Raised $30 MM in capital for real estate through LinkedIn and Guest Podcasting | Posts about Real Estate, Writing, and Audience Building

CAP X MEDIA

Helping Real Estate Investors Build Their Brand and Raise Capital Through Digital Media.

Founder

Elite Podcast Bookings

*Rebranded to CAP X MEDIA

Revolutionizing real estate investing marketing with guest podcasting and organic lead generation to raise more capital and explode your personal brand online.

Founder 

Boardwalk Wealth

Oversaw and assisted a real estate portfolio of assets valued at $50MM and achieve goals through allocation, monitoring, and risk management.

Asset Management

Leveraged expertise in market research, financial analysis, and risk assessment to drive informed decision-making and optimize returns within the real estate investment portfolio.

Senior Analyst

Managed communications, built relationships with media outlets, and produced engaging content to enhance brand visibility and effectively communicate key messages to real estate investors.

Investor and Media Relations

Rabbit Hole Finance

Conducted insightful interviews with prominent figures in the bitcoin industry, delving into topics of Austrian economics, finance, and global markets to provide valuable insights and perspectives to the audience.

Podcast Host

Real Estate Journeys

114 episodes in syndication, our business podcast has achieved a remarkable feat as a top 400 podcast, offering valuable insights and knowledge to real estate investors.

99% of Real Estate LinkedIn is Chat GPT posts and noise.

There's a better way to stand out online ⤵️

If this sounds like you:

❌ Lack of capital
❌ Feeling tired and burned out
❌ Not growing your presence online

Now, imagine this:

✅ Securing more deals
✅ Successfully raising $5 million in capital
✅ Having a loyal following that knows, likes, and trusts you

If you're a 6-figure real estate entrepreneur who's serious about raising more capital and closing more deals, join my free newsletter, Digital Leverage. 

You'll be in good company with over 300+ entrepreneurs who are making their mark online. 

(See featured section above ⤴️)

Matthew Baltzell 🌴

$7,000 staging job replaced by a $12 AI render. 

Here’s what happens next...


Look at this photo.

Left → AI staging.
 
Right → $3,000/month vacant liability pretending to be a listing.

Buyers make a decision in 8 seconds.

Physical staging?

Trucks. 
Movers. 
Insurance. 
Two days of hassle.
Thousands of dollars. 

AI?

Ten bucks. 
Twelve seconds.
Zero excuses.

Virtual staging isn’t “coming.”
 
It’s already the default mode: cheaper, faster, and built for conversion.

And the investors who pivot first?

They’ll have the lions share of the deal transactions

And the investors who pivot first?

They won’t “win more deals.”
 
They’ll take em  down...while everyone else wonders what just happened.

Agree or disagree?

Matthew Baltzell

$20M+ Raised | LP Pipeline Systems for Real Estate & PE Firms | Build Trust, Fill Deals, Raise Faster

I didn’t know a single missed ID check could unleash $50,000 worth of chaos.
(Turns out…it can)


Back in college, I worked the door at a bar called The Pickle Barrel.

One night, I didn’t check an ID properly.
 
The "kid" was an undercover cop.

The fallout was brutal...

- Liquor license suspended for a week

- $50,000 in lost sales

- Bartender fined

- Manager furious

- Staff treating me like I burned the place down

Ten seconds.

That’s all it took.

And a month later, I got fired (go figure)

Lesson: tiny lapses in process can create massive consequences.

Same in capital raising.

I see operators with great deals lose millions because they don’t have a system to attract investors.
 
No process = no pipeline.

At CAP X MEDIA, we fix that.
 
We build predictable investor pipelines through podcasting + media funnels.

One mistake cost that bar $50K and my job.
One mistake with your investor brand could cost you millions.

