Unemployable: Advice for Freelancers and Entrepreneurs

Jim MacLeod has spent his career helping companies design effective and goal-oriented digital experiences. He did it as a freelancer, and he does it today as the VP of Marketing for Digital Experience and Design for EBSCO. Now he is using that experience and wisdom to turn the traditional curated email newsletter on its head.We don't often think about design as an area ripe with differentiation possibilities for the curated newsletter, and yet Jim is proving that it absolutely can be.In this edition of 7-Figure Small, we dive into Jim's strategy with his Marketing Podcast Recap newsletter, and he shares some of the most important lessons about web design and digital experience that he's learned over the past two decades.We also discuss why he's going to CEX this May and what he hopes to get out of the experience.To connect with Jim, follow him on Twitter (@JimMacleod).You can subscribe to Marketing Podcast Recap newsletter here: https://jimmacleod.substack.com/To learn more about CEX and get your Early Bird tickets, go to cex.events.

This week Jerod is joined by Scott Ellis and Wendi McGowan-Ellis, the husband-and-wife team that built one of the most successful hyperlocal websites of all time: Lifestyle Frisco. And they're not just 7-Figure Small powerhouses together, they've both launched impressive projects on their own as well – Wendi with a productized podcast and strategy service for successful female entrepreneurs, and Scott with a software product for doctors and his own newsletter for online entrepreneurs. In this conversation, we get the background and lessons learned from these projects. We also discuss the benefits and challenges of working together as a married couple, especially when working from home. To connect with Scott, visit his website and subscribe to his newsletter: vsellis.comTo connect with Wendi, visit wendistry.com or follow her on Twitter @wendistry.To learn more about CEX and get your Early Bird tickets, go to cex.events.

Kelly Berry is a serial entrepreneur whose list of credentials and accomplishments is impressive:She is the founder of ResourceAbility and Learn Start Grow, a trained and licensed CEO peer group facilitator, and was named Western Wisconsin Businesswoman of the Year in 2018. She's also a mom of two kids — a role which turned out to be pivotal in convincing her to leave the corporate world to start her own online business for the freedom and flexibility she desired. (Sound familiar?)Kelly is a member of the Unemployable Initiative, our private community for freelancers and entrepreneurs who are building 6- and 7-figure audience-based businesses, and she is consistently one of the most thoughtful and helpful members of the community. In this edition of 7-Figure Small, Kelly shares insights and wisdom acquired along her journey from corporate employee to client-based freelancer to audience-building community leader and peer group facilitator.We discuss:• Why Kelly is looking forward to attending Creator Economy Expo in May.• Kelly's path from the corporate world to successful freelancer.• What made her realize that she needed to break out of the hourly revenue trap.• How Kelly's background in data analysis and research has helped her.• Why she launched Learn Start Grow and who it serves.• The impact taking futurism courses had on her mindset.• The challenges of trying to bring offline peer groups online.• What she learned about hosting community events through her CEO peer group training.• Her methodical approach to building Learn Start Grow.• The impact that traditional networking strategies have had on her audience-building efforts.• And much more.To connect with Kelly, visit Learn Start Grow and subscribe: https://learnstartgrow.com/ To learn more about CEX and get your Early Bird tickets, go to cex.events.

Let's talk about CEX.Last week, Brian Clark and Joe Pulizzi announced that they are joining forces to host a first-of-its-kind event for creators and content entrepreneurs. It's called Creator Economy Expo (CEX), and it will take place May 2-4 at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.This week on 7-Figure Small, Joe is back. You may recall his last appearance on the show, which included a discussion about his creator coin $TILT that helped spur us in a similar direction, launching $MOVE a couple months later. In this episode, Joe and Brian share the story of how CEX came to be, who it serves, and why they decide to partner up.It's a moment more than a decade in the making for two entrepreneurs who have carved out successful 8-figure personal enterprises serving a similar audience. Now their "co-opetition" has morphed into a full-fledged partnership resulting in the first live, in-person conference dedicated to combining the fundamentals of audience building online business with the emerging trends and tools of web3.You'll find out about the Super Early Bird pricing (which is live now) and also learn about the special NFTs -- called NETs, or Never-Ending Tickets -- that were created especially for the event.We're excited to be hosting this event, and we hope to see you in Phoenix in May. To learn more and get your Super Early Bird tickets, go to https://cex.events.

When we think about and discuss the concept of being “unemployable,” it's easy to conflate that with being alone. Consider the title of Paul Jarvis' seminal book on the subject: Company of One.Even the headline on the unemployable homepage right now – "No Investors, No Employees, Big Profits" – can be taken, at a quick glance, to suggest building on your own. But the reality is that for the vast majority of unemployables, trying to navigate an increasingly complex web of tools, opportunities, and competition is more successfully done together than separately. Whether it's a content collective you join, an educational community you're a part of, or even a partnership that you enter into, you can get the most important parts of being unemployable (freedom, flexibility, and financial independence) while mitigating the biggest downsides (lack of support, loneliness, risk).And this week, we explore this idea with two individuals who have built successful unemployable careers while proving that being unemployable doesn't mean being unattached.Joining Jerod on 7-Figure Small this week is Danielle Hughes, the founder of More Than Words, where she helps businesses develop their genuine personality brand so they can attract the right clients and repel the wrong ones. She is also a longtime member of the Unemployable Initiative, our community for unemployables who want coaching and connection, so they don't have to go it alone. You can learn more about it at https://unemployable.com/community.And joining the conversation is Trudi Roth, Jerod and Brian's partner at Movement Ventures, and who you probably know well from her role as the beloved recurring essayist for Further.We discuss their entrepreneurial journeys and what they've learned about the importance making connections, seeking support, and finding a sense of belonging. Then we discuss why the concept of attachment is even more important in the emerging web 3.0.That leads to a candid conversation about women's perceptions of web 3.0 (and how they often differ from men's), why women are more likely to be patient and deliberate before rushing in, and what can be done to help onboard more women to the Internet's next frontier.***If you're interested in gaining more guidance on building your own personal enterprise in the creator economy and discovering the opportunities in the emerging Web 3.0, take our free Future Freedom course.Just head over to futurefreedom.com and enter your best email address. You'll get five value-packed lessons (plus a few bonus lessons) delivered direct to your inbox, and more.

We've spent a lot of time on the podcast over the last few months discussing the emergence of web 3.0.This includes analyzing the technologies that are enabling web 3.0 and analyzing what they mean for the future of audience building, community building, and the kind of content entrepreneurship and personal enterprise building that so many 7-Figure Small listeners are working toward.This week, Jerod shares some advice that will be useful to anyone involved in web 3.0, whether you're just dabbling in it for the first time or already down the rabbit hole.In this episode, we present a series of "Do's and Don'ts" that will help you to seize the many opportunities that are present here in the still-early days of this transition while helping you avoid the many potholes and pitfalls in what is still fair to call the wild, wild, west of web3.And here to help Jerod is yet another member of the Unemployable Initiative, Josh Risser. In addition to his growing experience in web 3.0, Josh has built a successful freelance career as a voiceover artist and coach. He shares his journey from fledgling musician to six-figure freelancer before we dive into the Do's and Don'ts that will help you have a successful experience in web 3.0.***If you're interested in gaining more guidance on building your own personal enterprise in the creator economy and discovering the opportunities in the emerging Web 3.0, take our free Future Freedom course.Just head over to futurefreedom.com and enter your best email address. You'll get five value-packed lessons (plus a few bonus lessons) delivered direct to your inbox, and more.To learn more about the Unemployable Initiative, go to https://unemployable.com/communityTo learn more about $MOVE and The Coin Collective, go to https://rally.io/creator/MOVE/

