Discovering Your Secret Sauce

What makes you unique, special, and different from anyone else? What helps you stand out? That’s part of your secret sauce.

When coaching people, I always ask four questions. What’s working? What’s not working? What’s your strategic wheel? (this is something I teach)? And, what’s your secret sauce?

If you aren’t sure what your secret sauce is, I share a cool process to help you discover it below. I use this process myself and with people I’m coaching. 

I’ve never been a cookie cutter marketer. The strategic plan I created for Jim Rohn was different than any other in the marketplace at the time. That’s because I built it around Jim’s secret sauce. It was the same with Denis Waitley, Ron White, Chris Widener, and even in coaching Robin Sharma, Darren Hardy, and many others.

It was the same when I identified with Erika De La Cruz, that doing a book was the best way for her to leverage herself as a brand in Hollywood. After publishing Passionistas and driving it to #1 Amazon Bestseller, her offers started flowing in…. Yes, all by design!

One of my strengths is helping identify a person’s secret sauce and helping them strategically leverage that into their brand and message.

Here is one of the processes I use to help people discover their secret sauce.

This process is also great for finding your passion, finding a keynote topic, or even clarity on a book you want to write.

It goes like this. In your journal or on a sheet of paper you make six columns.

In Column 1, you list all the things you are good at and all the areas in which you have skills. This could include writing, speaking, cooking, research, math, English, sports, problem solving, connecting, analyzing, listening, etc. List ALL the things that come to mind.

In Column 2, you list all things you enjoy and consider hobbies. Yes, some may be the same as Column 1. These could be playing golf or tennis, listening to music, stamp collecting, reading books, cooking, researching, investing, traveling, etc.

In Column 3, you list things you’ve had success in, any awards you have received, times you have received positive recognition, etc. This would include: In 6th grade you won a chess tournament or spelling bee. You have been salesman of the month. You made it to a certain levels of success in your profession or hobby.  You started a business, etc.

In Column 4, you list how other people see you. Many people tell me I’m a connector. I see myself as an event promoter that filled large rooms, a marketer that built a million plus list, Jim Rohn’s agent and partner, and a publisher that sold millions of books, but when others introduce me, they often mention that I’m a great connector. It’s valuable for me to take notice of how other people see me. How do others introduce you and what do others say about you?

In Column 5, you list the things you are for in business and life. For me, things I am for include honesty and lack of agendas or politics. I love people that are authentic and people that are generous and givers. People that have a win/win philosophy.

In Column 6, you list the things you are against. Now, this may be just the opposite of what you are for, but it’s also possible that asking in a different way may open things up for you. What I’m against really impacts many of the things I’m involved in today. I’m against so many of the BS marketing programs out there that tell half-truths and are selling the dream. I’m against people that have never achieved anything promoting themselves as experts. I’m against political agendas that aren’t serving the people and that have been paid off by special interest groups. As an entrepreneur I’m against frivolous lawsuits. I’m against victim mindsets that keep people from owning their own power.

Next, you look over your six columns and start looking for things that stand out to you—things that are similar or that repeat themselves. And then circle those things.

Then, see if you can connect the dots.

Once you get clear on your secret sauce, you will learn how to better communicate your value. You will know if things are a good fit for you. And you will better understand potential products and services you are uniquely qualified to create and offer.

Jim Rohn is a great example of this. I started promoting Jim in 1990 as one of the speakers at my events. I would have Jim and Brian Tracy or Og Mandino, etc.

Then in 1993, I asked Jim for an exclusive to promote him and book him to speak as well as create products to market. After Jim said yes, I launched Jim Rohn Int. At the time, Jim was with Herbalife on a retainer basis. Outside of that, he was doing about 20 public seminar dates at 4k per talk.

So, the first thing I did was create a strategic wheel with spokes. With anyone I work with, I always start them on this process.

Jim’s spokes on his strategic wheel included a book, an audio series, a one-day seminar, and a two-day seminar. He didn’t have a mailing list and he wasn’t that well known in the marketplace. What Jim was missing was a customer acquisition spoke, and that spoke is one of the most important.

I believed Jim’s secret sauce was his ability to say things in such a profound way with wisdom and humor. He was a gifted wordsmith. He left people wanting more and inspired his audience to become his advocates. Based on that, I came up with two key ideas to build a massive customer acquisition wheel.

These two ideas were each both a product and a way to get Jim in front of as many audiences as possible.

