Streamlined Solopreneur: Helping Solopreneurs Take Time Off Worry-Free

Imagine making $70,000…from your bedroom…in one night. That’s exactly what Matt “Dappz” McGuckin did with his online trading cards shop. He got his start “breaking” – that is, buying and opening boxes of cards live online, and selling the contents…all on TikTok. Sounds risky? It is! But today, Dappz Sports is the Live Shopping Company on TikTok in the U.S., making over $20 Million in gross sales. So the risks have paid off. Now maybe it seems like too far-fetched to say you’ll make $70K in one night, but it’s not too far-fetched to say that making calculated risks will elevate your business. It’s a proven strategy and Dappz, and today, he’s going to tell you how you can do it too. Top TakeawaysDon’t try to think about how you’ll go viral. Instead, be consistent and try different things. Experimenting can be low-stakes risk-taking. One of the biggest risks that pay off is hiring someone. They will take SO much off your plate. It sounds scary, but it’s a must for any business owner. Research is SO important with it comes to mitigating risk – remember, this is about calculated risks, not being a cowboy, and doing crazy stuff to see if it pays off. Show NotesMatt "Dappz" McGuckinMatt on TiktokThe Social Dilemma on NetflixSponsored by: Sensei Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

Over the years, I’ve published a great many gift guides on my blog. From freelancers, to podcasters, to working from home, and even my hobbies — like pens and cigars. And this year is no different.But given my relatively new focus on helping solopreneurs (and the fact that the “Work from Home” guide is starting to feel a little stale), I’ve decided to change things up in 2023.That's why this year, I'm introducing the Solopreneur's Gift Guide. Enjoy! LinksThe 2023 Solopreneur's Gift GuideView on Casabona.orgRecording / Video Conference GearElgato FacecamElgato Facecam ProLive Stream kitSamson Q2U Sennheiser PC 8 USB Headset Podcaster’s Gift GuideHue LightsElgato Key Light | Key Light AirNeewer 2 PackLume Cube for Video ConferencingHome OfficeSteelcase HON ChairsRoller Blade Wheels for Office ChairsJarvis by FullyE7 by FlexiSpotMoft Sit-Stand Laptop DeskTwelve SouthLogitech MX Master 3 Keycron K2 Pro Mechanical KeyboardErgonomic keyboard from MicrosoftMonitor Arm by FullyAt Home TechWestern Digital My Book BackblazeSynology 2 Bay Storage NAS + some hard drivesWestern Digital Portable Hard DriveSamsung’s T7 portable SSDAirPods Pro IISkullcandy headphones Bose QuietComfort 45 Noise Cancelling headphones Audio-Technica ATH-M50sStream Deck GaNPrime Hybrid Power Bank / Wall ChargerMagSafe 3-in-1 Charging Cube (perfect for travel)Nano USB-C Power BankStands by Lab22ProductivitySidekick NotebookSidekick NotepadWilliam Hannah A5 Classic NotebookCheck out my Pen guideAnalog from UgmonkTodoistMindNode BearUlyssesApp Store Gift Card SetappComforts of HomeCometeerKru DoomcupReading Jazzy JavaRook NicaraguaNespressoOXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee GrinderMahabis SlippersTravel / Outside the HouseWaterField Designs Sling bag from NomaticTimbuk2.Kindle ScribeAirTagsAirFly by Twelve SouthAt Your BestForget the FunnelThis is PersonalMade to Stick Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

Do you remember the most awkward moments of your life? One for me was definitely the day I was defending my master’s thesis. I was explaining a complex algorithm, when my advisor interrupted me and said, “Well…that’s not really how it works.” In front of my classmates, other faculty, and a number of friends who showed up out of support.As you can imagine, I was mortified – until recovered, finished the presentation, and said, If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them. Unless it’s about that one algorithm. They you can ask Dr. Bishop.” That got laughs, and I finished strong. I learned an important lesson that day: awkwardness will happen. It’s how you handle it that has a lasting effect. And that’s exactly what Dr. Henna Pryor is going to talk about with us today. She’s a keynote speaker, and her best-selling book, Good Awkward, came out in September with endorsements from people like NFL Quarterback Russell Wilson. Top TakeawaysWe are living in a society that increasingly doesn’t need to use its “social skills” muscle. We don’t have to interact with as many people, and it’s making us feel worse. Awkward goes hand-in-hand with uncertainty. That means if you never want to feel awkward, you’ll never grow. In order to embrace uncertainty, and therefore awkwardness, we need to create more situations to “practice” than the current world gives us. Show NotesHenna PryorHenna Pryor BookHenna on LinkedinHenna on InstagramHow to Stand Out When Everything is Competing for Attention with Steve WoodruffSponsored by: Sensei Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

A family walks into a talent agency, and says, “Have we got the act for you…”If you’re familiar with this opening to a joke, you may have had a visceral reaction to it — either you think it’s hysterically funny, shamefully disgusting, or both. It’s the opening to the joke, The Aristocrats, and if you have a weak stomach, I don’t suggest you look it up.See, the point of this joke isn’t actually the punchline, which is right in the title. The point is to see how long you can improv a shocking, disgusting, offensive story.You can think about it as a secret handshake among comedians, that became not so secret after a 2005 documentary came out about it.It going me thinking about the importance of telling a story.This week, I got to speak to my friend Nick Benson’s college classes about Digital Storytelling.Don’t worry, I didn’t tell The Aristocrats.Instead, I spoke to them about why storytelling is so important in any content you create, especially podcasting.Read the article here: https://podcastliftoff.com/podcast-storytelling/ Sponsored by:Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

