Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

Ever had one of those days where everything goes wrong? That was me a few weeks when I realized – with a sinking heart – that I hadn’t hit the record button after a brilliant interview with my guest, Jason Willis-Lee. Fortunately, he graciously agreed to a redo, and I’m thrilled because his journey from studying medicine to becoming a thriving freelance medical translator is full of insights. If you’ve ever wondered about niching down, adapting to AI, or growing a freelance business, Jason’s got answers for you.

Jason Willis-Lee has been a professional medical translator for over 20 years, working with clients across the globe. Not only does he have a strong background in life sciences, but he’s also transitioned into mentoring other translators looking to build their businesses. His wealth of experience makes him the perfect guide for anyone interested in building a successful translation career.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT

• How Jason pivoted from studying medicine to becoming a full-time translator and why niching down was a game-changer for him.
• The real impact of AI on the translation industry and how freelancers can leverage it instead of fearing it.
• Why working in-house before going freelance might be the smartest move for new translators.
• How to build your portfolio and attract clients even without a website.
• The importance of leveraging cultural nuances and why spending time in your source language country is crucial.
• Jason’s advice on handling imposter syndrome and how to avoid the “jack of all trades” trap.
• The myths about the translation business, including why you don’t need a fancy website to make a six-figure income.

CALL TO ACTION

If you’re ready to learn the ins and outs of the translation industry, this episode is for you! Listen now and be sure to sign up to be notified about upcoming episodes. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Jason’s book: How to Find More Direct Clients (affiliate link)
• Jason’s website: EntrepreneurialTranslator.com
• LinkedIn: Jason Willis-Lee

Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever felt like you're stuck on a never-ending launch hamster wheel, dreading the next big push for your course? Caitlin Bacher has been there. She went from launching flop after flop to discovering a game-changing strategy that turned her $297 course into a million-dollar powerhouse—all without the stress of launching. 

Curious as to how she did it? This episode is packed with practical insights that could save your sanity and skyrocket your sales.

Caitlin Bacher is not just another course creator; she’s a master of the Evergreen model, with over seven years of experience selling courses without launching. Her journey from social media manager to multi-million-dollar course creator has given her some fairly unique insights into sustainable business growth.

If you're looking to scale your business without the burnout of continuous launches, Caitlin is the expert to listen to.

We Also Talked About:

• The Transition from Launch to Evergreen: Why launching might not be the best strategy and how to start with an Evergreen funnel for steady revenue growth.
• Collecting and Analyzing Data: Learn how to make small, consistent tweaks to your funnel using data to improve your course sales.
• Overcoming Objections: The importance of addressing potential customer doubts and how to refine your messaging over time.
• Effective Organic Traffic Strategies: Why organic traffic should be your starting point and how to use it to fuel your Evergreen funnel.
• The Biggest Mistakes in Evergreen Funnels: Avoid common pitfalls when shifting from a live launch to an automated Evergreen funnel.

Don't miss out on the chance to revolutionize how you sell your course. Tune in to the full episode now, and be sure to sign up for notifications about upcoming episodes. 

Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here.

Resources Mentioned

• Caitlin Bacher’s Free Masterclass: How to Generate Launch-Sized Revenue Without Launching
• Caitlin Bacher’s Website: caitlinbacher.com
• Caitlin’s Podcast: Short episodes on sales, marketing, and Evergreen strategies

Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever had a career plan that completely fell apart, only to lead you to something even better? Kirsty Boden-Stuart did. She quit her job to start an ad agency, which quickly fizzled out. But instead of giving up, she turned to writing to make ends meet—and accidentally stumbled into a whole new career as the Head of Marketing for one of London’s largest social care organizations. And then she started her own side hustle helping freelance writers start their careers. 

Curious how she made the leap? This episode is packed with gems you won’t want to miss.

Kirsty Boden-Stuart is a seasoned marketer with a background that’s anything but traditional. She’s built her expertise from the ground up, starting with writing online to support herself and eventually leading the marketing efforts for a major nonprofit. Kirsty brings a wealth of real-world experience and practical insights into how storytelling and positive framing can transform your marketing strategy.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT

• How Kirsty’s pivot from a failed startup to a marketing career shaped her approach to business.
• The importance of consistent content creation and how it helped Kirsty build her confidence and skills.
• Why positive storytelling is crucial in marketing, and how it engages your audience more effectively than fear-based tactics.
• The unexpected ways that embracing new challenges can lead to career transformation.

