Streamlined Solopreneur: Automate Your Business, Take Time Off Worry-Free
Episodes
How I've Configured My Stream Deck Part 1: The Stream Deck+
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I'm starting a short series here on how I've configured my Stream Decks! Today, the Stream Deck+. LinksScreenshot of my Stream Deck+How I've Configur...
Are You Making These Mistakes with Your Membership? With Melodie Moore
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While there have been big leaps in membership software in the last 5 years, membership sites are still some of the hardest to create and run properly....
Ivory Makes Mastodon Useable
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When I left Twitter, it wasn’t on a whim. I had been considering it for a long time…like middle of the pandemic long. As people jumped ship from T...
Understanding A.I.'s Role in Online Course Creation (Presented by Sensei)
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you create online courses, you won’t want to miss this very special discussion! I’ll be joined by Ronnie Burt, Business Lead at Automattic, who...
How to Figure Out What to Automate
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s another Automated Solopreneur episode! Today I’m telling you 4 types of tasks you can automate – as well as questions you can ask yourself ...
How to Add a Google Doc in a Specific Folder with Your Stream Deck
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of my favorite things to do is easily automate input and idea capture from my Stream Deck. I've got two, plus a Stream Deck Pedal, so I try to mak...
Not Blowing Up on YouTube? BE PATIENT! with Hayley Akins
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of people look at the overnight success of creators, and wonder why it’s not happening for them. But the truth is…it wasn’t overnight. Ther...
The hyperpaper eInk Planner
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I’m a pen and paper guy for sure, but the Kindle Scribe is a perfect companion for me. And as a result, I’ve been using the freeform notebooks mor...
How to NOT Burn Out While Using Social Media with Alex Marshall
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Marshall started coaching in February 2020…I think I just heard the collective groan. Alex did too, which is why she turned to social media —...
Trying Out Due for Important Reminders
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I’m experimenting with the Due app for iOS. What makes it interesting is the persistent reminders — which will repeat until you mark the task comp...
Legally Protecting your online business with Sam Vanderwielen
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Look I’ll cut to the quick: YES. As a creator, you still need a lawyer. Actually, the rise of the creator economy reminds me a lot of the rise of on...
Controversial Opinion: Airtable is Better Than Notion
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Every so often I consider switching to Notion...that is until earlier this year when I decided I was going to double down on Airtable. See, Notion sca...
Switching From Zapier to Make, and A Potpourri of Automation
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I wax poetic on a number of automation-based topics, like switching from Zapier to Make, how ChatGPT can help creators (and exposes a gaping hole in t...
Am I A Calendar Power User (Why Fantastical is Great)
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A few weeks ago, I wrote that I was Considering a Different Calendar App. After testing BusyCal, Cron, and Calendar 366, while also looking at several...
Making the Most of Your Stream Deck with Cat Mulvihill
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There’s nothing better than good gear and automation talk, and that’s exactly what we’re getting today. Cat Mulvahill is one of my favorite YouT...
My new Favorite RSS/Read Later App (Reader by Readwise)
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
RSS has been such an integral part of my life basically since Google Reader. And since Google Reader shut down, I have been on a bit of a quest to fin...
Why Titles on YouTube (or any Content) is so Important with Jake Thomas
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do you grow a newsletter to 20,000 subscribers in less than a year? Try this ONE trick! Want to 5x your YouTube downloads? DO THIS! These are both...
Be the Experimenter
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I had a t-shirt in college that was my prized possession. It read: "There are 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those ...
Why You’re Leaving Money on the Table with Email Automation with Kronda Adair
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever heard me say, “I’m a recovering WordPress developer,” you’ve also heard me credit today’s guest, Kronda Adair. And while sh...
Use Sensei to sell your online course
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last week I told you about the best way to create an only course...but what's the best way to sell it? I firmly believe tools like Teachable and Kaj...
Want to be a Better Speaker? Do THESE Things with Mike Pacchione
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There’s an old adage that more people are afraid of public speaking than of death, meaning that at a funeral, more people would rather be in the cas...
Selling an online course? DO THIS (presented by Sensei)
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Too many people create online courses the wrong way. They go into a cave for 6 months, develop the course based only on what they want to teach, then ...
You NEED to Time Track to Make Money as a Creator with Marley Majcher
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Marley Majcher, The Party Goddess turned Profit Goddess, was running a business but not making money — despite her degree from Georgetown. But she m...
How I’m Using Paid Memberships Pro
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paid Memberships Pro is the lifeblood of my main product offering, The Podcast Liftoff Playbook. So in this first bit of 2023, I want to tell you ever...
Top 10 Lessons from 300 Episodes (Plus the Future of this Show)
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's episode 300! I thought I'd wax poetic on the top 10 things I've learned from both running this show, and the guests I've had on. After that, I ta...
