On Your Terms®

Affiliate marketing can be a great way to earn extra income for sharing things you already use and love—but there’s a legal twist that too many online entrepreneurs are overlooking. Whether you’re a coach, creator, or content-loving business owner, you need to know how to share affiliate links and sponsored content without landing yourself in hot water.This episode is your crash course in the actual legal rules you’ve probably never been taught about affiliate disclosures—and the mistakes that have already led to lawsuits against influencers (even if they thought they were doing it right).So if you’ve ever wondered, “Wait, am I allowed to post this?”—tune in! Because I’m sharing exactly what the law says and how to stay protected while creating a new revenue stream.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why affiliate marketing and sponsored content are NOT the Wild West anymoreWhat the recent Alo Yoga and Revolve lawsuits mean for creators like youThe one legal mistake that most creators are making—and how to fix itWhat “material connection” means (yes, even free stuff counts!)How to properly disclose affiliate links in newsletters, videos, and storiesWhy a tiny “#ad” buried at the bottom of a post won’t cut itWhat the FTC says about international creators targeting US audiencesSam’s simple “obvious + hard to miss” formula for disclosures that keep you compliantClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Sign up for my free weekly email Sam’s SidebarOrder my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online EntrepreneurshipJoin my free legal workshop: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/oyt-workshopCONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

What if your content didn’t just get attention—but actually got results?I’m sharing the turning point that made me ditch the high-speed hamster wheel of content creation and finally start marketing in a way that works for me. Spoiler: It didn’t involve more posts, reels, or dancing (thank goodness).After a moment with my dad during his chemo treatment made me reevaluate how I was spending my time (and what really mattered), I knew there had to be a better way to grow a business than relying on 24-hour stories and random dopamine hits. And there is.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why I traded dopamine marketing for deeper connectionsWhat “depth content” really means (no crying on camera necessary)How evergreen + searchable content becomes your biz’s best investmentWhat the “Big 3” strategy is and how to use it to grow your audience and revenueThe one mindset shift that helped me stop scrambling and start selling sustainablyClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Sign up for my free weekly email Sam’s SidebarOrder my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online EntrepreneurshipJoin my free legal workshop: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/oyt-workshopCONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

What if your next big launch didn’t feel like sprinting a marathon in heels? What if, instead, it felt calm, strategic, and (dare I say it?) kind of fun?In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I orchestrated a $338,000 launch for the Ultimate Bundle® in just four days—without burning out or sacrificing my sanity. I’m breaking down exactly why this launch was so successful, what mindset shifts made the biggest difference, and how you can start building toward your own peaceful and powerful launch, too.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why being “chill” about your launch might be the secret to your biggest revenue yetHow detaching your self-worth from your income can unlock better resultsThe 4 surprising ingredients that made this launch feel so… easyHow one webinar (and a killer replay strategy) drove massive conversionsWhat I stopped doing during launches that actually helped me sell moreThe strategic shift that took our webinar conversion rate from great to bonkers (think: 11%!)Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Sign up for my free weekly email Sam’s SidebarRead From Sign-Up to Show-Up: Launch Success Tips on SubstackOrder my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

I’ve been a little quiet here on On Your Terms—but for good reason. In this quick update, I’m sharing where I’ve been (hint: launching a book!) and what’s coming next (some juicy behind-the-scenes lessons I’ve learned after 2 super successful launches so far in 2025). If you think that online business is dying or you’re wondering whether it’s true that things are changing, next week’s episode is definitely for you. Can’t wait to be back in your ears this Monday, May 12.RESOURCES:Order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online EntrepreneurshipSign up for my emails Sam's SidebarCONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeSam on SubstackDISCLAIMER

What do you do when a dream podcast opportunity comes knocking… and the universe throws every travel disaster at you to stop it?In this week’s episode of On Your Terms®, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes (and in-the-air) chaos that nearly kept me from being interviewed by Nathan Barry on the Nathan Barry Show. From flight fiascos and airport sprints to finally stepping inside Kit's new Chicago studio—this episode is part travel diary, part entrepreneur pep talk.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to do press while launching a book, or just love a good behind-the-scenes adventure with a few marketing and mindset nuggets sprinkled in, this one’s for you.In this episode, you’ll hear…The wild travel journey that almost made me miss my biggest podcast interview yetWhat it’s like inside Kit’s brand-new Chicago studio (it’s next-level!)How I stay productive and grounded even when things go off the railsMy thoughts on what top-tier podcast producers do differently—and what we can learn from themA sneak peek at how I’m marketing my new book and building an audience beyond social mediaClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online EntrepreneurshipWatch this episode on YouTubeCheck out my episode with Nathan on the Nathan Barry Show Join the Free Legal Workshop to learn how to get your business legally protected today!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

