Leveling Up with Eric Siu

Why Clubhouse Will Fail In today's episode, Eric continues his series on Clubhouse by explaining some of the major obstacles facing its success. He talks about how he became addicted to it, built up a following, and spent a significant amount of time on it, before dropping his usage by 90%. Hear about the problems with Clubhouse's execution, monetization, and follower retention, as competitors like Twitter and Facebook launch their own versions. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:19] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:23] How Eric started using Clubhouse in December 2020. [00:54] Clubhouse’s success among course-creators and coaches. [01:26] How Eric ended up spending 30 to 40 hours a week on Clubhouse. [02:12] Why Eric’s usage of Clubhouse dropped to 4 hours a week. [02:41] The emergence and threat of copies by competitors like Twitter and Facebook. [03:08] Copying may not kill you: Snap Chat / Snap is still successful despite being copied. [03:33] The problem with Clubhouse’s android app. [03:52] The threat of Clubhouse being ‘out-executed’ by its competitors. [04:29] How people are not spending as much time on Clubhouse as they did in the past. [04:32] The question of monetization. [05:49] Despite its problems Eric hopes that Clubhouse succeeds. [06:02] Let Eric know your thoughts in the comments, subscribe, and like. Resources From The Interview: 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

In today’s episode, Eric shares the SEO strategy that he has found to be significantly more valuable than link-building: relationships. Find out how he came to believe that content and links were the two most important things for SEO and the lengths he went to to get links before he realized that relationships were far more beneficial. Tuning in today, you’ll also learn how you can build relationships and establish networks that will get you links but also have a much bigger payoff in the long term. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:13] An introduction to today’s topic. [00:19] A breakdown of Eric’s businesses and how he came to believe that the two most important things for SEO are great content and links. [01:00] Creating linkable assets, guest posts, directory links, and other things Eric did in the past to get links. [01:44] How social media and email provide touch points for building relationships. [02:03] Eric shares examples of the time-consuming nature of relationship building. [04:08] Why you should focus on relationships rather than links. [04:28] By fostering relationships, you're no longer just asking for links; you’re building a network and forming partnerships and collaborations. [04:50] Some examples of how relationships have created networking opportunities for Eric. [05:38] If you focus on long-term relationships, you get so much more than a short-term link. [06:55] Why you should continue to create linkable assets, but prioritize the relationships over the links. 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

In today’s episode, Eric shares his thoughts on Apple’s new Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and analytics feature called Podcast Connect. He explains how one of its features enables podcasters to add different channels for SEO, email, and paid media, among other things, to group or curate episodes. Eric compares this to the membership platform of Supercast and breaks down the pros and cons of each. To find out whether or not Eric will be making use of Apple’s new features and why, tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:13] An introduction to Apple’s new Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and analytics feature Podcast Connect. [01:09] How Apple has enhanced their podcast analytics: Stepping things up because they have been losing ground to Spotify. [01:29] New feature: You can add different channels for SEO, email, paid media, to group or curate episodes. [01:45] Eric compares Apple Connect to Supercast and breaks down the pros and cons of each: Apple doesn’t provide much data, Supercast takes a percentage of revenue but gives you more control. [03:04] Some of the features offered by Apple Podcasts Subscriptions: Exclusive content, ad-free listening, and access to additional content. [03:57] Why it may make sense to launch a transcription on both. [04:57] The earning potential from Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. [05:40] How much the Market School Podcast makes per month on subscriptions. [06:02] A recap: It has analytics from Apple, a Podcast Next section, and the ability to add subscriptions. Resources From The Interview: Apple Podcasts Podcast Connect Spotify Chartable Supercast 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