In a way, the chaotic start to our interview, followed by a calm, cool conversation, is a metaphor for Jordan’s business journey this year. See, this isn’t just a story about how to hire good people for your business. It’s a cautionary tale, and proof that running a business is about always learning and adjusting. Jordan runs an agency of high-level remote assistants. Today, she’s telling us her own trials and tribulations with making what seemed to be the right hiring call but ended up plunging her business into a few chaotic months. Don’t worry though, through patience and vigilance, she came out on the other side in a much better position. Plus, in the PRO show, we talk about what she’s doing for me…and why she’s contributed to me potentially leaving Airtable for Notion.Top TakeawaysYou need to share your mission with your team early on. This ensures that you’re both aligned on the same values – which will form a stronger bond than a paycheck. Know when to communicate. Jordan saw that through hiring contractors, they were taking on too much, and as a result, the quality of their work slipped. Clear communication could have prevented the worst outcome for her: loss of clients. Know when to cut ties. Jordan saw that for her agency, a contractor relationship would not work. So she pivoted and decided to hire full-time employees instead. It took several months to find the right fit, but she’s happy she didn’t rush into the decision. When you do bring on new employees, make sure to have a rock-solid, hands-on training program. This will allow them to start learning and doing, from day 1.Show NotesJordan EatonSponsored by: Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by:Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

It's podcast swap time! Except I'm telling you about another podcast of mine: Podcast Workflows. It's a daily podcast that focuses on how to help podcasters improve their processes. Every Wednesday, I do a deep dive into someone's process, and that's what I'm bringing you today. Learn more at https://show.podcastworkflows.com/Arielle Nissenblatt eats, sleeps, and breathes podcasts.Her main job is with a podcast company.Her newsletter is all about podcast curation.She runs a podcast community on Discord.She loves podcasts so much that she, along with her co-host Tim Villegas, produce a podcast about podcasts. Well really, about podcast trailers specifically. It’s called Trailer Park.You might think that this is too niche, but they got 10,000 downloads in just a few weeks. Their outreach process was crucial to achieving that goal. Read on to learn how they did it.IN THIS EPISODEWhy a super-niche podcast is the path to successSpending some time in the edit can greatly enhance your showPitching and direct outreach is still the best way to grow your podcastRead the full article here: https://podcastworkflows.com/trailer-park-podcast/ Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

If I wanted to cater to the current algorithm gods, I’d probably talk about how this interview is all about what AI can and cannot do for us. But it’s so much more than that. Much like the problem with leveraging AI to do all of the heavy lifting, me positioning this episode as “about AI,” would be inauthentic. And authenticity…well that’s really what this episode is about. Tom Schwab is someone who believes at his core that you’re just One Conversation Away from a profitable…and perhaps quite successful…business. So that’s what he helps people do. He helps them have conversations. And today, you’re going to learn how to get better at having the right conversations, as well as how to leverage those conversations to build your authority…authentically. Plus in the PRO show, Tom and I exchange podcast interview horror stories!Top TakeawaysMarketing is starting a conversation with someone who could be a great customer. But before you can do that, you need to get clear on what you do, and who you do it for. Obscurity is bad for business. When you go on podcasts, you’re having a conversation with potentially lots of people. This means you need to show up, be present, and make the host look like a genius for having you on! Go for quality over quantity. When I asked Tom about how to get on more podcasts he said, “More is not better. Better is better.” So use your time wisely, and show up fully for the listeners.Show NotesTom SchwabSponsored by: Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by:Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

Take the 2024 Listener Survey! Did you know that Netflix is also a gaming platform now? That Apple make TV shows? That Disney own a number of YouTube channels without the Disney branding? It’s because they know what Steve Woodruff knows. If you’re a podcaster, you might think the competition is other podcasters. If you make movies, you might think the competition is another movie. You’d be wrong. See, what Netflix, Apple, Disney, and Steve know, is that the competition is everything. People are assaulted every day by stimuli, and if you want to cut through all of the noise, you need to stand out by being an effective communication designer. And there’s no better person to tell us how to do that than the King of Clarity himself. Plus, in the PRO show, we talk about using AI to write books, and Steve’s process for writing his latest book, The Point. Top TakeawaysThe average American spends 7-10 hours per day in front of a screen. On top of that, we see 4,000-10,000 ads every day. In other words, there is a lot of stuff competing for our attention. You want to be pigeonholed! Instead of an “Elevator Pitch,” which sounds stuff and outdated, Steve prefers the term “Memory Dart.” What’s one sentence you can say to people so they know exactly what you do? If you’re not communicating clearly to an outsider, you’re not communicating clearly. You want to make sure your copy (website, LinkedIn profile, Twitter) makes sense to people who don’t know your work well.Show NotesSteve WoodruffSteve in LinkedinWant to be a Better Speaker? Do THESE Things with Mike PacchioneClarity Wins BookYou’re Writing Your Business Book Wrong with Josh BernoffSponsored by: Hostinger | Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by:Hostinger: Get 10% off + 2 months free with code BUILDLulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONA ★ Support this podcast ★

