Leveling Up with Eric Siu

It can be easy to dismiss NFTs as a fad or as unsophisticated cartoons, but doing so would mean missing out on some very exciting developments happening in online investment and the broader digital landscape. In today’s episode, Eric unpacks the key features you should be looking out for when you decide to invest in long-term NFTs. Some of the most rewarding NFTs to purchase are ones that have a built-in sense of community, where you have the opportunity to meet up with other participants and gain access to exclusive events and content. Another key indicator of an NFT that has long-term potential is one that has a clear roadmap for how it plans to develop in the future, whether it’s expanding the brand or hiring increasingly skilled artists to elevate the product. Tune in to hear all about the NFTs that Eric has chosen to invest in and why a long-term mindset is crucial! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] Introducing today’s topic: How to invest in long-term NFTs. [00:46] The exciting time we find ourselves in and the decentralized web. [01:05] Eric breaks down his NFT investments and why he chose them. [03:03] Why NFTs are like the intersection between gaming and business. [03:28] NFTs that have a sense of community and why that’s an important quality for investing. [05:17] How to identify long-term NFT’s through their projected roadmap. [06:14] VeeFriends and Gary Vaynerchucks’ projected roadmap for the project. [07:57] The story of CryptoPunks, the first-ever NFTs. [09:15] Eric’s take on investing in long-term NFTs. [09:37] Why you should have a long-term mindset when you invest. Resources From The Interview: Gary Vaynerchuck Gary Vaynerchuck on Youtube Vee Friends Bored Ape Yacht Club CryptoPunks Ethereum Bitcoin Solana Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

The Pandora Papers are leaked files from 14 offshore service providers that tie more than 330 public officials, including 35 world leaders, to an offshore fortune. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism shows how world leaders and public officials use offshore tax havens to hide assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars, resulting in the filing of a massive investigation. While there is a dominant narrative to side with the poor, today on Leveling Up, Eric suggests that hating on the rich is misguided, and suggests that we should filter this information ourselves and think critically about the incentive behind the actions of those involved. To find out more about the Pandora papers, what this means for you as a human being, and how you should think about this, tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:29] What the Pandora Papers are and some of the people implicated. [01:14] Who’s behind the leaked files. [01:33] Why Eric believes the media is incentivized to do this. [03:07] How setting up offshore companies is not illegal. [03:42] The importance of filtering information for yourself. [04:02] Why you should consider how these people got rich in the first place. [05:11] Thoughts on the ethics of King Abdullah II of Jordan’s property empire. [05:39] Thoughts on Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta owning offshore companies. [06:10] How we should reframe the narrative and critically think through what is legal and illegal. [07:00] Thoughts on the ethics of Vladimir Putin’s mistress buying assets in Monaco. [07:23] The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion. [08:08] Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis’s failure to declare an offshore investment company. [08:27] Thoughts on the Pakistani prime minister’s dealings. [08:59] Why you should think critically about the incentive behind the actions of those involved and how it fits into your worldview. [09:17] Why Eric focuses on what he can control. [09:41] Why you should focus on what is actually legal and illegal and why it matters to you. Resources From The Interview: The Pandora Papers The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

TikTok has just hit one billion monthly active users, and while it’s great to see a social media company that isn’t owned by Google or Facebook thrive, it’s worth asking what the long-term potential of the company could be realistic. In this episode, Eric looks at the young creators that are succeeding on the platform and unpacks TikTok’s algorithm and its capacity to facilitate videos going viral. Tuning in you’ll hear Eric break down how these creators are achieving success by diversifying into other channels, and how the earning potential of YouTube creators stacks up against those of TikTok. We break down why TikTok lags behind in discoverability and why Eric believes that YouTube has superior long-term potential. Tune in today to get the lowdown on all the social media platforms and more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] Introducing today’s topic: How TikTok hit 1 billion monthly active users and what that means from a business perspective. [00:58] What the earnings look like for TikTok creators in general, especially young people. [01:58] TikTok’s algorithm and the higher likelihood of going viral. [02:10] Why its capacity for discoverability is where TikTok lags behind other platforms. [02:15] YouTube’s efficacy when it comes to discoverability and high earning potential. [02:38] How TikTok creators are finding success by migrating to other channels. [02:52] Why top content creators choose to stick it out on YouTube. [03:31] Why YouTube has more potential for longevity and earning power. [03:49] How different platforms can best serve you depending on your business and content goals. [05:12] Why Eric sees more long-term potential in YouTube than TikTok. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up TikTok Charli D'Amelio on TikTok Charli D’Amelio on Instagram Dixie D’Amelio on TikTok Dixie D’Amelio on Instagram Nate O’Brien on Youtube Logan Paul on YouTube Mister Beast on YouTube Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Thanks for tuning in to Leveling Up! On today’s show, Eric shares how he is building a path to $100 million in annual revenue through his various businesses, which are all built around the philosophy and mission to level up the world and empower others to do so too. You’ll hear why he buys other agencies and prioritizes upskilling and educating his employees. Eric also lets us in on why he has chosen to invest in MicroAquire, what the pre-built terms are that have created trust in his business, and why he believes that long term growth is created by looking at mission, vision, and values. Tune in today to hear more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:37] The different businesses Eric has: Single Grain, Clickflow, the Leveling Up education products, and the marketing school he runs with Neil Patel, [02:35] How everything is built around the philosophy and mission to level up the world. [03:00] How Eric’s businesses work to further the message of leveling up the world, and empowering others to do so too. [03:12] The gamification of life and how the world’s most successful people have businesses. [03:56] Why they buy other agencies: to use their capabilities and to learn and train leaders. [04:43] Their view to upskill their own employees and make education available to others. [05:18] How life and business are about resource management. [05:57] The pre-built terms that have created trust [06:37] Why he has chosen to invest in MicroAquire, the Zillo of mergers and acquisitions. [06:57] His current focus on deal flow and allocating a GM to all of his businesses. [08:24] Why you should think about the offers you are putting together and read $100M Offers by Alex Hermozi. [09:45] How long term growth is created by looking at mission, vision, and values. [10:18] An invitation to reach out and share your $100 million business ideas with us. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up The Regret Minimization Framework Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Clickflow $100M Offers Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

The wealthy aren’t wealthy because they’re good at saving. They're wealthy because they know how to make their money work for them. In today’s episode, Eric provides six great tips on how the wealthy build wealth. From reinvesting profits to using money optimally, there are many ways to grow your nest egg. Tune in to hear it all! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:20] Sometimes, wealthy people keep secrets, but today, we are telling you some of them. [00:37] Businesses are there to help stakeholders, so it’s important to reinvest back into the business. [02:05] Decide what kind of business you want; taking profits out slows growth. [05:26] Think about how to put your money to optimal use. [05:37] Mindset matters, so work on it! [07:14] Mentorship and masterminds are great spaces for you to grow. [07:44] Think about the tax advantages you can try to get. [08:46] Saving isn’t going to get you anywhere; reframe it as investing. [09:58] There’s a difference between wealth accumulation and wealth preservation. [10:28] Your offer matters a lot, so make sure you stand out. [11:26] That’s it for today! Resources From The Interview: Noah Kagan Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

How I went From Minimum Wage to Millionaire - and How You Can Too On today’s show, Eric shares his experiences with us and tells us more about how he went from minimum wage and getting fired multiple times to placing bets and finding the growth opportunities within the struggles to become a millionaire. He’s breaking it down so you too can level up, take that bet and change your life. He encourages side hustles which help you build up more experiences, changing your perspective and looking at work as a game, feeling more engaged, and having a sense of flow which will make you unstoppable. If you’re feeling stuck looking at your pay scale and wanting more, then this show is for you! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] Eric introduces the topic by talking about the timeline of his career and shares his experiences. [01:07] Hear more details about the different jobs Eric had and how his pay scale changed. [03:20] How digital marketing made Eric level up. [05:00] What Eric learned about diversifying himself in the digital marketing space. [06:05] How leveling up isn’t all about the pay but the growth opportunity it brings. [06:40] Identifying the trend: if you’re not growing anymore, should you still be there. [08:00] The experience you can build up by having side hustles. [10:42] If there’s an opportunity for you to place an asymmetric bet - take that bet. 12:20] How continuing to grow enterprise value led to SingleGrain becoming more successful. [13:40] Having a sense of short-term urgency but understanding great results take decades. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up The Regret Minimization Framework Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

