SPI 865: Why I Really Wrote Lean Learning (And a Sample Reading from the Book)

#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

#697 The transformational power of online communities is no joke. Still, many entrepreneurs overcomplicate things and drag their feet on launching a membership. What, then, is the easiest way to get started right now? Today's special guest, Heather Lynn Angel, is someone whose trajectory I highly encourage you to replicate. You see, the value she has provided as a member of our SPI Pro community is insane. We recognized that and couldn't pass on the opportunity to hire her! Heather and I discuss all that today as we dive deep into building a thriving digital space for your audience. As a community strategist, Heather is a fantastic resource. In this episode, she shares the baseline requirements for successful membership businesses and walks us through every step, from platform choice to next-level member engagement and retention. We cover all the bases to save you from procrastination and get you going ASAP. So listen in and take action! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session697.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 Juli 202340min

#696 When you agree to disagree with someone, you're just avoiding the issue. But there's a better and more productive way to handle conflict. At SPI, we disagree and commit. My great friend and business partner, Matt Gartland, taught me this when we started working together. It's been an absolute game-changer ever since! In this episode, I explore the benefits of this powerful mindset and share the methods we use to implement it. That said, this approach felt counterintuitive at first. If you're anything like me, you prefer to avoid endless fighting. Agreeing to disagree is the civilized way to move on, right? But does that ever solve anything? In fact, many of our most popular products wouldn't exist if we didn't commit despite having doubts. Our fantastic Unstuck newsletter is just one example. So listen in on today's session to learn how to use this mindset shift for incredible results! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session696.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 Juli 20238min

#695 You go through a honeymoon phase with every person in your life. Business partners, co-workers, and clients are no exception. Of course, these connections are critical to your success as an entrepreneur! So what can you do to keep the spark alive in the boardroom and maintain the best possible version of your working relationships? Joining me today is Michael Bungay Stanier, bestselling author of The Coaching Habit. This favorite of mine has massively impacted how we do business at SPI. His new book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, uncovers the one essential conversation and five powerful questions to help you master relationship-building. Today, Michael shares why your most successful connections should be safe, vital, and repairable. He and I explore the value of knowing yourself, the signals to break off unhealthy relationships, and screwing up as a way to increase customer loyalty. Tune in because Michael's advice will supercharge your communication skills! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session695.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Juli 202339min