Startup Secrets with Activision Co-Founder Howard Marks Welcome back to another episode of Leveling Up hosted on Clubhouse! Today’s guest is Howard Marks, the legend behind Activision and Acclaim who has recently been pioneering crowdfunded investing with his company StartEngine. We also open up the floor to a bunch of different people in the Clubhouse chat who ask brilliant questions all centered around building a successful startup, from how to land funding to defending yourself from the competition. Tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [02:12] The story of acquiring Activision, moving to LA, and the innovations that followed. [12:53] Alisa Jacobs from Queens Gaming Collective introduces herself and her company. [14:48] Further details of Howard’s process of acquiring Activision. [17:10] Trouble Activision was in and Howard’s process of reinvigorating it. [21:36] Feeling things out, thinking in decades, and utilizing lawyers and bankruptcy. [23:48] What drives Howard and why he started StartEngine, and how it has evolved. [38:53] How StartEngine is innovating in the landscape of raising capital using crowdfunding. [44:02] The three core pillars of a successful crowdfund. [45:25] A brief description of how to utilize Clubhouse to connect with new friends. [48:29] Qualities Howard looks for in founders that make him want to fund them. [51:47] Howard’s belief in having an impossible mission and how he arrived at it. [53:59] The mission, values, stated goal, strategy hierarchy. [57:44] What industries Howard is most fascinated with. [59:12] Whether StartEngine invests in Latin American companies. [1:01:45] How to defend yourself against bigger competitors in your industry. [1:03:20] When to start raising capital and what investors look for in early-stage companies. [1:07:52] The importance of aligned KPIs and OKRs with your investors [1:10:25] How the conversation around equity crowdfunding has changed. [1:14:39] Hear how servicing companies would get funding from StartEngine. [1:17:04] Howard’s perspectives on startup opportunities in the cloud gaming sphere. [1:20:47] Creating a minimum viable product and balancing school with entrepreneurship. [1:23:45] Advice on getting the gaming and tech community to adopt your technology. [1:25:50] What is preventing StartEngine from funding thousands of companies per month. [1:27:52] The lack of purpose in pitches by passionate people on Clubhouse. [1:32:50] When to know whether to take on more funding if it is available. [1:36:11] Howard’s favorite game of all time. Resources From The Interview: Howard Marks StartEngine Activision MechWarrior 2 Blizzard Alisa Jacobs Queens Gaming Collective Jin Yu Vezt Inc. Angels and Entrepreneurs Brandon Beck 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 Sold $65,000 of Books Using Clubhouse While Clubhouse might not as big a thing that some have been professing it to be, that does not mean that it has no use to you and your business. In today's episode, Eric explains how he used the Clubhouse app to spark $65,000 worth of book sales and the smart methods he used to up-sell certain customers. Tuning in you will hear about NFTs, what it takes to build Clubhouse credibility, and more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:11] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:29] The rooms that Eric hosted on Clubhouse to boost his sales of Leveling Up. [01:31] Time that Eric spent building relationships on Clubhouse in early 2021. [02:15] How Eric redirected conversations on Clubhouse to the bulk orders page on his website. [03:50] The possibility of selling NFTs on Clubhouse and the money that is currently being made. [04:44] Concerns about the future of Clubhouse and why it might not beat out its competitors. [05:04] We'll see you tomorrow! Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up Giselle Ugarte Leveling Up Bulk Order Time Magazine 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 Is The Creator Economy? Today’s episode is all about the creator economy and what this means for you. Listening in, you’ll hear about the recent success of platforms such as Cameo, Substack, and Clubhouse and how more and more money is going to the creators themselves. We talk about how being a creator and being an entrepreneur are increasingly becoming the same thing and discuss our fundamental desires to create, the many existing channels through which we can create, and how, by making a small investment of time every day, you can become a successful creator. Be sure to tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:16] An introduction to the creator economy. [00:23] The recent success of platforms such as Cameo, Substack, and Clubhouse. [01:03] How more and more money is going towards the creators themselves. [01:20] How the creator is becoming an entrepreneur, and the entrepreneur a creator. [02:20] What “creator economy” actually means. [02:55] How the system is reversing: Now you build up an audience and then you build up the business. [03:08] The growing trust in individuals and the growing distrust in large conglomerates and government. [04:00] The four forms of leverage: code, capital, labor, and media [04:45] The fundamental human desire to create things. [04:50] The things we want to achieve through creating. [05:14] The many opportunities currently available for those who want to be creators. [05:35] The creation versus consumption ratio. [06:06] The time investment required to become a successful creator. [06:25] Like and subscribe for more! Resources From The Interview: Cameo Substack Clubhouse Garry Tan on LinkedIn NBA Top Shot 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 to Use AI to Generate Copy for Ads, Social and More with Paul Yacoubian Welcome to the first episode of Leveling Up which is being hosted on Clubhouse! Today’s guest is Paul Yacoubian, Co-Founder, and CEO of Copy.ai. Generating quality content is a huge part of any marketing endeavor, which is why it can be so time-consuming. This problem is slowly fading away though thanks to Copy.ai, which leverages OpenAI’s GPT-3 language-generating library to generate all your content for you! Our conversation with Paul is all about the applications for Copy.ai, his philosophy of building in public, and what libraries like GPT-3 mean for the future of education and business. Paul talks about some of the use cases of Copy.ai, highlighting how it can help users run different copywriting tests very quickly and is a great way of building an audience organically for smaller businesses who can’t afford paid ads yet. Paul also does a great job of explaining the evolution of OpenAI’s GPT libraries and just how high-quality the language generating tools they offer are becoming. We then tackle the subject of building in public, and Paul weighs in on his method of doing this as well as the benefits it offers for building an audience and attracting investor capital. In the last part of the episode, we open up the floor to some of the other participants in the Clubhouse group, and talk about how GPT-3 heralds a future where kids will be building successful companies and retiring before they finish high school! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:56] An intro into Copy.ai and the copywriting services it offers by leveraging GPT-3. [02:40] How Copy.ai helps users generate new post or advert copy variations for them to test. [04:44] An explanation of GPT-3, a language generation AI tool that powers Copy.ai. [08:44] The argument for building in public; how Paul has followed Elon Musk’s example. [14:22] Metrics Paul shares in his monthly reports and the role this plays toward building in public. [15:45] Growth rates and MRR for Copy.ai. [16:35] Paul’s thoughts on the sustainability of a business leveraging an open-source AI. [18:45] Social media channels Paul is showing up on to build his organic reach. [19:30] Free trials Open.ai offers and how they make money via month-to-month and subscription packages. [22:17] Business trends like the creator and passion economy that Paul is excited about. [17:05] Why Paul’s favorite business book is Rich Dad Poor Dad. [18:38] A business tool of Paul’s which is a recent favorite. [24:08] The easiest way to find Paul online and learn more about Copy.ai. [24:25] Eric Wu talks about how he is using GPT-3 on this episode’s Clubhouse group. [28:51] The percentage of articles we read on the internet that are AI-generated. [29:21] How the best content creators are using GPT-3. [31:08] A few examples of creative copy written by Copy.ai. [33:06] The next leap of AI-generated content and how Copy.ai will leverage that. [34:29] What AI-generated content means for the school syllabus and the future of business. [39:29] How kids will retire before finishing high school and where they should go to learn business. Resources From The Interview: Paul Yacoubian on LinkedIn Paul Yacoubian on Twitter Copy.ai OpenAI Elon Musk Eight Sleep Slack Eric Wu Chris Lu Must-read book: Rich Dad Poor Dad 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 to 10x Your Performance with Better Sleep with Eight Sleep CEO Matteo Franceschetti There are three pillars of health: Nutrition, exercise, and sleep. Arguably, sleep is the most foundational of the three because eating well and moving your body can only be effective when you are well-rested. Leading the sleep-tech charge is Eight Sleep, a company specializing in smart mattresses. CEO Matteo Franceschetti joins us to shed light on the business and the importance of sleep more generally. We hear about Matteo’s background in cleantech and the pride he takes in running companies that aim to improve the world. Eight Sleep has a dual vision: To compress sleep so that customers get better sleep in fewer hours and to save lives through heart-rate monitoring and embedded sensors. We gain insights into some of the company’s product offerings and the specific ways they help clients. Matteo also shares his sleep and health routine and offers details about his thermal shock, fasting, and keto practices. We also touch on what life in Miami has been like so far and how Matteo and his wife, Eight Sleep’s other founder, Alexandra, work together. 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! [00:22] Get to know today’s guest, Matteo Franceschetti. [00:48] The impetus for founding Eight Sleep; leveraging technology to get better sleep. [01:20] Details about the cleantech businesses Matteo had before starting Eight Sleep. [02:02] What has driven Matteo to use tech to make the world a better place. [02:44] Insights into Eight Sleep’s two-pronged vision. [03:16] Eight Sleep’s core product line and how they help people. [04:00] Sleep is the foundational pillar to health and longevity, more than nutrition and exercise. [04:30] The numerous adverse effects of poor sleep. [05:20] Matteo’s bedtime routine and some of the tools he uses to aid his sleep. [06:39] How Matteo’s restless leg syndrome has nearly disappeared. [07:20] Some of Eight Sleep’s numbers, including funds raised and products sold. [08:35] Matteo’s take on life in Miami and what he enjoys about living in his new hometown. [10:10] Some of Matteo’s nutrition and fitness habits that contribute to his healthy lifestyle. [11:23] What is working well for Eight Sleep’s customer acquisition. [12:32] Resource recommendations to learn more about sleep. [13:10] Some of the tools Matteo has incorporated into his life over the past year. [14:05] How Matteo and his wife, Alexandra, navigate working together. [16:00] A few of Matteo’s must-read books. [16:23] The most compelling thing Matteo has read in recent time. [17:08] Where to go to find Matteo online. Resources From The Interview: Matteo Franceschetti Matteo Franceschetti on Twitter Eight Sleep Elon Musk Why We Sleep Levels Peter Attia Tonal Peloton Normatec Alexandra Zatarain Must read books: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, The Daily Stoic, Shoe Dog 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're going to talk about what's actually more important than Link Building. We learn that two of the most important things are Content and Links. But when you look at big and successful websites, they did not beg for links, the just created REALLY GOOD content, and went beyond just links. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:27] - Two Important Things [01:16] - Social Media As a Seed To Build A Relationship [01:40] - Eric's Experience On Clubhouse Connecting With Other People [03:19] - Foster The Relationship You’re Building [03:39] - Link is on the bottom of the list [05:09] - Should you focus on the smaller things? [05:42] - Think about the long term goals [06:27] - Relationships over links [06:37] - Outro 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 Communities Are The Future of Business and Marketing with Greg Isenberg Community is the cornerstone of any successful business. This special group of people serve many purposes: they’re your megaphone, humble servants, and most loyal customers. Today we talk to a community-building expert to find out the many whats, whys, hows, and whens of community building. Greg Isenberg is the Founder of Late Checkout, a product studio, agency, and fund, and he kicks off the episode by telling listeners more about Late Checkout. Following this short but concise introduction to his business, we find out why you should value your community. After discovering the not-so-straightforward method of tapping into your community, Greg boils community down to two simple pillars: retention and word of mouth. Later, Greg shares a few examples how community leads to business success. As our conversation draws to a close, Greg shares why he loves Miami, what his best business tools are, and what content has been most influential on him. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:18] Introducing today’s guest, Greg Isenberg. [00:58] Greg tells listeners more about Late Checkout [01:27] Hear about Late Checkout’s studio, agency, and acquisition fund. [02:15] Why Greg sees enormous value in communities. [03:10] Some good examples of community-first businesses. [05:00] Building around community attention. [06:42] Late Checkout’s synergy with studio and agency and how this business model varies. [08:39] How Greg intends on setting up his latest business. [09:38] Greg defines what a product studio is. [11:51] Ways to delight customers once they have joined your community. [13:12] Which tactics listeners can take from Greg’s examples. [14:20] Greg’s take on the tech scene in Miami. [16:01] One business tool Greg can’t live without. [16:53] How Greg sources his communities. [17:47] Hear about Greg’s favorite business book. [19:00] The most compelling content Greg has read, watched, or listened to recently. Resources From The Interview: Greg Isenberg on LinkedIn Greg Isenberg on Twitter Late Checkout Eight Sleep Glossier Casper WW Public.com TikTok Nicebreak.fun WeWork FlyBy StumbleUpon The Social Network Disney Redditlist.com Notion The World Is Flat on Amazon The Messy Middle on Amazon My First Million Podcast 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

