Celebrating a Dozen Years!

By Kevin Hunsperger @kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter Listen to the podcast  Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Greetings on what is the 12th anniversary of the My 1-2-3 Cents brand. Over the past year, I've neglected my blogging duties, with the last post on this page happening in October 2021. 

What can I say, other than life happens, and sometimes the things we deem so important fall by the wayside? The My 1-2-3 Cents brand though has not been neglected. I drop a new podcast each Monday morning (at midnight CST). The YouTube channel still gets some love from time to time, but my passion for writing has waned for some reason. 

Part of that can be attributed to the fact that I am creating new content daily on the job and working on the other aspects of the My 1-2-3 Cents brand. I burned myself out a few years ago when I embarked on a blogging streak. I did the same thing with my run streak of 1,004 consecutive days of running. The blog streak reached 897 days. 

Now, I'm back. At least in my mind, I am. I will use this platform to cover topics I don't get to on the podcast, YouTube, or my TikTok. I do try to keep wrestling themes going there as well. Check me out, @kevin_hunsperger. 

What're Your 1-2-3 Cents? Do you still read blogs? I appreciate your support through the past dozen years and look forward to continuing to evolve and provide different types of wrestling-related content. 

VIDEO: Go Figure Friday: Slim Jim 'Macho Man'

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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After failing the first time around, I finally got my hands on the Elite Mattel Slim Jim 'Macho Man' Randy Savage figure. I love the look of it and the presentation in the Slim Jim box. I've debated what I'm going to do with it. But for now, it's on the shelf in the My 1-2-3 Cents studio. 

Take a look and subscribe to the My 1-2-3 Cents YouTube channel and let me know what other types of content you'd like to see. 

Click to shop 

Talk to me, I'm listening

Talk to me, I'm all ears...

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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For years, I had a goal of adding a podcast to the My 1-2-3 Cents brand. In 2014, Greg Mehochko from the Jittery Monkey Podcasting Network invited me to join. I hit the ground running and each week since December 9, 2014, a new My 1-2-3 Cents podcast has dropped. Some weeks are better than others. But in the last three-and-a-half years I'd like to think I've improved the overall product.

I'm listening, brother

But I want to get better at this. I know there are still some technical issues I need to address. And even though I do the talking on the podcast, right now I'm listening to you. What do you want to hear on the podcast? I listen to several different pro wrestling podcasts each week. Some are fan-based, others are hosted by men and women in the industry.  

I've added a few new features like Superfan, Our 6 Cents and Wrestling Under the Influence. I like these features, however, the show isn't about my likes. It's time to grow and evolve this brand and I'm not just talking about My 1-2-3 Cents. I want to help bring all the shows on Jittery Monkey to the forefront. I strive to get better, but with generic compliments with no constructive criticism has my wheels spinning and craving to make a change.

Lunch with wrestling fans

I had lunch today with avid pro wrestling fan Sam Banks. We briefly discussed the shows he listens to, with him citing Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast as his favorite. I enjoy his show too. I want to achieve his level of success. Conrad Thompson and his trio of shows have set a new standard in the pro wrestling podcast genre. I don't want to, nor can I copy what they're doing. But I've got to find a way to grow.

There's room for all of us in this space. However, I want to be one of your 'go-to' shows each week. If you're not comfortable sharing your thoughts here, PM me through the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page or you can post an anonymous comment here. 

I sincerely thank you for your support and look forward to continuing to follow my passion for years to come. 

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Branding in the wrestling business

Zack Ryder, Mr. PEC-Tacular and Red Daniels

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In the age of social media developing a brand has become big business. Marketing experts will tell you it's important to get yourself out there in front of an audience and keep followers engaged. This brand building can make or break entrepreneurs, bloggers, social media stars and athletes. That includes professional wrestlers.