We launched the 7-Figure Small podcast last year as a natural evolution of the unemployable concept. The big idea, as stated right there in the podcast description, was to share compelling stories and actionable strategies for creative freelancers and entrepreneurs looking to live the "7-Figure Small" lifestyle.And we've done that. But things in our world have changed quite a bit over the last 18-24 months, and that change has been reflected in the content here on the podcast.Web 3.0 has come hurtling down the tracks like a freight train, seeming to pick up speed every day as the tools empowered by blockchain technology -- like creator coins, NFTs, and DAOs -- become more and more accessible. In turn, the stories and actionable strategies we're sharing have changed, by necessity. It even led to the creation of a new educational community, Future Freedom, which you can -- and should -- learn more about over at futurefreedom.com. In fact, when you go there, you can enter your email address to get a free email course from Brian that will help you create your ideal future, on your terms, by explaining the keys to succeeding in the new creator economy.And Forest Linden, our guest this week on 7-Figure Small, is really the perfect guest to bridge the gap between the old 7-Figure Small podcast and the evolved 7-Figure Small podcast.Because he is a case study in how to build an audience-first, one-or-two-person business that can scale to six figures and beyond. He is also a true native of the emerging web 3.0 landscape in just about the most fundamental way possible -- by being a former miner of Bitcoin and Ether.Forest currently runs Clarity Lab, where he helps people and businesses find the best software for their online businesses and scale their revenueHe has also helped his wife grow her mid-six-figure business The Art of Money, founded a six-figure online business called Tech Husband, and earned more than $200,000 in one year by selling an online course teaching people how to build websites in Joomla.In this conversation, we hit on a number of topics:• The throughline that has driven his career choices.• How Forest went from living in a tent and playing music for money to running six-figure technology businesses.• The good and bad of being an unemployable.• How he's thinking about opportunity in the metaverse.• The fundamentals that continue to endure for audience builders and online entrepreneurs.• Why it all ultimately boils down to relationships and being helpful, not matter what technology platform you're on.• Plus, he runs through a few of his favorite tools for content entrepreneurs.***If you're interested in gaining more guidance on building your own personal enterprise in the creator economy and discovering the opportunities in the emerging Web 3.0, take our free Future Freedom course.Just head over to futurefreedom.com and enter your best email address. You'll get five value-packed lessons (plus a few bonus lessons) delivered direct to your inbox, and more.

We've spent a lot of time over the last few months discussing web 3.0, the emerging and converging technologies that are creating it, and how these trends will impact the strategies and tactics we choose as audience-building entrepreneurs.If you missed any of our recent podcasts episodes on web 3.0, make sure you to dip into the recent archive to get caught up.And if you want to go deeper on the keys to succeeding in the creator economy and web 3.0, go to futurefreedom.com and sign up for Brian Clark's free email course, where you'll get his latest thinking on how to build an exceptional business and lifestyle by embracing change instead of dreading it.This week, we resume talking about web 3.0 and the metaverse, and all that those terms encompass, but in a slightly different context.Our guest this week is Mich Bondesio, an expert on business performance. She has spent years helping business leaders improve performance, enhance their creativity, boost their productivity and build a healthier work culture.She is the founder of Growth Sessions, where she works with business owners, writes the bi-monthly Cadence newsletter, and hosts the Creating Cadence podcast, where she explores how to create momentum, work with purpose, and live with intention — to activate our better selves and support better business.And she is also a leader within the Unemployable Initiative, our private membership community for unemployables who are working toward building a 7-Figure Small business. Instead of analyzing how these rapidly evolving web 3.0 technologies will affect our strategy, we discuss how they will actually affect our ability to execute and, simply put, actually get work done. • What does it do to our brains, and our ability to focus, when more and more of our experiences are mitigated through screens?• What does it do to our ability to build meaningful relationships, which people and teams need to thrive?• And while it's easy to point out and dwell on the potential negatives, are there second order benefits that we may be overlooking too?Plus much more.***If you're interested in gaining more guidance on building your own personal enterprise in the creator economy and discovering the opportunities in the emerging Web 3.0, take our free Future Freedom course.Just head over to futurefreedom.com and enter your best email address. You'll get five value-packed lessons (plus a few bonus lessons) delivered direct to your inbox, and more.

What exactly is a “digital nomad?”Here's one potential definition:Explorer, Traffic & Website Builder, Always Striving to Be & Do Better. Driven by continuous exploration. Personally, professionally, and as a full-time nomad. At home in Canada & the USA but consider myself a citizen of the world.That's the headline and description from one of our member profiles inside of the Unemployable Initiative — a member who certainly considers herself to be a digital nomad.It's a concept we've discussed here on the 7-Figure Small podcast. And we've certainly discussed it over at Future Freedom. In fact, if you go to futurefreedom.com and register for the free email course, one of the lessons you'll receive is about how to “unretire” and travel the world.But my hunch is that while many folks striving to build a personal enterprise are intrigued by the idea of being a digital nomad, it's a concept that remains pretty abstract in most people's minds.It's aspirational, and it makes for compelling social media posts, but it's something “other” people do and that may actually feel unattainable … until you are actually out there being a citizen of the world yourself.So this week, with Brian headed off for a retreat in Peru, I (Jerod) take the opportunity to dig into what it's really like to be a digital nomad, while also shining a light on one of our most consistent and helpful contributors in the Unemployable Initiative — our private, paid education community for unemployables across the globe, whether firmly grounded in one location like me, or constantly on the go, like this week's guest.And yes, as you might have guessed, our guest is the person whose profile description is listed above: Pat Williams, the founder of CyberCletch, a boutique web design and digital marketing agency that she runs from, well, anywhere.We discuss:• Pat's life and career arc that led to her current digital nomad setup• The source of her wanderlust• The benefits of life on the road with a location-independent business• The challenges of life on the road with a location-independent business• The sources of support and connection that help Pat along the way• Her advice for anyone considering making a similar career and life shift• The stories that encapsulate what the digital nomad life is likeAnd much more.To get links to all of the resources Pat mentioned, check out the show notes: https://unemployable.com/digital-nomad***If you're interested in gaining more guidance on building your own personal enterprise in the creator economy and discovering the opportunities in the emerging Web 3.0, take our free Future Freedom course.Just head over to futurefreedom.com and enter your best email address. You'll get five value-packed lessons (plus a few bonus lessons) delivered direct to your inbox, and more.

Jack Butcher is proof that new voices can come along and quickly build a 7-figure small business with an online audience. And then also parlay that initial success into the next iteration of their own personal enterprise.Of course, people only see the so-called “overnight success” and not the longer path that made it possible. Like so many others, Jack didn't just jump into online courses. He paid his dues developing industry expertise, worked one-on-one with clients to test his ideas, and only then did he launch scalable courses that brought him over a million in revenue.And now, thanks to the unique visual aspects of the brand Jack built that was bigger than himself, he's able to capitalize on the biggest digital trend of 2021 -- NFTs. It all comes down to the audience he started with, and how his biggest fans constitute something more in the form of community. Listen in to hear how Jack's journey played out.***If you're interested in gaining more guidance on building your own personal enterprise in the creator economy and discover the opportunities in the emerging Web 3.0, take our free Future Freedom course.Just head over to http://futurefreedom.com and enter your best email address. You'll get five value-packed lessons (plus a few bonus lessons) delivered direct to your inbox. http://futurefreedom.com