How To Create Relevant Touchpoints with Magazines & More for Cheap with ReminderMedia ($50M+ Revenue!) A combination of strong approaches to marketing and sales is something that is rarer than you might think. Joining us on Leveling Up today to talk about ReminderMedia's fast rise and no-brainer offers are the company's founders Luke Acree and Josh Stike. ReminderMedia specializes in customizable marketing solutions for business professionals to stay top of mind with their clients, something that cannot be underestimated. In our conversation we cover some serious ground, talking about nurturing a database, how ReminderMedia's automation can make all the difference with this, the importance of being remembered, and how to approach strategic showcasing. Josh and Luke also unpack their 'FIT' framework of 'frequency, 'impact', and 'trust', showing how these three elements can really move the needle for your business. We do the usual round-up of useful information from our guests too, talking about their business numbers, growth, powerful tools, and much more, so make sure to level up with us today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:45] A little about Josh and Luke and how ReminderMedia operates. [01:23] Some of the important numbers from their business around clients, revenue and more! [02:15] The task of building long-term relationships and converting this into revenue. [04:15] The three easy ways to build trust; showcasing accolades, testimonials, and educational content. [04:55] The business model at ReminderMedia and their current offers for clients. [06:34] Touchpoints that the company focusses on and the three components of their digital platform. [08:36] The industries that ReminderMedia service and the foundation they built from real estate. [10:00] Prices for the company's services; set-up fees, digital components, and the magazine. [11:24] Expanding on the value of print in an increasingly digital world. [12:09] The creative side of designing a company magazine through ReminderMedia. [13:25] Thoughts on Oculus and the unique opportunities it represents for the future! [15:14] Approaches to growth for ReminderMedia; combining excellence in sales and marketing. [17:51] Reasons for the high retention rates that Josh and Luke have experienced. [18:47] How customer feedback led to ReminderMedia doubling down on local content and events. [20:22] Customization of the products offered; using templates and getting involved in the creative process. [21:44] Josh and Luke's aim of adding integrations to the range of current features. [22:39] Our guests' favorite business tools; the phone, Instagram, webinars, and Marketo! [25:31] Top business and marketing book picks from Josh and Luke. [27:40] How the vision and values for ReminderMedia have evolved since its founding. Resources From The Interview: ReminderMedia Stay Paid Podcast Oculus Clubhouse Steve Olsher EventBrite Zapier HubSpot Marketo Jim Collins Must read books: Good to Great, Think and Grow Rich and The Bible 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

Are Magazines Back As A Marketing Channel? Steve Olsher From Podcast Magazine Thinks So Today we talk with Steve Osher, founder, and Editor-in-chief at Podcast Magazine. In this episode, Steve shares his career journey with us; one that has been filled with many highs and lows. He details how it affected his psyche, as well as the important lessons that came with failure. Expanding on this, Steve sheds light on the struggles he had with the dot-com crash, his battle to create success from liuor.com, and the important realizations that came with it. Later, we ask Steve about his book. Listeners will find out why he wrote the book, who it’s geared toward and why he hopes it’ll become his legacy piece. Steve’s book, What Is Your What? is filled with three main tenets: clarity on your core strength, understanding the primary vehicle that you will use to share your gift, and who you are most compelled to serve. In the second half of the show, Steve talks about Podcast Magazine, sharing information about its target market, how the magazine navigates tricky logistics, and its purpose. To hear more on why print is not dead, be sure to tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:34] Introducing today’s guest, Steve Osher from Podcast Magazine. [00:50] Steve shares some details about his background. [03:12] Steve explains how his psyche changed through each business blunder. [03:55] How the real estate crash affected Steve. [04:09] Why it is important to always consider the “what-ifs”. [04:40] Steve’s experience when the dot-com bubble burst. [08:17] How Steve’s experience with hardcore executives have shaped the way he builds teams today. [10:13] Hear about steve’s book, What is Your What? [13:01] The three pillars that make up the What is Your What? framework. [14:36] The best time to read Steve’s book. [17:32] How being an author of a successful book has changed Steve’s life. [18:34] Steve tells us about Podcast Magazine. [21:34] Hear about the different approaches Steve had for his magazine. [22:53] Why magazines give more authority than books. [24:00] The theory of conflict. [26:25] Some of the logistics around creating a magazine. [31:29] Steve’s thoughts on focus. [34:02] The one offer Steve sells. [34:46] Hear Steve’s favorite business tool. [35:08] Steve’s favorite business book. [36:33] That’s it for today! Resources From The Interview: Steve Olsher on Twitter Steve Olsher on LinkedIn Podcast Magazine Podcast Magazine Subscription What is Your What? Liquor.com Brendon Burchard Sports Illustrated WIRED Foundr Magazine Jillian Michaels Katie Couric Dave Ramsey Conde Nast Madcast Darren Hardy Success Magazine Guerilla Marketing on Amazon 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

This Co-Founder Doesn’t Read Books And Has A Mega Awesome SaaS Business ($50M+ Raised) With Multiple Revenue Streams Today’s guest is Cory Capoccia, Co-Founder, Chief Business Development Officer, and President of Womply, a local commerce platform that provides apps, APIs, and marketing and financial tools for over 500 000 American businesses. Cory starts by giving us some background information about how he fell into the fintech space and joined part of the founding team of a bootstrapped company called Verify. From there, we talk about the mission at Womply and take a deep dive into the three tiers of services they offer as well as how they make money from each of these. Womply has raised over 50M in venture capital, and we chat to Cory about the choice to raise money coming from a bootstrapping background. The conversation turns to customer acquisition and Cory sketches out the mixture of inbound and outbound strategies used at Womply, also highlighting the company’s recent achievements in the area of organic reach. Toward the end of the show, we hear from Cory about why he does not read books and talk a little bit about the benefits of aggressive internet research and peer learning. For all this and some final words from Cory about how Womply is helping make PPP funds more accessible, tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:45] Background info on Cory and the main mission at Womply. [03:04] Metrics for Verify, the bootstrapped company Cory helped found before Womply. [04:06] A deep dive into the all-in-one suite of tools for small businesses Womply provides. [05:48] How Womply makes money through its SaaS, financial services, and enterprise API divisions. [10:27] Why Womply chose to raise capital; customer growth and R&D investment. [12:55] The evolution of the customer acquisition strategy at Womply. [16:14] Different tools Womply has used in its sales stack. [17:45] A personal tool of Cory’s that adds value to his life. [18:16] Why Cory doesn’t read books and where he gets his information from instead. [21:15] The benefits of peer learning and mentoring others. [22:00] How Womply is helping smaller businesses and gig workers access PPP funds. [21:37] The best way to connect with Cory online. Resources From The Interview: Cory Capoccia on LinkedIn Cory Capoccia Email Verify Womply Salesforce 5Nines Zendesk Marketo YPO Redpoint Ventures Paycheck Protection Program 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

