The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast

#890 Sponsorships and brand deals can change the game for you as a creator. Here's the key, though. You have to know your worth. If, like many, you say yes to bad offers, it can cost you big time! In this episode, I break down what’s actually working in sponsorships right now. From determining what you should charge and spotting red flags to landing deals with companies you respect, this session is a sponsorship blueprint for 2025! You'll learn why beginner creators get taken advantage of, how to find the right companies to work with, the requirements you might have to meet, and the campaign types that are the most lucrative. It's also important to remember your responsibility to your audience. So, finding and fostering long-term partnerships that enhance the experience you offer is ideal. Listen in today to find out how close relationships and storytelling play into an effective brand deal strategy. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session890.

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#889 In business and in life, we need connection to thrive. So what is the number one superpower for building deep relationships? The answer is communication! That said, it's not enough to become a great on-stage speaker. While leveling up your skills around prepared talks is great, what happens when something like a networking dinner requires you to be spontaneous? That’s where the true growth opportunities live. I'm diving into this topic with Tristan de Montebello, co-founder of Ultraspeaking and a finalist in the World Championship of Public Speaking. Listen in on this episode because Tristan didn't start out as a "natural." Like many elite communicators, he has identified the bad habits holding him back and replaced them with the powerful skills that make speaking feel effortless. You'll hear Tristan and me run through a series of exercises meant to train and transform your on-the-spot thinking. Tune it to uncover blind spots and begin expressing yourself with ease! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session889.

Ultraspeaking is offering SPI listeners two free ways to level up as communicators:

• A free email course to learn the same techniques and games I tried on the podcast. Sign up to make your next video, podcast, or pitch 10x more impactful!
• Check out their free live class for a hands-on session from Ultraspeaking’s flagship Staying Calm Under Pressure course, designed to help you finally overcome speaking anxiety!

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#888 You don't need a following to win big online. With algorithms pushing content to targeted audiences, you can serve and earn right away. All it takes is connecting people in search of solutions with the tools and resources to solve their problems. This is the key to affiliate marketing! But how much can you make recommending products? Here's something that blows my mind. Since starting my business journey in 2008, nearly half of my revenue has come from affiliate marketing. That's bananas! Listen in on today's episode because I'll share my top tips to help you follow in my footsteps. These are the tried-and-true strategies that work in 2025, so don't miss out! I'll discuss YouTube as the golden platform for affiliate marketing, my "free way versus the headache-free way" strategy, content formats that convert big, and my favorite tools for next-level results. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session888.

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#887 Hustle culture was wrong. Entrepreneurship is not about growth at all costs, and it's not about sacrificing your health for the sake of success. In fact, you'll never build a sustainable business if you're always running on fumes! In this episode, my good friend Chris Ducker returns to the show to share a powerful reminder on the dangers of burnout. Depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and adrenal failure, Chris has lived through it all. He is here to discuss the warning signs he ignored and the principles that brought him back to health. We tackle the dos and don'ts of running a business that won't burn you out. Based on Chris's new book, The Long Haul Leader, this deep session is all about slowing down to achieve more and build a legacy. From business relationships to self-care and hobbies, listen in for a perspective on lasting success! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session887.

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#886 What if I told you that someone sharing vocabulary tips gets millions of email opens per month and makes seven figures? How about if I said someone's keto recipes for bodybuilders newsletter just earned them a new house in Malibu? Listen in on this session because a quiet email revolution is happening under the radar. Let's pull back the curtain on what’s working in 2025! First, forget the tactics from five years ago. I aim to share the playbook you can use to turn a basic newsletter into a thriving business in today's online landscape. I'll discuss finding the best hyper-niche topic to focus on, repurposing your newsletter for big growth, pairing the right ad and monetization strategies, the top tools for the job, and more. Onboarding, engagement, and retention are also covered to help you build a long-term income stream around your passion. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session886.

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#885 Social media isn't social anymore, it's just media. This fundamental shift is already having a massive impact on our results as creators and entrepreneurs. So what are the strategies that can help us master these online platforms? While we might be tempted to chase the latest trends and copy what everyone else is doing, that's not the key to success. In fact, it might be holding us back. Listen in on today's episode because I've analyzed and distilled the tactics behind the top creators of 2025. I’ll share the five principles I’ve uncovered and the lessons learned getting billions of views on my content. We’ll cover why precision beats breadth, how to go viral in your niche, and the mistake keeping most entrepreneurs stuck. You’ll learn why treating each platform like an island is key, the secret to crafting powerful hooks, and how to capture value beyond likes and views. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session885.

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#884 How do you build an audience online in a world flooded with AI content? The key to standing out is finding your uniqueness and applying it in the service of others. Information won't set you apart—your story will! In this episode, I’m joined by New York Times bestselling author and personal branding expert, Rory Vaden. He and I explain why your voice, experiences, and struggles are more important than ever in 2025. So, how can authenticity cut through the noise, build trust, and create real connections? Listen in to find out! Rory walks you through his four-part storytelling framework to help you level up your brand and inspire others to take action. From content creation to building communities, we discuss how to leverage AI-powered tools without losing the personal touch that makes all the difference. As Rory says, humanness is the new uniqueness. Join us to learn how emotion can elevate your business! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session884.

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#883 Podcasting is changing fast. From video to new discovery tools, finding and growing an audience can happen quicker than ever. But how do you take advantage of this opportunity and stand out among millions of shows? That's what I'm sharing in today's episode. I'll break down the best strategies for podcasters in 2025 to help you put yourself out there and succeed! I’ll walk you through my top short-form content tips that can put your show in front of new listeners, even if you’re just starting. You’ll hear about the AI tools that make creating and sharing video clips easier than ever and how to repurpose your highlights for every platform, from TikTok to Facebook. Yes, Facebook! I also cover timeless tactics such as podcast guesting and building a community around your brand for a comprehensive look at growing your show. Tune in, and enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session883.

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#882 If you're not paying attention to how YouTube is changing, you should be! Today, I'll share the three algorithm triggers that can make all the difference for your brand in 2025. Many creators aren't taking advantage of these recent updates, so this is your chance to stand out! I’ve built three successful YouTube channels, so these strategies are tried and true. I'll walk you through attracting more return viewers, balancing niche and broad content to go viral while creating a loyal audience, leveraging video series and live streams, and more! This episode is not about basics like optimizing your titles and thumbnails, although I also share some key tricks that can help with that. You see, much of what used to work on YouTube won't move the needle for you nowadays. In fact, some old-school tactics might be doing more harm than good. So tune in for my top dos and don'ts right now! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session882.

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