The Smart Passive Income Online Business And Blogging Podcast

#838 Passive income is a myth. That might sound weird coming from the "passive income guy," but many people misunderstand the path to success and financial freedom. This is what's stopping them from building a thriving business! I just stumbled upon a mind-blowing example of this on X. Paddy Galloway, a YouTube expert, shared a DM from a teenage fan who was ready to shut down his channel after investing months and thousands of dollars in online courses and hiring editors. Listen to today's session for my reaction to this exchange because it perfectly illustrates why people struggle with building an audience! When the kid fessed up to not even being passionate about making videos and just being in it for the money, I lost it! This episode is a reality check for anyone chasing passive income without a genuine desire to help others. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session838.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-inf

#837 Is slowing down the key to unlocking the next level of your business and life? Tune in for today's episode, because my longtime friend Chris Ducker is back on the show. A lot has happened since our last chat, so join us to discover how Chris is building a powerful legacy without burning out! You'll get a sneak peek at Chris's upcoming book, The Long Haul Leader, and the scoop on his new and improved version of Youpreneur. We also discuss sustainable growth, gamifying your goals, networking and building relationships, and adapting to our changing business landscape. If you're feeling the side effects of hustle culture, listen in for an inspiring conversation on finding success while protecting your health! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session837.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Entrepreneurship is the best path toward financial freedom. That's why we've made it our mission at SPI to get you started on your journey and help you go full-time on your passion. We're making big changes to serve you better, so listen in on today's bonus episode to find out more! I'm chatting with Caleb Wojcik, our new CEO, to give you an inside look at our decision to merge our SPI Pro and All-Access Pass communities. We're creating one unified space for entrepreneurs to come together for even greater connection and collaboration! The SPI Community will host everything from office hours with me to newly updated courses and accelerator programs. We want to supercharge student and member outcomes and give you our full support, all in one place! Got to SmartPassiveIncome.com/community to join other entrepreneurs just like you! Now's the best time to act because our email marketing accelerator starts on November 14th. Join me for a live Q&A session on my YouTube channel on November 13th at 10 AM PT to lea

#836 Overcoming impostor syndrome is often the key to building your business and unlocking more sales. But how do you prove your expertise and become an authority in your space? Join me because, in today's episode, I continue the trip down memory lane I started in session 834! Going into the online course boom, I faced a pivotal moment in my entrepreneurial journey. I reveal how my friend and mentor, Chalene Johnson, helped me overcome impostor syndrome and embrace selling through service. This was a game-changer because the course she pushed me to create, Power-Up Podcasting, generated over $250,000 at launch alone! I now had the confidence to take on bigger projects to help my students and audience. You'll hear about FlynnCon, my in-person conference, and how that led to the creation of our SPI Pro and All-Access Pass communities. I also want to give you a sneak peek at the future of SPI, so listen in! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session836.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a

#835 Creating content that pops is vital, especially if you're in a technical niche. So how do you leverage unique visuals and smart pricing to get more clients? In this episode, I'm chatting with SPI Pro member Chris Lysy. This is a fascinating look at an entrepreneur, cartoonist, and social science researcher using data and design to craft powerful stories. Listen in because Chris has cracked the code to stand out in his space and attract high-paying clients! So, how do you choose the right platform for your content and create work that resonates with your target audience? Chris gives us an inside look at his unusual social media strategy. His knack for drawing cartoons that highlight the humor and absurdity in his niche is the driving engine behind his impressive consulting business. We dive into that and discuss pricing and packaging your services, and avoiding common traps for consultants. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session835.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor

#834 With the new phase of SPI coming, I take a trip down memory lane today to share how I started making money online. This is the first part of my story from getting laid off from a dream job to building my business and earning millions. If you need inspiration and motivation to keep going, tune in! Like many entrepreneurs, I started from scratch and quickly learned I had to be happy being scrappy. My encouraging success with GreenExamAcademy.com, my first online venture, was enough to fuel my ambition. For the longest time, I was putting out as much content as possible, becoming a trusted authority, and amassing an audience. The real game-changer, however, was starting this show in 2010, right as podcasting was catching on! From building in public to building relationships, listen in on this session because I want to share the lessons I've learned! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session834.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv

#833 The brand we envision when we first start is often not what we end up building in the long run. As our mission evolves, rebranding to reflect our growth can be a strategic game-changer. But how do we avoid the mistakes that cause more harm than good? Listen in on this episode to find out! I'm chatting with Charli Prangley today. She is an incredible design expert and the creative director at Kit, formerly known as ConvertKit. Our discussion is packed with actionable information on how to pull off a successful rebranding, so don't miss out! Charli and I dive into everything from choosing a new name and color scheme to reflect your brand to zeroing in on the right copy and messaging for your audience. Tune in because you'll learn the questions to ask and the tests to run to ensure your rebrand hits home! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session833.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#832 Many of us want to level up in our entrepreneurship journey but are worried about taking on more work. Burnout is very real, which is why we need to take steps to make our businesses more passive. But how do we actually do it? In this episode, I want to introduce you to my powerful SCALE framework. I'll take you through the steps to systematize, consolidate, automate, leverage, and evaluate your business for maximum impact without working more hours! I also want to share a story from my taekwondo days that perfectly illustrates why it's important to stop going against the grain and start thinking smarter in your brand. This session will give you a roadmap to creating a business that works for you, not the other way around. Listen in because you can apply this framework at any point in your journey! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session832.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#831 You're not the one who should be promoting your products. Instead, how do you create something so good that your superfans can’t wait to tell others about it? I'm so excited for today's session! After 830 episodes, I finally welcome marketing legend Seth Godin to the show. Don't miss this chat because you'll hear all about his new book, This Is Strategy, and get tips to help you make better plans in business and life! We discuss the dangers of chasing vanity numbers and why you should likely target the smallest viable audience. We also dive into how to start selling books by the box instead of the copy and explore self-publishing versus going the traditional route. Listen in because this session will set you on the right track and help you uncover your strategy for success! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session831.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#830 Remember the buddy system from school field trips? Having someone alongside you on an adventure is incredibly valuable. Here's the best part, though. You can apply the same concept to your business journey to speed up your success! In this episode, I talk about the incredible accountability partners I've had over the years. Sharing insights and strategies with a friend at the same level has been a massive game-changer for me from the start and all the way to my most recent project at Short Pocket Monster. So how do you find your business buddy? Listen in on today's session for my suggestions because not going it alone is one of the top things you can do to grow fast. I also have a big update about my first traditionally published book, so tune in for a sneak peek at what's coming! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session830.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#829 Getting caught using other people's content is not a good look. On the flip side, we should also try to protect our own work against theft! So, where's the line between inspiration and copying? How do we build on existing ideas while respecting other people's output? Essentially, what are the rules for “stealing like an artist?” Today, I'm joined by Todd Herman, entrepreneur and author of The Alter Ego Effect, for a fantastic chat on this topic. Don't miss this interview, because Todd has worked with some of the world's top athletes and public figures to help them reach their highest potential! In this episode, we unpack how to build on existing concepts while giving credit where credit is due and staying on the right side of the law. Todd and I also discuss generating original ideas, preventing others from copying you, apprenticeships, and honoring your mentors. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session829.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a

#828 Do you ever wish you could condense everything you need to read and learn into a podcast episode? If you're anything like me, that should sound pretty good faced with today's information overload culture. Well, you and I are both in luck! Google has a new tool for that, and this thing is amazing. I found out about NotebookLM from TikTok recently and seeing it in action really blew my mind! There's one key aspect that makes this tool different from ChatGPT and everything else. Setting NotebookLM apart is the ability to use your own documents, articles, books, links, videos, and other resources to train a niche AI assistant. Imagine then turning your files into easy-to-digest FAQs, briefing documents, or even audio podcasts. You have to listen in on today's episode because this is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session828.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-in

#827 How do you create and sell your first physical product in today's digital world? If you've ever asked yourself that question, today's expert guest has the answers you're looking for! Thiefaine Magre of Prouduct is joining me for an illuminating masterclass on building a physical product portfolio. Listen in because we cover everything from merch to manufacturing and shipping solutions to help you get started! So what is the right first product for your audience members, and how do you test to find out if they'd buy it for you? Today, Thiefaine shares his sales-first approach to prototyping to zero in on in-demand merchandise. We discuss white-label products, packaging, third-party logistics companies, and more. This is a fascinating conversation that can help you uplevel your brand and enhance the experience you offer around it. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session827.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-