Creating the Almanak of Naval Ravikant with Eric Jorgenson Eric Jorgenson is a founding team member at Zaarly and is the brains behind The Almanack of Naval Ravikant. In today’s episode, we talk in great depth about Eric’s book, as well as the business and personal growth that came with writing it. We kick off the show by hearing about Eric’s background and discovering his business mindset and knack for creating opportunities. Eric tells us more about his early years and why he has to try every idea that comes into his mind. Turning our scope toward Eric’s book, we ask him about what he aimed to get out of it. Following this, we uncover Eric’s methods for cherry-picking the best, most useful content about Naval Ravikant, and the long process behind sieving through information and creating drafts. Eric’s book is nothing short of a huge success, and he goes on to tell us how he managed to collaborate with big names like Tim Ferriss and Jack Butcher. We also talk about the substance of his publication and why Eric chose to write a book instead of creating a collection of blog posts or an audiobook. He then notes his favorite aspects of his book and touches on other influential publications. To find out what these are and much, much more, be sure to tune into this episode! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:16] Introducing today’s guest, Eric Jorgensen. [00:35] Today’s topics of business and personal growth. [00:50] Eric tells us about his background. [02:01] What projects Eric worked on in San Francisco and the risks that came with them. [03:10] How Eric came to realize he needed to be in San Francisco. [03:53] How small experiments helped Eric get to a point where he could write a book. [04:20] What Eric was aiming to get out of his book. [05:55] How it felt when Eric received a physical copy of his book for the first time. [06:39] Eric’s approach to pulling up all the best, most useful pieces of content. [08:44] Hear about Eric’s publishing methods. [10:19] How Eric got the likes of Tim Ferriss and Jack Butcher to be part of his project. [11:19] Twitter DMs were part of Eric’s success in creating his book. [12:14] Eric tells us about his 1,400 ratings and what it took to reach this number. [13:42] How Eric feels about being the “Almanac” guy. [15:33] Eric talks about how his relationship with Naval has evolved. [18:42] The methods behind Eric’s book updates. [19:53] Why Eric would choose to write a book over creating an audio book or blog. [22:26] How Eric’s book has given back to him. [25:05] Hear what Eric’s favorite philosophy book is. [25:48] Eric’s best tool for business. [26:33] The most compelling content that Eric has consumed recently [27:31] That’s it for today! Resources From The Interview: Eric Jorgenson Eric Jorgenson on LinkedIn Eric Jorgenson on Twitter Zaarly Almanack of Naval Ravikant Scribe Media Jack Butcher Tim Ferriss Christian Murdy Poor Charlie’s Almanack on Amazon The System’s Bible on Amazon Otter.ai Gong Grain Acquired podcast James Clear Farnam Street 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

Reed Duchscher Reveals Creator Secrets Learned From Managing MrBeast, Dude Perfect, Typical Gamer & More (Over 1.7B Views!) Today’s guest is Reed Duchscher of Night Media, a multimedia talent management company and creative outpost for the largest creators on the internet. Reed’s company has worked with people such as MrBeast, Typical Gamer, and other voices from the most influential of the influential. In today’s episode we talk about how Reed founded Night Media and the role he is playing in shaping the future of the content creator business model. Our conversation begins with Reed’s journey from working as an NFL sports agent to founding Night Media in 2015. From there, we talk about the dynamic between content creators and managers, what informs Night Media’s choice for who to work with, and the services managers can offer to creators on the back end. Reed gets into the value he is adding to the creator community through the Creator Economics podcast, the work he did with MrBeast in launching the MrBeast burger, and his vision to map the blueprint for how to turn creators into sustainable virtual digital companies. We talk about the different products that creators can sell, whether creators should take equity or cash in partnerships, why creator communities are more important than subscriber count, and a whole bunch more in today’s conversation. Be sure to tune into this one. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [01:15] Introducing Reed Duchscher and his journey to working with content creators. [02:22] The business model at Night Media; why it’s not built like an agency. [03:10] How Night Media thinks about the types of clients it signs. [04:39] Prioritizing engagement and community over subscriber count. [06:10] What creators should expect from managers. [07:07] Why creators need to be good at creating communities. [08:38] Other creators Night Media is interested in/working with. [10:35] Making a new blueprint for what creators can do with their fan base. [10:50] The story of the development of the MrBeast burger. [14:04] Some indications of the revenue MrBeast Burger is generating. [15:21] Creator-focused educational content discussed in the Creator Economics podcast. [17:08] Reed’s thoughts on content creators getting cash or equity on collaborations. [20:03] Digital products and merchandise types open to creators. [21:50] The business infrastructure opportunities most creators miss. [22:45] Why creators are going to start having to raise capital. [23:32] Spend and production team size on MrBeast videos. [24:26] Blockchain and whether people will buy a small percentage of channels. [25:48] How Reed connected with the team of creators he worked with. [26:55] Favorite business tools of Reed’s. [27:55] Reed’s favorite business book. [28:20] The best way for people to find Reed online. Resources From The Interview: Reed Duchscher on LinkedIn Reed Duchscher on Twitter Reed Duchscher on Instagram Night Media MrBeast Typical Gamer Matt Stonie Joey Chestnut MrBeast Burger Creator Economics Podcast Blake Robbins on LinkedIn Ludlow Ventures 100 Thieves Social Blade Must-read book: Start with Why 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 To Design A Book The Right Way In today's video, Eric Siu talks about how to design your book the right way. Even if you are not a designer, you have to know what you want your book cover to look like because you do not want to outsource that vision. When designing the cover of your book, it also helps to look at other books and see what works and what isn't. Watch the video for the full guide on how to design your book the right way! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00]- Introduction [00:10] - About the Leveling Up book cover [00:17] - Process of designing a book cover [00:47] - Importance of color [01:00] - Character design story [01:19] - You have to know what you want [01:29] - Different version of the book cover [01:32] - Things to consider for the book cover [02:40] - What Goes on Inside of a Book [03:16] - Badges throughout the book [03:49] - Under the dust jacket [04:05] - Pick who you want to work with [04:36]- Know When to Step Away [04:52] - Final Thoughts 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 my book Leveling Up is officially released. In this video I'm sharing some of my favorite moments from interviews I've done on other shows talking about the concepts in the book. In the Rebel Capitalist show with George Gammon I talk about the red pill moment that got me focused on being prepared. On the Pomp show I talk about the concept of creating your own luck with the right habits. Be sure to check out all the original interviews, and of course, go support the book! Book available now! https://www.levelingup.com TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] - Why You Should Care for Politics [00:33] - Constantly Improve and Add Value [01:18] - Resilience as a Top Trait in Life [02:45] - The Best Investment You Can Make [03:37] - How To Level Up [04:51] - Equal Opportunities for Everyone [05:13] - How We are Programmed [06:32 ]- Four Forms of Leverage [07:19 ]- Final Thoughts 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 #1 Mindset to Overcome Life Challenges Try this one, simple mindset shift and overcome any challenge life throws at you. If you approach life as a game, it's much easier to face your challenges and overcome them. These clips are highlights from interviews I've recently done promoting the upcoming book, Leveling Up! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:00] Life is a game [00:14] How to have fun every day of your life [00:40] Jordan Belfort's show [00:51] How to use pain as fuel [01:31] Chris Do's show [01:45] Why I wrote Leveling Up [02:51] The importance of mindset [03:30] ClickFunnels Radio [03:45] How to build a strong culture 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

From Hooters Waitress and No Degree To Running Billion Dollar Brands with Kat Cole Today’s guest is Kat Cole and she joins us to share some of the frameworks she has developed to become the business mogul and empathetic leader she is today. Kat was a Hooters waitress before she transitioned to becoming the President and COO of Focus Brands, as well as an investor, advisor, thought leader, and board member for multiple companies. Our conversation starts with the story of how Kat was making over $40,000 as a waitress at age 19 when she transitioned into the corporate world for half the salary. From there, we talk about how Kat was able to rise so quickly in this new environment for a number of reasons, where she highlights being placed in leadership positions in unfamiliar situations, and the understanding of human nature she developed as a youth. Kat shares some of the frameworks for success that she has come up with over the years, such as the four characteristics of good leaders, ‘mentorship moments’, and monthly check-ins. She also gets into her method for arriving at these frameworks which involve unbiased reflection and a continuous willingness to apply new lessons going forward. Our conversation also covers the culture Kat fosters in her teams, the channels through which she is currently connecting to her audience, and a whole lot more. Tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:39] Introducing Kat Cole and her rise to success from humble beginnings. [00:50] The new platforms Kat is leveraging to grow her audience and share her teachings. [02:10] What lay behind Kat taking a huge pay cut to leave Hooters for the corporate world. [04:20] Developing the knowledge to run SaaS versus brick and mortar businesses. [06:30] How Kat developed the resilience to lead human-driven business models at a young age. [09:45] The role of humility, curiosity, courage, and confidence in good leadership. [12:02] Building trust and having responsibilities as a leader in unfamiliar situations. [13:45] How Kat builds the mental frameworks she uses to level up using reflection. [14:48] The mentorship Kat arranged for herself using ‘mentoring moments.’ [16:50] Changing your mindset and applying the advice you are given. [17:26] How Kat levels up using her monthly check-in and hotshot rule methods. [19:46] The idea that our progress blinds us to the magnitude of our achievements. [20:34] A deeper dive into the types of questions Kat asks in her monthly check-ins. [22:03] The most beneficial tool Kat has recently implemented. [22:15] The relationship advice to be found in Kat’s favorite business book. [22:46] How to best reach Kat online. Resources From The Interview: Kat Cole on LinkedIn Kat Cole on Twitter Kat Cole on Instagram Checking In with Kat Cole Focus Brands Clubhouse Must-read book: Give and Take 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