Technology is driving change and the evolution of the web.That's what we discussed in recent episodes about blockchain, creator coins, NFTs, and smart contracts and DAOs. But what really matters, beyond the shiny newness and seemingly infinite possibilities of the tech, is the people.Specifically, how the unchanging fundamentals of human nature operate in the context this new technology creates.Because as Brian is fond of saying, “Technology doesn't change human nature, it amplifies it.” What will that mean in web 3.0? We explore in this week's episode.• Why “community” is so much more than just a buzzword.• Five fundamentals of human nature that matter in a web 3.0 context.• Does audience still matter?• Does audience size still matter?• How the Personal Enterprise fits into this rapidly evolving context• The 3 models for building a successful web 3.0 enterprise: Leader, Joiner, Collaboration.• If 2021 was the Year of the NFT, 2022 will be the Year of the ___ ?Links:• http://movecoin.net/• http://futurefreedom.com/• https://unemployable.com/podcast/nft-case-study-cryptodads/

As we discussed on a recent episode of 7-Figure Small, the use cases and utility for NFTs go so far beyond just getting a cartoon image to use as a profile picture.This is actually the biggest mistake that many people new to learning about NFTs make when they see the exorbitant amounts of money that projects like Crypto Punks and the Bored Ape Yacht Club sell for. They assume it's about the artwork, when that's merely the top layer.What really matters is everything going on beneath the surface in these super-exclusive communities that provide real benefits to their members.Because that's really what someone is buying when they purchase such an NFT: yes, they're getting a unique jpeg that can signal social capital and even convey valuable IP rights; but more importantly they are getting entry and access into an online space that can provide networking, camaraderie, purpose, opportunity, fun, giveaways, and even collective revenue streams.And sometimes, it's not the community that comes first; it's the NFT project — with a spontaneous community spinning up around it. Do some of these spontaneous communities turn out to be short-term mirage communities filled with speculators hoping to flip a jpeg for a quick profit?Absolutely.But when done right, these spontaneous communities can quickly become genuine, connected communities that carry the initial mission — and financial goals — of the NFT project's founders beyond their wildest expectations.In this case study conversation, which was originally a piece of premium content for Future Freedom members, Jerod talks with the founders of one such NFT project — CryptoDads. (Full disclosure, Jerod is a member of the CryptoDads community by virtue of owning multiple CryptoDads NFTs.)Jerod stumbled upon CryptoDads after spending some time searching for an NFT project to get into, so he could see this spontaneous community building from the inside. As he explains, he immediately bought into this project because of the utility roadmap the founders had laid out, and because the big idea spoke to him on a personal level. The best of these NFT projects connect with members in at least one key component of their identity. CryptoDads hit him in two: his emerging interest in crypto, and his enduring joy and responsibility of being a dad.And because this project made a similar connection with so many other like-minded people, as well as the inevitable speculators who are always looking for promising projects, its public sale of 10,000 NFTs ended within minutes, driving quite a bit of revenue for the founders, devs, designer, and investors. They also get a cut of each NFT when it is resold as well. Pretty interesting business model, right?Also an extremely challenging one to pull off, as we discuss. But even if launching the next 10,000-mint pfp NFT project isn't in the cards for you, it's useful to understand why they can be so powerful in building spontaneous communities.And with NFTs set to serve as unifying digital tokens for existing and emerging communities alike moving forward, understanding this phenomenon through the prism of a project that is making all the right moves early on will help ground your understanding of NFTs moving forward.Links:http://futurefreedom.comhttp://cryptodadsnft.comhttp://twitter.com/cryptodadsnft

We began this series by talking about blockchain, then followed it up with two episodes on emerging applications built on top of blockchains — creator coins and NFTs.This week, we discuss the intermediate layer between the blockchain and those applications, which make them possible: smart contracts.• What a smart contract is and does• The legalities of smart contracts• Examples of smart contracts• How smart contracts led to the rise of Ethereum• How smart contracts can revolutionize the way freelancers work and get paidThen we tackle another emerging application that smart contracts empower — DAOs.• What is a DAO? What does it do?• How access to a DAO is granted• The legalities of DAOs• Examples of DAOs — from the wild and esoteric to the remarkably practical• The future of DAOs and how they will impact online communitiesAll that and more on this edition of 7-Figure Small.Links:• $MOVE coin: http://movecoin.net• Future Freedom: http://futurefreedom.com

This is the second episode in our series on the applications that will be built on top of blockchains and change the way we live, work, and interact.Last we discussed creator coins. This week, we're discussing the other kind of social token: NFTs.By now you've probably heard of NFTs. You may even know that NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token. But if you're like most people, you're still trying to figure out exactly what that means … and why on earth people would spend thousands (even millions!) of dollars on a jpeg.The reality is that your current view of NFTs is likely colored by the content you're consuming about them. If all you've read are the crazy headlines or “old man yells at clouds” dismissals, then you probably have an overly simplistic understanding of what NFTs are and the many layers of utility they can provide to holders and creators.In this episode, we dive deep to give you the 360-degree view of NFTs.Yes, there is some silliness, maybe even a speculative bubble, in the current NFT market. But the technology behind NFTs is going to change everything from how musicians make money to how live event tickets are handled and even, perhaps, to how you sell and gate your next online course.What people often overlook about NFTs is that they can provide utility in the form of entry, access, community, social capital, and even future revenue streams. Once you start digging in, it's fascinating. And you'll undoubtedly come away from this episode with at least one idea for how NFTs will impact your work.You'll also learn what happened when Jerod went down the rabbit hole of an NFT project that he actually connected with, CryptoDads.All that and more on this edition of 7-Figure Small.Access the show notes and links here: http://unemployable.com/podcast/nfts

Last week, we returned with a discussion about blockchain and decentralization. That episode set the stage for the series of episodes we're beginning this week, which dive deep into what really matters: the useful applications that will be built on top of blockchains and change the way we live, work, and interact.  Let's start with creator coins -- of which we have our own, $MOVE (http://movecoin.net)If you've been paying attention, you probably understand creator coins in broad strokes. They are branded digital currencies. Okay, but what does that really mean? • How is a creator coin actually a real "currency"?• How are they used?• How do the holders of creator coins benefit?• How do the creators benefit?• Do creator coins replace $USD?• Can they work together?• How do you get one of your own?• What makes the Rally ecosystem, where we host $MOVE coin, better than the other current options?This week, we answer all of those questions and more ... before the episode really takes a wild turn at the end.Plus, stick around for Brian making yet another superhero movie reference that sails right over Jerod's head and the awkward moment that ensues.

These days, blockchain and cryptocurrencies are most often referenced when the decentralized web is discussed. But blockchain is really only one aspect of Web 3.0 (although a really important foundational one). Web 3.0 will involve the convergence of:• Spatial technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality• Physical access points via the internet of things, wearables, and robotics• Cognitive aspects such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, and• Distributed technologies like blockchain, distributed ledgers, and edge computing.In this episode of 7-Figure Small, we touch on the impact that all of these elements will have on the development of Web 3.0 before settling in to focus on blockchain. Our blockchain discussion explores the following topics:• What is "decentralization"?• How does blockchain technology facilitate decentralization?• What does Bitcoin have to do with it?• What industries are being most acutely impacted?• And how is this affecting content entrepreneurs?Then we end with an overview of what our next four episodes will cover. That's right, we're back!Make sure you check out these important links that we mention during the episode:http://movecoin.net/https://copyblogger.com/creator-coins/https://unemployable.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CB-Insights_Industries-Disrupted-Blockchain.pdf