Take the 2024 Listener Survey! Imagine running a high 7-figure business with over 300,000 followers on social media, then launching a podcast. How many downloads would you expect? 100,000? 150,000? What about…10? We’ve all been there: we spend a TON of time pouring blood, sweat, and tears into a project just to have it launch to crickets. That’s exactly what happened to Yong-Soo Chung with his podcast. Despite the social following, no one cared about his show. But instead of wallowing in self-pity or shutting the show down, Yong-Soo took action. He reactivated his 12-year dormant Twitter account, and started basically from scratch, growing to 20,000 followers in less than a year. Now he has a great process for getting people from Twitter to his newsletter, to his podcast.We’ll cover his entire journey and more. Plus, in the PRO show, we exchange notes on our production processes!Life LessonsHave a clearly defined niche, and know how to reach people in that niche. Yong-Soo’s initial problem was a mismatch between his businesses and his show. Once he started to find people in the right niche, he started to find listeners. Share personal stories – these are the things that resonate with people, no matter what platform or niche. By being a little vulnerable, people will want to learn more about you and your story.Continuously hone your target avatar and make sure to grow your show to serve your audience and yourself. You need to be interested in the show – after all, that’s how you tell a good story. Show NotesYong-Soo ChungYong-Soo in TwitterYong-Soo in InstagramYong-Soo in LinkedinUsing AI to Craft a Listener AvatarWant People to Find Your Podcast? Do More Than Just Tweet with Deirdre TshienSponsored by: Hostinger | Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by:Hostinger: Get 10% off + 2 months free with code BUILDLulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONA ★ Support this podcast ★

Take the 2024 Listener Survey! Cohort-based courses are on the decline if the tastemakers are to be believed. And it makes sense. Now that people aren’t stuck at home, they probably don’t want to spend time interacting online when they can interact IRL. But that doesn’t mean that CBCs have no utility. In fact, I think that there’s a great way we can make CBCs even better, by employing a tactic that has been explored in the K12 and higher education settings: the flipped classroom. In the episode we’ll: Check out the flipped classroom model, a way to get students more involved and boost their learning.See how engaging teaching methods move past old school methods and foster better student participation.Learn some of the pitfalls of the flipped classroom in a practice.Measure the effect of customizing course material to suit students, a way to make education more personalized.See how the topic matters when considering the use of the flipped classroom model.Address how we can incorporate the flipped classroom model in cohort-based courses. Sponsored by:Hostinger: Get 10% off + 2 months free with code BUILDLulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONA ★ Support this podcast ★

Take the 2024 Listener Survey! I love Hibachi. I love the food. I love the experience. That seems a lot like building in public, right? After all, the chef is literally cooking in front of us, building our meal. But according to Kevon Cheung – a guy who’s built his entire community by building in public – Hibachi is entertainment. In order to build in public, you need to take your audience on a journey with you. That’s why he believes building in public is more like Omakase. This is where the chef will choose the foods for you, involve you in the process, and tell you a story about the food you’re eating. That’s what Building in Public truly is, and today, we’re going to learn how to leverage it to build great communities and better products.Top TakeawaysYou need to talk about something people care about, not just vanity metrics. No one cares what time you wake up to write. They want to know what you’re writing about, and why you chose to write about that topic. Only your competitors care about how you do something – your secret sauce. Your audience is invested in you, and they want to know about the journey…both the ups and the downs. You shouldn’t just announce something when you’re not sure it will do well. Instead, tell your audience you’re exploring an idea. Ask them about it, and involve them in the process. THEN, make a decision and share that with them, along with why you made the decision. Show NotesKevon CheungKevon in Twitter PublicLabMonica LentWhat Happened to WirecutterHow To Build a $1000/year Membership with Jay ClousePodcast Workflows bookhttp://helpthisbook.comSponsored by: Hostinger | Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by:Hostinger: Get 10% off + 2 months free with code BUILDLulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONA ★ Support this podcast ★

You need to tell a good story, no matter what kind of content you create. This is obvious in fiction, but it’s just as important in non-fiction. Don’t believe me? Take it from Emmy Award-winning producer, Cody Sheehy. He creates documentaries, and today he tells us why storytelling has been crucial to his work, and is crucial to yours too. In the PRO show, I couldn’t resist: I asked what it was like to win an Emmy. Top TakeawaysEverything comes down to having a good character. Your audience needs to associate with the character for them to feel connected to your content (this is why long-form> short-form). While Joseph Campbell’s formula is great in theory, it doesn’t fit perfectly in the real world. But you still need to take elements from it to craft something compelling. Finishing strong should feel like you’re running through a house, closing all the doors. Your character needs to grow and you need to close most, if not all, of the open threads.Show NotesCody SheehySponsored by: Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by:Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

If you think about social networks as people, LinkedIn is TikTok’s dorky older, more professional sister…that the younger, more hip sister needs to borrow money from. That’s how Kathleen Celmins sees it, and she’s very effective at selling on LinkedIn. In fact, she says that if you’re just trying to grow your follower count on LinkedIn, you’re doing it wrong. Instead, it’s all about the connections. How do you convert those connections into clients? That’s what we get into during this call. Plus, in the PRO show we talk about the danger of creating tools that rely on social media. Top TakeawaysWhile every other social network is super content-heavy, LinkedIn is different. If you post more than once a day, you’re competing with yourself. Followers on LinkedIn are a vanity metric. Your goal is to fill your calendar with calls…so create connections and see if those connections are a good fit. Your LinkedIn Profile is your sales page. Optimize it for your offer, and start connecting with people in your niche.Show NotesKathleen CelminsHow to NOT Burn Out While Using Social Media with Alex MarshallWaalaxySponsored by: Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by:Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

I used to think that promoting my podcast was a matter of tweeting it (Xeeting it?) and hoping for the best. And while I’ve learned a TON over the years about what to do, and what not to do, Deirdre Tshien still blew my mind as we talked about her traffic pyramid. As the co-founder and CEO of Capsho (an AI tool to help create promotional assets), she knows a thing or two about how to market and grow your podcast. We’ll get into that, plus podcast discoverability tips that change my approach to this very show, and my audits. Plus, in the PRO show, we talk about what it’s like building niche commercial AI tools. Top TakeawaysLook for the 4 tiers of getting traffic to your content: passive, and active organic marketing, leveraging other audiences, and paid adsThere are lots of ways to improve podcast discoverability, including optimizing titles, descriptions, and even artist names for the words your niche is searching for.The name of the repurposing game is dripping out clips from your show and giving the episode a long life. That’s why Deirdre started Capsho in the first place! Show NotesDeirdre TshienMoPodPodpageCreative StudiosVoxalyzeMaking Money on Marketplaces with Maddy OsmanSponsored by: Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by:Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

It's the summer and I just came off a ton of travel, so this episode is a mishmash of things and a little rambly. Strap in! We’ll talk about a contract position I have, plus some new partnerships I’m excited about. Then we’ll move to my summer of travel and how I’m managing the workload before moving onto the main event: 5 tools I’m trying out this summer. In the pro show, I talk about what I’m using Notion for, more about my new position, Luma, and seeing a therapist. Show NotesArc BrowserVoxalyze AudioPenQuillbeeCapshoLumaRSS.comMy YouTube ChannelSponsored by: Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by:Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

“I don’t need to write it down because I’ll remember” is hopelessly naive. Sorry if that stung, but it’s true. You need to write things down, as Andy Ayim MBE learned when he started his digital journal. He’s a father, husband, creator, thinker, investor, and founder of The Angel Investing School. He has invested in over 17 gap-closing startups. And he would be completely lost without what he calls his “Tracker” - a digital journal he keeps in Notion. In fact, he believes his Tracker is so crucial, that he considers it DIY coaching and counseling too. So let’s dive into why YOU need to keep a digital journal, and how to make it happen. Plus, in the PRO show, we talk about investing, single-vs-multi-focus, and how Andy invented Spotify, and I invented Facebook…Top Takeaways“You’re never really failing if you learn from it.” Your digital journal is like the “Google Analytics of your life.” You can keep track of what you do, how do feel, and lots of other data points to help you learn.This can also be an eternal source of content. If you’re logging books, thoughts, and ideas, you can reference your digital journal when you’re feeling stuck to look for inspiration. Get started the way that works best for you. Andy started with a Google Doc before moving to Notion when he understood what he needed.Show NotesAndy AyimSmall World BooksCortex PodcastAtomic Habits Building a Second BrainSponsored by: Sensei Sponsored by:Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

They say fortune favors the bold, and that’s definitely the case for Brooke Janousek. After decades in the marketing industry, she decided to strike out on her own and needed to take any opportunity she could get to help her business grow. So she took her shot by asking Sara Blakely’s (founder of SPANX) husband, during his talk, in front of 800 people, for a chance to meet her. According to Brooke, you need to be bold in your own business- “if you don’t have a seat at the table, you need to make one.” Those bold moves turned her into a successful fractional CMO. And if you’re wondering if this path is right for you, you need to listen! Top TakeawaysFractional leaders are becoming increasingly popular. They allow companies to bring on a high level of expertise without having to hire a 6-figure salary employee. You build credibility as a fractional leader by showing results. If you can clearly articulate results to a potential client, you’ll get hired. This all goes back to being bold. If there’s something you think you should do, and it makes you uncomfortable, it’s probably the right move. Brooke says, “ asking is overthinking” and I love that. Show NotesBrooke JanousekBrooke on LinkedinBrooke On The GrowSponsored by: Sensei Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

If you’re a parent, you’re probably familiar with something that’s been recently reintroduced into my life. It’s 2 am, and my 7-month-old son wakes up and is in need of a new diaper and bottle. So I get up and head into his room. I’m half asleep, I need to undo his PJs, change the diaper, and redo the PJs. And there is one type of PJ's that are head and shoulders above the rest: the reverse zip PJs. So good in fact, that I’m certain they were designed by parents that had the same exact experience I’ve shared.Link: What Baby Clothes Can Teach You About Understanding Your Customers Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

Are you missing the boat on user-generated content? User-Generated Content (UGC) isn’t just for getting testimonials on social media. In fact, today’s guest, Tory Gray, says we can use it for almost anything: SEO, user research, social proof, FAQs, and so much more. And she should know! Tory is a highly experienced digital marketing consultant and the Founder of The Gray Dot Company. With more than 15 years of experience in SEO and growth strategy, Tory has helped numerous businesses achieve their goals through digital strategy with a focus on technical and strategic SEO. On top of the great advice, we walk through a scenario: building a landing page from scratch with UGC. Don’t miss it! Plus, in the PRO show, we talk about the mother of all UGC websites: Reddit.Top TakeawaysYou can create full pages of content from UGC, from photos to social proof to FAQs. Your process for collecting UGC doesn’t have to be complicated. You can have a Google Form or Doc with some pointed questions, or a swipe file. If you’re not sure where to start with a new product, look at UGC for similar brands and products. People are already asking questions online. Do a social media or Google Keyword search!Show NotesTony GrayTony on LinkedinHow to Get a Trademark with Rian KinneySponsored by: Sensei Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONACheck out Calm History at https://calmhistory.comJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

A few weeks ago Jay Clouse wrote about Experimentality on his blog. This is a concept I love because experimenting is the only way to know if what you're doing works as best as it can.I've been experimenting a lot with my podcast, content, and automation. I like writing about what I'm trying for my members...I think it's a big benefit of the membership.I thought I'd give you a little peek into two experiments I'm running now. Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

“I despise social media.” This was my first impression of Tim Stoddart, and I was hooked. If you're feeling frustrated and discouraged by the lack of engagement relying solely on social media posts, you are not alone! But you, like me, might be taking the wrong approach. Tim says long-form content is king, and he should know. He’s the CEO of Copyblogger and writes prolifically. If you’ve been struggling to make an impact through short-form content, this interview is a must-listen.Get the top takeaways, show notes, and transcript at https://howibuilt.it/323 Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

Earlier this month I made two decisions about the newsletter that you may have noticed:I got rid of the “Quick Hits” section (which was mostly my own content) in favor of a 300-500 word section on some top-of-mind topic.I added a monthly digest of all the content I put out during the month, sent on the last weekday of the month.The two are related. I still want a way to let my newsletter subscribers know about the content I’ve put out, in case they missed it. But it also serves 2 other purposes:It allows me to promote the month’s podcast episodes one more time.The sponsors get one more mention in the newsletter each month.After putting it together manually, I knew there had to be a better way, so I built version one of a Monthly Digest Engine, designed to aggregate and format all of my links, which I can then add to ConvertKit.Here’s how I built it.Sign up at https://howibuilt.it/subscribehttps://casabona.org/2023/06/building-a-monthly-digest-engine/ Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

What do you get when you follow the pack instead of doing what’s best for you? A bad content strategy. A year ago, I decided to focus on short-form content because I saw all the “thread Bois” doing it and thought it would help my business. It didn’t. But luckily, you can course-correct your strategies. And thanks to some key talks and inspiration from CEX and Craft+Commerce, I’ve decided that long form is the best strategy for my business (and probably yours, too). Get the top takeaways, show notes, and transcript at https://howibuilt.it/322 Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAGapscout: ChatGPT insights, but for market researchJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

Picture this: it's 2020. Your spouse is a nurse. You have one small kid with another on the way. You know child care will fall full to you for at least half the week.Oh, and you're trying to run a business. What would you do if your work week was effectively cut in half?I knew I needed to get help in my business, so I found a VA. Over a few episodes, I'll talk about working with my VA, starting with how I decided I needed one and where I found her. Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

We live in an age where everything needs to be fast, easy, and in high volume. I’ve seen people say, “I’m going to write 8 books this year.” Josh Bernoff thinks that’s a load of crap. See, if you want to write a good book, just like anything of quality, you need to spend time on it. Josh’s new book, Build a Better Business Book, is a master class on how to do that. And today, he’s giving us the best parts of that book. In the PRO show, things get real as we talk more about the charlatans of writing, as well as ghostwriting.Top TakeawaysTo write a good book, your idea has to be big, right, and new. This will make it distinguishable from everything else, and increase your impact and influence. A good business book consists of two things: answers to reader questions, and case studies. Your book is nothing if you don’t have case studies to back up your claim.Are you a planner, or a panter? Panters write by the seat of their pants, which creates a long, rambling, incoherent book. Planners start with what Josh calls a “fat outline,” so they know the story they’re telling before they ever put pen to page.Show NotesJosh BernoffJosh on TwitterJosh on FacebookJosh on LinkedinBuild a Better Business BookBlitzscalingSponsored by: Gapscout | Sensei Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAGapscout: ChatGPT insights, but for market researchJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

Apple is rarely the first to market with a product, and for good reason. Here are 4 lessons you can learn from Apple introducing the Vision Pro at the beginning of the month.Link: Thoughts and Lesson from the Apple Vision Pro Presentation at the WWDC Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

