7-Figure Small

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. 😉

We also discuss a few fun headlines — Twitter's push with Spaces and how creators can use NFTs to their advantage — and then answer a good listener question.

Headline URLs:

https://techcrunch.com/2021/05/03/twitter-expands-spaces-to-anyone-with-600-followers-details-plans-for-tickets-reminders-and-more/

https://unchainedpodcast.com/mark-cuban-on-why-he-thinks-eth-is-a-better-store-of-value-than-bitcoin/

https://www.thetilt.com/revenue/content-creators-non-fungible-tokens-coins-nfts

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Access the full show notes at: https://unemployable.com/podcast/joe-pulizzi-nft/

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/)

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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.

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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/