We’ve talked a lot about positioning on this show. In a crowded content ecosystem, you can’t just publish general content for a general audience and expect any response other than general indifference. You have to position yourself and your content so that you matter in a particular way to a particular group of people.And as the Internet landscape gets more advanced, with more content options available, even a single level of positioning isn’t enough. For example, you can’t just be “fitness” and expect to make a dent. Or you can’t just target nerd culture and expert to be heard above the noise.But what if you combine two seemingly unrelated niches into one? Now, instead of struggling to be heard by the masses at the edges of the Venn Diagram, you can really matter to the people at the intersection in the middle.And that’s exactly what Steve Kamb did when he created Nerd Fitness. It's also what Brian Clark did with Copyblogger. And today, we’re going to discuss how Steve and Brian have succeeded with intersectional positioning, and why it may be a path you want to go down in your quest to really matter to an audience.We also discuss a few fun headlines -- on the Metaverse, keyword research, and the best jobs for freelancers -- and then answer a few questions.Headlines:• State of the Metaverse 2021 (https://medium.com/the-challenge/state-of-the-metaverse-2021-9f032fed655b)• There Are Four Kinds of Keyword Research; Make Sure You’re Doing the Right One(s) (https://sparktoro.com/blog/there-are-four-kinds-of-keyword-research-make-sure-youre-doing-the-right-ones/)• 5 Freelance Jobs That Are In Demand Now (https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2021/05/07/5-freelance-jobs-that-are-in-demand-now/?sh=ae0a5c163180)To access the full show notes: https://unemployable.com/podcast/intersectional-positioning/

With Joe Pulizzi in the house, could we be talking about anything other than content? Come on. This is the founder of Content Marketing Institute and author of the soon-to-be-rereleased Content, Inc. that we're talking about here. Content is Joe’s brand.But not content for content’s sake. If you are still clinging to the idea that “content is king,” you need to disabuse yourself of that notion immediately.Content is not king. The right content, in the right context, for the right people, and within the confines of the right business model — that’s your winning combo.It’s how you go from a dime-a-dozen online content creator to a true content entrepreneur — someone who serves an audience on the way toward building a 7-Figure Small business, a personal enterprise, or whatever else gives you the lifestyle and freedom you desire.This week, we learn from Joe’s experience and wisdom in this area, and the new frontier he's blazing by incorporating crypto and NFTs into his new project, The Tilt.Oh, and Brian may know a thing or two about this also.

This week, we continue with the themes from the past couple of weeks: building a personal enterprise and the growing trend of unretirement.The question is: where does building a personal brand play into all of this?Do you need to build a personal brand to build a personal enterprise? Are they the same thing? (No.)Do you need it at the beginning in our social media-conscious world, but are you then able to ditch it later once the demands of a personal brand are no longer necessary to serve the ends of the enterprise?There aren’t many people more qualified to discuss this topic than Brian Clark and Paul Jarvis. Both have built successful personal enterprises, each without leaning fully into the personal brand focus that so many online-based entrepreneurs focus on.What can we learn from their examples and experiences? In this episode, we find out.We also discuss two meaty headlines — the controversy at Basecamp and the trouble with entrepreneurship culture — and answer some listener questions.• Breaking Camp by The Verge (https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/27/22406673/basecamp-political-speech-policy-controversy)• Silicon Valley's Secret (https://money.cnn.com/mostly-human/silicon-valleys-secret/)***Access the complete show notes at http://unemployable.com/podcast/paul-jarvis

The "unretirement" trend started with bored retired people going back to work.Then it became a planning mechanism for those nearing retirement to set up their next thing.Now, it’s applied to anyone who thinks it's ridiculous to do something you hate just so you can retire by a predetermined age. Why not just start living the life you want now ... and then keep going with it?That is the topic of this week's discussion on 7-Figure Small. Brian Clark delves into what unretirement is, the societal and technological trends that are converging to make it more necessity than option, and some surprising statistics about the future of the digital nomad lifestyle.And, of course, how the personal enterprise plays into it all.

You are probably starting to notice a theme here on 7-Figure Small. Two weeks ago, Brian introduced the concept of the personal enterprise here on this podcast, having written about it several times over at Further. Then last week, Brian Gardner joined us to trace his history from side hustle design to sustainable, scalable enterprise.And this week, our guest Laura Roeder gives us another opportunity to experience a personal enterprise case study straight from the trenches.Her journey from social media consultant to founder of multiple SaaS success stories is an inspiring one, and she’s here to share it with us -- the good and the bad -- so we can learn from her example and put the lessons into action as we pursue our own personal enterprises. We also discuss headlines about so-called "outrage marketing," Prince Harry's new job (and why it's relevant to an audience of unemployables), and ambassador marketing for email newsletters. Plus a few listener questions at the end.---To access the show notes for this episode, including all links mentioned, visit: http://unemployable.com/podcast/personal-enterprise-laura-roeder

Last week, Brian and I discussed the personal enterprise in theory. This week, it's time to discuss the personal enterprise in practice.And who better to lead such a discussion than two people who have each built mature personal enterprises of their own?Brian Clark and Brian Gardner. (Also known as BC an BG to anyone who worked at Copyblogger.)They started out as competitors, eventually became successful partners at Copyblogger Media, and now have moved into that sweetest of entrepreneurial spots where they are letting their passion and enthusiasm guide their choices for what to work on next.What’s it take to get there? Find out this week in the return of 7-Figure Small Live -- which means in addition to our main topic you always get headlines and some Q&A at the end.Headlines:• I’m Stepping Down as Copyblogger CEO (href="https://copyblogger.com/stepping-down/)• Wix Takes On WordPress by Bringing to Life the Frustrations of Website Management (https://www.adweek.com/creativity/wix-takes-on-wordpress-with-ads-that-bring-the-frustrations-of-website-management-to-life/)• Wix Ad: Conflicting Plugin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tffn1sW1VSg)• Will Gen X Women Rule the World? (https://further.net/gen-x-women/")To access the full show notes, visit: https://unemployable.com/podcast/brian-gardner/

When you start a business, you don't have to know exactly what it will end up looking like. You also don't need to try to hit a home run right away. It's far better to be patient and methodical. In fact, many people who end up developing their own personal business empire start out as freelancers, or in some other client services role. This is includes Brian Clark.This week on 7-Figure Small, we take a one-week break from the new 7-Figure Small Live format to dig deep on the idea of the personal enterprise. Brian reflects on his journey from starting small to developing his own successful personal enterprise. He defines what a personal enterprise is, outlines the forces converging to make now the right time to get started, and describes what your revenue and audience building mindsets should be to get you started off in a way that can you support you now and scale later. Brian also introduces and describes the Personal Enterprise Pyramid, and tells you what your next step(s) should be.Step one: make sure you've taken the free Next Level 7 email training course! (https://unemployable.com/next-level-7/)Access the show notes, including all links mentioned, here: https://unemployable.com/podcast/personal-enterprise/

This week, we talk about SEO. But it’s a bit of a different SEO conversation than you may be used to.Because often when we talk about SEO within the context of building an audience, we focus on it from the beginning. What better way to get to your minimum viable audience than with organic search traffic ... right?Well, maybe not.As we’ve discussed in bits and pieces on previous episodes, you aren’t really ready to execute a smart SEO strategy until you have your minimum viable audience already built. At that point, you actually know something about your audience beyond the hypothesis that you start out with. Once you’re there, then you can take what you know, craft an astute SEO plan, and drive the kind of targeted organic traffic that you can actually convert into subscribers -- the kinds of subscribers who may even be on the fast track to becoming customers.And Jonny Nastor knows plenty about how to do this, because he’s been doing it successfully for clients for years. And he shares his expertise with us in this episode.In addition to this week's main topic, we take another trip inside Brian's mind, answer some mailbag questions, and discuss headlines about a new way startups are raising money, the secret to business and artistic success, and why internal links really matter.Headlines:1. The SEC and New Breed of Startups Fuel the Equity Crowdfunding Flame (https://www.inc.com/amrita-khalid/the-sec-new-breed-of-startups-fuel-equity-crowdfunding-flame.html)2. This Is the Secret to Business and Artistic Success (https://ryanholiday.net/secret-to-success)3. 10 Easy But Powerful SEO Tips to Boost Traffic to Your Website (https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/easy-but-powerful-seo-tips-to-boost-traffic-to-your-website)