The story of Mailchimp's recent acquisition by Intuit for $12 billion is such a fascinating example of the power of bootstrapping a business with a long-term plan. In today's episode we take a closer look at this deal and the lessons it presents for us, for whatever size of the company you are running! To introduce the topic, we go over some quick definitions and important concepts, looking at how bootstrapping plays out under different models, and what has made Mailchimp's journey unique. Far from perfect, the path that Mailchimp and their leadership have taken exemplifies the winding road that entrepreneurs, SaaS companies, and many startups have to take towards a big payout like this. So for all this inspiring and thought-provoking information on one of the biggest current stories in online business, be sure to join us on Leveling up! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:07] Before we jump into today’s episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:48] A quick definition of bootstrapping; no venture capital and outside investment. [01:12] Equity and profit-sharing; the kinds of incentives that bootstrapped businesses typically employ. [02:01] The largest acquisition of a bootstrapped company in history; the particulars of the deal. [03:15] The long-term vision that has served Mailchimp since its founding in 2001. [04:20] Mailchimp's evolution into a SaaS company and the important pivots it made. [05:17] Why Mailchimp chose to turn down venture capital offers. [06:11] Mistakes and learning; how Ben Chestnut stayed committed through difficulties. [06:24] The value of peer groups and support networks. [07:49] Prioritizing company culture for sustained growth and success. [08:31] Why hiring the right people can determine the outcomes of your business. [09:00] Balancing the bootstrapped approach with the argument for outside funding. Resources From The Interview: Mailchimp Intuit Axios Ben Chestnut YPO EO How I First Built This Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Today’s guest is Chris Herd, the CEO and founder of Firstbase which is an all-in-one SaaS platform for the supply and management of assets and equipment to remote workers. After founding a remote financial technology company, Chris discovered the challenges of having a remote team which led him to found Firstbase. Since late 2019, the company has now raised over $15 million, a lot of which can be attributed to Chris’s presence on Twitter. Today he explains how he managed to generate 80 million Twitter impressions in the space of a year and how he has used the platform as his primary acquisition channel, as well as a great tool for building relationships with key decision-makers at some of the biggest investment companies and venture capital firms in the world. Tuning in you’ll hear Chris’s advice on what type of content to share, the importance of consistency, the role of spontaneity, and how to inspire conversation through the platform. Chris also shares some profound insight into the future of remote work or ‘remote living’. Hear some practical advice on remote work that most people wouldn’t know about and find out which companies are doing it really well. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:14] An introduction to today’s guest Chris Herd, CEO and founder of Firstbase. [01:09] Some of Firstbase’s marquee clients. [02:04] Chris’s background and what makes him different from other founders. [02:59] How the challenges he faced having a remote team led him to found Firstbase. [03:59] How Firstbase is making money. [04:34] How quickly the company has grown and how much money it has raised. [05:20] Some of the core challenges they faced scaling the company. [06:13] The role of Twitter in building distribution. [07:54] How Chris achieved 80 million impressions through his tweets in the last year. [08:54] Chris’s advice on how to market your business through Twitter. [09:51] How Twitter has benefited Firstbase. [11:21] What Chris’s cadence is like on Twitter and the role of spontaneity. [12:28] The two most important data points to Chris and what they say about the future of work. [14:25] The role of in-person connection in the remote work playbook post-pandemic. [15:51] How Chris is recruiting the best people right now through Twitter and Flocknet. [18:09] Practical remote work advice that most people wouldn’t know about. [19:08] Companies that are doing remote work really well. [20:12] Remote work playbooks available online. [20:56] A business tool Chris’s recommends: Figma. [21:38] Insight into the size of Chris’s sales team and thoughts on whether or not they should be co-located. [22:47] Chris’s must-read book: No Rules Rules. [23:35] The most compelling thing that he’s watched, read or listened to: Loki. [23:55] How to get in contact with Chris. Resources From The Interview: Firstbase Remotive AngelList Flocknet Zapier GitLab Darren Murph Figma Miro Mural Must read book: No Rules Rules Project Hail Mary Loki Chris Herd on Twitter Chris Herd on LinkedIn Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

