The Smart Passive Income Online Business And Blogging Podcast

#639 Having your audience along for the ride as you create digital products to serve them is an incredible tool that increases engagement and connection. But is it wise to use this same strategy for physical products? With knockoffs being a massive concern, is it safe to use open platforms like Kickstarter to fund and launch your best ideas? Those are some of the questions I explore with my returning guest, Jeff Sheldon. He is the founder of Ugmonk, a design studio focused on impeccably crafted home, office, and clothing products. This chat gives us an inside look at what it takes to turn your vision into something tangible and successfully compete in the premium market. Jeff and I discuss the realities of manufacturing and distribution, share advice for finding a niche, and debate the pros and cons of selling digital and physical products. With additional tips for working from home and using ads to find new customers, there's something here for any entrepreneur! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/

#638 We need to talk about Shorts. They're like pants, but halfway—just kidding! I'm, of course, referring to YouTube's somewhat confusing answer to the growing popularity of TikTok. When platforms launch new formats, posts that take advantage of them typically see a nice algorithm boost. That's an opportunity I jumped on with Deep Pocket Monster, my Pokémon channel. So what were the results? Well, it's complicated. You see, some of my Shorts amassed over 15 million views. But, if you listen in on today's episode, you'll hear how that actually ended up hurting my channel. That said, YouTube has since addressed concerns like mine and committed to some incredible new features. So is now the perfect time to reconsider Shorts? Join me for this chat to find out more, and stay tuned because the results of my 30-day TikTok challenge are coming next week. Show notes and more SmartPassiveIncome.com/session638.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-

#637 You want to clear up your schedule before starting work on the big project you're passionate about, right? Here's the thing. It's not going to happen. If you perceive time as a barrier, you will never get started. So how do we create more time when our calendars are full? How do we stop procrastinating and progress toward our goals today? If anyone can answer those questions for us, it's the guest joining me today. Jason Feifer is the editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine. He gets to talk to the world's most successful people every day and has compiled the patterns that have come up in an incredible book, Build for Tomorrow. Right from the start, this chat with Jason provides us with the blueprint to understand how we work and start building our productivity infrastructure. This is an essential conversation that highlights the qualities of high-achieving entrepreneurs and uncovers the path to success in career, business, and life! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session637.See Privacy Po

#636 My 30-day TikTok challenge isn't going great. In fact, my numbers so far are pretty abysmal. Even so, I just decided to delete a video that really had the potential to go viral (in more ways than one). You'll have to listen in on today's episode to find out what was in the video, though. Let's just say that podcasting can get nasty sometimes! But what I want to talk about is much more important than this one post I knew was a mistake the second I uploaded it. You see, being honest with ourselves about the value we provide and the message we want to be known for is vital. To help you stop chasing vanity numbers and discover your most powerful voice, I want to share the series of questions I always ask myself when I create content. Join me for this quick update to learn more! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session636.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#635 Could you sell your business? You might not want to, but here's the thing. If your company can be sold, it means you're running it with the best systems in place for maximum growth and time off! I'm excited to have Sean Cannell of Think Media back on the show. He's been a guest on episode 328, where he shared the strategies that led to his success on YouTube. Today, we get into the updated tactics creators need to be aware of going into 2023. He has also transitioned his personal brand to a team brand, all while scaling his company and freeing up more time to focus on family and health. Join us for this chat to discover Sean's three-step methodology for growth, the seven Cs of YouTube success, how to build a team with a shared vision, and why you should prepare your business for sale even if that's not your goal. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session635.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#634 What do you do when just making things better is not the answer anymore? You see, our courses at SPI have helped thousands of people find success. And now, through our communities, we're supporting more people than ever on their business journeys. Still, we knew we could do more. The thing is, making things "better" wasn't the answer for us. We had to try something different! That's where our All-Access Pass comes in. This community-powered education experience is the ultimate way to learn from every single one of our courses at your own pace while connecting with fellow entrepreneurs on the same path. All for an insane bargain! Listen in on this episode to find out why we're making our educational content more accessible, how this will lead to incredible transformations, and why community-powered courses are the next big thing. We're also hosting a launch party on December 7th. Join us to get access to exclusive founding member discounts and perks! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session63

#633 This is massive. In fact, it is likely the biggest announcement we've ever made at SPI. You see, this launch might completely change your online education journey. Today I'm introducing you to our exciting new All-Access Pass! This community-powered education experience is the ultimate way to learn from every single one of our courses at your own pace while connecting with fellow entrepreneurs on the same path. We have a slew of incredible courses that thousands of people have used on their way to success in the business space. Not only that, but we're also running our fantastic communities for entrepreneurs at any level. Still, we knew we could do better. That's where the All-Access Pass comes in to bring all of that together for an insane bargain! Listen in on this special episode to discover more, and join our launch party to get exclusive founding member discounts and perks. See you there! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session633.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal

#632 There's a huge problem that we have to figure out. If we don't, the time and money we spend creating content will be wasted. So what am I talking about? In this episode, I'm sharing my thoughts on the pandemic of short attention spans. I'm talking about how and why our audiences have become accustomed to TikTok, Reels, and Shorts type of content. Even if we never use these platforms, the time we have at our disposal to capture someone's attention is now shorter than ever. We really only have a second or two to get people to stick around. So how do we optimize our posts for these new content consumption habits? I'm learning a lot as I go through my 30-day TikTok challenge, and I want to share some of my findings with you in this episode. These tips apply to everything from podcast intros to blog posts and are vital for any modern content creator. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session632.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co

#631 How do you craft an irresistible pitch for potential sponsors? The biggest insight is that you should make your pitch them-focused instead of you-focused. Many creators start out with the exact opposite approach. They overemphasize how great their YouTube channel, podcast, or blog is and talk too little about how their content aligns with a brand's marketing objectives. My guest today, Justin Moore, is the founder of Creator Wizard. He has helped hundreds of people learn how to find and negotiate brand deals and make millions in the process. So how do you get sponsors even if you don't have a massive audience? What is your number one task as a creator? Who do you reach out to for brand deals, and how do you get them excited to respond? Join us for this epic conversation to get the tools and strategies that can save you from leaving thousands on the table. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session631.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:

#630 Are you leveraging challenges to scale your business? And no, I'm not just talking about challenging yourself. What I'm talking about today is supercharging your brand by creating irresistible challenges for your audience. I want to give you a sneak peek at what we're working on at SPI with our 100 Emails Challenge. This is how we've shared free step-by-step instructions with over ten thousand entrepreneurs to help them go from zero to one hundred email subscribers in three days. The updates coming to this program will blow your mind! And, with the new year just around the corner, I want to encourage you to challenge your own followers. This time of the year, when people are willing to take on new habits, is a great opportunity. Listen in to learn how to make the most of it by serving your audience and giving your business a boost in the process! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session630.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv

#629 Many new entrepreneurs buy into the myths of hustle culture. They believe that finding success is impossible without working to exhaustion day in and day out. But what if that kind of thinking doesn’t get results anymore? What if self-care is actually a more effective business strategy? I’m so excited that Jadah Sellner is back for another awesome chat! She hosts the Lead with Love podcast and is a brilliant entrepreneur and mentor. Jadah is a firm believer in self-care as a powerful tool for entrepreneurs. Her first business book, She Builds, is a practical anti-hustle guide that challenges the overwork narrative. In this episode, we discuss the best strategies for growing a business in a sustainable, service-driven way. Listen in on our conversation to get a behind-the-scenes look at Jadah's writing process, and check out She Builds anywhere books are sold! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session629.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://a

#628 Commitment is essential if you want to explore new opportunities and see what the results could be. For something to have a chance to do anything, you have to give it a chance to do something. For me, public challenges to put work into something for a certain number of days are a very powerful motivational tool. That’s why I’m committing to a platform I’ve neglected for the longest time. So what am I experimenting with? For the next thirty days, I’ll be posting on TikTok every day to see what happens. That’s it. No expectations, no pressure to go viral or anything like that. So why take on another social network at all? With a new book coming out, I have to know if TikTok is something that can help spread my message. Listen in on this episode to hear all about my strategy, and, of course, follow me on TikTok! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session628.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#627 What often stops us from taking action is the story our fear tells us. We’re afraid that other people might laugh at us or judge us. But, when you step back and think about it, is the worst-case scenario really that bad? Today’s episode is all about understanding and overcoming uncertainty. My special guest, Leo Babauta of Zen Habits, has been a massive inspiration for me since 2008 when I started Smart Passive Income. Through his blog and best-selling books, he has impacted millions of readers. I know I wouldn’t be here without him! This conversation is jam-packed with actionable tips and tools that can help us defeat procrastination, perfectionism, and negative thought patterns. Leo and I discuss setting and achieving goals, developing a fearlessness practice, and finding meaning in our work. Listen in to get a new perspective on uncertainty and learn the vital habits that set you up for success. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session627.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy an

#626 One thing we all want to do is to hone our skills so we can improve our output. But, with tips and tools coming at us from all sides, how do we take action without getting overwhelmed? I remember trying to become a better public speaker and focusing on all the things I needed to work on to make that happen. The list seemed endless, and I was getting nowhere tackling everything at once. The strategy that changed everything for me was the opposite of that. Inspired by James Clear’s Atomic Habits, I decided instead to focus on a single aspect of my presentations at a time and improve on that by 1% every day. So how can you improve one thing the next time you do something? Listen in on this episode to find out about the tactic I use and how you can apply it to your own goals. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session626.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#625 What does being a successful creator online look like? This question often conjures up an image of big numbers and viral content. But what if that’s not the point? I’m so happy to talk to my friend Bob Clagett again today. Bob runs I Like To Make Stuff on YouTube, where he builds anything from basic furniture to crazy props from movies. You see, I came up with an idea for a portable podcast studio to house my gear for easy on-the-go audio recording. I couldn't make this on my own, so I knew Bob was the man for the job! With the build completed, we put it to the test for this episode. Bob and I discuss finding success without chasing virality, building a team with a shared vision, leveraging multiple platforms to generate revenue, and prioritizing community over profit. Join us for this inspiring chat about turning a passion into a business without losing the magic that made you love it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session625.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California

#624 I don’t even know if I’m allowed to share this with you yet. You see, this kind of thing is out of my control now. In fact, many of my business friends said this would happen and warned me against going down this path. So what’s happening? Am I selling the company or something? Don’t worry, that’s not it. That said, a huge change is coming because I just signed a book deal. That’s right, after self-publishing Let Go, Will It Fly, and Superfans, I’m now going down the traditional route. But why would I do this knowing what I know about the risks? I want to share my thought process with you in this episode. This is a long-term project, but I’m sure the lessons learned along the way will be game-changing for us. So what is the book called, and what is it about? Listen in on today’s episode to find out. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session624.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#623 Becoming a successful entrepreneur is often a matter of bringing a few key skills together. One of them, copywriting, is as vital as it is scary to some people. So how do you get to the point where your words work for you instead of against you? Today, I’m bringing an expert on the show to make it easy for us to start crafting sales pages, emails, scripts, or posts that convert like crazy. Through his writing, Stefan Georgi has helped his clients and students earn a total of over a billion dollars. You’ll hear all about how he does it in this episode! So what is the basic structure that all great ads follow? How do you connect deeply with your audience? What is the best tone to use in your writing, and how do you practice it? Listen in on this game-changing conversation for answers to all of that. Show notes, Stefan's amazing free resource, and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session623.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m

The Business of Community Summit is a one-day virtual summit focused exclusively on the business thinking, decisions, and strategies needed to reach the economic potential of community for your business. You'll walk away with a clear roadmap for launching your own community this year! Visit SmartPassiveIncome.com/BCS to register for free.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#622 I have a massive update for you today. I’ve talked about my journey in the Pokémon space on the podcast before. Deep Pocket Monster is going strong on YouTube. It’s grown to over 300K subscribers, and we’ve had more than 8 million views this month. But the announcement I have for you today is way crazier than that. On June 9-11, 2023, I’m hosting a three-day Pokémon convention in Anaheim, California. CARD.PARTY will bring fans and creators together for my biggest live event yet! This is new territory and a learning opportunity for all of us. One thing I intend to be open and transparent about on the show is the financial aspect. In fact, reserving the convention space has already set us back a couple hundred thousand dollars. Listen in on today’s episode to find out more and, if you’re interested, join the waiting list for CARD.PARTY. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session622.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-s

#621 Imagine this: You have an amazing job that you love. You work with high-end clients and make a great living. Then your health starts showing signs that this path isn’t right for you. That’s the situation Emily D. Baker was in when she said goodbye to her career in law. She now hosts one of the top entertainment news podcasts, The Emily Show, and is among the most successful streamers on YouTube. I bet this will become some people’s favorite episode because Emily shares the exact steps that lead to her massive success. These principles are the driving force behind her growth to over 660K subscribers on YouTube. Emily regularly has over 30K people watching her live streams. We discuss what it takes to manage those numbers in real time and why creating a sense of community is vital. Join us to hear about the time I got myself in trouble with her superfans. The power of community is no joke! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session621.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californi