Episode 246: Ed Oyama -The Power of Simple Videos: Building Trust and Clarity in Business

Listen on:

Description:

In this episode of The Builders, Matt sits down with Ed Oyama, founder of Super Simple Marketing, to unpack what it really means to simplify — in business, in messaging, and especially on camera.

Ed shares his unexpected journey from math major and aspiring game designer to educator and entrepreneur, including 12 years in Asia running English programs and learning the art of communication the hard way. Through that experience, he discovered a universal truth: complexity kills momentum.

Now, Ed helps smart professionals create simple, authentic videos that connect, convert, and build trust. This episode explores how simplifying your message can lead to clearer communication, better marketing, and stronger relationships with your audience.

Key Takeaways:

  • Simplicity is a strategy. The clearer your message, the stronger your connection.
  • Perfectionism kills progress. Authenticity and action are more persuasive than polish.
  • Testing beats guessing. Build through experimentation and feedback, not theory.
  • Video builds trust. Simple videos create genuine connections that drive sales and impact.
  • Keep it human. Whether teaching or marketing, empathy and clarity always win.

If you’ve ever overthought your content—or hesitated to hit “record”—this episode will show you how to start small, stay simple, and build something meaningful through video.

I’ve always been drawn to creativity and communication. Back in the late ’90s, I almost went into web design myself—I graduated high school in ’99 and had a choice: pursue art school or take the “safe” route. I chose the latter, got into UCLA for computer science… and then dropped out.

After that, I applied to design school (and got rejected), graduated as a math major instead, and somehow ended up spending 12 years overseas directing an English camp in Kyrgyzstan with a Christian nonprofit. Those years taught me a lot about leadership, storytelling, and connecting with people from all walks of life.

When I returned to the U.S. in 2021, I started what I thought was my dream—a small web design agency. But over time, I realized my real passion wasn’t just building websites—it was helping people find their voice. I loved guiding others to clarify their message and show up confidently on camera.

That discovery led me to build my coaching business, where I now help coaches and consultants create simple, effective short-form videos that attract the right clients and book great sales calls—often with nothing more than a selfie camera and a strong hook.

These days, I spend at least a few hours a day working alongside ChatGPT, experimenting and exploring new ways AI can support creativity and communication. It’s that blend of technology, storytelling, and authenticity that really energizes me.

THE MEAT OF IT!

1. Building the Foundation: From Math Major to Mission-Driven Coach

  • Ed’s early dreams of designing video games
  • His academic detour into math and realization about teamwork
  • How teaching English in Kyrgyzstan shaped his worldview
  • Learning marketing by necessity — and discovering simplicity as a survival tool

2. The Turning Point: Simplifying for Impact

  • The story of testing flyers and learning to market smarter, not harder
  • Discovering the “grandma strategy” — targeting the real decision-makers
  • Lessons in experimentation, iteration, and data-driven thinking

3. Building Through Simplicity

  • Why smart people often overcomplicate their messaging
  • How to strip down your content to one clear step, not 27
  • The power of simple systems in business, teaching, and content creation

4. Simple Videos That Sell

  • How video became Ed’s tool for connection and clarity
  • Overcoming overthinking and fear on camera
  • Making videos that build trust, not perfectionism
  • The importance of authenticity and repetition

5. Building a Business Around Simplicity

  • Why simplicity scales better than complexity
  • Coaching others to find their clear message
  • Ed’s advice for business owners and creators stuck in “planning mode”

6. Key Takeaways for Builders

  • Simplify to start — clarity beats complexity every time
  • Build through iteration and real-world testing
  • Connection and authenticity outweigh production value
  • Every great builder starts by hitting “record,” not by perfecting the script


Check out these related Episodes:

Matt Levenhagen
Latest posts by Matt Levenhagen (see all)

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recent Episodes

    Please check out the latest podcast episodes below!

    Unified Web Design

    Translating your brand’s vision into code.

    Learn more