The first product was The Treasury of Quotes by Jim Rohn. It took me 10 months to gather the 365 quotes on 110 topics from Jim’s seminars and conversations (this was pre-Google and there were no other published Jim Rohn quotes), publish the book, and most importantly, release The Excerpts from the Treasury of Quotes,, a mini version which was my viral marketing gift booklet. The little excerpt booklet went on to move over 6 million copies (people bought in quantity and gave them away). I also did one for Brian Tracy, Mark Victor Hansen, Zig Ziglar, and Denis Waitley (and moved over 8 million all combined). In fact, of all the phone calls that came in, when we asked how they got our number, over 70% would say, “Someone gave me a quote booklet.”  It worked! Just like we designed it to.

The second idea led to a full speaking calendar for Jim.  First, I raised Jim’s speaking fee from 4k to 10k (and eventually 25k)—he was WORTH it. I then created some scarcity in the marketplace by giving promotors exclusive opportunities to book Jim in cities around they country. The exclusivity created a row of dominoes that we knocked down as promoters fought over the opportunity to own markets. This worked especially well when I told them I would bring in a Brian Tracy/Jim Rohn One Day event and compete against them at an aggressive price in any markets where they did not book Jim themselves

The net result was going from 20 dates at 4k to 110 dates at 10k within a year of launching Jim Rohn Int in 1993. The rest is history.

But, at that crucial juncture in the beginning of Jim Rohn International, I BEGAN with asking what Jim Rohn’s secret sauce was and making that a big part of our strategy when adding new spokes to the wheel.

I have so many other examples of finding and leveraging a person’s or company’s secret sauce to build their audience and brand! It’s a powerful exercise.

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Be Part of One of My Upcoming Projects

If you are interested in being a part of any of my upcoming projects or working directly with me, below are a few of the things I’m up to.

Kyle Wilson’s The Strategic Marketing Wheel!  (Get 30% off today by using the coupon code SPECIAL) I share the strategies of how I built my 8-figure business (as well as coached Darren Hardy, Robin Sharma, and many others)! The Strategic Marketing Wheel is for anyone with a business, product, or service who wants to get more customers, win more clients, and build a bigger prospect base!

Includes 16 Modules, + 4 Bonuses, all for less than a dollar a day, https://kylewilson.com/thewheel/

Be Part of My Next Book! Be in a book with other celebrity authorities, have an amazing writing coach, learn over 20 strategies to market your book (on 8 group marketing calls with Kyle) become a #1 B Bestselling Author (and learn to launch your own book to #1), learn how to share your story, leverage a book for credibility and as a biz card, and much more. Click Here to Learn More (There is an Application Process)

Kyle Wilson’s Inner Circle Mastermind. I have the most amazing Inner Circle of entrepreneurs, professionals, small business owners, and real estate investors.

We have 14 live events, monthly Masterclasses and bi-weekly Marketing calls with world-class guests including Brian Tracy, Les Brown, Denis Waitley, Mark Victor and Crystal Hansen, Bob Burg, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Tom Ziglar, Todd Stottlemyre, Lisa Haisha, Glenn Morshower who’s been in over 250 movies and shows, and more, as well as hundreds of hours of content in a members site, plus a private members Facebook group. More details here https://kylewilson.com/mastermind/ (There is an Application Process)

As my 18-year business partner, mentor, and friend, Jim Rohn would tell me, let’s do something remarkable!

Kyle Wilson

Founder Jim Rohn International, YourSuccessStore, and KyleWilson.com

Kyle Wilson has worked with the top names in the personal development industry as a seminar promoter, strategist, marketer, publisher, and agent including with his 18-year biz partner, friend, and mentor Jim Rohn, as well as Brian Tracy, Les Brown, Darren Hardy, Denis Waitley, Mark Victor Hansen, and many more.