When I signed my Big 5 book deal years ago, this moment felt so far away. And now… it’s here. Tomorrow, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy hits shelves, and honestly? I’m feeling everything. I wanted to sit down, cozy-style, and share what this experience has really been like — unfiltered. I’m answering the 5 most common questions I’ve gotten about writing the book, landing a book deal, running my multi-7-figure business while doing it all… and what this whole experience has taught me.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why I wrote this book and what I hope it gives youWhat shocked me most about writing it (hint: vulnerability)How I balanced the writing process with running a full-time businessThe biggest lessons I learned about myselfAnd how I’m really feeling, now that it’s finally hereClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online EntrepreneurshipJoin the Free Legal Workshop to learn how to get your business legally protected today!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

Is your email list growing at a snail’s pace (or not at all)? If so, I can almost guarantee you’re making at least one of these four mistakes. And even worse? These mistakes are probably costing you more than just subscribers—they're costing you customers.I’ve built an engaged email list of over 47,000 subscribers who reply to my emails, buy my products, and even refer my newsletter to others in their industry. And in today’s episode, I’m sharing exactly what’s stopping your email list from growing—plus how to fix it.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why no one is downloading your freebie (and how to create one that people actually want)How to find simple, low-effort email list growth opportunities that don’t involve PDFs, webinars, or complicated downloadsThe BIGGEST mistake I see when it comes to promoting your freebie (hint: you’re probably not talking about it enough)How to tap into referrals and share-ability to bring in more of the right subscribers with way less effortClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Pre-order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online EntrepreneurshipThe Ultimate Guide to Building Your Email List Join my weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarHow I Grew My Email List to 47K+ SubscribersCONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

The first quarter of the year zoomed by, prompting a crucial moment for reflection. Discover how to assess your past achievements and setbacks to guide future decisions. Learn about common planning pitfalls entrepreneurs face and why it’s vital to understand the successes and failures. Key questions for evaluating your goals and a straightforward framework for setting and achieving Q2 objectives are revealed. Plus, get a sneak peek into a free annual planning guide to streamline your growth efforts!

If working harder was the secret to success, every burned-out entrepreneur would be rolling in cash. But we both know that’s not how business works. If you feel like you're constantly grinding, spinning your wheels, and still not seeing the growth you want, this episode is for you. We’re diving into the biggest myths about hustle culture, why working more doesn’t equal more success, and what actually moves the needle in your business (without burning you out).In this episode, you’ll hear…Why more work doesn’t always mean more success (and what actually does)The three biggest problems that come from overworking without a real strategy A smarter way to grow your business that doesn’t lead to burnout Why “toilet content” is keeping you stuck—and what to do insteadThe one content strategy that helped me scale my business while working lessClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Pre-order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Listen to Why Hitting Your Goals Won’t Make You Happy (But What Actually Will) [Happy Trap Series #1]Listen to The Business Advice That’s Keeping You Stuck (And What Actually Works) [Happy Trap Series #2]Listen to Why More Followers Won’t Fix Your Business—But This Will [Happy Trap Series #3]Join the Free Legal Workshop to learn how to get your business legally protected today!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

If you’ve ever thought, “If only I had more followers, then I’d make more sales…”—this one’s for you. Because, spoiler alert: That’s just not how it works.There are people with 10,000 followers struggling to make ends meet, while others with just 1,000 followers are making multiple six figures. So what actually moves the needle in your business?Today, we’re busting the “more followers = more money” myth and getting into what really makes your business grow. Plus, I’ll share how to make the most of the audience you already have—so you can start seeing results right now.This is part three of my Happy Trap series! If you missed parts one and two, don’t worry—I’ve linked them below so you can catch up.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why more followers won’t magically increase your revenueThe real factors that drive sales (and why they have nothing to do with your follower count)How to position yourself as an authority, so people trust and want to buy from youWhy focusing on engagement > growth will make all the difference in your businessMy best tips for turning your current audience into paying customersClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Pre-order my book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship Listen to Why Hitting Your Goals Won’t Make You Happy (But What Actually Will) [Happy Trap Series #1]Listen to The Business Advice That’s Keeping You Stuck (And What Actually Works) [Happy Trap Series #2]Join the Free Legal Workshop to learn how to get your business legally protected today!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop