The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast

#634 What do you do when just making things better is not the answer anymore? You see, our courses at SPI have helped thousands of people find success. And now, through our communities, we're supporting more people than ever on their business journeys. Still, we knew we could do more. The thing is, making things "better" wasn't the answer for us. We had to try something different! That's where our All-Access Pass comes in. This community-powered education experience is the ultimate way to learn from every single one of our courses at your own pace while connecting with fellow entrepreneurs on the same path. All for an insane bargain! Listen in on this episode to find out why we're making our educational content more accessible, how this will lead to incredible transformations, and why community-powered courses are the next big thing. We're also hosting a launch party on December 7th. Join us to get access to exclusive founding member discounts and perks! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session634.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#633 This is massive. In fact, it is likely the biggest announcement we've ever made at SPI. You see, this launch might completely change your online education journey. Today I'm introducing you to our exciting new All-Access Pass! This community-powered education experience is the ultimate way to learn from every single one of our courses at your own pace while connecting with fellow entrepreneurs on the same path. We have a slew of incredible courses that thousands of people have used on their way to success in the business space. Not only that, but we're also running our fantastic communities for entrepreneurs at any level. Still, we knew we could do better. That's where the All-Access Pass comes in to bring all of that together for an insane bargain! Listen in on this special episode to discover more, and join our launch party to get exclusive founding member discounts and perks. See you there! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session633.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#632 There's a huge problem that we have to figure out. If we don't, the time and money we spend creating content will be wasted. So what am I talking about? In this episode, I'm sharing my thoughts on the pandemic of short attention spans. I'm talking about how and why our audiences have become accustomed to TikTok, Reels, and Shorts type of content. Even if we never use these platforms, the time we have at our disposal to capture someone's attention is now shorter than ever. We really only have a second or two to get people to stick around. So how do we optimize our posts for these new content consumption habits? I'm learning a lot as I go through my 30-day TikTok challenge, and I want to share some of my findings with you in this episode. These tips apply to everything from podcast intros to blog posts and are vital for any modern content creator. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session632.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#631 How do you craft an irresistible pitch for potential sponsors? The biggest insight is that you should make your pitch them-focused instead of you-focused. Many creators start out with the exact opposite approach. They overemphasize how great their YouTube channel, podcast, or blog is and talk too little about how their content aligns with a brand's marketing objectives. My guest today, Justin Moore, is the founder of Creator Wizard. He has helped hundreds of people learn how to find and negotiate brand deals and make millions in the process. So how do you get sponsors even if you don't have a massive audience? What is your number one task as a creator? Who do you reach out to for brand deals, and how do you get them excited to respond? Join us for this epic conversation to get the tools and strategies that can save you from leaving thousands on the table. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session631.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#630 Are you leveraging challenges to scale your business? And no, I'm not just talking about challenging yourself. What I'm talking about today is supercharging your brand by creating irresistible challenges for your audience. I want to give you a sneak peek at what we're working on at SPI with our 100 Emails Challenge. This is how we've shared free step-by-step instructions with over ten thousand entrepreneurs to help them go from zero to one hundred email subscribers in three days. The updates coming to this program will blow your mind! And, with the new year just around the corner, I want to encourage you to challenge your own followers. This time of the year, when people are willing to take on new habits, is a great opportunity. Listen in to learn how to make the most of it by serving your audience and giving your business a boost in the process! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session630.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#629 Many new entrepreneurs buy into the myths of hustle culture. They believe that finding success is impossible without working to exhaustion day in and day out. But what if that kind of thinking doesn’t get results anymore? What if self-care is actually a more effective business strategy? I’m so excited that Jadah Sellner is back for another awesome chat! She hosts the Lead with Love podcast and is a brilliant entrepreneur and mentor. Jadah is a firm believer in self-care as a powerful tool for entrepreneurs. Her first business book, She Builds, is a practical anti-hustle guide that challenges the overwork narrative. In this episode, we discuss the best strategies for growing a business in a sustainable, service-driven way. Listen in on our conversation to get a behind-the-scenes look at Jadah's writing process, and check out She Builds anywhere books are sold! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session629.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#628 Commitment is essential if you want to explore new opportunities and see what the results could be. For something to have a chance to do anything, you have to give it a chance to do something. For me, public challenges to put work into something for a certain number of days are a very powerful motivational tool. That’s why I’m committing to a platform I’ve neglected for the longest time. So what am I experimenting with? For the next thirty days, I’ll be posting on TikTok every day to see what happens. That’s it. No expectations, no pressure to go viral or anything like that. So why take on another social network at all? With a new book coming out, I have to know if TikTok is something that can help spread my message. Listen in on this episode to hear all about my strategy, and, of course, follow me on TikTok! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session628.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#627 What often stops us from taking action is the story our fear tells us. We’re afraid that other people might laugh at us or judge us. But, when you step back and think about it, is the worst-case scenario really that bad? Today’s episode is all about understanding and overcoming uncertainty. My special guest, Leo Babauta of Zen Habits, has been a massive inspiration for me since 2008 when I started Smart Passive Income. Through his blog and best-selling books, he has impacted millions of readers. I know I wouldn’t be here without him! This conversation is jam-packed with actionable tips and tools that can help us defeat procrastination, perfectionism, and negative thought patterns. Leo and I discuss setting and achieving goals, developing a fearlessness practice, and finding meaning in our work. Listen in to get a new perspective on uncertainty and learn the vital habits that set you up for success. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session627.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#626 One thing we all want to do is to hone our skills so we can improve our output. But, with tips and tools coming at us from all sides, how do we take action without getting overwhelmed? I remember trying to become a better public speaker and focusing on all the things I needed to work on to make that happen. The list seemed endless, and I was getting nowhere tackling everything at once. The strategy that changed everything for me was the opposite of that. Inspired by James Clear’s Atomic Habits, I decided instead to focus on a single aspect of my presentations at a time and improve on that by 1% every day. So how can you improve one thing the next time you do something? Listen in on this episode to find out about the tactic I use and how you can apply it to your own goals. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session626.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#625 What does being a successful creator online look like? This question often conjures up an image of big numbers and viral content. But what if that’s not the point? I’m so happy to talk to my friend Bob Clagett again today. Bob runs I Like To Make Stuff on YouTube, where he builds anything from basic furniture to crazy props from movies. You see, I came up with an idea for a portable podcast studio to house my gear for easy on-the-go audio recording. I couldn't make this on my own, so I knew Bob was the man for the job! With the build completed, we put it to the test for this episode. Bob and I discuss finding success without chasing virality, building a team with a shared vision, leveraging multiple platforms to generate revenue, and prioritizing community over profit. Join us for this inspiring chat about turning a passion into a business without losing the magic that made you love it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session625.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#624 I don’t even know if I’m allowed to share this with you yet. You see, this kind of thing is out of my control now. In fact, many of my business friends said this would happen and warned me against going down this path. So what’s happening? Am I selling the company or something? Don’t worry, that’s not it. That said, a huge change is coming because I just signed a book deal. That’s right, after self-publishing Let Go, Will It Fly, and Superfans, I’m now going down the traditional route. But why would I do this knowing what I know about the risks? I want to share my thought process with you in this episode. This is a long-term project, but I’m sure the lessons learned along the way will be game-changing for us. So what is the book called, and what is it about? Listen in on today’s episode to find out. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session624.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#623 Becoming a successful entrepreneur is often a matter of bringing a few key skills together. One of them, copywriting, is as vital as it is scary to some people. So how do you get to the point where your words work for you instead of against you? Today, I’m bringing an expert on the show to make it easy for us to start crafting sales pages, emails, scripts, or posts that convert like crazy. Through his writing, Stefan Georgi has helped his clients and students earn a total of over a billion dollars. You’ll hear all about how he does it in this episode! So what is the basic structure that all great ads follow? How do you connect deeply with your audience? What is the best tone to use in your writing, and how do you practice it? Listen in on this game-changing conversation for answers to all of that. Show notes, Stefan's amazing free resource, and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session623.