The Dentist that Built a 32,000 Member Community Which he Leveraged into Scalable Revenue Today’s guest is Dr. Glenn Vo. Not only is he a practicing dentist who used his dentistry and entrepreneurial skills to build a multimillion-dollar practice, but he is also the founder and CEO of Nifty Thrifty Dentists, a dental company that connects dental professionals with other dental companies through discounts and deals. In this episode, he explains how he built a 32,000 member community on Facebook and leveraged it into scalable revenue. Find out how Glenn only works two days a week, why all of his other revenue streams have much more potential than his practice, and the importance of having the right ‘why’. As the author of the book Industry Influencer, Glenn is passionate about helping people to become industry influencers in their fields and build their own empires. Tune in to find out discover the importance of creating a platform, how to go about building a community, and what mistakes to avoid. Find out how to go about pursuing other revenue streams that may be available to you, and level up from being a practitioner to becoming an entrepreneur in your field! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] An introduction to Glenn Vo as founder of Nifty Thrifty Dentists. [01:08] Glenn explains how he enjoyed Leveling Up and how his life mirrors Eric’s. [01:45] Why Glenn wanted to do more than just be a dentist. [02:28] What Glenn has in terms of assets and what his empire looks like. [03:05] Glenn’s passion project of helping people level up in their fields and why he wrote his book Industry Influencer. [03:55] How to level up from being a just practitioner to being an entrepreneur. [05:26] The importance of having the right ‘why’. [06:05] Why all of Glenn’s other revenue streams have much more potential than his practice. [07:26] How Nifty Thrifty Dentists makes money, and the importance of having a platform. [09:18] How he created the Facebook group and the importance of community and networking. [11:06] How long it took him to grow the Facebook group membership. [12:22] The number one flaw that people make when they’re trying to create a side gig: doing everything themselves. [13:32] Glenn’s long-term plan for his practice and his other businesses. [15:22] Why Glenn hires community managers or moderators based on their personalities and not their experience. [16:56] Glenn’s favorite business book: Atomic Habits. [17:27] What habit-stacking is and how it has changed Glenn’s life. [20:50] Glenn’s favorite business tool: Voxer [21:49] How to connect with Dr. Glenn Vo. Resources From The Interview: Dr. Glenn Vo Nifty Thrifty Dentists Denton Smiles Dentistry Facebook Group: Nifty Thrifty Dentists Leveling Up Industry Influencer Must read book: Atomic Habits Voxer Dr. Glenn Vo on Facebook Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Today, Eric talks to Max Rofagha, the founder of Finimize, a newsletter that makes news from the world of finance so simple that anyone can understand it and become their own financial advisor. Max shares how he came up with the idea, how he originally started a website, and why he adapted it to a newsletter. In this episode, he provides some insight into the timeline of the business, how the company makes money, and how, in a short space of time, this email community has grown to over one million subscribers. Tuning in, you’ll hear his thoughts on paid ads, how he goes about finding the best writing talent, and why he hires analysts, not journalists. Find out Max’s thoughts on the creator economy and where he sees it going, as well as the trends he’s excited about in this space. To hear some tips on helpful books and resources Max uses to level up his own skills, and insight into where he sees opportunities in the creator economy and the world of business in general, tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] Intro to Max Rofagha and Finimize [01:06] Some background into Max’s career before Finimize. [01:54] Where the Finimize headquarters are and how Max works remotely. [02:51] Max explains what led him to start a newsletter and how he came up with the idea. [05:26] How Finimize makes money: brand stories, premium subscriptions, licensing of content. [07:19] How much subscriptions cost. [07:32] The timeline of the business from when it started until now. [07:52] Insight into how Max has grown the business and his thoughts on paid ads. [09:52] How he finds the best writing talent and why he hires analysts not journalists. [11:57] How Max’s career led him from e-commerce to finance, and insight into his future plans. [14:12] Max’s thoughts on the creator economy and where he sees it going: a surge in tools to empower the creator. [16:40] Tools or trends he’s excited about in this space. [18:13] Max’s favorite business books. [20:55] Max’s favorite business tool: Notion. Resources From The Interview: Max Rofagha on Twitter Finimize MicroAquire Bloomberg by Bloomberg Who Is Michael Ovitz? Deep Work The Snowball Notion Roam Evernote Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Today’s guest is Lori Harder, a self-made millionaire, bestselling author of A Tribe Called Bliss, and the top-rated podcast host of Earn Your Happy and co-host of Girlfriends & Business. She is also in the process of building a new empire as the founder and CEO of LitePink which is the best tasting low-calorie, low-sugar premium rosé wine seltzer, created to help you drink and connect better. Lori sheds some light on how growing up in a conservative religious community influenced her career path and helped her to realize that “Your environment is stronger than your willpower.” She explains how her career in the fitness industry, and then personal development, led her to her current venture. Discover how LitePink works and makes money, why they’re selling direct to the consumer, and how Lori has uniquely found investors that have something to offer beyond just money. Lori explains the company’s marketing strategy, the value of surveys, and why they are contracting out instead of hiring in. Hear about her continued work in retreats and masterminds, and her new podcast Girlfriends & Business. Tune in today for helpful advice on how to work with a spouse or partner, and create the right environment for your business to level up! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:13] An Introduction to Lori Harder. [01:00] Lori’s career and background. How growing up in a small religious community led her to realize that environment is stronger than willpower. [03:53] Lori’s background in the fitness world and how her desire to help people change led her to personal development. [05:52] How LitePink came about: How she wanted to help women connect with each other and create meaningful experiences. [08:13] How Lori raised $2 million, completely female funded. [08:31] The process of creating an “obsession-worthy” product. [10:19] How LitePink works and makes money: Selling direct to consumer, cutting out the distributor, going the e-commerce route, and using their investors’ own platforms. [12:49] The value of smaller influencers with smaller audiences. [14:08] Insight into LitePink’s strategy and marketing avenues. [15:48] Lori discusses her new podcast: Girlfriends in Business. [18:22] Lori’s role in hosting retreats and masterminds, and how she is shifting her career under the LitePink umbrella. [19:28] How Lori’s team is structured and why she has contracted a marketing company instead of hiring in-house. [21:45] Importance of explaining your communication style, and being clear about your needs in business. [22:45] Mistakes to avoid when working with a partner or spouse. [26:57] The best business advice Lori can give: to have a specific conversation about how to communicate. [28:36] Lori’s take on peer groups / Masterminds: They are the fastest ways to accelerate your business trajectory. [32:02] Lori’s favorite book and business tool. Resources From The Interview: Lori Harder LitePink Lori Harder on Instagram LitePink on Instagram A Tribe Called Bliss Lori Harder's Busy Girl Healthy Life Cookbook Earn Your Happy Girlfriends & Business Must read book: Believe IT: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Today’s guest is Kevin David a software entrepreneur and content creator who started off in e-commerce and now owns multiple eight-figure businesses. He made his first YouTube video just over four years ago and has now been viewed more than a billion times across different social media platforms, where he shares his expertise on e-commerce and gaining financial freedom. Tuning in today, you’ll hear how he first achieved success in e-commerce, transitioned into e-commerce software, and how he started all three of his software companies from the ground up. He explains how he was able to shift his mindset by surrounding himself with good people and filling his head with great books, of which he provides a number of examples. In this episode, find out why Kevin pays his CEOs so much, how he developed his social media content strategy, and how he built up his email list. As someone who has perfected the art of leveling up, Kevin is full of profound advice, so tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:43] Kevin share’s his journey as an entrepreneur and the concept of ‘the second mountain’. [02:30] How Kevin consolidated his e-commerce businesses so he could focus on software. [03:39] He talks about how he started all three of his software companies from the ground up. [05:14] How he made the transition from e-commerce to teaching, to software. [06:59] The books that helped him on his journey: The Lean Start Up, Measure What Matters. [08:41] Why he pays his CEOs so well and the importance of incentivizing. [10:52] How he adjusted his mindset through what he reads and surrounds himself with. [12:33] The importance of having a thick skin when it comes to creating online content. [13:47] A breakdown of his social media following across the different platforms, and the importance of a big email list. [15:07] Some insight into his content strategy and how he formulated it. [16:17] How he has built his email list: Spending money on ads. [17:14] Thoughts on Miami vs Vegas for business: you want to live somewhere that makes you happy. [19:04] Kevin’s favorite business book and business tool. [22:15] How you can contact Kevin and information about his podcast. Resources From The Interview: The Second Mountain JungleScout The Lean Start Up Must read book: Measure What Matters Books by Paul Graham Books by Sam Altman Books by Andrew Chen Shoe Dog John Doerr Ted Talk: Why the Secret to Success is Setting the Right Goals Gary Vaynerchuk Basecamp The Kevin David Experience (Ninja Podcast) Kevin David on YouTube Kevin David on Instagram Kevin David on Twitter Kevin David on Facebook Kevin David on TikTok Kevin David on Pinterest Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Today we are going to talk about what to look for in an M&A deal!

Today’s guest is Matt Gunnin, the CEO and Co-Founder of Esports One which is the first real-time fantasy platform that makes watching esports competitive. He explains how he came up with the ingenious idea to gamify watching esports, how Esports One works, and how it’s different from traditional fantasy platforms. Tuning in, you’ll hear how it makes money, why retention is high, and why the concept seems to be working so well. Find out how Matt is growing the business, the role SEO plays in this, and how Matt is using Clubhouse to open up new ways of innovation and help level up the industry. Matt also shares his views on NFTs, and how he sees them being incorporated into the arena of esports. For all this as well as a sneak peek into the future of the platform and its upcoming games, tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:36] Some background into the games Matt has played and is still playing. [01:12] What Esports One does, how it’s different from traditional fantasy platforms, and how it makes money. [03:03] How users put together their own lineups and the types of additional predictions they can make. [05:53] How the business is growing with the trend of esports. [08:52] Current and upcoming games on the platform. [09:10] What they’re using to grow the business apart from word of mouth and Discord. [10:35] Matt’s experience of being an early user of Clubhouse. [14:30] How Matt is using Clubhouse to connect with people outside of esports and help the industry grow. [16:43] Matt’s views on NFTs and the importance of their utility. [20:26] Where people can go to find out more about NFTs. [21:23] Thoughts on buying CryptoPunks. [22:42] Matt’s favorite business books and business tools. [25:21] How to find Matt online. Resources From The Interview: Esports One Discord Esports on Clubhouse Esports NFTs on Clubhouse Awesome NFT on Github CryptoPunks Must read book: The Infinite Game The Hard Thing About Hard Things American Kingpin Monday Notion Coda Protaton The Hacker News Digit Pitch Raindrop Esports One on Twitter Esports One on Instagram Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Today we are going to talk about the questions you should be asking the other team!

Today we are going to talk about Simple 5-Step Mergers & Acquisitions Checklist!