2026 rate forecasts explained in 6 seconds...

if you’re raising capital, read this twice.

most firms can raise their first $5M+ with just 2 channels...


but most founders choose the wrong two because they get seduced by vanity.

the channels that actually produce money:

– guest podcasting (done strategically, not “spray & pray”)
– outbound (cold email + cold DM)
– LP referrals
– partnerships

the channels that drain your time and starve your pipeline:

– organic social
– weekly newsletters
– “personal brand building”

why

because you don’t need “brand.”
 you need investor trust and investor calls.
 
today.
tomorrow.
 
not Q4 next year.

list one makes money.
 
list two burns money until you’re already big.

here’s the founder mistake I see every week:

they build a media company before they build a deal flow engine.
lighting kits.
podcast mics.
LinkedIn posts that get 8 likes.
SEO roadmaps that won’t rank until 2027.
 
zero investor conversations to show for it.

stop confusing activity with progress.

your first $5M–$20M raise is about:

→ manufactured trust
→ borrowed credibility
→ forced distribution
→ controlled conversations

that’s what guest podcasting + outbound gives you.
once you have momentum, then do the cute stuff.

if you skip the “trust engine” stage, you lose years.

CAP X MEDIA exists so you don’t.

Everyone says they want a $1B+ exit...

(Until they see what a 10 figure day looks like)


I was listening to My First Million when Shaan Puri said something that stuck.

People get jealous of the outputs:

The money
The freedom
The “success

But...they never study the inputs.

Shaan shadowed a founder who sold his company for billions.

After watching him grind through non-stop meetings, he realized...
...he didn’t want that life at all.

It made me think:

We worship people’s results without asking if we actually want their routine.

So before chasing someone’s “level,” study their inputs.

Would you trade your day for theirs?

JSESSIONID

li_at

Talks about #creatoreconomy, #entrepreneurship, and #realestateinvesting

I failed the Series 6 exam. Twice.

Turns out, failing was the best thing for me.



I used to think passing the Series 6 was my golden ticket into finance.

- Woke up at 5am
- Studied before work
- Spent weekends at the library
- Highlighters
- Flashcards
- Tests

It was overwhelming. 

First try? Missed by 3 points.

Brutal!

But I chalked it up to pacing. 

So I doubled down...

- New prep books
- Study groups
- More pressure

Second try? 

Missed by 7

Sat in the car afterward and thought, "Maybe I’m not cut out for this."

That license felt like the gatekeeper. 

Like without it, I wasn’t legitimate. 

I was just another guy “trying to break in.”

I never took it again.

Instead, I asked a better question:

What if I stopped chasing credentials and just solved real problems for real people with real money?

That’s when things changed.

Fast forward...

✅ Raised $20M+ for investors
✅ Built a 400+ unit portfolio
✅ Help PE firms turn media appearances into LP trust engines

No licenses...
...No letters behind my name. 

Just results.

Lesson?

No one cares about your resume.

They care if you can get the job done.

You don’t need another certification. 

You need clarity, proof, and a compelling story.

Especially if you're raising capital.

If you're a fund manager stuck behind paperwork, jargon, and silence, skip the next credential.

Start telling the right story in the right rooms.

That’s what LPs actually trust.

Cold investors don’t wire capital.

Here’s how to build trust pre call...


Most capital raisers think the hard part is getting the investor to book the call.

Wrong!

The hard part is keeping their conviction long enough to get them to... 

Show up
Stay engaged
And eventually deploy capital.

That week between booking and the call? 
...That’s where founders fumble the raise.

Here’s what strong sponsor's do differently:

1. Send a credibility asset immediately.

A clean one-pager.
A case study.
A short Loom.

Something that says: “You’re in good hands.”

2. Frame the call so they know what to expect.

Investors avoid chaos.
If the agenda is clear, they show up prepared and serious.

3. Build anticipation with social proof.

Past deals. 
Track record. 
Testimonials.

Investors trust momentum more than promises.

4. Drip reminders that actually add value.

Not “friendly reminders.”

Actual insight.
A quick market note.
A short win from your portfolio.

