
    3. What can you teach that’s worth $500—or $25 to 25 people?
      • A checklist, a simple course, coaching, templates, or guides.

    Let’s Break It Down:

    • $500 could come from a 1:1 coaching call, a custom solution, or a premium guide.
    • $25 could come from a checklist, a quick guide, or a how-to video series.

    Real-Life Example:
    Let’s say you’re great at budgeting.

    You could:

    1. Create a “30-Day Budget Planner” PDF and sell it for $25.
    2. Offer a 1-Hour Personalized Budget Session for $500.

    Both are valuable. Both solve a problem.

    And both can get you to $500 a day.


    Why $500 a Day is Life-Changing

    Let’s do the math:

    • 1 sale of $500/day = $15,000/month = $180,000/year.
    • 25 sales at $25/day = $625/day = $4,375/week = $18,750/month.

    Let that sink in.

    What could an extra $625 a day do for you? Pay off debt. Quit your job. Finally breathe.

    The beauty? You don’t need thousands of customers. You just need 25 people to say yes to a simple offer.


    Tomorrow: We’re Building Your Ghetto Funnel

    Now that you’ve started brainstorming your offer, tomorrow we’ll put it into action.

    Here’s what you’ll learn:

    • How to build a simple landing page in Google Docs.
    • How to use Stripe to collect payments (fast and easy).
    • How to fulfill your product—using tools you already know.

    You don’t need a website.
    You don’t need expensive software.

    All you need is a Google Doc and Stripe.

    Simple, fast, and free.


    Your Homework: No Overthinking

    Step 1: Write down your offer.

    • What problem does it solve?
    • What will you charge—$500 for one sale, or $25 for 25 sales?

    Step 2: Start thinking about the simplest way to package it.

    • A checklist?
    • A one-page guide?
    • A coaching call?

    Keep it simple.

    And if you’re stuck, leave a comment below. I’ll help you brainstorm.


    Final Thought: Don’t Scroll Past This Opportunity

    Look, I know you’ve heard “make money online” promises before.

    But this isn’t about hype or theory. It’s about real, actionable steps you can take—right now.

    Tomorrow, we’re building.

    But for today, write down your offer. Don’t wait. Don’t overthink.

    Your $500 a day starts with one simple step.

    Let’s make it happen.

    Stay tuned for Day 2—you don’t want to miss this.


    Growth Hacker, Simplifier, and Your Guide to $500 a Day

  • Entry-Level… With 2 Years of Experience?

    Entry-Level… With 2 Years of Experience?

    I’ll admit it—I’m frustrated.

    There’s something maddening about job postings that proudly advertise “entry-level” roles, only to sneak in a requirement like: “Must have 2 years of experience.”

    Let’s be real: That’s like posting an ad that reads –
    “looking for a virgin with 2 years of experience in sex.” (How does that even work?)

    Whatever happened to on-the-job training? To companies valuing cultural fit, passion, and potential over pre-packaged experience?

    Here’s the thing: Hiring a rookie doesn’t have to be a huge risk. With sound onboarding and finely tuned leadership, just about anyone with the right attitude can be molded into a valuable asset.

    Sure, if it’s mission-critical—life or death—you need someone who’s been in the trenches. But for most roles, the risk isn’t hiring someone new. The real risk is missing out on a team member who could be exactly what your company culture needs to thrive.

    A great hire isn’t just about existing skills—it’s about attitude, adaptability, and what someone can become with the right guidance.

    So, let’s stop scaring off the next wave of talent with impossible standards and start investing in people who could truly make an impact.

  • What They Fail to Teach You

    Why Failure is the First Step Toward Success 🚧

    In school, failure is treated like a scarlet letter. A red “F” on the page feels like a personal attack—a sign that something is wrong with you.

    But here’s the truth they don’t teach in the classroom: failure is just a result.

    That’s all it is. Not a condemnation, not a final verdict. Just feedback telling you what didn’t work.

    And those who learn to embrace failure—to see it as one more step toward success—are the ones who ultimately achieve the unimaginable.


    The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Standards

    Here’s another hard truth: Not everyone should be held to the same standards.

    We each have our own strengths, talents, and ways of learning. And while the world loves to praise the straight-A students and the natural-born leaders, it often overlooks the ones who are struggling to keep up.

    What’s even worse? The ridicule, the scorn, and the lasting damage it does to a person’s self-esteem.