In this video, Eric Siu will talk about the difference between self publishing and traditional publishing. We will talk about the benefits of self publishing versus traditional publishing and how your choice can affect your revenue, freedom, sales, and more. With the Leveling Up Book, Eric Siu did a special type of publishing called the Hybrid Publishing, where you get the best of both worlds. [0:00] - Our topic for today: Self publishing vs Traditional publishing [0:25] - The beauty with traditional publishing is you can have the validity with big publishing company [0:44] - In self publishing you have more control [1:13] - leveling up book as a hybrid type of publishing [1:45] - In hybrid publishing you can get the best of both worlds [3:36] - At the end of the day I can collect more revenue from the book [4:17] - Visit levelingup.com to learn more about the book 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 Saleswhale Can Help You Reach Out To Leads On Autopilot with Gabriel Lim A large portion of the leads in a sales funnel never get touched by SDRs, and thus don’t end up converting. Saleswhale changes this by leveraging AI to convert middle of the funnel leads into sales-ready opportunities! Our guest for today is their Co-Founder and CEO, Gabriel Lim. Our conversation begins with an overview of the Saleswhale offering where Gabriel shares a story about how they helped a client generate 144 new sales meetings from 2000 stale leads. From there, we get into the funding Saleswhale has received, its ideal customer profile, and how it makes money using a tiered subscription service. After that, we chat about how Saleswhale is achieving its long-term vision of helping innovative sales and marketing teams become more productive by automating mundane and repetitive work. We also get into Gabriel’s experiences with YCombinator in 2016, the challenges of collaborating remotely between Singapore and the U.S., and the content marketing strategies at Saleswhale for acquiring new staff and customers. As always, we wrap up with some recommendations from Gabriel regarding tools and books that are currently providing him with significant value. Tune in for insights into how Saleswhale is optimizing the sales funnel today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:39] Introducing Gabriel, the offering at Saleswhale, and the amount they have raised. [01:05] A quick overview of Gabriel’s background and how he founded Saleswhale. [01:36] An example of how Saleswhale works and how a client converted more leads from it. [03:08] How pricing for a Saleswhale subscription works and how many customers they have. [03:45] Metrics for growth rates for Saleswhale. [04:10] The ideal Saleswhale client profile. [05:00] How Saleswhale picks up middle of the funnel leads that SDRs usually miss. [06:05] Whether shifting to being based in Singapore is a sustainable remote work model. [06:49] The layers of value Saleswhale provides which contribute to delivering on their long-term mission. [08:04] How Saleswhale integrates with Salesforce to perform one-click campaigns. [09:18] Gabriel’s experiences being backed by YCombinator. [10:08] Some clever techniques used by Saleswhale to attract hot talent. [11:18] How Saleswhale acquires new customers by creating educational content. [12:05] Why Gabriel’s favorite business tool is Salesforce and the main dashboards he uses. [13:47] Recent additions to Gabriel’s stack – Miro and Loom – and how he uses them. [14:13] How Obviously Awesome has helped Gabriel frame the Saleswhale offering. [15:43] The best way to find Gabriel online! Resources From The Interview: Gabriel Lim on LinkedIn Saleswhale Salesforce '10 Reasons My Team Hates Working for Saleswhale' The Saleswhale Masterclass Mike Volpe Dave Gerhardt Meagen Eisenberg Miro Loom Episode 354 with April Dunford Must-read book: Obviously Awesome 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 entertainer, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, television personality, author, and philanthropist Spectacular Smith! Spec is the Chairman and CEO of Adwizar and founder of the record label Mula Music Group, but the list of his accomplishments does not stop there. When Spec was still a youth, he experienced early fame and fortune along with his brothers as part of the rap group Pretty Ricky. On today's show our guest starts by telling the story of how, under poor management from his father, the family lost all the money they had made from performing. At that point, Spec was learning about growing and monetizing audiences on social media and he talks about how he made his first million in a year in this way after getting kicked out of his house. This was when Spec started offering traffic acquisition and monetization services for celebrities through Adwizar and we spend the next parts of our conversation hearing about how Spec built further businesses from this point on, including Power Circle and Spectacular Academy. We talk about the skill Spec has for growing audiences on social and his current strategies for doing this on the new platform Clubhouse. Our conversation is also permeated by Spec communicating the driving force behind all of his projects, which is to increase wealth and prosperity in the Black community. Be sure to tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] Introducing today’s guest, Suresh Shankar. [01:01] Spectacular’s journey from music and fame to starting Adwizar and his current projects. [06:50] What it was like going broke while famous and then pivoting to an online business. [08:59] How long it took for Spectacular to make his first $1M after getting kicked out. [10:23] The main businesses Spectacular is focusing on and what they do. [12:55] Metrics for the employer count at Spectacular’s different businesses. [14:08] Whether Spectacular will start to separate his teams as his businesses grow. [14:59] How Spectacular has bootstrapped until now but will start to take investor capital. [15:37] The time per day Spectacular is spending on Clubhouse and his views on the platform. [15:59] Spectacular’s skill on Clubhouse, how it is fueling his funnel, and his views on early adoption. [21:42] The value of having a large following early on Clubhouse for exponential growth. [22:26] A breakdown of how Clubhouse works. [25:10] The platforms that people who want to grow their followings should use today. [27:44] The feelings Spectacular has about his name. [29:55] Different resources Spectacular and his spouse have consulted to help them work together better. [34:21] The ‘mega’ thing Spectacular wants to do before he dies. [35:09] Spectacular’s favorite business tool which helps him build relationships. [37:48] A favorite business book Spectacular reads and recommends. [38:40] How to find Spectacular online. Resources From The Interview: Spectacular Smith on LinkedIn Spectacular Smith on Instagram Spectacular Smith on Twitter Spectacular Smith Phone Number – 786 661 1224 Spectacular Smith on Clubhouse Spectacular Smith on Snapchat Adwizar Power Circle EO Spectacular Academy Social Seed Mula Music Group Clubhouse Pretty Ricky on Instagram Jeff Hoffman on LinkedIn Adrian Morrison Kevin Davison LinkedIn Grant Cardone Tyrese Gibson on Instagram Tiffany Haddish on Twitter Traction What The Heck Is EOS? Rocketfuel mybankcode.com Must read book: Think and Grow Rich 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 To Sell $1M Enterprise Software Contracts The Right Way with Crayon Data CEO Suresh Shankar Today we sit with Suresh Shankar, Founder and CEO of Crayon Data. We ask Suresh about Crayon, hear his journey, and find out how to build unshakable enterprises. The show kicks off with Suresh telling us more details about Crayon, and the services they provide. Suresh explains that data is everywhere in our lives, and many big businesses have access to it, but they have trouble understanding how to best serve their customers and target more of them. That’s where Crayon Data comes in. Digging deeper, we ask Suresh to tell us about how his company charges, with the enterprise mogul sharing the three important ways it achieves revenue. On the topic of Crayon, Suresh fills us in on his company’s growth and tells us why their client’s customer number is the best metric for his Crayon’s size. In the latter half of the show, Suresh walks us through his career in sales and explains why he refers to it as “backward progression.” As we near the end of the episode, Suresh speaks in detail about how to sell $1 million enterprise software contracts the right way. He touches on timelines and some key ingredients like value creation, vision and mission, and finding your north star. To find out how you can level up, be sure to join us today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] Introducing today’s guest, Suresh Shankar. [01:01] Suresh tells us more about himself and how his company works. [01:16] Hear about Crayon Data’s mission for the data world. [02:12] Practical examples of a Crayon Data customer and their experience. [03:39] How Crayon Data makes money. [05:00] Find out about Crayon Data’s success and growth. [07:14] What Crayon is doing on the digital side of acquisition. [10:49] Suresh’s thoughts on content. [11:11] Hear about Suresh’s career in sales. [13:36] Suresh tells us about the analytics company, Red Pill. [15:47] The key to locking in a $1 million enterprise. [20:08] A timeline of events when locking in an enterprise. [21:04] Hear about the long term effort it takes to create an enterprise. [22:00] What a significant business looks like to Suresh. [24:55] One business tool that Suresh has added in the last year that he loves. [25:59] Suresh’s favorite business books. [27:24] The best way for you to get in touch with Suresh. Resources From The Interview: Suresh Shankar on LinkedIn Slaves to the Algo Crayon Data Red Pill Analytics Saas Netflix Spotify Freshworks Zoho IBM Microsoft Teams Hard Thing About Hard Things on Amazon Shackleton’s Journey on Amazon The Curse of Bigness on Amazon 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 YOU Can Think Like A Contrarian & Acquire Businesses To Create A Life of Freedom with Codie Sanchez No matter who you are, by exercising a little contrarian thinking, you can find, analyze, buy, and build profitable businesses, becoming the master of your own destiny. Codie Sanchez is a master of applying out-of-the-box thinking to investing and today she joins us on the show to share some of this knowledge as well as help us learn about the different projects she has going on. Codie is the Managing Partner and Director of Entourage Effect Capital, a private equity firm focused on investing in the legalized cannabis industry. She also runs Contrarian Thinking, the weekly newsletter that discusses how to push back on investing trends, and to top it off, Codie designs business acquisition courses to be found at Unconventional Acquisitions. Codie begins by discussing some best practices for people looking to start their own fund. From there, she gets into the mission statement at Contrarian Thinking as well as its premium offering, Contrarian Cash Flow, and how these fit into her marketing flywheel as a fund manager in 2021. Wrapping up, we talk about the buy and build model taught at Unconventional Acquisitions and hear some tips from Codie on how to find and incentivize good operators for a business you recently bought. Tune in today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:50] A window into Codie’s career; the story behind Entourage Effect and Contrarian Thinking. [02:24] Metrics for the state of affairs at Entourage Effect and what they have invested in. [03:10] Advice from Codie for starting a fund and working with investors. [04:44] Managing ‘risk of dilution’ by making sure to do ‘capital reserve for follow ons’. [06:16] A recommendation from Codie to work with good attorneys when starting a fund. [07:29] How to make money with a fund; the ‘2/20’ model and other models. [08:34] Tips for raising money for a micro fund. [10:10] Dangers of making a raise public; private placement laws and SEC laws. [11:11] The benefits of starting Contrarian Thinking for attracting the right companies. [13:34] Building in public and what it means to be a contrarian thinker. [17:06] The different services offered by Contrarian Thinking and Contrarian Cashflow. [19:05] What Codie’s course, Unconventional Acquisitions, teaches and its role in her flywheel. [20:51] Where people should go to find the deals Unconventional Acquisitions argues for. [23:35] How to go about finding good operators to use in the buy and build model. [26:20] Codie’s method of structuring incentives to keep operators motivated. [27:40] Why Codie prefers a model of buying businesses to hold rather than flip. [28:42] The approach Codie uses regarding how involved she is in the businesses she buys. [30:24] Different offerings to be found at unconventionalacquisitions.com. [32:24] How to get in touch with Codie online and read what she writes. Resources From The Interview: Codie Sanchez on LinkedIn Codie Sanchez on Instagram Codie Sanchez on Twitter Entourage Effect Capital Contrarian Thinking Contrarian Cashflow Unconventional Acquisitions Cann Anthony Pompliano on Twitter Lisa Song Sutton Andrew Wilkinson 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 Eric Siu on Twitter