Are you a “Field of Dreams” marketer? Someone who thinks, “If I build it, they will come.” I was for a long time. Sometimes it feels like I still am. That’s why I was excited to talk to Julian Garsdean. He blends psychology and business in a way I haven’t seen before to help business owners stand out and sell more. As creators, we can learn a ton from addressing the 6 basic needs in our own content and products. Listen for these top takeaways:Top TakeawaysBusinesses aren’t just transactions. They are run by people, for people. The sooner you realize that the sooner you’ll connect with your potential customers. Establish your identity. Being too general means you’re not connecting with anyone. Doing a deep dive into your identity, and the persona of your customers, makes them relate to your more. The key to negotiations is…you guessed it…understanding the needs of the person on the other side of the table. Do that, and you’ll be able to quantify your value in something other than numbers.Show NotesJulian GarsdeanJulian on LinkedinYou Need to Form Good Writing Habits with Dickie BushThe RIGHT Way to Pitch Sponsors for Your Content with Justin Moore$100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying NoSponsored by: Gapscout | TextExpander | Sendinblue Sponsored by:Brevo: Get 50% off your first 3 months with code JOETextExpander: Save 20% off your first year Gapscout: ChatGPT insights, but for market researchJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

About a month ago I went on a quest to find the perfect webinar software. I create a spreadsheet and everything.But at CEX, I had a great conversation with Luria Petrucci of Live Stream Pros and I asked her, “What do you think is the best way to run a webinar?”Here's what she said, and why. Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

It would be a dream of mine to grow a newsletter from 0 to 8,000+ in less than 6 months. But that’s exactly what Chenell Basilio did. The way she did it? Deeply researched, super-helpful content. See, she teaches people how successful creators grew their newsletters to 50,000+ subscribers. And today, she’s going to tell us all about her process. And in How I Built It PRO, we talk about money and goals for the next 6 months.Top TakeawaysCreating unique, long-form content can be a boon to your website or newsletter; people want something good and helpful! Quick capture is important. Chenell uses Apple Notes because that allows her to quickly open and dictate notes while she’s listening to podcasts.Chenell will only do deep dives on creators who’ve built an audience since 2018. That way she can cover techniques that still work today, making the content relatable.Show NotesGrowth in ReverseChenell on TwitterChenell on LinkedinHow the best newsletter operators grow to 50K+ subscribersPodchaserListen NotesTweenMaxReadwiseGithub: Video Speed ControllerChrome Video Speed Controller Sponsored by: Brevo: Get 50% off your first 3 months with code JOE Gapscout: ChatGPT insights, but for market researchJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

There are LOTS of great tips on LinkedIn these days, especially in the carousels. But the problem: you can’t easily get data out of the carousels. That means you can’t put them in your notes app, or even click on the links for more details.Here are 2 ways you can do it: one using macOS’s native image-to-text feature, and one using a great shortcut by David Sparks. LinksYouTube VideoBlog post on MacSparky Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

Pitching the media is tough. After all, you’re competing with basically anyone who has something to say. So how do you make yourself stand out? That’s what Christina Nicholson is teaching us today. She’ll cover everything from coming up with an idea to landing the media spot to converting those viewers to your audience. This one is a MUST listen. Top TakeawaysPitch your story by following the “new, now, next” framework. You should be able to answer what’s new about your story, why it needs to be covered now, and what’s coming next to pitch effectivelyThis is a long game. Earned media is not about immediate ROI, because earned media is forever. So think of this as a long-term investment, not a get-rich-quick scheme. Every time you go into an interview, you need to think of the end goal. What you want will determine not only your CTA but also what kind of media you’ll pitch.Show NotesChristina NicholsonChristina on FacebookChristina on InstagramChristina on TwitterChristina on LinkedinChristina on YouTubeChristina on TikTokBecomaAMediaMaven PodcastMediaMaven on IGBoomerang for GmailHow To Build a $1000/year Membership with Jay Clouseearnmedianow.comMedia Mentoring ProgramSponsored by: Gapscout | TextExpander Sponsored by:Brevo: Get 50% off your first 3 months with code JOETextExpander: Save 20% off your first year Gapscout: ChatGPT insights, but for market researchJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

In Part 3 of my Stream Deck Series, I'm covering Page 3 of my Stream Deck XL. Let's Dive in! - Screenshot of Stream Deck XL Page 2- eCamm Live- How I've Configured my Stream Deck- Get Your Own Stream Deck Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

A Rube Goldberg machine is an overly complex device that performs a simple task through a series of chain reactions. If you’re not familiar with automation, it can often feel like building a Rube Golberg machine. But it doesn’t have to! Today, I’m going to tell you how automation can be simple, and give you 12 examples from my own life that prove the point. In the PRO show, I tell you all about why I moved to Thrivecart, and how my “writing on Medium” experiment is going.Top TakeawaysThe point of automation is to do things so you don’t have to do them. That makes simple tasks the perfect candidates for automation. Voice and text expansion can be great ways to get started automating for capturing and writingTrigger emails based on status changes in Airtable or Google Sheets are slightly more complicated, but the concept is simple and the time savings are great!Show NotesAutomation can be SimpleAutomation is IterativeMake.comnoodlesoft.com with HazelTextExpanderAirtableSponsored by: Gapscout | Sendinblue Sponsored by: Brevo: Get 50% off your first 3 months with code JOE Gapscout: ChatGPT insights, but for market researchJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

