The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast

#647 Budgeting is a scary word for a lot of people. We're so used to instant gratification now that putting off the lifestyle we want feels like an impossible task. But this kind of spending leads many into debt. So what steps can finally set us up for financial freedom? Today's guest, Jamila Souffrant of Journey To Launch, is one of the top personal finance thought leaders out there. Through her incredible podcast, she provides listeners with tools and resources to skyrocket their savings and unlock the path to independence. Be sure to check out my appearance on episode 292 of her show to find out more! So what are the best strategies for sustainable budgeting? How can we achieve our dream lifestyle and retire early? What are the safest investments we can make at any level? Don't miss this chat because Jamila and I cover all that and much more. Listen in, and take action! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session647.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#646 All I wanted to do over the holidays was to play video games with my son. It's our tradition. But how I reluctantly ended up paying a stranger $125 to spend hours in his home with an overstimulated cat purring at me is just crazy. This bizarre series of events all started with a PC that broke down on me. But when I reached out to John, the computer repairman, on Yelp is when things started to get downright weird. You'll have to listen to today's episode to find out exactly what went down. I'll say this—The Yelp reviews didn't warn me about what would happen next. This is not how I thought I would spend my time off, but there's a lesson here about not giving up and how a nudge in the right direction can completely change things. It's also a great reminder about the power of building your story bank. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session646.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

# 645 If your answer is yes to the question I'm about to ask, you have to promise to listen in on this entire episode. I guarantee this conversation with Kelly Roach will absolutely rock your world! So, have you ever considered building a team to help you in your entrepreneurial endeavors? Imagine your brand running in a way that even if you had to stop working, you would still be able to serve your audience. Today's guest will provide the blueprint for hiring the dream team that will take your vision to the next level. We cover everything from finding your first hire to building the infrastructure for ongoing success. If you struggle with burnout, you'll learn how to set up systems that lead to actual freedom and insure you against the times when "life happens." This is one of my favorite episodes ever, so buckle up and enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session645.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#644 What are your goals for 2023? It's well known that New Year's resolutions tend to fall by the wayside at the first hint of adversity. But is there anything we can do to make our new habits stick? In this episode, I want to share a mindset shift that has changed how I set and achieve my goals. This is something that's very effective because it addresses the perfectionism holding many of us back. What I'm talking about is giving ourselves permission to make mistakes along the way. It's important to realize that one missed day, one mishap, or a single error likely won't compromise our progress. But the key for me is not making the same mistake twice. At the very least, I try not to make the same mistake twice in a row. Listen in on today's session to learn how I've incorporated this attitude into my work and personal life. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session644.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#643 My value-packed chat with Eric Siu of the Marketing School podcast is the perfect way to kick off the year. With tips for the top five social platforms, podcasting, community, and high-ticket offerings, we cover all the bases and share our business growth blueprint for 2023. As host of a mastermind that convenes one hundred of the world's top marketers, Eric is in a perfect position to understand and teach the best strategies for organic reach and discoverability. So what are the most overpowered tools you can leverage? Which platforms are right for your business, and how do you get more engagement? Where should you invest your time and money this year, and what should you stay away from? Eric and I answer some of your most important marketing questions in today's episode. Listen in to get the tools and tactics for everything from finding more podcast listeners to networking and acquiring other businesses. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session643.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#642 For this final episode of 2022, I want us to look back and go through a Start, Stop, Continue exercise. With the results of my TikTok challenge still fresh in my mind, I especially want to focus on the Stop part. We might share the same goal going into 2023. As I'm entering my 40s, I just want to stop wasting the time that I have. The end of the year is the perfect moment for us to take inventory and set up new systems to move us toward our goals. But it's also important to acknowledge our achievements! At SPI, our recent All-Access Pass launch exceeded our expectations and confirmed the power of and demand for community-powered learning experiences. I'm grateful for all of you who signed up already! I'm also grateful for you, the listener. Thank you so much, and happy New Year! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session642.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#641 Virtual summits are shaping up to be a game-changer for our 2023 marketing efforts! Listen in on this episode because I loop you in on a strategy that can take your business to the next level, even if you're just starting out. You see, large audiences and niche authority are no longer the requirements for big online events. In fact, hosting a summit is a great way to generate a snowball effect around your brand and bring in your first wave of superfans! To share exactly how you might make this happen, I have Benjamin Dell of HeySummit joining me for an incredible chat. You'll also get a glimpse at how we're using event marketing at SPI to raise awareness of and generate leads for our All-Access Pass. If you're interested in doing something similar, get a free trial and 15% off for life by using our affiliate link for HeySummit! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session641.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#640 When you consume TikTok, it consumes you. Feel free to quote me on this. If you've been keeping up with my Friday updates, you know about my 30-day TikTok challenge. So what are the final results? Long story short, I'm not doing TikTok anymore. One obvious reason is that none of my videos took off during these thirty days. But there's an even bigger reason behind my decision. That's actually the most valuable lesson to come out of this experiment. You see, it's not that TikTok is bad and you shouldn't try it for your brand. The real problem is that it's way too good! What do I mean by that? Listen in on today's talk to get the details, but the takeaway is that your mindset on TikTok can save you countless hours in the long run. Join me to learn more! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session640.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#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/session639.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#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-not-sell-my-info.