Something that keeps them warm.

5. Reaffirm why the call matters.

You’re not chasing them.
You’re giving them a shot at something they could miss.

By the time an investor hits your Zoom room, they should already trust you enough to lean in...not sit back.

Cold investors don’t wire capital.

Warm, informed, confident investors do.

Start nurturing the gap.

Watch your raise get easier.

Sara Blakely started SPANX with $5,000…


No investors.
No venture capital.
No big checks.

Today?

SPANX is worth over $1,000,000,000 — and she still owns a huge piece of it.

When asked how she did it, Sara said:

• “Start small, think big, scale slowly.”
• “Focus on one thing and do it better than anyone else.”
• “Clarity attracts. Confusion repels.”

These principles apply directly to raising capital in real estate — and most sponsors miss them.

At CAP X MEDIA, we help fix that.

1) Start small, think big.

Investors don’t fund potential…
 …They fund proof.

Your content, your brand, your messaging — they must show competence long before investors wire money.

We help you build that trust strategically.

2) Focus on one thing and nail it.

Most sponsors try speaking to everyone…
…So they connect with no one.

We help you:

• Clarify your message
• Simplify your story
• Own your niche

Because focused messaging raises capital.
Scattered messaging kills it.

3) Clarity attracts. Confusion repels.

Investors aren’t saying no to your deals.
They’re saying no to unclear communication.

We help you articulate:

• Your model
• Your track record 
• Your investor value

Clearly. Simply. Confidently.

Clarity raises capital.
Confusion raises doubt.

At CAP X MEDIA, our mission is simple:

• Build brand authority
• Craft investor-focused messaging
• Help you raise more capital with less friction

Want to raise capital the modern way?

DM “CAP X” and we’ll schedule an intro call.

I Asked ChatGPT What Would Happen If Every Capital Raiser Started a Podcast (Here’s What It Said)


It said...

Most wouldn’t make it past episode 5.

Because the truth is…

Most capital raisers don’t have a lead problem.
They have a trust problem.

Everyone’s fighting for attention with recycled LinkedIn posts and “our latest deal” emails.

Meanwhile, the ones who win?

They’re the ones who own attention.

A podcast isn’t about going viral.

It’s about getting 100 serious investors to spend hours hearing your voice, your story, your conviction.

By the time they book a call, they already trust you.

They’ve heard you think.
They’ve heard you lead.

That’s leverage.

So no- not everyone should start a podcast.

Only the ones who want to stop begging for capital and start attracting it.

11 years ago, I auditioned for a Jack in the Box commercial…



My role?

A stone r who loved late night tacos.

Spoiler: I didn’t get the part.

But looking back...

Those auditions taught me something about life and business you don’t always get the “role” you thought you wanted.

Sometimes, the rejection just redirects you toward where you were actually supposed to perform.

Fast forward...

I’m not reading side anymore. 

I’m helping founders tell stories that actually land.

The camera changed, but the mission stayed the same: 

Get attention
Be real
Make people feel something

P.S. Still waiting on that chicken cheesy sandwich.

Struggling to get any traction on LinkedIn?

Here’s the uncomfortable truth…


You can have:

• Solid hooks
• Clean formatting
• Clear CTAs

…and still get ignored.

Not because your content is bad.
 
Because the game changed.

Your text posts are fighting uphill against an algorithm that’s bored out of its mind.

Want to fix it?

Short-form video.

It’s getting 3× more engagement than text right now.

More impressions → more attention.
More attention → more leads.
 
Simple math.

But here’s what most people miss:

This window won’t stay open.
 
Every gold rush ends.
 
Once everyone floods LinkedIn with video, reach tanks.

So you can sit around polishing another text post…

Or you can ride the algorithm while it’s basically begging you to win.

If you’re a real estate investor or entrepreneur who wants predictable inbound leads on LinkedIn...

DM me “video” and let’s build something that actually moves the needle.

