#838 Passive income is a myth. That might sound weird coming from the "passive income guy," but many people misunderstand the path to success and financial freedom. This is what's stopping them from building a thriving business! I just stumbled upon a mind-blowing example of this on X. Paddy Galloway, a YouTube expert, shared a DM from a teenage fan who was ready to shut down his channel after investing months and thousands of dollars in online courses and hiring editors. Listen to today's session for my reaction to this exchange because it perfectly illustrates why people struggle with building an audience! When the kid fessed up to not even being passionate about making videos and just being in it for the money, I lost it! This episode is a reality check for anyone chasing passive income without a genuine desire to help others. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session838.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#837 Is slowing down the key to unlocking the next level of your business and life? Tune in for today's episode, because my longtime friend Chris Ducker is back on the show. A lot has happened since our last chat, so join us to discover how Chris is building a powerful legacy without burning out! You'll get a sneak peek at Chris's upcoming book, The Long Haul Leader, and the scoop on his new and improved version of Youpreneur. We also discuss sustainable growth, gamifying your goals, networking and building relationships, and adapting to our changing business landscape. If you're feeling the side effects of hustle culture, listen in for an inspiring conversation on finding success while protecting your health! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session837.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Entrepreneurship is the best path toward financial freedom. That's why we've made it our mission at SPI to get you started on your journey and help you go full-time on your passion. We're making big changes to serve you better, so listen in on today's bonus episode to find out more! I'm chatting with Caleb Wojcik, our new CEO, to give you an inside look at our decision to merge our SPI Pro and All-Access Pass communities. We're creating one unified space for entrepreneurs to come together for even greater connection and collaboration! The SPI Community will host everything from office hours with me to newly updated courses and accelerator programs. We want to supercharge student and member outcomes and give you our full support, all in one place! Got to SmartPassiveIncome.com/community to join other entrepreneurs just like you! Now's the best time to act because our email marketing accelerator starts on November 14th. Join me for a live Q&A session on my YouTube channel on November 13th at 10 AM PT to learn more! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/podcasts/the-updated-spi-community/.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#836 Overcoming impostor syndrome is often the key to building your business and unlocking more sales. But how do you prove your expertise and become an authority in your space? Join me because, in today's episode, I continue the trip down memory lane I started in session 834! Going into the online course boom, I faced a pivotal moment in my entrepreneurial journey. I reveal how my friend and mentor, Chalene Johnson, helped me overcome impostor syndrome and embrace selling through service. This was a game-changer because the course she pushed me to create, Power-Up Podcasting, generated over $250,000 at launch alone! I now had the confidence to take on bigger projects to help my students and audience. You'll hear about FlynnCon, my in-person conference, and how that led to the creation of our SPI Pro and All-Access Pass communities. I also want to give you a sneak peek at the future of SPI, so listen in! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session836.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#835 Creating content that pops is vital, especially if you're in a technical niche. So how do you leverage unique visuals and smart pricing to get more clients? In this episode, I'm chatting with SPI Pro member Chris Lysy. This is a fascinating look at an entrepreneur, cartoonist, and social science researcher using data and design to craft powerful stories. Listen in because Chris has cracked the code to stand out in his space and attract high-paying clients! So, how do you choose the right platform for your content and create work that resonates with your target audience? Chris gives us an inside look at his unusual social media strategy. His knack for drawing cartoons that highlight the humor and absurdity in his niche is the driving engine behind his impressive consulting business. We dive into that and discuss pricing and packaging your services, and avoiding common traps for consultants. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session835.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#834 With the new phase of SPI coming, I take a trip down memory lane today to share how I started making money online. This is the first part of my story from getting laid off from a dream job to building my business and earning millions. If you need inspiration and motivation to keep going, tune in! Like many entrepreneurs, I started from scratch and quickly learned I had to be happy being scrappy. My encouraging success with GreenExamAcademy.com, my first online venture, was enough to fuel my ambition. For the longest time, I was putting out as much content as possible, becoming a trusted authority, and amassing an audience. The real game-changer, however, was starting this show in 2010, right as podcasting was catching on! From building in public to building relationships, listen in on this session because I want to share the lessons I've learned! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session834.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#833 The brand we envision when we first start is often not what we end up building in the long run. As our mission evolves, rebranding to reflect our growth can be a strategic game-changer. But how do we avoid the mistakes that cause more harm than good? Listen in on this episode to find out! I'm chatting with Charli Prangley today. She is an incredible design expert and the creative director at Kit, formerly known as ConvertKit. Our discussion is packed with actionable information on how to pull off a successful rebranding, so don't miss out! Charli and I dive into everything from choosing a new name and color scheme to reflect your brand to zeroing in on the right copy and messaging for your audience. Tune in because you'll learn the questions to ask and the tests to run to ensure your rebrand hits home! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session833.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#832 Many of us want to level up in our entrepreneurship journey but are worried about taking on more work. Burnout is very real, which is why we need to take steps to make our businesses more passive. But how do we actually do it? In this episode, I want to introduce you to my powerful SCALE framework. I'll take you through the steps to systematize, consolidate, automate, leverage, and evaluate your business for maximum impact without working more hours! I also want to share a story from my taekwondo days that perfectly illustrates why it's important to stop going against the grain and start thinking smarter in your brand. This session will give you a roadmap to creating a business that works for you, not the other way around. Listen in because you can apply this framework at any point in your journey! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session832.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#831 You're not the one who should be promoting your products. Instead, how do you create something so good that your superfans can’t wait to tell others about it? I'm so excited for today's session! After 830 episodes, I finally welcome marketing legend Seth Godin to the show. Don't miss this chat because you'll hear all about his new book, This Is Strategy, and get tips to help you make better plans in business and life! We discuss the dangers of chasing vanity numbers and why you should likely target the smallest viable audience. We also dive into how to start selling books by the box instead of the copy and explore self-publishing versus going the traditional route. Listen in because this session will set you on the right track and help you uncover your strategy for success! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session831.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#830 Remember the buddy system from school field trips? Having someone alongside you on an adventure is incredibly valuable. Here's the best part, though. You can apply the same concept to your business journey to speed up your success! In this episode, I talk about the incredible accountability partners I've had over the years. Sharing insights and strategies with a friend at the same level has been a massive game-changer for me from the start and all the way to my most recent project at Short Pocket Monster. So how do you find your business buddy? Listen in on today's session for my suggestions because not going it alone is one of the top things you can do to grow fast. I also have a big update about my first traditionally published book, so tune in for a sneak peek at what's coming! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session830.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#829 Getting caught using other people's content is not a good look. On the flip side, we should also try to protect our own work against theft! So, where's the line between inspiration and copying? How do we build on existing ideas while respecting other people's output? Essentially, what are the rules for “stealing like an artist?” Today, I'm joined by Todd Herman, entrepreneur and author of The Alter Ego Effect, for a fantastic chat on this topic. Don't miss this interview, because Todd has worked with some of the world's top athletes and public figures to help them reach their highest potential! In this episode, we unpack how to build on existing concepts while giving credit where credit is due and staying on the right side of the law. Todd and I also discuss generating original ideas, preventing others from copying you, apprenticeships, and honoring your mentors. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session829.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.