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Business of Community Summit is a one-day virtual summit focused exclusively on the business thinking, decisions, and strategies needed to reach the economic potential of community for your business. You'll walk away with a clear roadmap for launching your own community this year! Visit SmartPassiveIncome.com/BCS to register for free.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#622 I have a massive update for you today. I’ve talked about my journey in the Pokémon space on the podcast before. Deep Pocket Monster is going strong on YouTube. It’s grown to over 300K subscribers, and we’ve had more than 8 million views this month. But the announcement I have for you today is way crazier than that. On June 9-11, 2023, I’m hosting a three-day Pokémon convention in Anaheim, California. CARD.PARTY will bring fans and creators together for my biggest live event yet! This is new territory and a learning opportunity for all of us. One thing I intend to be open and transparent about on the show is the financial aspect. In fact, reserving the convention space has already set us back a couple hundred thousand dollars. Listen in on today’s episode to find out more and, if you’re interested, join the waiting list for CARD.PARTY. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session622.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#621 Imagine this: You have an amazing job that you love. You work with high-end clients and make a great living. Then your health starts showing signs that this path isn’t right for you. That’s the situation Emily D. Baker was in when she said goodbye to her career in law. She now hosts one of the top entertainment news podcasts, The Emily Show, and is among the most successful streamers on YouTube. I bet this will become some people’s favorite episode because Emily shares the exact steps that lead to her massive success. These principles are the driving force behind her growth to over 660K subscribers on YouTube. Emily regularly has over 30K people watching her live streams. We discuss what it takes to manage those numbers in real time and why creating a sense of community is vital. Join us to hear about the time I got myself in trouble with her superfans. The power of community is no joke! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session621.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#620 How do you measure your success? Many entrepreneurs are stuck in a loop, their minds always going through the list of things they haven’t done yet. So how can we rewire our brains and pursue goals effectively? This is another fantastic Teaching Friday episode. We love inviting members of the SPI Pro community to share their expertise with us and provide actionable tips that can take our businesses to the next level. Michael Bauman is the CEO of Success Engineering. He helps entrepreneurs optimize their mindset, habits, and productivity through coaching and masterminds. In this session, Michael gives us a new perspective on enoughness and shares the strategies we can use to encourage healthy, powerful thought patterns. So how can you feel enough as a business owner, a parent, or a spouse? How can you feel like you’ve worked hard enough? Listen in on today’s talk to understand your emotions and how you can harness them to propel your life and business forward. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session620.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#619 It might surprise you that the highest-earning online communities are actually very small. Almost all of them have fewer than three hundred members. Many of them have fewer than one hundred members! In this episode, we dive deep into what it takes to build a thriving digital community with Andrew Guttormsen. He co-founded Circle, which now hosts over seven thousand memberships! Andy has access to trends and analytics that you just couldn’t get from anywhere else. In fact, the teams at SPI and Circle are coming together for an all-day online summit on October 25th to share these insights with you. The Business of Community Summit is completely free and will give you the step-by-step direction you need to start or grow a membership. So how do you set up a community business? How do you attract new members and keep them coming back? How do you run a community and build a sustainable team around it? Find out today! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session619.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#618 How do you know your course is worthy of the price tag? What are the solutions you provide, and what are the transformations your students can expect to see? What do you want them to say about you and how you served them? Today’s guest host, Marla Bainbridge Martinez, will walk you through her REFOCUS system to help you answer these questions and take your courses and testimonials to the next level. These Teaching Friday episodes hosted by SPI Pro members are always jam-packed with actionable tips, so make sure you listen in. Marla’s business, Refocused Income, helps course creators build learning experiences that deliver results and lead to glowing reviews. In this session, she walks you through exercises that teach you how to organize your content optimally. She also helps you understand the strategies you can use to supercharge your social proof through testimonials and referrals. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session618.