When I went back to Twitter, one of the first things I wanted to look into was how I can easily post…most ideally across multiple platforms.And as I’m using these channels to grow my own audience, I always want features like auto-DM and auto-plug. Hypefury fits the bill perfectly. Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

To grow your podcast you need…Facebook?! That’s what Philip Better, self-described podcast mogul, says. But that’s just one piece of advice he offers, as we exchange notes and thoughts on things like YouTube, lead generation, and growing your podcast audience. In the PRO show, we talk about automation on social media!Top TakeawaysDon’t limit yourself to just one platform. Be on all the big ones like Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and Google/YouTube to maximize your podcast’s reach.Get people in your newsletter, and grow your podcast by sharing the top takeaways and what’s in the pro show instead of just announcing new episodes.Have a Facebook group and join groups in your niche to promote your podcast organically and get ideas for content.Show NotesPhilip BetterPhilip on InstagramMr. Beast Turned Down a $1 Billion Offer for His ChannelThe YouTube FormulaPodopoloDo we REALLY Need to Own Our Platform?Sponsored by: GapScout | TextExpander Brought to you by GapScout and TextExpanderJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

Today I'm tackling Apple Music vs. Spotify, and why I seemingly inexplicably use both!https://casabona.org/2023/04/using-spotify-more/ Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

In my opinion, there’s nothing better than brainstorming ideas with a fellow Automator, and that’s exactly what today’s episode is all about. Chris L. Davis is a marking automation expert, and he’s done a few things that have wowed and inspired me. Today, we’re breaking down what exactly email automation is, and how everyone can leverage it to understand and grow their business. In the PRO show, we espouse our love for Airtable.Top TakeawaysThere’s a difference between email marketing and marketing automation. One is about list management. The other is about contact management. Use UTM tags! Never posting a naked URL on social media. You want to know how effective your various channels are so you can double down on the right one.Chris has a FANTASTIC workflow for his webinars. Listen in to learn about it.Show NotesChris DavisChris on LinkedinChris on YouTubeWhy You’re Leaving Money on the Table with Email Automation with Kronda AdairWP FusionPresto PlayerSponsored by: Gapscout Brought to you by GapScoutListen to the Reading and Writing PodcastSimplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

In Part 2 of my Stream Deck Series, I'm covering Page 1 of my Stream Deck XL. Let's Dive in! Screenshot of Stream Deck XL Page 1How I've Configured my Stream DeckGet Your Own Stream Deck Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

Nowadays, there are tons of automation tools out there, thanks to the Chat GPT and Generative AI Revolution. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the options available that could potentially help you do your job better. But let me tell you, there’s a difference between using Generative AI tools to create content or creative assets and using automation tools that can actually perform tasks and make your life easier.So, in this Automated Solopreneur segment, I’m going to spill the beans on my top 5 favorite automation tools. And if you tune into the x`PRO show, I’ll also share why I decided to give Twitter another shot and how automation tools made my experience on the platform a whole lot better.Show NotesMake ShortcutsAirtableHazelKeyboard MaestroHypefuryKeyboard Maestro Takes It Up to 10 Brought to you by GapScout and TextExpanderJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

If you've been following me for any amount of time, you will know that I take my note taking and idea capture very seriously. And last year, I made a decision that Craft would be my one and only notes app.I don’t think that’s working out for me. Mostly because I have 3 kinds of notes:Big planning notesRandom thoughtsResearch notesCraft has been great for the random thoughts and research but I think is best suited for Big Planning.So I’m going to switch back to Bear Notes for random thoughts to see how that works out. Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

Lots of people are becoming creators now. In fact, Craig Chavis Jr. describes being a creator as sharing your expertise. But does that make you a business owner? Not so fast! That’s a completely different thing. And in today’s episode, we dig into what those differences are, finding the right message for your business, and how creators can become business owners. In How I Built It PRO, we talk about putting yourself into a corner, and how owning a business is kind of like surfing. Top TakeawaysPut the message above the messenger. You need to figure out what people want, so you can offer to help them get what they want.A creator is anyone who shares their expertise. And while many people try to sell their knowledge, you need to find people who want it. So you frame your expertise as results or what they will have once they work with you.People think having a business is setting up a website. But you can’t build a business virally.Show NotesCraig Chavis, Jr. Craig on LinkedinCraig on InstagramCraig on TwitterHow To Build a $1000/year Membership with Jay ClouseSponsored by: GapScout | Learndash Brought to you by GapScout, and LearnDashJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

Just how important is writing? According to YouTuber Mark Ellis, your career depends on it. And as someone who’s grown his audience to 1 million monthly views in just a couple of years, he knows a thing or two. That’s why he’s going to take us through his process for creating content, repurposing, and how you can start! In How I Built It Pro, we talk specifically about growing his YouTube channel and podcasting on YouTube.Top TakeawaysMost videos Mark publishes start out as blog posts, highlighting the incredible importance of repurposing.His team has been crucial because they can do the things he doesn’t have to do. That way he can focus on writing, recording, and growing his audience.Mark also makes $2,000/mo from Medium, which is free to get started on. He’s leveraging the reach on other platforms to grow his own business.Show NotesMark EllisMark on YouTubeMark on TwitterMark on InstagramMark on LinkedinMaking the Most of Your Stream Deck with Cat MulvihillThe Axis of Awesome 4 ChordsHow to Hire a VA That Actually Helps You with Matthew YahesSponsored by: TextExpander | Learndash Brought to you by GapScout, TextExpander, and LearnDashGet your FREE copy of my Automations Library ★ Support this podcast ★