Listen to Kyle Wilson’s Success Habits Podcast Guests include Les Brown, Denis Waitley, Darren Hardy, John Assaraf, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Brian Tracy, Mark Victor Hansen, Jeffrey Gitomer, Roger Love, and more KyleWilson.com/podcast

What Others Are Saying About Kyle

“Kyle, thank you for our partnership and friendship. Friendship is wealth and you make me a rich man. Love and Respect!” Jim Rohn, Iconic Philosopher & Speaker

“I guard my endorsements carefully. Regarding Kyle, he is simply a marketing genius! No joke. Kyle was the wizard behind the successful business of my mentor Jim Rohn. Every marketing dilemma I have ever had Kyle has given me the brilliant and elegant solution on the spot. Kyle’s consulting has saved and earned me hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.” Darren Hardy, Former Publisher SUCCESS Magazine

“I have worked closely with Kyle Wilson for 20 years. He is one of the best all-around marketers, promoters, business-builders and entrepreneurs in the business today. We have generated more than a million dollars together.” Brian Tracy, Int Speaker & Author

“Kyle Wilson is brilliant and so very knowledgeable and an icon in this industry. He was the power behind Jim Rohn. Kyle is my longtime friend and someone I have a great deal of respect for.” Les Brown, Iconic Speaker and Author

“Kyle is a valued friend, a marketing superstar and one of the most knowledgeable people in the personal development industry.” Robin Sharma, Author of Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

“I’ve known and worked with Kyle Wilson for over 20 years. Kyle is the ONLY person that ALWAYS under-promised and over-delivered every single time my dad Zig and I worked with him. He is a valued friend and some one I have great admiration and respect for!” Tom Ziglar, President of Zig Ziglar Corp

“Kyle is one of my old and dear friends and one of the smartest marketing guys I have had the opportunity to work with. He is the scrappy marketing guy. What I mean by that is, there are lots of guys who will put out business plans and do all kinds of nonsense and swing for home runs. Kyle is the real deal and finds ways to create product, add value, help people, build community, he’s unbelievable.” Eric Worre, Author of Go Pro