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#617 One thing that’s true about content creation is that consistency breeds legitimacy. But what if you keep putting in the hours and still don’t gain any traction? With no likes and no views coming in, what should you do? Vanessa Lau quit her Fortune 500 job to become a YouTuber, but finding her niche wasn’t easy. She now has over 600K followers and runs a multimillion-dollar company helping entrepreneurs and creators build businesses using social media. Vanessa and I start right at the beginning with the strategies you should use to find a niche. We compare platforms and discuss the vital importance of market research for beginners. We also talk about why Instagram is the best platform to get clients on when you’re just starting. Vanessa even shares some game-changing tricks I had no idea about, so this chat is valuable for entrepreneurs at any level. Make sure to listen in on this one! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session617.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#616 Often we look at success stories, and it almost seems like they came out of nowhere. Yet when we dig deeper into what it takes to become an overnight success, we almost always find years of hard work leading up to it. I’m so excited to share a huge milestone with you today! Many SPI listeners are already following my journey in the Pokémon space through Deep Pocket Monster on YouTube. So what’s the big news? Well, that channel just hit 250,000 subscribers! What?! 250K subscribers in under two years is insane! But the truth is that everything I learned about videos since 2009 went into it. This “overnight success” has been more than a decade in the making. In this episode, I want to share three essential strategies I use to grow Deep Pocket Monster. You can apply these tips to any platform, so join me for a special episode to learn all about them! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session616.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#615 Things are not like they used to be. You've noticed, I'm sure. But the best ways of adapting to an ever-changing business landscape are less than obvious. So what should you do to reach more people? What are the marketing strategies that actually work right now? I’m so excited to have Amy Porterfield back on the show to share her expertise with us. Amy is among the most knowledgeable marketers you will ever listen to, and she absolutely delivers in essential this episode. This chat is jam-packed with golden nuggets for entrepreneurs at any level. We get an email marketing masterclass, an in-depth look at webinars that convert like crazy, and podcast growth tips galore. Amy and I also go deep on video content, courses, surveys, quizzes, and much more. This is one of the most valuable podcast episodes to listen to, so enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session615.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#614 As you listen to this episode, I want you to go through a quick exercise with me. You can just do it in your head, but the real magic happens when you put pen to paper. My good friend, Chris Ducker, calls it the 3 Lists to Freedom. As the name suggests, we’ll be creating three lists to help us move forward in our businesses and have more time for the things we love. I’ll walk you through each step, but pay close attention to the final one. That’s going to be the “money list” that can make the difference between a scrappy entrepreneur and a CEO. We talk about why and how to remove yourself as a bottleneck in your business, even though it might be hard to let go of certain tasks you might be great at. This is a valuable exercise that has saved me countless hours. I can’t recommend it enough! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session614.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#613 One of the best ways to help your audience is to write a book based on your knowledge and experience. However, the key to connecting with readers is going from what you know to discovering your true message. But what does that even look like? How do you go from just sharing information to inspiring and motivating people to take real action? My guest, Azul Terronez, teaches people how to do exactly that. He is the CEO of Authors Who Lead, where he and his team help leaders write and publish the kinds of books that take brands to the next level. In this episode, we discuss the book landscape today and the business behind it. We also look at Azul's incredible company and how he's removing himself as a bottleneck and allowing other coaches to teach his method. This is a great episode for you if you’re looking for strategies to elevate your brand and stand out. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session613.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#612 As I was listening to Alex Hormozi talk about his content creation method at Grow With Video Live in Las Vegas, I was kicking myself. Why haven’t I been doing this?! We’ve already shared this strategy in the first issue of our fantastic weekly newsletter, Unstuck. That’s where you can get quick, powerful tips to help you move your business to the next level. People are raving about it, so make sure to join us there as well. Alex's process is a tactic I like to call crowdsparking. Inspired by crowdsourcing, it’s essentially sharing your ideas and thoughts publicly as you come up with them. The goal is to test their potential and to see which of them spark conversations and gain traction. This allows you to put your time behind content ideas that you know your audience is excited about. I've been doing this on Twitter, and it’s fantastic to get instant feedback and know where I should focus my energy. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session612.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#611 We've all been guilty of this at some point—setting goals and having a vision for our lives but not backing it up with the beliefs and plans to make it a reality. That's exactly what I’m chatting about with my fantastic guest, John Assaraf. You’ll hear all about his entrepreneurial journey, how he went from earning $1.65 an hour to founding companies worth billions. He is also a behavioral neuroscience researcher, best-selling author, and one of the top success coaches in the world. John gives you the science-backed tools you need to start rewiring your mind for success today. We talk about setting goals the right way and how to achieve them by avoiding the four obstacles that stand in your way. John and I also discuss belief systems, confirmation bias, and impostor syndrome while giving you the strategies you need to win big. I can't wait for you to hear this episode and apply these tactics! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session611.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#610 What is the number one strategy you should focus on in the coming years? At SPI, we believe that community is a massive part of the future of entrepreneurship. I'm pulling back the curtain today and revealing the exciting things we've been working on behind the scenes. Joining me are three brilliant members of our team. Jillian Benbow is the Community Experience Director at SPI. You’ve heard from her in episode 495, but today she introduces you to our newest community managers. David Masnato manages SPI Pro, while Ashley LaGrow is at the helm of our brand new Learner Community that we can’t wait to unveil! We talk about what it is and who it's for, and we give you a sneak peek at what we have in store for our members. You also get a look at our entire community strategy, with takeaways to help you future-proof your business. Whatever level you’re at, we have you covered at SmartPassiveIncome.com/community. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session610.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#609 As entrepreneurs, we often have legal questions but don’t even know where to start looking for answers. That’s why I wanted to create a go-to resource for us and shed some light on the common issues we might encounter in our businesses. I’m very excited about this episode because I’m chatting with my attorney, Mark Stansbury. He is a partner at Stansbury Weaver, where they’re rejecting the traditional law-firm model and have come up with fantastic new ways to serve entrepreneurs and startups. So when is the right time to register an LLC, and what about trademarking a name? What if someone is already using a similar name? Can you use other people’s content in your videos or podcast? And what can you do if someone else is using your content and making money off of it? Make sure to join us for this incredibly informative chat with Mark to find out more. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session609.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#608 I'm not afraid to admit when I make a mistake, and that’s exactly why I’m publishing this episode. You’ve heard me say this, “Nobody wakes up in the morning wanting more emails.” I was wrong about that, and I’ll tell you exactly why. There are newsletters that contain valuable niche content that people are excited to see pop up in their inboxes. James Clear’s 3-2-1 Newsletter, the Hot Pod newsletter for podcast industry news, and Morning Brew are great examples of this. The team and I have been hard at work to create something similar for the SPI audience. Today I want to introduce you to the Unstuck newsletter. With concise, five-minute lessons to help you get unstuck, this will be our weekly email that you can’t wait to read. Every message contains a story that will inspire you, and we’ll provide the resources you need to move to the next level in your business. We’re very excited to hear what you think! Show notes and more a SmartPassiveIncome.com/session608.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#607 What would you be able to accomplish if you had a second brain helping you? And no, science hasn’t found a way to clone your brain yet. What I’m talking about is a digital system that allows you to manage information and deliver high-quality work with less effort. Today’s guest, Tiago Forte, is a knowledge management expert. He helps thousands of people get more done through his unbelievable productivity course, Building a Second Brain. We talk about everything from finding the right software tools for your needs to Tiago’s CODE and PARA systems for note taking. He’s a big fan of acronyms, but you’ll find out what this all means and how these systems can revolutionize your work-life. This is a fascinating chat with Tiago, and we get into the step-by-step process you can use to take your productivity to the next level. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session607.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#606 What is our most important job as marketers? The number one thing we should do is help people make decisions. When potential customers come across our products they need to be able to understand if what we’re offering is right for them or not. So how do we do that? We’re talking about my OREO marketing strategy in this great Follow-Up Friday episode. That sounds delicious, I know, but OREO stands for objection, rebuttal, example, and outcome. I’ll give you an in-depth look at each of these four steps today, and you’ll be able to apply this simple tactic to your products and services. Once you understand the objections you hear and you address them directly with facts and real-life stories from your audience, you’ll get clear yes or no decisions from potential customers. So listen in on today’s episode for some tasty tips that will take your sales to the next level! Show note and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session606.