The Best Way to Build Community is Easier Than You Think with Drew Dillon
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Most attempts to start a community these days feel a lot like the approach the Underpants Gnomes from South Park took in making money. Step 1: Launch ...
How to Create a KILLER Digital Product with Molly Keyser
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Molly Keyser made half-a-million dollars selling a 15-page, $59 eBook without spending money on ads. How do you ask? She created something SUPER valua...
How to Drive More Sales by Writing Content for REAL Customers with Will Shultz
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve been told for years that creating an “ideal customer avatar” is the best way to understand your audience. But the truth is that’s just g...
The Year of Budgets
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I know what you’re thinking. Budgets? That’s what you’re going to base your entire year on.I know this because that’s what my wife said. But f...
Kindle Scribe: Initial Thoughts
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this year, Amazon announced the Kindle Scribe -- their competitor to the reMarkable 2. It's more affordable, they had an initial deal for Prim...
Automating my Home for the Holidays
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The show is on break, but that's not preventing me from adding a bonus episode or two! It's no secret I love automation, and invariably those automati...
How to get the Best Copy for Your Sales Pages with Ame Proietti
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the time of the year were small business owners and creators have some extra time to tinker with (or fully redesign) their websites. I’m here...
Good People, Cool Things: Ways to Grow Your Small Business with Jessi Burg
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a good old fashioned podcast swap with Good People, Cool Things! I really enjoy this show, and the interview we have queued up for you is great...
Groundhogg: Your All-in-One Marketing Tool
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How I Built Bits is back, and better than ever! The focus on the show moving forward will be highlighting helpful tools and processes for creators to ...
REAIR: Building a Cohort-Based Course with Jennifer Bourn
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With the Podcast Liftoff Playbook out, and Jennifer Bourn’s Profitable Project Plan is open for enrollment right now, I thought it would be a great ...
How I Built the Podcast Liftoff Playbook
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In May, I was at a bit of a crossroads. I wasn't sure what I should do with the many things I was working on, and I felt like I was being pulled in to...
Creating YouTube Content for the Viewer (and not the Algorithm) with Hannah Smolinski
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We must make content to serve the almighty algorithm to make money on YouTube, right? Wrong! Over the last couple of weeks, you’ve heard from creato...
Why Gear Doesn’t Matter as Much as You Think it Does with Dan Bennett
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s easy to think your content will get better if you just have the right gear. Alas, a $1000 camera can’t save you if you’re not spending time...
The Most Important Thing You Can Do as a Creator with Marie Poulin
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve been listening for a while, you’ve heard this lesson 100 times: ship with what you have. Ship what you have. In other words, don’t was...
How to Get Published in the New York Times with Stephanie Lee
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you get the NY Times (or the WSJ) to publish your article? Do you just email them and hope for the best? Well…you can, but according to Steph...
The RIGHT Way to Pitch Sponsors for Your Content with Justin Moore
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Most brands don’t care about your numbers! It’s true, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Justin Moore knows a thing about brand deals. He’...
Want to Grow Your Business? Stop Using Someone Else’s Playbook with Cara Chace
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Starting a business has never been easier. We can now sign up for a free ConvertKit account, get a nice-looking landing page, and even start selling p...
Define Your Business’s Values to Prevent Burnout with Shante Cofield
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Get a real job.” “If you’re going to start a business, you need to grow.” “Hustle.” If you’re starting a business, you’ve probably ...
Creating Sponsorable Content with Melanie Deziel
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps it’s fitting that today’s interview is a play in 3 acts. After all, I’m talking to Melanie Deziel, speaker, author, and founder of Story...
Building a Niche Podcast and Newsletter Through Free Content with Jeff Utecht
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine being perfectly positioned to deal with the pandemic from a k-12 school's standpoint. That’s Jeff Utecht. Instead of just being in the K12 s...
My Failed Attempt at Building a Community
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When I was in college, building a community felt pretty easy. Have some event, get free food, people come, people talk. Maybe they will bring some of ...
Want to be a Better Podcast Guest? Be Open and Honest with Sara Loretta
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is a little different. Sara Loretta and I met through Jay Clouse’s Creative Companion Club. I mentioned I was offering free podcas...
Live Coaching: Growing Your Podcast Through Your Website with Scott Cowan
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s another live coaching call. Scott Cowan runs a podcast called Explore Washington State. It’s part of a greater site all about Washington. The...
Introducing Make Money Podcasting
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Interested in starting or growing a podcast that actually generates revenue? Check out my new show, Make Money Podcasting! Listen to all of the episo...
Finding Hope in Grief as a Creator with Sherry Walling
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all deal with grief. It could be the loss of a loved one. Maybe the loss of a job. Or the feeling that you’ve lost control of your life or your b...