Today’s guest is Garry Tan from Initialized, a company that focuses on investing in high potential software startups at the seed stage and earlier. From starting with $7 million in assets under management, his company has grown to the point where it currently has over $770 million, and they're starting to create over $100 billion in market value. He's invested in companies such as Coinbase, Opendoor, Flexport, Rippling, Patreon, Ro, and more. Even though Garry has established a name for himself as one of the world’s best venture capitalists, today on Leveling Up, he explains why he still thinks of himself as an engineer and designer first. As an investor and partner at Y Combinator, he discusses the influence of Paul Graham on his career and how he learned to be a founder. Tuning in, you’ll find out what questions Garry asks before he invests, how people who want to grow venture capital funds find him, and why angel investors should have a portfolio of at least 20 to 30 companies. Hear about how he chooses which companies to invest in, how he helps those companies level up, what the greatest achievements and failures of his career have been, and the importance of taking chances on things that are not ‘hot’! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] An introduction to Garry Tan and his background in investing. [01:10] Why Garry sees himself as a creator first, not an investor. [02:45] Garry explains how he gets deal flow: Go after communities of people who are builders. [04:25] The influence of Paul Graham and Y Combinator on Garry and how he learned to be a founder. [07:21] What the typical breakdown is of the exits of Initialized’s standard funds. [09:58] How Garry chooses which companies to invest in: taking chances on things that are not ‘hot’. [12:28] Garry talks about one of Initialized’s biggest wins. [13:25] The top questions Garry asks when deciding which companies to invest in. [14:22] How the company progressed from a fund of $7 million to a fund of $230 million. [15:47] Garry explains how people who want to grow venture capital funds find him. [18:33] How he looks at high valuations and why angel investors should have a portfolio of at least 20 - 30 companies. [23:14] What his job as an investor looks like and how he helps the companies he’s invested in get to the next stage. [25:12] How he creates content for his youtube channel. [27:26] Eric talks about his YouTube video creation process. [28:07] How Garry gained 30,000 YouTube subscribers in November. [29:06] How he structures his content and how often he posts. [30:00] How much time he spends on Clubhouse. [30:59] Insight into how his brand team works. [32:04] What Garry is currently reading and his favorite business book: Paul Graham: Hackers & Painters. [33:40] Garry’s favorite business tool: Frame and Around Resources From The Interview: Initialized Y Combinator Paul Graham Brian Armstrong on LinkedIn Ro Garry Tan on YouTube Clubhouse A Few Lessons for Investors and Managers From Warren Buffett Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger Must read book: Hackers & Painters Zero to One Founders at Work Frame Around Garry Tan on Instagram Garry Tan on Twitter Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Today we are going to talk about 'How to Fail During an M&A Integration?'

Today we are going to talk about How to Source M&A Deals?

Today’s episode of Leveling Up is a little different as AdSkills Founder Justin Brooke and our host Eric Siu interview each other. Justin has a wealth of experience in the advertising industry, having run an agency for years. In addition to founding AdSkills, he is also known for generating millions of clicks in a day, and his crowning achievement of sourcing 17,000 leads in one day. Tuning in today, you’ll hear about AdSkills, how it is different from other marketing training companies, and how Justin uses book funnels to successfully acquire customers. Justin also provides some practical tips for anyone out there who wants to write a book and use the book funnel method. Eric talks about the concept of seeing life as a video game and discusses what he’s learned through the process of writing and publishing his book Leveling Up. Tune in to hear how he managed to generate $65,000 in book sales in a few hours and also provides a valuable growth hack tip for using Non-Fungible Tokens to grow your email list. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] Justin Brooke, Founder of AdSkills, introduces himself in 30 seconds. [01:18] Eric Siu introduces himself in 30 seconds. [02:16] Justin talks about AdSkills; how it is different from other marketing training companies and how the business model works. [04:23] How Justin uses book funnels to acquire customers. [05:17] Eric provides some background into self-liquidating offers. [05:40] Justin explains how he makes a profit using this method and how long it usually takes. [08:41] In response to coach and consultant pretenders being called out on Clubhouse, Justin explains some of his credentials and achievements that prove his authority in his field. [10:57] Justin explains how someone who wants to use the book funnel method can get started. [12:07] Justin’s favorite marketing tools right now: Zoom, AdEspresso, Revealbot, and Flick. [13:47] Justin introduces Eric for his podcast audience. [14:51] Eric talks about the concept of seeing life as a video game and leveling up. [15:40] Eric gives a growth hack tip for people building an email list: Non-Fungible Tokens as a giveaway. [18:07] What Eric learned in the process of completing his book Leveling Up. [19:12] How Eric managed to generate $65,000 in book sales in a few hours. [20:37] The most impactful book Justin’s ever read: The Ultimate Sales Bible. [21:23] The most impactful book Eric’s ever read: The Hard Thing About Hard Things. Resources From The Interview: AdSkills 48 Hour Books ShipOffers Zoom AdEspresso Revealbot Flick Leveling Up Leveling Up Bulk The Ultimate Sales Bible The Hard Thing About Hard Things Justin Brooke on LinkedIn Justin Brooke on YouTube Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Today we are going to talk about M&A Transaction Structures: Asset Sale vs Stock Sale!

Today, Eric gives a rundown of the core questions you should be asking during the due diligence of mergers and acquisitions and the implications of each question. Tuning in, you’ll find out how to ascertain what discounts you can negotiate, what assets you could potentially exclude from the sale, what hidden risks you may be taking on, and if the company’s profitability and future potential are worth the price. This episode will help you decide whether or not you want to acquire a business and negotiate a better price. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:33] The first question you should ask during mergers and acquisitions: Why are you interested in exploring the sale? [00:45] Question two: What are your plans with the money? [01:11] Question three: Who are the A-players on the team? [01:30] Question four: What does your marketing and sales engine look like? [02:02] Question five: What other assets do you have? [02:27] Question six: Who would be staying long term with the company? [02:39] Question seven: Who is at the cap table? [02:50] Question eight: What is your trailing 12 months revenue and trailing 12 months profit? [02:58] Question nine: What has your growth rate been over the last three years? [03:09] Question 10: Who are your competitors? [03:14] Question 11: Do you have any customers that account for more than 10 percent of revenue? [03:29] Question12: What is the customer life-time value? [03:42] Question 13: What is the churn rate of employees, customers, and revenue? [03:56] Question 14: How many customers do you have right now? [04:01] Question 15: If it’s a service business, what capacity are you at? [04:21] Question 16: What is your marketing stack or sales stack? [04:28] Question 17: If it’s a dev team, what languages are you using? [04:35] Question 18: What growth opportunities exist? [04:43] Question 19: What are your core capabilities or core focus? [05:09] Let Eric know in the comments if he has missed any questions and subscribe. Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Today’s guest is Shawn Merritt the co-founder and CTO of Toucan, a Chrome extension that allows you to learn a new language while you browse the internet. Shaun, together with his other co-founders, found a way to level up the existing habits that people already have by creating a chrome extension that allows users the opportunity to passively learn a language without taking any time out of their day. Tune in to find out how Toucan works, and how it is different from other language-learning platforms. Shaun gives us some insight into how the company was established and how it has grown and achieved a vast amount of success in just two years. Hear about their journey thus far, how they are monetizing this product, marketing it, and how they use advertising as a deeper form of learning through their ingenious “Own The Word” concept. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] Shaun explains how he and his co-founders came up with the idea for Toucan. [01:29] How Toucan works to teach people new languages passively without taking time out of their day. [01:58] How Toucan is different from other language-learning platforms. [02:54] How it launched, people’s reactions to it, and how they grew and monetized it. [04:12] A case study example of how to use Toucan. [05:05] The most common languages used and requested. [06:08] Insight into the different difficulty settings and how it adapts as you learn. [06:57] How Toucan works as a passive form of engagement to enable people to progress quickly. [07:42] How they make money through premium features. [09:00] How they use advertising as a deeper form of learning through their ‘Own the word’ concept.’ [09:33] How partnerships with advertisers work. [10:09] How are they growing through word of mouth, ‘own the word’, and partnerships. [11:35] The grand vision for Toucan: To find ways to teach other things passively too. [12:07] Shaun’s favorite business tool Obsidian, and favorite business book Thinking in Systems. [12:56] Bonus question: Where Shaun gets his information from. Resources From The Interview: Toucan Obsidian Must read book: Thinking in Systems Shaun Merritt’s email Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

While Twitter may be old, it is one of the places where some of the smartest and most successful people in the world engage with each other, and it is one of the most helpful social media platforms that exists today. In this episode, Eric gives us some tips on how to make the most of it. Tune in to hear about the power of Twitter advanced search, how to use tweet storms, other best practices, and even formatting tips, to help you level up your Twitter reach. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:19] Why Eric believes Twitter is one of the most helpful social media platforms today. [00:52] The first tip: how to benefit from Twitter advanced search. [01:48] How you can make use of tweet storms. [02:31] Why Eric would choose Twitter over blogging if he was starting today. [02:44] Why you should post links in the comments instead of the tweets. [03:16] Why you shouldn’t just retweet, you should reply. [03:39] How to tag someone in a tweet so that it looks like a tweet and not a reply. [04:01] Formatting tip: how to create bullets instead of dashes. [04:14] Let Eric know if he missed anything, and subscribe. Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