This One Mistake Is Costing You Millions in Investor Capital...



Most capital raisers are horrible podcast guests.

And nobody wants to say it… so I will.

You’re not going on podcasts to “share your journey.”
You’re going on to raise money and grow your pipeline.
 
Period.

But almost everyone screws up the one moment that actually moves dollars:

The Call to Action.

Here’s a real example of what NOT to do:

Host: “Where can people find you?”
 
Guest:

“Go to Capital Group dot com…”
“Or email me…”
“Or Google me…”
“Or contact Laura on my team…”

Four options! Zero clarity. No urgency.
 
A perfect recipe for watching warm leads evaporate.

IF you haven’t seen the clip 🙄 Stop and go watch it. It’s chaos.

Where it went wrong:

Too many choices. 
(Listeners don’t want a scavenger hunt.)

No clear direction. 
(Confusion kills conversions.)

No urgency. 
(Give them a reason to act right now.)

Podcast listeners are primed.
They already trust you.
They want the next step.

And if you don’t give it to them?

They move on. Fast.

How to Fix It (The Operator Way):

1. Pick ONE destination.
One link. One action. One funnel.

2. Make it stupid-simple.
Short. Memorable. Easy to type.

3. Add scarcity.
Eg:
 “Email me at joe@capital.com...
 ...First 3 listeners get a free 30 minute underwriting breakdown.”

Now you’ve created urgency.
 Now you’ve created action.
  Now you’ve created money.

Most people go on podcasts and waste the shot.
 
You fix your CTA, and your conversions will spike like asset prices in 2020.

Want to double your capital raise in 2026? DM me “easy mode."

3 months into learning guitar and I finally understand why most people quit...


It’s painfully slow.
Your fingers hate you.
Your strumming sounds like a lawnmower hitting a metal pipe (no joke).

And every YouTube teacher with perfect hair makes it look “so easy.”

Meanwhile, I’m over here celebrating that I switched G to C chord cleanly for once.

But here’s the kicker...

I’m actually loving it.
Not because I’m suddenly good.
Because it reminds me what it's like to learn something new.

That dying thirst for the unknown.

The need to reinvent yourself.
Humble yourself.
And enjoy yourself.

You don’t need to monetize everything.

You don’t need to chase followers.
 
You don’t need a KPI for every hobby.

Sometimes it’s healthy to suck at something.

It wakes you up.
 
It slows you down.
 
And it gives you permission to just be a beginner again.

Business is where I perform.
Guitar is where I breathe.

Three months in, I’m not trying to become a rockstar —
 I’m just trying not to scare the neighbors.

And honestly?

That’s enough for now.

In 2011, Netflix pulled a move 99% of companies are too soft to even attempt…



They didn’t “adjust pricing.”
They detonated a 60% increase overnight.

Customers went absolutely loco. 

800,000 vanished in a single quarter.
The stock got obliterated. 
Twitter mobs (back when that meant something) declared Netflix dead.

But here’s the psychology behind the move...

Weak companies optimize for comfort.
Strong companies optimize for control.

Netflix saw the truth...

DVDs were a slow-motion collapse.
Streaming wasn’t printing cash yet.
 
And trying to keep everyone happy would trap them in the worst place possible:

The middle.

So they did what real operators do...

They took the painful swing that created long-term leverage.

And that moment:

• Severed their dependence on physical products
• Forced total commitment to streaming
• Built the foundation of a global content empire

From the outside, it looked reckless...
...From the inside, it was strategic survival.

This is business 101:

Do what’s easy and your business becomes hard.
Do what’s hard and your business becomes unstoppable.
-
Have you ever taken short-term hate to build long-term leverage?

Don’t say: “6–8% pref.”
Do say: “8–6% pref.”
Here’s why…

Most operators talk about returns in a way that kills investor confidence without ever realizing it.

They anchor low.

“Most deals return around 6–8%.”

Great!?