Back in November of 2020, this week's guest tweeted, “It’s hard to overstate how monumental and empowering the digital revolution has been for independent creators.” His name is Corbett Barr, he's one of the founders of Fizzle, and for the past decade-plus he's been at the forefront of this revolution, creating successful content and products while helping other creators do the same.This week, Corbett and fellow digital pioneer Brian Clark discuss some of the lessons they’ve each learned that will help us all succeed as independent creators in 2021 and beyond. In addition to this week's main topic, we take another trip inside Brian's mind, answer some mailbag questions, and discuss headlines about community becoming a competitive advantage, the latest trends in podcast listenership, and an update on the PRO Act.Headlines: • When Community Becomes Your Competitive Advantage (https://hbr.org/2020/01/when-community-becomes-your-competitive-advantage)• Yes, Podcast Listenership is Still on the Rise (https://www.vulture.com/2021/03/podcast-listenership-download-data-on-the-rise.html)• No, The PRO Act Wouldn't Kill Freelancing (https://brandonmagner.substack.com/p/no-the-pro-act-wouldnt-kill-freelancing)

This week, we discuss a topic that gets asked about nearly every time we do a Q&A for Unemployable Initiative members: how to build an audience. Specifically, how do you start from scratch, or close to scratch, and build a minimum viable audience?As you know from the definition of minimum viable audience, once you have an MVA the audience starts to build itself. That doesn’t mean the work of filling the top of your funnel is done, but it does mean that you have some momentum and a head of steam to help keep you growing.But how do you get that momentum going in the first place? Especially when there is so much content out there already, which can it feel like such an immense challenge just to get noticed?To be clear: there are no silver bullet in this episode. There is no secret we reveal that will allow you to supersede a couple of fundamental truths of audience building: 1) you have to create high quality content for a specific audience, and 2) you’re going to have to invest time or money, or both, to get that content in front of the right people.If either of those two truths scare you off, this conversation may not be of much use. But if they don’t, then join us and our special guest Sonia Simone to talk about what’s working for building a minimum viable audiences in 2021.In addition to this week's main topic, we take another trip inside Brian's mind, answer a bevy of listener questions, and discuss headlines about how the pandemic is messing with our brains, whether the PRO Act should worry freelancers, and how marketing will (or won't) change after the pandemic.This week's headlines:1. How the Pandemic is Messing with Our Brains (https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/03/what-pandemic-doing-our-brains/618221/)2. Does the PRO Act Threaten Freelance Careers?(https://www.jennifergregorywriter.com/2021/03/01/guest-post-deborah-abrams-kaplan-explains-why-the-pro-act-threatens-freelance-careers/)3. 10 Truths About Marketing After the Pandemic (https://hbr.org/2021/03/10-truths-about-marketing-after-the-pandemic)

Todd Tresidder has built his successful two-stage career by walking the walk. First, he became a self-made millionaire by learning how wealth is really created and spotting the contradictions in what is often taught. Then, he helped others do the same at Financial Mentor by creating frameworks and guides that help people ignore the noise and focus their financial decision making and what will actually help them build wealth.And along the way, he’s proven to be a believer in a concept Brian discussed most recently in the first lesson of Community Commerce Essentials -- two of the seven questions Brian outlined for finding your winning difference: who does your audience want to become and who do you want your audience to become?That latter part is what really sets Todd apart, because he wants his financial mentees to view their path to financial freedom as a path toward personal growth as well. In fact, he views them as one and the same.We talk about all of this with Todd on this week's edition of 7-Figure Small.In addition, we discuss a few headlines around NFTs, the future of work, and email. Then we end by answering some questions from Unemployable Initiative members and folks who were there for the live broadcast of this week's episode.

After two episodes of the new format of the show, fate intervened. First, the winter fiasco in Texas knocked Jerod’s power out, and then the next week his wife gave birth to their second child. So, congratulations to Jerod and Heather!I decided to carry on with a return to the old interview format for one week only. In this episode, I have a great chat with John Warrilow about some of the key concepts from his new book, The Art of Selling Your Business. I’ve interviewed John before about designing your business to be an attractive acquisition target with a recurring revenue model, and this time we’re exploring how to prepare for an actual exit.We begin with a question that many don’t really spend time considering: Why do you want to sell? Getting a little philosophical about the reasons for selling your business can spare you a lot of second-guessing later.After that, we discuss the danger of timing your exit, the “5-20” rule for potential businesses that will want to acquire your business, how to deal with earnouts and attempts to “retrade” the deal, how to nudge the purchase price up, and much more.John shares a lot of value in this interview, and answers some common questions that everyone who sells a business needs to understand. Let’s jump right in.

With podcasting still going strong, newsletters having their moment, and blogging still right there in the thick of it all, it sure feels like the internet is returning to its roots in a good way.As Justin Jackson put it in a tweet: "The classic internet is back in style: mindful, slow pace. Less frenzy. Feels good."We sure agree.So this week on 7-Figure Small, we rounded up Chris Brogan and Darren Rowse, a couple of pioneers of the early internet, to join Brian Clark for a chat about what’s new, what’s different, and what’s the same as it ever was.As always, we begin by kicking around some headlines and end by answering listener questions. In between, during our main topic, Brian, Chris, and Darren go deep on: • Their experience launching Third Tribe• The power of virtual communities• Why email remains so important• Where podcasts fit within an overall content marketing strategy• How curation has evolved And much more.

As all freelancers and solopreneurs know, or eventually learn, starting a successful small business is a challenge -- a challenge worth accepting because of the rewards that come with it.But what about the steps beyond that first level of success? What if you decide that you want to take your six- or seven-figure small business and scale it up? It's doable, and there are well-worn paths you can follow. But it's not the right path for everyone. Is it the right path for you?That's the subject of this week's edition of 7-Figure Small with Brian Clark, who has made the decision to scale several times in the past and experienced the challenges and rewards that come with it.Ryan Deiss has too. Like Brian, he's a serial entrepreneur. He founded Digital Marketer and is currently helping small businesses scale successfully at Scalabale.co. This week, Ryan is our guest for an in-depth discussion about how to weigh the benefits and challenges of scaling your business so you can make the right decision for your situation.This week's episode also marks the debut of our new format: 7-Figure Small Live. So in addition to the discussion on scaling your business, we begin by kicking around a few headlines (about Robinhood, Clubhouse, and Substack) and then finish up by answering questions from our live Zoom audience of Unemployable Initiative community members.

There are, without doubt, a lot of podcasts other there. But that’s not the same as there being a lot of truly engaging podcasts.People tend to think if they just land the right guest (you know, the one that’s been on every other show like yours), your downloads would double and sales would skyrocket. But think about it ... how can that be true?Rather than just another podcast, you need a premise that does more than prompt a download. Something that speaks to your intended audience in a way that simultaneously delivers the value they’re looking for, in a way they weren’t expecting.This week’s guest on 7-Figure Small has some thoughts on the subject. In fact, Jay Acunzo has lots of thoughts, and they are incredibly insightful.If you’re trying to grow your business with a podcast, or you’re contemplating it, this episode is a must listen.From his early work at companies like Google and ESPN, and spanning 15+ years of public performance and creative projects, Jay has inspired and pushed others to question the status quo, find and share their voices, and make a difference with the work they create.He’s now building his own solo business helping people find their voice and build an audience -- all in a way that leads to real revenue, not just downloads on just another podcast.