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#605 What happens if your business idea takes off, but you still don’t get the lifestyle you want? Many people quit traditional 9-to-5 jobs and start their entrepreneurial journey to have more freedom. But if we’re not baking that into our businesses from the start, will we ever get there? That's what my special guest and I talk about today. I had to have Richie Norton back on the show because his new book, Anti-Time Management, could be a game-changer for many of us. We get into the false promise of time management, its history, and what it was originally designed for. Richie talks about and shares the tools to help us start our business with our ultimate purpose in mind and build around it. This is a deep conversation that hits at the core of how and why we work. Listen in for some valuable insights and a new perspective on time management. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session605.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#604 There are many tools out there that could make our lives easier as entrepreneurs. But how do you know which ones are right for you? This is something I used to struggle with. I would buy software or equipment before I had any concrete use for it. Little by little the costs would add up. It got to the point where I was almost afraid to keep track of my spending. So I have a challenge for you today. I’d like you to run an audit of the tools you’re paying for right now and think about which ones are vital for your business. The ones that aren’t? Consider cutting them out for the time being. Ask yourself — "Do I need this right now? Is this going to help me, or is it just distracting me?" Listen in on today’s episode to hear about how I was finally able to tackle this issue. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session604.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#603 One of my favorite things is to invite people on the show who have special access to information we can’t get from anywhere else. I’m talking about analytics and strategies we can all use. My guest shares all of that with us today and more! I’m interviewing Drew Dillon, the founder of Burb, in this episode. If you have an online community, you can use Burb to understand more about what's happening in that community, and create data-backed systems to improve the experience your members have. So how do you engage folks, and what are the rituals that keep people coming back? Drew gives us an inside look at what works and what doesn’t. He shares the strategies that many of his most successful clients use, and we dive deep into things like onboarding and events. This is a perfect companion episode to my interview with Jillian Benbow, our Community Experience Director at SPI Pro. By the way, we’re putting a cap on SPI Pro. If you’re not in already, now is the time to apply. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session603.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#602 Today I'm spilling some truth and sharing things that are going to upset a few people. We'll be discussing three things that people, friends, and even mentors and coaches told me to do. This is common advice that you might hear as well and that I decided to ignore. We’ll talk about the push-back I received when I first started the podcast and wanted to have John Melley, the awesome voice-over guy, read a fun fact about me in each episode. We’re also going to discuss focusing on one thing and one thing only in business. This is advice that I followed for the longest time, but have since come up with a different rule that works better for me. Finally, I'll share the advice I got about content creation and how following it led me to burnout. You’ll hear all about what I’m doing now instead. And yes, ironically, I’m sharing lots of advice in this episode. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session602.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#601 How do you build trust with someone who’s just visiting your website? How do you connect and convert them into paying customers right then and there? In business, we often have so many big ideas that we forget to go back to the tried and true fundamentals, like gathering testimonials from our audience. Today I’m chatting with Casey Hill, the Head of Growth at Bonjoro. They've created a testimonial tool that I think is absolutely revolutionary. Imagine this, you send a link to a customer of yours, and it then prompts them with the exact questions that lead to the most fruitful text or video testimonials and case studies that you could ever ask for. But what does a good testimonial even look like? When is the best time to ask for testimonials, and what are the precise questions you should ask? Casey shares all of this along with some massive tips you can use in your business, no matter which tools you use. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session601.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#600 Episode 600. Wow! I really appreciate all of you and a big thank you for helping me get here! We usually like to do something big for these milestone episodes, but I’m flying solo today. I have a fishing story for you that's actually a business analogy because that’s what I do. I'll get into a hobby because I enjoy it. And then I take my business experience and lay it over on top. So, there are going to be days when you do everything right. You have the right line, you have the right bait, you have the right location. You're doing all the same motions that everybody else is doing. And you're getting nothing. Why is that? What can we do about it? Well, I have some tips for you today, so join me for this milestone episode. Again, a huge thank you to all of you, and Team Flynn for the win! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session600.