Finding and Converting Leads with Good Content with Anna Tutckaia
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Grow your audience. Get leads. Sell your thing. Make money. This seems to be the formula for creators…but these are just nebulous ideas. How do we a...
How Creators can Find Hidden Profit in Their Business with Nev Harris
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the difference between making money on the side, and running a business? There are probably dozens of ways to answer that, but if I had to an...
Using Your Podcast for Lead Generation with Sam Munoz
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A drum I’ve been beating for a while is you don’t need sponsors to make money podcasting. In fact, it might not even be the best way to make money...
Troy Dean on Getting Your Students from Zero to Win
16 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Creating a course isn't just about making a series of videos. It's about doing it in a way that gives the students skills or knowledge they can use at...
You Need to Form Good Writing Habits with Dickie Bush
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I’m going, to be honest with you: I’m squarely anti-hustle culture. I think it’s unnecessary and puts too much pressure on people to make “Gar...
Nathan Ellering on coming up with a content marketing plan
09 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Coming up with content can be a tough task, especially across multiple channels. But Nathan Ellering of CoSchedule gave us the perfect advice in episo...
Why You’re Losing Money with a Bad Customer Experience with Marcus Merrell
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“All of the worlds is experienced through code.” This is a statement Marcus Merrell makes on today’s podcast...and it’s absolutely true. See, ...
What It’s Like Building and Selling a Content Company with Chris Coyier
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Creator” is a word that has really come into focus in an industry in the last few years. But content creation is nearly as old as the internet it...
The Book You Need to Write Better Content with Maddy Osman
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When you write content, who are you writing for? It’s an important question to consider— you need to have someone in mind when you write. But ther...
Jeff Sheldon on how to choose the right ideas and prevent burnout
18 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff Sheldon does what he does extremely well. But he's also expanded his business from clothes to coffee and paper products. How does he do it withou...
How I’m Growing My Audience
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last few weeks, I have been interviewing experts on communities, newsletters, referral programs, and more. As a result, I've taken some of my...
Chris Lema on No-Code Solutions
11 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Lema knows a lot about a lot. But did you know he was doing no-code well before it became the movement it is today? In this bit, he tells us a l...
How To Build a $1000/year Membership with Jay Clouse
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can you build a business off of a Twitter challenge? Perhaps it’s not as simple as that, the core concept is there: create something for people to r...
Chris Coyier on being persistent
04 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Coyier is a man of many hats and has successfully started and sold websites, wrote books, and has a great tech startup. In today's bit, he offer...
The First Step You Need to Take to Launch Your Podcast with Alban Brooke
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is stopping you from creating content? That’s the question that Alban Brooke and I set out to answer. But it didn’t start that way. I thought...
Carrie Dils on building a community and doing your own dev work
28 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Carrie Dils was building communities before it was cool. And was actually doing the building! In today's bit, Carrie tells us about how she built he...
Pitching, Writing, and Recording LinkedIn Learning Courses with Carrie Dils
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
LinkedIn Learning is a force in the online course space, with hundreds of courses, millions of learners, and a well-oiled machine for putting out grea...
Cory Miller on building a solution to solve your own pain point
21 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Cory Miller dolled out so much great advice in Episode 4 that we're getting a twofer. He tells us about how one of iThemes' most popular products came...
Building a Personalized Email Newsletter That Works for You with Brennan Dunn
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A few weeks ago we talked to Louis Nicolls about the importance of having a good newsletter that helps people — some targeted, educational resource....
Brian Krogsgard on determining membership benefits and preventing churn
14 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When you have a membership or subscription, your goal is to prevent churn, or people leaving. The best way to do that is to deliver value. But it's al...
How Making Helpful Content is the Right Way to Sell Products with James Laws
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Most people who start a business hate it when they get away from the actual work and move towards managing — the business and the people. But not Ja...
Rebecca Gill on Researching, validating, and launching an online course
07 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Too many people decided they want to make an online course, spend 6 months making it, and launch to crickets. Rebecca Gill knew better, and her advice...
Listener Feedback and Questions
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the first-ever feedback episode! I read a couple of reviews — one good, one bad, and how I’m adjusting — and then answer listener questio...
Jason Coleman on determining value and dealing with negative reviews
30 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jason Coleman was the very first guest on How I Built It, and he started the show strong with a ton of fantastic advice. Here's my favorite: a bit abo...
How Niche Content can get You More Sponsors with Alexis Grant
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How good is creating niche content? How about understanding the purpose of your content and focusing on providing value? Alexis Grant, founder, and CE...
Introducing How I Built Bits
22 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever seen a great talk, video, or even podcast episode that dolled out some fantastic advice, only for you to forget it before you implement ...