If you’re looking for a new career, this episode is for you! From TikTok to Snapscan, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Podcasts, there have been a lot of developments in social media recently, and these platforms have evolved to the point where there is a need to develop new roles. Today on Leveling Up, Eric gives a breakdown of four new social media careers for 2021 and beyond; roles that even Eric is currently trying to fill in his own business. To find out what opportunities exist for you, or what new roles you may need to establish in your company, tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:22] Eric introduces the topic by mentioning some of the recent developments across different social media platforms. [00:45] The first new role: native writers who are really good at creating content for one specific platform. [01:36] Short form video creator: for platforms like TikTok, Snapchat Highlights, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. [02:20] Content refresher: Updating content that is performing well to improve SEO. [03:03] Thumbnail creator: YouTube Thumbnails are as important as headlines. [03:59] The importance of having people dedicated to specific channels. [04:15] How to go about getting one of these jobs. [04:51] Don’t forget to hit the subscribe and bell buttons. Resources From The Interview: MrBeast Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

A recent report from the Internet Advertising Bureau indicates that US podcast revenues are skyrocketing and are projected to be at over $2 billion by 2023. Today on Leveling Up, Eric breaks down the most important points of this report. Tuning in you’ll hear how the figures in this report relate to Eric’s experiences in podcasting. Find out how brand advertising is approaching parity with direct response and what this means, which content genres are most popular among podcast advertisers, why D2C brands maintain the top advertiser category, and why bigger brands are now buying in. With the growth of the podcast industry and the low competition rates, discover what opportunities you may be missing in the podcast industry today. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:26] An introduction to the recent report by the Internet Advertising Bureau on the growth of podcast advertising revenue. [01:01] The types of sponsorships Eric gets for his Marketing School podcast. [01:46] Why mid-rolls are more premium than pre-rolls and post-rolls. [02:17] The most important shift: brand advertising is approaching parity with direct response. [03:07] News as the top content genre for podcast advertisers. [03:32] Other points from the article relating to D2C brands as the top advertiser category and bigger brands buying in. [03:51] Eric’s thoughts on the opportunities that exist in podcasting. [04:29] Don’t forget to hit the subscribe and bell buttons. Resources From The Interview: U.S. Podcast Ad Revenues Grew 19% YoY in 2020; set to exceed $1B this year and $2B by 2023 Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Today Eric discusses if personality tests are actually helpful from a business perspective. Tuning in you’ll hear about his three favorite personality tests, how they work, and how they differ. Eric gives a breakdown of what these different tests have said about him and compares his personality test results to those of a team member, Noah. Eric explains how these tests can be used to help team members understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses to work well together, as well as identify gaps that can be filled in with other personalities. Find out whether or not personality tests may be useful for your business and how to choose the one that’s right for you. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Eric explains how personality tests are used in business. [00:55] The personality tests that Eric finds useful starting with Ray Dalio’s PrinciplesYou test. [01:55] Eric uses the PrinciplesYou test to compare his personality to a team member’s personality. [04:04] How the test can be used to identify gaps and find team members with the right personalities to fill them. [06:04] Another test that Eric recommends: The Predictive Index. [06:16] How The Predictive Index shows you your key strengths and blind spots. [07:41] The StrengthsFinder test and how it compares to the other personality tests. [08:03] What StrengthsFinder says about Eric and Noah’s personalities. [09:37] Closing thoughts on why Eric thinks personality tests do actually work and the importance of choosing the right one. [09:56] Let Eric know in the comments if he missed any great personality tests, subscribe, and hit the bell button. Resources From The Interview: PrinciplesYou The Predictive Index StrengthsFinder Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

How do you start a successful business in the heavily crowded world of CRM? Today on Leveling Up, we talk to Andy Fowler, Cofounder and CEO of Nutshell, a user-friendly sales automation CRM that helps sales reps win more deals with fast onboarding, powerful reporting, and 100 percent free support. He shares some insight into how the business was established, how they developed a reputable sales process for sales automation, and why they made their developers and engineers answer customer calls when they first started out. Tuning in, you’ll learn why Nutshell is different from other CRMs and how, by listening to their customers, refining their product, and providing great service, they have grown into a successful company. Hear why they still make their product team members work with their support team and how they are managing to bring in more customers through helpful content than paid advertising. Tune in to discover how Nutshell has grown to the point that they are bringing in more than five million dollars in ARR, and the future plans for the company, including the launch of Nutshell Marketing! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:16] Introduction to Andy Fowler, Cofounder and CEO of Nutshell. [00:57] How Andy met his Nutshell co-founders in high school. [01:43] How Nutshell started out of the need for a CRM product for a friend’s business. [03:41] Find out how Nutshell is different from the other CRMs out there: being easy to use. [04:29] Why their reputable sales process for sales automation sets them apart. [07:14] Nutshell’s new product: Nutshell Marketing. [07:52] Nutshell’s number of customers, number of employees, and current ARR. [09:29] How Nutshell competes in the crowded space of CRM through listening to customers, refinement, and great service. [10:39] Some frameworks for customer development: why they make members of the product team get involved with the support team to hear directly from customers. [12:16] Nutshell’s marketing strategy: how they are bringing in more customers through helpful content than paid advertising. [15:05] Why they chose a free-trial offering over freemium. [16:50] How they raised five million dollars and the long-term vision for the company. [18:43] Where the company was at year three when most companies start making a profit. [20:21] How Andy is getting better as a CEO by delegating the stuff he can do well. [20:52] Andy’s favorite business book, The War of Art, and business tool, Google Sheets. [22:52] Who can benefit from Nutshell: a sales team that takes many months to close a deal. Resources From The Interview: Andy Fowler on Twitter Nutshell Google Sheets Hammer Spoon Must read book: Leveling Up The War of Art Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Today we are going to talk about the Peter Principle and how to avoid it.

Today we are going to talk about the book 7 Powers and how I'm using it for my businesses.

Today we are going to talk why companies should allow side hustles

Today we are going to talk how to hire A-players consistently with this simple hack.

Today’s guest is Mike Adams, Cofounder and CEO of Grain, a SaaS platform that records, transcribes, and shares highlights from Zoom video calls. Mike shares his history in the tech field, how he came to identify the need for a system like Grain, and how he founded it. He also mentions the many uses and benefits of the platform and its integrations with other platforms. As the founder of MissionU, which was shut down shortly after being acquired by WeWork, Mike talks through that process, the acquisition, and some of the valuable lessons he learned from its success and demise. Tuning in today, you’ll hear the pros and cons of income share agreements as vehicles to provide access to education and training instead of loans, and the importance of transparency. To find out more about Grain, how it makes money, and other insights from Mike as a successful three-time founder, make sure not to miss this episode! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:14] An introduction to three-time founder, Mike Adams. [00:57] His history in tech and how he founded Grain. [02:14] What inspired Mike to come up with the concept for Grain. [04:02] Examples of use-cases of Grain, from interview settings and meetings between consultants and clients to general team knowledge. [06:27] How Grain is different from similar products like Gong. [08:16] The benefits of using Grain with embeddable partners like Slack. [10:13] Other integrations, like Zapier, Dropbox Paper, Notion, Coda, and Miro, and the benefits of using embeddable media from Grain through them. [12:00] How Grain makes money through subscriptions. [12:59] Why Mike exited MissionU: not every VC-backed business is appropriately VC-backed. [15:30] Why he didn’t actually make any money on the acquisition and why it was shut down shortly after. [17:14] What he learned from the experience. [17:46] The pros and cons of income share agreements as vehicles to provide access to education and training instead of loans. [20:04] Mike’s history in education and training. [21:22] Mike’s views on loans, financiers, and income share agreements in education and the importance of transparency. [26:20] Mike’s cheat code for healthy living: training for triathlons. [28:54] His favorite business tool and book. Resources From The Interview: Grain Gong Zoom Slack Zapier Dropbox Paper Notion Coda Miro WeWork Strava Roam Must read book: Inspired The Mom Test Mike Adams Email — [email protected] Mike Adams Blog — mgadams.com Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Today we are going to talk about NFT and answer the question Are NFTs Dying?