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"I guard my endorsements carefully. Regarding Kyle, he is simply a marketing genius! No joke. Kyle was the wizard behind the successful business of my mentor Jim Rohn. Every marketing dilemma I have ever had, Kyle has given me the brilliant and elegant solution on the spot. Kyle’s consulting has saved and earned me hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years."
Darren Hardy
Former Publisher SUCCESS Magazine
"Kyle, thank you for our partnership and friendship all these years. Friendship is wealth and you make me a rich man. Much Love & Respect"
Jim Rohn
(1930-2009), Internationally
Renowned Speaker and Author
"Kyle Wilson is brilliant and very knowledgeable and an icon in this industry. He was the power behind Jim Rohn. Kyle is my longtime friend and someone I have a great deal of respect for."
Les Brown
Iconic Speaker and Author
"Kyle you were a master to work with when filming and producing at my house. Also, Helen and I have toured and done so many 'meet and greets' and have had all kinds of cool activities and opportunities on the road, but last year at your house at the Inner Circle Mastermind ranks at the top as one of the all time best experiences we have ever had on the road. At your house the people and the love was so amazing. We are use to doing all the giving, but that day we felt loved and cared for. It was just an amazing experience! We still talk about it to this day. It is at the top of our tour memories from over all these years!"
Phil Collen
Lead Guitarist, Def Leppard
"Thank you Kyle Wilson for being such a magnificent leader and creating a powerful, humanitarian thinking group of leaders. You’re such an amazing human being. Always inspired by who you are!"
Lisa Haisha
Host Amazon Show, Producer,
Philanthropist
"I have worked closely with Kyle Wilson for 20 years. He is one of the best all-around marketers, promoters, business-builders and entrepreneurs in the business today. We have generated more than a million dollars together.
Brian Tracy
Professional Speaker,
Best-Selling Author,
CEO of Brian Tracy
International™
"If wanting to break into the speaker, author, marketing world, no one knows and does it better than my 10 year friend, Kyle Wilson. He is responsible for millions of people having access to the brilliant wisdom of Jim Rohn and so many other business thought leaders. He attracts the best people to his Inner Circle, something I'm proud to be a part of. I’m also excited to be working on a new book with Kyle, Lessons From Sports. Honored by his friendship."
Newy Scruggs
7x Emmy Winning Broadcaster,
NBC Sports Dallas/Ft Worth
"Kyle is one of my old and dear friends and one of the smartest marketing guys I have had the opportunity to work with. He is the scrappy marketing guy. Kyle is the real deal and finds ways to create product, add value, help people, build community, he’s unbelievable."
Eric Worre
Founder of Network Marketing
Pro and International Best-Selling
Author of Go Pro
"Kyle Wilson, single handedly changed the way I look at life! And the way I participate in my own! Kyle's wisdom, loyalty and commitment to seeing people soar is unmatched in the industry. He is a spring board, sounding board and ultimately a launch pad for anyone committed to pursuing their deepest dreams and ultimate goals! He is the most authentic mentor, friend and business parter I've ever had. I'm so thankful I ended up in your sphere 'KW,' Kyle Wilson.”
Erika De La Cruz
TV & Media Host, Speaker,
Trainer and Author of Passionistas
"Kyle Wilson is the man! When I made the decision to transition from my 15 year MLB career to being a speaker, best-selling author and business consultant I researched and then sought out the man who has been behind such iconic speakers as Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy and many others. Hiring Kyle as my coach has been one of the smartest decisions I made.
Todd Stottlemyre
Author of Relentless Success,
15 Year MLB Pitcher
and 3x World Champion
"Kyle is a valued friend, a marketing superstar and one of the most knowledgeable people in the personal development industry.
Robin Sharma
Author of The Monk Who
Sold His Ferrari
"Kyle can I thank you for something and congratulate you in the same breath? I've done easily 500 interviews in my life. This has been my favorite one. One that went on and allowed that deeper dive because that's one of the things that time limits can rob us of. And I thank you for that because it's been very healthy and very cathartic. And you kind of brought me back in touch with how ready I am to get back on stages. I'm ready."
Glenn Morshower
Actor in Over 250 Movies and Shows
"Kyle is one of the wisest and most brilliant marketing consultants in the world. He is the man behind the great marketing of Jim Rohn International and so many other personal development legends. He is not only someone I’ve enjoyed collaborating and working with for over two decades, but is also a close and valued friend. I recommend Kyle without equivocation."
Mark Victor Hansen
Co-Creator of World’s
Best-Selling Book Series
Chicken Soup for the Soul
“Kyle Wilson is a masterful marketer and there is a good reason why top investors, entertainers, sports figures, leaders in personal development and entrepreneurs call on him as a coach, mentor, business partner and friend. Kyle knows what works in business and most importantly relationships and always over delivers. As an Inner Circle Mastermind member for over 2 years, it’s been the very best thing I could have done to level up my circle of influence, surround myself with success and have the platform to launch a best-selling book, be invited to speak, partner, invest and take my brand to the next level. I highly recommend you invest whatever is necessary to be a member of the Inner Circle or hire Kyle as your coach.
Kelli Calabrese
Wellness Mompreneur,
#1 Best-Selling Author
Mom & Dadpreneur
“Kyle Wilson is the best marketer I know. In the 20 years that I have known him, everything he touches and every idea he generates, turns into money. If you’re looking for a degree of fame, and a higher degree of wealth, I recommend you get YOUR ass to Kyle as fast as you can.”
Jeffrey Gitomer
Best-Selling Author The Little Red Book of Selling
"I've known and worked with Kyle Wilson for over 20 years. Kyle is the ONLY person that ALWAYS under-promised and over-delivered every single time my dad Zig and I worked with him. He is a valued friend and someone I have great admiration and respect for!"