A big part of contemporary online business is connected to email marketing and one of the most powerful and exciting names in the game right now is undoubtedly ConvertKit. The company's Co-Founder and CEO, Nathan Barry, returns to the Leveling Up podcast today to talk about their last year or so of business, their choice to embrace profit-sharing, and his thoughts on the evolving remote-work landscape! Although ConvertKit can basically be described as email marketing software for creators, they actually offer so much more than that, and Nathan comments on their growth and how they go about adding new features to their service. One of the defining characteristics of the company is their lack of outside funding, and we get to talk about this choice and how they have managed to be so successful while opting out of venture capital. Nathan shares his thoughts on the time it takes to build something meaningful, the meaning of company culture, building in public and so much more! A big takeaway for listeners is the idea of intentionality and holding both the long-term vision and short-term goals in mind at the same time. So for all this from a leader of a leading company, be sure to listen in! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [01:12] Nathan's perspective on what is hot right now for email conversion. [03:38] The power of Twitter threads when used correctly. [04:55] Growth at ConvertKit and the biggest steps they have made recently. [06:14] Considering adding new features and how to do this smartly. [07:52] Prioritizing certain features and how these decisions are made. [10:12] Nathan's array of skills as a creator and the emphasis he puts on mindset. [12:53] Thoughts on niching down and how this relates to expansion. [14:52] The growth in the blogging and online influencer industry. [15:58] Nathan's failed efforts at raising capital and how this ended up serving the company. [18:13] The pros and cons of building in public — Nathan weighs in. [20:13] The threat of competitors and bigger companies. [22:45] Incentives and profit-sharing at ConvertKit — the evolution of Nathan's philosophy. [26:18] Keeping a long-term vision in mind for short term strategies. [28:55] Nathan's thoughts on recruiting talent in the current climate. [33:32] Important parts of ConvertKit's remote culture and the emphasis they place on trust. [34:58] Company retreats and the amazing practice of 'unsolicited feedback'. Resources From The Interview: Nathan Barry ConvertKit Baremetrics Pat Flynn Tim Ferriss Neil Patel Gretchen Rubin Leveling Up Episode 352 with Nathan Barry Marketing School Podcast Zen Habits FreshBooks Ahrefs SEMrush Hacker News Oculus 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're going to talk about How To Launch A Course For $1M 💰 Without Experience! (True Story)

We often speak about the power and utility of hosting a podcast, a space that keeps growing and shows no signs of slowing down! Today on the show we are joined by Travis Chappell, host of the Build Your Network Podcast, and the brains behind Guestio! Travis is an expert on leveraging a podcast to increase your network, knowledge, and ultimately your profit, and he is here to share a bit of that expertise with all of our listeners! We talk about Travis' journey to his current professional standing and our guest is generous enough to share some insightful numbers from his business and podcast, which have been growing steadily over the last few years. He also sheds some light on the new program he launched last year, called the Podcast Profit Academy, before diving into the fascinating subject of the Guestio platform. Guestio offers podcast hosts a great way to connect and book amazing guests and this project exemplifies Travis' innovative and progressive mentality. We also talk about ways to grow your audience, a few networking tips, and much more, so make sure to join us for this episode of Leveling Up! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:39] The 30,000-foot view of Travis' story and career thus far! [03:39] How Travis got into podcasts and connected deeply with the format. [04:47] The size of the Build Your Network Podcast currently after a few years in the game. [05:51] Last year's launch of the Podcast Profit Academy in response to the need to go remote. [08:48] How Travis has benefited from hosting a podcast; network, knowledge, and profit! [12:40] The focus that Travis puts on helping his clients turn a podcast into profit. [18:28] The idea behind Guestio and the need that it services for podcast hosts. [21:19] Unpacking the idea of the expert marketplace; and how you can use Guestio! [22:41] Methods for audience growth that Justin believes in right now. [24:53] Networking tips from Justin — hosting and becoming an authority. [26:41] Showing up and adding value at events; the best way to network in person. [28:13] Travis' favorite business tool at the moment: ClickUp. [28:49] Why Travis loves Robert Cialdini's book Influence. [29:12] Travis' work in the real estate world and some of the big moves he has been making lately. [30:12] How and where to connect with Travis online! Resources From The Interview: Travis Chappell Build Your Network Podcast Guestio Travis Chappell on Instagram Cameo ClickUp Morning Brew Must read book: Influence 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're going to talk about How To Become A Content Machine For 2021.