Over the last 15 years or so, there have been a multitude of people who have started creating content for a specific audience, and bootstrapped their way to 7-figure success. Build the audience first, and the revenue follows.Katie Wells of Wellness Mama is one of those people. As a mother of six, her interest in helping families become healthier stemmed from her own research in raising healthy children -- a familiar case of purpose preceding profit that powers so many bootstrapped digital media businesses.Today, Wellness Mama is a thriving business that initially hit the 7-figure mark by recommending quality products and services to people who trust Katie to put their well-being first. And then she developed her own line of natural products under the Wellness brand, which is now a successful and growing ecommerce company that has weathered the pandemic and looks to have an exceedingly bright future.It’s all too easy to look at Katie’s success today and think this is something that’s too monumental to achieve. But everything starts with one small step at the beginning. Just one person making a decision to provide meaningful value and solutions to others.If you have a strong sense of purpose that you’d like to turn into a business, Katie’s story will help you get started. Her insights in this episode are incredibly valuable, and she shares more than a few nuggets of gold that can make your own journey less mysterious and more fruitful.

It’s never been more doable to start a digital business. The increased “virtualization” of business, education, communities and events was happening anyway -- and then 2020 kicked it up to a much higher level.But most of us start off as freelancers and with other client service businesses (I know I did). It’s a rite of passage where you learn how to make it without a J.O.B., and often reveals the driving sense of purpose for the business you really want to start and run.Like a lot of young people, Krista Stryker thought she knew what she wanted to do after school, and like a lot of people life presented other plans. She ended up as a freelance copywriter, while starting a blog to talk about her passion for fitness on the side.That blog turned into 12-Minute Athlete, which is now an app, book, and website dedicated to high intensity interval training and body-weight exercises. And even with her success, Krista is looking to take her business to the next level thanks to her belief that physical fitness must be accompanied with mental fitness as well.

Our extended hiatus is over, and we're excited to be back for another season of the 7-Figure Small podcast.In this brief teaser episode, Brian Clark lets you know what's on tap for Season 2 of the show. We have three interviews lined up to kick off the new season, and then we're introducing a new format for the show. Listen to learn more.Then look for our first interview of Season 2 on Monday.

We originally planned for this season finale of the 7-Figure Small podcast to be published a few weeks ago. But our world here in the U.S. changed quite drastically in the interim, so we took a little more time to collect our thoughts before recording.This episode still focuses on the same topic we were planning to discuss -- the importance of choosing your idea audience -- but the context is now much different and, ultimately, much more meaningful.We open with a discussion about an intriguing new online marketplace for "A.I.-generated characters," and what it could mean for your business, before moving onto perhaps the single greatest example in advertising history of defining who your ideal audience is (and who it isn't).Then we address the importance of having core values and being willing to stand up for them, what it means to provide values-based leadership to an audience, and how these ideas come to a head when important societal events happen -- like the recent murder of George Floyd and the ensuing protests and national discussion about Black Lives Matter and race in America.How do you decide when it's time to take a public stand and make your thoughts and feeling clear to your audience, even when it's obvious there will be some negative reaction? And is it possible that we overrate how much negative reaction there will be? Brian and Jerod use their own recent experiences with other audiences to provide some insight.All of that and more on this season finale episode of 7-Figure Small.

The global economy is in bad shape right now. That is perhaps the understatement of the century.In the span of 8 weeks, it feels like there has been a tectonic shift, and no one knows with any certainty what the new “normal” is going to be whenever it mercifully arrives.What we do know -- because we learned it during the financial crisis of 2008, and in many examples prior -- is that the businesses that will survive this economic turmoil, and possibly even thrive on the other side of it, are those that are able to adapt to the changing economic reality. In other words: those with a defensible business model. In this episode of 7-Figure Small, Brian Clark defines what a defensible model is, uses examples like AirBNB, Uber, and Amazon to illustrate it, and explains how it applies to building a 7-figure small business that is audience-first as opposed to product-first.***This episode of 7-Figure Small is brought to you by Next Level 7 -- Brian Clark’s free audio course that teaches you how to start stacking the building blocks of a defensible business. Most notably, you’ll learn what’s working for attracting an audience and discovering what they want to buy, which are the first steps toward building a business that truly has the ability to adapt to changing times. To get started for free, go to nextlevel7.com.

A smart and sustainable SEO strategy remains one of the best ways to drive targeted traffic and build an engaged audience.There is no one better to discuss what really work in SEO that this week's guest, Brian Dean, the founder of Backlinko. Brian shares with us some of the biggest takeaways from his epic article The Definitive Guide To SEO In 2020.He begins by giving us a few of the most important high-level things that everyone needs to realize about SEO — including the enduring power of keyword optimization and some smart tips for how to discover search intent.Then we cover a wide range of topics after that, including how AI will impact SEO moving forward, how to think about SEO when you're focusing on a curated email newsletter, tactical advice on how to structure content in WordPress, and much more.Now there’s just one catch with this episode: we didn’t record it specifically for the podcast. What you’re about to hear is actually the audio from a webinar that we did inside of the Unemployable Initiative, our private, paid community for freelancers and solopreneurs. And as you’ll hear, the questions Brian answers are directly from community members.With the doors to the community now open for ongoing registration, Brian Clark and I wanted to give you a little taste of the content you’ll find when you join. To find out everything that is included in your membership, go to unemployable.com/community.Note: the original presentation was on video, and Brian does share his screen a few times. If you want to see the video replay, visit the lesson page: https://unemployable.com/podcast/seo

For years now, we’ve heard warnings of massive job losses due to the rise of artificial intelligence in business. A study from McKinsey suggests that by 2030, intelligent agents and robots could eliminate the jobs of 800 million people worldwide.The flip side of this prediction is that, as with every other major technological transformation, more jobs will be created than lost. The idea is that the people who adapt and learn to work with machines will be the best off.That remains to be seen for the employed, but for solo business owners, there’s no doubt that we’ll use artificial intelligence to enhance our businesses. No “boss” can replace us with software or a robot, but we will replace ourselves as much as possible.So what will that leave us to do? Advanced technology will free us up to focus on the uniquely human aspects of our businesses, and that will center around enhanced creative thinking.This week’s episode is all about creativity – a human quality so distinctive, differentiating, and valuable that it actually becomes more important the closer technology comes to mimicking it.Joining us this week is Jason Miller, a digital marketing veteran who has worked at Marketo, LinkedIn, and Microsoft. Jason has been on the front lines of the automation and artificial intelligence business revolution for over a decade, and his message is music to the ears of creative entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to create outsized impacts with emerging technology.***This episode is brought to you by Freshbooks, cloud accounting software designed specifically for solo business owners. They’re offering a 30-day, no credit card required free trial to listeners of 7-Figure Small. To claim it, just visit FreshBooks.com/unemployable and make sure to enter UNEMPLOYABLE in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

The early days of the tech startup craze would have you believe that Silicon Valley was not only the place to be, it was the only place to be. Or maybe Boston or New York City, but those were all the acceptable choices.As time went on, Seattle, Austin, and Boulder became part of the conversation. But what about Indianapolis, Nashville, and Pittsburgh?Truth is, there are vibrant startup communities all over the place. Not to mention the increasing numbers of seven figure small businesses that operate outside of the venture capital circus all together.Matt Hunckler has been working tirelessly for years making the case that the middle of America amounts to an undervalued asset, rich in markets, new business ideas, and budding entrepreneurs. His company Powderkeg brings entrepreneurs between the coasts together to find the resources they need to grow and thrive.Matt joins us this week to discuss Powerkeg’s mission. We also talk about how the pandemic is accelerating the idea of “everywhere is a startup hub,” and how Powderkeg quickly pivoted from live events to virtual value for its members out of obvious necessity.***If you’re about to start something up for yourself, or even pivot your existing business, you’ll want to take our free audio course Next Level 7. In six lessons, I’ll show you what's working right now for attracting an audience, discovering what they want to buy, and building your perfect business. Just head over to nextlevel7.com to sign up.