    I’ve seen it happen time and again—brilliant people beaten down by a system that only rewards one kind of success. And the effects can linger for a lifetime, keeping them from realizing their full potential.


    The Real Job of a Leader

    Here’s the thing about leadership: It’s not about identifying who can follow instructions to the letter. And it’s not about showering praise on the people who always get it right.

    Real leadership is about identifying the weakest link and rallying your team to build them up.

    In the military, we had a creed: “Rangers never leave a fallen comrade.”

    That principle doesn’t just apply on the battlefield. It applies in life, in business, and especially in leadership.

    The goal isn’t to cut people loose because they’re struggling—it’s to figure out how to make them stronger.

    When you help someone discover their strengths and develop their potential, they don’t just become “good enough.” They become one of your most valuable assets.


    Failure is the Best Teacher

    Here’s the lesson they fail to teach in school: Failure isn’t a dead end. It’s a lesson.

    • That bad grade? It’s not a reflection of your worth—it’s a signal to adjust your approach.
    • That business idea that didn’t work? It’s not the end of the road—it’s a detour that’s pointing you toward something better.

    Those who succeed aren’t the ones who avoid failure. They’re the ones who fail fast, learn, and adapt.


    The True Measure of Success

    As human beings, our greatest investment isn’t in tools, systems, or strategies—it’s in people.

    Success isn’t about leaving the weakest behind. It’s about bringing everyone forward. The best leaders don’t create success for themselves—they create it for their teams, their peers, and their communities.

    So, whether you’re in a classroom, a boardroom, or on the battlefield, remember this: The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress.

    Because at the end of the day, the measure of a leader isn’t how well they perform. It’s how many people they help succeed along the way.


    A Final Thought

    If you’ve ever felt like a failure, like you didn’t measure up, or like someone’s scorn has held you back, let me tell you this: That story isn’t over.

    Every stumble is a step forward. Every “F” is just a fork in the road.

    Find your strengths. Double down on them. And never let anyone tell you that failure is the end of the story.

    Because the people who embrace failure are the ones who write the most extraordinary endings.

  • Confessions of a Growth Hacker

    Confessions of a Growth Hacker

    Pioneering Without a Map 🏹

    They say pioneers get all the arrows in their backs.

    I’ve learned the truth of that statement firsthand.

    When I started my journey into computers, coding, and marketing, there wasn’t a roadmap. There weren’t online courses or YouTube tutorials at your fingertips. And there certainly wasn’t a degree program called “Growth Hacking.”

    Back then, if you wanted to learn, you had to roll up your sleeves, break things, and figure out how to put them back together—sometimes better than before.

    I didn’t go to school for computer science. I don’t have a formal marketing degree.

    Heck, I’m an ex-Army Ranger—a door-kicking operator who learned discipline, adaptability, and how to solve problems under pressure.

    Non of it was easy, and when I started learning online marketing there was no formal roadmap. The internet was like the Wild West and I had to figure things out on my own, one challenge at a time.

    And here’s what that’s given me:

    • 20+ years of turning obstacles into opportunities—helping businesses grow, scale, and succeed.ol for computer science. I don’t have a formal marketing degree.
    • 20+ years of solving problems no one handed me answers to.
    • 20+ years of building systems that work, even when the odds (and sometimes the tech) weren’t in my favor.

    The Struggles of a Self-Taught Geek

    Here’s the frustrating part. On paper, I might not seem like much.

    No fancy credentials. No “prestigious” background. No Ivy-League seal of approval.

    In fact, I’m a DeVry Computer Science dropout. Formal education couldn’t keep up with me—I was already miles ahead, learning faster on my own.

    But give me five minutes in a room—or on a Zoom call—with someone, and that skepticism disappears.

    Because here’s the thing: I’m a geek, through and through.

    Ask me about crafting strategies that drive results, and you’ll see my passion instantly.

    Challenge me with a broken sales funnel, and I’ll fix it faster than most people can figure out what’s wrong.

    Tell me your business goals, and I’ll already be sketching out strategies in my head before you’ve finished talking.

    It’s not just that I know the tools—it’s that I love the game.

    I’m obsessed with figuring out how to make things better, faster, and more efficient. That’s what being a growth hacker is all about. It’s not about formalities; it’s about results.

    Arrows in the Back

    But let’s be real: blazing your own trail isn’t always glamorous.

