Creating content online can be a super-effective way to build an audience and ultimately to make money.If you’re just starting out or trying to grow your business, you might be wondering what type of content makes the most sense to create.In this episode, we’re going to compare and contrast two of the most popular content channels going today: podcasting and YouTube.This is actually the first of several friendly debate-style episodes this month I’m calling the Side Hustle Showdown series.For each debate, I tried to source guests in a similar niche so they could best speak each other’s language.To fire shots over the pros and cons of starting an online business with podcasts or YouTube, I enlisted the help of: Podcaster Jonathan Mendonsa, co-host of ChooseFI, a personal finance show. We last heard from Jonathan in episode 287, where he talked about how his show took off and how he was able to quit his job just 10 months in. YouTuber Marko Zlatic, who started his personal finance channel Whiteboard Finance as a side hustle also in 2017. Since then he's amassed 370k subscribers and quit his job to produce videos full-time. Tune in to hear both Marko and Jonathan go back and forward discussing which of the platforms are best for: Marketing and discoverability Content production Monetization Start-up costs And more This is a fun one, and by the end, you’ll have an idea which platform is going to be best for your business.Full Show Notes: Podcasting vs. YouTube for Building an Online Business

Businesses evolve over time, but I don’t think anyone could have prepared for the pace of change this year.To gauge how some of you have been handling everything the pandemic has thrown at you, I reached out to Side Hustle Nation and asked what pivots and changes you’ve been making in your business over the last few months.What I got back were some interesting and innovative ways some business owners and side hustlers have found to actually grow their businesses during the pandemic.Here’s a look at some of the hardest hit industries, and some of the ways business owners have been pivoting and adapting.Full Show Notes: Pandemic Pivots: How Entrepreneurs are Adapting to "Obliteration"

In honor of father’s day, I wanted to share some of the best advice I’ve received from my dad over the years, and how we can all work to apply it in life and in business.For the sake of background, dad is a chemical engineer — he spent decades of his career at one company — but still had lots of entrepreneurial experiences and insights along the way.The funny thing is almost all of these were very literal conversations, which I’ve extrapolated out (30 years later!) to have a broader meaning.And as I think about the kind of advice I want to be passing along to my own kids, I think these kinds of concrete illustrations may be a really effective way to do it. Especially if they turn out to be the over-analyzing types like me!Full Show Notes: Best Dad Advice: 10 Life and Business Lessons from Dad

At the end of nearly every episode of The Side Hustle Show, I ask my guests for their "#1 tip for Side Hustle Nation."There’s always a great variety of responses, and I wanted to take some time today to go through some of my favorites from the past 50-ish interviews.This has become an annual tradition on the show, and we just passed 7 years and 12 million downloads!If you like this short-and-sweet meta-style show, be sure to check out the others in this series: Episode 50 Episode 124 Episode 177 Episode 236 Episode 288 Episode 338 Full Show Notes: What I've Learned and Applied from 49 Awesome Entrepreneurs - Part 7

How did a butcher shop's side project turn into "the best snacks in the world" -- and $500,000 in sales in their first year?And more importantly, could you apply the same strategies to help local businesses take their products online?This story features Dustin Reichmann, a long-time Side Hustle Show listener. He has a blog called EngagedMarriage.com, and with the online marketing skills learned there, started a new consulting business to help other businesses build their online presence.One of his clients was a local butcher shop. Impressed by one of their products--a higher-end, clean-ingredient meat stick--Dustin felt there was an opportunity to reach a lot more customers online.So, he made Ryan -- the owner of the butcher shop -- a low-risk offer to partner and launch the product online.What followed was a series of wins across multiple marketing channels and through a number of innovative promotional tactics.Tune in to hear: How Dustin approached Ryan with a win-win partnership. The marketing channels and techniques they used to sell more than $500,000 worth of FireCreek snacks in their first year. How they got their product into 50+ Walmart stores. And how anyone can apply the same online and offline marketing strategies into their own business. Full Show Notes: Taking Local Businesses Online: $500k in Sales in Year 1 

Joshua Lisec, an award-winning ghostwriter and TEDx speaker, shares his innovative approach to YouTube for freelancers. He reveals how a channel with under 300 subscribers can generate six figures by targeting specific questions and offering high-value services. Joshua highlights his use of SEO and video optimization tools, like TubeBuddy, to attract clients effectively. He also discusses bundling low-paying gigs into premium packages and the importance of crafting evergreen content that stands out, even in challenging economic times.

Liam Austin made $50k off his first online event, and hasn't looked back. Since then, Liam has hosted another 17 virtual summits and online business networking events.In total, these events have brought together more than 400 speakers and 100,000 business owners.Virtual summits allow you to connect with industry leaders and influencers in your niche while growing your own audience.Hosting a virtual summit sounds pretty straightforward: interview a bunch of influential people in your niche collect registrations of people who want to watch those interviews sell access to the recordings after they expire But the virtual summit model has a lot of nuance and strategy, and behind-the-scenes action that all has to come together to make it a hit.That's why I invited Liam on the show.If you’re looking for ways to grow your business and make meaningful connections within your industry, this episode lays out that blueprint for you.Tune in to hear Liam talk through: The core benefits of hosting a virtual summit How he made $50k from his first summit and learned some valuable lessons What it’s going to take to create your own virtual summit in your industry And more Full Show Notes and PDF Highlight Reel: How to Host a Successful Virtual Summit for Influence, Impact, and Income

Are you stuck with the idea that you don’t have the skills to start a side hustle? Today’s guest, Chris Misterek of SelfMadeWebDesigner.com didn’t let that hold him back. He went from being in a tight spot personally and financially, to bringing in an average of $3k a month on the side through his new web design business. With no previous experience with web design, Chris decided to start at the ground up by working through some free online courses. Within a few months, he was introducing himself as a web designer, and within 18 months he was earning double his day job salary on the side! Tune in to this episode to hear Chris explain how he: Picked up this new skillset on the cheap Found his first clients Marketed and grew his business Recommends you replicate this across any number of industries Full Show Notes: From “No Skills” to $3k a Month on the Side

$15,000 a month for 30 minutes of work? The passive income dream is real for Dustin Heiner.Dustin achieved this by following a systematic approach to buying homes and renting them out.He started with his first property back in 2006. Within 6 years he had 19 properties, and within 9 years he had 26 properties and had retired from his day job at the age of 37.Today he has more than 30 properties bringing in (mostly) passive income supporting him and his family.Dustin is a serial side hustler, but once he realized the benefit of getting paid over and over again for work he did once – he doubled down on real estate.Tune in to hear Dustin talk through: His approach to property sourcing The 6 ways he makes money with rental properties How he’s been able to grow his portfolio so quickly His advice for those looking to replicate his success Full Show Notes and PDF Highlight Reel: Retiring Early with Real Estate: $15k a Month in Passive Cash Flow

Side Hustle Show listener Kate Johnson started her bookkeeping business in 2017, and now serves several recurring clients. She targets an effective rate of $70 an hour, and is able to work from home.With her youngest starting preschool, Kate found herself with an extra 9 hours a week. "I wanted to be a good steward of that time," she explained.Tune in to this episode to hear Kate explain: Why she decided to start working as a virtual bookkeeper How she landed her first clients How she’s grown her client base with little marketing The surprising new side hustle this work has spun off Full Show Notes: $70 an Hour from Home as a Remote Bookkeeper