Once upon a time, when people wanted to start their own business, they went down to the bank. There was physical space to lease, equipment to buy, and people to hire.Maybe it was a coffee shop, retail store, or professional services form. Or maybe light manufacturing or a car dealership. Sometimes the profits were substantial, other times meager. But there was always a lot on the line if things didn’t work out.About 20 years ago, the idea of starting a business changed due to the tech startup craze. Now it was about raising a Series A, then B, then C … and then IPO or acquisition. Profit wasn’t part of the equation, only insane levels of growth that very few achieved, despite the relentless focus on the relatively few success stories.During that same time period, however, a third way arose. A way to build a business using the reach of the Internet, the power of technology, and the creativity of entrepreneurs who very much focused on profit, all while mitigating risk with digital business models. Oh, and there was no need to deal with investors, because who wants that kind of meddling?It’s the “third way” that Chris Guillebeau’s new book The Money Tree (https://amzn.to/2VknDaz) focuses on. And yes … it’s also the approach taken with the 7-Figure Small strategy for smart business building.Chris joins us in this episode to discuss the third way and his new book. He also shares tips for generating extra income from his previous book Side Hustle (https://amzn.to/34O2UyI), which is a companion to his popular podcast Side Hustle School.***This episode is brought to you by Freshbooks, cloud accounting software designed specifically for freelancers and solo business owners. They’re offering a 30-day, no credit card required free trial to you … yes you! To claim it, just visit FreshBooks.com/unemployable and make sure to enter UNEMPLOYABLE in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

The world is going through a difficult and traumatic time right now. Unfortunately, many people's lives are being upended by severe health issues or job loss. Even those of us who have been fortunate enough to avoid sickness or unemployment are dealing with isolation, the upending of our daily routines, and the cascading impact of economic turmoil.Which means that everyone is dealing with swift and sudden change, and the uncertainty and anxiety that can so easily accompany it.In this episode, Brian Clark and Jerod Morris confront the current reality we're all facing by opening up about how they are dealing with the upheaval, as well as the lessons from the past they are choosing to draw on for strength about what the future can hold on the other side of trying times.At the core of this conversation is a simple question: Is it time to start doing what you really want to do? There is no "right" answer. That will depend on your current mindset and circumstances. But this episode does offer a few simple questions to help guide you toward a meaningful answer.***And by the way, we meant what we said about reaching out to us. If you feel like you don't have anyone to talk to who will understand what you're going through, and you want to email us and open up about anything your are thinking or feeling, do it: jerod@unemployable.com.

Freelancers, solopreneurs, and startup founders are used to operating in virtual environments. Zoom and countless other virtual communication tools are the way we do impactful work without offices or geographic proximity to others.Now, a big chunk of the business world has gone remote and virtual. Real-life events -- both big and small -- have been canceled out of necessity, and there’s a good chance that the increasing digitalization of business that was already happening means many events will not go back to the “real” world.That means it’s time to start thinking about how virtual events figure into your business model. Further, how can producing virtual events allow you to provide unique value that results in entirely new business models?We’re talking to Tara McMullin this week, the founder of What Works -- a podcast and community platform for small business owners. Tara and her team have hosted 11 virtual conferences, at least 8 virtual retreats, and countless mastermind or coworking sessions.You’ll discover what the most important aspects of creating virtual events involve, plus we get into the nuts and bolts of software and related technology. We also explore what the future may hold with emerging technologies that enhance interaction between virtual event organizers and participants, and collaboration between everyone involved.To access the show notes and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/virtual-events***This episode is brought to you by Freshbooks, easy-to-use cloud accounting software for people just like you. They’re offering a 30-day, unrestricted and no credit card required free trial to listeners of the show. To claim it, just click http://freshbooks.com/unemployable and make sure to enter UNEMPLOYABLE in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

For as long as bits and packets have been buzzing across the Internet, people have been congregating in chat rooms, forums, comment sections, and groups to discuss shared interests, learn new things, and feel a sense of belonging.And as the Internet has evolved, so too have the technologies for facilitating community. It’s easier, it’s more accessible, and now, it’s more profitable. At least, it can be, for those who are bold and knowledgeable enough to stand up and lead the conversation that attracts people to an online community in the first place ... and who are also humble enough to devote the time, enthusiasm, and empathy necessary to give people the sense of belonging that keeps them coming back.This is what Brian Clark and I are working to build inside of the Unemployable Initiative, our online community and educational library for freelancers and solopreneurs, and it’s what Chris Ducker has built for his audience of personal brand builders over at Youpreneur.Chris is our guest this week on the 7-Figure Small podcast, and we talk about his journey to running a 7-figure small business around helping people become the go-to leader in their industry and, in the process, build a-future proofed business.We also dive into the impact that community has had on Chris’ business. He shares:Where his community fits into his overall business modelWhat it takes to host a community that people are excited to join ... and stick aroundWhat he means by “vibe attracts tribe”Why the power of online communities will only grow with the way work, technology, and society are currently trendingAnd much more.Also, this was truly a podcast recording for the coronavirus everyone-is-at-home age. At one point, Chris had an urgent phone call come in that he had to take, and at another point my 3-year old daughter fell off of an obstacle course that she had built for herself in the living room. So if you hear any awkward cuts, that’s why. ***This episode is brought to you by Freshbooks, easy-to-use cloud accounting software for people like you. Right now they’re offering a 30-day, no credit card required free trial to listeners of the podcast. To claim it, just visit FreshBooks.com/unemployable and make sure to enter UNEMPLOYABLE in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

It’s clear now that COVID-19 is having an enormous impact on us all. First and foremost, we’re worried about our health, the health of our loved ones, and for our local community and society in general.And then we realize the potential impact on our businesses. Not just the direct impact today, but the ripple effect that’s running through the broader economy.It might have been when the event cancellations started. It might have been when clientsstarted canceling work that had been promised. It might have been when the government had to shut down many local businesses.Regardless of when you realized it, we are now in a state of massive change and uncertainty. Can we stop it from being a financial crisis for us?Given all that’s going on, Spencer Sheinin is here to share some ideas with you. Spencer is an entrepreneur with an accounting background, and that powers his firm Shift Financial Insights and allows him to provide simple accounting and financial insights for businesses like yours and mine.In this episode, you’ll hear:• How to figure out your financial “new normal” and get re-stabilized. Or if that’s not possible, a sense of how much time you have to figure out a plan B.• Some cost savings ideas you might not have already thought about.• Creative ways to access additional funds to extend your runway.• When to consider pivots or new strategic initiatives.• How to shift your business model to further rely on outsourcing options.• How to rethink your business and your life.• How to think about the eventual rebound and prepare to thrive in the future.This episode is brought to you by Freshbooks, easy-to-use cloud accounting software for people like you. Right now they’re offering a 30-day, no credit card required free trial to listeners of the podcast. To claim it, just visit FreshBooks.com/unemployable and make sure to enter UNEMPLOYABLE in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

At the beginning of 2020, members of the Unemployable Initiative told us that dealing with distractions was a major challenge for them entering the new year. So we identified one of the foremost experts on the subject and invited him to join us for a guest lecture.Nir Eyal literally wrote the book on the subject, called Indistractable. He also wrote the book Hooked, about how to build habit-forming products.In this hour-long session, which is a sample of the regular content that is available to members of the Unemployable Initiative, Nir discusses the intersection of those two books and then provides insight from each that we can all apply to our daily lives.Among the many topics we cover:• What does it take to build habit-forming digital products?• How can we manage the internal triggers that cause us to become distracted?• What does it mean to “make time for traction”?• Why are to-do lists the wrong way to manage priorities?• How can we “reimagine tasks” to help us stay engaged in tasks without the need for external rewards?• What's the best way to handle email?• How does the power of precommitments and pacts work? (And why is it essential that this come after the other steps in becoming Indistractable?)• What are some tips for staying focused on big, long-term projects?• What can parents to do to help their children become indistractable?We hope you enjoy the special edition of the 7-Figure Small podcast. To learn more about the Unemployable Initiative, go to unemployable.com/community.

