SPI 898: Business Tools I'm Using More than Anything Right Now

#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.

1 Jul 202212min

#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.

29 Jun 202236min

#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.

24 Jun 202212min

#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.

22 Jun 202236min

#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.

17 Jun 202215min

#585 Today I’m talking with Caleb Wojcik. Caleb and I go way back, and he’s been on the show a couple of times. A while back he talked about creating videos and getting started on YouTube. More recently he came on to talk about SwitchPod, the physical product that we co-invented and co-launched on Kickstarter to the tune of $438,000 from backers. I wanted Caleb to come on the show today for a few reasons. Number one, to give you an update on that company, where it’s at, how it’s doing, and how it’s performing. But more than that, Caleb has another update to share. Recently he and his wife have given birth to twins. They also have a toddler, so parenting has definitely affected Caleb’s work in many different ways. Caleb is here to share honest and real insights on what it's like to be an entrepreneur while raising small children, to give us an update on SwitchPod, and to talk about our new course, YouTube From Scratch. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session585.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

15 Jun 202248min

#584 Writing a book and getting it out into the world is one of the hardest things you can do—and one of the most fulfilling. I'm currently working on my next book, titled The Lean Learner. After self-publishing three books, I want to try to get this one in the hands of a traditional publisher. If it works out, it could be an amazing way of expanding my reach into areas I haven't explored yet. And if it doesn't work out? There will still be a lot to learn from having tried. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session584.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 Jun 202214min

#583 Did you know you can actually increase your productivity, creativity, and happiness simply by having plants in your office or around your house? We spend so much time and money on applications, devices, and other things to help us produce more. Why not simply add a plant? This isn’t just a feng shui situation, if that’s what you’re thinking. There are actual studies and data that prove this. I’m really excited because on today’s show we have Maria Failla. We’re going to talk about her book, her community, her business, and the parallels between growing a garden and growing your business. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session583.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

8 Jun 202243min