Tom Ziglar
President of Zig Ziglar Corp
"Kyle's Inner Circle Masterminds have been some of the most enlightening events I've been a part of. I've met so many incredible people outside the world I live and work in. It is the pinnacle of places you can go to upgrade your network. Plus, Kyle's coaching has helped me create and additional six figure side income that allows me to impact more people."
Seth Mosley
2x Grammy Winner,
Billboard #1 Producer and
Song Writer of the Year
"When I met Kyle Wilson I had been speaking professionally for 12 years and my biggest ‘achievement’ was $60,000 in debt to the IRS, a truck I prayed every day would start, and a simple 6 CD memory training set. Kyle coached me to market that CD set and in less than 12 months my IRS debt was gone and I was speaking in Australia, Bangkok, Belgium, Singapore, Malaysia and all over the USA with the biggest names in the speaking business. It was almost magical how Kyle took my business from giving speeches in the back room of an IHOP restaurant to audiences as large as 8,000 in what seemed like overnight. I can honestly say that Kyle Wilson was not a major factor in turning my business around. Kyle Wilson was THE factor. I can’t strongly recommend his wisdom, knowledge, business mind or who he is as a person enough."
Ron White
Best-Selling Author of
Black Belt Memory,
2009 & 2010 US Memory Champion
"Kyle Wilson is not only one of my most valued friends and mentors, he is a marketing genius and brilliant business man, always providing the most honest and insightful solutions to any challenge. I am honored to have him as my book partner and life-long counterpart."
Jeanette Ortega,
Jeanette Ortega
Best-Selling Author of
The Little Black Book of Fitness
& Celebrity Fitness Trainer
"Kyle, you ROCKED the EOFIRE show. You are a great storyteller and shared great lessons. Truly impressed…and thank you for what you do/have done for this Entrepreneurial world."
John Lee Dumas
Host of EOFire Podcast with
over 100 million Downloads
"Anytime I'm in a conversation with Kyle Wilson, I always take my notepad out and start taking down notes cause there's so much to learn. Kyle it's a real honor for me to know you."
Bob Burg
Speaker and Best-Selling Author
of the Go Giver
“Kyle Wilson literally built an empire over 18 years working with one of the true legends in the entire speaking space, Mr. Jim Rohn. Somebody I look up too, somebody who was a hero of mine that I wanted to be like because of the way he had great integrity. Kyle has that same integrity, he truly cares about making you look good. He cares about you having quality materials and I will Guarantee you will be so grateful you partnered up and got into one of Kyle's books. Kyle cares truly from the heart about your success. And about representing you in the way you want to be represented. With your great content, and your great information and with who you are as a business, as a brand, as a person. So do yourself a favor, work with my friend Kyle.”
James Malinchak
Featured on ABC’s Hit TV show
Secret Millionaire &
Founder of Big Money Speaker
"Kyle Wilson’s insight, marketing acumen and business knowledge are guru level. His consulting, friendship and brilliant solutions have changed the trajectory of my career and life. His strategies don’t just elevate, they transform you and your brand.
Olenka Cullinan
Speaker, Passionista, Founder of
Rising Tycoons &
#iStartFirst Bossbabe Bootcamps
"From the moment I met Kyle realized that he was a unique individual. In life their is 'talent' and then behind that 'talent' there is always the business savvy behind it. We say that when the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear. Kyle Wilson IS that teacher and that consultant....are you ready? Kyle, I know our best work is yet to come. Thanks for the friendship and expertise."
Nick Bradley
PGA Tour Mentor,
Speaker, Author
"Is there anyone in the world who is better at grooming and managing a speaker than Kyle Wilson? Absolutely not! Kyle was the man behind Jim Rohn. Kyle, while managing my speaking career, took me to 60 speaking engagements a year while increasing my fee, and helped me publish numerous books that sold nearly a million copies, produce two best-selling audio programs, taught me how to sell product from the back of a room (with a number of $50,000 days and one $110,000 day) and got me my own television show and a co-host with Zig Ziglar on his television show, True Performance. There is not a single person alive who not only knows but has mastered the speaking business from beginning to end like Kyle Wilson. Take my highest recommendation and multiply it by ten and you have what I think about Kyle. What? You haven’t picked up the phone yet to get on board with him? Get going!!"
Chris Widener
Best-Selling Author The Angel Inside
"Kyle Wilson has been a life changing mentor, friend and business partner. He not only has extreme marketing knowledge, is talented and gifted at speaking, coaching and leading, but he also has a unique focus, drive and charisma that magnetizes others and helps them to succeed and become more motivated. I would recommend anyone wanting to propel to higher levels to work with Kyle"
Kim Somers Egelsee
# 1 best selling author
and Tedx speaker
"Kyle Wilson's Inner Circle is nothing short of Life Changing! It offers insights and valuable outcomes for entrepreneurs, champions, and business leaders. IC is high-trust, honest, and encouraging, an integrity-filled environment that generates awareness, understanding, and wisdom from the team for you. IC provides one a board of trusted advisors... the ""GPS to help you get to the next level."
Tim Cole
(Business) Managing Director,
(Military) Colonel, USMC (Ret)
"After only working with Kyle for a few months, I felt my professional world opening up in new and inspired ways. Kyle’s marketing brilliance and business wisdom combine to make him a one in a million in this coaching world. I found that I literally would just listen to whatever he says and that is not common for a strong-willed woman like me, but his guidance is pure gold and his goodness shines through it all. I am so very grateful to him for his coaching.”
Dr. Stormy Hill, OTR/L
Entrepreneur, Author, Educator, Mom
"Kyle you have greatly influenced my life and career. You and Jim made a perfect team with a legacy that will continue to change lives more than any otherthought leaders with timeless wisdom."
Denis Waitley
Author Psychology of Winning