When it comes to 7-Figure Small businesses, it's all about the creative, empathetic human at the center of it all.But it's the tools that truly allow us to augment ourselves to build powerful businesses without investors or employees. In the next few years, technology is going to change things for small business owners at an astonishing rate.Yes, we've been hearing about tech such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and the internet of things (IoT) for a while now. But it's not really the individual fields that will sneak up on us -- it's the creative convergence of multiple new technologies that quickly change what "best practices" will look like.In today's episode, Jerod and I discuss a few of these trends and how they'll interrelate to impact your business:1. The Privacy Trade-offOutside of the human element, marketing for a 7-Figure Small business is powered by data, scaled by automation, and optimized by analytics. But at what point are we going too far when it comes to the privacy of our prospects?A majority of consumers are willing to trade personal data in exchange for personalized and targeted content, products, and other offers. But the moment you go beyond offering more value and cross the line into creepy, you can lose the trust of your audience.2. The Impact of 5GYou've no doubt heard plenty about 5G -- the fifth generation wireless technology for digital cellular networks that began wide deployment in 2019 and will become mainstream this year.5G brings three new aspects to the table: bigger channels (to speed up data), lower latency (to be more responsive), and the ability to connect a lot more devices at once (for sensors and smart devices). What that means to you as a marketer and business owner may be more than you think.3. Marketing Technology Meets AIOne thing we've discussed on several occasions is what will happen when various forms of artificial intelligence is baked into your marketing software, such as tools for email, automation, and landing pages.We discuss the move to add AI into the landing page and testing platform from Unbounce. This solution is likely more expensive than we'd like, but the point is that soon this will be in all levels of marketing technology, just like automation was once expensive and is now a feature of every email marketing software.

We've talked a lot about curation here on the 7-Figure Small podcast. It's a smart, forward-thinking strategy for building an audience, and it is leading to success for many people who do it right.But it's important to remember that we are not advocating curation for curation's sake. Curation is a means to an end, not the end in an of itself.And in this week's episode, we lay out of the path for how a strategy of building an email audience through curation is the vessel through which you create the environment that can lead to success in building a 7-figure small business. We discuss what that environment consists of, the steps curation helps you take on your way there, and how to figure it all out by leveraging other people's content.The end result is the 7-figure small business that fits your goals and lifestyle. This is the path.Most importantly, we provide a call to action for anyone who is interested in taking the next step putting this strategy to work for themselves. The URL you need to know is nextlevel7.com, which will give you access to a free email course that goes into more detail than we have time for here.So listen to this week's episode, then take the next steps at Next Level 7. This is how you move methodically toward building the 7-figure small business you've been dreaming about.

[Note: This conversation was originally broadcast in April of 2019.]If you're paying attention to the world of work, the news is unavoidable. Everyone is bracing for a tech-induced transformation -- and it’s already started.As a solo or small business person, technology allows you to do things that used to require scores of employees and tons of capital -- and that ability will accelerate with AI. But it’s the human being at the center of it all that will ultimately determine if you succeed or fail.Today author, entrepreneur, and educator Seth Godin joins us to share his direct experiences with helping people put the “human” first, while still taking advantage of the ever-powerful tools. Get the ratio right, and the sky’s the limit for even the tiniest of ventures.Here are just a few of the highlights from this episode:• Is “permission marketing” still the core of what makes marketing work?• The enduring power of being human and connecting with other humans.• Why consistency is more powerful (and scalable) than authenticity.• Why being a better marketer is more about making a conceptual shift than a tactical one.• What “status roles” are and why understanding this concept is so important for understanding how humans make decisions.• What Seth means when he says, “Most people prefer the blamelessness of ‘I’m for everyone’ than the responsibility of ‘I’m for someone.’”• Why automation and AI will not create, but continue, the long-standing trend of technology replacing jobs that don’t require a human touch.https://unemployable.com/podcast/future-of-marketing/

Freelancers are the epitome of a company of one. That means you must be the self-reliant core that performs your craft while also running a viable business.And yet any truly vibrant core is surrounded by support. Having high quality people around you leads to a better business and lifestyle.Some of these people are the ones you rely on to perform tasks that you can’t or shouldn’t. For example, unless you’re a web designer, you shouldn’t be hacking away trying to build your website. The same is true for functions like legal, accounting, and business coaching.And then there’s the people who send you new clients. These are your advocates, and they can take many forms, ranging from affiliates to those who simply talk you up when you aren’t even aware of it.The question becomes, how do you attract these people? Is it about hustle and hype, or is it more about playing the long game and developing true relationships?In this episode, Jay Clouse of Freelance School joins us to talk through ways to attract the people you need to run your business, and the advocates that help you grow it.***This episode is brought to you by Freshbooks, easy-to-use cloud accounting software for people like you. Right now they’re offering a 30-day, no credit card required free trial to listeners of the podcast. To claim it, just visit FreshBooks.com/unemployable and make sure to enter UNEMPLOYABLE in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

You know, we like to say around here that running a solo business doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.But even with all the technology and your network supporting you, at the center of it all is you. And you need a high degree of self-reliance to make it all work, day after day.You may have read the classic essay “Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson back in high school. It’s not exactly a modern text, despite the multitude of wisdom it contains — and it’s certainly not geared specifically toward the modern entrepreneur.John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing fame decided to bring that wisdom forward, and put his own decades of entrepreneurial success into it. The result is The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur, a highly useful book organized as a daily devotional with 366 entries, one for each day of the year (including the extra day in leap year 2020).In this episode, John shares seven of the most important aspects of self-reliance for not only entrepreneurs, but also freelancers and other solo business owners. Join us to understand the fundamental wisdom that can ensure your business remains strong and stable.Episode page (which includes the 7 pillars handout): https://unemployable.com/podcast/john-jantschThis episode is brought to you by Freshbooks, easy-to-use cloud accounting software for people like you. Right now they’re offering a 30-day, no credit card required free trial to listeners of the podcast. To claim it, just visit FreshBooks.com/unemployable and make sure to enter UNEMPLOYABLE in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

The most common questions we get revolve around audience growth and development -- specifically the growth and development of a minimum viable audience (MVA).• What is an MVA?• What are the benefits of developing one?• What does it take to build one? • How can you accelerate the process?• How do you know when you've reached this pivotal threshold? (And is there a certain audience number to target?)In this edition of 7-Figure Small, Brian Clark and Jerod Morris answer these questions and more about what Brian once called your "unfair business advantage."The discussion includes the three characteristics your audience needs to have to know you have an MVA, plus an analogy about Brian's gym that will help to illustrate the power of the MVA ... until the analogy falls apart due to the important differences between brick-and-mortar business and building a business online.