    I’ve faced my share of challenges:

    • People doubting my skills because I didn’t have the “right” degree.
    • Getting stuck in rabbit holes trying to learn things no one was teaching.
    • Watching others with less experience get ahead because they fit a mold I refused to squeeze into.

    It’s frustrating. But it’s also fuel.

    Every time someone doubted me, it pushed me to prove them wrong—not with words, but with results. Every project I’ve taken on, every business I’ve helped grow, and every campaign I’ve optimized is a testament to what’s possible when you’re willing to learn, adapt, and persevere.

    What This Means for You

    If you’re reading this and you’ve ever felt like an underdog—like you don’t quite fit the mold—let me tell you something: that’s your superpower.

    Because the best solutions don’t come from people who follow the same tired playbook. They come from the ones who color outside the lines, think differently, and aren’t afraid to take a few arrows on the way to something great.

    So, if you’ve got a business challenge, a broken funnel, or an idea you can’t quite get off the ground, let’s talk.

    I might not look like much on paper, but one conversation is all it takes to see how serious I am about helping you win.

    Let’s build something incredible together.

  • Prompts

    Notes and Ideas I’m exploring.

    ,

    Headline Generation

    Act as a direct-response copywriter and generate [number] headlines for [specific audience/problem/goal]. Follow this structure:

    1. Use “If you…” or “Are you…” to call out the audience.
    2. Follow with “…and you want…” to address their desire.
    3. Tease the solution using phrases like “Here’s how” or “Then this can help.”

    Example Input:
    Generate 5 headlines for a course teaching small businesses to create lead-generating funnels on a $100 budget.

    Output Examples:

    “If you’ve got a great idea and you want it to succeed, this can help.”

    “If you have a business and you want more leads, here’s how to make it happen.”

    “Are you tired of struggling to find customers? Then this $100 funnel is the answer.”

    “If you need more leads and you want a simple solution, this guide is for you.”

    “Are you ready to grow your business without breaking the bank? Here’s how.”

    Ad Generation

    Generate an ad following this framework:

    1. Attention-Grabbing Opener: Start with “If you…” or “Are you…” to call out your audience.
    2. What They Want: Use “…and you want…” to align with their goals.
    3. Here’s What I Got: Introduce your solution with “Then…” or “Here’s what I got.”
    4. What It Will Do for Them: Explain benefits using “Here’s what it will do for you…”
    5. What to Do Next: End with a clear CTA, such as “Click the link to…”

    Example Input:
    Generate a Meta ad targeting small business owners who need more leads and want a $100 funnel solution.

    Output Example:
    Short-Form Ad:
    “If you run a small business and you want more leads without spending a fortune, then this can help.

    Here’s what I got: a $100 funnel system that’s simple, effective, and easy to set up.

    Here’s what it will do for you: capture qualified leads, automate follow-ups, and grow your sales.

    Click the link below to learn more and start building your funnel today.”

    Long-Form Ad:
    “If you own a small business and you want more leads, but you’re tired of wasting money on ads that don’t work, then this is for you.

    Here’s what I got: a simple $100 funnel system that works for businesses of any size.

    Here’s what it will do for you:

    • Help you find the right leads.
    • Set up automated follow-ups to close sales.
    • Grow your business without breaking the bank.

    Click the link below to see how this system can help you get started today.”

    Content Generation

    Write a blog post introduction or landing page following this structure:

    1. Opening Statement: Use “If you…” or “Are you…” to call out your audience.
    2. What They Want: Follow with “…and you want…” to state their desires.
    3. Here’s What I Got: Transition to your solution using “Then…” or “Here’s what I got.”
    4. What It Will Do for You: Explain benefits using “Here’s what it will do for you…”
    5. What to Do Next: Close with a direct CTA like “Click the link to…”

    Example Input:
    Write a blog post intro targeting small business owners who want more leads and are working with a $100 budget.

    Output Example:
    Title: “Struggling to Find Leads? This $100 Funnel Can Help.”

    “If you’re a small business owner and you want more leads without breaking the bank, then this guide is for you.

    Here’s what I got: a $100 funnel system that’s simple, affordable, and easy to set up.

    Here’s what it will do for you:

    • Help you capture qualified leads fast.
    • Automate follow-ups so you never miss a sale.
    • Scale as you grow, without needing expensive tools.

    Click the link below to learn how to start building your $100 funnel today.”

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