Today we are going to talk about How Jio Leveraged The Power Of Free To Go From 0 to 400 Million Users In FOUR Short Years 🚀

Today we are going to talk about How OnlyFans drive a $300M PROFIT!

Today we are going to talk about Why Marketing Funnels Are Not The Best Way To Think About Your Business.

Today we are going to talk about which Is Better? The Berkshire Hathaway business model or focusing on one business?

Today we are going to talk about the 5 Hottest SEO Trends for 2021.

Today we are going to talk about if you should move to Miami and why people are migrating away from California & New York

He Has Created Over 27 E-Commerce Millionaires & Manages Over $100M In Annual Revenue Today we’re joined by Seth Kniep, the co-founder and CEO of Just One Dime, a coaching company for Amazon and e-commerce sellers. He explains what prospective students can expect from the structure of the courses and his manner of coaching, and shares some strategies for scaling a coaching business and keeping your family life thriving when your business takes off. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:45] Seth shares the incredible story behind the name, Just One Dime. [01:19] How Seth’s philosophy relates to Dave Ramsey’s and Robert Kiyosaki's ideas. [02:06] Hear how Seth sold his first e-commerce company for $35 on eBay. [03:05] How he started doubling his dime and got up to $400 just by asking random people. [03:51] Getting into Amazon FBA and using the $400 to start selling cremation urns. [04:29] Making over $1 million in 12 months with the store and investing in real estate. [05:34] Using his Amazon profits to buy new products and reinvest in the business. [07:10] How investing in real estate can help you legally reduce your tax liability. [09:16] The importance of developing your accounting knowledge and understanding it. [10:40] The value of having a tax and wealth strategist to help you manage your money. [11:08] Managing over $100 million in Amazon revenue and the big brands they work for. [12:02] Learn how their model works for training other people to run Amazon businesses. [14:37] More about their training program and what students can expect from the coaching. [17:45] What it would cost to have an Amazon business set up and for you to be trained. [19:02] Find out whether Seth ever has equity in some of the businesses they help build. [19:34] Seth explains why he expanded to do courses in addition to e-commerce. [22:40] The importance of creating videos and getting a team in scaling your coaching. [24:50] Taking ownership of your issues before you can truly help others and grow a brand. [25:34] How their team and coaches are structured in the coaching business. [27:01] Seth shares why it is important to “date” your wife to keep the spark alive. [29:19] Their family commitment to buying a property anytime they go somewhere new. [31:02] Seth shares his favorite business tool and book and explains why. Resources From The Interview: Seth Kniep on LinkedIn Seth Kniep Email Just One Dime Just One Dime Courses Dave Ramsey Tom Wheelwright Robert Kiyosaki Kevin Harrington on Twitter Shark Tank BMW Front Juno Must-read book: The Goal 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

People might frown upon computer games and see them as a waste of time, but the truth is that many of the skills that one learns in games can be applied to life. As you progress further up the levels of a game, things become more challenging but your skill increases too, and so do the rewards. Life is no different, and if we can apply the same excitement and philosophy to life that we do in games, our daily experience and chances of success are guaranteed to level up! Tune in to find out more. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:31] Eric’s background as a gamer and the types of games he enjoyed. [00:57] Thinking about life skills learned over the years as power-ups. [01:15] Why negative perceptions of games and new technologies are unfounded. [02:20] Building good habits and getting one percent better each day. [03:08] Each level gets more difficult, but the sky is the limit. [04:22] What Chuck Feeney’s career can teach us about life gamification. [05:04] Eric’s approach to leveling himself up so he can do the same for others. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up: How To Master The Game of Life Tony Hsieh The Billionaire Who Wasn’t Chuck Feeney 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

Many people think that retargeting does not work for them, but the truth is it does if you can structure your strategies in the right ways. In this episode, you will hear about three creative and unique ways that you can approach retargeting so that you can up your impressions and indoctrinate your prospects, getting them further down your funnel. Tune in to hear these three secrets today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:28] Combining sales outreach with ads. [01:41] Targeting a company on LinkedIn using diverse repurposed content. [02:35] Running daily unique reach campaigns to up impressions. [03:54] How Eric runs retargeting on the Single Grain website. Resources From The Interview: metadata.io 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

A library can have a strong relationship to our ego, and it is not uncommon for a visitor to look at a book shelf and ask, "So, how many of these have you actually read?" This question is beside the point, it is in fact more valuable to have a shelf full of books that you have not read than the other way around! The value of books lies in their potential to impart wisdom or skills and the more access you have to new information and ideas, the better for you. So do not worry about what anyone says and find the books that interest you and read them when you feel the time is right! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:23] Explaining the idea of the 'antilibrary'. [01:25] Why the judgement of others should not concern you. [01:45] Reasons that having a lot of books that you have not read is a good thing! [02:21] Reframing your mindset with regards to learning and your ego. [03:02] Read books are much less valuable than unread ones! [03:38] Eventually getting around to reading books that you have bought at the appropriate time. [04:20] Taking things one step at a time and getting away from external pressure. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up Tim Ferriss Warren Buffett Nassim Taleb Roam Research The Nordic Theory of Everything 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

With the business of podcasting still growing and the landscape continually shifting with big acquisitions and new players, we wanted to take this opportunity to fill you in on the biggest trends for the upcoming year. From Amazon and Spotify's big moves to ways to leverage your own audience, these are pieces that you need to know about, so 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! [00:23] Competition is heating up in the podcast world! [01:18] What these big acquisitions in the podcast world mean for content and analytics. [01:40] Building and leveraging your community — going one step further. [02:24] The monetization of your podcast; the array of methods for doing this. [03:35] Useful tools for improving and growing your podcast in 2021! [04:20] Making the most of adjacent opportunities and collaboration. [04:46] The upward swing of the podcasting business and how getting involved can lead to other opportunities. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up Spotify Megaphone Wondery Dreamhost Chartable 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 Austen Allred, CEO at Lambda School, the online web development and data science academy that students pay no tuition for until they are hired. In this episode, we talk to Austen about overcoming the challenges that Lambda’s unique payment structure presents, what he is focusing on to optimize the business, and the path he has taken personally to get where he is today. Lambda gets paid retrospectively from their hired students via income shared agreements and Austen shares about what it took to get the school off the ground and keep it afloat when they were earning no money from fees. Next up, we talk about the legal challenges of keeping Lambda School registered with state-specific education regulations across the U.S. From there, we get into some of the things Austen is focusing on to improve Lambda School as a company and a place to learn within, hearing him highlight things like scaling, job placement, repeatable student experience, internal communication, and organizational design. Austen also weighs in on how he is getting better at being a CEO, the value of hiring executives, and where the company is currently at as far as metrics for employees, enrolled students, and successful hires. Wrapping up, we talk to Austen about his experiences of living in a car in his early days and ask him about his favorite business tool and some of the books, companies, and CEOs that inspire him most. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:48] The idea behind Lambda School and the way it structures fees. [01:47] How the income share agreement (ISA) payment structure at Lambda School works. [03:38] A story about the career success of a Lambda School graduate. [04:38] How Lambda School graduates help market the company. [05:35] The method Austen used to get the ISA model off the ground initially. [07:35] What Austen is doing to embark on the scaling journey with Lambda. [09:12] The pain of keeping Lambda compliant with state-specific education regulations. [11:56] Metrics for the funding Austen has received to keep the ISA model running. [12:09] How Austen and his team are helping students land jobs. [16:07] What led to Austen writing Secret Sauce and how the book is doing. [17:12] Metrics for students, employees, and successful hires at Lambda. [17:50] What Austen is doing to get better at being a CEO. [18:57] The value of hiring executives and how to find proper ones. [21:16] Which areas of the business Austen is optimizing currently. [23:49] Companies and CEOs who inspire Austen. [24:54] The story of how Austen lived in his car and what he learned. [26:36] Austen’s favorite business tools: GitHub and GitLab. [29:00] Why Austen’s favorite business book is The Wright Brothers. [29:26] The best way to find and connect with Austen online. Resources From The Interview: Austen Allred on Twitter Lambda School Secret Sauce: The Ultimate Growth Hacking Guide Paul Graham Geoff Ralston Tesla SpaceX Amazon Elon Musk Jeff Bezos Stripe GitLab GitHub Rippling Airtable Zapier Roam Must-read book: The Wright Brothers 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

