The Smart Passive Income Online Business And Blogging Podcast

#799 Is it possible to build a business while working a traditional job? How do you know when it's time to go all-in on your side gig, and what are the things to consider before taking the leap? Also, what about growing a brand that complements your full-time work? These are the questions we explore in today's episode. My guest, Eric Chou of Network Automation Nerds, is a leader in his highly technical niche. He is an author and former Amazon and Microsoft employee leveraging his expertise to build a brand and community alongside his current high-paying job. Eric is applying strategies we often discuss on this show and within SPI Pro to engage his followers and readers in a big way. Tune in for this success story because some of his LinkedIn Learning courses have now attracted over ten thousand students. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session799.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#798 Being on camera is like many other things people shy away from. We don't like public speaking until we practice and improve. Some of us don't even like the sound of our voice on recordings until we get used to hearing it. So, how do you develop your on-camera presence and use it to grow your business? Today's special guest will answer this question. Elise Baughman is the voice actor behind Dragon Ball GT's Pan and a fantastic on-camera coach. She does amazing work helping entrepreneurs captivate their audiences and leverage video. Tune in to get her tips and go to EliseCoaches.com/pat for more free resources! [affiliate link] This episode is also an AskPat-style coaching session. Listen in to hear me help Elise develop her online business and reach more people! We discuss finding and understanding a target audience, refining marketing copy for more sales, addressing customer objections, and getting testimonials! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session798.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.

#797 It's one thing to come up with an idea for a business, but following through on your vision is another thing altogether. Today, I'm happy to introduce you to someone who has done just that. I met Dr. Yishan Xu in 2019 and she has since published almost two hundred episodes of her Deep Into Sleep podcast. Today, we discuss the pros and cons of running a bilingual business like hers, and how opening yourself up to audiences across the globe can help you scale faster. We also explore the benefits of starting a niche podcast for everything from improving your communication skills to forming relationships with key players in your space. Dr. Yishan is also diving into courses and community building and doing a fantastic job applying the strategies we often talk about on this show. Tune in to hear her amazing success story! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session797.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#796 The legal ins and outs of running a business are a mystery to most beginner entrepreneurs. Fearing a huge bill, we don't reach out to a professional who could help protect us from the start. But here's the thing. Doing damage control is always more expensive than being proactive! So where can you get legal advice for your business? Also, as online creators, can we find and use contract templates for most of what we do? Listen in on today's episode because our newest SPI Pro Expert in Residence, Yasmine Salem Hamdan of Coaches & Company, is here to answer your most pressing legal questions! You'll hear us uncover the three-part framework to establish a legal foundation for your brand. We also explore trademarking, copyrighting, contracts, and the implications of AI-generated content. Yasmine is a master communicator who makes these scary topics fun and easy to understand. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session796.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv

#795 Why do we all chase numbers and try to grow our businesses too much? Instead, couldn't we run a small, flexible brand that generates enough passive income for a comfortable life? Today's guest, Brenden Mulligan of Podpage, is the perfect example of someone running a successful niche business and resisting the temptation to go big. His fantastic service helps podcasters create websites for their shows in minutes, with no technical expertise needed. In this episode, Brenden shares his journey from startup founder and Google employee to launching twelve products in one year and having eleven fail. We explore the lessons he's learned along the way and discuss starting a software company, finding the right pricing for your services, the value of niching down, seeking early feedback from your audience, and more! In our hustle-focused environment, Brenden makes the case for staying lean and working at a sustainable pace! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session795.See Privacy Policy at https://art1

#794 With everything becoming artificial, building a personal brand is all about being human and letting your personality shine. In fact, one of the best ways to stand out and grow your audience is to lean into public speaking. But why is being on stage or even being on camera so frightening? How do we overcome anxiety and learn the skills to become impactful speakers? What can we do to connect with our audience online and in person? Find out today from Nausheen Chen, our newest Expert in Residence within SPI Pro! Nausheen is a prolific speaker who leverages her experience to coach and transform entrepreneurs into thought leaders. In this session, we explore the magic trifecta that makes for confident and effective speakers. Nausheen shares strategies to reframe your nerves, warm up for your talks, and leverage your uniqueness to stand out in the Age of AI! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session794. Learn more about Nausheen at www.Speaking.coach.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy

#793 Too many people focus on hacking algorithms and miss the most important element of growing their audience. More than anything, we need to work toward building trust! Tune in because this absolute masterclass with Rory Vaden will be an episode that we refer listeners to whenever we discuss branding from now on! Rory has not only helped me find clarity around my mission, but he has also been instrumental in the careers of people such as Lewis Howes, Ed Mylett, and Amy Porterfield. This session will help you find your uniqueness and teach you how to leverage it in the service of others. You'll get the shortcut to automating trust online and turning your customers into your best marketing asset. Rory shares everything from uncovering the one thing you should focus on to the specific types of content you should post for maximum growth. Don't miss this game-changing conversation! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session793.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Noti

#792 Your content can sometimes connect with people and drive action. Other times, it can fall flat and never stand out. Have you ever wondered why? For one, storytelling is an essential part of successful marketing. That said, we don't often discuss the other important ingredient in the secret sauce. In this episode, I share how you can leverage data to support your stories and add an extra element of believability to your message. Numbers don't lie, so join me to learn how to collect and present relevant figures to your audience. So where do you find data to support your content? We'll look at everything from uncovering relevant scientific research to the AI tools that can help you get information fast. I'll also discuss my popular income reports and why I've stopped sharing those numbers. Listen in because injecting data into your marketing is an easy strategy you can implement for big results! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session792.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali

#791 How do you generate more revenue per client? How do you make more sales with email marketing? Also, how do you grow your email list and engage your subscribers? Today's episode answers these questions to help you make more money without being salesy or spammy. Joining me for this chat is John Ainsworth of DataDrivenMarketing.co, PimpYourFunnel.com, and The Art of Selling Online Courses podcast. We discuss order bumps and upselling to enhance the effectiveness of your products, John's eleven-step framework for email promotions, using AI to write copy that converts, shifting your mindset around selling, overcoming the most common customer objections, and more. This incredible session looks at the top ways to increase your profit with online courses in 2024. John's expertise is also relevant for anyone running an online business and leveraging funnels to connect with potential clients! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session791.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pri

#790 Putting ourselves out there online can be scary for many of us. This is especially true when we first start creating videos. But here's the thing. Your personality might be the unique selling proposition that takes your brand to the next level. So, how do you begin to share more of who you are to stand out in your space? Find out in today's session with Sarah Dawn, a knit and crochet designer and an incredible member of our SPI Pro community! Listen in on this coaching call to hear me help Sarah uncover new ways to monetize her skills and grow her business. We explore workshops, niche relationship building, YouTube, time management, and more. Sarah's personality shines throughout this interview, so you'll understand why I always stress the importance of putting yourself out there. This has always been the key to audience building but is becoming even more essential in the Age of AI. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session790.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor

#789 Selling your business can be a once-in-a-lifetime moment that creates generational wealth for you and your family. But how do you build a brand that attracts potential buyers? If you're inexperienced, how do you avoid being taken advantage of and leaving money on the table? To help us level the playing field, I'm interviewing Nick Bradley from High Value Exit and the Scale Up podcast. Nick has spent a decade in private equity and has been involved in over one hundred acquisitions. His expertise will help us build our businesses to sell and avoid falling easy prey to sophisticated buyers. So, what are the fifteen areas to focus on to increase your chances of creating a big exit? What are the minimum requirements your business should meet before you can consider selling? Also, how are you going to handle receiving a life-changing payout? We explore these questions in today's session! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session789.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv

#788 There's nothing wrong with building an empire around your brand. But why aren't more entrepreneurs with complementary skills teaming up to create ecosystems? What if this was a better way to serve our audiences? Let's explore that with our newest SPI Pro Expert in Residence, Pamela Slim! Like all of our EIRs, Pam is here to serve our community members with next-level knowledge and support. She has a serious track record, having spent three decades helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses and IP! Today's chat covers everything from creating a certification program around your workflow to advice for young people considering college. Join us to tap into Pam's expertise in networking, marketing, and leveraging social platforms. You'll also learn about the top skills to build up and focus on in the Age of AI. If you're a parent, these golden nuggets will also help your kids achieve their dreams. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session788.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy

#787 Some of my favorite success stories are ones where someone achieves their dream, only to realize their true passion lies elsewhere. Not settling, these people often redirect their skills into something greater. And that's exactly what today's guest is doing! Hala Taha, host of Young and Profiting and CEO of YAP Media, is applying everything her successes and failures have taught her to bring people together. She now runs one of the top podcast networks and leverages her knowledge and platform to generate millions of dollars. So, how do you attract volunteers and superfans to help grow your brand? What are the things sponsors look for, and how do your podcast art and reviews affect the offers you get? What are the minimum requirements to join a network, and how do you avoid signing a bad deal? These are just a few of the questions we explore today. Listen in! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session787.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://ar

#786 The top lesson becoming a parent teaches us about our careers is that time is our most important resource. That's because every moment spent on things we're not passionate about is time away from our kids! So how do you do more of the work you care about? Amy Nelson of The Riveter and the What's Her Story podcast, is joining me today for an inspiring chat about following your calling and helping others do the same. Listen in because Amy is our newest Expert in Residence within SPI Pro. The EIR program connects our community members with support from entrepreneurs with serious track records. Check out today's interview for more! In this episode, we discuss everything from pivoting a coworking business in the pandemic to being a parent entrepreneur. Amy also shares her insights into networking and building a community of like-minded people, the importance of storytelling, and supporting women in their careers! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session786.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/

#785 Tiny changes to improve your sales process add up to a lot more revenue. This is especially true for your checkout pages! So, how do you build a frictionless experience for your customers? Find out in my chat with Brian Moran from SamCart, a platform for creating fully optimized checkout pages. I'm an advisor for this company, so I'm very familiar with the work they do to help their users make more sales. Join us for this episode because this is the kind of thing that can fundamentally change how you do business! So, what is working in today's ecommerce landscape? How do we increase conversions and eliminate the extra clicks where we lose buyers? Brian and I cover this and more in today's session. We also dive into some game-changing use cases I didn't know were possible. You'll hear my gears turning throughout this conversation because the opportunities here are incredible! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session785.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not

#784 Don't underestimate the power of knowing somebody who knows somebody! In fact, building friendships in your niche is one of the best ways to fast-track your success in business. But how do you find the people who will champion your work and help you reach your goals? Tune in because today's session is all about exploring the types of connections that can help you at every stage of your journey. I share my thoughts about receiving support from family and friends, peers, and mentors while also doing your part to help the people in your life grow. Of course, joining a community like SPI Pro or a mastermind group is one of the best ways to learn from and start networking with like-minded people. These relationships can and will change the course of your life. Listen in on today's episode to start finding your champions! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session784.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#783 As creators, starting a physical products business might seem daunting. But is there a future where something like MrBeast's Feastables puts companies like Hershey out of business? Will influencers eventually run the biggest brands in the world? In this episode, I chat with a solo blogger turned empire builder. My friend Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening is back on the show to give us an inside look at the 10x growth he's pulled off since our last chat. We discuss affiliate marketing, drop shipping, and creating original products on your own or through partnerships with other companies. We also dive into Kevin's content creation schedule. His brand puts out a wild 120 to 180 articles per month. But that's not all. Kevin and his team publish across several YouTube channels, with some videos requiring months of shooting and preparation. Listen in! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session783.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privac

#782 Something wild happened to me at lunch the other day. Even though this embarrassed me in public, there are lessons for us here. So, let me get it off my chest! I was on a Zoom call for work when, out of nowhere, a woman snapped at me. You see, she thought I was recording a video of her and her son. Before I could explain, this woman started calling me a creeper. As I turned my screen toward her to reveal I was on a call, she immediately realized her error. Apologies started flying, but it was clear this woman had other stuff going on that made her verbally attack me. The truth is, we can't ever know what other people are going through. This also applies to the trolls and haters we encounter as content creators and online business owners. So listen in for my perspective on leading with empathy and the importance of controlling your reactions! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session782.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#d

#781 Techno-optimists or not, we can't ignore the AI-powered tools already changing how people work and create. So, what can you do to make yourself and your services irreplaceable? In this episode, we have an honest conversation about the future of audio content. As we look at how voice cloning is already affecting creators and artists, we share both rosy and realistic predictions for where things are going. Joining me are Mike and Izabela Russell from Music Radio Creative. [affiliate link] I use their audio agency for everything from podcast editing to original songs about Pokémon for Deep Pocket Monster! Mike and Izabela reveal how they leverage free educational content, Shopify, affiliate marketing, and relationships with hundreds of artists and audio engineers to grow and run their massive business. I also know their tips for staying profitable in the Age of AI will be a wake-up call for some and a game-changer for others. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session781.See Privacy Policy

#780 Many creators and entrepreneurs play it safe. Here's the thing, though. That's actually a dangerous mindset to have if you want to see your brand grow. So how do you take the kinds of risks that lead to massive rewards? For the last year, we've all been talking about the incredible 10x is Easier than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. I've also been applying this perspective to SPI and Deep Pocket Monster, my Pokémon YouTube channel, and the results have been game-changing! So what are the key principles that have stuck with me after reading this book? How do you leverage and set ambitious goals to 10x your growth? When does it make sense to focus on incremental improvements instead? I cover all of this in today's deep dive into one of the most influential books of the last few years. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session780.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.