While book sales are rarely very lucrative, if you use your book to build an audience it can lead to success in other ways. Today Eric talks about the importance of having a strong message and using that message to build an audience. Tuning in, you’ll hear about why you should consider your book’s total addressable market before you write it, how understanding your audience will help you guide your marketing messaging, and how you can use your book to build your audience through other channels. Find out what we can learn from the success attained by the likes of Russell Brunson, Tim Ferriss, and Gary Vee through publishing books. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:23] The two things you have to do if you’re writing a book: Have a message and be willing to put in the work. [00:55] Why Eric wrote his book Leveling Up and how it ties in with his life’s mission. [01:57] The importance of thinking about your book’s total addressable market. [02:23] How if the message is strong enough it will spread. [02:57] How understanding your audience guides your marketing messaging. [03:07] Thoughts on Russell Brunson and his success with book funnels. [03:45] How you can use other channels along with your book to build your audience. [04:21] How the publishing of books by Tim Ferriss and Gary Vee have led to their success. [00:00] Closing thoughts on the value and timeless nature of books. [05:31] Subscribe, hit the bell button, and let Eric know your thoughts in the comments. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up Russell Brunson DotCom Secrets Tim Ferriss The 4-Hour Workweek Gary Vaynerchuk Crush It! Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Today we are going to talk How to Actually Make Money From Podcasting?

Why You Should Build Communities, Not Audiences with Tony Whatley In the tech and software industry, there is a lot of skepticism around coaching. Too many people are coaching who haven’t actually achieved their own success. Today’s guest, Tony Whatley, is an exception. Tony is the founder of 365 Driven, a program to help entrepreneurs build and scale their businesses, as well as the author of Side Hustle Millionaire. He tells us how he built a business in the automotive community and sold it for a seven-figure exit before successfully replicating the model for another business, and how he got into the coaching industry after a near-death experience that changed his perspective and his priorities. Learn about 365 Driven, how it works, and how it’s different from other coaching programs, before understanding the difference between communities and audiences, and the importance of building life-long relationships in business. We discuss Clubhouse; how much time we spend on it, and some of our frustrations with it, as well as how it can be used as a powerful networking and business tool. Tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] An introduction to Tony Whatley. [01:04] Learn about the previous company he built and sold, and how he got into coaching. [02:08] A near-death experience and how it shifted Tony’s perspective. [03:42] Eric and Tony share their thoughts on VR simulated near-death experiences to create perspective changes. [04:44] 365 Driven, how it works, and how it is different from other coaching programs. [06:34] The different groups and tiers of 365 Driven. [07:39] Eric talks about the skepticism associated with coaching and how it can be used as a powerful funding mechanism. [08:41] The importance of building communities in business and why Tony is doing more live events. [09:32] The difference between communities and audiences or followers, and how Tony builds communities and relationships. [11:30] How to find great community moderators to build and maintain communities. [13:19] How much time Tony and Eric spend on Clubhouse. [13:54] The value of Clubhouse as a networking and business tool. [15:16] How Eric has benefited from Clubhouse. [15:44] Find out how Tony has made $46 k through Clubhouse in less than two months. [18:45] Tony talks about how he is building his coaching business through ads and webinars. [19:50] Tony and Eric share their frustrations with Clubhouse. [21:24] The value of creating a DM culture. [22:40] Tony’s longterm mission: to help people become better individuals. [23:32] What racing and cars have taught Tony about life and business. [24:46] Tony’s favorite business book and business tool. Resources From The Interview: 365 Driven 365 Driven Podcast Side Hustle Millionaire Leveling Up Must read book: How to Win Friends & Influence People in the Digital Age The 10X Rule Gmail Calendar Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

If you have ever thought about writing a book, today’s episode is for you! Eric shares wisdom from his experience of publishing his book, Leveling Up. Tuning in, you’ll hear what you should ask yourself before you write a book, what the publishing process actually entails, and the importance of marketing, as well as the pros and cons of the different publishing models available. While book sales are not a good way to make money, Eric explains the other ways writing a book can help you level up in life and in business. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:23] What you should ask yourself if you are thinking of publishing a book. [00:43] Why Eric wrote his book, Leveling Up. [01:13] Why you shouldn’t write a book if your focus is to make money from it. [01:42] Thoughts on whether or not people still read books. [02:09] What goes into publishing a book. [03:29] The differences between self-publishing, traditional publishing, and hybrid publishing. [04:34] The importance of marketing your book. [05:35] Closing thoughts on whether or not you should write a book. [05:58] The biggest benefit of publishing a book: building an audience. [06:52] Don’t forget to hit the subscribe and bell buttons. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

Launchpad Business Case Study: Using One Business To Scale Into Multiple Businesses A launchpad business can be any business without a lot of overhead, where you can use the capital gains to scale into multiple other businesses. Today, we speak with Ben Schneider, CEO, and Founder of Jobmofy, who is doing just that. He tells us about Jobmofy, a premium job platform for remote employees that has made more than €10 million in sales from Facebook ads. He explains what led him to start this business, how its security features make it different from other job platforms, and how it generates income in a number of different ways. He also shares how the business is entirely self-funded from his other businesses. Find out how to know when you’re earning enough to scale into a new business venture and how Ben manages his different businesses in today’s bonus episode! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] Introduction to Ben Schneider, CEO, and Founder of Jobmofy. [01:09] How Jobmofy is different from other job platforms: its security features. [03:27] 95 percent of people on other job platforms aren’t verified and therefore not trustworthy. [04:02] Ben’s story of being hacked by a developer, which is what lead him to start Jobmofy. [05:22] The different ways that Jobmofy generates income. [06:19] Insight into Jobmofy’s revenue and growth rates since launching. [07:19] How Jobmofy is entirely remote and 100 percent self-funded. [08:28] Ben and Eric discuss launchpad businesses: how do you know when it is time to scale into something new? [10:32] How Ben runs his businesses as CEO and Founder, and how his executive teams are structured. [12:01] The two perspectives in building a business: be very involved like Ben or hire other people and be less involved like Andrew Wilkinson. [12:46] Business trends that Ben is excited about: remote working, recruiting, and e-commerce. [13:50] Ben’s favorite business book and business tool. Resources From The Interview: Ben Schneider on LinkedIn Ben Schneider on Instagram Jobmofy 'How Andrew Wilkinson of Tiny Capital Created a Portfolio of Companies Doing >$100M A Year On His Own Terms' Must read book: Rich Dad Poor Dad Google Drive Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Today on Leveling Up, Eric looks at enterprise influencer marketing. He introduces the topic by examining a recent survey of 163 enterprise marketers and their experiences with influencer marketing. Tuning in, you’ll hear about how influencer-created content compares to brand-created content and what kind of success enterprise marketers have achieved through it. Find out what type of influencers you should target, what tool you can use to find them, and which channels you should use. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:20] Before we start, don’t forget to subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:28] The results of a survey of enterprise marketers and their experiences with influencer marketing. [01:03] What we can learn from the fact that 71 percent are increasing their budget for 2021. [01:24] How influencer-created content compares to brand-created content. [01:45] Why enterprise marketers should try influencer marketing if they haven’t already. [02:16] A recommended tool for finding influencers, looking at engagement, and creating campaigns: MightyScout. [02:32] The most common focus for brand campaigns: micro-influencers. [03:08] Which channels to pick for influencer marketing. [03:56] Closing thoughts on why influencer marketing is worth it for enterprises. Resources From The Interview: MightyScout Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Leveling Up Eric Siu on Twitter Eric Siu on Instagram

