The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast

#779 Many creators struggle with finding and negotiating sponsorships. One of the problems is that they're often not aiming for win-win-win deals. For an effective partnership, the value proposition should be obvious to you, the brand you're promoting, and your audience. So, how do you ask the right questions to uncover unexpected sponsorship opportunities? My returning guest, Justin Moore, is the founder of Creator Wizard...

#778 If growing your business were easy, what would it look like? This is a powerful question because many of us tend to overcomplicate things. So how do we build a brand without getting distracted by things that don't matter? I haven't recorded a coaching call episode like this in a long time—not since the AskPat days! We wanted to bring that energy back in today's session, so listen in as I help Cassie Shawcross of Divin...

#777 How do we sell more of our products? Essentially, what are the top strategies to get new leads and convert them into customers? Also, which tactics have stopped working, and where do we invest our time and money to get the best results? This is just a small part of today's wide-ranging conversation. My guest is Ben Harris from ClickFunnels, a popular and powerful platform for getting more people to your website and on...

#776 Businesses often use bonuses to sweeten the deal on what they're selling. Done well, this can be a great strategy to attract more customers. But when do the extras you offer start working against you? How do you use this tactic the right way to create irresistible deals? In 2024, I'm taking these Friday episodes up a notch with specific ideas and frameworks you can implement to optimize and grow your brand. This sessi...

#775 Selling a piece of software you've created and grown can be a massive windfall. But where do you start if you have an idea for a tool or service but can't write any code? What do you need to know upfront, and what would working with a programmer or development team cost? In episode 772, I offered you a sneak peek at my newest software venture. Now, Dave Chesson and Bhanuka Harischandra of Surge Global are joining me t...

#774 I get asked this all the time—if I were starting over with $1000 to invest in an online business, what would I do? And here's my answer—I would go offline. This always surprises people, but the approach I cover today is the most powerful way to begin your entrepreneurial journey. But if you want to set yourself up for success, the most important part of this process should happen before you spend any money at all! In ...

#773 How effective is the marketing copy around your products? For many entrepreneurs, this is one of the aspects of online business they struggle with the most. And the truth is, there are no shortcuts to great writing. So, how do we generate compelling stories and sales pages? There's no one better to answer this question for us than the godfather of modern copywriting himself, Ray Edwards. Ray is the author of How to Wr...

#772 Regular listeners know I love bringing you along for the journey as I start new projects. Listen in to get a first glimpse at the software venture I hope will provide a game-changing solution for a problem no one is tackling. I desperately need this tool in my workflow, and know a lot of other creators will benefit from it as well. So, what am I talking about? I won't share all the details in this episode, but you'll ...

#771 What comes to mind when you think about recording video? Many people let their aversion to being on camera hurt the growth of their brands. Still, we all know we need to get comfortable with this to make the most of today's social media landscape! But where do you start as a complete beginner? How do you create consistently, and how often do you need to upload to YouTube to build an audience? For your online courses, ...

#770 Making your first hire is a massive step in your entrepreneurial journey! If you're onboarding your first employee or contractor or need a refresher on being an effective team leader, listen in because this episode is for you! Of course, I've often had Jess Lindgren, my executive assistant of over ten years, on the show. Go to episode 753 to uncover the lessons we've learned working together for so long! But what do y...

#769 Very few people work the same job their whole lives anymore. Even so, many of us still perceive having to change careers as having failed. But what if a new role is actually an opportunity? This is the topic of today's conversation with my returning guest, Barrett Brooks. In the decade since our last chat, he has had to reinvent himself several times to uncover the best use of his knowledge and talents. Listen in on t...

#768 We need to talk about pricing. Specifically, we need to discuss how discounts are hurting your business! Don't get me wrong—special offers can work wonders for your sales. So why would we want to remove this tool from our marketing arsenal? Listen in on this session for a behind-the-scenes look at what we're doing at SPI and the cohort-based model that's replaced discounts for us! This has been an incredible business ...

#767 The strategies we used to rely on for growth on YouTube aren't working anymore. So, what are up-and-coming creators doing to build an audience? Which tactics get you more views and subscribers right now? I've had a lot of big names in the YouTube space on the show, everyone from Ali Abdaal to MKBHD. But today, I wanted to get a fresh perspective from someone who is just starting to make waves. There's a lot of buzz ar...

#766 Podcasting is a powerful way to generate revenue, but what are your monetization options if you're not reaching a massive audience yet? The thing is, big sponsors expect a minimum of ten thousand downloads per episode. So, how can you leverage a small, loyal following instead? Listen in because we're back with another incredible Teaching Friday session. Lauren Popish, our guest host, is the founder of The Wave Podcast...

#765 How close are you to burnout right now? If you buy into modern hustle culture, overworking yourself at the expense of your health is inevitable. But is this the best way to produce great work? In this episode, Cal Newport joins me to share an insightful look at the productivity habits of knowledge workers throughout history. This is a fascinating chat about how thinkers and creators managed their time before we adapte...

#764 Relying on motivation and willpower alone is not a sustainable way to grow your business. Instead, try building small routines that move you toward your goals every day. But what is the anatomy of a positive habit? How do you apply behavioral science findings to everyday tasks for greater success? Listen in because this Teaching Friday episode is the first of its kind! Our returning guest host is Julie DeLucca-Collins...

#763 Have you ever considered creating an online course? This episode's for you! Already have a course, but your completion rates are low or declining? This episode's for you. Are you curious about how we've restructured our entire business at SPI around better student outcomes and steady recurring revenue? Well, this episode's for you! We have today's guest, Ashley Gore, to thank for one of the best things we've ever crea...

#762 Creators like Gary Vaynerchuk post hundreds of times per week across multiple platforms. How is that even possible, and what can we learn from this approach? David Ziembicki of the Expert Business Agency is guest hosting this Teaching Friday episode to shed light on the content engine behind some of the most successful influencers. He shares the blueprint to help you model their system in your business for massive gro...

#761 When we talk and truly connect with someone, our body responds in a powerful way. In fact, we are hardwired to love this feeling of being heard and understood! But how do we unlock and apply the science of communication in content creation and business? Today, I have the honor of interviewing a hero of mine! Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize winner who has sold over three million copies of his incredible book, The Po...