Now the investor’s brain is locked onto six.

Six feels “normal.”
Seven feels “fine.”
Eight feels “maybe… if the stars align.”

Flip it:

“Most deals in this market land in the 8–6% range depending on structure.”

Now eight feels normal.
Seven feels logical.
Six feels like the conservative downside.

Same numbers.
Different order.

Totally different psychology.

But wait… won’t investors now expect the higher return?

No, because anchoring doesn’t create expectation.

Anchoring creates context.

Investors aren’t dumb.

They know the preferred return is a fixed number in the PPM.

You’re not changing the pref.
You’re shaping how they interpret the pref.

When you anchor high:

- Confidence increases

- The middle feels solid

- The low end feels conservative

The actual deal (say a 7% pref) lands stronger, not weaker.

You’re not promising eight…
You’re making seven feel normal, not disappointing.

This is how sophisticated operators communicate.

They don’t manipulate numbers.
They frame them in a way that builds certainty.

High-net-worth investors aren’t buying math.

They’re buying the conviction behind the math.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Baltzell’s 🦃🍁🎃

10 Reasons You Shouldn’t Start a Podcast.

 If you’re thinking about it… watch this first.


If you're a real estate investor and you want 2x your capital raises next year DM me "Capital" and I'll give you more details.

Investor Acquisitions

Founder + CEO

Real Estate Investor

Construction Project Manager

Pre-Construction Coordinator

Modineer Company

Operations Management Development Program

Altus Group

Cost Analyst

Northwestern Mutual

Financial Representative

College Financial Representative

Purdue University

Resident Assistant

SpringHill Camps

Assistant Director 

Holder Construction Company

Office Engineer Intern

Senior Construction Project Manager @ VareCo

Hey there! My name is Cole Baker. I am the Founder & CEO of Investor Acquisitions. The modern real estate operator's full service LinkedIn copywriter who will take your content & brand story to the next level. 

Whether you're the CEO, a team of operators, or a broker, our team can level up your brand & content on LinkedIn. 

Our business is telling your story.

Cole Baker

Panda Express owns $1,000,000,000+ of real estate.  
McDonald's owns $100,000,000,000+ of real estate. 
Shaqueille O'Neil owns $50,000,000+ of real estate. 
Marquise Brown owns $10,000,000+ of real estate.
Emmitt Smith owns $100,000,000+ of real estate. 
CostCo owns $50,000,000,000+ of real estate. 
Vanilla Ice owns $20,000,000 + of real estate. 

The most influential brands & entertainers in the world own real estate. 

To build wealth. 
To offset taxes. 
To diversify. 

What about you? 

P.S. Curious to hear your investment focus in 2025?

Personally, I'm doubling down on 2 things: 
1. Personal Development. 
2. Real Estate. 

How about you?

Founder + CEO of Investor Acquisitions | I help real estate executives build their brand & attract investors | Trusted by 42 Firms | DM “Intro” to schedule a meeting with Investor Acquisitions

I asked a lender (who has originated $23,000,000,000 worth of commercial real estate loans) 3 red flags to avoid in a general partner.

Here's what he said:

𝟭) 𝘼 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧 (𝙂𝙋) 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙣𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙡.

- In his opinion, a GP must provide capital in the deal.
- It’s this simple: If a GP has no capital in the deal,
- They don’t have your best interest in mind.

𝟮) 𝘼 𝙂𝙋 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙣𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚.

- You don’t want to hear what they promise.
- You want to hear what they’ve done.
- If they haven’t done very much, &
- They promise great returns?
- Run.

𝟯) 𝘼 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝟱+ 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨

- In his opinion, teams shouldn’t exceed 3 GPs.
- When there are too many partners on a team,
- He questions the team’s ability to manage.

There’s no need to take on unnecessary risk.

Dismiss all GPs with these red flags.

P.S. What would you add to the list?

I've owned 0% of a $2,000,000 property. 

I worked my butt off for it too. 

