#858 Every famous YouTuber started with zero subscribers. They all begin with imperfect videos and use their mistakes to learn and improve. So how do you grow a channel in 2025? Does it even make sense to try? In this episode, I draw on my experience to answer these questions. Since 2009, I've run several YouTube channels, amassed millions of subscribers, and generated over a million dollars in ad revenue. This session will stop you from getting overwhelmed or wasting your time and help you enjoy the video creation process! Having the right mindset from the start is vital for your success on YouTube. Today, I discuss overcoming perfectionism, avoiding the comparison trap, and creating a minimum viable filming setup. If you've been thinking about starting, listen in on this episode because now is the best time to build your channel! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session858.

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#857 Someone with half your expertise is building an audience right now. Meanwhile, you’re still deciding which platform to use or spreading yourself thin trying to be everywhere. So, how do you narrow your focus and start creating content that attracts a following? Listen in because, in this episode, I share my thoughts on picking the right platform to achieve your goals. This session is a deep dive into YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, live-streaming, blogging, and podcasting. You can think of this as your social media roadmap for 2025, so join me to find out more! You'll hear me address the pros, cons, best practices, pitfalls, and realistic milestones for each option. I also dive into creating engaging content, storytelling, becoming a better communicator, and how to post consistently and frequently. While any platform can work, not every platform is right for you. Tune in to make an informed decision! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session857.

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#856 What's the easiest way to launch a business in 2025? Building a website around your idea might be the first thing you think of, but that's not it. Listen in on this episode because I share an in-depth look at a tool changing the game for beginner and pro entrepreneurs alike. I'm talking about Stan, the all-in-one platform that enables you to set up a store for anything from coaching calls to courses. This can be the perfect link-in-bio page to help you start making money! The days of online audiences being willing to click around confusing websites are over. Now, people often make purchasing decisions while scrolling through social media. That's why having a simple way for your followers to buy from you is essential. Plus, Stan also saves you the time and trouble of building a website you might not even need. Tune in to learn about setting up your store! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session856.

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#855 Failing is an essential part of entrepreneurship. In fact, some of the most valuable lessons you'll learn in business will come when things don't go your way. Still, we want to avoid the wrong path as much as possible. That's why having a map to guide you on your journey is vital! In this episode, I share a powerful framework to set you up for success. Listen in because this exercise will help you understand your niche and move in the right direction! So, how do you navigate your way to the top of your online space? The simplest way is to start with a market map. I'll walk you through this step-by-step process today. You'll uncover the best places to reach your audience, key players in your niche, products people are paying for, and your unique opportunity in the space. This process is a game-changer! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session855.

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#854 Is passive income just a myth social media gurus like to spread? Many people misunderstand the path to success and financial freedom. The truth is that passive income is a realistic goal, but only as the very last step in your income generation process. There's nothing passive about building an online business as a beginner! That said, I want to share something to help you on your journey. In this episode, I'll let you in on the system I and thousands of other entrepreneurs have used to build legitimate online businesses. I'm talking about my SMART framework. Listen in on this session to hear all about it! This is the fastest way to go from idea to monetization. I'll cover selecting a niche and social media platform, building an audience and email list, launching a minimum viable product, and taking back your time. Tune in to access my structured approach to sustainable passive income! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session854.

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#853 Focusing on the wrong business idea might slow your growth if you're just starting out. So what are the top opportunities to prioritize, and which ones should you save for later in your journey? Listen in on today's session because I'm ranking the best and worst monetization strategies for beginner entrepreneurs. As we work our way up to the golden opportunities for 2025, you'll understand the pros and cons of each strategy. This is where the big wins are, so don't miss out! You'll hear my thoughts on courses, coaching, private communities, live events, selling physical products, affiliate marketing, book writing, and more. This is another installment in the new era of our show, where I aim to share truly actionable advice with no fluff to distract you. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to level up, this episode will help you find the perfect business idea. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session853.

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#852 Making money online is easier than ever. How come it still feels impossible, though? You have the tools and platforms to help you earn money online, but the psychological and emotional challenges are now way more challenging to overcome! In this episode, I share the strategies and actionable steps you can apply to change your mindset and start building your business. Join me for a taste of the new era of our podcast, where we focus on tactics that deliver results with no fluff to distract you! Today, I want to help you pick a business idea and stick with it, tackle the lack of structure and motivation you might feel working online, and reject the instant gratification culture that's stopping you from achieving long-term success. I share my brand-in-a-hand process, the key to just-in-time learning, how to commit to the work instead of focusing on immediate results, and more. Listen in! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session852.

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#851 As a couple, how do you talk about money? What are the best ways to approach conversations around finances without hurting each other or starting an argument? This is our topic for the first episode of 2025, so listen in! I'm joined by the incredible Ramit Sethi today. He's back on the show to give us an in-depth look at the strategies from his new book, Money for Couples. We also chat about his Netflix series, How to Get Rich, and how his podcast helped him land this amazing opportunity with the streaming giant. Ramit and I get into the dynamics that play out behind closed doors and the common money arguments that cause friction between life partners. We discuss creating a shared rich life vision as a couple, having a conscious spending plan, and how our childhood years affect our mindset around finances. Tune in to level up your finances! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session851.

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#850 The world is run by those who show up. If you don't, opportunities won't come your way because no one knows who you are. So start putting yourself out there and building trust, and you'll see people who can help you step forward! My voice-over guy, John Melley, has had a 30-year career and this is one of the most important lessons he's learned. You've heard John in every one of our 850 episodes sharing a fun fact about me. Now, it's time to say goodbye because, as discussed in Wednesday's episode, the podcast is changing. We dive into the most effective techniques to unlock the full potential of your voice and hear some powerful stories from John. We also learn about his book, The Voice-Over Athlete, a great resource on everything from posture to stress for anyone working a desk job. It's the end of an era, so don't miss this session! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session850.

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#849 What do you do when the strategies that used to work online stop delivering results? If you want to keep serving your audience, you pivot, evolve, and point the way toward the future of your space. That's what we're doing at SPI, so listen in on this episode to hear the big news! Today, I have SPI CEO Caleb Wojcik joining me to unveil the important changes coming to our podcast and company in 2025. Many of you will love this because we're going back to basics and leaning into the personal brand I've built around myself. More than ever, I'll show up with actionable advice and strategies you can apply to grow your online business. We'll still have the occasional guest on the podcast, but it'll mostly be you and me from now on. We're also shifting to video-first episodes, so tune in to hear what you can expect as a viewer and listener of our show! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session849.

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#848 To end the year, I share the three principles that have guided my work in 2024. Listen in because these ideas have helped me stay productive, find success with short-form content, and write a new book! The first theme I tackle in today's episode is the power of simplification. You and your followers don't have time and attention to spare, so think about the simplest ways to achieve your goals. Next, I want you to get more reps in. In fact, I credit committing to posting Shorts every day for the success I've found this year! The final theme I discuss today is flow over force. This is a big one because it empowered me to fully rewrite Lean Learning, my upcoming book, in a week and a half. Tune in because this concept saved my deal with a traditional publisher! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session848.

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