Tune in today to hear about the hottest marketing trends for 2021 as Eric unpacks the ones he thinks are the most powerful for you and your business! From leveraging a community and SMS marketing to connecting with influencers and going omnichannel, you do not want to miss these strategies that can make all the difference for the upcoming year! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:15] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:20] The power of community — bringing people together around a brand. [01:47] Automated account-based marketing and a different way to reach out. [02:38] Utilizing the amazing new capabilities of automated copy creation. [03:41] The continued dominance of influencer marketing! [04:14] The omnichannel approach to content creation; making the most of what you make. [05:23] Looking at the power of subscription economy. [06:13] How to leverage SMS marketing for a higher open rate. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up Circle Metadata OpenAI Substack Patreon OnlyFans Community 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

It is becoming more and more popular to build businesses and platforms in public. As Eric explains in today's episode, there is really no downside to this way of doing things and the visibility factor is a big plus. This means that while you grow and improve your business, investors can find you more easily, and you can even get the public involved. Tune in to find out more. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:25] Conversations that are happening on Twitter right now around business and numbers. [01:09] There is nothing to lose by building in public! [01:51] Looking at the example of copy.ai and their founder Paul Yacoubian. [02:41] If you are growing publicly, you are more visible to investors. [03:42] Eric's thoughts on maybe trying this model out himself! [04:20] The different kinds of projects this model can be applied to right now. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up The Bachelor The Bachelorette Paul Yacoubian Copy.ai ClickFlow Marketing School Pro Consulting School 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 unpacks some very interesting statistics on what it takes to gain YouTube subscribers! Referencing data published on Twitter, Eric shows how once again, just like in business, gaining an audience and experiencing success is all about sticking with it and being patient. From Logan Paul to MrBeast, these celebrities put in the time and reaped the rewards. This could be you too, so tune in to find out more. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:35] What the numbers show about the amount of time and content it takes to gain followers. [01:13] Getting subscribers takes time to grow and compound. [01:40] Most people play the comparison game and give up too quickly. [02:10] Where Eric's YouTube is currently at in terms of the statistics. [03:01] Looking at podcasts and blogs — what this shows us. [04:02] Plans for upping the production quality of the Leveling Up YouTube content. [04:29] Home-runs come once in a while so stick with it. [04:50] The three 'H's of YouTube creation and how this can help. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up MrBeast Logan Paul 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

With the lightning-fast developments in AI and content generation, it is easy to get left behind the newest advances. Today, Eric talks about GPT-3 and what this means for the immediate future of high quality content generation. It does seems as though this is a big step up for at-scale content creation, and will certainly raise the bar for general standards, as well as giving the SEO world a bit of jolt. Tune in to hear all about it today! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:23] What is GPT-3 and how does it work? [00:58] Looking at the AI content-creation landscape up until recently. [02:50] Creating content at scale with GPT-3 that is indistinguishable from human writing. [03:51] Examples of the capabilities of GPT-3 for quality content! [04:22] Generating tweets in the style of a real person. [06:01] What this means for the general standards of content creation. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up OpenAI Crunchbase Sam Altman Y Combinator Naval Ravikant 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

Laziness has traditionally been something that is frowned upon, however, as we hear from Bill Gates, there are certain aspects of laziness that can serve a business really well. Lazy people often look for the easiest way to do something, so this tendency, combined with intelligence, can be a great boost for finding new and quicker methods! These types of thinkers often did not do very well at school (like Eric!) and it is only out in the real world of business and startups that they can begin to excel by tapping into their unique gifts! Listen in to hear all about it! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:26] Reframing your thoughts on laziness! [00:40] Finding shortcuts is a skill and using it can be a big benefit. [01:29] Eric's usual method for creating school papers at the last minute [02:00] What Eric would do now if he was forced to go to college and study history. [02:30] The four classes of characteristics; clever, lazy, stupid and industrious. [03:24] Problems in the US school system and the issue of conformity. [04:39] What Eric looks out for when hiring — someone who can connect the dots. [05:21] Changing the connotations of laziness into something positive. Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up Bill Gates 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

Our focus today is Paul Graham's essay, 'How To Think For Yourself', in which he details some very useful ways to view different jobs and the power of independent thought within them. A foundational element of this thought piece is in the idea that certain professions require uniform thinking while others need you to think originally. By understanding this difference, we can begin to find the right place to house our particular psychological preferences. Tune in to hear all about it! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:29] A quick introduction to Paul Graham and Y Combinator. [01:18] Not everyone is the same — find your best way to learn. [01:50] Excerpts from Paul's essay, on originality and quality. [02:34] Zigging when others zag — stand out and offer value. [03:01] Questions to ask yourself; what type of work are you doing? [03:58] Picking the right type of work for yourself in order to excel. [04:40] Getting the right people in the right seat on your team. [05:08] Gauging your own independent-mindedness and filling in the gaps. [06:16] The people you surround yourself with will impact your view of yourself! [08:03] Dangers of the news and media and how this can detract from free thinking. [08:37] Learning how others think through biographical and historical media. [10:20] Fostering curiosity and and an open mind — this will lead to growth! Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up Paul Graham How to Think for Yourself Essay Y Combinator Airbnb Twitch Dropbox EO YPO Vistage 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

Are you looking to transform your eCommerce growth? Want to increase the efficiency, profitability, and value of your company? Today’s episode is for you! We are super excited to bring Trent Dyrsmid to the podcast today. He is the Founder and CEO of Flowster, which is a software company for eCommerce entrepreneurs to improve workflow automation through the creation and use of standard operating procedures. Through the use of their software, you can optimize execution through standard operating procedures, which are the lifeblood of today’s most successful organizations. If implemented effectively, they ensure every business process is executed exactly the same way, every time. They also improve accountability through an audit trail providing you with transparency into every aspect of your employees’ work. Teamwork is dreamwork, and by using this software, companies are able to allow team members to easily assign each other tasks, give due dates, upload files, and add comments to the work they've done — keeping everyone in the loop and your business running at peak efficiency. During today’s episode we talk to Trent more about Flowster, his journey from the beginning to where he is now, he shares his favorite automation tool, and so much more, so stay tuned and enjoy! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:41] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:35] How things are going with Trent and what he is up to. [01:13] Trent shares more about his first business, what it was, and how that lead to where he is today. [04:18] More about the process of how he started to develop his standard operating procedure. [05:50] Trent talks numbers on his first company. [07:00] Trent elaborates about Flowster, creating processes in a digital, interactive checklist. [08:15] Why he decided to market to e-commerce customers. [09:15] What the Flowster software offers — facilitating the process of delegation and more. [10:15] Trent walks us through an example of how the software functions and what the “magic button” entails. [11:55] How many customers they have and we talk about the different pricing of their services. [15:00] Trent talks about his podcast and the value it’s given to him. [16:22] He shares his favorite tool: Automation Zapier and his favorite Zap. [16:54] His favorite book: The E-Myth by Michael Gerber. [17:27] Where to find more about Trent and his business. Resources From The Interview: Trent Dyrsmid on LinkedIn Flowster Zapier The Bright Ideas Brand Must read book: The E-Myth 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 the show we are looking at Keith Rabois' philosophy of ammunition and barrels! This is a way to look at the members of your team and who you choose to hire. Keith unpacks how these two different types of team members will serve you in certain ways — it is up to you to make the most of specific skills as well as hiring smartly. Tune in to learn more about the ammunition and barrels metaphor! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:21] Before we jump into today’s interview, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Leveling Up Podcast! [00:40] Focussing on the team first and then the product that you are building. [01:31] The best people will give you most leverage! [02:11] When you make a subpar hire, you bring down the quality of your company. [02:29] Hiring processes and company culture; fostering the best team possible. [02:48] The two categories of high quality hires; ammunition and barrels. [03:52] The mindsets that will serve you and your company and lead to success. [04:52] Finding a way through challenges by hiring the right people! Resources From The Interview: Leveling Up Square PayPal Keith Rabois OBS 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