SPI 586: Excuses

#705 Too often, creators focus on profit instead of the value they provide. So what is the first step toward building a successful business? It's making sure your products actually work and proving it! My returning guest, Mark Wills, is a perfect example of applying a serve-first mindset to entrepreneurship. He and his business partner Roman run Loan Signing System, the largest notary coaching business in the US. In episode 303, we heard how they used strategies from my book Will It Fly to build their incredible six-figure business. Mark's enthusiasm is just as infectious in today's high-energy chat. We talk about why community and authenticity are vital in the age of AI, how to run a hands-on business that can scale, the importance of social proof and gathering effective testimonials, the 5+1 email marketing strategy, and more. So how do you achieve massive success without compromising your desire to help others? Tune in to find out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session705.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Aug 202340min

#704 Live streaming is one of the best ways to connect with your audience. It's also probably the fastest route to growing as a communicator. So how do you step out of your comfort zone and start doing it? Wednesday's episode with Emily D. Baker reminded me just how powerful this tool can be. You might also remember that I went live on YouTube every day for a whole year during the pandemic. I'm so grateful I committed to that because the lessons learned have influenced everything I've done since. In this episode, I want to share that knowledge to help you get into streaming with the right mindset and tools to succeed. I talk about how to prepare in advance so you always have something to say, the common mistakes to avoid, engaging a live audience, building a story bank, and more. Tune in and enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session704.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 Aug 202316min

#703 Claiming fair use is not a magic wand you can wave to stop people from suing you. In fact, even if you're in the right, you can still get dragged into legal procedures that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, how do you use copyrighted material in your content without getting in trouble? That's what we cover in this chat with the internet's favorite legal analyst, Emily D. Baker. Tune in because she helps us understand the fair use system and work within it to put ourselves in the safest position when using other people's videos, photos, music, and more. We also dive into monetizing content you don't own and what to do when someone copies your original work. If you've listened in on my previous talk with Emily in episode 621, you know she puts a fun twist on topics that can often be dry or overwhelming. So join us for this awesome educational opportunity! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session703.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2 Aug 202353min

#702 Being a creator of any kind can be frustrating. We work hard on something, put it out there, and then… radio silence. The project we've poured our time and money into falls flat, and we never find out why. That's because we can't read the label when we're inside the bottle! This is something I say all the time because it's such an essential part of success. So how do you get eyeballs on your content early and collect information to make it better? In this episode, I share a sneak peek at the feedback-powered system I use on my Pokémon YouTube channel, Deep Pocket Monster, to create videos that get millions of views. I also talk about the features we've built into SPI Pro to help our members get similar results. Finding "label readers" for an outside perspective can grow your brand like nothing else. So listen in to learn how to get started! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session702.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Juli 202310min

#701 Entrepreneurs without programming knowledge tend to dismiss software-based businesses as too complex. Courses and other digital products are often seen as more accessible. But here's the thing—creating digital tools to serve your audience is easier than you think! Spencer Haws, today's returning guest, hasn't been on the show since episode 066. That was over ten years ago! He still runs an incredible blog at NichePursuits.com and has built and sold several thriving software businesses with no coding experience! In this episode, Spencer brings us up to date on his journey. We hear about his niche sites and get an inside look at his latest venture, Link Whisper—a WordPress plugin that makes internal linking faster and more effective. This fascinating chat covers everything from interviewing potential customers for successful product creation to selling a business for massive profit! Tune in and enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session701.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26 Juli 202333min

#700 Wow, we're celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Smart Passive Income Podcast! That's absolutely ridonkulous! Whether this is the first episode you're tuning in for or the 700th, I appreciate you for being here! So what have I learned working on the show for so long? In this session, I share my most important mindset shift for fast growth. You see, a book I'm reading nowadays, 10x Is Easier Than 2x, has reminded me of a powerful story from my architecture days. This perfectly illustrates the path to quick gains I've applied to every aspect of my business and life. Skyrocketing your skill level and growing your business is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and focusing on the things that can move the needle for you in a big way. So listen in on this episode to learn more. And again, thank you for sticking with us for so many years! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session700.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Juli 202312min

#699 When your business is optimized, you hit a button, and money happens. That said, many entrepreneurs make mistakes that stop them from reaching that level. I'm no different, and it really hurt when today's guest made me realize that. Matt Giovanisci is a classic example of finding riches in the niches with his work at Swim University and Money Lab. In this episode, he returns to the show for a powerful deep dive into the entrepreneurial mindset. You see, the knowledge he shares on Twitter really hit home with me. I had to invite him on the show to go tweet by tweet with us and expand on the vital concepts that can make or break our businesses. This is a wide-ranging discussion about filtering and prioritizing your ideas, building an ATM-like email list, simplifying your marketing, short-form versus long-form content, and even lip-syncing! Today's session will be a game-changer for many listeners, so don't miss out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session699.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Juli 202338min

#698 Card Party, my three-day live event in the Pokémon space, is over. With half a million dollars at stake, it's hard to believe the fear I felt is now behind me. I'm exhausted, but I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out! If you've been following my Deep Pocket Monster journey, you know how much I value the fantastic community we've built on YouTube. In previous episodes, I talked all about how we designed Card Party as a celebration of that. I'm now happy to share the lessons learned from our massive success! The response from attendees, creators, sponsors, and vendors, has been incredible. In fact, we've already sold hundreds of tickets for next year's event! So listen in to hear all about how we created an amazing experience and delivered unforgettable moments with our first edition of Card Party! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session698.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Juli 202318min