Tune in to this episode to learn from Kirsty’s incredible journey and get actionable tips for your own business. Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Freelance Writers Online: The website Kirsty sold to Trudy that reignited Trudy’s love for writing.
• StoryBrand by Donald Miller (affiliate link): Mentioned as a framework for understanding storytelling in marketing.
• Write Like You Mean It:  Kirsty’s new website and newsletter.  

Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered how to truly understand your customers' needs? Suzanne Reilley faced the same challenge when she started as a personal trainer with no business background. Despite this, she successfully built a thriving business by mastering the art of listening to her clients. Curious about her journey and strategies? You’re in for a treat!

Suzanne Reilley is a seasoned business coach, marketing strategist, and copy advisor who has worked with hundreds of clients. Her expertise has been featured in prominent publications like The Washington Post and Daily Candy. Suzanne’s unique approach and proven track record make her a trusted guide in understanding and serving customers better.

• How to go beyond demographics and tap into your customers' hopes, dreams, fears, and aspirations.
• Using Amazon reviews, competitor social media comments, and client communication to uncover valuable customer insights.
• The importance of balancing personal development with business growth.
• Learning to write compelling messages that resonate with your audience using the customer’s words.
• Transitioning from a corporate mindset to an entrepreneurial one for greater success.

Don't miss this insightful episode with Suzanne Reilley! Tune in to learn how deeply understanding your customers can transform your business. 

Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Suzanne’s website: Suzanne Reilley
• Content Calendar Mastery: Map out a year’s worth of engaging topics in 90 minutes or less

Get regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever found yourself frustrated with your podcast setup? Meet Junaid Ahmed, who transformed his cluttered basement into a top-notch studio during the pandemic. How did he do it? By merging his love for technology and film. Curious? Stick around to hear his fascinating journey and pro tips for setting up your own podcast studio.

Junaid Ahmed is a seasoned expert in podcast studio setup, with a rich background in technology, film, and graphic design. He has consulted over 200 individuals on optimizing their podcast spaces and is the author of the soon-to-be-released book, "Home Studio Mastery."

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT:

• Junaid's journey from a tech-loving teenager to a podcast studio consultant.
• Tips for creating a distraction-free and professional podcast setup.
• The importance of reducing friction in your podcasting process.
• How to use your smartphone effectively for high-quality video and audio.
• Junaid's top recommendations for gear and setup improvements.

Don't miss out on this insightful episode with Junaid Ahmed! Listen now and transform your podcast setup. 

Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Website:  https://homestudiomastery.com
• Get Junaid’s book on the 7 Stages of Home Studio Evolution: From Beginner to Broadcast Quality (Amazon affiliate link).  
• Or get it straight from Junaid:  https://homestudiomastery.com/product/book/7-stages-of-home-studio-evolution/ 
• SPI Pro Community:  https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/spi-pro (affiliate link)

Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever thought about how your current skills could be the key to your entrepreneurial success? Jacob Jacobson did just that when he transitioned from working in a church to starting his own business. He discovered that the marketing skills he honed in the church world were exactly what small businesses needed. Join us as Jacob shares his journey and the unique approach that has fueled his success.

Jacob Jacobson is the founder of CloudWorks, a thriving agency dedicated to helping small businesses establish a strong online presence. With a background in pastoral ministry and extensive experience in marketing, Jacob brings a unique blend of empathy and expertise to his clients. His focus on long-term relationships over one-time transactions has led to significant growth and loyal partnerships.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT

• Jacob’s initial pitch to collaborate with me and how it stood out.
• The evolution of his business from offering email setups to comprehensive website services.
• The challenges and rewards of growing an agency and building a remote team.
• How AI tools are integrated into his workflow to enhance client interactions.
• His insights on choosing the right clients and niching down in the market.
• Practical advice for startups and small businesses on when to invest in a custom website.

Don’t miss this this helpful episode with Jacob Jacobson! Listen now and sign up to be notified about upcoming episodes. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Jacob’s website: GetCloudWorks.com
• 7 Crucial Mistakes Resource:  https://resources.getcloudworks.com/7-mistakes-template-liftoff-podcast
• Website Teardown Submission Form:  https://getcloudworks.com/website-tear-down/

Get regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from myself and other experts about growing your business. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Frew is a seasoned engineer-turned-entrepreneur who specializes in acquiring SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses. In this episode, we dive into Michael's journey and his role in managing a portfolio of SaaS businesses for WebStreet. 

Michael shares the nitty-gritty of why buying a SaaS business is often better than building one and offers valuable insights on everything from the acquisition process to dealing with the psychological impact of selling a business. 

Whether you're a developer concerned about AI taking your job and looking for alternatives, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable advice. 