#826 I'm so excited about the future of SPI! We have big changes coming and today's episode will loop you in on some of them. Don't worry, though, we're not going anywhere! Listen in on this revealing roundtable with my friends and partners Matt Gartland and Caleb Wojcik. Today, we dive into our history and discuss the new roles everyone's taking on to build something much bigger than ourselves. This episode is about what's coming next for us, but we also look at some of our forward-thinking ideas from the past. Matt, Caleb, and I have a fun chat about multimedia projects and the time we had the number-one video podcast in the world! Everything we've learned from our successes and failures is going into this new chapter of SPI. We want you alongside us, so join in for a sneak peek at what we're working on! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session826.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#825 Having a narrow focus is a fantastic way to run a business! But what happens when you set your sights on more ambitious goals? This is what I'm discussing with ConvertKit CEO Nathan Barry today. With a rebrand to Kit, they've built an incredible operating system for creators who mean business. In this episode, you'll hear all about the powerful app store they're launching to supercharge how we use their ecosystem. Kit will also come with an enhanced hub for next-level analytics, and a slew of performance improvements. Finally, Nathan and I chat about the Creator Network, the number one tool I use to grow my Unstuck newsletter, and Kit's free tier for users with up to ten thousand email subscribers. This is way more than you can get anywhere else, so go to SmartPassiveIncome.com/convertkit to sign up! [affiliate link] Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session825.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#824 I am shocked at the results of my Shorts experiment. It's only been two months, but I've already amassed over a hundred million views. That's just part of it, though. The big surprise is the money coming in. In the first twenty-eight days since Short Pocket Monster started being monetized, I made almost $15,000. What?! I didn't think this was possible! Tune in today because I break down one of the key mindset shifts that helped me wrap my head around short-form content. This was a struggle, but I had to let go of perfectionism to find a winning formula. I had to prioritize quantity over quality to get the YouTube algorithm to kick in! Now, you'll want to listen in because providing value for your audience is still vital. In this episode, I share my thoughts on finding the stand-out balance between quantity, quality, and substance. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session824.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-no

#823 When someone's on your website, what are the best practices that convert them from visitor to buyer? If you want more newsletter subscribers, how do you design a landing page that gets the job done? In fact, what is the balance between copywriting and graphics that gets the biggest results? These are some of the questions I ask my expert guest, Martin Cris, in today's interview. If you don't know how to optimize your website, join us for this fantastic conversation to learn more! Martin is a master at creating sales pages that convert. He and I discuss everything from writing effective headlines to prompting your clients for compelling testimonials. We share design dos and don'ts and even get into how to leverage AI to fine-tune your messaging. This is the episode for you if you want to ensure you're not losing sales when people click on your links! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session823.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/p

#822 Why do we let vanity numbers get in the way of making a meaningful impact? Instead of gathering a large audience, one of the most powerful things we can do is bring people together in small groups. With human connection coming at a premium, is this where online business will go in the Age of AI? In this roundtable episode, we tackle the state of community building in 2024 and share our best tips for newcomers in the space. Joining me for this chat are the incredible Natalie Franke, Head of Marketing at Flodesk, and SPI CEO Matt Gartland. So, why are small-scale communities having such a moment in 2024? How do you find your competitive advantage and attract members to your private group? What is the number of people you need to start, and how do you grow without sacrificing deep relationships? Listen in to hear our thoughts and strategies! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session822.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-n

#821 What does it take to start landing paid speaking gigs? If you don't have an extraordinary life story, how do you begin crafting your talks? Also, what are the steps to establish yourself as an authority and get your name out there? These are the questions we answer in today's chat with Grant Baldwin of The Speaker Lab! Here's the thing. If you build it they absolutely will not come. Unless you have the right assets in place and put in the promotional work, this is true for most of what you do online. The same goes for building a successful public speaking business! In this episode, Grant shares the roadmap he's used to help thousands of people get up and running. He and I dive into finding your niche and creating your first talk, setting up an effective digital presence, shooting a demo video, and reaching out to event planners. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session821.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-

#820 As you're giving out your knowledge online, does the presentation around it reflect the value you're offering? This is important because the "gift wrapping" around your content can help you level up fast. On YouTube, for instance, we often hear that the title and thumbnail are vital for your success. It's so important that I even hired a thumbnail guy, Jonathan Sippel, for Deep Pocket Monster! Another example is the jingle I use on my new Shorts channel. If you've listened to last week's episode, you know I'm already seeing massive numbers and earning thousands of dollars after only doing short-form content for a little over a month. These are the same type of videos I see plenty of other creators doing. The difference? My focus on presentation helps me stand out from the crowd. Listen in because you can apply this strategy of going the extra mile on packaging to anything! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session820.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic