Marketing School - Digital Marketing and Online Marketing Tips How Dr. Ali Abdaal Quit His Job, Grew His YouTube to 2.6M Subs & Is Now Doing $4M+ a Year #2023
Mar 3, 2022
In this conversation with Dr. Ali Abdaal, a former doctor turned YouTuber and productivity guru, he shares his remarkable journey of leaving medicine to pursue content creation. Ali discusses how he amassed 2.6 million subscribers and transformed his side hustle into a $4 million business. He reflects on the influence of 'The 4-Hour Workweek,' the importance of teaching, and his aversion to conventional goal-setting. Ali also hints at his upcoming book on intrinsic motivation, promising insights to help others excel in their personal and professional lives.
33:43
Mother's Disapproval
- Ali Abdaal's mother still wants him to return to medicine, despite his success as a creator.
- She expresses concerns about his career choice and future regrets.
YouTube Beginnings
- Ali Abdaal started his YouTube channel in 2017 as content marketing for his med school prep business.
- He later transitioned to vlogging about life as a medical student and doctor.
Finding Your Passion
- Consider what you want your legacy to be when deciding your career path.
- Reflect on past experiences to identify your true passions and incorporate them into your work.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
From Medicine to Media: A Personal Journey
01:33 • 5min
Redefining Success in Education and Entrepreneurship
07:01 • 13min
Streamlining E-Commerce and Targeted Marketing Strategies
20:05 • 4min
Growing Audiences and Learning Insights
23:49 • 8min
The Humorous Journey of Productivity Tools and Simplicity
31:24 • 2min
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In episode #2023, Eric talks with Dr. Ali Abdaal about how he quit his job, grew his YouTube to 2.6m subs, and is now doing $4m+ a year. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Ali had been a practicing doctor for only two years. For Ali, it seemed logical to use YouTube to reach a broader audience and introduce them to the educational content he was already producing for aspiring doctors and YouTubers. Since then, Ali’s side business has grown substantially. In our conversation we talk about Ali’s experiences growing up in a family that expected him to be a doctor, how reading The four-hour workweek changed his life, and why teaching is his truest passion. Today’s episode is jam-packed with insightful anecdotes and advice on how to excel at life and business, so make sure you tune in to hear it all!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:
- [00:20] Today’s topic: how Dr. Ali Abdaal quit his job, grew his YouTube to 2.6m subs and is now doing $4m+ a year.
- [01:20] Get to know today’s guest, Dr. Ali Abdaal, and how he went from being a doctor to a creator.
- [03:15] What Ali's YouTube channel focused on when he first started it.
- [05:51] How Ali’s side hustle earns him $3 million a year and why YouTube forms the foundation for it.
- [06:58] Ali’s plans for the future and why teaching is his true passion.
- [09:05] Why Ali has an aversion to traditional goal setting, and how he prefers to structure his aspirations.
- [11:08] Why Ali’s current top priority is writing a book that he is proud of.
- [12:07] How Ali’s business has grown and it’s main sources of revenue.
- [13:48] Some of the core lessons Ali has learned in his transition from creator to entrepreneur.
- [17:31] The book that Ali is currently working on and why it’s important to him.
- [20:30] The two podcasts that Ali is a part of and why he enjoys it.
- [22:08] Some of the ways to grow your podcast audience.
- [24:15] How Ali learns and retains information based on the medium he’s using.
- [27:26] Ali’s favorite book of 2020.
- [28:38] Ali’s most important business tool.
- [30:12] That’s it for today, don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!
- [30:12] Go to https://marketingschool.io/live to learn more!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
- Ali Abdaal: https://aliabdaal.com/
- Ali Abdaal on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoOae5nYA7VqaXzerajD0lg
- Ali Abdaal on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliAbdaal
- The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich: https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/
- The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/
- Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business: https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837
- The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive: A Leadership Fable: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Obsessions-Extraordinary-Executive-Leadership/dp/0787954039
- Not Overthinking Podcast: https://notoverthinking.com/
- Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal Podcast: https://aliabdaal.com/podcast/
- The Great CEO Within: The Tactical Guide to Company Building: https://www.amazon.com/Great-CEO-Within-Tactical-Building/
- The Ideal Team Player: https://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Team-Player-Recognize-Leadership/
- Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling: https://www.amazon.com/Storyworthy-Engage-Persuade-through-Storytelling/
- Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life: https://www.diewithzerobook.com/welcome
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