I'm starting a short series here on how I've configured my Stream Decks! Today, the Stream Deck+. LinksScreenshot of my Stream Deck+How I've Configured my Stream DeckGet Your Own Stream Deck+ Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

While there have been big leaps in membership software in the last 5 years, membership sites are still some of the hardest to create and run properly. That’s why I brought in Melodie Moore. She’s been building, maintaining, and scaling 7 & 8-figure membership sites for the past 10 years. Her team kills shiny object syndrome and creates massive success in less time by utilizing psychology, state-of-the-art tech, and effective systems. Today, you’re going to learn her process, and how to launch a successful membership.In How I Built It Pro, members got to hear us talk about parenting, general thoughts on Twitter, and…improv?! Get this and every episode ad-free, and extended, over at https://howibuilt.it/proTop TakeawaysThere are 3 major mistakes content creators make that Melodie breaks down: acting too big, having to finish before you sell, and thinking a tech person is your savior. Listen to hear how to avoid them!Most platforms don’t think about the entire customer journey. When you’re evaluating, think about where you are in your journey.If you want to reduce churn, sell a course first. Once that gains traction, consider a membership.Show NotesMelodie MooreMelodie on TwitterMelodie on InstagramMelodie on FacebookMelodie on LinkedinThe Best Way to Build Community is Easier Than You Think with Drew DillonWhy You’re Leaving Money on the Table with Email Automation with Kronda Adair$100M Offers: Alex HormoziPaid Memberships Pro Brought to you by Groundhogg and LearnDashJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

When I left Twitter, it wasn’t on a whim. I had been considering it for a long time…like middle of the pandemic long. As people jumped ship from Twitter, Mastodon seemed to be the clear front-runner for replacing Twitter.I’m hesitant at best, but Tapbots (from the makers of the incomparable Tweetbot), have put out a Mastodon client called Ivory, and I’ve decided to give it t try for a bit.LinksTrying out IvoryFollow me on Mastodon, I guess Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

If you create online courses, you won’t want to miss this very special discussion! I’ll be joined by Ronnie Burt, Business Lead at Automattic, who’s overseen development of the Sensei LMS plugin. We’re going to cover: - Managing emails for your online courses- A.I.’s role in assisting with online course creation.- Sensei’s upcoming A.I. Quiz Generator- A.I.'s impact on society This is a audio version from a live stream we did on April 17th, 2023. This live stream is presented by Sensei. Learn more here: https://howibuilt.it/sensei Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

It’s another Automated Solopreneur episode! Today I’m telling you 4 types of tasks you can automate – as well as questions you can ask yourself to determine what you can automate based on what you do on a daily basis. Those 4 types of tasks? Common, easily repeatable tasksInfrequent tasks that have a high level of effort to do.Tasks that require specific timingTasks that you cannot forget to do.In How I Built It Pro, I talk about when you might be automating too much, plus my plans for making the membership more automation-centric. Show NotesHow to Determine What to AutomateThe Automated Solopreneur Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

One of my favorite things to do is easily automate input and idea capture from my Stream Deck. I've got two, plus a Stream Deck Pedal, so I try to make the most of them!I've greatly improved my process for creating social media content in a centralized place with a Stream Deck automation I'm going to tell you about today. Show NotesHow to add a Google Doc via Your Stream DeckStream Deck | Stream Deck+ Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

Lots of people look at the overnight success of creators, and wonder why it’s not happening for them. But the truth is…it wasn’t overnight. There’s a lot of trial and error, learning, and adjusting until you get it right. And that’s what Haley Akins is here to talk about today. She’s had quite a journey as a motion designer, surviving the death of Flash to emerge as a course creator and educator showing a new generation of motion designers how to be successful. And she does it with a little help from YouTube.Top TakeawaysPlay with gateway videos. Look for popular topics on YouTube, and make a video about them to get people subscribed. They give them lots of value.Looks like VidIQ and TubeBuddy can be super helpful. Be sure to look at the analytics and see what’s working for you and what isn’t YouTube loves consistency and predictability.It takes time to become successful on YouTube. Be patient, and keep going.Show NotesHayley AkinsHayley on TwitterHayley on InstagramHayley on LinkedinPodcast LiftoffJack ThomasThe YouTube FormulaWhat Would You Do with an Extra 10 Hours Per Month?Making the Most of Your Stream Deck with Cat MulvihillSponsored by: Groundhogg | Learndash Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

I’m a pen and paper guy for sure, but the Kindle Scribe is a perfect companion for me. And as a result, I’ve been using the freeform notebooks more like a planner. I still use (and love) my William Hannah notebook, but my friend Brian sent me an interesting link the other day: hyperpaper.me. It's a customizable PDF planner for eInk devices, and I love it.Read the review here Brought to you by TextExpander Simplify your tech stack at https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★