Side Hustle School

In this segment, a fashion enthusiast turned affiliate marketer reveals how she earns up to $10,000 a month. She shares her secrets on using keyword research and SEO to boost her online visibility. Discover her Instagram strategies for engaging followers and driving traffic to her blog. The discussion also highlights her journey to earning her first $1,000 and the importance of consistency and authenticity in building trust with an audience. It's an inspiring tale of turning a passion into profit!

A radio host and acting coach creates an innovative app to help actors rehearse, raking in over $500,000. Frustrated with existing tools, he partners with a developer to bring Rehearsal Pro to life. Despite some launch challenges, the app sees over 162,000 downloads. Additionally, he expands into voice training, generating a yearly income of $200,000 from his projects. The journey highlights the importance of branding and leveraging entrepreneurial skills for success.

Lorette, an aspiring side-hustler from Houston, seeks advice on whether to shell out $2,000 for a coveted domain name for her new YouTube channel and website. They discuss the pros and cons of investing in a domain, with Chris offering insights based on his own experiences. He also shares negotiation tactics, suggesting Lorette start by offering half of the asking price. Chris encourages her to explore alternatives and emphasizes the importance of experimentation in her side hustle journey.

In this engaging segment, Matt, a front-end developer and indie game creator from Western Massachusetts, shares his ambitious journey of developing a location-based mobile game inspired by Pokémon Go. He discusses the challenges he faced with repeated rejections from Apple's App Store, leaving him puzzled and discouraged. Matt also highlights the complexities of transitioning to Android, given user demographics. Ultimately, he reflects on valuable lessons learned and shifts his focus to a news site, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of failure.

Jake Posco, the owner of Severn River Music and a guitar teaching entrepreneur, shares his journey from side hustle to full-time success. He discusses how he uniquely marketed his lessons through Craigslist and ads. Jake offers a practical three-step startup plan and emphasizes the importance of validation in business ideas. He also opens up about the mental health challenges of working alone and the loneliness of entrepreneurship. His insights highlight the significance of teaching skill over technicality in building a successful service-based venture.

Sean, a caller and aspiring executive coach from Los Angeles, seeks guidance on his second attempt at selling high-priced coaching services aimed at busy executives. He reflects on his previous failure and learns the importance of clarity in his offerings. Chris emphasizes the need to communicate concrete benefits that justify the investment. Additionally, he advises Sean to price his services based on the value delivered rather than costs, encouraging him to define outcomes that resonate with potential clients.

In this episode, Summer, a first-time novelist from Phoenix, seeks guidance on succeeding as an author in today's market. Chris shares insights on various publishing paths, including self-publishing and audiobooks. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing an audience over merely having a platform. The discussion includes strategies on using e-books and Kindle Unlimited to build a reader base and gain traction for future books. Ultimately, Chris advises that continuous writing and engagement with readers are key to long-term success.

A freelance podcast editor shares his journey into specializing in comedy editing. He successfully built his client base by offering free services to friends and networking at local comedy shows. Key strategies included using project management tools and shifting to fixed pricing for better client budgeting. A unique humor enhancement package became a hit, validating his niche. Ultimately, he reached his first $1,000 by combining one-off jobs with recurring gigs, emphasizing the importance of niche focus and efficient systems in growing a side hustle.

A duo of dog lovers transforms their passion for dachshunds into a thriving apparel brand after overcoming challenges. Inspired by their dog's recovery, they start with low-cost products and see sales climb. Their success leads to expanding the product line and even quitting their jobs. Clever use of social media and targeted ads helps them connect with fellow fans. Now, they celebrate serving over 100,000 customers while enjoying newfound freedom and work-life balance.

Ted, a creative from Charlotte, North Carolina, specializes in crafting motion videos and backgrounds for churches but has a strong aversion to social media. He raises the question of how to successfully market his business without it. The discussion pivots around matching marketing tactics to the target audience rather than forcing a social media approach. Chris suggests exploring traditional networking and direct outreach to engage church decision-makers, emphasizing that serving customers should remain the top priority.