How Dan Martell Helps SaaS Founders Grow By 216% on Average Today we talk to Dan Martell, the founder of the Saas Academy, which is currently rebranding as Saas Coach. He is renowned for coaching growth-minded B2B SaaS Founders to achieve their perfect exit and for helping those founders grow by 216 percent on average per year. In today’s episode, he shares openly about his struggles with drugs, the law, and even his weight before he managed to turn his life around and become a millionaire by the age of 27. He explains how his approach to both business and his health has produced results on both fronts. We discuss what makes Dan different from other coaches, how Taki Moore has influenced his coaching, and what his new project High Speed Ventures is all about. Hear about the ‘buy-back’ principle that Dan uses to scale businesses, why customer retention is possibly even more important than growth, and how he helped one client grow from 30k - 140k in monthly recurring revenue. Tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] An introduction to Dan Martell. [01:02] His troubled past with drugs and jail, and how software became his new addiction. [01:32] How he became an entrepreneur and a millionaire by the age of 27. [03:24] The day he shared a vulnerable Instagram post alluding to his weight struggles. [06:30] What Dan learned and overcame between the ages of 17 and 27. [09:37] His ‘be, do, have’ philosophy. [10:21] The history of Sass Academy, now Saas Coach. [10:51] He describes his three programs: Accelerator, Sass Academy, and the Boardroom Program. [12:35] What makes Dan different from other coaches out there. [12:57] The importance of customer retention in his business. [16:30] Dan’s approach to providing practical solutions instead of selling a dream. [18:02] Dan shares the details of one of his biggest coaching success stories. [19:48] Taki Moore’s influence on Dan as a coach and his program. [21:30] The three pillars: coaching, content, and community. [24:27] The concept of the growth ceiling; why retention is possibly more important than growth. [26:01] Dan discusses his other project, High Speed Ventures, and how the networks support each other. [29:30] He explains the buy-back principle that he uses to scale businesses. [31:31] Dan’s favorite business tool and his must-read book. Resources From The Interview: Dan Martell Saas Academy Escape Velocity Podcast Dan Martell on Instagram Love is a Killer App 75 Hard Taki Moore Must read book: Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger The Psychology of Human Misjudgement Front App Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Why Clubhouse Is NOT The Next Big Thing Despite us investing a significant amount of time on Clubhouse this year, there are good reasons to believe that the new platform will not, in fact, be the next big thing. The chief reasons for this come down to the amount of hours that are necessary to gain any sort of traction, and the competitors that are rising up to challenge Clubhouse in the drop-in audio game. Tune in to hear all about why you can still use Clubhouse, but should avoid going all-in on it. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:22] The amount of time Eric has spent on Clubhouse early in 2021. [00:46] Drops in engagement with the platform and the spike in Clubhouse's competitors. [01:27] The difficulty of establishing a user base and how this counts against Clubhouse. [02:29] How copying occurs across these social and business platforms. [02:37] The drop-in audio revolution; no going back from here! [03:28] Healthier usage hours and managing the way to interact sustainably with the app. [04:21] The ratio of time to value on Clubhouse; difficulty in weighing the immediate benefits. [05:29] Don't forget to subscribe! Resources From The Interview: Clubhouse Mark Cuban Fireside Slack Leveling Up Shaan Puri Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

How The Morning Brew Co-Founders Hire The Best Media Talent & Think About The Future Today we speak to Co-Founders Alex Lieberman and Austin Rief of The Morning Brew. This daily email newsletter is an entertaining source of news and information for over three million subscribers. From its small beginnings six years ago, this digital startup has grown to the point where Insider Inc. bought a controlling stake in the company for a reported amount of up to $75 million last year. In the show, Alex and Austin give us some insight into how they began working together and grew the company from a small newsletter into a multi-platform media brand. They explain how they built a strong team and managed to level up by recruiting the right people. Hear about the future of newsletters in light of the success of Substack, how they foresee the development of the creator economy, and what business trends they find most interesting going forward. They also share why they are so prolific on Twitter, their thoughts on other platforms, and how Austin is using his Twitter account for investing. Tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:14] An introduction to Alex Lieberman, Austin Rief, and the Morning Brew. [01:09] How Alex and Austin began working together, and how they have maintained a strong partnership over the years. [04:15] Insight into the business model: How they launched a newsletter and grew into a multi-platform media brand. [05:50] What the future of newsletters like this in, in light of the success of Substack. [06:58] The pros and cons of subscription versus ad-based content. [07:20] How they use standard start-up tools to track revenue. [08:21] The challenges of building a strong team and how they managed to level up through it. [10:37] The benefits of recruiting from their own readership. [11:02] Insight into how they recruit great writers. [12:14] Alex and Austin explain why they are both prolific on Twitter, and share their thoughts on expanding into other platforms. [16:12] Austin talks about how he is making $650 000 a quarter through a rolling fund that he promotes on Twitter. [18:39] The long-term plan for The Morning Brew: Growing the audience as the company continues to grow into a multi-platform media brand. [20:45] The business trend Alex is most excited about: the development the of creator economy. [22:17] Why Austin is interested in businesses that support creators. [24:56] Some figures related to the success of the business. [25:26] Why they chose to sell part of the business to Insider Inc. [25:51] Alex and Austin share their favorite business books. [27:58] As Alex and Austin tend to be addicted to social media, they share their favorite business tools for monitoring their time online. Resources From The Interview: Alex Lieberman on Twitter Alex Lieberman on LinkedIn Austin Rief on Twitter Austin Rief on LinkedIn The Morning Brew The Morning Brew on Twitter Business Casual Substack Must read book: 7 Powers Must read book: Traction Screentime Freedom Founder's Journal Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

What Are Shoppable Livestreams? In today’s episode, Eric talks about shoppable live streaming, which is a livestream where someone talks about products that viewers can buy. He provides statistics to demonstrate the success of Amazon live streaming and describes some of his own success with selling his book live on Clubhouse. Find out what we can learn from the success of shoppable live streaming in China, the different platforms you can use, and how valuable it can be to those in e-commerce. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:14] Eric starts by explaining what shoppable livestreams are. [00:41] How Amazon is using shoppable livestreams. [01:18] Eric’s success with his book live in a Clubhouse room. [01:48] Why conversion rates are so high. [01:59] Some statistics that demonstrate the growth of shoppable livestreams. [03:00] The benefits of educating yourself about Amazon live streaming and learning from the success of the Chinese if you’re in e-commerce. [03:21] Different platforms you can use for shoppable live streaming. [03:38] Resources that may help you stay ahead of developing trends. [03:48] If you enjoyed this episode, hit the like button! Resources From The Interview: Amazon Live Statista Adweek Forbes Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Whether you want to be self-employed or create a source of income to fund other projects, there are many good reasons to start your own digital marketing agency. Today, Eric breaks down a step-by-step guide on how you can do this. From reaching out to the people you most want to work with, to creating content to target them, finding work through different sources, and building a network, he covers all the bases. To level up from starting your side hustle to reaching your first 100k, tune in today. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:13] Eric introduces today’s topic by mentioning some of the reasons you might want to start a digital marketing agency. [01:02] The goal: your first 100k or to replace your salary. [01:23] Why companies should encourage their employees to have side hustles. [01:54] Eric’s experience of being fired for having a side hustle. [02:16] Reaching out to your Dream 100: the top 100 people you want to work with. [02:36] Different channels you can use to reach out to people. [03:05] Decide on your niche and create content that targets the people you want to work with. [03:28] Why you should choose one channel first. [03:45] Reach out to five people a day and demonstrate your skills with a loom cast. [04:24] At first, charge whatever you can. [04:47] Get listed on digital marketing websites and job portals. [05:10] Be proactive: put out one piece of content and reach out to people every single day. [05:44] Your network is your net worth: connect yourself with like-minded people through virtual or in-person networks. [07:15] Hire some freelancers and level up to full-timers. [07:39] Eric will make another video on how to level up from six figures to seven. [07:54] If you enjoyed this video, check out the next video, and don’t forget to like, review and subscribe. Resources From The Interview: Single Grain The Ultimate Sales Machine Hunter Quora Loom Upwork Freelancer MarketerHire Twitter Spaces Clubhouse Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Today, Eric looks at the new Google Ads Insights, which surfaces trends tailored to your business so that you can see if you're keeping up with demand for trending products or services, and proactively formulate campaigns for related products. Hear about how this is Google’s way of trying to protect their ad revenue in the face of increased competition, and the implications of these increasingly AI automated processes on the future of marketing agencies. Tuen in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:13] An introduction to Google Ads Insights and what it means for you as an advertiser. [00:29] What it does: it tells you trending keywords to help you proactively formulate campaigns for related products. [01:21] Google's incentive: they want you to spend more on ads. [01:42] How Google is trying to protect its ad revenue in the face of increased competition. [01:59] How computers are increasingly automating these processes for us. [02:25] Why agencies need to evolve over time, especially on the creative front, as machines get better at optimizing and more decisions are made by AI. [03:00] Let Eric know your thoughts in the comments, subscribe, and like. Resources From The Interview: Google Ads Insights Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Sleep is one of the ‘power-ups’ in your life and, in order to perform at a high level, it’s important to get good rest. From preparing for bed to preventing disturbances and monitoring your sleep patterns, today’s episode looks at some quick yet powerful sleep hacks to help you perform at your best! We factor in the environmental, physical, and chemical factors that can help maximize your sleep quality for the ultimate night’s rest. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:23] The importance of sleep as one of the ‘power ups’ of your life. [01:27] Tip 1: Putting a piece of tape over your mouth. [02:34] Tip 2: Sleeping at 68 or 69 degrees. [03:18] Tip 3: Using an air filter to ensure high-quality air. [03:39] Tip 4: The benefits of tracking your sleep with an Oura Ring. [04:08] Tip 5: Cooling your mattress and monitoring your sleep with an Eight Sleep. [04:48] Tip 6: Being wary of taking too hot a shower before bed. [05:16] Tip 7: Avoiding screens before bed; read a book or use glasses with blue light filters. [05:35] Tip 8: Keeping your phone on orange light and using F.lux on your laptop or desktop computers. [05:57] Tip 9: Wearing a silk sleep mask. [06:22] Tip 10: Taking hemp oil or a CBD pill before bed. [06:43] Tip 11: Current Experiment: using magnesium to stop tossing and turning. Resources From The Interview: Why We Sleep Sleep is Your Super Power: Ted Talk Alen Air filter Oura Ring Eight Sleep Felix Gray F.lux Slip Thorne Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