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#599 How do you keep getting back up after being knocked down again and again? Natasha was hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and living in a hostel with her son, but everything changed for her when she started serving others. This is an incredible survival story and we’re going to hear the whole thing today from Natasha Graziano. If you need motivation, I guarantee this episode will help you overcome whatever challenges you’re facing. Natasha helps people realize their full potential. She is a bestselling author, mindset coach, and the Forbes #1 Female Motivational Speaker Under 40. We covered a lot of ground in this interview, everything from neuroscience to overcoming impostor syndrome and taking the woo-woo out of the law of attraction. We also get some of the valuable lessons Natasha has learned while growing her Instagram page to eleven million followers! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session599.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#598 It’s becoming more common to see couples not just starting a family but also starting businesses together. But is going into business with your spouse or partner a good idea? Finley Robinson is taking over the show today to talk about his experience working with his wife, Brooke. They run B•TRIBAL•FIT together, and Finley has come up with a three-point process for couples considering this kind of lifestyle: simplifying your priorities, having the discipline to stay in your lane, and finding your own balancing act. You’ll get an in-depth exploration of each of these points in this episode. Finely also shares how he and his wife handle the “wow” and the “how” that have made their business a success. These Teaching Friday episodes, hosted by members of SPI Pro, are jam-packed with actionable tips. This one is no exception. Listen in to find out how to run a business as a couple while preserving your relationship. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session598.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#597 When I was at Social Media Marketing World earlier this year, I heard something that just blew me away. It was the story of a 10-year-old who started his first business and sold it for $15,000 three months later. Today on the show, we get the complete story and a heavy dose of inspiration from Ryland Dixon himself. Ryland is now twelve years old, and he joins me on the show to give us a wonderful inside look at his membership site, Bible Builds. You’ll get to hear how Ryland came up with his business idea, and we talk about the challenges and lessons learned along the way. That’s not all, though. We also get a first look at Ryland’s new venture, Kid Business Club. He already has something else in the works, and the way he’s thinking about promoting this new business is insanely creative. Ryland is a super smart kid and this is an inspiring interview for us all! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session597.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#596 What if you had an offer people just couldn’t refuse? And no, I don’t mean going all The Godfather on your audience. I’m talking about making your products and services irresistible. Karthik Vijayakumar is talking over the show today to teach us his simple three-step copywriting process. He is the host of the Launch Plan podcast, creator of the Sales Copy Mastery series, and the founder of Design Your Thinking. Karthik will walk you through the exact steps you need to take to craft an irresistible offer. This is another installment in our Teaching Friday series, where we invite members of the SPI Pro community to share their expertise with our listeners. By the end of the episode, you'll be able to apply what you’ve learned to websites, sales pages, email campaigns, social media posts, and wherever else you connect with your audience. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session596.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#595 There’s no shortage of business strategies out there. But what if you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to stick? The key is adapting these tactics to your niche, your business, your audience. When Matt Giovanisci finally did that, his business skyrocketed. Now he’s the absolute authority in his niche and he’s bringing in hundreds of new subscribers per day. So what’s the business? Pool maintenance. Yes, pool maintenance! We always say the riches are in the niches. Matt is a classic example of that, and today we get to hear his whole story. We talk about the simple strategy that changed everything for him, selling digital and physical products, opting out of new trends, and much more. It was a fascinating chat with loads of actionable advice for us. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session595.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#594 As an entrepreneur, you’re creating something special and carving your own path. That isn’t always easy. You’re likely putting a lot of pressure on yourself and likely setting yourself up to experience some degree of burnout. Valerie Hamaker is a professional counselor, private practice owner, and host of the Generation Xhausted podcast. She’s taking over the show today to share her fantastic eight-step process for healing and managing burnout. These Teaching Friday episodes, hosted by members of SPI Pro, are jam-packed with actionable tips and this one is no exception. Valerie sees burnout as a symptom of being estranged from where we're supposed to be in our lives. We’re very lucky to have her walk us through every step we need to take to begin the healing process and come out on the other end with a new perspective. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session594.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#593 College is expensive. Shoker, I know. But did you know that the “four-year degree” is basically a myth at this point? Fewer than 40% of students graduate in four years. For most, it takes six years to earn a bachelor’s degree. College Flight Plan helps students discover their strengths, values, and goals and save between $50K and $160K. Greg Langston is on the show today to walk us through how the program works and to give us an inside look at the business behind it. He tells us about the process of getting high-school students to plan ahead and the surprising transformations that have often shocked parents. These are steps you can take at any stage of your life to set and achieve goals. Greg also talks about how SPI Pro has helped him develop his pitch to students and parents, and he gives us some great marketing tips. The way he gets effective testimonials that paint a picture of what it’s like to work with him is pure genius! I just had to bring Greg on SPI to learn more about his business and amply his message! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session593.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