I worked my W-2 while helping others build their wealth. 

It's part of most all of our journey's. 

Honest work. 

But after long hours trading time for money got me thinking...

"What if I was on the other side of the table?" 
"What if I was the owner?"

I asked myself those questions over & over. 
Until one day, I took that leap myself. 
The hardest decision I've made.

But you know what? 

It’s also the most fulfilling decision I’ve ever made. 
I’m curious to hear more about your journey. 
What set you on the path of ownership?

Vanilla Ice has 1,940,000,000 streams for all songs. 

He's also built a $20,000,000 real estate empire. 

Here's how he did it: 

1) Vanilla Ice initially had too much fun.  

• Vanilla Ice's real name is Rob Van Winkle. 
• With "Ice Ice Baby" topping every relevant chart.
• By age of 21, Rob was a bonafide superstar.
• Like many young rappers, he had his fun. 
• Mansions. Super cars. And jewelry. 
• Rob spent nearly everything. 

2) Hurricane Andrew changed everything. 

• In 1992, Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida. 
• 1 of Rob's mansions was damaged in the hurricane. 
• Instead of hiring contractors, Rob renovated it. 
• That single renovation changed everything. 
• He ended up selling the home as a flip. 
• & began flipping homes full-time. 

3) Rob shifted his focus. 

• Rob flipped homes all through the 1990's. 
• Then, in the early 2000's
• With Rob's music career slowing down, 
• Rob started a construction company. 
• Leveraging his experience flipping. 

Leveraging his flipping experience, Rob has built a $20m net worth through business and real estate. 

LESSON: 

Rob did what many of us do when we start in real estate. 
He completely changed industries. 
For Rob, it was all about learning everything he could. 
From electrical, to plumbing, to finishing work. 
Rob started from the bottom. 
Like all of us. 

Whether you're Vanilla Ice, or John Smith, hard work is required. 

You cannot escape it. 

Knowledge matters. 

& the best way to gain knowledge? Do the work. 

What's your focus right now with your investing?

P.S. What's a better one hit wonder? 

A. "Who Let the Dogs Out?"

B. "Ice Ice Baby"

C. Other

My church is looking to buy a building in downtown Denver with ~1,000 seats.

• They're currently off Colfax.
• Across from East High. 

Our church is looking for an auditorium w/ ~1,000 seats.
& they're looking to stay around downtown.  
They're open to any & all options, 
but would prefer to buy. 

If you know a seller. 
If you know of a building. 
If you own your own building. 

& you think it could fit this criteria?

Please reach out. 

DM "Church" if you have a lead!

I cold called an investor (who owns over $25,000,000 worth of real estate almost all free & clear) to ask for advice.

Here's what he said:

"Real estate is all about satisfying the resident & reducing costs."

Seemingly contradictory statements.

But when executed well:

Crushes.

Here's his advice:

1) Buy units with more bedrooms.

- For him, he buys assets & holds them in perpetuity.
- He found residents stay longer with 2-3 bedrooms.
- This is true for dishwashers & washer/dryers too.
- Here was his point: anticipate their needs.
- Anticipate their growth in life (families).
- & provide them convenience.

As their family grows & they make more money, you have the capacity to support this.

2) Be vertically integrated.

In his opinion:

- The single greatest opportunity to reduce cost.

He wanted to maximize cash flow:

- He had a manager & went in 2 days/week.
- This increased his cash flow, which
- Afforded a better life style.

The conversation was over 40 minutes.

He was very gracious with his time.

(Probably because he afford it).

P.S. Curious to hear your favorite interactions on a cold call?

taplio

The Battle

Matthew Baltzell 🌴

Cole Baker

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreMatthew Baltzell 🌴's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreCole Baker's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Matthew Baltzell 🌴

Cole Baker

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Matthew Baltzell 🌴's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreCole Baker's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreMatthew Baltzell 🌴's LinkedIn Performance