Why You Should Spend 80% of Your Time Promoting Content Instead of Making It with Farzad Rashidi
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What if I told you the answer to better organic traffic isn’t more content…it’s less content? That’s what today’s guest, Farzad Rashidi, arg...
Building a Newsletter People Will Actually Read (and Recommend) with Louis Nicholls
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
5 years ago, email was dead. Now it’s not only growing, it’s the life’s blood of the creator economy. As a creator or small business owner, with...
How to Find the Right Tools for Creators (and Why an Open Platform is Better) with Jack Kitterhing
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Kitterhing has been in the WordPress space for a while; you can say he deeply subscribes to the ethos that owning your own platform is one of the...
How Niching Down Allows You to Charge More Without More Clients with Tara Claeys
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are a few chains freelancers in the WordPress space carry if we’re being honest. Not charging what you’re worth is one. Not wanting to niche...
Changing the National Conversation About Money through Podcasting with Brian Bristol
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"We need to de-stigmatize lending money to friends and family." It's one of the first things Brian Bristol said to me in today’s episode. See, Brian...
A Winning YouTube Process for Building Trust & Getting Clients with Nicole Osborne
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
YouTube has been a regular topic on the show this year, and for good reason. More people need to build trust to make their business work, and as the s...
Working Through Different YouTube Strategies with Alastair McDermott
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How often should you publish? Should you use affiliate links? DO those 30-day challenges really help? Alastair McDermott and I are both at the relativ...
Creating Better Online Courses (That You can Charge More for) with Wes Kao
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Since leaving the classroom in 2016, I've missed one aspect of teaching more than any other: connecting with students in real-time, as I teach the mat...
Who is the Pro iPhone for, and Other Creator Tools
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One of the core beliefs at Apple is telling a good story; it’s weaved into everything they do — every product, service, and publication. Something...
How Influencers Help Sell $5,000 Watches with R.T. Custer
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Exactly how important is your marketing funnel? Ask R.T. Custer, who's built a funnel that allows his company, the Vortic Watch Company, to routinely ...
Building a Successful Content Empire in a Crowded Field with Christine Pittman
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Finding time as a busy creator or small business owner can be tough. But what about being a single mom, running a content business, in a competitive s...
Say it Again: Your Business NEEDS to be on TikTok with Alex Rossman
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
More and more, we're hearing about why businesses should be on TikTok. As a creator, this can be a new place for you to gain an audience…if you do i...
Leveraging YouTube to Build Trust and get Leads with Jessica Freeman
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Word of Mouth has long ruled the lead-generating roost for freelancers and small business owners. But that’s an untenable, unscalable business model...
How to Pitch the Media to Grow Your Audience with Brittney Lynn
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
They say one of the best ways to grow your audience is by getting in front of other people’s audiences, and today’s guest is an expert in helping ...
Why You Need to Publish Content to Have an Expertise with Rochelle Moulton
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you become an authority in your field? What's the key to unlocking rewarding work and more sales with less selling? According to Rochelle Moult...
My 2022 Yearly Theme: The Year of Retreat
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In 2021, there was a lot of good, but there was also a lot of stress. In fact, there was a lot of everything. Seems like a year or less would do me go...
Generosity and the Future: My Favorite Christmas Story
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I knew from a young age, I wanted to play the drums. I got my first small kit when I was five and when my friends and I started a band, heavy quotes, ...
Faceoff: Should Speakers be Paid for Virtual Events with Nathan Wrigley
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Back in October, I wrote a blog post called, "We Need to Talk About Speakers and Virtual Events." I outlined how I believe speakers should be treated ...
How I Ended Up Having My Best Black Friday Sale Ever
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This year, I made a concerted effort to have a good Black Friday sale. I started thinking about it early, put in a good sequence of emails, and promot...
How to Leverage the Facebook Algorithm to Grow Your Business with Jono Petrohilos
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes it feels like Facebook gets a bad wrap. Of course, sometimes it feels like Facebook gets exactly what it deserves…so where should we, as s...
How to Properly Niche and Grow Your Membership with Corey Haines
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A few weeks ago, we heard from John Warrillow about why we need to make subscriptions a core part of our businesses. Someone who's done that really we...
The 2021 Gift Guides Episode!
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's the 2021 Gift Guides episode! This year I revamped the guides to be clearer, including more tools for people who work from home and podcasters, a...
How to Actually Sell to Your Email List with Samar Owais
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Something I (and perhaps you) feel I do terribly is email marketing. I'm worried I'm not segmenting my list the right way, that I email them too much,...
Why Subscriptions are Crucial to Your Business with John Warrillow
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Subscription services are increasingly popular and for good reason. On top of creating more predictable income for your business, they allow you to re...