How Zeus CEO Kulveer Taggar Plans To Tackle The $18B Corporate Housing Market Today’s guest is Kulveer Taggar, CEO of and co-founder of Zeus, a new flexible way to rent that caters for utilities, furniture, and fixed leases. Since 2015, the company has made over 150 million dollars in revenue and they have set their sights on the 18 Billion dollar Corporate Housing Market. Kulveer explains how he became an entrepreneur and sold a business for $5 million when he was only 24-years-old. He talks about how his motivation changed from making money to solving a problem, what inspired him to start this company, and how he continues to find ways to make it easier for people to move around and stay in places for longer periods of time. He also explains how the pandemic affected the business, how they survived it, and how it influenced their strategy going forward. Hear about how they managed to achieve customer acquisition long before they ever hired a marketer, and how they managed to scale from 100 homes to almost 4000. Tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] An introduction to Kulveer Taggar. [00:44] How he became an entrepreneur and sold a business for $5 million at age 24. [03:28] Kulveer explains the benefits of YCombinator and how the founder network became one of his greatest assets. [05:05] How is Zeus different from Airbnb: more like a hotel company than a hotel booking site. [05:50] Kulveer explains the business model. [06:19] Eric mentions some of the figures of the business’s success. [06:31] Kulveer describes how he came up with the idea and some of the success they’ve had since 2016. [07:25] Kulveer’s long-term vision for the business: Turnkey provision homes. [08:05] As human happiness and potential are often tied to location, he wants to make it easier for people to be more mobile. [08:30] How Kulveer has evolved as a founder and how his motivation has changed from wanting money to solving a problem. [09:44] How studying philosophy helped him in the business world. [12:11] What is working for Zeus: How they managed to achieve customer acquisition and scale from 100 homes to almost 4000 homes. [14:11] How the pandemic affected the business and their strategy has changed. [15:29] How the pandemic affected his own psyche. [18:00] Kulveer’s favorite business book: 7 Powers [18:59] Why he follows Balaji Srinivasan on Twitter. [20:17] His favorite business tool. [20:48] How people can find him online. Resources From The Interview: Kulveer Taggar on Twitter Zeus YCombinator Balaji Srinivasan on Twitter Fleck Must read book: 7 Powers: The Foundations of Business Strategy Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

The greatest predictor of human longevity, apart from genetics, is close ties and social integration. According to today’s guest, research has shown that even the success of a business can be traced back to the oxytocin levels (the chemical released when you feel a connection) found in the bodies of its employees. Jon Levy is the founder and host of Influencers, a private organization that arranges dining experiences dedicated to bringing together exceptional people and thought leaders. He is also a behavioral scientist and author who has a new book coming out, titled You Are Invited, about how to create connection, trust, and a sense of belonging. In this episode, John talks about how the human brain is wired for novelty, why networking events and swag bags are a waste of time, and how to genuinely foster human connection. Tune in and learn about the IKEA effect, the Mere-exposure effect, and an art heist at the Louvre that will blow your mind! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:13] An introduction to Jon Levy. [01:48] John talks bout the dinners he hosts with 12 high-profile people who can only share their names or professions once they have cooked a meal together. [02:30] How the human brain is wired for novelty: people do really well when they’re doing something just outside their skillset. [03:45] The state of peaking in performance: when you’re doing something that’s fully engaging, you lose all sense of self-consciousness. [05:01] Jon talks about Shane Snow’s book, Smartcuts, and the value of momentum. [06:31] Jon shares his background as a human behavioral psychologist [07:55] Thoughts on Youtuber, MrBeast. [09:09] Jon’s main focus on increasing the connections between people. [10:50] How the definition of a close friend has changed: why Gen Z is the loneliest generation. [11:45] An introduction to Jon’s book, You're Invited; how to create connection, trust, and a sense of belonging. [13:04] Why Jon wrote the book: to share the importance of and misunderstandings about human connection. [14:38] Jon explains the IKEA effect and why we care about what we put effort into. [16:05] Using his book as a guide to figure out the ideal way to connect with people. [16:43] Jon addresses some of the commonly held misperceptions about how to meet people.[17:38] Why he found memorable stories to demonstrate his lessons. [18:37] An example of one of his stories is an art heist at the Louvre that demonstrates the Mere-exposure effect. [21:54] What else is Jon reading: Breathe about the Wim Hof method of fire breathing. [23:25] What breathwork has done for Jon. [26:30] How to find Jon’s book and other resources. Resources From The Interview: Jon Levy You’re Invited You're Invited: The Art and Science of Cultivating Influence Influencers Smartcuts MrBeast The 2 AM Principle: Discover the Science of Adventure Breathe Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter

Today on Leveling Up, Eric looks at the social media trends for 2021. He gives a breakdown of what’s growing in popularity and what’s declining or leveling out. He gives a breakdown of his five favorite social media platforms right now and provides some insightful advice as to where you should or should not be targeting your efforts right now in terms of growth potential, competition, and organic reach. To level up on your social media game, tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:14] Eric introduces this topic with a breakdown of trends in the usage of each platform. [02:28] Eric explains why he is most excited about YouTube. [03:20] Why LinkedIn is currently Eric’s second favorite platform: organic reach is strong. [03:40] Number three is Twitter: it enables Eric to interact with some of the smartest people in the world through DMs. [05:00] Number four is podcasting. [05:23] Why starting a blog in 2021 is a bad idea. [05:33] How to choose which social media platform to target: Go for low competition and high organic reach. [06:16] Start with one platform and branch out from there. Resources From The Interview: Pure Research Leave Some Feedback: What should I talk about next? Who should I interview? Please let me know on Twitter or in the comments below. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review here Subscribe to Leveling Up on iTunes Get the non-iTunes RSS Feed Connect with Eric Siu: Growth Everywhere Single Grain Eric Siu on Twitter