We also talked about:

• Michael’s transition from developing to acquiring businesses and how it changed his career.
• The process and criteria Michael uses to identify and acquire SaaS businesses.
• The role of WebStreet in facilitating passive investments in software businesses.
• The importance of steady growth and business fit in successful acquisitions.
• Preparing for business acquisitions, including financial planning, due diligence, and transition planning.
• The impact of AI on the acquisition process and its potential for both internal improvements and external risks.
• Advice for potential operators and sellers, emphasizing mindset shifts and comprehensive business evaluation.

Tune in to this episode to learn how to build a successful SaaS portfolio and transform your approach to business growth. 

Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Michael Frew’s website: michaelfrew.com
• WebStreet: webstreet.com

Get regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever spent hours crafting content, only to wonder if it's hitting the mark with your audience? I found myself in that exact spot while creating a lead magnet, struggling to pick the perfect hero image. 

Ever been there? Stick around, because in today’s episode I'm taking a look at a game-changing method for getting quick, actionable feedback on your content.

I talk about:

• The challenges of getting timely feedback: Why it's so tricky to get people to respond to your surveys and polls.
• Traditional vs. modern feedback methods: From asking family and friends to leveraging social media and online communities.
• Tools and platforms: Exploring various tools like Hotjar and PickFu for gathering insights.
• Personal experiences: My own journey using PickFu to refine content and improve engagement.
• Types of PickFu polls: Detailed look at different polling options and how to use them effectively.

Ready to transform how you gather feedback and make better content decisions? Tune in to this episode and don't miss out on future insights—sign up here to be notified about upcoming episodes.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• PickFu: Get good feedback fast for your content (affiliate link)
• Hotjar: Tool for capturing user interactions on your website (affiliate link)
• Copyblogger Blog Post:  How To Write A Headline That Drives More Clicks
• Episode 168:  The Art Of Asking:  Understanding The Role Customer Feedback Plays In Business Success with Justin Chen

Get yourself regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about solving challenges and growing your business. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever thought about turning your personal stories or opinions into a profitable side hustle? Even in a world dominated by AI and shifting economies, if you can string together sentences that get people wanting more, it's absolutely possible. 

In this episode, we're diving deep into the secrets of getting started as a freelance writer with Lindy Alexander, an award-winning freelance travel writer who turned her writing passion into a successful career.

With her rich background that includes social work, sign language interpretation, and a Ph.D., Lindy brings a unique and holistic approach to freelance writing. 

We Also Talked About:

• How Lindy transitioned from social work to full-time freelance writing.
• The importance of networking and community in sustaining a freelance writing career.
• Practical tips for pitching and landing high-paying writing gigs.
• How to leverage personal essays and opinion pieces to get published quickly.
• The impact of AI on the writing industry and how to stay relevant.
• Overcoming mindset blocks and building confidence as a writer.
• The value of having a diverse portfolio, including both content writing and feature writing.
• Strategies for managing the business side of freelance writing.

Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable tips and inspiring stories. Listen now and sign up to be notified about upcoming episodes. Sign up here: Newsletter

Resources Mentioned

• Website:  https://thefreelancersyear.com/ 
• Lindy's Free Guides:  
• 10 Successful Magazine Pitches (affiliate link)
• 5 Easy Magazine Features (affiliate link)
• Paid Short Course on Travel Writing:  Get Started With Travel Writing In Under 2 Hours

Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here: Newsletter

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At just 24 years old, Greg Berry was elected as a city councilor and quickly spotted a major problem: government organizations were struggling to get fair value for their surplus items when they sold them.

Determined to find a solution, Greg leveraged his IT expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to create Municibid, an online platform that has since revolutionized government auctions.

His innovative approach not only solved a persistent issue but also transformed the way surplus items are bought and sold in the US and some parts of Canada.

Greg joined me on the show to talk about his journey as well as share what he’s learned along the way.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT:

• Greg's journey from city councilor to entrepreneur and the challenges he faced.
• The inefficiencies in government auctions and how Municibid addresses them.
• The development and scaling of Municibid, including marketing strategies and technological integration.
• The importance of data analytics in optimizing auction sales and identifying trends.
• Greg's new venture, Surplus.com, and its potential for global expansion.
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on finding mentors and leveraging life experiences.

Tune in to hear Greg's interesting story and get inspired to tackle your own business challenges! 

Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Government auction website:  Municibid.com
• B2C surplus goods auction website:  Surplus.com
• Customer engagement platform:  Customer.io
• AI customer service platform:  Intercom.com 
• Self-service business intelligence platform:  Holistics.io
•  Google Cloud’s enterprise data warehouse:  BigQuery

Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business?  Sign up here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.