My buddy Tom Harness at Harness Digital Marketing touches on the importance of branding for wrestlers briefly in the most recent episode of My 1-2-3 Cents the Podcast. A growing number of wrestlers or Superstars have picked up on branding. This post is about a few who have done a good job at reaching the masses.

WWWYKI
Courtesy: WWE

Several years ago Zack Ryder was floundering on the mid card. Maybe even lower than that. He then took to YouTube with his Z! True Long Island Story. The videos worked and soon Zack saw himself getting that push he so rightly deserved. While in the short term the action paid off as Ryder won the U.S. Championship and was rubbing elbows with the likes of John Cena, it didn't take long for WWE Creative to pull the rug out from under the Superstar. WWE took over production of the YouTube channel and eventually canceled the show. Ryder's push disappeared. But he's continued to toil and make some quick comebacks. I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for him as he rehabs from an injury.

Makeup time on Tainted Dreams
Courtesy: @tainted_dreams_the_series

Impact Wrestling's Mr. PEC-Tacular Jessie Godderz is a crossover star from the reality TV world, having been on Big Brother. He has done a great job building his brand and helping get exposure for Impact Wrestling in the mainstream. Follow him on Twitter (@MrPEC_Tacular) and you'll understand what I mean. He has several projects outside the ring, including acting, music and hosting. As far as I'm concerned he's currently the biggest crossover wrestler to have never worked for WWE.

Building Stride Pro Wrestling's brand

Local indy wrestlers are getting in on the action too. I'll focus on Stride Pro Wrestling because I'm a part of that company. Established guys like Heath Hatton, Chris Hargas and Farmer Billy Hills are utilizing social media to get their names out there. Recent graduates of the Stride school like Red Daniels and Dexter Roswell are doing well in this area too. They've found characters that work for them and as they get established with the local scene I have no doubt more opportunities will come their way. Stride guys who are reading this, I'd love to help with building your brand too. Just holler at me.

Hanging with Colt

Others who come to mind immediately, include Colt Cabana. He turned lemons into lemonade after being released by WWE and has a successful podcast and still wrestles all over the world. He's making a huge name for himself without a "machine" behind him. And the "King of Dong Style" Joey Ryan took a moment from a viral video and has capitalized on it to build his career as well.

The important thing to getting your name out there is stepping outside your comfort zone. You don't have to sacrifice your privacy to do it either. Make it a habit and part of your daily routine and chances are you're going to see more growth in your following.

Hustle!

Courtesy: @GaryVee

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've been listening to and watching Gary Vaynerchuk (aka Gary Vee) for the past nine or ten months, thanks to my buddy Tom Harness. I've tried to employ some of Gary's tactics and strategies into my daily life as I strive to build the My 1-2-3 Cents brand with blogging, podcasting and vlogging. The last two days the content of Gary's podcast has had a particularly profound effect on me. 

During Episode 239 of the #AskGaryVee Show, he encouraged listeners to check out his Episode 130 of Daily Vee and direct messaging potential contacts on Instagram. I want to build this blog and my freelance blogging business. Right now I only have a few steady clients. In order to take it to the next level, I have to branch out from the people I know and step outside my comfort zone. The worst they can do is say no. Then I move on, right? 

It's weird because there's a definite "fear of failure/success" vibe going on with me. Fear of success? It sounds crazy and I can't really articulate it. But I've become complacent and comfortable with the status quo. That is until today...

The other takeaway from Gary is document your journey. Instagram and Snapchat both have the stories feature. Build an audience by sharing your struggles and successes. The important part is to hustle and grind. Stop playing Words with Friends (very guilty). Stop binge watching Netflix. Stop checking Facebook. Use that time to flip stuff on eBay or Amazon (something I'm SLOWLY trying to do). Send out direct messages. As Gary says "You're better off going 1 for 5 than going 0 for 0. Take chances. We're only here for a certain amount of time. 

"Give value. Give value. Give value. And then ask for business." I'm so motivated, refreshed and pumped. February 1, 2017 is my New Year's Day.