# 592 Ever feel like your marketing is too salesy? The question is, can you stay true to yourself and still attract customers? You can! In fact, being upfront will likely lead to better results. That’s why Daphne Gomez is taking over the show today to talk about mindful marketing. This is another installment in our Teaching Friday series, where we invite members of SPI Pro to share their expertise with our listeners. Daphne has mindful marketing down to a three-step process: creating your brand values, developing a brand tone of voice, and auditing your current approach with your core values in mind. These practices will help you attract the people you can best serve, the ones who will become your supefans and help you have a bigger impact. Show notes and more at smartpassiveincome.com/session592.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#591 How do people go from first discovering our businesses to investing thousands of dollars with us? You might think that's impossible, but today we talk about the funnels that can get you there. Rick Mulready, from The Art of Online Business Podcast, returns to the show and we go deep on creating relationships with your audience. We start at the moment people first come across your content and go all the way to the ultimate level: high-ticket items your superfans would go nuts for! You're likely serving your audience through courses, but what about the students who want to go deeper with you? You need to go beyond the norm and come up with unique experiences they'd love. We geek out on funnels and pricing and come up with exercises you can use to move your business forward at any level. Show notes and more at smartpassiveincome.com/session591.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#590 In the early days, as Smart Passive Income began to grow, people started asking me if they could guest blog on the site, or guest host on the podcast, and I said no. It took me some time to realize that I was being selfish and actually hurting my brand by closing it to other creators. Your platform doesn't exist for you. It exists to serve your audience. And there are so many people out there with skills and knowledge you don't have, who can help your audience. So you owe it to your audience to share your platform. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session590.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#589 On today’s episode I interview the other Pat Flynn, owner of Chronicles of Strength. I like to call him Kettlebell Pat Flynn. Why did I bring Pat on? Because we wanted to connect and understand what it was like in this world to share the same name as business owners and entrepreneurs, and help those of you who might be struggling with something similar. In this episode Pat and I have some deep philosophical conversations about our approach to business, our approach to generalism and focus, growing too much, and all that kind of stuff. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session589.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#588 I was thinking about something the other day: that success as an entrepreneur is largely a game of energy management. You may remember when we had Jim Collins on the show to talk about his idea of the “20-mile march,” from his book Great by Choice. In the book, Jim talks about the idea of going 20 miles a day, no more and no less, and it's that consistency that'll get you to your goal. Even if you feel like you can do more, you don't because you want to manage that energy and establish a habitual rhythm or cadence. But what about the days when you just don't have the energy? Let's dig in today and talk about what that might look like. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session588.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#587 Today I’m talking with Keenya Kelly about short-form video platforms. Things like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and specifically TikTok, and how you can use short-form videos to grow your business. Keenya’s been on the podcast before to talk about the environment of short-form video. Many businesses are using them to get more leads and make more money. I ask Keenya some very specific questions about how we can use these platforms—even if you’re just starting from scratch, even if you have zero subscribers—to get in front of new audiences. This is the new form of organic reach, and Keenya’s here to break it down for us. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session587.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#586 In the 14 years I've been an entrepreneur, I still create excuses about why I can't do certain things or why something I attempt won't work out. So today I want to cover some of the more common excuses that hold back entrepreneurs. This is going to be a great exercise in understanding how people think and how they gut stuck. Because guess what? Your audience, your potential customers or students, may also share the same objections or excuses that are stopping them from working with you or buying from you. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session586.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.