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

#782 Something wild happened to me at lunch the other day. Even though this embarrassed me in public, there are lessons for us here. So, let me get it off my chest! I was on a Zoom call for work when, out of nowhere, a woman snapped at me. You see, she thought I was recording a video of her and her son. Before I could explain, this woman started calling me a creeper. As I turned my screen toward her to reveal I was on a call, she immediately realized her error. Apologies started flying, but it was clear this woman had other stuff going on that made her verbally attack me. The truth is, we can't ever know what other people are going through. This also applies to the trolls and haters we encounter as content creators and online business owners. So listen in for my perspective on leading with empathy and the importance of controlling your reactions! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session782.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3 Maj 202410min

#781 Techno-optimists or not, we can't ignore the AI-powered tools already changing how people work and create. So, what can you do to make yourself and your services irreplaceable? In this episode, we have an honest conversation about the future of audio content. As we look at how voice cloning is already affecting creators and artists, we share both rosy and realistic predictions for where things are going. Joining me are Mike and Izabela Russell from Music Radio Creative. [affiliate link] I use their audio agency for everything from podcast editing to original songs about Pokémon for Deep Pocket Monster! Mike and Izabela reveal how they leverage free educational content, Shopify, affiliate marketing, and relationships with hundreds of artists and audio engineers to grow and run their massive business. I also know their tips for staying profitable in the Age of AI will be a wake-up call for some and a game-changer for others. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session781.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1 Maj 202449min

#780 Many creators and entrepreneurs play it safe. Here's the thing, though. That's actually a dangerous mindset to have if you want to see your brand grow. So how do you take the kinds of risks that lead to massive rewards? For the last year, we've all been talking about the incredible 10x is Easier than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. I've also been applying this perspective to SPI and Deep Pocket Monster, my Pokémon YouTube channel, and the results have been game-changing! So what are the key principles that have stuck with me after reading this book? How do you leverage and set ambitious goals to 10x your growth? When does it make sense to focus on incremental improvements instead? I cover all of this in today's deep dive into one of the most influential books of the last few years. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session780.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26 Apr 202415min

#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. Since our last chat in episode 631, his incredible work helping people learn about brand deals has been blowing up online. Today, I wanted to have Justin back on the show to share a look at his business and the mindset that's helping him grow! This is a great chat because we dive into Justin's Sponsorship Strategy Summit, the value of networking and building relationships, finding the right mastermind group to help you level up, and why you should share case studies and success stories. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session779.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24 Apr 202449min

#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 DivineJourneyBoutique.com understand her limiting beliefs and use her strengths to grow! Leaving a traditional career to become an entrepreneur is scary. But isn't always being stuck in jobs we don't want just as frightening a prospect? You'll want to listen in on this call because the perspective we gain leads to some inspiring breakthroughs for Cassie! This is a great conversation about being open to opportunities and bringing your people together. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session778.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Apr 202426min

#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 online store. You don't need to be a ClickFunnels user to learn from today's episode, though! Ben and I chat about buying ads outside platforms like Google and Meta, leveraging Facebook groups to simultaneously generate leads and build a community, soap opera email sequences, running webinars on YouTube, and more! Tune in because we get into basic and advanced tactics you might not have explored or considered yet! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session777.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

17 Apr 202439min

#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 session is no different because today I'll help you create the perfect bonus sandwich. With this strategy, you'll select the best perks to complement your main product and avoid mistakes many entrepreneurs make! So, what are the bonuses that customers actually want? When should you avoid using any extras at all? How do you determine and market the total value of your offer? Join me to find out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session776.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 Apr 202415min

#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 to reveal even more about this project and process. Together with their incredible team in Sri Lanka, Dave and Bhanuka are helping me bring my vision to life. So, how do you decide if your idea is worth building and investing in? What are the hidden costs of developing and maintaining software? How do you build something that actually works and attracts users? Tune in to find out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session775.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 Apr 202454min