AskPat 2.0: A Weekly Coaching Call on Online Business, Blogging, Marketing, and Lifestyle Design

In this repost of one of our top downloaded episodes EVER, learn how to lean into the things that make you you to help exponentially grow your business. #1192 Today we've got a great conversation with Mike Lander from Piscari. Mike helps sales and account teams learn how to negotiate through his online courses and consultations. He's been productizing some of his services and started to diversify, but he needs help generating more income from his courses. We discuss not just how to diversify smartly, but how Mike can lean into some of his superpowers and position his digital course to generate more sales. Mike is in the B2B space, which is a little bit different from many businesses that work directly with consumers, but the strategies and principles we talk about can apply to lots of businesses. So if this Mike's situation sounds like yours, I think you're going to find some amazing information in this episode. In fact, at the very end, Mike says, "Wow, Pat, I have five or six takeaways I can implement right away." So I hope you stick around and listen to this episode, because this is one about superpowers. It's about diversification, productizing, and leaning into the things that make you you. Show notes and more atSmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1192. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this encore episode (one of our highest-downloaded episodes EVER), pick up critical tips on validating a course or product before you go to launch. #1182 William Barton from BootSpy.com has a really interesting question today. It's one you might have wrestled with in your own business: How do I launch something when I don't have a list or anybody out there who knows that I exist yet? How do I validate this thing? How do I ensure that it's going to work before I put all this time and effort into it?You may be familiar with a little book I wrote called Will It Fly?, which is all about how to test your next business idea so you don’t waste your time and money. We're going to discuss a lot of the principles, strategies, and techniques that I share in that book with William today. If you’re launching something, you want to build that audience and validate your idea first, so let's get into it. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1182. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Another encore episode coming in hot! Originally published in August of 2021, this episode offers timeless lessons for anyone hoping to create a successful online course. #1181 Wendy Lewis used to work as a writer at a marketing and ad agency. And she's still a writer, but she also has a new passion: reflexology, working with athletes and helping people regain function. She's excited to create her first online reflexology course, but she's feeling stuck. The whole thing seems a little overwhelming to her. I want you to pay attention to how Wendy describes an online course before we start talking about the solutions to making the online course creation process easier for her. Because as you'll find out, things are often a lot easier than we think they should be. And there's a lot of things that I've learned over the years that I pass on to Wendy in this conversation, that I would love to pass on to you as well. So whether it's an online course or something else that you want to create, let's get through it, and let's get through it together. Show notes and more at smartpassiveincome.com/ap1181. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We sunset AskPat earlier this year, but we wanted to republish some of the highest-downloaded episodes of all time in case you missed them. Tune in now! #1177 If you're a creative person of some kind, you know what it's like to be in a flow state, so focused on the thing you're working on. That's how you create great art, right? Well, if you treat your business ideas in the same way, you can create something great there, too. Today I'm talking to Chris Fleck, a person of many talents: art, comedy, video production, and more. There's so much he loves to do, and is really good at, but he's a little bit stuck. He has too many business ideas. He's being pulled in multiple directions, and as a result he feels like he's going nowhere. You might be able to relate to Chris, faced with multiple options and not sure which one to pick. You might worry about what'll happen if you choose one path and leave the others behind. How do you make the right choice? That's what we're talking about today. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1177. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1269 Today's Where Are They Now? session is truly special! You see, my returning guest has done a fantastic job of adapting and refocusing when circumstances almost shut his business down. So how did he pull it off? In this episode, I'm catching up with Jim from Spanish and Go to find out. He runs a fantastic brand with his wife, May, helping people connect to the culture and language of Spanish-speaking countries. The pandemic put an abrupt stop to the high-ticket retreats at the core of their monetization strategy, but a shift to podcasting helped Jim and May offset that in a big way. Their show is up from sixty thousand to almost a million downloads since we last spoke. That's insane! Now, Spanish and Go has become a thriving six-figure business. Join us for this great discussion to learn how Jim has leveraged his organic audience growth to attract sponsors and create a community of superfans! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1269. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1268 We all want more website traffic, but what can we do to hook visitors in and get them back for more when they stumble across our content? That's the topic of today's Where Are They Now? session with RJ Weiss of TheWaysToWealth.com. You see, most information is freely available from multiple sources. So if you're building a brand, how do you stand out as the go-to authority in your niche? RJ and I brainstorm several tactics that do exactly that. We explore balancing his SEO strategy with superfan-building content, storytelling, lead magnets, email marketing, and more. A personal touch is essential in today's online landscape if you want to start building word of mouth around your mission. Join RJ and me for this great conversation to discover how to make that happen, even if it doesn't come naturally to you! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1268. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1267 A lot can happen in a short time. In this Where Are They Now? session, I'm catching up with Joe Casabona of Podcast Liftoff. His progress in the months since our chat in episode 1238 has been incredible, so we have to share it with you! When we last spoke, Joe and I brainstormed ideas to grow his email list with effective lead magnets. He has since been able to attract hundreds of new highly targeted subscribers using the tactics we discussed! On top of that, the finely tuned email sequence Joe has built is a thing of beauty. Today, we get an inside look at how he pulled it off so quickly! Joe is also experimenting with webinars, and the results have blown him away. I love that he is now doubling down and taking advantage of this powerful tool to grow his brand! Listen in for a peek at a success story in the making! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1267. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1266 Don't miss this Where Are They Now? session because it highlights a very important stage in the entrepreneurial journey. You see, a lot of trial and error is involved in finding a business idea that sticks. My returning guest, Kara Gott Warner, is a perfect example of persistence and niching down to discover the right opportunity! Listen in to hear all about how her business has evolved and how she is now working more closely with her clients than ever! I often talk about the essential dynamic between visionaries and integrators in business. Kara is doing an excellent job putting this concept into practice. When she noticed her clients struggling to find podcast production support, she stepped up to take on the job and restructure her brand around it in a big way. Kara offers a heavy dose of inspiration for anyone still searching for the perfect niche, so tune in and enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1266. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1265 This is a very exciting Where Are They Now? episode because my returning guest is doing incredible work on major Hollywood productions. He loves the job and has created a business on the side teaching others how to follow in his footsteps. But, with limited time available, where should he focus his energy? Over at HollywoodEditingMentor.com, Joaquin Elizondo shares his soft-skill-focused method for breaking into the film industry. With an audience demanding more and more content, Joaquin is in a great spot to take his course-based business to the next level. Here's the thing. Without the right tactics, splitting our focus into several directions at once is a recipe for burnout. Today, we explore the possibilities and land on an effective and sustainable scaling strategy for Joaquin. The concepts we discuss here apply to anyone working a full-time job and building a business at the same time, so listen in to learn more. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1265. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1264 This Where Are They Now? episode is a perfect example of why I love this format. My returning guest, Andrea Davis of Better Screen Time, is doing fantastic work that I have to share with you! Andrea is a member of SPI Pro and one of our first students in Smart From Scratch. She has brilliantly applied knowledge from our courses and communities to help families create healthy content consumption habits. Today we hear all about how Better Screen Time has grown and evolved. Andrea is now spreading her message through public speaking, and the impact on her business has been incredible! Getting on more stages has also been a game-changer for me, so I love seeing entrepreneurs leveraging this powerful tactic. With TikTok taking over many children's lives, Andrea's mission is more important than ever. Listen in on our conversation to hear all about how she has built a fantastic course-based business to support her efforts! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1264. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1263 Today we're continuing our fantastic Where Are They Now? episode run. I love these conversations because we learn exactly how our AskPat coaching sessions impact entrepreneurs just like you. My returning guest has been on the show in episodes 1053, 1097, and 1197 and is now back to share his amazing progress. Listen in on my interviews with Jake Gosselin of Churchfront and Worship Ministry School for an absolutely unique glimpse at the makings of a success story. Jake has followed the basic strategies we always talk about here, and the results speak for themselves. He brings in over one million dollars a year through everything from courses to high-ticket offers. Jake has built an incredible membership site around the expertise that some of his clients are paying $10K to gain in-person access to! Don't miss out on our chat because you'll hear all about the pivotal moments that have made this success possible! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1263. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1262 Wow, the transformation you'll witness today is absolutely incredible! My returning guest has made unbelievable strides in his business. Not only that, but he has been able to quit his job and go all-in on entrepreneurship! Mark Savant is back for a Where Are They Now? session to remember. I had him on the show before, but the Mark we hear from today is a new man. Niching down has done wonders for his brand. On top of that, his online community is now bringing in enough recurring revenue to replace his old job. Listen in on this episode to hear Mark's vivid (and hilarious) description of what it was like to work full-time and grow a business on the side. Let's just say that he's saving himself a lot of hurt! This is a great chat about standing out in your industry and finding the perfect messaging to attract a highly targeted audience! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1262. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1261 Today we're continuing our fan-favorite Where Are They Now? series. It's Stacy Brookman's third time on the show, and we get yet another incredible look at her business! Through RealLifeResilience.com, Stacy helps women who are fed up with the corporate ladder climb to the top on their own terms. She is changing more lives than ever, but not without some ups and downs since our chat in episode 1150. With a book deal in place, everything was going according to plan for Stacy. But, sometimes, a big lightbulb moment can change everything. Listen in on this session for an unexpected update and a glimpse at a massive pivot. Stacy also shares her experience with public speaking. Hearing about her progress, the lessons learned, and the impact her talks have had on her brand is absolutely inspiring. Join us for this fantastic update about the vital importance of evolving and adapting in business! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1261. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1260 We're continuing our fantastic Where Are They Now? episode run today. My returning guest, Aaron LeBauer, has helped thousands of physical therapists build and scale their practices. Our chat in episode 1159 about running successful virtual events and creating engaging community experiences online was a blast! But how has Aaron put his plans into action? Today we hear all about his PTBIZCON event and how he's providing his audience with incredible learning opportunities. Aaron is leveraging powerful strategies to make participants feel special and get the most out of his conferences. He shares his approach with us in this episode. Aaron and I also discuss event pricing and the pros and cons of using Facebook groups. Join us for this great catch-up to learn how virtual events can serve your niche and grow your business. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1260. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1259 This Where Are They Now? episode is a perfect example of why I love this format. My returning guest, Hel Reynolds of Comms Creatives, has made absolutely amazing progress since we last spoke! Back in episode 1174, Hel was having trouble prioritizing her business opportunities. Squirrel syndrome is something I'm all too familiar with, so I shared a number of my most powerful time-management strategies with her. Hel has since implemented the 20% itch rule and structured her week so that she puts in impactful work at key times. As expected, the results in her business have been incredible! But while Hel's current scheduling approach is rife with tips we can all leverage, she's still struggling to rein in her weekends and take time off. In this session, Hel and I explore new tactics to help her disconnect from work and return feeling restored. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1259. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1258 Today's Where Are They Now? session is one for the books. You see, the first time we heard from my returning guest was all the way back in episode 0132. That's crazy! When we last spoke in episode 1175, the pandemic had hit Sarah Donoghue's Alchemilla.co business pretty hard. But here's the thing. Something absolutely extraordinary happened right after our talk. It actually wasn't the advice I shared that led to it. It was you, the listeners, who made this happen! Joining us today is someone who has become an integral part of Sarah's business as a direct result of that episode. You'll hear from Ashton Cayce of SausageTreeLotion.com about how she's bringing Sarah's vision to a whole new market. This is a fantastic discussion about physical products and what can happen when you keep pushing in the face of adversity. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1258. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1257 Today we're continuing our fantastic Where Are They Now? episode run. Emory Wanger, my returning guest, is someone who I often use as an example because of the incredible way he serves his niche. At ByLand.co, he provides backpackers at any level with the specific resources that make sense for them. As you know, we're deeply committed to online communities here at SPI. One thing we rarely talk about, however, is creating and running free Facebook groups. In fact, we've advised our listeners against that strategy here and on our Community Experience podcast. But are Facebook groups ever the right move for a business, and can we use them to attract and drive traffic to our offerings? Emory may have cracked the code! This chat is an inside look at how he runs his massive group of 30,000 members without it descending into chaos. Join us to find out more! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1257. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1256 For this awesome Where Are They Now? session, we're reconnecting with The Antipreneur himself. Dan Bennett of VideoForEntrepreneurs.com is a wonderful member of SPI Pro, and that's exactly what we talk about today. You see, he has leveraged business communities to grow his brand in a very powerful way. I've mentioned this incredible strategy before, but Dan has been walking the walk and seeing massive results. If you want to stand out online, this is the perfect way to serve others and monetize your passion without coming across as spammy or salesy. At VideoForEntrepreneurs.com, Dan helps people look and sound great on camera. We heard all about his business in episode 1209 of AskPat and episode 029 of our Community Experience podcast. Anyone can follow in Dan's footsteps, so make sure you join us for another chat with him to find out how to do it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1256. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1255 This is a very special Where Are They Now? session. You see, my returning guest was able to quit her full-time job just three months after our first AskPat call together. But she actually decided to go against my advice and follow her gut instead! Now, to be honest, that's not exactly the whole story. I'll let Dr. Kimmy of The Doctor Coach School share the twists and turns of her journey with you. Suffice it to say, she's serving more people than ever, and business is booming. I say it all the time—the riches are in the niches. By narrowing our focus, we're actually helping more people. This is a counterintuitive strategy that many beginner entrepreneurs struggle with. Dr. Kimmy was able to overcome this hurdle and take her business to the next level. In today's episode, we hear all about how she found her voice and is now helping women doctors of color transform their lives. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1255. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#1254 Today, we're bookending 2022 with an absolutely incredible Where Are They Now? session. Don't miss this one because my returning guest has accomplished something I genuinely didn't think was possible. Jackie Bolen of ESLspeaking.org has written and published over one hundred books in her niche. That's insane! I had to reconnect with her to learn about the systems she has in place that allow her to be so prolific. You'll hear all about that in this episode. What might surprise you is just how powerful and replicable these business basics can be. We've had Jackie on episodes 1003, 1046, 1147, and 1189. The evolution is incredible and a perfect example of what can happen if you apply the simple tactics we often discuss here. Jackie is now in a fantastic position where her business might be ready for sale. Listen in to find out exactly how she did it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/ap1254. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.